Groupes mobiles

Bonjour,

je recherche des informations sur les groupes mobiles. On trouve régulièrement des informations sur certains GM et leurs chefs mais je ne trouve rien sur l'année de leur création, la liste exhaustive, etc.

Merci pour vos infos
Bruno

Bonjour,

comme je n'avais pas de réponse, j'ai cherché... voici l'état de mes connaissances sur ce sujet.

La création des GM est directement liée à la défaite de Cao Bang en octobre 1950. Jacques DALLOZ écrit dans son dictionnaire de la Guerre d'Indochine :

"C'est pour faire face aux nécessités nouvelles de la guerre que le commandement crée à partir du début 1951 les GM. A l'origine un GM comprend 3 bataillons d'infanterie, un escadron blindé, un groupe d'artillerie, un détachement des transmissions, une compagnie du génie, une compagnie de quartier général et une antenne chirurgicale [...] Les GM constituent l'essentiel de la réserve générale chargée de lutter contre les divisions que le Viet Minh a formées à partir de 1950."

D'après Bernard Fall dans Indochine 1946-1962 Chronique d'une guerre révolutionnaire, les GM sont des mondes militaires miniatures constitués de fantassins, de blindés et d'artilleurs. Ils sont commandés par des colonels et ont un caractère particulier lié à la provenance de leur troupe (GM1 Marocains, GM3 Montagnards Muong, GM11 sud vietnamiens, ...). Ils 'apparentes, de part leur composition, aux Combat team de la seconde guerre mondiale qu'a bien connu de Lattre lorsqu'il était le chef de la 1^re armée

Informations par GM

Groupe Mobile Nord-Africain  (GMNA)
A Vinh Yen il est commandé par le lieutenant-colonel EDON. Il comprend :

• GM/64° RA
  
• 2/1° RTA
  
• 2/6° RTM
  
• 4/7° RTA
  
  

Groupe Mobile n°1  (GM1)
Commandé par le colonel ERULIN (janv 51 – Vinh Yen)
Commandé par le colonel EDON (mai-juin 1951 - bataille du DAY)
Commandé par le colonel de CASTRIES (1952). Il comprend :

• 4/7° RTA
  
• 1/2° REI
  

Commandé par le commandant DULAC (quand?)
Commandé par BLANCKAERT (quand?)

Groupe Mobile n°2  (GM2)
Commandé par le colonel de CASTRIES (janv 51 – Vinh Yen)
Remplacé par le colonel LEVE lorsqu'il est blessé à Vinh Yen

Unités constituantes :

• 11° Tabor (janv 51 - Vinh Yen)
  
• 17° Tabor (janv 51 - Vinh Yen)
  
• 6° BCCP  (janv 51 - Vinh Yen)
  
• 9° Tabor (fin 53)
  
• 1/5° REI
  

Commandé par le colonel  SABLON du CORAIL (Opération Mouette - Oct 1953)

Groupe Mobile n°3  (GM3)
Créé par le général de LATOUR suivant les ordres de de LATTRE au début des combats de Vinh Yen. Il est constitué de 3 bataillons d'infanterie inemployés et hétéroclite et est initialement commandé par le colonel MULLER
Commandé par le lieutenant-colonel VANUXEM (janv 51 – Vinh Yen). Il comprend :

• bataillon de Sénégalais(lequel?)
  
• le GACAOF (chef d'escadron COULON)
  
• un peloton de blindés légers du 1° Chasseurs
  
• le 1° Bataillon Muong (capitaine MAGDELIN)
  
• le 2/8° Groupement de Spahis à Pied (2/8° GSAP, commandant DELUC)
  
• le 3° Bataillon du 2° Régiment de Tirailleurs Marocains (3/2° RTM)
  

Fin 1951, le GM3 comprend 2 bataillons Muong
Commandé par le colonel MONEGLIA (Oct 52 - Opération Lorraine)
Commandé par le colonel  ROUMIANTZOFF dit le Cosaque (Opération Mouette - Oct 1953)

Groupe Mobile n°4  (GM4)
Commandé par le colonel André ERULIN (Vinh Yen - bataille du Day), blessé par mine, il meurt des suites de ses blessures le 28 juin 1951.
Commandé par le colonel THOMAZO
Constitué en novembre 1950, le groupe mobile N°4 est composé de troupe nord-africaine d'infanterie, d'artillerie coloniale et de la Légion étrangère. Le GM 4 est dissous en octobre 1954.

Pour la Légion, y seront incorporés les bataillons suivants :

• 2/13° DBLE
  
• 2/2° REI (avril 1952 - 1953)
  
• 3/3° REI (1953)
  

autres unités :

• 1/4° RTM
  
• 3° bataillon Thai (BT 3 - Oct 1953)
  

Commandé par le colonel KERGARAVAT (Oct 52 - Opération Lorraine)
Commandé par le colonel ERULIN (quand? - comprenant le 1/5° REI)
Commandé par le colonel  SUSBIELLE (Opération Mouette - Oct 1953)

Nota : André ERULIN n'est autre que le père de Philippe ERULIN qui commande l'opération sur Kolwezi et qui mourra prématurément en 1979.

Groupe Mobile n°5  (GM5)
[/b]Commandé par le lieutenant-colonel RABERIN (juillet 1953 - opération « Hirondelle »)

Groupe Mobile n°6  (GM6)
[/b]Aucune trace !

Groupe Mobile n°7  (GM7)
Cité dans un ouvrage. Commandement et constitution inconnue.

Groupe Mobile n°9  (GM9)
Commandé par le colonel GAUCHER (Opération Mouette - 1954 - Dien Bien Phu)
Constitution :

• 1/13° DBLE
  
• 3/13° DBLE
  
• 3/3° RTA
  
• 3/10° RAC
  

Groupe Mobile n°14  (GM14)
Provient du Tonkin. Engagé notamment dans l'opération Camargue en juil 1953 (Rue sans joie)
Composition :

• 3/13° DBLE
  
• 1° bataillon Muong
  
• 26° bataillon de tirailleurs Sénéglais
  

GM Centre Vietnam
Engagé notamment dans l'opération Camargue en juil 1953. Composition inconnue

Groupe Mobile n°100  (GM100)
Créé en novembre 1953 à partir du Bataillon de Corée - 3500 hommes commandé par le colonel BARROU
Composition :

• Bataillon de Corée,
  
• BM du 43° RIC
  
• 2° Groupe du 10° RAC
  
• 3° Escadron du 5° Régiment de Cuirassiers
  

Groupe Mobile Montagnard 42 (GM42)
Commandé par le Lieutenant-colonel SOCKEL

En vrac
On parle également d'un colonel BOISREDON qui commande un GM en Oct 52 lors Opération Lorraine)
En 1953 sont créés les GM 11, 21, 41, 42 à base de Vietnamiens de Cochinchine, d'Annam, et de montagnards des Hauts Plateaux... aux qualités combatives très inégales.[/b][/b]

Bonsoir,

Du nouveau sur la création des groupes mobiles.
En feuilletant un livre du général Boyer de Latour (le martyre de l'armée française"), je découvre qu'il est à l'origine des groupes mobiles, probablement entre novembre et décembre 1950! Page 173 on peut en effet lire :
"toutes les réserves avaient été dépensées [...] seul le groupe mobile Nord-Africain était constitué et valable. Je résolu en première urgence de reconstituer au plus vite des réserves et après une étude approfondie, je décidais de créer :
1° 5 groupements mobiles de 3 bataillons d'infanterie, d'une compagnie de Génie, d'une compagnie de commandement, d'un sous-groupement blindé et d'un groupe d'artillerie...''

Intéressant non? Ce n'est donc pas de Lattre qui est à l'origine de ces groupes mobiles!

Autres infos, le colonel Edon, qui mourra en Indochine, arrive en même temps que le général de LATOUR autour du 3 novembre. C'est lui qui commande le GMNA à Vinh Yen.

Cordialement
Bruno

Hi,

Here are some notes of mine on GM's in Indochina (incomplete), if anyone has corrections, additions, or opinions on these notes please advise.

Regards






GM 1,
10/1/51, Tonkin, Formed from the GMNA. 21st HQ Company assigned to GM 1.
10/15/49 thru 12/20/49, Tonkin, Operation ANTHRACITE.
2/8/50 thru 5/8/50, Tonkin, Operations TONNEAU & DANAE.
5/21/50 thru 6/29/50, Tonkin, Operation FOUDRE.
8/23/50 thru 11/28/50, Tonkin, Operations CHRYSALIDE & PHOQUE.
12/5/50 thru 1/1/51, Tonkin, Operations INTEREDE & GANTELET.
1/13/51 thru 1/17/51, Tonkin, Battle of Vinh Yen.
4/1/51, GM 1:
21st Command Company
II/6th RTM
II/1st RTA
IV/7th RTA
GM/ 64th RAA
5/28/51, Tonkin, Battle of Mao Khe.
5/29/51 thru 6/23/51, battle of the Day River.
9/24/51 thru 9/29/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation CITRON.
10/1/51, Formed from NAGM. AO = Tonkin,
10/1/51 thru 10/10/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation MANDARINE.
11/51, Hoa Binh,
12/13/51, Tonkin, Hoa Binh as reserve force.
3/10/52 thru 3/23/52, Tonkin, Operation AMPHIBIE.
3/25/52 thru 4/12/52, Tonkin, Operation MERCURE.
3/52, 3rd squadron/RICM attached.
4/19/52 thru 4/27/52, Tonkin, Operation TURCO.
4/28/52 thru 4/29/52, Tonkin, Operation TANGO.
4/28/52 thru 5/15/52, Tonkin, Operation DROMADAIRE.
5/28/52 thru 6/2/52, Tonkin, Operation KANGOUOU.
6/3/52 thru 6/6/52, Tonkin, Operation ANTILOPE.
6/7/52 thru 6/9/52, Tonkin, Operation KANGOUROU II.
6/28/52 thru 7/15/52, Tonkin, Operation BOLERO II.
10/9/52 thru 10/15/52, Tonkin, Operation GAZELLE.
10/52, I/1RCC attached
10/29/52 thru 11/20/52, Operation LORRAINE.
11/30/52 thru 1/3/53, Tonkin, Operation BRETAGNE.
4/24/53 Laos, at Luang Prabang the Royal Capital.
10/31/53, 21st Command Company renamed 1st Command Company.
11/1/53, 1st Command Company assigned to GM 1.
11/27/53 thru 12/1/53, Tonkin, South of Thai Ninh in Operation BUFFLE.
12/12/53 thru 1/10/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT near Thai Binh & Bui Chu.
12/25/53, Part of Seno Air Head in Laos.
9/30/54, GM 1 disbanded. 1st HQ Company renamed 21st RTA Command Company.
11/15/54, 21st RTA Command Company used to help reform 21st RTA
Units: 21st Command Company, 3rd BM/1st RTA, 2nd BM/1st RTA, 2nd BM/4th RTM, 1st BM/1st RTM, II/1st RTA, II/6th RTM, IV/7 RTA, BMI, I/2nd REI, 10th BPCP, II/6th RTM, I/5th REI, II/1st RCP, 1st BCP, 2nd BEP, Group de marche du 64th RAA, 155mm guns from the 4th RAC.
(Lt Colonel REDON) (Lt Colonel Bastiani) (Colonel Edom) (Colonel De Casters), (Dulac), (de Fonclare), (Colonel Boisredon), (Colonel Daillier), (Colonel Arnoux de Maison-Rouge)
Example of GM 1 from 4/1/51:
23rd HQ company
II/6th RTM
II/1st RTA
IV/7th RTA
GM/64th RAA


1st Khmer Mobile Group,
AKA: GM Khmer,
1947 – 1954,
1952 – 1953, Sector Operational Khmer.
1953 – 1954, Sous Secteur de Kratie.
Units: 1st Royal Khmer Cavalry Battalion.


