Commando de Cluny

Organisational History

The battalion is raised as the Commando de Cluny on September 4^th, 1944, with volunteers from the Régiment de Cluny. The Régiment de Cluny originates from a Françaises de l’Intérieur resistance group also known as Maquis hailing from Cluny, under the leadership of Commander Laurent Bazot.

Bazot requests General de Lattre de Tassigny to accept the formation of the Cluny Commando. The General accepts them on September 13th, 1944. By September 16^th, 1944, a significant portion of Sylla’s maquis, predominantly consisting of Montcellian miners, have joined the ranks of the Cluny Commando de Cluny. Shortly afterwards the men commence their rigorous training at the Camp Bergesserin, a former sanatorium, in the Saône-et-Loire region.

On September 20^th, 1944, the Commando de Cluny is formally integrated into the French 1^er Armée under the command of General de Lattre de Tassigny, boasting a strength of 650 men. The unit comprising three companies led by Captain Du Chaffaut, Captain Prost, and Captain Fruitier, respectively. Additionally, it includes a non-rank company under the command of Commander Broyer, and a Frank group led by Lieutenant Fontaine. Headquarters is composed of Captain Dubois and Captain Loizillon, along with Lieutenant D’Halle and Lieutenant Jacquet.

Until September 21^st, 1944, the Commando de Cluny is stationed in Camp Bergesserein, initially attached to the 1^re Division de Marche Indigène and later to the 9^e Division d’Infanterie Coloniale. From September 21 to 26, the Companies are directed to Avannes Avenay (southwest of Besançon) for patrol missions in the Medières – La Pretière – Longevelle sector.

On October 4^th, 1944, the unit suffers losses of 6 men (2 dead and 4 wounded) during an engagement. Various patrols, engagements, and liaison missions are carried out in the same sector until October 29^th, 1944, when all Companies are directed to Valdahon for a period of instruction, lasting until November 10^th, 1944.

On October 17^th, 1944, an attack on Vacheresse, near Belfort, is launched. Despite minefields, faulty communications, and lack of supplies, the Commando de Cluny achieves its objectives (2 injured). The advance resumes on the October 18^th, 1944, resulting in 3 dead and 3 injured due to mines. The next day, while the attack continues, a detachment is sent to the Champagney Dam, resulting in the loss of 30 men (9 dead, 19 wounded, and 2 prisoners), despite achieving the objective.

Under the command of Commander Laurent Bazot, on November 18th, 1944, the Commando de Cluny launches an assault on Chenebier.

On November 23^rd, 1944, the commando is placed at the disposal of the 2^e Division d’Infanterie Marocaine and moves towards Belfort, which is under German control. On the November 25^th, 1944, it moves into the forts of Belfort to defend them and ensure the security of the city.

On December 2^nd, 1944, the commando attacks Côte 475 in Bourbach le Bas (Haut-Rhin). Despite reaching the crest initially, they are forced to abandon it due to enemy resistance and lack of artillery and tanks. The day results in 7 dead and 4 wounded. The next day, the enemy counterattacks but is repelled by artillery. From December 3^rd, 1944, to December 6^th, 1944, the commando remains in position. On December 7^th, 1944, it changes sectors to relieve other elements, preparing for an attack on Rammersmatt the following day.

On December 8^th, 1944, the Commando de Cluny begins its progression, facing resistance from an entire German battalion defending the Kürrenburg. Progress is slow and difficult, resulting in 6 dead and 9 injured. The men destroy a Jagdpanther. The next day, the Germans retreat, and the Kürrenburg is taken. Finally giving the unit the needed rests.

However, a few days later, on December 11^th, 1944, they move to Thann, where the enemy is installed, and is relieved, one day later, on the December 12^th, 1944, before returning on the December 19^th, 1944. During the night of the December 20^th, 1944, the Germans launch an offensive, repulsed by the Commandos de Cluny at the cost of one dead and one wounded.

