3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment

different nominations

The regiment was issued from an indigenous battalion of Constantine created in Algeria in 1842. In 1856, the battalion was designates as 3^e RTA. The regiment was dissolved in 1962.

1815 to 1848

Franco-Prussian War of 1870

On August 1, 1870, the 3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment was part of the Army of the Rhin.

With the 87th Infantry Regiment of colonel Blot, the 3rd formed the 2nd Brigade under the orders of général Lacretelle. This 2nd Brigade with the 1st Brigade of général Fraboulet de Kerléadec, two batteries de 4 and one de mitrailleuse, one engineer company constituted the 4th Infantry Division commanded by division général de Lartigue THis infantry division evolved at the corps of the 1st Army Corps with commander-in-chief marshal de Mac Mahon, Duc of Magenta.

On August 17, 1870, the 3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment was part of the Army of Châlons.

With 87th Infantry Regimentof colonel Blot, the 2nd Marching Regiment of Lt-Colonel de Lenchey and the 3rd Battalion of the 3rd grenadiers of the Guard, the 3rd formed the 2nd Brigade at the orders of général Carrey de Bellemare. This 2nd Brigade with the 1st Brigade of général Fraboulet de Kerléadec, two batteries de 4 and one de mitrailleuse, one engineer company constituted the 4th Infantry Division commanded by général de brigade de Lartigue. This infantry division evolved at the corps of the 1st Army Corps with commander-in-chief division général Ducrot.

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

Composition of the regiment

During the Second World War, one North-African tirailleur regiment consisted a little more than 3000 men (out of which 500 officers and sous-officiers) and 200 vehicles. The proportion of Maghrebis reach 69% for the regiment, 74% for the battalion, 79% for the company of fusiliers-voltigeurs, 52% for the anti-tank company and 36% for the cannon infantry company.

Campaigns

in 1943, the 3^e RTA belonged to the Marching Division of Constantibe which became designated as the 3rd Algerian Infantry Division. The regiment illustrated capability in Tunisia then in the campaign of Italy, first in January 1944 while apprehending Monna Acquafondata, then Operation Diadem in May 1944. The regiment was cited twice at the orders of the armed forces during that campaign and inscribed on the regimental colors the inscriptions: « Abruzzes 1944 » et « Rome 1944 ».

Disembarked at Provence on August 15, 1944, the 3^e DIA entered first to Toulon, participated to the Liberation of Marseille, manoeuver during which the 3^e and 7^e RTA formed the forward contingent. The regiment made way towards the Alpes and Jura, until the Alsace. Accordingly, the regiment then mounted the confrontations in the Vosges, apprehended Mulhouse and mounted the defensive of Strasbourg at Kilstett, in January 1945.

The 3^e DIA mounted the assault on the Siegfried line, reached the Rhin at Spire and apprehended Stuttgart. Since Naples, the 3^e DIA endured the loss of 4000 killed and 12000 wounded.

Collective citations

Throughout the course of Second World War, the 3^e RTA obtained 7 collective citations at the orders of the armed foces (4 for the regiment and 3 for the battalions).

Casualties

The 3^e DIA recorded 811 killed in action in the 3^e RTA from November 1942 to May 1945, out of which 614 Maghrebis (75%) and 197 Europeans (25%).

Since 1945

In the spring of 1947, was disembarked at Saigon, the B.M of the 1st (French: 1^er), 2nd (French: 2^e), 3^e RTA, 7^e RTA and the 4^e RTT, then the 25^e, 23^e and 27^e BTA, these eight battalions, were repatritated within 24 to 30 months period.

Following the campaign in Indochina, the regiment joined Algeria and combat engaged in the region of Constantine.

Decorations

The Regimental Colors of the 3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment are decorated with:

Fourragere:

Battle honours

Regimental Commanders