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{{Short description|Elite mountain infantry of the French Army}}
{{Refimprove|date=February 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=Chasseurs alpins
| unit_name = Chasseurs alpins
|image= [[File:Bastille Day 2014 Paris - Motorised troops 025.jpg|250 px]]
| image = [[File:Chasseur-béret.jpg|250 px]]
|caption=Chasseurs alpins
| caption = Chasseurs alpins
|dates= 1888–present
| dates = 1888–present
|country= {{Flag|France}}
| country = {{Flag|France}}
|branch= {{flagicon|France}} [[French Army]]
| branch = [[File:Logo of the French Army (Armee de Terre).svg|23px]] [[French Army]]
|type=[[Infantry]]
| type = [[Infantry]]
|role=[[Mountain warfare|Mountain Infantry]]
| role = [[Mountain Infantry]]
|size= Three battalions
| size = Three battalions
|current_commander=
| current_commander =
|garrison=7{{sup|e}} Bataillon – [[Varces-Allières-et-Risset]]<br>13{{sup|e}} Bataillon – [[Chambéry]]<br>[[27e bataillon de chasseurs alpins|27{{sup|e}} Bataillon]] – [[Cran-Gevrier]]
| garrison = 7{{sup|e}} Bataillon – [[Varces-Allières-et-Risset]]<br />13{{sup|e}} Bataillon – [[Chambéry]]<br />[[27e bataillon de chasseurs alpins|27{{sup|e}} Bataillon]] – [[Cran-Gevrier]]
|ceremonial_chief=
| ceremonial_chief =
|ceremonial_chief_label=
| ceremonial_chief_label =
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
| colonel_of_the_regiment =
|nickname=''Les diables bleus'' (Eng: The Blue Devils)
| nickname = ''Les diables bleus'' (Eng: The Blue Devils)
|motto=''Jamais être pris vivant'' (Eng: Never to be Taken Alive)<br> ''[[Sans peur et sans reproche]]'' (Eng: Without fear and beyond reproach)
| motto = ''Jamais être pris vivant'' (Eng: Never to be Taken Alive)<br /> ''[[Sans peur et sans reproche]]'' (Eng: Without fear and beyond reproach)<br />
"Vivre libre ou mourir" (Eng: Live Free or Die)
|colors=
| colors =
|march=
| march =
|mascot=
|battles=[[World War I]] (incl. [[Battle of the Yser]])<br> [[World War II]] (incl. [[Battles of Narvik#Land battle|Battle of Narvik]]<br /> [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]] (incl. [[Battle of Alasay]])
| mascot =
| battles = [[World War I]] (incl. [[Battle of the Yser]])<br /> [[World War II]] (incl. [[Battles of Narvik#Land battle|Battle of Narvik]])<br /> [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]] (incl. [[Battle of Alasay]])
|notable_commanders=
| notable_commanders =
|anniversaries=
| anniversaries =
}}
}}


The '''''chasseurs alpins''''' ({{lang-en|[[Mountain warfare|Alpine]] [[Rifleman|Hunters]]}}) are the [[military elite|elite]] [[mountain warfare|mountain]] [[infantry]] of the [[French Army]]. They are trained to operate in [[Mountain|mountainous terrain]] and in [[urban warfare]].
The '''''chasseurs alpins''''' ({{langx|en|[[Mountain warfare|Alpine]] [[Chasseurs|Hunters]]}}) are the elite [[mountain warfare|mountain]] [[infantry]] force of the [[French Army]]. They are trained to operate in [[Mountain|mountainous terrain]] and in [[urban warfare]].


==History==
==History==
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-09896, Französische Alpenjäger in den Strassen Buers.jpg|thumb|left|Chasseurs alpins during the [[Occupation of the Ruhr]] in [[Buer, Germany|Buer (now Gelsenkirchen)]], 1923.]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-09896, Französische Alpenjäger in den Strassen Buers.jpg|thumb|left|Chasseurs Alpins during the [[Occupation of the Ruhr]] in [[Buer, Germany|Buer]] (now Gelsenkirchen), 1923.]]
[[File:Affiche_de_recrutement_de_l'Armée_de_Vichy_-_13e_bataillon_de_chasseurs_alpins.jpg|thumb|[[Vichy France|Vichy-era]] recruitment poster for the 13th Battalion]]
⚫
France created a mountain corps in the late 19th century to oppose any Italian invasion through the Alps. In 1859–70 the [[Unification of Italy]], forming a powerful state took place. The French army saw this geopolitical change as a potential threat to their Alpine border, especially as the Italian army was already creating troops specialized in mountain warfare ({{lang|it|[[Alpini]]}}). On December 24, 1888, the first ''troupes de montagne'' (mountain troops) corps were created from 12 of the 31 existing ''[[Chasseurs à Pied|Chasseurs à pied]]'' Hunters on Foot/Foot Rifles) battalions.


