156th Infantry Division (France)

August 2021 156th Infantry Division 19151919 France French Army Second Battle of Krithia Battle of the River Cherna Battle of Monastir (1917) Battle of Skra-di-Legen :fr:Manœuvre d'Uskub Maurice Bailloud 156th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the French Army during the First World War. It was deployed overseas, seeing action during the Gallipoli campaign, and thereafter on the Salonika front, fighting alongside British troops in both theatres of war. It was sent to the Crimea in December 1918 as part of the Army of the Danube. Creation and nomenclature 17 March 1915 : Creation of the 156th Infantry DivisionPompé 1924 859 29 April 1915 : Takes the name of 2nd Infantry Division of the Corps expéditionnaire d'OrientPompé 1924 859 15 October 1915 : Reverts to the designation of 156th Infantry DivisionPompé 1924 859 Commanders 16 March 1915 : General Maurice BailloudPompé 1924 859 26 August 1916 – 1 May 1918 : General BastonPompé 1924 859 11 June 1919 – 12 October 1919 : General DufieuxPompé 1924 859 Chronology 1915 2 May - 7 August 1915: until 20 May, transport by sea to Cape Helles by the liner SS France (1910) (converted during wartime into a troopship). From 6 May, as its units landed, engaged in the Battle of Krithia: took part, on May 6th, 7th and 8th, 1915,Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 57–64 in the 1st engagement of Kéréves Déré; 4, 21 and 30 June, fought in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th engagements of Kéréves Déré;Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 84–92 12 and 13 July, present in the 5th engagement of Kéréves Déré.Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 95–97 From 13 July, preparations for the offensive.Pompé 1924 862Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 102 7 August - 1 October: fought in the 6th engagement of Kéréves Déré;Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 102–104 then took up positions in the French sector. 1 October - 9 December: evacuation of the Gallipoli peninsula; transported to Salonika.Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 146 From 14 October, occupation, on the Serbian-Bulgarian border, of a sector northeast of Guevgheli (Gevgelija):Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 180–184 21 October: seizure of Rabrovo; local actions 22 and 23 October.Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 192–194 3 - 12 November: offensive towards Strumica; progression to Kosturino, thereafter fortification and the defence of the captured positions.Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 256–263 9–16 December: retreat to Salonika: 9th, 10th and 11th December: defence of Boyimia,Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 351–358 Fourka and Chernitsa positions.Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 359–369 Then retreat movement in two columns, towards Kilindir (Kalindria in the municipal unit of Cherso) and Karasouli (Polykastro).Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 404–406 16 December 1915 - 5 May 1916: establishment of the entrenched camp of Salonika, between Kiorziné (Xirochori) and Dogandji (Prochoma).Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 404–406 From 20 March, elements detached 15 kilometres north of Kiorziné (entrenching work,Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 430 then, from 18 April, occupation of the Kilindir front, Lake Ardzan).Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 504Pompé 1924 862–864 1916 thumb|left|Zouaves of the 156th Divisionhttps://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/ark:/40699/e00527e484614240/527e48462e9e9 156e division d'infanterie: J.M.O. 25 septembre 1915–26 novembre 1916 – 26 N 447/1 Mémoire des hommes: Journaux des Unites (1914–1918) Ministere De la Defense images 113 to 122 of 235 fr JPG 4 July 2021 in the ravine of Hill 420 in the Cugunci sector, July 1916. 5 May - 29 July: established positions on the (Kalindria) Kilindir front, Lake Ardzan (by the entire division).Pompé 1924 862–864 29 July – 31 August: relief by British elements. Regrouping south of Bohemitsa (Axioupoli); preparations for an offensive (elements engaged towards Lioumnitsa (Skra, Kilkis)). From 21 August, transported by the Kodza Déré Decauville Railway in the Veria region, Ostrovo.September 2021 31 August 1916 – 2 January 1917: participation in the allied Monastir offensive : until 31 August, grouping of the division south of Lake Ostrovo (fighting near Nalbandkeui).Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri Cardot 1933 29–33 From 12 September, offensive; on the 15th, crossing the Malka, towards Aitos (Aetos, Florina); the 17th occupation of Florina;Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri Cardot 1933 48–51 then took up positions in a sector facing the Verbéni front (Itea, Florina), Arménohor (Armenochori, Greece).Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri Cardot 1933 85–90 From 30 October, pursuit of the enemy to the Kenali (:sh:Kremenica (Bitolj)) lines and attacks.Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri Cardot 1933 152–167 From 15 November, new enemy withdrawal up to 6 kilometres south of Monastir (Bitola), then 19 November to the north of the city. Established and defended positions in a sector, 3 kilometres north of Monastir (Battle of the River Cherna).Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri Cardot 1933 199–213Pompé 1924 862–864 1917 thumb|Two officers posing with a zouave battalion mascot at the entrance to a shell-proof dugout at Hill 420 in the Cugunci sector 2 January - 13 March: occupation of a new sector between the stream of Bratin Dol, Ternova and the ridge of Baba Planina. Elements of the division (176th Infantry) seconded to Albania.Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri Cardot 1933 357–358 13 March 13–1 June: engaged in the Battle of Monastir (1917): attacks from enemy positions towards Péristéri and Tservéna Sténa; advance west of Ternova; on 26 March new attack towards Tservéna Sténa; then fortification of the captured positions:Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri Cardot 1933 431–435 17 April: violent enemy attack in the direction of Dihovo.July 2025 19 April: French counter-attack.Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri Cardot 1933 451 1 June - 25 July 25: occupation of the Dihovo region, Lake Prespa.Pompé 1924 862–864 25 July 1917 – 7 January 1918: withdrawal from the front. Movement by successive elements towards the region of Negovani (Flampouro, Florina), Léskovéts (Leskoec).Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri Cardot 1933 505–506 In September and October 1917, elements engaged in the operations of Pogradec.Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri Cardot 1933 517–534Pompé 1924 862–864 1918 thumb|left|The colours of the 2nd Regiment photographed in June 1916 7 January - 27 August: occupation of a sector towards the Prespa and Okrida lakes (frequent local actions). Elements are detached towards Gorgopi, then to the Battle of Skra-di-Legen.Pompé 1924 862–864 27 August - 16 September: relieved from the front line; dispatched to rest area towards Monastir.Tournyol du Clos Rinieri Cardot Druène 1934 129–131, 136 16–29 September: occupation of a sector north of Monastir. From 21 September, the division's cavalry engaged in the :fr:Manœuvre d'Uskub: advance towards Pribilci, and, on 29 September, to the outskirts of Sop (3 km north west of Cer, Kičevo) and Tsersko (:sh:Golemo Cersko).Pompé 1924 862–864 29 September - 11 November: Bulgarian Armistice; withdrawal from the front line; redeployed for a rest towards Lopatitsa (Lopatica, Bitola), then towards Kičevo.Pompé 1924 862–864 1919 In December 1918, the 156th Division was transported to Southern Russia (as part of the Army of the Danube (AD) ). It then left this formation in November 1919 to form the Army of the Levant, during the Cilicia Campaign.July 2025 Order of battle May 1915 thumb|Marsouins (in pith helmets) and Senegalese (in fezzes) ready to embark for Dardanelles thumb|Zouave uniform for the early part of WW1 thumb|Zouaves ahead of a column of Greek recruits for the French Foreign Legion, training at Lemnos thumb|Zouaves attired in khaki field dress, wearing pith helmets, being vaccinated on 8 July 1916, in a location between Kilkis and Lake Doiran. thumb|Soldiers of the 175th Infantry Regiment at Salonika in 1915 thumb|right|A French 75mm artillery piece firing around Cape Helles during the Third Battle of Krithia 2nd Division which disembarked at Gallipoli from 6–8 May 1915 3rd Metropolitan Brigade fn1 176th Regiment three battalions of metropolitan infantry 2nd Provisional African Regiment composed of three battalions of Zouaveshttps://forum.pages14-18.