Corps Léger d'Intervention: Difference between revisions
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The '''Corps Léger d'Intervention''' |
The '''Corps Léger d'Intervention''' ('''CLI''') ([[French language|French]] for "intervention light corps") was a [[Pacific War]] interarm corps of the [[Far East French Expeditionary Forces]] commanded by [[Général de corps d'armée]] [[Roger Blaizot]] and using guerrilla warfare against the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] who occupied [[French Indochina]] since 1941<ref name="guinet">{{cite web|title=C.L.I.|publisher=Amicale des Anciens Commandos du CLI|author=Pierre Guinet|url=http://pagesperso-orange.fr/cli/|date=2007|accessdate=2010.01.03}}</ref>. It was created by General [[Charles de Gaulle]] in 1943 after the British [[Chindits]] [[Special Forces]] who fought in the [[Burma Campaign]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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===Creation=== |
===Creation=== |
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The |
The CLI was created in November 4, 1943 in [[Jijel]], [[Kabylie]] ([[French Algeria]]) with 500 volunteer commandos under Lieutenant-Colonel [[Paul Huard]]. Its purpose was to reinforce the resistance in Japanese occupied French Indochina. Local resistance was led by General Mordant (a.k.a. Narcisse) who came from mainland France in 1941. |
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===SOE introduction=== |
===SOE introduction=== |
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While the commandos trained in Jijel, Commandant de Crevècoeur arrived at [[Meerut]], North West [[India]] in November 10, 1943 to introduce the |
While the commandos trained in Jijel, Commandant de Crevècoeur arrived at [[Meerut]], North West [[India]] in November 10, 1943 to introduce the CLI to British [[Special Operations Executive]] (SOE) [[Force 136]]'s [[Colin Hercules Mackenzie]]. The first CLI trainees were sent to [[Poona]] (100km from [[Bombay]]) for jungle warfare instruction under the British. |
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==Composition== |
==Composition== |
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==Training== |
==Training== |
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Lieutenant-Colonel [[Albert Lacroix]], [[École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr|Saint-Cyr]] 1930-32 [[Joseph |
Lieutenant-Colonel [[Albert Lacroix]], [[École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr|Saint-Cyr]] 1930-32 [[Joseph Joffre]] promotion, was in charge of CLI recruitment and training as [[Chief of staff]] in French Algeria. He later returned to French Indochina leading ''Commando Léger N°1'' ("light commando n.1") in operations<ref name="guinet"></ref>. |
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==Operations== |
==Operations== |
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Revision as of 13:38, 15 January 2010
| Corps Léger d'Intervention (C.L.I.) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1943 – 1946 |
| Country | France, French Indochina (Laos) |
| Allegiance | Free France, GPRF |
| Branch | Far East French Expeditionary Forces (FEFEO) |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role | Unconventional warfare |
| Size | 500 (1943) ~ 1,700 (1945) |
| Garrison/HQ | Jijel (French Algeria), India, Ceylon, Australia |
| Nickname(s) | Gaur |
| Engagements | Second French Indochina Campaign of World War II |
| Decorations | Four unit citations à l'ordre de l'Armée |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Roger Blaizot, Paul Huard, Albert Lacroix |
The Corps Léger d'Intervention (CLI) (French for "intervention light corps") was a Pacific War interarm corps of the Far East French Expeditionary Forces commanded by Général de corps d'armée Roger Blaizot and using guerrilla warfare against the Imperial Japanese Army who occupied French Indochina since 1941[1]. It was created by General Charles de Gaulle in 1943 after the British Chindits Special Forces who fought in the Burma Campaign.
History
Creation
The CLI was created in November 4, 1943 in Jijel, Kabylie (French Algeria) with 500 volunteer commandos under Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Huard. Its purpose was to reinforce the resistance in Japanese occupied French Indochina. Local resistance was led by General Mordant (a.k.a. Narcisse) who came from mainland France in 1941.
SOE introduction
While the commandos trained in Jijel, Commandant de Crevècoeur arrived at Meerut, North West India in November 10, 1943 to introduce the CLI to British Special Operations Executive (SOE) Force 136's Colin Hercules Mackenzie. The first CLI trainees were sent to Poona (100km from Bombay) for jungle warfare instruction under the British.
Composition
On March 15, 1944 the French Indochina guerrillas numbered 1,349 (993 locals and 356 Europeans) including 242 in Laos (195 locals and 47 Europeans).
Following victory day in Europe, 60 SOE Jedburgh members of the French intelligence agency DGER were transfered to Force 136's "French Indochina Country Section" (Section Indochine Française).
Training
Lieutenant-Colonel Albert Lacroix, Saint-Cyr 1930-32 Joseph Joffre promotion, was in charge of CLI recruitment and training as Chief of staff in French Algeria. He later returned to French Indochina leading Commando Léger N°1 ("light commando n.1") in operations[1].