5th Armored Division (France)
Encyclopedia
The 5th Armored Division was an armored division of the French Army
that fought in World War II
and the Algerian War. It was also active in Germany
during the Cold War
.
, the division was initially stationed in Germany; its HQ was in Landau, Palatinate
.
In 1961 the division comprised:
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
that fought in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Algerian War. It was also active in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
.
World War II
The division was formed on 1 May 1943 under the command of General de Vernejoul. It was initially the 2nd Armored Division, but renamed the 5th Armored Division on 9 July.Cold War
During the Cold WarCold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, the division was initially stationed in Germany; its HQ was in Landau, Palatinate
Palatinate
The County Palatine of the Rhine , later the Electoral Palatinate , was a historical territory of the Holy Roman Empire, a palatinate administered by a count palatine...
.
Algeria
The division left Germany for Algeria on 1 April 1956, but left some units in Palatinate, Germany.In 1961 the division comprised:
- 1st Armored Regiment
- 6th African Chasseur Regiment
- 19th Chasseur Battalion
- 20th Chasseur Battalion
- 21st Algerian Rifles Regiment
- 1st/64th Artillery Regiment
- 2nd/64th Artillery Regiment