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12471&p=108604 Zouaves et Dardanelles 12 August 2014 Forum pages14-18 fr 18 August 2020 4th Colonial Brigade fn1 7th Mixed Colonial Regimentfn3 Change of regimental name and number in August 1915. The regimental war diary records that from 16 August 1915, it was no longer designated the 8th Mixed Colonial Regiment, but was henceforth the 58th Colonial Infantry Regiment. The same nomenclature saw the 4th, 6th and 7th become the 54th, 56th and 57th too.https://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/ark:/40699/e00527c1956ea5ac/527c19574142e 58e régiment d'infanterie coloniale: J.M.O. 16 août 1915-18 septembre 1916 - 26 N 867/14 Mémoire des hommes: Journaux des Unites (1914-1918) Ministere De la Defense fr JPG 8 September 2020 Also contains the war diary for the 8e régiment mixte colonial from the 2 May to 16 August 1915 Note mixed composition of two battalions of Senegalese Tirailleurs, and one battalion of French regulars known as Marsouins. Both troop types classified as Troupes coloniales. 8th Mixed Colonial Regimentfn3 mixed composition of two battalions of Marsouins and one battalion of Senegalese Divisional Troops Groupe Deslions - 3 batteries (4x 75mm field guns apiece) of the 17th Field Artillery Regiment commanded by Captain Deslionsfn1 Dispatched in May 1915 to Gallipoli with the second division Pompé 1924 860fn2 Groupe Mercadier - 3 batteries (4x 75mm field guns apiece) of the 25th Field Artillery Regiment commanded by Captain Mercadier (succeeded by Captain Salin)fn1 fn2 Groupe Roux - 3 batteries (4x 75mm field guns apiece) of the 47th Field Artillery Regiment commanded by Captain Roux (succeeded by Major Mercadier)fn1 Supporting elements for engineering, logistical and medical serviceshttps://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/ark:/40699/e00527de354c1bda/527de3562e955 Corps expéditionnaire d'Orient (C.E.O.): J.M.O. 22 février-5 mai 1915: 26 N 75/10 - Pièces justicatives 3 avril-16 septembre 1915 Mémoire des hommes: Journaux des Unites (1914-1918) Ministere De la Defense Ordre de bataille 1 juin 1915 K34 images 132 to 136 of 213 fr JPG 10 July 2020 Ordre de bataille 1 juin 1915 K34Appendix 3 of the French official history (AFGG 8,1) has a one page table chronologically listing the units that subsequently joined the C.E.O. at Gallipoli.Lepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 547 Note October 1915 Left the Dardanelles and disembarked on the Salonika front in October 1915 Général de Brigade Pierre Dauvé's 3rd Metropolitan Brigade now came under the command of the 156th Infantry Division. From this brigade, the 176th Infantry Regiment and the 2nd Regiment (of Armée d'Afrique) embarked on 30 September and 1 October respectively.https://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/ark:/40699/e00527e484614240/527e48462e9e9 156e division d'infanterie: J.M.O. 25 septembre 1915-26 novembre 1916 - 26 N 447/1 Mémoire des hommes: Journaux des Unites (1914-1918) Ministere De la Defense images 9 to 10 of 235 fr JPG 4 September 2020 Regarding the troops of Colonel Emmanuel Bertrand Alexis Bulleux's 1st Metropolitan Brigade, the 175th Infantry Regiment set sail on 1 October. The 1st Regiment (of Armée d'Afrique) were dispersed. The 2nd battalion (of Zouaves, commanded by Louis Marie Joseph Petitpas De La Vasselais) and the 3rd battalion (of Foreign Legion, commanded by Élie Jean) embarked on 1 October. The 1st Battalion (of Zouaves, commanded by Jean Louis Urbain Abadie) embarked on 6 October.https://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/ark:/40699/e0052852b3e2ca8d/52852b3e3ac7a Corps expéditionnaire d'Orient (C.E.O.): Direction des Etapes et des Services [GHQ Administration]: J.M.O. 5 octobre-31 décembre 1915 - 26 N 76/15 Mémoire des hommes: Journaux des Unites (1914-1918) Ministere De la Defense image 2 of 21 fr JPG 4 September 2020 NoteLepetit Tournyol du Clos Rinieri 1923 147–148 to become part of the Armée d'Orient (1915–19). The Division's War Diary lists the following elements of the Division to be embarked locally and from further afield: 1st Metropolitan Brigadefn2 Dispatched in October 1915 from Gallipoli to Salonika with the second divisionhttps://forum.pages14-18.com/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=2938&start=10#p537863 De Gallipoli à Salonique Forum pages14-18 fr 8 September 2020 transcriptions of primary source documents, listing which units redeployed to SalonikaSeptember 2021https://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/ark:/40699/e00527e484614240/527e48462a3da 156e division d'infanterie: J.M.O. 25 septembre 1915–26 novembre 1916 – 26 N 447/1 Mémoire des hommes: Journaux des Unites (1914–1918) Ministere De la Defense images 7 to 8 of 235 fr JPG 2 October 2021 175th Regiment three battalions of metropolitan infantry 1st Provisional African Regiment composed of a Foreign Legion battalion and two Zouave battalions. The four companies