GMPT 1,
2/1/53, formed from 24 Companies of Militia.
6/53 AO = Tonkin Formed from Tai Partisans.
10/53, had 27 companies.
Units: 248, 272, 273, 282, 284, 292, 295, 341, 383, 413, 415, 416, 418, 424, 425, 428, 431, 432, 433, 434, 546, 547 CLSM, 428th Mule Company & the 5th Black Tai Company. Destroyed in withdraw from Lai Chau to DBP. Units actually at DBP are 416, 418, 428 CLSM.
(Captain Bordier)


GM 2,
1/13/51 thru 1/17/51, Tonkin, Battle of Vinh Yen.
1/17/51 Tonkin, Formed, AO near Hoa Binh, HQ from 3th REI
3/12/51, 22nd HQ Company assigned to GM 2.
4/1/51, GM 2:
22nd Command Company
22nd BTA
II/13th DBLE
10th BPCP
IV/RACM.
11/10/51 thru 2/25/52, Tonkin, Battle of Hoa Binh.
11/27/51, Tonkin, Operations in Red River Delta with 1st DNA.
2/25/52, Tonkin, withdrawn from Hoa Binh.
3/10/52 thru 3/23/52, Tonkin, Operation AMPHIBIE.
3/25/52 thru 4/12/52, Tonkin, Operation MERCURE.
4/18/52 thru 4/19/52, Tonkin, Operation POLO.
4/19/52 thru 4/27/52, Tonkin, Operation TURCO.
4/28/52 thru 5/15/52, Tonkin, Operation DROMADAIRE.
6/30/52, 22nd HQ Company disbanded.
7/1/52, renamed GM Vietnamese.
7/2/52 thru 7/10/52, Tonkin, Operation VIPERINE.
9/1/52, Tonkin. AO = Red River Delta.
Disbanded.
Units: 22nd Command Company, I/5 REI, III/13 DBLE, 22nd BTA, 28th BMTS, 1st BM/1st RTM, II/13th DBLE, 11th Tabor, 17th Tabor,1st BPC, 10 BPCP, Commando Vandenberghe, IV/ RACM,
See: GM Vietnamese.
Example of GM 2 from 4/1/51:
22nd HQ company
22nd BTA
II/13th DBLE
10th BPCP
IV/RACM


GM 2, (New)
11/1/53, GM Center Vietnam renamed GM 2. Reformed 2nd HQ Company assigned to GM 2.
11/1/53 thru 11/6/53, Tonkin, Operation MOUETTE as part of Division Light A.
12/25/53, Laos, part of Seno Air Head.
1/20/54 to 3/3/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE.
9/30/54, 2nd HQ Company renamed 8th RTM HQ Company.
10/1/54, 8th RTM Command Company used to reform 8th RTM.
Units: I/5 REI, 27 BTA, 2nd BM/4th RTM, 2ndBM/1st RTM, I/RACM
(Colonel Clement), (Colonel de Castries), (Quinche), (Colonel Du Corail)


GM 3,
1/1/51, Formed. AO = Tonkin. 3rd Command Company assigned to GM 3.
1/13/51 thru 1/17/51, Tonkin, Battle of Vinh Yen.
2/15/51, 3rd Command Company renamed 23rd Command Company.
2/16/51, 23rd HQ Company assigned to GM 3.
4/1/51, GM 3:
23rd Command Company
8th GSA
1st Battalion Muong
2nd BCCP
GACAOF
8/5/51 thru 8/10/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation TUKY.
9/24/51 thru 9/29/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation CITRON.
10/1/51 thru 10/10/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation MANDARINE.
11/10/51, Tonkin, Battle of Hoa Binh.
11/27/51, Tonkin, Operations in Red River Delta with 1st DNA.
2/25/52, Tonkin, withdrawn from Hoa Binh.
3/25/52 thru 4/12/52, Tonkin, Operation MERCURE.
4/28/52 thru 5/15/52, Tonkin, Operation DROMADAIRE.
6/3/52 thru 6/6/52, Tonkin, Operation ANTILOPE.
6/28/52 thru 7/15/52, Tonkin, North of Thai Binh in Operation BOLERO II.
10/9/52 thru 10/15/52, Tonkin, Operation GAZELLE.
10/29/52 thru 11/20/52, Operation LORRAINE.
1/16/53 thru 1/24/53, Tonkin, North of Thai Binh in Operation ARTOIS.
1/26/53 thru 2/11/53, Tonkin, NE of Hung Yen in Operation NORMANDIE I & II.
2/23/53 thru 2/27/53, Tonkin, South of Bac Ninh in Operation NICE I.
2/28/53 thru 3/2/53, Tonkin, near Bac Ninh in Operation NICE II.
3/26/53 thru 5/25/53, Tonkin, Operation HAUTES-ALPES.
8/28/53 thru 9/15/53, Tonkin, Operation CLAUDE.
9/23/53 thru 10/12/53, Tonkin, Operation BROCHET I & III.
10/31/53, 23rd HQ Company renamed the 3rd HQ Company.
11/1/53, 23rd Command Company renamed 3rd HQ Company assigned to GM 3.
11/21/53 thru 11/28/53, Tonkin, North East of Sept Pagodes Operation VENTOUX.
10/15/53 thru 11/6/53, Tonkin, Operation MOUETTE as part of Division Light A.
11/21/53 thru 11/28/53, Tonkin, North East of Sept Pagodes Operation VENTOUX.
12/12/53 thru 1/10/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT near Thai Binh & Bui Chu.
9/30/54, GM 3 disbanded. 3rd Command Company renamed 19th RMIC Command Company.
10/1/54, 19th RMIC Command Company used to form the 19th RMIC.
Units: 23rd Command Compant, 1st Muong Battalion, 2nd Muong Battalion (73rd BVN), I/2nd REI, III/3ed REI, II/13 DBLE, III/1 RTM, 3rd BM/2nd RTM, 24th BMTS, BM/30 BMTS, 4th BM/7th RTA, 1st BCP, 2nd BCCP, 5th BPC, 7th BPC, 8 BCP, 10th BPCP, and the 8th groupe de Spahis algériens a Pied (GSAP), Commando Rusconi, Platoon of 1st RCC, GACAOF, IV/RACM.
(Colonel Vanuxem), (Lt. Colonel Legendre), (Colonel Moneglia), (Roumiantzoff)
Example of GM 3 from 4/1/51:
23rd HQ company
8th GSA
1st Battalion Muong
BCCT
GMAOF


GM 4,

10/9/49, 24th Command Company assigned to new GM 4. AO = Tonkin,
7/10/50, 24th Command Company disbanded.
1/1/51, GM 3 Command Company assigned to GM 4.
2/15/51, GM 3 Command Company renamed 24th Command Company.
2/16/51, 24th Command Company reformed.
4/1/51, GM 4:
24th Command Company
I/4th RTM, III/4th RTM, BMI
II/RACM
5/28/51, Tonkin, Battle of Mao Khe.
9/24/51 thru 9/29/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation CITRON.
10/1/51 thru 10/10/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation MANDARINE.
11/10/51 Fought at Hoa-Binh
12/13/51, Tonkin, Hoa Binh as reserve force.
2/19/52 thru2/ 29/52, Tonkin, near Thai Binh in Operation CRACHIN.
3/1/52 thru 3/7/52, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation OURAGAN.
3/10/52 thru 3/23/52, Tonkin, Operation AMPHIBIE.
3/27/52 thru 4/12/52, Tonkin, Operation MERCURE.
6/3/52 thru 6/6/52, Tonkin, Operation ANTILOPE.
10/9/52 thru 10/15/52, Tonkin, Operation GAZELLE.
10/29/52 thru 11/20/52, Operation LORRAINE.
11/30/52 thru 3/1/53, Tonkin, Operation BRETAGNE.
1/16/53 thru 1/24/53, Tonkin, North of Thai Binh in Operation ARTOIS.
1/26/53 thru 2/11/53, North East of Hung Yen in Operation NORMANDIE I & II.
2/23/53 thru 2/27/53, Tonkin, South of Bac Ninh in Operation NICE I.
2/28/53 thru 3/2/53, Tonkin, near Bac Ninh in Operation NICE II.
3/26/53 thru 5/25/53, Tonkin, Operation HAUTES-ALPES.
1953, II/2nd REI replaced by III/3rd REI.
9/13/53/thru 9/19/53, Tonkin, Operation FLANDRES.
9/19/53 thru 10/12/53, Tonkin, Operation FLANDRES II.
10/15/53 thru 11/6/53, Tonkin, Operation MOUETTE as part of Division Light B.
10/31/53, 24th Command Company renamed 4th Command Company.
11/1/53, 4th Command Company assigned to GM 4.
11/21/53 thru 11/28/53, Tonkin, North East of Sept Pagodes Operation VENTOUX.
12/12/53 thru 1/10/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT near Thai Binh & Bui Chu.
1/54, Tonkin, near Hung Yen in Red River Delta.
6/18/54 thru 7/4/54, Operation AUVERGNE, evacuation of the southern part of the Red River Delta.
1954, Tonkin, part of the evacuation of Hanoi.
9/30/54, GM 4 disbanded. 4th HQ Company renamed the 3rd RTM HQ Company.
10/1/54, 3rd RTM Command Company used to reform 3rd RTM.
Units: 24th Command Company, I/2nd REI, II/2nd REI (4/52 from Annam), BMI, III/5th REI, II/13th DBLE, III/3rd REI (replaced II/2nd REI), I/3rd RTM,I/4th RTM, III/4th RTM, III/6th RTM, 3rd BM/4th RTM, 1st BM/1st RTA, 1st BM/1st RTM, 1st BM/4th RTM(III/4th RTM), II/6th RTM, BT 3, 1st BPC, 7th BPC, 8th BPC, 10th BPCP, 1st BPVN, 3rd BPVN, Squadron of RICM, BM/31 Engineer, 62th Engineers, II/RACN, II/4th RAC, II/41st RAC.
(Colonel De Kergaravet) (Colonel Thomazo), ( Colonel Erulin), (Bastiani), (Juille), (Susbielle), (de Champvallier), (LtColonial Fonde)
Example of GM 4 from 4/1/51:
24th HQ company
I/4th RTM
III/4th RTM
BMI
II/RACM


GM 5,
12/1/50, Formed.
1951, AO = Tonkin.
12/1/50, 3rd REI Command Company assigned to GM 5.
4/1/51, GM 5:
3rd REI Command Company I/3rd REI
II/3rd REI
I/6th RTA
I/RACM
5/28/52 thru 6/2/52, Tonkin, Operation KANGOUOU.
6/7/52 thru 6/9/52, Tonkin, Operation KANGOUROU II.
8/15/52, Tonkin, Operation BOLERO near Nam Dinh.
10/29/52 thru 11/20/52, Tonkin, Operation LORRAINE.
11/21/53 thru 11/28/53, Tonkin, North East of Sept Pagodes Operation VENTOUX.
11/30/52 thru 3/1/53, Tonkin, Operation BRETAGNE South of Nam Dinh.
1953-1954, Tonkin, the III / RACM is integrated within the Group Mobile 5.
1/16/53 thru 1/24/53, Tonkin, North of Thai Binh in Operation ARTOIS.
1/26/53 thru 2/11/53, Tonkin, North East of Hung Yen in Operation NORMANDIE I & II.
2/22/53 thru 2/26/53, Tonkin, South of Bac Ninh in Operation NICE I.
2/28/53 thru 3/2/53, Tonkin, near Bac Ninh in Operation NICE II.
3/16/53, Tonkin, Operation CORSICA.
3/25/53 thru 5/25/53, Tonkin, Operation HAUTES-ALPES.
July 1953, Tonkin, Operation Hirondelle served as relief force for Para assault force.
8/28/53 thru 9/15/53, Tonkin, Operation CLAUDE.
9/23/53 thru 10/12/53, Tonkin, Operation BROCHET I & III.
11/21/53 thru 11/28/53, Tonkin, North East of Sept Pagodes Operation VENTOUX.
12/12/53 thru 1/10/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT near Thai Binh & Bui Chu.
12/19/53 thru 1/22/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT II near Thai Binh.
Units: 3rd REI Command Company, I/2nd REI, I/3rd REI, II/3rd REI, IV/3ed REI, V/3rd REI, 1st BMI, II/5th REI, III/5th REI, 2nd BEP, I/6th RTA, I/RACM, III/RACM.
(Lt Colonel Raberin), (Lt Colonel Laimay), (Ruyssen), (Marguet), (Raberin)
Example of GM 5 from 4/1/51:
3rd REI HQ company
I/3rd REI
II/3rd REI
I/6th RTA
I/RACM


