24th Army Corps (France)

24th Army Corps
24e corps d'armée
Active1870–1871, 1939–1940
Country France
BranchFrench Army
TypeArmy corps
RoleFrontline Combat
Part ofThird Army (May 1940) • Seventh Army (June 1940)
EngagementsFranco-Prussian War
Battle of France
Commanders
Current
commander		General François-Marie Fougère (1940)

The 24th Army Corps (French: 24e corps d'armée) was a formation of the French Army that served during the Franco-Prussian War and World War II. During the Battle of France in May 1940, it was initially stationed in the Fortified Sector of la Crusnes as part of the Third Army.

History

The corps was originally formed in December 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War. It was re-established in December 1939 during the Phony War.

World War II (1940)

In early May 1940, the 24th Army Corps, commanded by General Fougère, replaced the 21st Corps in the Fortified Sector of la Crusnes. Following the German breakthrough, the corps was redeployed and attached to the Seventh Army on 5 June 1940. It participated in the defensive battles on the Somme and the subsequent retreat until its dissolution in July 1940.[1]

Organizational and Mobilization Structure

The operational capability of the 24th Army Corps was largely defined by its role as a mobilization frame for Série B formations, such as the 51st Infantry Division.[2] Compared to active corps, Série B units consisted of older reservists and often faced shortages in modern anti-tank weaponry and motorized transport, which necessitated a strictly defensive employment within the tactical framework of the Maginot Line sectors.[3]

The corps' operational framework relied on the four functional pillars of the Corps Troops (Éléments Organiques de Corps d'Armée - EOCA):

  • Infantry and Protection (Infanterie et Protection): The 624th Pioneer Regiment (624e Régiment de Pionniers) provided the necessary labor for fortifying defensive positions and securing the corps' rear area.[1]
  • Artillery and Logistics (Artillerie et Train): Heavy motorized firepower was provided by the 124th Heavy Motorized Artillery Regiment (124e RALTr), equipped with 105mm L and 155mm GPF guns, supported by the 24th Artillery Park and specialized motorized transport companies.[3]
  • Engineering (Génie): Specialized Sapper-Miner companies (124/1 & 124/2) facilitated technical defensive measures within the fortified sectors.[1]
  • Communications (Transmissions): Command and control were ensured by dedicated Telegraphic (124/81) and Radio (124/82) companies, as well as the 124/83 Pigeon Detachment.[3]

This organization followed the French doctrine of the "Methodical Battle" (Bataille conduite), utilizing the corps as a rigid administrative and tactical anchor to coordinate the defense of the Maginot Line's gaps, specifically within the Crusnes Fortified Sector (Secteur Fortifié de la Crusnes).[4]

Order of Battle (May 1940)

According to the records of the SHAT and contemporary mobilization documents, the corps was structured as follows at the start of the German offensive:[1]

Corps Troops (Éléments Organiques de Corps d'Armée)

Corps Assets (Click "show" to expand)
  • Infantry: 624th Pioneer Regiment (624e Régiment de Pionniers) [1]
  • Cavalry: 25th Corps Reconnaissance Group (25e GRCA) [3]
  • Artillery: 124th Heavy Motorized Artillery Regiment (124e RALTr) – 1st & 2nd Groups (105mm L1936) and 3rd Group (155mm GPF) [3]
  • Engineering: 124/1 & 124/2 Sapper-Miner Companies, 124th Engineering Park Company [1]
  • Communications: 124/81 Telegraphic, 124/82 Radio, and 124/83 Pigeon Detachments [3]
  • Services and Logistics: 124th Operating Service Group, 224th Butcher Company, 24th Horse-Drawn Ambulance, 24th Light Surgical Ambulance, and 24th Hygienic, Washing & Disinfection Section [1]
  • Aviation: 515th Aerial Observation Group (GAO 515) [3]
  • Attached Units (Fortified Sector of la Crusnes): 149th Fortress Infantry Regiment (149e RIF), 1/143rd Artillery Regiment (155mm L), 2/403rd & 2/621st Pioneer Regiments, 3/45th Fortress Artillery Regiment (155mm C) [1][4]

51st Infantry Division (51e Division d'Infanterie)

51st Infantry Division (Click "show" to expand)
  • Infantry Regiments: 100th, 201st, and 310th Infantry Regiments (100e, 201e, 310e RI) [1][3]
  • Artillery: 27th Field Artillery Regiment (27e RAD), 227th Heavy Artillery Regiment (227e RAL), and 10th Divisional Anti-Tank Battery (47mm guns) [3]
  • Specialists: 70th Divisional Reconnaissance Group (70e GRDI), 51/1 & 51/2 Sapper-Miner Companies, 51/81 Telegraphic & 51/82 Radio Companies [1]
  • Attached Units: 149th Fortress Infantry Regiment (RIF), 3/46th Artillery Regiment (F) (155mm), 601st Anti-Tank Company (47mm) [3][4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Les Grandes Unités Françaises de la Guerre 1939-1945, Vol. 1, Service Historique de l'Armée de Terre (SHAT), 1967.
  2. ^ Sumner, Ian: The French Army 1939–45 (1), Osprey Men-at-Arms 315, 1998.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Nafziger, George: The French Army, 1939-1940, Vol. 1, Nafziger Collection, 1992.
  4. ^ a b c Organization of French fortress corps and Sectors, 1939–1940.

Bibliography

  • Service Historique de l'Armée de Terre (1967). Les Grandes Unités Françaises de la Guerre 1939-1945, Historiques Succincts. Vincennes: SHAT.
  • Nafziger, George (1992). The French Army, 1939-1940. Vol. 1. The Nafziger Collection.
  • Sumner, Ian (1998). The French Army 1939–45 (1). Osprey Men-at-Arms. Vol. 315. Osprey Publishing.
High Command of the French Army (May 1940)
Commander-in-Chief Maurice Gamelin (until 19 May) • Maxime Weygand
Army Groups Army Group 1 • Army Group 2 • Army Group 3 • Army of the Alps
Army Corps of the French Army (1939–1940)
Regular Army Corps 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th • 10th • 11th • 12th • 13th • 14th • 15th • 16th • 17th • 18th • 19th • 20th • 21st • 22nd • 23rd • 24th • 25th
Third Army – Structure by Corps (May 1940)
6th Army Corps 26th Infantry Division • 42nd Infantry Division
24th Army Corps 51st Infantry Division
Colonial Corps 2nd Colonial Infantry Division • 6th Colonial Infantry Division • 7th Colonial Infantry Division
24th Army Corps – Order of Battle (May 1940)
Subordinate Divisions 51st Infantry Division
Corps Assets 25th Corps Reconnaissance Group • 624th Pioneer Regiment • 124th Heavy Artillery Regiment • 515th Air Observation Group
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