5th Army (France)
 | This article may contain original research. (November 2019) |
| Fifth Army | |
|---|---|
 Memorial to the 5th Army | |
| Active | 1914–1918 1939–1940 |
| Country |  France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Field army |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Charles Lanrezac Louis Franchet d'Espèrey Victor Bourret |
The Fifth Army (French: Ve Armée) was a field army of the French Army that fought during World War I and World War II.
World War I
[edit]On 29 August 1914 the 5th Army under Lanrezac won a partial victory at the battle of Guise, delaying the German attack.[1] However, Lanrezac was replaced by Louis Franchet d'Espèrey on 3 September 1914. Under its new commander, it participated in the victory at the First Battle of the Marne.[2]
World War II
[edit]During the Battle of France in 1940, the Fifth Army was part of the Second Army Group. It was responsible for the defense of the Maginot Line sector in Lower Alsace, from the Rhine to the Vosges mountains.
Order of Battle (10 May 1940)
[edit]At the start of the German offensive, the Fifth Army was commanded by Général d'armée Victor Bourret.[3] Its headquarters was located at Wangenbourg.
- Army Assets (attached)
- 8th Army Corps (Général de division Girol)[3]
- 12th Army Corps (Général de division Dentz)[3]
- 16th Infantry Division (Général de brigade Mordacq)[3]
- 35th Infantry Division (Général de brigade Decharme)[3]
- 70th Infantry Division (Général de brigade Gibert)[3]
- 17th Army Corps (Général de corps d'armée Noël)[3]
- 43rd Army Corps (Général de division Lescanne)[3]
- 30th Infantry Division (Général de brigade Duron)[3]
- Army Reserves
- 44th Infantry Division (Général de brigade Beynet)[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Gregory, Adrian (2014). A War of Peoples 1914-1919. Oxford University Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-19-954257-4.
- ↑ Mansoor, Peter R.; Murray, Williamson (2016). Grand Strategy and Military Alliances. Cambridge University Press. p. 113. ISBN 978-1-107-13602-1.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Les Grandes Unités Françaises de la Guerre 1939-1945, Vol. 1, Service Historique de l'Armée de Terre (SHAT), Vincennes, 1967.