9th Army (France)


The Ninth Army was a field army of the French Army during World War I and World War II.

World War I

The Ninth Army, first named "détachement d'armée Foch", was formed for the first time on 29 August 1914, to fill the gap between the Fourth and Fifth Army. It played an important role in the first Battle of the Marne. The Ninth Army was disbanded on 5 October 1914, when Foch became commander of Army Group North.
The Ninth Army was recreated on 6 July 1918 under command of Antoine de Mitry to fight in the Second Battle of the Marne.

World War II

In 1940, during the Battle of France, the Ninth Army was part of the First Army Group. It was tasked with defending the central sector of the Ardennes, holding the Meuse river line between Namur and Sedan. This sector became the focal point of the German breakthrough by Panzer Group Kleist.

Order of Battle (May 1940)

At the start of the German invasion on 10 May 1940, the Ninth Army was commanded by Général d'armée André Corap. Its composition was as follows:

Order of Battle (May 1940)

At the start of the German invasion on 10 May 1940, the Ninth Army was commanded by Général d'armée André Corap. Headquarters was located at Vervins. In addition to the major corps, the army controlled several organic assets and attached units:

Racial Makeup and Discrimination

For much of WWII, the army was made up, in part, of soldiers from French colonies in Africa and the West Indies—including Frantz Fanon. However, in October of 1944, the High Command initiated what they referred to as a blanchiment of the ninth division, relocating the African soldiers to other areas. They typically moved them to areas with more temperate climate, giving the reasoning that cold temperatures were unfamiliar to them. Some soldiers criticized them for this decision, believing they did it to reserve the honor of crossing the Rhine into Germany for white Frenchmen.

Commanders

World War I

World War II

Further Reading

Category:Field armies of France in World War I
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Category:Field armies of France in World War II
Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1940