Makeup of French Colonial Forces
The Armée coloniale did not include the famous North African regiments such as the Foreign Legion, the Bat' d'Af', Zouaves, Spahis, Algerian Tirailleurs (sharpshooters) and Goumiers, all of which were part of the Army of Africa, a part of the French Metropolitan Army. Instead the Troupes Coloniale can be divided into:
- French long service volunteers (or colonial settlers doing their military service) assigned to service in France itself or as garrisons in French West and Central Africa, Madagascar, New Caledonia or Indochina; and
- Indigenous troops recruited in any of the above, serving under French officers. These were designated as Tirailleurs sénégalais, Tirailleurs malgaches, Tirailleurs indochinois, etc. according to the name of the colony of origin. Tirailleurs sénégalais was the name given to all West and Central African regiments, since Senegal had been the first French colony south of the Sahara.
The troupes coloniales were predominantly infantry but included artillery units as well as the usual support services. At various dates they also included locally recruited cavalry units in Indo-China as well as camel troops in sub-Saharan Africa.
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French colonial troops disambarking in Madagascar.
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Prisoners of war French colonial soldiers.
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Recruitment poster of the Colonial Forces for the Free French Forces.
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French Colonial 75 mm artillery gun in action near Sedd el Bahr at Cape Helles, Gallipoli Campaign|Gallipoli]] during the Third Battle of Krithia, 4 June 1915.
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A tirailleur and a French officer keeping guard on prisoners during the Franco-Turkish War.
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