French Expeditionary Corps (1943–44)
The French Expeditionary Corps (French: Corps Expéditionnaire Français, CEF), also known as the French Expeditionary Corps in Italy (French: 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 of World War II, under the command of General Alphonse Juin. Consisting of 112,000 men divided into four divisions, all but one of the divisions were colonial units, mostly Moroccans and Algerians drawn from the Army of Africa and led by French officers. Overall the Expeditionary Corps was composed of approximately 60 % of colonial troops.
| French Expeditionary Corps | |
|---|---|
| Corps Expéditionnaire Français | |
Shoulder sleeve insignia | |
| Active | 1943–1944 |
| Country | France French Colonial Empire |
| Allegiance | Free France |
| Type | Army |
| Size | 4 Divisions (112,000 men) |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | General Alphonse Juin |
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. In August 1944 the corps was withdrawn and absorbed into the French First Army under General de Lattre de Tassigny for the invasion of Southern France.