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List of French paratrooper units

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List of French paratrooper units

The history of French airborne units began in the Interwar period when the French Armed Forces formed specialized paratroopers units. First formed in the French Air Force, they were rapidly integrated into the French Army, French Navy, National Gendarmerie and from H.M.' s British Army, then dispersed in the ensemble forming developing components of the Armed Forces of France.

Contents

Air Parachute Commandos (French: Commandos Parachutistes de l'Air) include:

  • 601st Airborne Infantry Group (601e G.I.A, 1re CIA, 1er BCP, then 1er RCP).
  • 602nd Airborne Infantry Group (602e G.I.A, 1re CIA, 1er BCP, then 1er RCP).
  • Air Marching Infantry Company (CIAM, 1er RCP).
  • 1st Air Infantry Company (1re CIA, 1er BCP, then 1er RCP).
  • 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment (1er RCP of the French Air Force transferred to the French Army).
  • Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air
  • Air Brigade of Security and Intervention Forces (French: Brigade aérienne des forces de sécurité et d'intervention).
  • Protection Squadrons (French: Escadron de protection).
  • Air Parachute Commandos, C.P.A :
  • Air Parachute Commando n° 10, C.P.A 10 (French: Commando Parachutiste de l'Air n° 10, C.P.A 10) (601e G.I.A & 602e G.I.A, C.P.A 10 part of COS).
  • Air Parachute Commando n° 20, C.P.A 20 (French: Commando Parachutiste de l'Air n° 20, C.P.A 20).
  • Air Parachute Commando n° 30, C.P.A 30 (French: Commando parachutiste de l'Air n° 30, C.P.A 30).

    • Air Engineers

  • 25th Air Engineer Regiment (French: 25e régiment du génie de l'air) (25e RGA of the French Army operated by the French Air Force).

    • Parachute Divisions

    Parachute units of the French Army include:

  • 24th Airborne Division (24e DAP, 25th Motoryzed Infantry Division 25e DIM, then 25th Airborne Division 25e DAP).
  • 25th Airborne Division (25th Motoryzed Infantry Division 25e DIM; then, 25th Airborne Division 25e DAP dissolved).
  • 25th Parachute Division (25th Parachute Division 25e DP, dissolved).
  • 10th Parachute Division (10th Parachute Division 10e DP, dissolved).
  • 11th Light Intervention Division (11th Light Intervention Division 11e DLI formed from 10th Parachute Division 10e DP and 25th Parachute Division 25e DP).
  • 11th Division (11th Division 11e DIV formed from merger of 11th Light Intervention Division 11e DLI and 9e Brigade 9e BDE).
  • 11th Parachute Division (11th Division 11e DIV, then 11th Parachute Division 11e DP).
  • 11th Parachute Brigade (11th Parachute Division 11eDP, then 11th Parachute Brigade 11e BP).

    • Parachute Brigades and Groupments

  • The 11th Parachute Brigade (11e B.P) of the French Army with the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e R.E.P) include:
  • Commando Parachute Group (G.C.P Teams)
  • 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment, 1er RCP (G.C.P commando Teams).
  • 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment, 1er RHP (G.C.P Teams).
  • 1st Parachute Train Transport Regiment, 1e RTP (French: 1er Régiment du Train Parachutiste).
  • 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, 2e REP ( G.C.P Teams).
  • 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment, 3e RPIMa (G.C.P Teams).
  • 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment, 8e RPIMa (G.C.P Teams).
  • 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment, 17e RGP (G.C.P Teams).
  • 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment, 35e RAP (G.C.P Teams).
  • Airborne Groupment, GAP (French: Groupement Aéroporté).

