1st Czechslovak Division in France 1940

[ChiChuck1]

Hello!

I am very interested in your forum. My Father fought with the 1st
Czechoslovak Division in France in 1940. We are looking for any literature
that may be available about the division. We are aware it was composed of
about 5,000 men and consisted of two regiments. But we were wondering where
exactly in France they fought. Some went to England, yes; but my father and
several of his compatriots went south and ended up in Casablanca.
Then on to North America.

Would you be able to direct to any informative, solid information on the
1st Czechoslovak Division?

Thank you.

Chuck

[Loïc]

hello

indeed similarly to the Polish Army of France around 12 000 citizens in France were mobilised for a smaller Czechoslovakian Army as France still recognized a Czechoslovakian State and not Slovakia and the Protectorate of Bohemia Moravia,
5 000 it is only the strenght for both regiments having known a real participation in the campaign, not the whole Division

they were gathered at the camp d'Agde between (nearest) Béziers and Montpellier in Languedoc southern France

after to know where exactly he fought, it depends in which regiment or unit he served, actually it was an aborted Division because despite the «1st Czechoslovakian Division» was officially raised, due to the lack of times given the circumstances, instead of be sent to the battlefield as completed Division the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments fought separately renforcing each 2 French Divisions (the 23e DI and 239e DLI) in the last weeks of struggle of june 1940,
there were more elements as nucleus for the Division than only 2 regiments but didn't see the frontline, lacking of time to be enough trained and so just remained at their Training Depot of the camp of Agde and area


http://armee-tchecoslovaque-en-france-a ... _3488.html


otthers datas and French Archives about the rebirth of the Czechoslovakian Army in France in this thread
http://atf40.1fr1.net/t1677-1re-di-tchecoslovaque



Regards
Loïc