Army of the Alps (France)

The Army of the Alps () was a specialized French Army formation responsible for the defense of the frontier with Italy. Operating within the South-Eastern Theatre of Operations (, TOSE), it functioned as an independent command under René Olry.

The formation relied on mountain infantry (Chasseurs Alpins) and fortress units manning the alpine section of the Maginot Line (often called the Alpine Line). During the Italian invasion of France in June 1940, the army held its positions against the Italian 4th and 7th Armies until the signing of the Armistice of 24 June 1940.

Order of battle (June 1940)

According to the official history of the French Army (GUF) and the South-Eastern Theatre (TOSE) records, the army was organized as follows at the start of the Italian offensive:

• Army Headquarters (General Olry)
• 8th Colonial Infantry Division (8 DIC): 4 RIC, 25 and 26 RTS.

• 14th Army Corps (Général Beynet)
• 614 Régiment Pionniers (RP)
• 66th Infantry Division (66 DI): 215, 281, 343 RI.
• Fortified Sector of Savoy (SF Savoie)
• Fortified Sector of the Dauphiné (SF Dauphiné)
• Defensive Sector of the Rhône (SD Rhône)

• 15th Army Corps (Général Montagne)
• 615 Régiment Pionniers (RP)
• 64th Infantry Division (64 DI): 299 RIA, 45 and 47 DBCA.
• 65th Infantry Division (65 DI): 203 RIA, 42 and 46 DBCA.
• Fortified Sector of the Maritime Alps (SF Alpes-Maritimes)

• Corsica Defences Command (CSD Corse) (Général Mollard)
• 363 DBI, 373 DBA.

See also

• Battle of France order of battle
• Italian invasion of France

References

Bibliography

• Les Grandes Unités Françaises: historiques succincts (GUF), Volume 1, Service historique de l'armée de terre (SHAT), Paris: Imprimerie nationale, 1967.
• Sumner, Ian. The French Army 1939-45 (1), Osprey Publishing, 1998. ISBN 1855326663.