Free French Camel Corps
The Free French Camel Corps (French: Corps de Méharistes Français Libres) was a méhariste camel cavalry unit of the Free French forces, founded by among others Captain Edouard Dieffenbach, under command of General Charles de Gaulle during World War II.
| Free French Camel Corps | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 18 June 1940 - summer 1944 |
| Country | French North Africa, French Somaliland |
| Allegiance | Free France |
| Branch | Cavalry |
| Type | Méhariste camel cavalry |
| Headquarters throughout Africa | Tabelbala, Adrar, Ouargla, Fort Polignac, and Tamanrasset. |
| Engagements | Italian conquest of British Somaliland East African Campaign North African Campaign Operation Torch |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Gereral Charles de Gaulle |
| Notable commanders | Captain Edouard Dieffenbach |
History
Co-founded in Djibouti by Alsatian First World War veteran Captain Edouard Dieffenbach as deputy commander, first set up as the Free French Camel Platoon (French: Peloton de méhariste français libres), the unit was later renamed the Free French Camel Corps (French: Corps de méharistes français libres). It was active from September 1941 to February 1942, with initial strength estimated to about 15-20 camels along with riders. Among the troops, apart from Edouard Dieffenbach, was Lieutenant Magendie, Adjutant Emile Cayre, Sergents Battaglini, Sergeant Carbuccia (a Corsican who was killed in action for France in the Italian Campaign), Corporal Farner, physician, Commander Griveau and about 14 other compatriots.
The unit was stationed in areas equivalent to today's Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, then under occupation.
The unit notably fought alongside the British Somaliland Camel Corps and saw action in East Africa and North Africa.[1][2][3]
Further reading
- Compagnons De La Liberté (1 November 2006, Editions Lacour, ISBN 2750414075) by fr:Aimé Vielzeuf (1922-2007)
References
- "Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois · Page 30".
- https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1941/1941%20-%200314.PDF
- Waterston, Elizabeth Hillman (28 March 2012). "Blitzkrieg and Jitterbugs: College Life in Wartime, 1939-1942". McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP – via Google Books.