WesWorld

An overview of the battalion-size formations in the French Army.

List:
- Infantry Battalion
- Chasseurs Montagne Battalion
- Parachutist Battalion
- Régiment blindé
- Chasseurs portés / Dragon portés Battalion
- GRDI
- Bataillon d'Artillerie de Défence Contre Aéronefs
- Motorized Artillery Battalion
- Motorized Heavy Artillery Battalion
- Parachute Reconnaissance Battalion
- Regiment Inter-Armes

Infantry Battalion
This is the standard infantry battalion of the French Army in the 1940s. It's based on the historical French battalion organized at the time.

Composition:
- Battalion staff: 1 battalion commander, 3 officers
- 1 command platoon: 1 signals squad (3 NCOs, 35 men), 1 supply squad (2 NCOs, 12 men), 1 medical squad (1 NCO, 23 men including 16 stretcher-bearers)
- 3 infantry companies: : 194 men, 12 machine guns, 16 rifle grenade launchers, 1 60mm mortar
- 1 support company: 201 men, 16 HMGs, 2 25mm AT guns, 2 81mm mortars
- Total: 863 men, 36 machine guns, 16 HMGs, 3 60mm mortars, 2 81mm mortars, 2 25mm AT guns

Quoted

Infantry Company:
- 4 infantry platoons: 41 men, 3 machine guns, 4 rifle grenade launchers
- 1 command platoon: 30 men, 1 60mm mortar, 1 truck, 4 bicycles, 4 horses
- Total: 194 men, 12 machine guns, 16 rifle grenade launchers, 1 60mm mortar, 1 truck, 4 bicycles, 4 horses

Support Company:
- 1 company commander
- 1 command platoon: 1 signals and intelligence squad (1 officer, 10 men), 1 supplies and services squad (3 NCOs, 12 men, 2 wagons, 1 field kitchen, 1 truck)
- 4 machinegun platoons (including 1 AA MG platoon): 1 command squad (1 officer, 1 NCO, 2 men), 2 MG squads (1 NCO, 14 men, 2 HMGs, 3 horses, 3 wagons)
- 1 heavy weapons platoon: 1 AT squad (3 NCOs, 14 men, 2 25mm AT guns, 3 horses, 3 wagons), 1 mortar squad (1 NCO, 20 men, 2 81mm mortars, 4 horses, 4 wagons)
- Total: 201 men, 16 HMGs, 2 25mm AT guns, 2 81mm mortars

Mountain Infantry Battalion
The mountain infantry battalion (Bataillon de Chasseurs Montagne) is based on the regular infantry battalions, but has an integral headquarters and supply company responsible for supporting the battalion in mountainous terrain, as well as a ski-scout platoon. The battalions posted in the east and southeast of France are called the chasseurs alpins, while those posted along the Iberian border are called the chasseurs pyrenees.

Composition:
- Battalion staff: 1 battalion commander, 3 officers
- 1 section d'éclaireurs skieurs (ski-scout platoon): 30 men
- 1 compagnie hors-rang (HQ & supply company): 174 men, 12 trucks, 5 heavy trucks
- 3 rifle companies: 194 men, 12 machine guns, 16 rifle grenade launchers, 1 60mm mortar, 1 truck, 4 bicycles, 4 horses
- 1 compagnie d'accompagnement (support company): 201 men, 16 HMGs, 2 25mm AT guns, 2 81mm mortars
- Total: 991 men, 36 machine guns, 48 rifle grenade launchers, 16 HMGs, 2 AT guns, 3 60mm mortars, 2 81mm mortars

Parachutist Battalion
The parachute infantry battalions are organized along the following lines. The battalions are designated as chasseurs parachutistes.

Composition
- 1 battalion headquarters: 28 men
- 1 parachute headquarters company: 165 men, 3 81mm mortars
- 3 parachute infantry companies: 157 men, 9 machine guns, 9 rifle grenade launchers, 2 60mm mortars, 2 AT rifles
- Total: 664 men, 27 machine guns, 27 rifle grenade launchers, 6 60mm mortars, 3 81mm mortars, 6 AT rifles

Régiment blindé (Armoured Regiment)
The armoured regiment is the main organizational grouping of tanks or armoured vehicles. As in the British Army, the French use the term regiment to refer to a tank battalion.

