The 5th North African Infantry Division was a French Army formation during World War II.
During the Battle of France in May 1940 the division was made up of the following units:
The Division was created in September 1939 and was dissolved in June 1940 following the invasion of France. The Division was commanded by Generals Ferdinand Vieillard (to April 1940) and Augustin Agliany.
- 6 Moroccan Tirailleurs Regiment
- 14 Zouaves Regiment
- 24 Tunsian Tirailleurs Regiment
- 95 Reconnaissance Battalion
- 22 Colonial Artillery Regiments
- 222 Colonial Artillery Regiment.
It was an active division which existed during peacetime. The Tirailleurs Regiments were made up of native troops from North Africa. The Zouaves Regiment was made up from European settlers in North Africa and some recruited from France.
Famous quotes containing the words north, african and/or division:
“By the North Gate, the wind blows full of sand,
Lonely from the beginning of time until now!
Trees fall, the grass goes yellow with autumn.”
—Li Po (701–762)
“I’ve never been afraid to step out and to reach out and to move out in order to make things happen.”
—Victoria Gray, African American civil rights activist. As quoted in This Little Light of Mine, ch. 3, by Hay Mills (1993)
“Don’t order any black things. Rejoice in his memory; and be radiant: leave grief to the children. Wear violet and purple.... Be patient with the poor people who will snivel: they don’t know; and they think they will live for ever, which makes death a division instead of a bond.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)