3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment

3e Régiment de Tirailleurs Algériens

Regimental insignia
Active 1856 - 1962
Country France
Branch French Army
Type Tirailleurs Regiment
Motto(s) « Jusqu'à la mort » (Fr)
Engagements Crimean War
French intervention in Mexico
Franco-Prussian War
World War I
World War II
Indochina War
Battle honours
  • Laghouat 1852
  • Sébastopol 1854-1855
  • Solférino 1859
  • San Lorenzo 1863
  • Extrême-Orient 1884-1885
  • Maroc 1907-1913
  • Champagne 1915
  • Verdun 1916
  • L'Aisne 1918
  • Medjez el-Bab 1943
  • Abruzzes 1944
  • Rome 1944
  • Toulon 1944
  • Vosges 1944
  • Indochine 1947-1954
  • AFN 1952-1962

The 3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment (French: 3e Régiment de Tirailleurs Algériens , 3e R.T.A) was a French infantry unit belonging to the Army of Africa (French: Armée d'Afrique) which depended on the French Army

Active between 1842 and 1962, the regiment distinguished capability in the intervention in Mexico, during the Battle of San Lorenzo (French: bataille de San Lorenzo), which earned the regiment the Légion d'honneur and specially during World War II during which, commanded by colonel de Linares then colonel Agostini at the corps of the 3rd Algerian Infantry Division 3e DIA, the regiment was cited four times at the orders of the armed forces.

The 3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment 3e RTA is one of the five most decorated regiments of the Second World War with the 4th Tunisian Tirailleurs Regiment 4e RTT, the 2nd Moroccan Tabors Group, the Marching Tchad Regiment (French: Régiment de marche du Tchad) and the 13th Demi-Brigade of Foreign Legion.

different nominations

The regiment was issued from an indigenous battalion of Constantine created in Algeria in 1842. In 1856, the battalion was designates as 3e RTA. The regiment was dissolved in 1962.

History

1815 to 1848

Second French Empire

Franco-Prussian War of 1870

3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment at Woerth in 1870.

On August 1, 1870, the 3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment was part of the Army of the Rhin.

With the 87th Infantry Regiment of colonel Blot, the 3rd formed the 2nd Brigade under the orders of général Lacretelle. This 2nd Brigade with the 1st Brigade of général Fraboulet de Kerléadec, two batteries de 4 and one de mitrailleuse, one engineer company constituted the 4th Infantry Division commanded by division général de Lartigue THis infantry division evolved at the corps of the 1st Army Corps with commander-in-chief marshal de Mac Mahon, Duc of Magenta.

On August 17, 1870, the 3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment was part of the Army of Châlons.

With 87th Infantry Regimentof colonel Blot, the 2nd Marching Regiment of Lt-Colonel de Lenchey and the 3rd Battalion of the 3rd grenadiers of the Guard, the 3rd formed the 2nd Brigade at the orders of général Carrey de Bellemare. This 2nd Brigade with the 1st Brigade of général Fraboulet de Kerléadec, two batteries de 4 and one de mitrailleuse, one engineer company constituted the 4th Infantry Division commanded by général de brigade de Lartigue. This infantry division evolved at the corps of the 1st Army Corps with commander-in-chief division général Ducrot.

World War I

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

World War II

Composition of the regiment

During the Second World War, one North-African tirailleur regiment consisted a little more than 3000 men (out of which 500 officers and sous-officiers) and 200 vehicles. The proportion of Maghrebis reach 69% for the regiment, 74% for the battalion, 79% for the company of fusiliers-voltigeurs, 52% for the anti-tank company and 36% for the cannon infantry company.[1]

Campaigns

in 1943, the 3e RTA belonged to the Marching Division of Constantibe which became designated as the 3rd Algerian Infantry Division. The regiment illustrated capability in Tunisia then in the campaign of Italy, first in January 1944 while apprehending Monna Acquafondata, then Operation Diadem in May 1944. The regiment was cited twice at the orders of the armed forces during that campaign and inscribed on the regimental colors the inscriptions: « Abruzzes 1944 » et « Rome 1944 ».

Disembarked at Provence on August 15, 1944, the 3e DIA entered first to Toulon, participated to the Liberation of Marseille, manoeuver during which the 3e and 7e RTA formed the forward contingent. The regiment made way towards the Alpes and Jura, until the Alsace. Accordingly, the regiment then mounted the confrontations in the Vosges, apprehended Mulhouse and mounted the defensive of Strasbourg at Kilstett, in January 1945.

The 3e DIA mounted the assault on the Siegfried line, reached the Rhin at Spire and apprehended Stuttgart. Since Naples, the 3e DIA endured the loss of 4000 killed and 12000 wounded.

Collective citations

Throughout the course of Second World War, the 3e RTA obtained 7 collective citations at the orders of the armed foces (4 for the regiment and 3 for the battalions).

Casualties

The 3e DIA recorded 811 killed in action in the 3e RTA from November 1942 to May 1945, out of which 614 Maghrebis (75%) and 197 Europeans (25%).[2]

Since 1945

In the spring of 1947, was disembarked at Saigon, the B.M of the 1st (French: 1er), 2nd (French: 2e), 3e RTA, 7e RTA and the 4e RTT, then the 25e, 23e and 27e BTA, these eight battalions, were repatritated within 24 to 30 months period.

Following the campaign in Indochina, the regiment joined Algeria and combat engaged in the region of Constantine.

Traditions

Regimental Colors

Decorations

The Regimental Colors of the 3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment are decorated with:

Fourragere:

Honours

Battle honours

Regimental Commanders

See also

References

  1. ↑ Le Corps expéditionnaire français en Italie, Histoire et Collections, 2003, p.33
  2. ↑ Livre d'or de la 3e division d'infanterie algérienne, Imprimerie Nationale, 1948, pp.72-90
  3. ↑ Histoire de l'armée française, éditions Pygmalion, 1997

Bibliography

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