GM 6,
12/50, Formed from HQ 5th REI, II/5th REI, III/5th REI.
4/1/54, GM 6:
5th REI Command Company
I/1st RTM
I/23rd RIC
Bataillon des Forces Cotieres du Tonkin
1/10/54, Tonkin, GM 6 being airlifted to DBP.
1/15/54, AO = Tonkin, garrison of DBP Strong Point ISABELLE with III/3 REI, 5/7 RTA, 2nd BM/1st RTA, II/4 RAC.
5/7/54, destroyed at DBP.
6/1/54, GM 6 disbanded.
7/1/54, GM 6 reformed with 3rd REI as HQ element, 22nd BVN, 58th BVN, 72nd BVN, 712th TDKQ, IV/41st RAC.
11/8/54, reformed with I/3 REI, II/3 REI, III/3 REI, IV/41st RAC.
Units: 3rd REI Command Company, I/3rd REI, II/3rd REI, III/3rd REI, I/23rd RIC, I/1st RTM, I/3rd RTM, 2nd BM/1st RTA,V/7th RTA, Bataillon des Forces Cotieres du Tonkin, 22nd BVN, 58th BVN, 72nd BVN, 712nd TDKQ, II/4th RAC, IV/41st RAC.
(Lt Colonel Lalande)


GM 7,
2/16/51, Tonkin, GM 7 formed with AO = Tonkin, 27th HQ Company assigned.
11/10/51 thru 2/25/52, Tonkin, Battle of Hoa Binh.
Na San, Luang Prabng in Laos.
10/11/51 thru 10/13/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation AMANDE.
11/27/51, Tonkin, Operations in Red River Delta with 1st DNA.
1952 thru 1954, Tonkin, Operations near Vinh Yen,
2/19/52 thru 2/29/52, Tonkin, near Thai Binh in Operation CRACHIN.
3/1/52 thru 3/7/52, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation OURAGAN.
3/10/52 thru 3/23/52, Tonkin, Operation AMPHIBIE.
3/52, 7 squadron/RICM attached. Later Vietnamese from 21 RIC ?
3/27/52 thru 4/12/52, Tonkin, Operation MERCURE.
4/14/52 thru 4/15/52, Tonkin, Operation PORTO.
4/18/52 thru 4/19/52, Tonkin, Operation POLO.
4/19/52 thru 4/27/52, Tonkin, Operation TURCO.
4/28/52 thru 4/29/52, Tonkin, Operation TANGO.
8/25/52, Annam, Operation SAUTERELLE with 3rd BPC 7 1st BPVN against 101st PAVN.
11/30/52 thru 3/1/53, Tonkin, Operation BRETAGNE.
9/13/53 thru 9/19/53, Tonkin, Operation FLANDRES.
9/23/53 thru 10/12/53, Tonkin, Operation BROCHET I & III.
10/31/53, 27th Command Company renamed 7th Command Company.
11/1/53, 7th Command Company assigned to GM 7.
1/12/54, at Luang Prabang in Laos.
7/54, Moved from Haiphong to Tourane.
8/11/54, 7th HQ Company renamed the 9th RTM HQ Company.
1/1/55, Renamed the 31st Infantry Division.
Units: I/3rd RTM, 1st BM/1st RTM, 4th BM/2nd RTM, 10 BPC, 1 BT, IV/43 RIC, 26th BMTS, 6 BVN.
(Colonel Berteil), (Colonel Dodelier), (Colonel Blankaert), (de Pouilly), (Louvet)


GM 8,
8/5/53 thru 8/21/53, Tonkin, Operation TARENTAISE.
10/22/53, AO = Tonkin = formed from 5th RTM which were part of the reinforcements requested by General Navarre, operated in Tonkin
11/15/53, formed from 5th RTM.
12/12/53 thru 1/10/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT near Thai Binh & Bui Chu.
12/19/53 thru 1/22/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT II near Thai Binh.
6/18/54 thru 7/4/54, Operation AUVERGNE, evacuation of the southern part of the Red River Delta.
Units: 5th RTM Command Company, I/5th RTM, II/5thRTM, III/5th RTM, IV/RACM, 4 BVN, 20 BVN, GM/64 RAA (Replaced IV/RACM), 1SGB, 8SGB, 421 CSM, 423 CSM.
(Colonel Hubert)


GM 9,
9/1/53, Tonkin, formed.
11/27/53 thru 12/1/53, Tonkin, South of Thai Ninh in Operation BUFFLE.
AO = Tonkin, in 1953 moved to DBP.
12/15/53 to 12/20/53, Tonkin, GM 9 airlifted to DBP.
May 1954 destroyed at DBP.
Units: 13th DBLE Command Company, I/13th DBLE, III/13th DBLE, 3rd BM/3rd RTA, III/10th RAC.
(Colonel Gaucher)
7/30/54, GM 9 reformed.
Units: 13th DBLE Command Company, I/13th DBLE, II/13th DBLE, 22nd BTA, III/4th RACM.


GM 10, (AKA as Groupment Est)
10/26/53, formed from 7th RTA part of the reinforcements requested by General Navarre, operated near Tourane & Plaeaux Montagnard.
11/18/53, Annam, Operation ATLANTE. AO = Annam.
1/20/54 to 3/3/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE.
12/54,
Units: 7th RTA Command Comoany, I/7th RTA, II/7th RTA, III/7th RTA, BM /3rd AOF, GAMCL (Artillery), 6/1st REC, 71st Enginneer Battalion, 603rd TDKQ, 651st DDTP (AVN Heavy Weapons Company).
(Colonel Derville)


GM 11, (Vietnamese)
1/1/54, Formed from GM Central Annam, AO = Qui Nhom & AnKhe in Annam.
1/18/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE
3/54, Operations near Pleiku.
3/54 thru 7/54, Operations in Hauts Plateaux.
4/54 thru 6/54, replaced GM 100 as garrison of AnKhe which was under siege by VM.
6/54, Lost a Battalion overrun by VM at Deo Mang Pass..
9/1/54, Mekong Delta, in Long Xuyen.
9/30/54, GM 11 disbanded by CEFEO.
10/1/54, Transferred to AVN.
1/1/55, renamed the 1st Light Division. AO = Sadec.
Units: 1st BVN, 3rd BVN, 11th BVN, 17th BVN, 1st GAVN
(Lt Colonel Nguyen Khanh), (Colonel Vy)


GI 12, (Vietnamese),
8/52, Formed in Cochin China.
Units: 12 GAVN.
GI 12 never used in Operations, disbanded.


GM 13, (Vietnamese),
To be formed in Cochin China. GM 13 never formed.


GM 14,
AO = Annam, Tonkin, formed from GM Tonkin.
7/27/53 to 8/10/53, Annam, Operation CAMARGUE.
Units: III/13th DBLE, 26th BMTS, 1st Muong


GM 21,(Vietnamese),
10/20/53, Annam, Formed, AO = Quang Tri & Thua Tri Provinces. Formed from BVN's from Thua Thien & Quang Tri.
1/20/54 to 3/3/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE.
9/1/54, Annam, in Quang Tri Province near Hue..
9/30/54, disbanded in CEFEO.
10/1/54, transferred to AVN.
12/15/54, GM 21 disbanded & renamed the 21st Infantry Division (21, 22, 23 Infantry Regiments) of AVN.
1/1/55, activated as 21st Division of the AVN. AO = Quang Tri & Thua Thien Provinces.
Units: 27 BVN, 30 BVN, IV/2nd REI, 2nd GAVN.
(Colonel Cantarel) (Col Le Van Nghiem).


GI 22, (Vietnamese),
9/15/54, Formed in Annam.
5/54, to 9/54.
8/23/54, Stationed at Thu Duc site of the Infantry School.
Units: 22 GAVN.
GI 22 never used in Operations, disbanded.


GM 31, (Vietnamese),
9/1/53, Tonkin, formed from GM Vietnamese as Group Infantry 31. AO = Red River Delta.
11/27/53 thru 12/1/53, Tonkin, South of Thai Ninh in Operation BUFFLE.
12/12/53 thru 1/10/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT near Thai Binh & Bui Chu.
12/19/53 thru 1/22/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT II near Thai Binh.
6/18/54 thru 7/4/54, Operation AUVERGNE, evacuation of the southern part of the Red River Delta.
9/1/54, transferred from Haiphong to Tourane.
9/30/54, GM 31 disbanded by CEFEO.
10/1/54, GM 31 transferred to AVN.
12/1/54, Annam, Battalions from Tonkin reformed as 51st Infantry Regiment, 52nd Infantry Regiment, and 154th Infantry Regiment in the GM 31.
12/15/54, GM 31 disbanded and renamed the 31st Infantry Division.
1/1/55, activated as 31st Division of the AVN. Only had 156th I.R., AO = Quang Nam Province.
Units: 2 BVN, 9 BVN, 59 BVN, 723 TDKQ, 5 GAVN
(Lt Col Nguyen Quau Hoau) (Lt Col Nguyen Huu Co)


GM 32, (Vietnamese),
11/3/53, Tonkin. Formed, AO = Red River Delta.
2/54, Operations started.
6/18/54, thru 7/4/54, Operation AUVERGNE, evacuation of the southern part of the Red River Delta.
9/1/54, Annam, transferred from Haiphong to Nha Trang.
9/30/54, GM 32 disbanded by CEFEO.
10/1/54, GM 32 transferred to AVN.
12/15/54, GM 32 disbanded and renamed the 32nd Infantry Division of AVN.
1/1/55, activated as 32nd Division of the AVN. Based on GM 32 & ex Tonkin Battalions.
Units: 6 BVN, 10 BVN, 20 BVN, 3rd GAVN.
(Lt Col Ton That Dinh)


GI 33, (Vietnamese),
To be formed in Tonkin.
GI 33 never formed.
Units: 33 GAVN.


GI 34, (Vietnamese),
To be formed in Tonkin.
GI 34 never formed.
Units: 34 GAVN.