of the Foreign Legion battalion were augmented by a further two companiesAspinall-Oglander 1932 494–5 composed of ethnic Greek volunteers forming the 13th and 14th companies of the provisional regiment.https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/234339-greek-infantry-at-gallipoli/ Greek infantry at Gallipoli 10 December 2015 Great War Forum en 1 September 2020 Note Both troop types classified as Army of Africa (France) 3rd Metropolitan Brigadefn2 176th Regiment three battalions of metropolitan infantry 2nd Provisional African Regiment composed of three Zouave battalions Divisional Troops Groupe Deslions - 3 batteries (4x 75mm field guns apiece) of the 17th Field Artillery Regiment commanded by Captain Deslionsfn1 fn2 Groupe Salin - 3 batteries (4x 75mm field guns apiece) of the 25th Field Artillery Regiment formerly commanded by Captain Mercadier (succeeded by Captain Salin)fn1 fn2 Groupe Grépinet - 2 batteries (4x 65 mm mountain guns apiece) of the 2nd Mountain Artillery Regiment formerly commanded by Major Benedittini (succeeded by Major Grépinet)fn2 6 58T trench mortars Divisional Ammunition Column: Artillery park detachment, 12th Ordnance Section, half of a mobile repair workshop team. In transit from France: 1 infantry munitions section, 2 artillery munitions sections (S.M.I. - Section de Munitions d’Infanterie, S.M.A. - Section de Munitions d’Artillerie). Supporting elements for engineering, logistical and medical services Engineers: 2x field companies (5/15 and 5/15bis); engineer park detachment 5/22 Telegraphy: Divisional RT detachment, P2 signal lamp detachment, 2 radio sets to be sent from France Medical: Group of divisional stretcher-bearers, ambulances 3 and 4, casualty evacuation section, half-Group of Corps stretcher-bearers. In transit from France: 1 Field Hospital, 2 Casualty Clearing Stations Lines of Communication: A detachment of Army Catering Corps (COA - Commis et ouvriers d’administration),https://horizon14-18.eu/abrv-militaires.html www.HoriZon14-18.eu Abréviations militaires fr 12 September 2022 a field bakery in transit, two logistics companies in transit from Algeria, two motor transport sections in transit from France, a labour battalion. Corps Artillery: 1 Heavy Battery of 120 mm field artillery commanded by Captain Delval fn2 1 Heavy Battery of 6x 155 mm howitzers of the 48th Field Artillery Regiment commanded by Captain Kolyczko fn2 July 1916 311th Brigade 175th Regiment three battalions of metropolitan infantry 1st Provisional African Regiment composed of a Foreign Legion battalionhttp://foreignlegion.info/foreign-legion-in-the-balkans-1915-1919/ Foreign Legion in the Balkans: 1915-1919 foreignlegion.info en 22 June 2021 Here is the detailed history of the French Foreign Legion in the Balkans during the First World War. and two Zouave battalions. Both troop types classified as Army of Africa (France) 312th Brigade 176th Regiment three battalions of metropolitan infantry 2nd Provisional African Regiment (disbanded in September 1917) composed of three Zouave battalions Divisional Troops Groupe Deslions - 3 batteries (4x 75mm field guns apiece) of the 17th Field Artillery Regiment commanded by Captain Deslions Groupe Salin - 3 batteries (4x 75mm field guns apiece) of the 25th Field Artillery Regiment formerly commanded by Captain Mercadier (succeeded by Captain Salin) Groupe Coloniale - 3 batteries (4x 75mm field guns apiece) of the 3rd Colonial Field Artillery Regiment, having arrived in January 1916. (There was nothing of significance to occur that warranted a mention in the regimental history.) All of the 75mm batteries above were grouped together in April 1917 to form the 242nd Field Artillery Regiment. Groupe Grépinet - 2 batteries (4x 65 mm mountain guns apiece) of the 2nd Mountain Artillery Regiment formerly commanded by Major Benedittini (succeeded by Major Grépinet) Mortar Battery - 102nd Battery of the 17th Field Artillery Regiment, equipped with the Mortier de 58 mm type 2, reclassified in July 1918 as the 5th Battery of the 179th Trench Artillery Regiment. One cavalry squadron of the 4th Regiment of Chasseurs d'Afrique having arrived in February 1916 (disbanded November 1918).Pompé 1924 860 Supporting elements for engineering, logistical and medical services Notes and citations Notes Citations References Military Operations Gallipoli, Vol II: May 1915 to the Evacuation Aspinall-Oglander C. F. Cecil Faber Aspinall-Oglander 1932 History of the Great War William Heinemann London 278615923 Falls 1933 History of the Great War Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence Military