Composition:
- 3 tank squadrons (companies): 70 men, 13 tanks, 1 command armoured car, 1 motorcycle
- 1 bataillon headquarters: 50 men, 2 tanks, 1 armoured recovery vehicle, 2 assault guns
- 1 support company: 25 men, 15-17 trucks (including ammo, fuel, maintenance, etc)
Total: 285 men, 41 tanks, 3 command armoured cars, 2 assault guns, 15-17 trucks, 3 motorcycles

Chasseurs portés / Dragon portés Battalion:
The chasseurs and dragon portés are the mechanized and motorized infantry of the French Army. Although the order of battle is the same, the Chasseurs portés are equipped with armoured infantry carriers such as the Lorraine VBCP or the Panhard VCI-41, while the Dragons portés are equipped solely with trucks such as the Berliet GBC-4 truck.

Composition:
- Battalion staff: 1 battalion commander, 3 officers, 2 staff cars
- 1 command platoon: 1 signals squad (3 NCOs, 35 men, 8 light trucks, 2 cars), 1 supply squad (2 NCOs, 12 men, 2 trucks), 1 medical squad (1 NCO, 23 men including 16 stretcher-bearers, 2 field ambulances)
- 3 chasseurs companies: 218 men, 12 machine guns, 16 rifle grenade launchers, 1 60mm mortar, 13 infantry carriers, 3 trucks, 14 cars, 4 motorcycles
- 1 support company: 99 men, 16 HMGs, 2 25mm AT guns, 2 81mm mortars, 8 armoured carriers, 10 trucks
- 1 vehicle maintenance platoon: 34 men, 5 trucks, 2 wrecker/crane trucks
- Total: 868 men, 36 machine guns, 16 HMGs, 3 60mm mortars, 2 81mm mortars, 2 25mm AT guns, 47 armoured carriers, 34 trucks, 2 wrecker trucks, 13 cars, 2 field ambulances

Groupe de Reconnaissance de Division d'Infanterie - Infantry Division Reconnaissance Group:
The Groupe de Reconnaissance de Division d'Infanterie is a battalion-sized force supporting the standard infantry division in tactical and strategic reconnaissance tasks.

Composition:
- 1 group staff: 1 battalion commander, 3 officers, 2 staff cars
- Command platoon: 1 signals squad (3 NCOs, 35 men, 8 light trucks, 2 cars), 1 supply squad (2 NCOs, 12 men, 2 trucks), 1 medical squad (1 NCO, 23 men including 16 stretcher-bearers, 2 field ambulances)
- 3 scout car companies: 58 men, 14 armoured cars, 2 motorcycles
- 3 motorcycle companies: 162 men, 64 motorcycles, 14 scout cars, 1 mortar carrier
- 1 support company: 99 men, 16 HMGs, 2 25mm AT guns, 2 81mm mortars, 8 armoured trucks, 10 trucks
- 1 vehicle maintenance platoon: 34 men, 5 trucks, 2 wrecker/crane trucks
- Total: 873 men, 84 scout cars, 3 mortar carriers, 6 motorcycles, 192 motorcycles with sidecars, 4 staff cars, 8 armoured trucks, 25 trucks, 2 field ambulances

Bataillon d'Artillerie de Défence Contre Aéronefs (AA Artillery Regiment)
The BADCA is a dedicated anti-aircraft unit for defending ground units from air attack. It is usually mechanized.

Composition:
- 3 motorized AA artillery batteries: 85 men, 4 75mm or 90mm AA guns, 4 ammunition carrier chenillettes, 4 artillery tractors
- 1 mechanized AA tank company: 78 men, 13 AA tanks, 1 command armoured car, 2 motorcycles
- 1 motorized AA company: 162 men, 12 towed 40mm antiaircraft batteries, 12 artillery tractors, 24 trucks
- 1 supply platoon: 36 men, 18 trucks, 9 trailers, 2 cars
- 1 poste central du groupe: 21 men, 4 trucks
- 1 air force liaison squad: 18 men, 2 trucks, 1 car
- 1 command platoon: 1 signals and intelligence squad (1 officer, 10 men, 1 truck), 1 services squad, 4 men, 1 car
- Total: 573 men, 12 medium AA guns, 12 heavy AA guns, 13 AA tanks, 12 ammunition carrier chenillettes, 24 artillery tractors, 49 trucks

Motorized Artillery Battalion
Motorized artillery battalions are associated with armoured and mechanized infantry divisions, as well as standard infantry divisions. Most French artillery battalions are now organized to this pattern, or are in the process of conversion.