    • Parachute Demi-Brigades

  • SAS Parachute Demi-Brigade (D-B.P-SAS, later 1er RPIMa).
  • Colonial Parachute Commando Demi-Brigade (D-B.CCP, later 1er RPIMa).
  • 1st Colonial Parachute Commando Demi-Brigade (French: 1re Demi-Brigade Coloniale de Commandos Parachutistes) (1re DBCCP, later 1er RPIMa).
  • 2nd Colonial Parachute Commando Demi-Brigade (2e DBCCP, later 1er RPIMa).
  • Parachute Marching Demi-Brigade (French: Demi-Brigade de Marche Parachutiste) (DBMP - dissolved).
  • 11th Parachute Choc Demi-Brigade (French: 11e Demi-Brigade Parachutiste de Choc) (11e D-B.PC - dissolved).

    • Parachute Centers of Formation and Schools

  • Base School of Airborne Troops (French: École des troupes aéroportées) (BETAP).
  • School of Airborne Troops (ETAP).
  • School Brigade of Colonial Paratroopers.
  • National Parachute Instruction Center (NPIC) Orléans (Dissolved).

    • Foreign parachute battalions, regiments, companies and units of the French Foreign Legion include:

  • Parachute Company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (C.P. du 3e R.E.I attached to the IIIe/1er R.C.P - dissolved then 1er B.E.P).
  • Foreign Air Supply Company (C.E.R.A - dissolved).
  • 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company (1re C.E.P de M.L - dissolved).
  • 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1er B.E.P, III Formations; then, 1er R.E.P - dissolved).
  • 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment (1er R.E.P - dissolved).
  • 3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion (3e B.E.P, IV Formations with 1er B.E.P and 2e B.E.P; then, 3e R.E.P - dissolved).
  • 3rd Foreign Parachute Regiment (3e R.E.P - dissolved, merged with 2e B.E.P, then 2e R.E.P).
  • 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion (2e B.E.P, V Formations with 3e B.E.P then 2e R.E.P - dissolved).
  • 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, 2e R.E.P, (Commando Parachute Group Teams)

    • D.I.N.O.P.S, P.C.G & Commandos of the French Foreign Legion

    Parachute, Underwater Demolition and Diving Units of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade (French: 6e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6e BLB) include:

  • 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment, (6e REG renamed 1er REG) part of 6th Light Armoured Division (French: 6e Division Légère Blindée, 6e DLB).
  • DINOPS Teams (Nautical Subaquatic Intervention Operational Detachment, French: Détachement d'Intervention Nautique Operationnelle Subaquatique).
  • 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, (1er REG)
  • PCG Teams (Combat Engineer Divers, French: Plongeurs du Combat du Génie), former DINOPS Teams of Nautical Subaquatic Intervention Operational Detachment specialized in Parachute, Underwater Demolition and Diving.

    • Parachute, Underwater Demolition, Diving Units and Commandos of the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade (27e MIB) include:

  • 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment, (2e REG)
  • PCG Teams (Combat Engineer Divers, French: Plongeurs du Combat du Génie), former DINOPS Teams of Nautical Subaquatic Intervention Operational Detachment specialized in Parachute, Underwater Demolition and Diving.
  • Mountain Commando Groups (GCM)

    • Parachute Artillery

  • 5th Airborne Artillery Campaign Regiment (20e RAP, 5e RAP, 5e RACAP - dissolved).
  • 6th Light Parachute Artillery Regiment (6e RALP - dissolved).
  • 20th Light Parachute Artillery Regiment (20e RALP - dissolved; then, 20th Parachute Group Artillery, 20e GAP - dissolved).
  • 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment (35e R.A, 35e RALP, then 35e RAP), (Commando Parachute Group Teams).

    • Parachute Cavalry

  • 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment (1er RHP), (Commando Parachute Group Teams).
  • 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment (13e RDP).
  • 17th Parachute Engineer Battalion (17e BGAP - dissolved).
  • 61st and 71st Parachute Engineer Battalions of the Far East (Extrême-Orient) (61e BG and 71e BG - dissolved).
  • 60th, 61st and 75th Parachute Engineer Companies (60e CGAP, 61e CGAP, 75e CGAP - dissolved).
  • 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment (17e RGAP, then 17e RGP), (Commando Parachute Group Teams).