GM 41, (Montagnard),
4/53, formed as the Group Infantry de Montagne 41.
1/17/54, Renamed the GM 41.
1/18/54 to 3/3/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE.
2/54 AO = Plaeaux Montagnard
4/1/54,
6/54, Annam, near Ban Me Thuot.
9/30/54, GM 41 disbanded by CEFEO.
10/1/54, GM 41 transferred to AVN.
Units: 1BMVN, 2BMVN, 3BMVN, 8BMVN, Darlac Commando, 2nd BGI, 2nd Vietnamese Commando, I/44th GAVN, I/4th EVRN
Took part in Operations: TIBESTI, ENEDI, OUBANEUI, TCHAD, TAHITI, ATLANTI between 4/53 and 4/28/54.
(Colonel Sockell) (Lt Colonel Le Boudic), (Colonel Craplet)


GM 42, (Montagnard),
1/1/54, Formed.
1/18/54 to 3/3/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE.
2/54 AO = Plaeaux Montagnard
6/54, Garrison of Pleiku, also at Mang Yang Pass.
7/54, together with GM 100 was responsible for security of Pleiku.
Took partin Operations: ATLANTE, OSCAR, VERTE, VIOLET, INDIGO, EIFFEL, EGLANTINE between 1/54 and 7/54.
9/30/54, GM 42 disbanded by CEFEO.
10/1/54, GM 42 transferred to AVN.
Units: BMVN 1BMVN, 3BMVN, 6BMVN, 7BMVN, 4th ERVN, II/4th GAVN, 504 TDKQ, 510 TDKQ.
(Colonel Jaud), (Lt.Colonel Sockell)


GM 51, (N African)
11/7/53, Formed. AO = Cambodia. 51st HQ Company assigned to GM 51.
12/25/53, Part of Seno Air Head Laos.
2/54, Laos, operations with the 1st BCP.
6/16/54, 51st HQ Company transferred to ARK.
6/22/54, GM 51 disbanded by CEFEO.
7/54, transferred to the Armee Royale Khmere.
Units: II/1st RCP, 4th Regiment of Dragoons,


GM 100,
11/1/53, Formed in Annam. 100th HQ Company assigned to GM 100. AO = Plaeaux Montagnard.
1/20/54 to 3/3/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE.
4/54 thru 6/54, replaced the GM 11 as garrison of AnKhe.
6/54, heavy losses in withdraw to Pleiku.
7/54, became responsible for Garrison of Pleiku together with GM 42.
8/30/54, GM 100 disbanded. 100th HQ Company renamed the 43rd RIC HQ Company.
9/1/54, 43rd Command Company used to reform 43rd RIC.
Units: I/Coree, II/Coree, BM/43rd RIC, 2/10th RAC, 3/5th RC.
(Colonel Barrou)


GM 101,
7/1/54, Formed. AO = Bien Hoa in Cochin China.
7/1/54, formed from 22nd RTA newly arrived from Germany. AO = Bien Hoa.
10/4/54, GM 101disbanded.
Units: 22nd RTA Command Company, I/22nd RTA, II/22nd RTA, III/22nd RTA,


GM Central Vietnam,
8/1/51, formed
10/10/51, Command Company GM Center Vietnam assigned to GM Center Vietnam.
2/50, AO = Annam.
7/27/53 to 8/10/53, Annam, Operation CAMARGUE.
10/31/53, GM Center Vietnam disbanded. Command Company GM Center Vietnam renamed 2nd Command Company..
11/1/53, GM Center Vietnam renamed GM 2
Units: 3rd BM/2nd RTA, I/3rd RTM, 3rd BM/2nd RTM, 6th RSM, 27 BTA, 30 BVN.
See: GM 2.


GM GLAP,
12/50, Tonkin, formed after the RC 4 defeat.
3/1/51, disbanded.
Units: Staff protection provided by 1st CM/1st BEP, 2nd BEP, 6th GCCP, 10th GPCP, 2nd Battery/I/RACM.


GM Khmer,
1947 – 1954,
1952 – 1953, Sector Operational Khmer.
1953 – 1954, Sous Secteur de Kratie.


Group of Moroccan Tabors E. O. (GMTEO),
1/1/50, formed at Lang Son for Operations on RC 4. Had 3rd, 8th, & 10th Tabors, and the HQ Company. CO = Col. Le Page.
2/50, near Dong Khe on RC 4.
5/27/50, together with 3rd BCCP retakes Dong Khe, leaves 8th Tabor as garrison.
June 1950, 8t8th, & 10th Tabors replaced by 1st, & 11th Tabors.
10/50, fought RC 4 battle with 1st, 11th Tabors, BM/8th RTM, & 1st BEP.
11/1/50, Tonkin, disbanded. HQ Company disbanded.
1/21/51, Renamed the GLTMEO.
1951 thru 1953, Tonkin, served as Command Unit at Lai Chau.
7/53 thru 8/54, Laos, served as Command Unit on the Plaine de Jars


GM North,
4/8/54 thru 5/24/54,AO = Laos as relief force for DBP in Operation ALBATROSS. 4/13/54, Launched from Muong Khoua.
4/17/54, Muong Sai.
4/29/54, Operation renamed Operation ARIEGE & was to defend Muong Khoua.
5/3/54, ordered to retreat
5/8/54, last units retreat.
Units: 4th BCL, 5th BCL, 1st BPL, II/2nd REI, & GCMA of Lt Col Mollat of 800 Lao & Meo partisans. ALPHA of 300 men, GAMA of 650 men, GRAPEFRUIT , BANANA, & AREC.
(Lt Colonel Godard)


GM North African,
7/26/49, Formed in Africa for Indo China.
8/6/49, GMNA operational.
8/25/49, Tonkin, formed as NAGM, AO = Tonkin. First GM formed. 21st Command Company assigned to GMNA.
10/15/49 thru 12/20/49, Tonkin, Operation ANTHRACITE.
2/8/50 thru 5/8/50, Tonkin, Operations TONNEAU & DANAE.
5/21/50 thru 6/29/50, Tonkin, Operation FOUDRE.
8/23/50 thru 11/28/50, Tonkin, Operations CHRYSALIDE & PHOQUE.
1/13/51 thru 1/17/51, battle of Vinh Yen.
5/28/51, Tonkin, Battle of Mao Khe.
5/29/51 thru 6/23/51, battle of the Day River.
9/24/51 thru 9/29/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation CITRON.
10/1/51, Tonkin, GMNA formed GM 1 with AO = Tonkin,
Units: 4th BM/7th RTA, II/6th RTM, 2nd BM/1st RTA, A Tabor ?, two sections of Engineers from the 19th March Company, and three sections of Artillery with 75mm mountain guns from the GM/64th RAA. (Colonel Edom)
SEE: GM 1.


Groupement Nung,
9/1/54, Nung Battalions moved from Haiphong to Cam Ranh & on to Song Mao in Binh Thun Province
9/20/54, HQ Company assigned.
12/16/54, Annam, Ba Ngoi in Khanh Hoa Province south of Nha Trang where it was formed as Group Nung from 32 BVN, 67 BVN, 71 BVN, 72 BVN, & 75 BVN which were Nung Battalions from Tonkin. Group had 34th, 35th, & 38th Infantry Regiments under command.
2/1/55, Group Nung Renamed 6th Division of the new ARVN.


GM Tonkin,
1953, Renamed GM 14
Units: 27 BMTS,
See: GM 14.


GM Vietnamese,
7/1/52 formed from GM 2 as GM Vietnamese 2. AO = Tonkin near Na San.
7/2/52 thru 7/10/52, Tonkin, Operation VIPERINE.
9/1/52, Tonkin. AO = Red River Delta.
3/6/51, 22nd HQ Company assigned.
6/28/52, 22nd HQ Company reassigned.
3/16/53, renamed Groupment Mobile Vietnamese.
8/53, Na San evacuated.
9/1/53, renamed the Groupment d’ Infantry 31.
Units: 1st BT, 2nd BT, 3rd BT, 55th BVN, III/5th REI, 2nd BPC.
Took part in Operations from 1/17/53 to 6/30/53.
See: GM 31.


GM ZN,


October 1949 when the Viet Minh sent seven battalions of regular troops to occupy the areas of Bui Chu and Phat Diem. This prompted Le Huu to request assistance directly from the French. The area was relatively autonomous, when French troops withdrew and left the bishop in charge of the defense of the area after providing weapons for two autonomous mobile groups, nominally part of the Armed Forces of Vietnam but under local control. Catholic autonomy would last another two years. In late 1951, after the Catholic troops had put resistance against the Viet Minh offensive in Delta, General de Lattre had to Phat Diem and Bui Chu permanently occupied by Franco-Vietnamese troops and bishops stripped of their functions administrative. In 1954, cooperation with the French forces, the Viet Minh reprisals intense propaganda and incite an exodus of Catholics to Annam and Cochinchina bishop had no choice but to follow their faithful.


GMFV 1 (Group Mobile Franco-Vietnamese) aka Autonomous Mobile Group 1,
11/15/49, formed from Catholic Militias as Autonomous Catholic Non CEFEO Unit. AO
1/1/50, formed from Catholic Militia as Autonomous Catholic Non CEFEO Unit. AO = Bui Chi & Phat Diem in Tonkin.
Operational 1/1/50 thru 6/30/50.
10/50, Group no longer Operational.
5/1/51, renamed 16 BVN.



GMFV 2 (Group Mobile Franco-Vietnamese),
11/15/49, formed from Catholic Militias as Autonomous Catholic Non CEFEO Unit. AO = Bui Chi & Phat Diem in Tonkin
Operational 2/13/50 thru 7/20/50.
10/50, Group no longer Operational.
5/1/51, renamed 18 BVN.
3/26/53 thru 5/25/53, Tonkin, Operation HAUTES-ALPES.
8/5/53 thru 8/21/53, Tonkin, Operation TARENTAISE.

Hi,

Here are some notes of mine on GM's in Indochina (incomplete), if anyone has corrections, additions, or opinions on these notes please advise.

Regards

GM 1,
10/1/51, Tonkin, Formed from the GMNA. 21st HQ Company assigned to GM 1.
10/15/49 thru 12/20/49, Tonkin, Operation ANTHRACITE.
2/8/50 thru 5/8/50, Tonkin, Operations TONNEAU & DANAE.
5/21/50 thru 6/29/50, Tonkin, Operation FOUDRE.
8/23/50 thru 11/28/50, Tonkin, Operations CHRYSALIDE & PHOQUE.
12/5/50 thru 1/1/51, Tonkin, Operations INTEREDE & GANTELET.
1/13/51 thru 1/17/51, Tonkin, Battle of Vinh Yen.
4/1/51, GM 1:
21st Command Company
II/6th RTM
II/1st RTA
IV/7th RTA
GM/ 64th RAA
5/28/51, Tonkin, Battle of Mao Khe.
5/29/51 thru 6/23/51, battle of the Day River.
9/24/51 thru 9/29/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation CITRON.
10/1/51, Formed from NAGM. AO = Tonkin,
10/1/51 thru 10/10/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation MANDARINE.
11/51, Hoa Binh,
12/13/51, Tonkin, Hoa Binh as reserve force.
3/10/52 thru 3/23/52, Tonkin, Operation AMPHIBIE.
3/25/52 thru 4/12/52, Tonkin, Operation MERCURE.
3/52, 3rd squadron/RICM attached.
4/19/52 thru 4/27/52, Tonkin, Operation TURCO.
4/28/52 thru 4/29/52, Tonkin, Operation TANGO.
4/28/52 thru 5/15/52, Tonkin, Operation DROMADAIRE.
5/28/52 thru 6/2/52, Tonkin, Operation KANGOUOU.
6/3/52 thru 6/6/52, Tonkin, Operation ANTILOPE.
6/7/52 thru 6/9/52, Tonkin, Operation KANGOUROU II.
6/28/52 thru 7/15/52, Tonkin, Operation BOLERO II.
10/9/52 thru 10/15/52, Tonkin, Operation GAZELLE.
10/52, I/1RCC attached
10/29/52 thru 11/20/52, Operation LORRAINE.
11/30/52 thru 1/3/53, Tonkin, Operation BRETAGNE.
4/24/53 Laos, at Luang Prabang the Royal Capital.
10/31/53, 21st Command Company renamed 1st Command Company.
11/1/53, 1st Command Company assigned to GM 1.
11/27/53 thru 12/1/53, Tonkin, South of Thai Ninh in Operation BUFFLE.
12/12/53 thru 1/10/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT near Thai Binh & Bui Chu.
12/25/53, Part of Seno Air Head in Laos.
9/30/54, GM 1 disbanded. 1st HQ Company renamed 21st RTA Command Company.
11/15/54, 21st RTA Command Company used to help reform 21st RTA
Units: 21st Command Company, 3rd BM/1st RTA, 2nd BM/1st RTA, 2nd BM/4th RTM, 1st BM/1st RTM, II/1st RTA, II/6th RTM, IV/7 RTA, BMI, I/2nd REI, 10th BPCP, II/6th RTM, I/5th REI, II/1st RCP,  1st BCP, 2nd BEP, Group de marche du 64th RAA, 155mm guns from the 4th RAC.
(Lt Colonel REDON) (Lt Colonel Bastiani) (Colonel Edom) (Colonel De Casters), (Dulac), (de Fonclare), (Colonel Boisredon), (Colonel Daillier), (Colonel Arnoux de Maison-Rouge)
Example of GM 1 from 4/1/51:
23rd HQ company
II/6th RTM
II/1st RTA
IV/7th RTA
GM/64th RAA


1st Khmer Mobile Group,
AKA: GM Khmer,
1947 – 1954,
1952 – 1953, Sector Operational Khmer.
1953 – 1954, Sous Secteur de Kratie.
Units: 1st Royal Khmer Cavalry Battalion.