Operations Macedonia: From the Outbreak of War to the Spring of 1917 I Falls C. Cyril Falls 1996 1933 HMSO London Imperial War Museum and Battery Press 978-0-89839-242-5 Historique du 1er régiment de marche d'Afrique 779710448 Imprimerie française Bizerte 1920 CITEREFHistorique du 1er RMA 1915-1919 fr https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6216902r/f11.item FRBNF42568098 Historique du 2e régiment de marche d'Afrique pendant la guerre 1914-1918 493813515 Berger-Levrault Paris 1920 CITEREFHistorique du 2e RMA 1915-1918 fr https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6452414k/f7.item FRBNF42764122 Historique du 3e régiment d'artillerie coloniale : 1914-1918 493910880 Chapelot Paris 1920 CITEREFHistorique du 3e RACcol 1920 fr https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6327131j/f5.item FRBNF42718151 Historique du 4me régiment de chasseurs d'Afrique depuis sa formation 1839 jusqu'à la fin de la Grande Guerre 1919 Imprimerie française Bizerte 1920 CITEREFHistorique du 4e RCA 1839-1919 fr https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6358325n/f109.item FRBNF42717877 Historique du 175e régiment d'infanterie pendant la guerre 1914-1919 779714087 Berger-Levrault Paris 1920 CITEREFHistorique du 175e RI 1920 fr https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6262276s/f9.item FRBNF42569185 Le 176e Régiment d'Infanterie, Campagne d'Orient de 1915 à 1919 493809036 Imprimerie du Midi Béziers 1920 CITEREFHistorique du 176e RI 1920 fr Université Paris Nanterre https://argonnaute.parisnanterre.fr/medias/customer_3/monographies/histo_rgt3_pdf/BDIC_OPCE_013310.pdf OPCE_013310 Jauffret Jean-Charles :fr:Jean-Charles Jauffret Gilbert Martin Martin Gilbert The Straits of War The Gallipoli Campaign: the French point of view L'expédition des Dardanelles vue du côté français en 2000 1996 The History Press The Gallipoli Memorial Lectures 1985-2000 978-0-7509-2408-5 Lepetit Vincent Tournyol du Clos Alain Rinieri Ilario La campagne d'Orient (Dardanelles et Salonique). Tome VIII. Premier Volume. (février 1915-août 1916) [8,1] Les armées françaises dans la Grande guerre. Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Ministère De la Guerre, Etat-Major de l'Armée – Service Historique Imprimerie Nationale Paris 1923 fr https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6374254b/f9.image 491775878 La campagne d'Orient jusqu'à l'intervention de la Roumanie (février 1915-août 1916). Tome VIII. Premier volume. Annexes - 1er Volume [8,1,1] Les armées françaises dans la Grande guerre. Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Ministère De la Guerre, Etat-Major de l'Armée – Service Historique Imprimerie Nationale Paris 1924 CITEREFAFGG 8,1,1 1924 fr https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6281532w/f19.item.r=table 163166542 Lepetit Vincent Tournyol du Clos Alain Rinieri Ilario Cardot Jean Charles Léonide Philippe Druène Bernard La campagne d'Orient (Dardanelles et Salonique). Tome VIII. Deuxième Volume. (août 1916 jusqu'en avril 1918) [8,2] Les armées françaises dans la Grande guerre. Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Ministère De la Guerre, Etat-Major de l'Armée – Service Historique Imprimerie Nationale Paris 1933 fr https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6278886c.texteImage 491775909 Tournyol du Clos Alain Rinieri Ilario Cardot Jean Charles Léonide Philippe Druène Bernard La campagne d'Orient (Dardanelles et Salonique). Tome VIII. Troisième Volume. (avril 1918 à décembre 1918) [8,3] Les armées françaises dans la Grande guerre. Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Ministère De la Guerre, Etat-Major de l'Armée – Service Historique Imprimerie Nationale Paris 1934 fr https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k62759483.texteImage 493568247 Pompé Daniel etal Ordres de bataille des grandes unités - Divisions d'Infanterie, Divisions de Cavalerie. Tome X. 2e Volume. [10,2] Les armées françaises dans la Grande guerre. Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Ministère De la Guerre, Etat-Major de l'Armée – Service Historique Imprimerie Nationale Paris 1st 1924 fr https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k63495098?rk=493564;4 6 September 2020 Category:French World War I divisions Category:French Infantry divisions during World War I Category:Infantry divisions of France Category:Military units and formations established in 1915 Category:Macedonian front Category:Gallipoli campaign Category:French involvement in the Russian Civil War Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1919