Composition:
- 3 motorized artillery batteries: 83 men, 4 howitzers, 4 ammunition carriers, 4 artillery tractors, 18 trucks, 2 field cars
- 1 AAMG troop: 26 men, 4 light AA guns, 4 trucks, 1 car
- 1 battalion staff company: 123 men, 6 light trucks, 20 medium trucks, 10 field cars, 4 FO scout cars
- Total: 398 men, 12 towed howitzers, 12 ammunition carriers, 12 artillery tractors, 6 light trucks, 78 trucks, 4 FO scout cars, 17 field cars

Motorized Heavy Artillery Battalion
Heavy Artillery Battalions serve artillery pieces larger than 155mm in bore size.

Composition:
- 3 motorized artillery batteries: 71 men, 2 towed heavy howitzers, 2 ammunition carriers, 2 artillery tractors, 14 trucks, 2 field cars
- 1 AAMG troop: 26 men, 4 light AA guns, 4 trucks, 1 car
- 1 battalion staff company: 123 men, 6 light trucks, 20 medium trucks, 10 field cars, 4 FO scout cars
- Total: 362 men, 6 towed heavy howitzers, 6 ammunition carriers, 6 artillery tractors, 6 light trucks, 66 trucks, 4 FO scout cars, 17 field cars

Détachement Motorisé
The Détachement Motorisé is a small unit which can serve as a mobile gendarmerie unit either in the French metropolitan area or in the French colonies. The units are usually formed using older equipment removed from frontline service. The "infantry carriers" denoted may simply be older trucks or halftracks, rather than protected infantry carriers coming into use elsewhere. Bicycle-mounted infantry may stand in for the motorcycle or dragon portes companies in some circumstances.

Composition:
- 1 Headquarters Squadron: 48 men, 12 pistols, 30 rifles, 6 submachine guns, 2 medium machine guns, 6 field cars, 2 light trucks, 6 medium trucks, 2 scout cars, 2 armoured cars
- 1 Compagnie de Auto-Mitrailleuses: 78 men, 50 pistols, 9 rifles, 15 submachine guns, 1 field car, 2 medium trucks, 14 armoured cars
- 1 Motorcycle Company: 144 men, 54 pistols, 28 rifles, 62 submachine guns, 45 light machine guns, 2 81mm mortars, 2 AT guns, 9 field cars, 4 motorcycles, 45 motorcycles with sidecars, 2 medium trucks, 8 scout cars
- 1 Dragon portés Company: 198 men, 25 pistols, 158 rifles, 25 submachine guns, 14 light machine guns, 16 rifle grenade launchers, 2 81mm mortars, 16 field cars, 3 motorcycles, 2 medium trucks, 14 infantry carriers
- 1 Regimental Train: 64 men, 10 pistols, 35 rifles, 6 field cars, 18 medium trucks
- 1 Motorised Mortar Battery: 50 men, 33 pistols, 16 rifles, 4 submachine guns, 1 light machine gun, 4 120mm mortars, 1 field car, 1 light truck, 4 medium trucks
Total: 582 men, 184 pistols, 276 rifles, 112 submachine guns, 60 light machine guns, 2 medium machine guns, 16 rifle grenade launchers, 4 81mm mortars, 4 120mm morats, 2 AT guns, 39 field cars, 7 motorcycles, 45 motorcycles with sidecars, 3 light trucks, 34 medium trucks, 10 scout cars, 16 armoured cars, 14 infantry carriers

Battalion Artillerie Portee (Rocket Artillery Battalion)
The Rocket Artillery Battalions are the main fire-units of the French rocket artiilery regiments. Unlike most regular artillery units, the rocket artillery troops field larger service units.

