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{{Short description|French Expeditionary Corps during WWII}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = '''''French Expeditionary Corps'''''
| native_name = '''''Corps Expéditionnaire Français'''''
| image = Insigna CEF.png
|caption= Shoulder sleeve insignia
| image_size = 150px
| dates = [[1943]] – August [[1944]]
| country = {{flag|France|1830}}<br/>[[French colonial empire#Second French colonial empire (after 1830)|French Colonial Empire]]
| allegiance = {{flagdeco|Free French Forces}} [[Free France]]
| branch =
| type = [[Army]]
| size = 4 [[Division (military)|Divisions]] (112,000 men){{sfn|Peter Caddick-Adams|2013|p=134}}
| battles = [[World War II]]
* [[Italian campaign (World War II)|Italian campaign]]
| notable_commanders = [[Army general (France)|General]] [[Alphonse Juin]]
| identification_symbol =
| start_date = {{start date|1943}}
| end_date = {{end date|1944}}
| countries =
}}
{{Campaignbox Free French}}
The '''French Expeditionary Corps''' ({{lang-fr|Corps Expéditionnaire Français, CEF}}), also known as the '''French Expeditionary Corps in Italy''' ({{lang-fr| Corps Expéditionaire Français en Italie, CEFI}}), was an expeditionary force of the [[French Liberation Army]]. Created in 1943, the corps fought in the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]] of [[World War II]], under the command of [[Général de corps d'armée|General]] [[Alphonse Juin]]. Consisting of 112,000 men divided into four divisions, all but one of the divisions were [[French colonial empire#Second French colonial empire (after 1830)|colonial units]], mostly [[Moroccans]] and [[Algerians]] drawn from the [[Army of Africa (France)|Army of Africa]] and led by French officers.{{sfn|Matthew Parker|2005|p=22}}

The corps distinguished itself in battles, sweeping across mountain ranges with astonishing speed and efficiency, however that success was tarnished by the large numbers of looting, rape and murder committed on the local Italian population.{{sfn|Mark Stout, Harry Yeide|p=24}}{{sfn|Julie Le Gac|2013|p=26}} In August 1944 the corps was withdrawn and absorbed into the [[1st Army (France)|French First Army]] under General [[Jean de Lattre de Tassigny|de Lattre de Tassigny]] for the [[Operation Dragoon|invasion]] of Southern France.{{sfn|Peter Caddick-Adams|2013|p=135}}

==Background and Formation==

After the Americans landed in Algiers in 1942 during [[Operation Torch]], the colonial troops of the French Army of Africa, until then under the orders of the pro-Nazi [[Vichy France|republic of Vichy]], surrendered without firing a shot. General [[Charles de Gaulle|Charles De Gaulle]], head of the [[Free France|French government in exile]], drew on this military personnel to create the CEF (Corp Expeditionnaire Français). The CEF was made up of two-thirds native [[African people|Africans]] ([[Moroccans]], [[Algerians]] and [[Senegalese Tirailleurs|Senegalese]]) and one-third [[Pied-Noir|French settlers]] for a total of 112,000 men divided into four divisions.{{sfn|Robin Cross|2019|p=104}} Most of the African troops of the French Expeditionary Corps had grown up in the [[Atlas Mountains]] of North Africa, they were the Allies’ only units skilled and equipped for [[mountain warfare]].{{sfn|Peter Caddick-Adams|2013|p=136}} There were some exclusively Moroccan units of [[goumiers]] (from the Arabic {{Lang|ar|qaum}}) whose soldiers came from the [[Rif|Riff mountains]] and were grouped in units called "tabor" with tribal or direct family ties, there were 7,833 Moroccan Goumiers in total.{{sfn|James Holland|2008|p=390}} French colonial units consisted of indigenous, conscripted soldiers recruited by tribe, ethnicity, or region, as well as some non-French mercenary soldiers from the [[French Foreign Legion|Foreign Legion]].{{sfn|Peter Caddick-Adams|2013|p=133}}
The CEF was equipped with allied weapons ([[Thompson submachine gun]] cal. 45 mm and [[Browning machine gun]] 12.7 mm) as well as, for the Moroccans, a traditional curved [[dagger]] called a [[koumia]].