GMPT 1,
2/1/53, formed from 24 Companies of Militia.
6/53 AO = Tonkin Formed from Tai Partisans.
10/53, had 27 companies.
Units: 248, 272, 273, 282, 284, 292, 295, 341, 383, 413, 415, 416, 418, 424, 425, 428, 431, 432, 433, 434, 546, 547 CLSM, 428th Mule Company & the 5th Black Tai Company. Destroyed in withdraw from Lai Chau to DBP.  Units actually at DBP are 416, 418, 428 CLSM.
(Captain Bordier)


GM 2,
1/13/51 thru 1/17/51, Tonkin, Battle of Vinh Yen.
1/17/51 Tonkin, Formed, AO  near Hoa Binh, HQ from 3th REI
3/12/51, 22nd HQ Company assigned to GM 2.
4/1/51, GM 2:
22nd Command Company
22nd BTA
II/13th DBLE
10th BPCP
IV/RACM.
11/10/51 thru 2/25/52, Tonkin, Battle of Hoa Binh.
11/27/51, Tonkin, Operations in Red River Delta with 1st DNA.
2/25/52, Tonkin, withdrawn from Hoa Binh.
3/10/52 thru 3/23/52, Tonkin, Operation AMPHIBIE.
3/25/52 thru 4/12/52, Tonkin, Operation MERCURE.
4/18/52 thru 4/19/52, Tonkin, Operation POLO.
4/19/52 thru 4/27/52, Tonkin, Operation TURCO.
4/28/52 thru 5/15/52, Tonkin, Operation DROMADAIRE.
6/30/52, 22nd HQ Company disbanded.
7/1/52, renamed GM Vietnamese.
7/2/52 thru 7/10/52, Tonkin, Operation VIPERINE.
9/1/52, Tonkin. AO = Red River Delta.
Disbanded.
Units: 22nd Command Company, I/5 REI, III/13 DBLE, 22nd BTA, 28th BMTS, 1st BM/1st RTM, II/13th DBLE, 11th Tabor, 17th Tabor,1st BPC, 10 BPCP, Commando Vandenberghe, IV/ RACM,
See: GM Vietnamese.
Example of GM 2 from 4/1/51:
22nd  HQ company
22nd BTA
II/13th DBLE
10th BPCP
IV/RACM


GM 2, (New)
11/1/53, GM Center Vietnam renamed GM 2. Reformed 2nd HQ Company assigned to GM 2.
11/1/53 thru 11/6/53, Tonkin, Operation MOUETTE as part of Division Light A.
12/25/53, Laos, part of Seno Air Head.
1/20/54 to 3/3/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE.
9/30/54, 2nd HQ Company renamed 8th RTM HQ Company.
10/1/54, 8th RTM Command Company used to reform 8th RTM.
Units: I/5 REI, 27 BTA, 2nd BM/4th RTM, 2ndBM/1st RTM, I/RACM
(Colonel Clement), (Colonel de Castries), (Quinche), (Colonel Du Corail)


GM 3,
1/1/51, Formed. AO = Tonkin. 3rd Command Company assigned to GM 3.
1/13/51 thru 1/17/51, Tonkin, Battle of Vinh Yen.
2/15/51, 3rd Command Company renamed 23rd Command Company.
2/16/51, 23rd HQ Company assigned to GM 3.
4/1/51, GM 3:
23rd Command Company
8th GSA
1st Battalion Muong
2nd BCCP
GACAOF
8/5/51 thru 8/10/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation TUKY.
9/24/51 thru 9/29/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation CITRON.
10/1/51 thru 10/10/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation MANDARINE.
11/10/51, Tonkin, Battle of Hoa Binh.
11/27/51, Tonkin, Operations in Red River Delta with 1st DNA.
2/25/52, Tonkin, withdrawn from Hoa Binh.
3/25/52 thru 4/12/52, Tonkin, Operation MERCURE.
4/28/52 thru 5/15/52, Tonkin, Operation DROMADAIRE.
6/3/52 thru 6/6/52, Tonkin, Operation ANTILOPE.
6/28/52 thru 7/15/52, Tonkin, North of Thai Binh in Operation BOLERO II.
10/9/52 thru 10/15/52, Tonkin, Operation GAZELLE.
10/29/52 thru 11/20/52, Operation LORRAINE.
1/16/53 thru 1/24/53, Tonkin, North of Thai Binh in Operation ARTOIS.
1/26/53 thru 2/11/53, Tonkin, NE of Hung Yen in Operation NORMANDIE I & II.
2/23/53 thru 2/27/53, Tonkin, South of Bac Ninh in Operation NICE I.
2/28/53 thru 3/2/53, Tonkin, near Bac Ninh in Operation NICE II.
3/26/53 thru 5/25/53, Tonkin, Operation HAUTES-ALPES.
8/28/53 thru 9/15/53, Tonkin, Operation CLAUDE.
9/23/53 thru 10/12/53, Tonkin, Operation BROCHET I & III.
10/31/53, 23rd HQ Company renamed the 3rd HQ Company.
11/1/53, 23rd Command Company renamed 3rd HQ Company assigned to GM 3.
11/21/53 thru 11/28/53, Tonkin, North East of Sept Pagodes Operation VENTOUX.
10/15/53 thru 11/6/53, Tonkin, Operation MOUETTE as part of Division Light A.
11/21/53 thru 11/28/53, Tonkin, North East of Sept Pagodes Operation VENTOUX.
12/12/53 thru 1/10/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT near Thai Binh & Bui Chu.
9/30/54, GM 3 disbanded. 3rd Command Company renamed 19th RMIC Command Company.
10/1/54, 19th RMIC Command Company used to form the 19th RMIC.
Units: 23rd Command Compant, 1st Muong Battalion, 2nd Muong Battalion (73rd BVN), I/2nd REI, III/3ed REI,  II/13 DBLE, III/1 RTM, 3rd BM/2nd RTM, 24th BMTS, BM/30 BMTS, 4th BM/7th RTA, 1st BCP, 2nd BCCP, 5th BPC,  7th BPC, 8 BCP, 10th BPCP, and the 8th groupe de Spahis algériens a Pied (GSAP), Commando Rusconi, Platoon of 1st RCC, GACAOF, IV/RACM.
(Colonel Vanuxem), (Lt. Colonel Legendre), (Colonel Moneglia), (Roumiantzoff)
Example of GM 3 from 4/1/51:
23rd HQ company
8th GSA
1st Battalion Muong
BCCT
GMAOF


GM 4,

10/9/49, 24th Command Company assigned to new GM 4. AO = Tonkin,
7/10/50, 24th Command Company disbanded.
1/1/51, GM 3 Command Company assigned to GM 4.
2/15/51, GM 3 Command Company renamed 24th Command Company.
2/16/51, 24th Command Company reformed.
4/1/51, GM 4:
24th Command Company
I/4th RTM, III/4th RTM, BMI
II/RACM
5/28/51, Tonkin, Battle of Mao Khe.
9/24/51 thru 9/29/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation CITRON.
10/1/51 thru 10/10/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation MANDARINE.
11/10/51 Fought at Hoa-Binh
12/13/51, Tonkin, Hoa Binh as reserve force.
2/19/52 thru2/ 29/52, Tonkin, near Thai Binh in Operation CRACHIN.
3/1/52 thru 3/7/52, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation OURAGAN.
3/10/52 thru 3/23/52, Tonkin, Operation AMPHIBIE.
3/27/52 thru 4/12/52, Tonkin, Operation MERCURE.
6/3/52 thru 6/6/52, Tonkin, Operation ANTILOPE.
10/9/52 thru 10/15/52, Tonkin, Operation GAZELLE.
10/29/52 thru 11/20/52, Operation LORRAINE.
11/30/52 thru 3/1/53, Tonkin, Operation BRETAGNE.
1/16/53 thru 1/24/53, Tonkin, North of Thai Binh in Operation ARTOIS.
1/26/53 thru 2/11/53, North East of Hung Yen in Operation NORMANDIE I & II.
2/23/53 thru 2/27/53, Tonkin, South of Bac Ninh in Operation NICE I.
2/28/53 thru 3/2/53, Tonkin, near Bac Ninh in Operation NICE II.
3/26/53 thru 5/25/53, Tonkin, Operation HAUTES-ALPES.
1953, II/2nd REI replaced by III/3rd REI.
9/13/53/thru 9/19/53, Tonkin, Operation FLANDRES.
9/19/53 thru 10/12/53, Tonkin, Operation FLANDRES II.
10/15/53 thru 11/6/53, Tonkin, Operation MOUETTE as part of Division Light B.
10/31/53, 24th Command Company renamed 4th Command Company.
11/1/53, 4th Command Company assigned to GM 4.
11/21/53 thru 11/28/53, Tonkin, North East of Sept Pagodes Operation VENTOUX.
12/12/53 thru 1/10/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT near Thai Binh & Bui Chu.
1/54, Tonkin, near Hung Yen in Red River Delta.
6/18/54 thru 7/4/54, Operation AUVERGNE, evacuation of the southern part of the Red River Delta.
1954, Tonkin, part of the evacuation of Hanoi.
9/30/54, GM 4 disbanded. 4th HQ Company renamed the 3rd RTM HQ Company.
10/1/54, 3rd RTM Command Company used to reform 3rd RTM.
Units:  24th Command Company, I/2nd REI, II/2nd REI (4/52 from Annam), BMI, III/5th REI, II/13th DBLE, III/3rd REI (replaced II/2nd REI), I/3rd RTM,I/4th RTM, III/4th RTM,  III/6th RTM, 3rd BM/4th RTM, 1st BM/1st RTA, 1st BM/1st RTM, 1st BM/4th RTM(III/4th RTM), II/6th RTM, BT 3, 1st BPC, 7th BPC, 8th BPC, 10th BPCP, 1st BPVN, 3rd BPVN, Squadron of RICM, BM/31 Engineer, 62th Engineers, II/RACN, II/4th RAC, II/41st RAC.
(Colonel De Kergaravet) (Colonel Thomazo), ( Colonel Erulin), (Bastiani), (Juille), (Susbielle), (de Champvallier), (LtColonial Fonde)
Example of GM 4 from 4/1/51:
24th  HQ company
I/4th RTM
III/4th RTM
BMI
II/RACM