    • Air Engineers

    Air Engineer Battalions and Regiments of the French Army operated by the French Air Force include :

  • 15th Air Engineer Regiment (French: 15e Régiment du Génie de l'Air) (15e BGA, 15e RGA, 25e BGA, 115e CMGA, C4/18.GA, 35e BGA, CIS.GA, 25e RGA - dissolved).
  • 25th Air Engineer Regiment (French: 25e Régiment du Génie de l'Air) (15e RGA, 25e BGA, 25e CMGA, 25e RGA).
  • 35th Air Engineer Battalion (French: 35e Bataillon du Génie de l'Air) (15e RGA, 35e BGA - dissolved).
  • 45th Air Engineer Regiment (French: 45e Régiment du Génie de l'Air) (15e RGA, 45e CTGA, 45e BAGA, 115e CMGA, 45e RGA, 45e BGA, 25e RGA & 15e RGA - dissolved).

    • Patrol Chasseurs

  • 5th Patrol Chasseur Battalion (French: 5e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied) (5e BCAP - dissolved).
  • 10th Patrol Chasseur Battalion (French: 10e Bataillon Parachutiste de Chasseurs à Pied) (10e BPCP - dissolved).

    • General Parachute Infantry

  • 18th Parachute Infantry Regiment (French: 18e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) (18e RIPC - dissolved).
  • 21st Parachute Infantry Regiment (French: 21e Régiment d'Infanterie) (21e RIAP - dissolved).

    • French Air Force Commando de l'Air, Parachute Chasseur, British Army Special Air Service (S.A.S) & 1er R.P.I.Ma

  • 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment / 601st & 602nd Air Infantry Groups (French: 1e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) (601e G.I.A, 602e G.I.A, 1re C.I.A, 1er BCP, then 1er RCP), ( Commando Parachute Group Teams).
  • 2nd Parachute Chasseur Regiment / 1st Air Infantry Battalion (French: 2e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) (1er BIA, 4e BIA, 2e RCP SAS, then 1er RPIMa French; other known as 4th French Special Air Service of H.M.'s British Army).
  • 2nd Parachute Chasseur Regiment/ 4th Air Infantry Battalion (French: 2e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) (4e BIA, 2e RCP SAS, then 1er RPIMa French; other known as 4th French Special Air Service of H.M.'s British Army).
  • 3rd Parachute Chasseur Regiment /3rd Air Infantry Battalion (French: 3e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) (3e BIA, 3e RCP, 2e RCP SAS, then 1er RPIMa French; other known as 3rd French Special Air Service of H.M.'s British Army).
  • 4th Parachute Chasseur Regiment (French: 4e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes), (4e RCP - dissolved).
  • 5th Parachute Chasseur Regiment (French: 5e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes), (5e RCP - dissolved).
  • 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment (French: 9e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes), (9e RCP, merged with 1er RCP).
  • 14th Parachute Chasseur Regiment (French: 14e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) (14e RCP - dissolved).
  • 18th Parachute Chasseur Regiment (French: 18e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) (18e RCP - dissolved).

    • Choc Paratroopers

  • 1st Choc Battalion (French: 1er Bataillon de Choc) (1er BC - dissolved).
  • 2nd Choc Battalion/ Bataillon Janson-de-Sailly or Bataillon Gayardon (French: 2e bataillon de choc) (2e BC - dissolved).
  • 3rd Choc Battalion / Commando Group of France (French: Commandos de France) (3e BC - dissolved).
  • 4th Choc Battalion / Commando de Cluny (French: Commando de Cluny) (4e BC - dissolved).
  • 5th Choc Battalion / Commando Group of Africa (French: Commandos d'Afrique) (5e BC - dissolved).
  • 6th Choc Battalion / Commando de Provence (French: Commandos de Provence) (6e BC - dissolved).
  • 1st Parachute Choc Battalion (French: 1er Bataillon Parachutistes de Choc) (1er BPC - dissolved).
  • 2nd Parachute Choc Battalion (French: 2e Bataillon Parachutiste de Choc) (2e BPC - dissolved).
  • 1st Choc Parachute Infantry Regiment (French: 1er Régiment d'Infanterie de Choc Aéroporté) (1er RICAP - dissolved).
  • 11th Choc Parachute Regiment (French: 11er Régiment Parachutiste de Choc) (11e BPC, 11e DBPC and 11e RPC - dissolved).
  • 12th Choc Parachute Battalion (French: 12e Bataillon Parachutiste de Choc) (12e BPC - dissolved).
  • Mixed Airborne Commando Groupment (French: Groupement de Commandos Mixtes Aéroportés) (G.C.M.A - dissolved).

