Battalions of light infantry of Africa

The battalions of light infantry of Africa (BILA), more known under their nicknames of Bat of Af' were units of the Army French.

As opposed to what one thinks, they are not disciplinary units in a strict sense. They nevertheless accommodated in their row the young men already condemned in the civilian, at the time or those were to make their military service, and of the sanctioned soldiers, after their passage in punishment companies. However it is clear that it reigned there a discipline much stronger than in the other units of the army. Initially, the soldiers of the 1st BILA are the Flore , those of the 2nd Zéphyr , those of the 3rd Chardonnet , then the nickname of Joyeux is essential for all, although one still foresees that of Zéphyr .

It is it should be noted that the " specificité" of its recruitment, which joins together a good number of voyoux there, made battalions of Africa a place priviligié to forge the networks of the Parisian medium of between two wars (references necessary).

The soldiers of the BILA being distinguished the February 6th 1840 with the is battled of Mazagran, this day becomes the festival of the BILA.

1st battalion of light infantry of Africa

Created by ordinance of June 13rd, 1832, stationed with Mostaganem, Oran then with Tataouine after 1932. It disappears in 1940, to reappear in September 1948.

2nd battalion of light infantry of Africa

Created by ordinance of June 13rd, 1832, stationed with Candle. It is dissolved in 1927, the finished Guerre of Rif.

3rd battalion of light infantry of Africa

Created in 1857 and stationed with Bône then with Tataouine. It is dissolved in 1932, and reappears only in 1951. It passes to Fort Flatters in 1960, and to Reggane in 1963. It becomes the 3rd Company of light infantry of Africa (CILA) in the Sixties, passes to Mers el Kébir in 1967 and is finally dissolved on March 31st, 1972 with Obock.

4th battalion of light infantry of Africa

Created in May 1888 and stationed with Gabès. It is dissolved in 1927, the finished Guerre of Rif.

5th battalion of light infantry of Africa

Created in May 1888 and stationed with Gabès. It is dissolved in 1925.

24e battalion of light infantry

Created in Ruchard, it forms part with the 20th BIL of the 3rd half-brigade. He knows a short existence between October 1939 and on August 7th, 1940, goes back to its dissolution It is affected with the sector strengthened of the Dauphine one. It is not a battalion of Africa in a strict sense term.

See

Flag

On the flag that receive the battalions of Africa in 1950 are reproduced the following battles: Mazagran 1840, House of the Frontier runner 1914, Verdun 1916, Rheims 1918, Suippe 1918.

References

Feriel Ben Mahmoud, Bat' d' Af: The legend of the bad lots , Company of the Mengès Editions, 2005
Pierre Dufour, Bat' D' Af zéphirs and Merry the 1831-1972 , Ed.Pygmalion, 2004
White Julien, " Merry make your fourbis" (account of the life with Beats of Af by old a " Joyeux")

External bond

Infos on Bat' D' Af

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