GM 5,
12/1/50, Formed.
1951, AO = Tonkin.
12/1/50, 3rd REI Command Company assigned to GM 5.
4/1/51, GM 5:
3rd REI Command Company I/3rd REI
II/3rd REI
I/6th RTA
I/RACM
5/28/52 thru 6/2/52, Tonkin, Operation KANGOUOU.
6/7/52 thru 6/9/52, Tonkin, Operation KANGOUROU II.
8/15/52, Tonkin, Operation BOLERO near Nam Dinh.
10/29/52 thru 11/20/52, Tonkin, Operation LORRAINE.
11/21/53 thru 11/28/53, Tonkin, North East of Sept Pagodes Operation VENTOUX.
11/30/52 thru 3/1/53, Tonkin, Operation BRETAGNE South of Nam Dinh.
1953-1954, Tonkin, the III / RACM is integrated within the Group Mobile 5.
1/16/53 thru 1/24/53, Tonkin, North of Thai Binh in Operation ARTOIS.
1/26/53 thru 2/11/53, Tonkin, North East of Hung Yen in Operation NORMANDIE I & II.
2/22/53 thru 2/26/53, Tonkin, South of Bac Ninh in Operation NICE I.
2/28/53 thru 3/2/53, Tonkin, near Bac Ninh in Operation NICE II.
3/16/53, Tonkin, Operation CORSICA.
3/25/53 thru 5/25/53, Tonkin, Operation HAUTES-ALPES.
July 1953, Tonkin, Operation Hirondelle served as relief force for Para assault force.
8/28/53 thru 9/15/53, Tonkin, Operation CLAUDE.
9/23/53 thru 10/12/53, Tonkin, Operation BROCHET I & III.
11/21/53 thru 11/28/53, Tonkin, North East of Sept Pagodes Operation VENTOUX.
12/12/53 thru 1/10/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT near Thai Binh & Bui Chu.
12/19/53 thru 1/22/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT II near Thai Binh.
Units: 3rd REI Command Company, I/2nd REI, I/3rd REI, II/3rd REI, IV/3ed REI, V/3rd REI, 1st BMI, II/5th REI, III/5th REI,  2nd BEP, I/6th RTA, I/RACM, III/RACM.
(Lt Colonel Raberin), (Lt Colonel Laimay), (Ruyssen), (Marguet), (Raberin)
Example of GM 5 from 4/1/51:
3rd REI HQ company
I/3rd REI
II/3rd REI
I/6th RTA
I/RACM


GM 6,
12/50, Formed from HQ 5th REI, II/5th REI, III/5th REI.
4/1/54, GM 6:
5th REI Command Company
I/1st RTM
I/23rd RIC
Bataillon des Forces Cotieres du Tonkin
1/10/54, Tonkin, GM 6 being airlifted to DBP.
1/15/54, AO = Tonkin, garrison of DBP Strong Point ISABELLE with III/3 REI, 5/7 RTA, 2nd BM/1st RTA, II/4 RAC.
5/7/54, destroyed at DBP.
6/1/54, GM 6 disbanded.
7/1/54, GM 6 reformed with 3rd REI as HQ element, 22nd BVN, 58th BVN, 72nd BVN, 712th TDKQ, IV/41st RAC.
11/8/54, reformed with I/3 REI, II/3 REI, III/3 REI, IV/41st RAC.
Units: 3rd REI Command Company, I/3rd REI, II/3rd REI, III/3rd REI, I/23rd RIC, I/1st RTM, I/3rd RTM, 2nd BM/1st RTA,V/7th RTA, Bataillon des Forces Cotieres du Tonkin, 22nd BVN, 58th BVN, 72nd BVN, 712nd TDKQ, II/4th RAC, IV/41st RAC.
(Lt Colonel Lalande)


GM 7,
2/16/51, Tonkin, GM 7 formed with AO = Tonkin, 27th HQ Company assigned.
11/10/51 thru 2/25/52, Tonkin, Battle of Hoa Binh.
Na San, Luang Prabng in Laos.
10/11/51 thru 10/13/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation AMANDE.
11/27/51, Tonkin, Operations in Red River Delta with 1st DNA.
1952 thru 1954, Tonkin, Operations near Vinh Yen,
2/19/52 thru 2/29/52, Tonkin, near Thai Binh in Operation CRACHIN.
3/1/52 thru 3/7/52, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation OURAGAN.
3/10/52 thru 3/23/52, Tonkin, Operation AMPHIBIE.
3/52, 7 squadron/RICM attached.  Later Vietnamese  from 21 RIC ?
3/27/52 thru 4/12/52, Tonkin, Operation MERCURE.
4/14/52 thru 4/15/52, Tonkin, Operation PORTO.
4/18/52 thru 4/19/52, Tonkin, Operation POLO.
4/19/52 thru 4/27/52, Tonkin, Operation TURCO.
4/28/52 thru 4/29/52, Tonkin, Operation TANGO.
8/25/52, Annam, Operation SAUTERELLE with 3rd BPC 7 1st BPVN against 101st PAVN.
11/30/52 thru 3/1/53, Tonkin, Operation BRETAGNE.
9/13/53 thru 9/19/53, Tonkin, Operation FLANDRES.
9/23/53 thru 10/12/53, Tonkin, Operation BROCHET I & III.
10/31/53, 27th Command Company renamed 7th Command Company.
11/1/53, 7th Command Company assigned to GM 7.
1/12/54, at Luang Prabang in Laos.
7/54, Moved from Haiphong to Tourane.
8/11/54, 7th HQ Company renamed the 9th RTM HQ Company.
1/1/55, Renamed the 31st Infantry Division.
Units: I/3rd RTM, 1st BM/1st RTM, 4th BM/2nd RTM, 10 BPC, 1 BT, IV/43 RIC, 26th BMTS, 6 BVN.
(Colonel Berteil), (Colonel Dodelier), (Colonel Blankaert), (de Pouilly), (Louvet)


GM 8,
8/5/53 thru 8/21/53, Tonkin, Operation TARENTAISE.
10/22/53, AO = Tonkin = formed from 5th RTM which were part of the reinforcements requested by General Navarre, operated in Tonkin
11/15/53, formed from 5th RTM.
12/12/53 thru 1/10/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT near Thai Binh & Bui Chu.
12/19/53 thru 1/22/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT II near Thai Binh.
6/18/54 thru 7/4/54, Operation AUVERGNE, evacuation of the southern part of the Red River Delta.
Units: 5th RTM Command Company, I/5th RTM, II/5thRTM, III/5th RTM, IV/RACM, 4 BVN, 20 BVN, GM/64 RAA (Replaced IV/RACM), 1SGB, 8SGB, 421 CSM, 423 CSM.
(Colonel Hubert)


GM 9,
9/1/53, Tonkin, formed.
11/27/53 thru 12/1/53, Tonkin, South of Thai Ninh in Operation BUFFLE.
AO = Tonkin, in 1953 moved to DBP.
12/15/53 to 12/20/53, Tonkin, GM 9 airlifted to DBP.
May 1954 destroyed at DBP.
Units: 13th DBLE Command Company, I/13th DBLE, III/13th DBLE, 3rd BM/3rd RTA, III/10th RAC.
(Colonel Gaucher)
7/30/54, GM 9 reformed.
Units: 13th DBLE Command Company, I/13th DBLE, II/13th DBLE, 22nd BTA, III/4th RACM.


GM 10, (AKA as Groupment Est)
10/26/53, formed from 7th RTA  part of the reinforcements requested by General Navarre, operated near Tourane & Plaeaux Montagnard.
11/18/53, Annam, Operation ATLANTE. AO = Annam.
1/20/54 to 3/3/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE.
12/54,
Units: 7th RTA Command Comoany, I/7th RTA, II/7th RTA, III/7th RTA, BM /3rd AOF, GAMCL (Artillery), 6/1st REC, 71st Enginneer Battalion, 603rd TDKQ, 651st DDTP (AVN Heavy Weapons Company).
(Colonel Derville)


GM 11, (Vietnamese)
1/1/54, Formed from GM Central Annam, AO = Qui Nhom & AnKhe in Annam.
1/18/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE
3/54, Operations near Pleiku.
3/54 thru 7/54, Operations in Hauts Plateaux.
4/54 thru 6/54, replaced GM 100 as garrison of AnKhe which was under siege by VM.
6/54, Lost a Battalion overrun by VM at Deo Mang Pass..
9/1/54, Mekong Delta, in Long Xuyen.
9/30/54, GM 11 disbanded by CEFEO.
10/1/54, Transferred to AVN.
1/1/55, renamed the 1st Light Division. AO = Sadec.
Units: 1st BVN, 3rd BVN, 11th BVN, 17th BVN, 1st GAVN
(Lt Colonel Nguyen Khanh), (Colonel Vy)


GI 12, (Vietnamese),
8/52, Formed in Cochin China.
Units: 12 GAVN.
GI 12 never used in Operations, disbanded.


GM 13, (Vietnamese),
To be formed in Cochin China. GM 13 never formed.


GM 14,
AO = Annam, Tonkin, formed from GM Tonkin.
7/27/53 to 8/10/53, Annam, Operation CAMARGUE.
Units: III/13th DBLE, 26th BMTS, 1st Muong


GM 21,(Vietnamese),
10/20/53, Annam, Formed, AO = Quang Tri & Thua Tri Provinces. Formed from BVN's from Thua Thien & Quang Tri.
1/20/54 to 3/3/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE.
9/1/54, Annam, in Quang Tri Province near Hue..
9/30/54, disbanded in CEFEO.
10/1/54, transferred to AVN.
12/15/54, GM 21 disbanded & renamed the 21st Infantry Division (21, 22, 23 Infantry Regiments) of AVN.
1/1/55, activated as 21st Division of the AVN. AO = Quang Tri & Thua Thien Provinces.
Units: 27 BVN, 30 BVN, IV/2nd REI, 2nd GAVN.  
(Colonel Cantarel) (Col Le Van Nghiem).


GI 22, (Vietnamese),
9/15/54, Formed in Annam.
5/54, to 9/54.
8/23/54, Stationed at Thu Duc site of the Infantry School.
Units: 22 GAVN.
GI 22 never used in Operations, disbanded.


GM 31, (Vietnamese),
9/1/53, Tonkin, formed from GM Vietnamese as Group Infantry 31. AO = Red River Delta.
11/27/53 thru 12/1/53, Tonkin, South of Thai Ninh in Operation BUFFLE.
12/12/53 thru 1/10/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT near Thai Binh & Bui Chu.
12/19/53 thru 1/22/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT II near Thai Binh.
6/18/54 thru 7/4/54, Operation AUVERGNE, evacuation of the southern part of the Red River Delta.
9/1/54, transferred from Haiphong to Tourane.
9/30/54, GM 31 disbanded by CEFEO.
10/1/54, GM 31 transferred to AVN.
12/1/54, Annam, Battalions from Tonkin reformed as 51st Infantry Regiment, 52nd Infantry Regiment, and 154th Infantry Regiment in the GM 31.
12/15/54, GM 31 disbanded and renamed the 31st Infantry Division.
1/1/55, activated as 31st Division of the AVN. Only had 156th I.R., AO = Quang Nam Province.
Units: 2 BVN, 9 BVN, 59 BVN, 723 TDKQ, 5 GAVN
(Lt Col Nguyen  Quau Hoau) (Lt Col Nguyen Huu Co)


GM 32, (Vietnamese),
11/3/53, Tonkin. Formed, AO = Red River Delta.
2/54, Operations started.
6/18/54, thru 7/4/54, Operation AUVERGNE, evacuation of the southern part of the Red River Delta.
9/1/54, Annam, transferred from Haiphong to Nha Trang.
9/30/54, GM 32 disbanded by CEFEO.
10/1/54, GM 32 transferred to AVN.
12/15/54, GM 32 disbanded and renamed the 32nd Infantry Division of AVN.
1/1/55, activated as 32nd Division of the AVN. Based on GM 32 & ex Tonkin Battalions.
Units: 6 BVN, 10 BVN, 20 BVN, 3rd GAVN.
(Lt Col Ton That Dinh)


GI 33, (Vietnamese),
To be formed in Tonkin.
GI 33 never formed.
Units: 33 GAVN.


