3rd Armored Division (France)


The 3rd Armoured Division is a unit of the French Army.
The Division is the heir 3rd Algerian Infantry Division formed in 1943 and dissolved in 1946.
The 3rd Armoured Division was created in 1951 then dissolved in 1991. The 3rd Mechanised Brigade, created in 1999 inherited the traditions of the division.
The 3rd Division was recreated on June 20, 2016 within the cadre of the reorganization of the French Army.

Creation and different nominations

It was under the signs of Latin traditions that général de Monsabert wanted to place the 3rd Algerian Infantry Division 3e DIA during creation on May 1, 1943.
The insignia of "Victory" of Cirta is supported by three crescents representing the Muslims, which composed the majority of the division, Allied to the "métros".
The "Victory" was a Roman goddess protector of the Emperors that the Legio III Augusta de Cirta particularly venerated. She was found within a search at Constantine in the 19th century.
The motto of the 3rd Armoured Division is : « Plus d'honneur que d'honneurs » in French which translates literally to « More honor than the honors ». The motto of the 3rd Light Armoured Brigade was : « Un seul but : La victoire ».

History

1943 to 1946

The 3rd Algerian Infantry Division, formed on April 15, 1943, fought in the Italy and France during World War II under general Joseph de Goislard de Monsabert and Augustin Guillaume. The division was dissolved on April 15, 1946.

1951 to 1991

The 3rd Division was reconstituted in 1951 at the corps of the French Forces in Germany. This was a grand unit of almost 15000 men covering the Western part of Germany and comprising three brigades:
the division became the 3rd Armoured Division in 1978. Three infantry regiments, two tank regiments, two artillery regiments, one engineer regiment, and one command and support regiment. During the transformation of the FFA into FFECSA , the division was redimensioned and dissolved in 1991.

Organigram in 1991

Two tank regiments, three infantry regiments, two artillery regiments, one engineer regiment, one command and support regiment:
Based in Fribourg-en-Brisgau.
Support:
Other support :
The 3rd Mechanised Brigade created in 1999 retook traditions. The headquarter staff was based in Limoges. In 2011, the headquarter staff of the 3e BM garrisoned at Clermont-Ferrand.
On March 18, 2014, the 3rd Mechanised Brigade became designated as the 3rd Light Armoured Brigade.

Since 2016

The 3rd Division was recreated during a ceremony on June 20, 2016. Interarm, the division is formed of three brigades part of the Scorpion Force alongside the 1st Division, units stationed in outre-mer and overseas. Headquarter staff is garrisoned in Marseille.

Composition in 2019

The 3rd Division is based in Marseille and is subordinated to the Commandement des Forces Terrestres. Effectifs form 25000 men and 4000 reservists in: