Free French Camel Corps


The Free French Camel Corps was a méhariste camel cavalry unit of the Free French forces, founded by among others Captain Edouard Dieffenbach, under command of General Charles de Gaulle during World War II.

History

Co-founded in Djibouti by Alsatian First World War veteran Captain Edouard Dieffenbach as deputy commander, first set up as the Free French Camel Platoon, the unit was later renamed the Free French Camel Corps. It was active from September 1941 to February 1942, with initial strength estimated to about 15-20 camels along with riders. Among the troops, apart from Edouard Dieffenbach, was Lieutenant Magendie, Adjutant Emile Cayre, Sergents Battaglini, Sergeant Carbuccia, Corporal Farner, physician, Commander Griveau and about 14 other compatriots.
The unit was stationed in areas equivalent to today's Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, then under occupation.
The unit notably fought alongside the British Somaliland Camel Corps and saw action in East Africa and North Africa.