Battalions of Light Infantry of Africa
The Battalions of Light Infantry of Africa (French: Bataillons d'Infanterie Légère d'Afrique or BILA), better known under the acronym Bat' d'Af', were French infantry and construction units, serving in Northern Africa, made up of men with prison records who still had to do their military service, or soldiers with serious disciplinary records.
| Bataillons d'Infanterie Légère d'Afrique | |
|---|---|
Light Infantry of Africa in 1833, during the conquest of Algeria | |
| Active | 13 June 1832—31 March 1972 |
| Country | France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Light infantry Penal military unit |
| Role | Desert warfare Raiding Trench warfare |
| Garrison/HQ | Tataouine (French Tunisia) |
| Nickname(s) | Bat' d'Af' L'Enfer Biribi |
| March | "Les Bataillonnaires" |
| Anniversaries | Battle of Mazagran (6 February) |
| Engagements | French colonial Wars French Intervention in Mexico Crimean War World War I World War II |
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