==Order of battle==
The campaign was under the command of [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]] [[Mark W. Clark]] of the [[United States Army North|U.S. Fifth Army]]. The commander of the corps was General [[Alphonse Juin]], future [[Maréchal de France]], Juin was himself a pied-noir from [[Annaba|Bone]] in [[French Algeria|Algeria]] who had commanded Arabs and [[Berbers]] much of his life.{{sfn|Edward L. Bimberg|1999|p=67}} He was assisted by General [[Marcel Carpentier]].

Other notable officers were General [[Joseph de Goislard de Monsabert]] (3rd DIA), General [[François Sevez]], General [http://generals.dk/general/Dody/Andre-Marie-Fran%C3%A7ois/France.html André-Marie-François Dody] and General [[:fr:Diego Brosset|Diego Brosset]]. General [[Augustin Guillaume]] was in command of the three Moroccan tabors (similar in size to a large battalion).{{sfn|Peter Caddick-Adams|2013|p=135}}

=== 1st Free French Division ===
{{Further|1st Free French Division}}
Also known as: [[1st Motorized Infantry Division]].

(General Diego Brosset), arrived in Italy in April 1944
*1st Brigade ([[13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade]] and [[22nd Bataillon de marche Nord Africain]]
*2nd Brigade (4th, 5th and 11th Bataillon de Marche)
*4th Brigade (21st, 24th Bataillon de Marche and Bataillon d'Infanterie de Marine du Pacifique(BIMP))
*1st Regiment d'Artillerie Coloniale(RAC)
*1st Regiment de Fusiliers Marins (RFM)

=== 2nd Moroccan Infantry Division ===
{{Further|2nd Moroccan Infantry Division}}
(General André Dody), arrived in Italy end of November 1943
*4th Regiment de Tirailleurs Marocains (RTM)
*5th Regiment de Tirailleurs Marocains (RTM)
*8th Regiment de Tirailleurs Marocains (RTM)
*3rd Regiment de Spahis Marocains (RSM)
*63rd Regiment d'Artillerie d'Afrique (RAA)

=== 3rd Algerian Infantry Division ===
{{Further|3rd Algerian Infantry Division}}
(General [[Joseph de Goislard de Monsabert]]), arrived in Italy in December 1943
*3rd Regiment de Tirailleurs Algériens (RTA)
*4th Regiment de Tirailleurs Tunisiens (RTT)
*7th Regiment de Tirailleurs Algériens (RTA)
*3rd Regiment de Spahis Algériens de Reconnaissance (RSAR)
*67th Regiment d'Artillerie d'Afrique (RAA)

=== 4th Moroccan Mountain Division===
{{Main|4th Moroccan Mountain Division}}
(General François Sevez), arrived in Italy in February 1944
*1st Regiment de Tirailleurs Marocains (RTM)
*2nd Regiment de Tirailleurs Marocains (RTM)
*6th Regiment de Tirailleurs Marocains (RTM)
*4th Regiment de Spahis Marocains (RSM)
*69th Regiment d'Artillerie de Montagne (RAM)

=== General Reserves ===
*Command of Moroccan [[Goumier]]s (General Augustin Guillaume)
**1st Groupe de Tabors Marocains (GTM)
**3rd Groupe de Tabors Marocains (GTM)
**4th Groupe de Tabors Marocains (GTM)
*7th Régiment de Chasseurs d'Afrique (RCA)
*8th Régiment de Chasseurs d'Afrique (RCA)
*64th Regiment d'Artillerie d'Afrique (RAA)

