5th Armored Division (France)

5e Division Blindée
Active 9 July 1943 – 15 May 1962
1978 – 30 June 1992
Country France France
Branch France French Army
Type Armored
Engagements World War II
Algerian War
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Henri Navarre
Christian de Castries

The 5th Armored Division (French: 5e Division Blindée, 5e DB) was an armored division of the French Army that fought in World War II and the Algerian War. It was also active in Germany during the Cold War.

World War II

The division was formed on 1 May 1943 under the command of General de Vernejoul. It was initially the 2nd Armored Division, but renamed the 5th Armored Division on 9 July.

Cold War

During the Cold War, the division was initially stationed in Germany; its HQ was in Landau, Palatinate.

Algeria

The division left Germany for Algeria on 1 April 1956, but left some units in Palatinate, Germany.

In 1961 the division comprised:[1]

Return to Germany

The division was recreated in 1978 at Landau, Germany as a part of the 2nd Army Corps (Baden-Baden). The French Army in Germany was drastically reduced after the end of the Cold War; the 5th was dissolved on 31 June 1992.

References

  1. Kanger, Kim "Algerian Insurgency: End of the French Empire", in Strategy & Tactics, No. 262 (May/June 2010)
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