On December 24^th, 1944, the men witness German soldiers carrying a cannon at close range, resulting in 7 dead and 12 wounded. The soldiers spend Christmas Day and the December 31^st, 1944, in their positions, repelling enemy infiltrations suffering one dead and five wounded.

On January 5^th, 1945, several units are reorganised into six Bataillons de Choc. The original Bataillon de Choc becomes the 1^er Bataillon de Choc, 1^er Choc. The Janson de Sailly Batallion is reformed as the 2^e Bataillon de Choc, 2^e Choc. The Commandos de France are transformed into the 3^e Bataillon de Choc, 3^e Choc. The Commandos de Cluny establish the 4^e Bataillon de Choc, 4^e Choc. The Groupement de Commandos d’Afrique is reorganised into the 5^e Bataillon de Choc, 5^e Choc under Commander Ducournau, while the Commandos de Provence and the Commandos de Paris/Bataillon Désiré become the 6^e Bataillon de Choc, 6e Choc.

At that moment, only 250 men are still fit to fight. The next day, the battalion is sent to Etupes for a well-deserved rest. Between January 16^th, 1945, and February 4^th, 1945, the 4^e Bataillon de Choc is fortified by reinforcements from the 5^e and 8^e Forces Françaises de l’Intérieur Bataillons de Saône-et-Loire. Raising the battalion’s ranks to nine hundred men.

On 18^th January 1945, these six Bataillons de Choc form three Groupements de Commandos de Choc, each comprising two Bataillons.

• The 1^re Groupement de Commandos de Choc, led by Lieutenant Colonel Gambiez, includes the 1^re and 3^e Bataillon de Choc.
• The 2^e Groupement de Commandos de Choc, under Commander Quinche, consists of the 2^e and 4^e Bataillon de Choc.
• The 3^e Groupement de Commandos de Choc, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bouvet, encompasses the 5^e and 6^e Bataillon de Choc.

That very same day, it moves to Rouffach for an 8-day training period and continues training until April 2^nd, 1945, when the battalion receives orders to be ready to move towards Germany.

On April 4^th, 1945, the battalion crosses the River Rhine into German territory. From the April 4^th, 1945, to the April 9^th, 1945, the battalion patrols an indifferent or even hostile German region. A man is killed by a sniper. On April 20^th, 1945, the Battalion, impatient to resume the fight, is placed at the disposal of the French 1^re Division Blindée. In the following days, the Battalion navigates a confused front where German Prisoners of War have freed themselves and taken up arms, and where other German troops are retreating.

The Battalion is stationed in the Buchau region and conducts clearing patrols. When it leaves this region on May 2^nd, 1945, 1750 prisoners are handed over to the 1^re Division Blindée, and the region is pacified and cleansed. However, vigilance is still required, as there are still a few German soldiers who believe in the victory of the Reich. Thus, on May 4^th, 1945, a soldier from the Battalion is killed by a sniper.

Following Germany’s capitulation, the Groupements de Commandos are stationed in the Ravensburg area, Gemany. Here they are part of the French occupation forces of Germany. Throughout the following months of May and June, the battalion engages in training, sports activities, military police operations, and occasional parades or readiness exercises.

The 2^e Compagnie concludes the campaign by serving as the honour guard for Marshal De Lattre de Tassigny.

On October 1^st, 1945, the three Groupements de Commandos de Choc are reformed to the three Bataillons of the 1^er Régiment d’Infanterie de Choc Aéroporté, 1^er RICAP near Wurtemberg, Germany.

• 1^er bataillon: consisting of the 1^er Bataillon de Choc and 2^e Bataillon de Choc.
• 2^e bataillon: consisting of the 5^e Bataillon de Choc and 6^e Bataillon de Choc.
• 3^e bataillon: consisting of the 3^e Bataillon de Choc and 4^e Bataillon de Choc.

After this date, the units move back to France, to the vicinity La Pallu near Bordeaux.

During its existence, the unit suffers around 250 killed and actions and a multitude of wounded.