=== Anti-Aircraft Artillery Troops ===
(Brigadier general [[Aaron Bradshaw Jr.]], U.S.A.)<ref name="generals.dk">{{cite web | url = http://www.generals.dk/general/Bradshaw/Aaron_Jr./USA.html | title = Biography of Major-General Aaron Bradshaw Jr}}</ref>

==First and fourth battle of Monte Cassino==
[[File:Gustav Line at Cassino, early 1944.jpg|thumb|Gustav Line at Cassino, early 1944]]
The first of the FEC troops at the front was the 2nd Moroccan Division with the 4th GTM attached, in January the 3rd Algerian Division joined the Moroccans. It was positioned in the high mountains at the extreme right of the [[United States Army North|U.S. Fifth Army]]. Used to mountain fighting, the FEC pushed back the German 5th Mountain Division taking Monte Belvedere and Colle Abate but stopped before being able to take Monte Cifalco after suffering heavy casualties and lacking reinforcements.{{sfn|Peter Caddick-Adams|2013|p=15}} The Allied command decided to settle down to reinforce and reorganise for a spring campaign code-named ‘‘Diadem’’ set for May 11. New units were added: The 1st French Motorized Division, the 4th Moroccan Mountain Division, as well as another group of Tabors, the 1st GTM.{{sfn|Edward L. Bimberg|1999|p=54}}

In the next two battles, much smaller affairs on a narrow front around Cassino town, the corps was not involved. For the fourth and final battle the Fifth Army's front had been compressed towards the coast to allow the [[Eighth Army (United Kingdom)|British Eighth Army]]'s [[XIII Corps (United Kingdom)|XIII Corps]] and [[II Corps (Poland)|II Polish Corps]] to join the line. During this battle, launched 11 May 1944, the Corps attacked into the inhospitable [[Aurunci Mountains]] which the Germans had considered impassable by modern infantry. The progress made by the corps and in particular the lightly loaded [[goumiers]], capturing Monte Maio and pushing deep into the Aurunci, threatened the flanks of the German forces on their right in the [[Liri]] valley fighting against XIII Corps. The Germans were consequently forced to withdraw allowing XIII Corps to advance up the Liri valley and the Polish Corps on the right to occupy on 18 May the heights of Monte Cassino and the abbey reduced to rubble on top of it.{{sfn|Richard Natkiel|1985|p=114}}

==Breaking of the Gustav Line==
[[File:Moroccan soldiers at Monte Cassino.jpg|thumb|Moroccan goumiers at Monte Cassino]]
In his autobiography, [[Mark W. Clark]] describes how the FEC broke through the [[Winter Line|Gustav Line]] in May 1944.

<blockquote>Meantime, the French forces had crossed the [[Garigliano]] (River) and moved forward into the mountainous terrain lying south of the [[Liri|Liri River]]. It was not easy. As always, the German veterans reacted strongly and there was bitter fighting. The French surprised the enemy and quickly seized key terrain including Mounts Faito Cerasola and high ground near [[Castelforte]]. The 1st Motorized Division helped the 2nd Moroccan division take key Mount Girofano and then advanced rapidly north to S. Apollinare and S. Ambrogio In spite of the stiffening enemy resistance, the 2nd Moroccan Division penetrated the [[Gustav Line]] in less than two day’s fighting. The next 48 hours on the French front were decisive. The knife-wielding [[Goumiers]] swarmed over the hills, particularly at night, and General Juin’s entire force showed an aggressiveness hour after hour that the Germans could not withstand. Cerasola, San Giogrio, Mt. D’Oro, [[Ausonia, Italy|Ausonia]] and [[Esperia]] were seized in one of the most brilliant and daring advances of the war in Italy, and by May 16 the French Expeditionary Corps had thrust forward some ten miles on their left flank to Mount Revole, with the remainder of their front slanting back somewhat to keep contact with the British 8th Army. For this performance, which was to be a key to the success of the entire drive on Rome, I shall always be a grateful admirer of General Juin and his magnificent FEC... The 8th Army’s delay made Juin’s task more difficult because he was moving forward so rapidly that his right flank---adjacent to the British---constantly was exposed to counter-attacks.<ref>[[Mark Wayne Clark]], ''Calculated risk'', Harper, 1950, p.348</ref></blockquote>

