Structure of the French Army in 1989

The Order of Battle of the French Army in 1989 is given below.

In 1977 the Army had changed its military organisation in accordance with a short war-fighting strategy in Europe, and divisions lost their component brigades. Under army headquarters in 1985 were the First Army, with three corps, the Rapid Action Force, an independent corps-level rapid deployment command, six military regions in the metropole (including the former DOM-TOM territorial defence forces), and forces overseas in Guyana, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Djibouti, Seychelles/Mayotte, New Caledonia, and French Polynesia.[1][2]

Regimental Structure

Below follows a description of the organisation of the various regiments of the French Army.

Armored Divisions

Light Armored Divisions

The four light armored divisions (6e Division Légère Blindée, 9e Division d'Infanterie de Marine, 12e Division Légère Blindée and 14e Division Légère Blindée) vary in their structure.

Infantry Divisions

General Staff of the Army

I Corps
1 Blindée
7 Blindée
12 Légère Blindée
14 Légère Blindée
II Corps
3 Blindée
5 Blindée
15 Infanterie
III Corps
2 Blindée
10 Blindée
8 Infanterie
Force d'Action Rapide
4 Aéromobile
6 Légère Blindée
9 Infanterie de Marine
11 Parachutiste
27 Alpine
French Army Corps and division locations 1989

First French Army

I French Corps

1ère Division Blindée
7e Division Blindée
12e Division Légère Blindée Ecole
14e Division Légère Blindée Ecole

II French Corps

3e Division Blindée
5e Division Blindée
15e Division d'Infanterie

III French Corps

2e Division Blindée
8e Division d'Infanterie
10e Division Blindée

Force d'Action Rapide

4e Division Aéromobile

Wartime: The 4th RHCM consists of a squadron commander and liaison with ten light helicopters type SA341F Gazelle, and five utility helicopters squadrons each with ten type SA330Ba Puma transport helicopters. The 1st, 3rd and 5th RHC are composed of a squadron of light reconnaissance helicopter with nine light helicopters type SA341F Gazelle. These devices called "smooth" knowing that they do not carry on-board armament, used for reconnaissance or command support, a support helicopter squadron protection with ten light helicopters type SA341F2 Gazelle. These aircraft, each provided with a 20 mm gun used in support of ground troops and protection of other aircraft, anti-tank squadrons of three helicopters, each with ten light helicopters type SA342M Gazelle. These aircraft have four HOT antitank missiles for destroying armored vehicles of all kinds and a helicopter squadron maneuver with ten type SA330Ba Puma transport helicopters. None of these units possess Alouette III that is found only in peacetime in the 6th and 7th RHC each with ten machines.

6e Division Légère Blindée

9e Division d'Infanterie de Marine

11e Division Parachutiste

27e Division Alpine

1st Logistic Command

The 1st Logistic Command provided overseas logistic capabilities.

Graphic of the French Army in Europe

Structure of the active units of the French Army in Europe in 1989 (click to enlarge)

Overseas Units

French Overseas Units in 1989 (click to enlarge)

Africa

Army forces in West Africa:

Djibouti

Army forces in Djibouti:

Antilles & Guiana

Army forces in the Lesser Antilles and French Guiana:

Indian Ocean

Army forces in the Southern Indian Ocean:

French Polynesia

Army forces in French Polynesia:

New Caledonia

Army forces in New Caledonia:

Military regions and reserve forces

In 1984, Isby and Kamps wrote that the Defense Operationalle de Territorie term remained in use despite the command having been disbanded in the 1970s.[3]

1st Military Region

2nd Military Region

3rd Military Region

4th Military Region

5th Military Region

6th Military Region

Detached Units

French Air Force

The Army provided two engineer regiments to the Armée de l'Air.

French Forces in Germany

Tri-service Peacetime command for all French Forces in Germany.

Secret Service

The Army provided two regiments to the Directorate-General for External Security for secret out-of-area missions.

Foreign Legion

See also

References

  1. Isby and Kamps, 1985, 111
  2. http://armee-francaise-1989.wifeo.com/
  3. Isby and Kamps, Armies of NATO's Central Front, Jane's, 1985, 162.
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