GI 34, (Vietnamese),
To be formed in Tonkin.
GI 34 never formed.
Units: 34 GAVN.


GM 41, (Montagnard),
4/53, formed as the Group Infantry de Montagne 41.
1/17/54, Renamed the GM 41.
1/18/54 to 3/3/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE.
2/54 AO = Plaeaux Montagnard
4/1/54,
6/54, Annam, near Ban Me Thuot.
9/30/54, GM 41 disbanded by CEFEO.
10/1/54, GM 41 transferred to AVN.
Units: 1BMVN, 2BMVN, 3BMVN, 8BMVN, Darlac Commando, 2nd BGI, 2nd Vietnamese Commando, I/44th GAVN, I/4th  EVRN
Took part in Operations: TIBESTI, ENEDI, OUBANEUI, TCHAD, TAHITI, ATLANTI between 4/53 and 4/28/54.
(Colonel Sockell) (Lt Colonel Le Boudic), (Colonel Craplet)


GM 42, (Montagnard),
1/1/54, Formed.
1/18/54 to 3/3/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE.
2/54 AO = Plaeaux Montagnard
6/54, Garrison of Pleiku, also at Mang Yang Pass.
7/54, together with GM 100 was responsible for security of Pleiku.
Took partin Operations: ATLANTE, OSCAR, VERTE, VIOLET, INDIGO, EIFFEL, EGLANTINE between 1/54 and 7/54.
9/30/54, GM 42 disbanded by CEFEO.
10/1/54, GM 42 transferred to AVN.
Units: BMVN 1BMVN, 3BMVN, 6BMVN, 7BMVN, 4th ERVN, II/4th GAVN, 504 TDKQ, 510 TDKQ.
(Colonel Jaud), (Lt.Colonel Sockell)


GM 51, (N African)
11/7/53, Formed. AO = Cambodia. 51st HQ Company assigned to GM 51.
12/25/53, Part of Seno Air Head Laos.
2/54, Laos, operations with the 1st BCP.
6/16/54, 51st HQ Company transferred to ARK.
6/22/54, GM 51 disbanded by CEFEO.
7/54, transferred to the Armee Royale Khmere.
Units: II/1st RCP, 4th Regiment of Dragoons,


GM 100,
11/1/53, Formed in Annam. 100th HQ Company assigned to GM 100. AO = Plaeaux Montagnard.
1/20/54 to 3/3/54, Annam, Operation ATLANTE.
4/54 thru 6/54, replaced the GM 11 as garrison of AnKhe.
6/54, heavy losses in withdraw to Pleiku.
7/54, became responsible for Garrison of Pleiku together with GM 42.
8/30/54, GM 100 disbanded. 100th HQ Company renamed the 43rd RIC HQ Company.
9/1/54, 43rd Command Company used to reform 43rd RIC.
Units: I/Coree, II/Coree, BM/43rd RIC, 2/10th RAC, 3/5th RC.
(Colonel Barrou)


GM 101,
7/1/54, Formed. AO = Bien Hoa in Cochin China.
7/1/54, formed from 22nd RTA newly arrived from Germany. AO = Bien Hoa.
10/4/54, GM 101 disbanded.
Units: 22nd RTA Command Company, I/22nd RTA, II/22nd RTA, III/22nd RTA,


GM Central Vietnam,
8/1/51, formed
10/10/51, Command Company GM Center Vietnam assigned to GM Center Vietnam.
2/50, AO = Annam.
7/27/53 to 8/10/53, Annam, Operation CAMARGUE.
10/31/53, GM Center Vietnam disbanded. Command Company GM Center Vietnam renamed 2nd Command Company..
11/1/53, GM Center Vietnam renamed GM 2
Units: 3rd BM/2nd RTA, I/3rd RTM, 3rd BM/2nd RTM, 6th RSM, 27 BTA, 30 BVN.
See: GM 2.


GM GLAP,
12/50, Tonkin, formed after the RC 4 defeat.
3/1/51, disbanded.
Units: Staff protection provided by 1st CM/1st BEP, 2nd BEP, 6th GCCP, 10th GPCP, 2nd Battery/I/RACM.


GM Khmer,
1947 – 1954,
1952 – 1953, Sector Operational Khmer.
1953 – 1954, Sous Secteur de Kratie.


Group of Moroccan Tabors E. O. (GMTEO),
1/1/50, formed at Lang Son for Operations on RC 4. Had 3rd, 8th, & 10th Tabors, and the HQ Company. CO = Col. Le Page.
2/50, near Dong Khe on RC 4.
5/27/50, together with 3rd BCCP retakes Dong Khe, leaves 8th Tabor as garrison.
June 1950, 8th, & 10th Tabors replaced by 1st, & 11th Tabors.
10/50, fought RC 4 battle with 1st, 11th Tabors, BM/8th RTM, & 1st BEP.
11/1/50, Tonkin, disbanded. HQ Company disbanded.
1/21/51, Renamed the GLTMEO.
1951 thru 1953, Tonkin, served as Command Unit at Lai Chau.
7/53 thru 8/54, Laos, served as Command Unit on the Plaine de Jars


GM North,
4/8/54 thru 5/24/54,AO = Laos as relief force for DBP in Operation ALBATROSS. 4/13/54, Launched from Muong Khoua.
4/17/54, Muong Sai.
4/29/54, Operation renamed Operation ARIEGE & was to defend Muong Khoua.
5/3/54, ordered to retreat
5/8/54, last units retreat.
Units: 4th BCL, 5th BCL, 1st BPL, II/2nd REI, & GCMA of Lt Col Mollat of 800 Lao & Meo partisans. ALPHA of 300 men, GAMA of 650 men, GRAPEFRUIT , BANANA, & AREC.
(Lt Colonel Godard)


GM North African,
7/26/49, Formed in Africa for Indo China.
8/6/49, GMNA operational.
8/25/49, Tonkin, formed as NAGM, AO = Tonkin. First GM formed. 21st Command Company assigned to GMNA.
10/15/49 thru 12/20/49, Tonkin, Operation ANTHRACITE.
2/8/50 thru 5/8/50, Tonkin, Operations TONNEAU & DANAE.
5/21/50 thru 6/29/50, Tonkin, Operation FOUDRE.
8/23/50 thru 11/28/50, Tonkin, Operations CHRYSALIDE & PHOQUE.
1/13/51 thru 1/17/51, battle of Vinh Yen.
5/28/51, Tonkin, Battle of Mao Khe.
5/29/51 thru 6/23/51, battle of the Day River.
9/24/51 thru 9/29/51, Tonkin, near Ninh Giang in Operation CITRON.
10/1/51, Tonkin, GMNA formed GM 1 with AO = Tonkin,
Units: 4th BM/7th RTA, II/6th RTM, 2nd BM/1st RTA, A Tabor ?, two sections of Engineers from the 19th March Company, and three sections of Artillery with 75mm mountain guns from the GM/64th RAA. (Colonel Edom)
SEE: GM 1.


Groupement Nung,
9/1/54, Nung Battalions moved from Haiphong to Cam Ranh & on to Song Mao in Binh Thun Province
9/20/54, HQ Company assigned.
12/16/54, Annam, Ba Ngoi in Khanh Hoa Province south of Nha Trang where it was formed as Group Nung from 32 BVN, 67 BVN, 71 BVN, 72 BVN, & 75 BVN which were Nung Battalions from Tonkin. Group had 34th, 35th, & 38th Infantry Regiments under command.
2/1/55, Group Nung Renamed 6th Division of the new ARVN.


GM Tonkin,
1953, Renamed GM 14
Units: 27 BMTS,
See: GM 14.


GM Vietnamese,
7/1/52 formed from GM 2 as GM Vietnamese 2. AO = Tonkin near Na San.
7/2/52 thru 7/10/52, Tonkin, Operation VIPERINE.
9/1/52, Tonkin. AO = Red River Delta.
3/6/51, 22nd HQ Company assigned.
6/28/52, 22nd HQ Company reassigned.
3/16/53, renamed Groupment Mobile Vietnamese.
8/53, Na San evacuated.
9/1/53, renamed the Groupment d’ Infantry 31.
Units: 1st BT, 2nd BT, 3rd BT, 55th BVN, III/5th REI, 2nd BPC.
Took part in Operations from 1/17/53 to 6/30/53.
See: GM 31.


GM ZN,


October 1949 when the Viet Minh sent seven battalions of regular troops to occupy the areas of Bui Chu and Phat Diem. This prompted Le Huu to request assistance directly from the French. The area was relatively autonomous, when French troops withdrew and left the bishop in charge of the defense of the area after providing weapons for two autonomous mobile groups, nominally part of the Armed Forces of Vietnam but under local control. Catholic autonomy would last another two years. In late 1951, after the Catholic troops had put resistance against the Viet Minh offensive in Delta, General de Lattre had to Phat Diem and Bui Chu permanently occupied by Franco-Vietnamese troops and bishops stripped of their functions administrative. In 1954, cooperation with the French forces, the Viet Minh reprisals intense propaganda and incite an exodus of Catholics to Annam and Cochinchina bishop had no choice but to follow their faithful.


GMFV  1 (Group Mobile Franco-Vietnamese) aka Autonomous Mobile Group 1,
11/15/49, formed from Catholic Militias as Autonomous Catholic Non CEFEO Unit. AO
1/1/50, formed from Catholic Militia as Autonomous Catholic Non CEFEO Unit. AO = Bui Chi & Phat Diem in Tonkin.
Operational 1/1/50 thru 6/30/50.
10/50, Group no longer Operational.
5/1/51, renamed 16 BVN.



GMFV 2 (Group Mobile Franco-Vietnamese),
11/15/49, formed from Catholic Militias as Autonomous Catholic Non CEFEO Unit. AO = Bui Chi & Phat Diem in Tonkin
Operational 2/13/50 thru 7/20/50.
10/50, Group no longer Operational.
5/1/51, renamed 18 BVN.
3/26/53 thru 5/25/53, Tonkin, Operation HAUTES-ALPES.
8/5/53 thru 8/21/53, Tonkin, Operation TARENTAISE.

Hello Dan
Where did you find these informations? it's incredible!
Thanks for your help
Regards
Bruno

Hi Dan, many thanks for your details ! Great job !
Have a good day,
Philippe.

