5th Light Cavalry Division (France)
| 5th Light Cavalry Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | February 1940 – June 1940 |
| Country | France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Light Cavalry Division (DLC) |
| Role | Reconnaissance, Delaying actions |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | Part of the French Second Army (May 1940) |
| Garrison/HQ | BAZEILLES (10 May 1940) |
| Engagements | Battle of France |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Général de Division CHANOINE |
The French 5th Light Cavalry Division (5e Division Légère de Cavalerie) was a French Army division active during World War II.
World War II
Battle of France
The 5th Light Cavalry Division (5e DLC) was a newly formed unit (Nouvelle Formation) created in early 1940.[1] It was part of the French Second Army commanded by Général Charles Huntziger in May 1940.[1] The division was commanded by Général de Division Jacques Chanoine.[1]
The division was noted to have new equipment, but suffered a shortfall of 200 horses, which was compensated by converting two squadrons into cycling units.[1]
Organization (10 May 1940)
The division's headquarters (HQ) was located at Bazeilles on 10 May 1940.[1] The organization was as follows:
| Unit | Commander | Composition |
|---|---|---|
| Command | ||
| Commander | Général de Division CHANOINE | Major-General |
| Chief of Staff | Commandant DE VIRIEU | - |
| Combat Brigades | ||
| 6th Cavalry Brigade (6e BC) | Général de Brigade BROWN DE COSTOUN | * 11th Cuirassiers Regiment (11e Cuir)
|
| 15th Light Motorised Brigade (15e BLM) | Colonel EVAIN | * 5th Armoured Car Regiment (5e RAM)
|
| Divisional Support and Artillery | ||
| Artillery | Lieutenant-Colonel MAILFERT | * 78th Motorised Artillery Regiment (78e RATTT) (1x 75mm gun battalion, 1x 105mm C battalion)
|
| Engineers (Génie) | - | * Engineer Company 34/1 |
| Signals (Transmissions) | - | * Mixed Signals Company 34/84 |
| Air Support (Forces Aériennes) | - | * Army Cooperation Squadron 507 (GAO 507) |
Attached Units
On 10 May 1940, the following units were temporarily attached to the 5e DLC (Groupement DE BOUILLON):[1]
- 12e GRCA (from the Xe CA)
- 60e GRDI (from the 71e DI)
- 64e GRDI (from the 55e DI)
- III/12e RZ (from the 3e DINA)
- I/295e RI (from the 55e DI)
References
- ^ a b c d e f The OOB data is sourced from: "5e Division Légère de Cavalerie (5e DLC)" in the 2e Armée Order of Battle, based on Les Grandes Unités Françaises de la Guerre 1939–1945, Service Historique de l'Armée de Terre, Vincennes, 1967. Available online: "2e Armée Order of Battle / Ordre de bataille, 10/05/1940". France 1940. Retrieved 15 December 2025..
Bibliography
- Fall Gelb 1940 (1): Panzer breakthrough in the West. Campaign. Osprey Publishing. p. 28.
- Sumner, Ian; Vauvillier, François (1998). The French Army 1939–45 (1) The Army of 1939-40 & Vichy France. Men-at-Arms. Osprey Publishing. p. 8.