The battle for the Gustav Line had been difficult for the FEC. It had been involved in violent combat in the mountains. Then, while Clark entered [[Rome]], the FEC attacked the east of the city securing the road to [[Siena]] and capturing it. After the campaign, the soldiers were withdrawn to Africa to join the [[First Army (France)#1944–1945|Army B]] that had landed in southern France after [[Operation Dragoon]].

==Casualties==
The casualties for the campaign were approximately 6,500 killed in action, 2,000 missing and 23,000 wounded. The combatants of the C.E.F. rest in the French military cemeteries of [[Monte Mario]] ([[Rome]]) and [[Venafro#The French Military Cemetery|Venafro]].

== Triumph and disgrace ==

=== Praised from Allied military leaders ===
In a letter to Marechal Juin, General Mark Clark paid tribute to the Tirailleur units and Goumiers of the CEF :

<blockquote>For me, it has been a deep source of satisfaction to see how the vital part played by the French troops of the Fifth Army throughout our Italian campaign against the common enemy has been universally acknowledged. During these long months, I have had the real privilege of seeing for myself the evidence of the outstanding calibre of the French soldiers, heirs of the noblest traditions of the French Army. Nevertheless, not satisfied with this, you and all your people have added a new epic chapter to the history of France; you have gladdened the hearts of your compatriots, giving them comfort and hope as they languish under the heavy and humiliating yoke of a hated invader. . . . With my deepest gratitude for the tremendous contribution that you have made to our joint victories, my dear General.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.montecassinobelvedere.fr/en/leading-figures-in-the-battle-of-belvedere/general-mark-w-clark-en/|title=General Mark W. Clark|website=Monte Cassino Belvédère|language=en-GB}}</ref></blockquote>

=== Reports of rape and looting ===
At the height of their reputation as the best mountain fighters in the Allied camp, soon came reports of extensive violence by the French forces, most notably during the advance on Rome, when the Moroccan Goumiers went on a rampage of rape and looting.{{sfn|Edward L. Bimberg|1999|p=67}}{{sfn|Mark Stout, Harry Yeide|p=24}} When reports reached the Fifth Army headquarters about women and children being violated, goods looted, money stolen and even murder, General Clark was appalled. He contacted Juin who immediately ordered that the offenders be caught and summarily punished.{{sfn|Edward L. Bimberg|1999|p=64}} Analysis of French military archives suggests that some 360 Expeditionary Corps soldiers were brought before the military courts for violent crimes committed against thousands of civilians during the Italian campaign; some were executed, the rest imprisoned.{{sfn|Peter Caddick-Adams|2013|p=137}}

These crimes tarnished the honour of the French army in Italy and horrified Juin and the rest of the French command. The French officers punished with equal brutality, shooting and sometimes hanging the offenders.{{sfn|Edward L. Bimberg|1999|p=115-116}} 207 more soldiers were found guilty of sexual violence.{{sfn|Mark Stout, Harry Yeide|p=24}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.liberation.fr/societe/2015/05/15/elle-avait-17-ans-et-elle-a-ete-violee-par-40-soldats_1310075|title=she was 17 and was raped by 40 soldiers|last=Minano|first=Leïla|date=2015-05-15|website=Libération.fr|language=fr}}</ref> The horrors even came to the attention of the Vatican, [[Pope Pius XII]] personally objecting to the further use of the tribesmen in Europe. In an audience granted to General de Gaulle, the pope complained about the rape and pillage. As a result of the discussion, the proposed participation of the Moroccan Goums in Operation Dragoon was canceled before being reinstated under pressure from General de Lattre.{{sfn|Edward L. Bimberg|1999|p=77-78}}