    • Colonial and Marine Infantry Parachute Regiments

  • 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (1re CIA, 1re CP, PPL, 1re CCP, French SAS,1er BIA, 4e BIA, 2e RCP or 4th French SAS, 1er BC.SAS, 1er BP.SAS, 2e BP.SAS, 1er BPARA.SAS, 1er BCCP, 1er GCCP, 1er BPC, 1re D-B.P.SAS, D-B.CCP, D-B.CCP.SAS, 1re DBCCP, 2e DBCCP, B.P.Colonial BPC, BEPC, BP-OM, B.P.I.Ma, then 1er R.P.I.Ma part of COS).
  • 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (2e BCCP, 2e B.P.Colonial 2e BPC, 2nd Colonial Parachute Regiment 2e RPC, then 2e RPIMa).
  • 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (3e BCCP, 3e GCCP, 3e BCCP, 3e B.P.Colonial 3e BPC, 3rd Colonial Parachute Regiment 3e RPC, then 3e RPIMa), (Commando Parachute Group Teams).
  • 5th Marine Infantry Parachute Battalion (French: 5e Bataillon de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine) (5e BPIC, 5e BCCP, 5eBPC, 5e BPIMa - dissolved).
  • 6th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (6e BCCP, 6e GCCP, 6eB.P.Colonial 6e BPC, 6th Colonial Parachute Regiment 6e RPC, then 6e RPIMa - dissolved).
  • 7th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (French: 7e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine) (7e BCCP, 7eGCCP, 7e BCCP, 7e BPC, 4eBCCP, 7th Colonial Parachute Regiment 7e RPC, 7e RPIMa, then 7e RPCS - dissolved).
  • 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (8e B.P.Colonial 8e BPC, 8e GCP, 8e B.P.Choc 8e BPC, 8th Colonial Parachute Regiment 8e RPC, then 8e RPIMa), (Commando Parachute Group Teams).

    • Battalions and Colonial Parachute Groups (B.C.C.P, G.C.C.P & B.P.C)

  • 1st Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (French: 1er Régiment Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine) (1er BCCP, 1er GCCP, 1er BPC, then B.P.C - 1er R.P.I.Ma).
  • 2nd Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (French: 2e Régiment Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine) (2e BCCP, 2e GCCP, 2e BPC, then 2e R.P.C - 2e R.P.I.Ma).
  • 3rd Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (French: 3e Régiment Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine) (3e BCCP, 3e BPC, then 3e R.P.C - 3e R.P.I.Ma).
  • 4th Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (French: 4e Bataillon Colonial de Commandos Parachutistes) (4e BCCP - dissolved).
  • 5th Colonial Parachute Infantry Battalion (French: 5e Bataillon Parachutiste d'Infanterie Colonial) (5e BPIC - dissolved).
  • 5th Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (French: 5e Bataillon Colonial de Commandos Parachutistes) (5e BCCP then 5e BPC - dissolved).
  • 6th Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (French: 6e Bataillon Colonial de Commandos Parachutistes) (6e BCCP, 6e GCCP then 6e BPC, then 6e R.P.C - 6e R.P.I.Ma).
  • 7th Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (French: 7e Bataillon Colonial de Commandos Parachutistes) (7e BCCP, 7e GCCP then 7e BPC - dissolved).
  • 8th Colonial Parachute Battalion (French: 8e Bataillon de Parachutistes Coloniaux) (8e BPC, then 8e R.P.C - 8e R.P.I.Ma).
  • 10th Colonial Parachute Battalion (French: 10e Bataillon de Parachutistes Coloniaux) (10e BPC).
  • Colonial Group Parachute Commando of Madagascar (French: Groupe Colonial de Commandos Parachutistes de Madagascar) (GCCP Madagascar - dissolved).
  • Colonial Group Parachute Commando of AEF (French: Groupe Colonial de Commandos Parachutistes d'AEF) (GCCP AEF - dissolved).
  • Marine Infantry Parachute Company (French: Compagnie Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine) (CPIMA and 6e CPIMa - dissolved).