Composition:
- 1 Headquarters Battery: 143 men (8 officers, 19 NCOs, 116 other ranks), 8 pistols, 52 rifles, 81 submachine guns, 2 light machine guns, 6 field cars, 4 light trucks, 3 medium trucks, 6 scout cars
- 3 Rocket Artillery Batteries: 82 men (2 officers, 7 NCOs, 73 other ranks), 19 pistols, 56 rifles, 6 submachine guns, 1 light machine gun, 6 launch trucks, 6 reload trucks, 1 field car, 7 light trucks
- 1 Service Battery: 89 men (5 officers, 13 NCOs, 71 other ranks), 14 pistols, 56 rifles, 2 submachine guns, 8 field cars, 26 medium trucks
- 1 Motorized AA Battery: 34 men )2 officers, 5 NCOs, 27 other ranks), 21 pistols, 8 rifles, 4 submachine guns, 1 light machine gun, 1 field car, 1 light truck, 4 medium trucks, 4 towed 40mm AA guns
TOTAL: 512 men (21 officers, 58 NCOs, 433 other ranks), 100 pistols, 284 rifles, 105 submachine guns, 6 light machine guns, 18 launch trucks, 18 reload trucks, 18 field cars, 26 light trucks, 33 medium trucks, 6 scout cars, 4 towed 40mm AA guns

Mechanized Artillery Battalion
Mechanized artillery battalions are associated with armoured and mechanized infantry divisions. They consist entirely of self-propelled artillery pieces in the 75mm, 105mm, and 155mm ranges. (Manpower may fluctuate slightly depending on vehicle crew sizes.)

Composition:
- 3 mechanized artillery batteries: 29 men, 4 self-propelled guns, 4 ammunition carriers
- 1 supply platoon: 24 men, 12 trucks, 6 trailers, 2 cars
- 1 poste central du groupe: 21 men, 4 trucks
- 1 command platoon: 1 signals and intelligence squad (1 officer, 10 men, 1 truck), 1 services squad, 4 men, 1 car
- 2 forward observer teams: 16 men, 2 FO-equipped scout cars
- Total: 163 men, 12 SPGs, 12 ammunition carriers, 18 trucks, 3 cars, 4 FO scout cars

Dinassaut Battalion
The Dinassaut Battalions are manned from the Fusiliers Marins, and trained for amphibious assaults. Dinassaut battalions may additionally have an attached vehicle transport and maintenance group equipped with amphibious trucks and towed amphibious trailers.

Composition
- 1 battalion headquarters: 28 men
- 1 amphibious headquarters company: 165 men, 3 81mm mortars
- 3 amphibious infantry companies: 157 men, 9 machine guns, 9 rifle grenade launchers, 2 60mm mortars, 2 AT rifles
- Total: 664 men, 27 machine guns, 27 rifle grenade launchers, 6 60mm mortars, 3 81mm mortars, 6 AT rifles

Parachute Reconnaissance Battalion
The parachute reconnaissance battalions are organized along the following lines. The battalions are designated as dragons parachutistes.

Composition
- 1 battalion headquarters: 28 men
- 1 parachute headquarters company: 165 men, 3 81mm mortars
- 3 parachute reconnaissance companies: 145 men, 6 machine guns, 6 rifle grenade launchers, 2 AT rifles, 1 60mm mortar
- Total: 628 men, 18 machine guns, 18 rifle grenade launchers, 6 AT rifles, 3 60mm mortars, 3 81mm mortars

Regiment Inter-Armes
The regiment inter-armes is currently used by the Légion étrangère in Lebanon and North Africa.

Composition
- 1 headquarters squadron: 48 men, 2 medium MGs, 6 field cars, 2 light trucks, 6 medium trucks, 2 scout cars, 2 armoured cars
- 2 tank squadrons: 78 men, 1 field car, 2 medium trucks, 14 tanks
- 2 chasseurs portes squadrons: 222 men, 2 60mm mortars, 16 field cars, 3 motorcycles, 2 medium trucks, 14 infantry carriers
- 1 heavy mortar battery: 143 men, 9 120mm mortars, 14 field cars, 3 motorcycles, 5 medium trucks, 10 infantry carriers
- 1 reconnaissance squadron: 148 men, 3 field cars, 12 motorcycles, 20 motorcycles with sidecars, 2 light trucks, 4 medium trucks, 8 scout cars, 4 infantry carriers
- 1 regimental train: 64 men, 6 field cars, 18 medium trucks
- Total: 1,003 men, 4 60mm mortars, 9 120mm mortars, 63 field cars, 21 motorcycles, 20 motorcycles with sidecars, 4 light trucks, 41 medium trucks, 10 scout cars, 2 armoured cars, 28 tanks, 42 infantry carriers