Hi BKLX,

Thanks for the kind words. It is composed from notes collected since I was at University. I would log any info against what I already collected. Many books had info even if the topic were on other topics: Indo Paras, Commandos, Armor, etc. The Internet provided information from searches on: Mobile Groups, Armor, Artillery, Colonial Infantry, Infantry in Indochina. Also very helpful to run for specific units RICM, 1st RCC, 1st BPC, etc. My computer is set up to translate French, English, Spanish, Polish, Vietnamese, German, Italian. Have been at this for a long time & have a lot of info by types of units in Indochina between 1939 & 1956.
Regards

Hi,

Other type of Command & Control Ad Hoc Headquarters for Multi Battalion size forces. Again incomplete. Any other information, corrections, additions, opinions would be valued. Regards

Groupes Amphibious,

1st Group Amphibious,
1952, part of the General Reserves.
4/1/53, formed
Stationed at Tourane.
2nd group Squadrons Amphibious (2nd & 12th Squadrons)
3rd group Squadrons Amphibious (3rd & 13th Squadrons)
7th group Squadrons Amphibious (7th & 17th Squadrons)


2nd Group Amphibious,
4/1/53, formed
Stationed at Haiphong.
1st group Squadrons Amphibious (1st & 11th Squadrons)
4th group Squadrons Amphibious (8th & 18th Squadrons)
6th group Squadrons Amphibious (1st RCC)


Groupes Blindes,

1st GB, (Armoured Sub-Group 1)
3/51 AO = Tonkin? 1951 Hoa Binh, - formed with a squadron of
M-24 Chaffees from 1er Chasseurs, with two squadrons (1. & 3.) of the 8e Groupe d'escadrons de Spahis Algériens porté (8th Group of Algerian Spahi Motorised Squadrons) in GMCs and half-tracks. This was attached to GM 1.
9/25/51 thru 9/28/51, Tonkin, Operation CITRON.
10/1/51 thru 10/10/51, Tonkin, Operation MANDARINE.
11/27/51, Tonkin, Operations in Red River Delta with 1st DNA.
12/13/51, Tonkin, Hoa Binh as reserve force.
4/14/52 thru 4/15/52, Tonkin, Operation PORTO.
4/18/52 thru 4/19/52, Tonkin, Operation POLO.
4/19/52 thru 4/27/52, Tonkin, Operation TURCO.
5/28/52 thru 6/2/52, Tonkin, Operation KANGOUOU.
6/3/52 thru 6/6/52, Tonkin, Operation ANTILOPE.
6/7/52 thru 6/9/52, Tonkin, Operation KANGOUROU II.
10/29/52 thru 11/20/52, Operation LORRAINE as Sub-Groupement Blindé 1
11/21/53 thru 11/28/53, Tonkin, North East of Sept Pagodes Operation VENTOUX.
11/30/52 thru 3/1/53, Tonkin, Operation BRETAGNE.
1/16/53 thru 1/24/53, Tonkin, North of Thai Binh in Operation ARTOIS.
9/23/53 thru 10/12/53, Tonkin, Operation BROCHET I & III.
11/21/53 thru 11/28/53, Tonkin, North East of Sept Pagodes in Operation VENTOUX.
12/19/53 thru 1/22/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT II near Thai Binh.
6/18/54 thru 7/4/54, Operation AUVERGNE, evacuation of the southern part of the Red River Delta.
(Lt Colonel De Boisredon)


2nd GB,
1951, AO = Tonkin, 2ndSquadron/1st RCC, III/5th REI, 2. & 4./8th RSA
4/14/52 thru 4/15/52, Tonkin, Operation PORTO.
4/28/52 thru 4/29/52, Tonkin, Operation TANGO.
4/28/52 thru 5/15/52, Tonkin, Operation DROMADAIRE.
5/28/52 thru 6/2/52, Tonkin, Operation KANGOUOU.
6/3/52 thru6/ 6/52, Tonkin, Operation ANTILOPE.
10/29/52 thru 11/20/52, Operation LORRAINE.
2/23/53 thru 2/27/53, Tonkin, South of Bac Ninh in Operation NICE I.
2/28/53 thru 3/2/53, Tonkin, near Bac Ninh in Operation NICE II.
9/13/thru 19/53, Tonkin, Operation FLANDRES.
10/15/53 thru 11/6/53, Tonkin, Operation MOUETTE as part of Division Light B.
12/12/53 thru 1/10/54, Tonkin, Operation GERFAUT near Thai Binh & Bui Chu.
6/18/54 thru 7/4/54, Operation AUVERGNE, evacuation of the southern part of the Red River Delta.
(Major Spangen-Berger)


3rd GB,
7/54, formed by RICM.


4th GB,
7/54, formed by 6th RSM


Tonkin GB,
10/1/46 to 4/30/47

GROUPE D’ESCADRONS DE RECONNAISSANCE

1st GER,
2/16/51, Tonkin, formed by 1st RCC RICM
5/28/52 thru 6/2/52, Tonkin, Operation KANGOUOU.
6/3/52 thru 6/6/52, Tonkin, Operation ANTILOPE.
6/7/52 thru 6/9/52, Tonkin, Operation KANGOUROU II.
8/31/53, disbanded


2nd GER,
10/49, formed by RICM
2/51, disbanded.


3rd GER,
Formed by 1st REC


Groupes Aeroporte,

BAPEO,
1/1/55, formed from GAP 3.
6/30/55, 17th Para Engineer Company disbanded.
7/17/55, 35th RALP left BAPEO.
Units: 1st BEP, 1st BPC, 7th BPC, 35th RALP, 17th Para Engineer Company.
(Col Bastiani)(Col Sauvagnac)


Demi-Brigade de Parachutistes, SAS,
2/2/46, Toulon, 1st RICAP, 2nd RCP, 1st RCP.
2/4/46, 2nd Co. sailed for Indochina on the Glorie.
2/7/46, 1st Battalion SAS/2nd RCP (1BPSAS).
2/8/46, Para equipement shipped on the Suffren for Indochina.
2/9/46, 1st Co. sailed on Suffren.
2/17/46, Landed at Saigon.
3/4/46, Cochin China, first operation near Ao Nha Be.
3/8/46, Tonkin, on operations.
4/17/46, Moved to Laos.
4/20/46, Laos, near Savannakhet.
4/25/46, Laos, near Vietiane.
5/9/46, Laos, near Luang Prabang. 2nd Battalion sailed from Marseille.
5/20/46, Laos, operations near Luang Prabang.
6/19/46, 2nd Battalion landed at Saigon.
6/22/46, 1st Battalion moved from Laos to Saigon.
7/1/46, Took under command the 1st Battalion SAS & the 2nd Battalion SAS.
10/47, DBSAS renamed the DBCCP-SAS. It had under command the 1st BCCP-SAS, & the 2nd BCCP.
7/48, DBCCP-SAS renamed the 2nd BCCP.
See: 2nd BCCP.


2nd BCCP,
12/26/46, 2nd DCCP had under command 1st Choc, I/1st RCP, & III/1st RCP.


G.A.P. 1,
Created in 1951 as Groupment Parachutiste 1.
11/51, Tonkin, Hoa Binh
10/29/52 thru 11/20/52, Operation LORRAINE.
5/16/53, GP 1 formed GAP 1.
11/53, Tonkin, DBP
12/25/53, Part of Seno Air Head in Laos.
1/1/54, formed the Airborne Division with GAP 2.
6/20/54, moved to Pleiku for Operation EGLANTINE with 7h BPC & 3rd BPVN to hold RC 19 for GM 100 & GM 42 to reach Pleiku.
8/31/54, Parachute Division disbanded & now independent at Tourane.
12/31/54, disbanded.
Units: 1st BPC, 3rd BPC, 6th BPC, 7th BPC, 1st BEP, 2nd BEP,II/1st RCP, 3rd BPVN, GM/35th RALP
(Lt Col Ducourneau, Major Mayer, Lt Colonel Fourcade, Major Leclerc, Colonel Bastiani, Lt Colonel Roman-Desfosses)


G.A.P. 2,
Created as Groupment Parachutiste 2.
4/27/53, GP 2 formed GAP 2.
11/53 Tonkin, DBP part of Garrison.
1/1/54, formed the Airborne Division with GAP 1.
5/7/54, GAP 2 destroyed with fall of DBP.
8/31/54, Parachute Division disbanded & now independent at Saigon.
12/31/54, disbanded.
Units: 1st BEP, 5th BPVN, 8th BPC
(Major Mayer, Lt Colonel Fourcade, Lt Col Langlais)


G.A.P. 3,
1/54, formed
1/16/54, Annam
3/3/54, GAP 3 sent to Pleiku.
5/1/54, formed in Tonkin.
7/25/54, GAP 3 Staff, 3rd BPVN, 5th BPVN, & 7th BPVN moved south.
8/31/54, moved from Tonkin to Nha Trang as independent GAP after Parachute Division disbanded.
9/1/54, transferred to Tourane, and time served European Cadre replaced by Vietnamese Cadre.
9/29/54, Tourane, GAP 3 transferred to AVN. Renamed the G.A.P. V.N.,
10/1/54, Saigon.
11/11/54, Nha Trang where formed GAP VN with 5th BPVN, 3rd BPVN, & 7th BPVN.
Units: 2nd BEP, 7th BPC, 1st BPVN, 3rd BPVN, 5th BPVN, 6th BPVN,
5/1/55, Saigon, renamed the Airborne Group based st Ton Son Nhut.
7th BPVN,GM/35th RALP, 17th CPG.
(Lt Colonial Romain-Desfosses) (Major Do Cao Tri, later Lt Colonel Cao Tri)
See: GAP VN.


G.A.P. 4,
12/25/53, Laos, formed as temporary measure at Seno Air Head in Laos.
Unites: 6th BPC & II/1stRCP.
(Major Bigeard)


G.A.P. E.O.,
1954,


G.A.P. V.N.,
5/1/54, formed from GAP 3.
3/25/55, GAP VN with 3rd BPVN & 5th BPVN to Saigon for Battle with Binh Xuyen.
4/6/55, remainder of BPVN joined GAP VN in Saigon.
Units: 1st BPVN, 3rd BPVN, 5th BPVN, 6th BPVN.
(Major Tri)


GLAP,
4/26/48, formed in North Africa to Command Airborne forces in Tonkin.
9/2/48, GLAP sailed for Indo china.
10/2/48, Tonkin, landed at Haiphong & moved to Hanoi.
10/16/48, Tonkin, GLAP replaced the DBMP.
10/17/48, Tonkin, near Dong Trieu in Operation VALENTINE.
11/7-20/48, Tonkin, near Vietri in Operation ONDINE.
12/7-8/48, Tonkin, near ? in Operation PEGASE.
1/1/49, Tonkin, BAPN is formed and linked to the GLAP.
1/30/49, Tonkin, near Bac Ninh in Operation PARASOLS.
2/15/49, Tonkin, near Vietri in Operation DIANE.
4/29/49, Tonkin, near Phu Tong Hoa in Operation POMONE.
5/7/49, Tonkin, near Phu Doan in Operation POMONE II.
8/11/49, Tonkin, near Vinh Yen – Phuc Yen in Operation CANIGOU.
10/14/49, Tonkin, near Lung Vai on RC 4 in Operation THERESE.
10/16/49, Tonkin, near Phat Diem & Bui Chu in Operation ANTHRACITE.
2/24/50, Tonkin, near Nghia Lo
4/20/50, Tonkin, near Quang Nguyen in Operation DAVID.
5/8/50, Tonkin, near Kep in Operation GALLIA.
5/27/50, Tonkin, retaking of Dong Khe on RC 4.
6/11/50, Tonkin, reinforcement of Cao Bang on RC 4.
September 1950, Tonkin, had the following under Command: CM/1st RCP, 1st BEP, 2nd BEP, 3rd BCCP, 7th BCCP, 10th BPCP.
9/16-17/50, Tonkin, reinforcement of That Khe.
9/19/50, Tonkin, near Thai Binh in Operation GREGOIRE.
10/1/50, Tonkin, near Thai Nguyen in Operation PHOQUE.
11/24/50, Tonkin, near Thai Binh in Operation FLORE.
3/1/51, disbanded, the Staff renamed TAPN.
Units: 1st BEP, 3rd BCCP, II/1st RCP, CM/1st RCP, 2nd BEP, 7th BCCP, 10th BPCP,
(Lt Col de Rocquigny, Lt Col du Breil de Pontbriand)



Regards

Bonjour,

Concernant le groupe mobile 7 en Indochine, j'ai deux citations à l'ordre du régiment concernant mon père.

En décembre 1953, pour des opérations menées contre le régiment 42 dans la région du canal des bambous du 23 au 30 septembre 1953.
En novembre 1954, chiffreur auprès des bataillons engagés à Vinh Yen, durant la période du 14 au 20 juillet 1954. (Rattachés au 9° régiment de tirailleurs marocains.