Mechanisation
In 1933 the regiments de chasseurs d'Afrique (RCA) began the process of conversion to mechanised units. The first vehicles adopted were White TBC armoured cars, followed by White-Laffly 50 AMs. Both models were obsolete for European warfare but suitable for colonial campaigning. Other vehicles were provided for individual squadrons and in 1939 Hotchkiss H35 and H39 light tanks were received by the 1er RCA.
On the outbreak of World War II (September 1939) regiments of chasseurs d'Afrique were deployed as follows:
1er RCA in Morocco;
2e, 3e, and 5e RCA in Algeria ;
4e RCA in Tunisia;
6e and 7e RCA in the Levant, that is in Syria and the Lebanon.
Only the 1er and 4e RCA were fully mechanised at this date, the other regiments comprising a mix of mounted and mechanised squadrons. In the course of WWII the process of mechanisation was completed. The 3e and 5e RCA were equipped with M4 Sherman and M5 light tanks. The 5e RCA notably landed in Provence in August 1944, and was one of the first units to be fully operational for combat. It was engaged in several battles during the taking of Toulon, in the Rhone valley, through Burgundy, Alsace, and in the Black Forest. The regiment earned the Rhine and Danube badge. The 6e and 7e RCA, involved in heavy fighting against Allied forces in 1941 Operation Exporter, were equipped with 90 tanks (mostly Renault R-35 with a few Renault FT-17) and a similar number of armoured cars.
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