According to Italian sources, more than 7,000 people were raped by Goumiers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cassino2000.com/cdsc/studi/archivio/n07/n07p09.html|title=1952: The case of the "marocchinate" in the Italian Parliament}}</ref> A monument was erected in remembrance of the [[Marocchinate]] women in [[Castro dei Volsci]]. In 2015, the Italian state organised compensation to the victims still alive.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.corriere.it/cronache/15_settembre_23/violentata-27-anni-viene-risarcita-quando-ne-ha-quasi-100-0852be0c-61ba-11e5-a22c-898dd609436f.shtml|title=raped at 27 compensated at almost 100|date=2015-09-23|website=Corriere della Sera|language=it}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Army of Africa (France)|Army of Africa]]
*[[Liberation of France]]
*[[Marocchinate]]
*[[Moroccan Goumier]]

==References==

===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Sources===
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book|author=Edward L. Bimberg|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EC5nAAAAMAAJ|title=The Moroccan Goums: Tribal Warriors in a Modern War|publisher=Greenwood Press|year=1999|isbn=978-0-313-30913-7}}
*{{cite book|author=Peter Caddick-Adams|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XaO_TyLC3fEC|title=Monte Cassino: Ten Armies in Hell|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2013|isbn=978-0-19-997464-1}}
*{{cite book|author=Robin Cross|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xft0DwAAQBAJ|title=Operation Dragoon|publisher=Pegasus Books|year=2019|isbn=978-1-64313-102-3}}
*{{cite book|author=Paul Gaujac|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PmgVAQAACAAJ|title=Le Corps expeditionnaire français en italie: 1943-1944|publisher=Histoire et Collections|year=2003|isbn=978-2-913903-93-7}}
*{{cite book|author=Julie Le Gac|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VBREnwEACAAJ|title=Vaincre sans gloire: le corps expéditionnaire français en Italie (novembre 1942-juillet 1944)|publisher=Les Belles Lettres|year=2013|isbn=978-2-251-44477-2|language=fr}}
*{{cite book|author=James Holland|title=Italy's Sorrow: A Year of War 1944–45|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fzbLryuSclAC|year=2008|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers|isbn=978-0-00-728403-0}}
*{{cite book|author=Richard Natkiel|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_mHBAAAACAAJ|title=Atlas of World War II|publisher=JG Press|year=1985|isbn=978-1-57215-295-3}}
*{{cite book|author=Jean-Christophe Notin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_rZSCwAAQBAJ|title=Maréchal Juin|date=2015|publisher=Tallandier|isbn=979-10-210-0737-6}}
*{{cite book|author=Matthew Parker|title=Monte Cassino: The Hardest Fought Battle of World War II|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FP8wjDruP58C|date=May 2005|publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-4000-3375-1}}
*{{cite book|author=Mark Stout, Harry Yeide|title=First to the Rhine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vP53IfV1TJwC|publisher=Zenith Imprint|isbn=978-1-61673-965-2}}
* Colonel Goutard (1947). ''Le Corps Expéditionnaire Français dans la campagne d'Italie (1943-1944)''. Charles-Lavauzelle & Cie.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
*[http://www.custermen.com/ItalyWW2/ArmyOrg/FrenchOrg.htm French Expeditionary Corps in Italy]
* [http://www.montecassinobelvedere.com/version-anglaise.php Monte Cassino - the Battle of Belvedere]
* [http://www.montecassinobelvedere.com/version-anglaise.php?page=venafro-en The Venafro Cemetery in Italy]

{{French Resistance}}
{{Liberation of France}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:French Expeditionary Corps (1943-1944)}}
[[Category:Corps of France]]
[[Category:Corps of France in World War II]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1943]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1944]]
[[Category:Italian campaign (World War II)]]
[[Category:Battle of Monte Cassino]]

French Expeditionary Corps (1943–44) - Revision history

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