    • Parachute Companies and Regiments

  • Air Support Companies (CRA).
  • Air Delivery Regiment (RLA - dissolved).
  • 1st Train Parachute Regiment (French: 1er Régiment du Train Parachutiste) (1er RTP).

    • Airborne Bases

  • Northern Airborne Base (French: Base Aéroportée Nord) (B.AP.N - dissolved).
  • Southern Airborne Base (French: Bases Aéroportée Sud) (B.AP.S - dissolved).
  • North African Airborne Base (French: Base Aéroportée d'Afrique du Nord) (B.AP/AF.N - dissolved).
  • Airborne Operational Mobile Base (B.O.M.AP).

    • Parachute Command and Support

  • 14th Parachute Command and Support Regiment (French: 14e Régiment Parachutiste de Commandement et de Soutien) (14e RPCS - dissolved).
  • 7th Parachute Command and Support Regiment (French: 7e Régiment Parachutiste de Commandement et de Soutien) (7e RPCS - dissolved).

    • Vietnamese, Laotien and Cambodian Parachute Units

  • 1st Vietnamese Parachute Battalion (French: 1er Bataillon de Parachutistes Vietnamiens) (1er BPVN - dissolved).
  • 3rd Vietnamese Parachute Battalion (French: 3e Bataillon de Parachutistes Vietnamiens) (3e BPVN - dissolved).
  • 5th Vietnamese Parachute Battalion (French: 5e Bataillon de Parachutistes Vietnamiens) (5e BPVN - dissolved).
  • 6th Vietnamese Parachute Battalion (French: 6e Bataillon de Parachutistes Vietnamiens) (6e BPVN - dissolved).
  • 7th Vietnamese Parachute Battalion (French: 7e Bataillon de Parachutistes Vietnamiens) (7e BPVN - dissolved).
  • 1st Khmers Parachute Battalion (created on December 1, 1952 in Cambodia).
  • 1st Laotien Parachute Battalion (created on October 1, 1951 in Vientiane, Laos).

    • Algerian Parachute Units

  • 19th Algerian Parachute Battalion
  • 14th Algerian Parachute Tirailleur Brigade

    • Marine Naval Force Fusiliers and Commandos (French: Force maritime des fusiliers marins et commandos) include the following Forces Fusiliers Marins and Commandos Marine:

  • Aeronautical Naval Parachute Commando (dissolved).
  • Commando Ponchardier (French: Commando Ponchardier) (SAS B).
  • Commando Hubert (French: Commando Hubert) (part of COS).
  • Marine Fusiliers Commandos Groups (GROUFUMACO - dissolved).
  • Commando François (dissolved).
  • Commando de Penfentenyo (French: Commando de Penfentenyo) (part of COS).
  • Commando Jaubert (French: Commando Jaubert) (part of COS).
  • Commando de Montfort (French: Commando de Montfort) (part of COS).
  • Commando Trépel (French: Commando Trépel) (part of COS).
  • Marines Fusilliers Instruction Center.
  • Marine Fusilliers and Commando Base (BASEFUSCO).
  • Commando Kieffer (French: Commando Kieffer) (part of COS).

    • National Gendarmerie

    Paratroopers of the National Gendarmerie include:

  • National Gendarmerie Parachute Intervention Squadron (French: Escadron Parachutiste d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale) (EPIGN) regrouped part of the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (French: Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale), the GIGN.

    • Paratroopers of the National Police (French: Police Nationale) include:

  • Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion (French: Recherche, assistance, intervention, dissuasion), the R.A.I.D.

    • References

    List of French paratrooper units Wikipedia
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