French General Strategic Reserve 1940

[Kelvin]

In May 1940, not only did France have two highly motorized Armies : First and Seventh Army both had three DLM and about five motorized infantry divisions plus some separate tank battalions mainly R-35, but also had a strong general strategic reserve under General Geogrges to handle unexpected situation like support different Army Group.

Those reserve included 3e Motorized Division, Three DCR divisions with Char B tanks. Active infantry divisions like 10e, 14e, 23e, 36e, 43e DI , 1er DINA and 29e Alpine Division and A class 28e Alpine, 5e DINA and 5e and 7e DIC and Polish infantry division.

Some sources said French sent 3e Motorized, 14e DI and 3e DCR to Sedan and 43e and 1er DINA and 1er and 2e DCR to Dinant. But how about other divisions ? , did also send them to reinforce the front, anyone have data on that ? Thank

[Loïc]

hello
all these Divisions joined and renforced the Armies between the 12th and 20th may
43e DI to 1ère Armée
3e DIM 36e DI 3e DCr to 2e Armée
10e 14e 28e DI to 6e Armée
23e 29e DI 7e DINA 5e 7e DIC to 7e Armée
1ére DINA 2e DCr to 9e Armée
2nd Polish joining last week of may the 3rd Army and in june the 8th Army

Regards
Loïc

[Kelvin]

Hi, Loic, thank a lot.

[Carl Schwamberger]

If its not to late I have a bit to add. a map a friend sent me has the division locations and assignments for the North Eastern Zone or Front for 10 May 1940. Cant attest to its accuracy or source, other than the parts I've been able to cress check seem very accurate.

Anyway it shows the divisions assigned to the "Reserve Strategique par le Haut Commandement" since the bottom of the map is cut off there may be some missing.

3DCR...........Riems Ordered to 2d Army 13 May

71 DI...........Atigny Ordered back to 2d Army 10 or 11 May

1 DIC...........Varennes

6 DIC...........Conde

3 DIM...........Sermaizes (sp?)

36 DI...........Bars/Aube

1 Pol...........Colombey

6 DI............Etain

6 NA...........Paily (sp?)

45 DI...........Dolme

87 DI...........Dieuze

14 DI...........Luneville

4 DIC...........Etape

44 DI...........Bouxwiller (sp?)

35 DI...........Brinati (sp?)

19 DI...........Mulhouse

At the bottom of the map is a note: "Autres GU en Reserve en Arrere__7, 10, 23, 28, 29 DI et en formation 8 et 7 NA - 7 DIC"

Best guess is this refers to eight more division in some sort of reserve. If so the "Reserve Strategique had 24 divisions.

[Kelvin]

Hi, Carl, not late, thank for your information.

[Loïc]

hello
the 6e DINA is Pagny-sur-Moselle under 3rd Army then passed to 2nd Army
35e DI is Brumath in Alsace
for locations and everyday-map(s) you can look ATF40 website cartography section appearing by selection d'unités
http://www.atf40.fr/atf40/
10th may northwestern front
http://www.atf40.fr/ATF40/divers/cartes ... 5_10p1.JPG
10th may northeastern front
http://www.atf40.fr/ATF40/divers/cartes ... 5_10p2.JPG
etc...

Regards
Loïc L.

[Carl Schwamberger]

Loic
Thanks & Merci for the information. the map on that site I have seen, but did not have a copy. It matches closely the similar map I have.

[ljadw]

In May 1940, not only did France have two highly motorized Armies : First and Seventh Army both had three DLM and about five motorized infantry divisions

This is very questionable


The French Site "L'Armée française en 1940 " gives the following figures


7 Army : 6 divisions of which 3 mobile : 1 DLM and 2 DIM

1 Army : 10 divisions (non including the fortress division ) of which 1 DB, 2 DLM and 3 DIM = 6 mobile

[Kelvin]

In May 1940, not only did France have two highly motorized Armies : First and Seventh Army both had three DLM and about five motorized infantry divisions

This is very questionable


The French Site "L'Armée française en 1940 " gives the following figures


7 Army : 6 divisions of which 3 mobile : 1 DLM and 2 DIM

1 Army : 10 divisions (non including the fortress division ) of which 1 DB, 2 DLM and 3 DIM = 6 mobile

Initial deployment of mobile division like this "

1 Army : 2 & 3e DLM, 1e, 12e and 15e DIM for Belgium

7 Army : 1er DLM and 9e and 25e DIM for Netherlands

9 Army : 5e DLM, 1 & 4e DLC