Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

6th Light Armoured Brigade (France)

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Country
  
France

Role
  
motorised infantry

Type
  
Light Armour Brigade

6th Light Armoured Brigade (France)

Active
  
31st Brigade 1981–1984 6th Light Armoured Division 1990-1991 6th Light Armoured Brigade 1 July 1999 – present

Branch
  
French Army French Foreign Legion

Size
  
7500 personnel and Legionnaires 1 R.S 1 R.E.C 2 R.E.I 13 D.B.L.E 21 R.I.Ma 3 R.A.Ma 1 R.E.G

The 6th Light Armoured Brigade (French: 6e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6e BLB) one of the eight inter-arm brigades which are at the disposition of the Commandement de la force d'action terrestre. The brigade is very similar to the constitution, material, and operation of the 9th Marine Infantry Brigade (9e BIMa). The headquarters of the brigade is situated in Nîmes. The brigade is capable of deploying to any exterior theatre of operation while delivering fire power, agility, and mobility.

Contents

History

The brigade is heir to the 6th Cavalry Division (French: 6e Division de cavalerie ) of 1914, the 6th Light Cavalry Division of 1940 (French: 6e Division Légère de Cavalerie), the 6th Armoured Division of Compiègne (1951-1957) (French: 6e Division Blindée de Compiègne) and the 6th Armoured Division of Strasbourg (1977-1984) (French: 6e Division Blindée de Strasbourg).

The 31st Brigade then took part in peacekeeping combat operations in Lebanon in 1983 within the ranks of the Multinational Force in Lebanon. The Brigade was considered an inter-arm French Foreign Legion and French Army brigade, dominated by the legion including the Troupes de Marine and commanded by the Foreign Legion Groupment.

The brigade was then dissolved in 1984 and replaced with the 6th Light Armoured Division (French: 6e Division Légère Blindée, 6e D.L.B) which partook in the Gulf War engaged as Division Daguet during Opération Daguet.

Following the reforms of the French Army in 1999, the division was renamed the 6th Light Armoured Brigade (French: 6e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6e B.L.B).

Organization in 1984

In 1984, the unit was named 6th Light Armoured Division and was part of the Rapid Reaction Force. The division then was formed of 7 regiments, 5 professionals out which 3 are part of the French Foreign Legion:

  • 21st Marine Infantry Regiment, 21e RIMa
  • 68th Artillery Regiment, 68e RA
  • 6th Command and Support Regiment, 6e RCS
  • 1st Spahi Regiment, 1er RS
  • 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment, 1er REC
  • 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 2e REI
  • 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment, 6e REG

    • Organization in 2007

    Strong with the French Foreign Legion and Troupes de Marine consisting of 6000 service personnel with 2100 wheeled vehicles, this brigade is composed of the following 6 regiments and one transmission company:

  • 21st Marine Infantry Regiment, 21e RIMa
  • 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment, 3e RAMa
  • 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 2e REI
  • 1st Spahi Regiment, 1er RS
  • 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment, 1er REC
  • 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, 1er REG
  • 6th Command and Support Regiment, 6e RCS

    • Organization in 2009

    Strong with 6000 service personnel, legionnaires and Troupes de Marine the brigade is composed of:

  • General H.Q. in Nîmes
  • 6th Command and Support Regiment, 6e RCS
  • 21st Marine Infantry Regiment, 21e RIMa
  • 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment, 3e RAMa
  • 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 2e REI
  • 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment, 1er REC
  • 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, 1er REG

    • Organization in 2016

    Mostly manned with troops from the French Foreign Legion and Troupes de Marine, the brigade is composed of:

  • General H.Q. in Nîmes
  • 6e Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions (6e CCT) - Command and Signals Company in Nîmes with VAB
  • 1er Régiment de Spahis – Cavalry Regiment in Valence with AMX 10 RC and ERC 90
  • 1er Régiment Etranger de Cavalerie (1er REC) Foreign Legion - Cavalry Regiment in Orange with AMX 10 RC and ERC 90
  • 2e Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie (2e REI) - Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment in Nîmes with VBCI
  • 13e Demi Brigade de Légion Etrangère (13e DBLE) - Foreign Legion regiment in with VAB
  • 21e Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine (21e RIMa) - Marine Infantry Regiment in Fréjus with VAB
  • 3e Régiment d'Artillerie de Marine (3e RAMa) - Marine Artillery Regiment in Canjuers with TRF1 howitzers, CAESAR self-propelled howitzers and RTF1 mortars
  • 1er Régiment Étranger de Génie (1er REG) - Foreign Legion Engineer Regiment in Laudun

    • 31st Brigade (1981-1984)

  • 1981–1984: Général Jean-Claude Coullon

    • 6th Light Armoured Division (1990-1991)

  • 1990-1991: Général Jean-Charles Mouscardès
  • 1991-1991: Général Bernard Janvier

    • 6th Light Armoured Brigade (2002-present)

  • 2002–2004: Général Bruno Dary
  • 2006–2008: Général Bertrand Clément-Bollée
  • 2008–2010: Général Eric Margail
  • 2010–2012: Général Antoine Windeck
  • 2012–2014: Général Laurent Kolodziej
  • 2014–present: Général Pierre Gillet

    • References

    6th Light Armoured Brigade (France) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA