Alsace-Lorraine Brigade (France)
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| Brigade Alsace-Lorraine | |
|---|---|
| Active | Sep 1944 - Mar 1945 |
| Country | France |
| Allegiance | FFI |
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Nickname | Brigade Malraux |
| Battles/wars | Vosges 1944 Strasbourg 1945 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
André Malraux |
The Alsace-Lorraine Brigade (French: Brigade Indépendent d'Alsace-Lorraine -B.I.A.L.- ) was a French Forces of the Interior unit that fought alongside regular French Army forces in World War II during the closing months of 1944 and early 1945.
[edit] Summary History
Formed in September 1944 by André Malraux, and also known as Brigade Malraux, the brigade comprised approximately 2,000 men organized into three battalions named for the cities of Metz, Mulhouse, and Strasbourg. Although the men of the brigade were very motivated, many were not military veterans and the unit was equipped with a mixture of Allied and German weapons and material. Despite these disadvantages, the brigade compiled a good combat record. Not assigned permanently to a division, the brigade was part of the army reserve of General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny's French First Army, and as such, was assigned as a reinforcement unit to various regular French divisions. During November 26-27, 1944, the brigade fought with the French 5th Armored Division to liberate the town of Dannemarie in the Vosges Mountains. Subsequently, in January 1945, the brigade took part in the defense of Strasbourg during the German Nordwind offensive. During this action, 140 men of the brigade were encircled for three days from January 8 - 10 in Gerstheim, south of Strasbourg. On the afternoon of January 10, the Gerstheim garrison was assaulted by 10 Tiger tanks and two companies of infantry, forcing the garrison to withdraw during the night after losing 40 men.[1] On February 27, 1945, the troops of the brigade were directed to enter regular service as part of the French 14th Infantry Division. On March 22, the brigade departed the lines of the French 9th Colonial Division to form the 3rd Demi-Brigade of Chasseurs, ending the independent history of the Brigade Alsace-Lorraine.
[edit] Citations
- ^ Rollot, Bernard (ed.), Les Grandes Unités Françaises, Vol. 4, Part II, page 105. Paris: Imprimerie Nationale, 1975.