⚫
Initially these units were named ''bataillons alpins de chasseurs à pied'' (Alpine Battalions of Hunters on Foot/Alpine Foot Rifle Battalions). Later this was shortened to ''bataillons de chasseurs alpins'' (Alpine Hunter Battalions/Alpine Rifle Battalions). From their establishment the ''chasseurs Alpins'' wore a plain and practical uniform designed to be suitable for mountain service. This comprised a loose-fitting dark blue jacket and blue-grey breeches, together with a large [[beret]] carrying the yellow (daffodil) hunting horn insignia of the Chasseur branch. They are believed to have been the first regular military unit to have worn this form of headdress. The 47e BCA was reformed at [[Bourg-Saint-Maurice]] in 1979, and dissolved on 1 July 1985.
⚫
France created its own mountain corps in the late 19th century in order to oppose any Italian invasion through the Alps. In 1859–70 [[Unification of Italy|Italy became unified]], forming a powerful state. The French army saw this geopolitical change as a potential threat to their Alpine border, especially as the Italian army was already creating troops specialized in mountain warfare (the ''[[Alpini]]''). On December 24, 1888, the first ''troupes de montagne'' ("mountain troops") corps were created from 12 of the 31 existing ''[[Chasseur]]s à pied'' ("Hunters on Foot'"/"Foot Rifles'") battalions.

⚫
Initially these units were named ''bataillons alpins de chasseurs à pied'' ("Alpine Battalions of Hunters on Foot"/"Alpine Foot Rifle Battalions"). Later this was shortened to ''bataillons de chasseurs alpins'' ("Alpine Hunter Battalions"/"Alpine Rifle Battalions"). From their establishment the ''chasseurs Alpins'' wore a plain and practical uniform designed to be suitable for mountain service. This comprised a loose-fitting dark blue jacket and blue-grey breeches, together with a large [[beret]] carrying the yellow (daffodil) hunting horn insignia of the Chasseur branch. They are believed to have been the first regular military unit to have worn this form of headdress.


==Modern unit==
==Modern unit==
Line 45: Line 47:
All three battalions are based in cities in the [[French Alps]], thus the name of the units.
All three battalions are based in cities in the [[French Alps]], thus the name of the units.


Training includes climbing, [[cross-country skiing]], plus winter and summer mountain leadership and mountain guiding skills completed at the [[High Mountain Military School]]. Traditional training included mountain survival skills such as to build an [[igloo]] shelter and to sleep in temperatures around 0&nbsp;°C. Modern troops may be transported in all-terrain VMBs, VACs, ([[Bandvagn 206]]) or untracked [[Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé|VAB]] personnel carriers. Personal weaponry includes the [[FAMAS]] [[assault rifle]], [[FN Minimi|Minimi]] [[machine gun]], [[FR F2 sniper rifle|FRF-2]] [[sniper rifle]], [[PGM Hécate II]] heavy sniper rifle, and LGI light [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]], while group weapons included the [[M2 Browning|M2 machine gun]], [[LLR 81mm]] mortar, and vehicle-mounted 20&nbsp;mm [[autocannon]], plus [[AT4]], [[ERYX]] and [[MILAN]] anti-tank missiles.
Training includes climbing, [[Ski mountaineering]], plus winter and summer mountain leadership and mountain guiding skills completed at the [[High Mountain Military School]]. Traditional training included mountain survival skills such as to build an [[igloo]] shelter and to sleep in temperatures around 0&nbsp;°C. Modern troops may be transported in all-terrain VMBs, VACs, ([[Bandvagn 206]]) or untracked [[Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé|VAB]] personnel carriers. Personal weaponry includes the [[FAMAS]] [[assault rifle]], [[FN Minimi|Minimi]] [[machine gun]], [[FR F2 sniper rifle|FRF-2]] [[sniper rifle]], [[PGM Hécate II]] heavy sniper rifle, and LGI light [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]], while group weapons included the [[M2 machine gun]], [[LLR 81mm]] mortar, and vehicle-mounted 20&nbsp;mm [[autocannon]], plus [[AT4]], [[Eryx (missile)|Eryx]] and [[MILAN]] anti-tank missiles.


The ''chasseurs'' are easily recognised by their wide beret (when not in battle uniform), named the ''tarte des Alpes'' (after a type traditional alpine hat). Note though that this is also worn by other mountain troops, such as the Alpine infantry, cavalry, artillery, and signals. However the mountain troops of the Foreign Legion engineers wear the legion green beret.
The ''chasseurs'' are easily recognised by their wide beret (when not in battle uniform), named the ''tarte des Alpes'' (after a type traditional alpine tart). Note though that this is also worn by other mountain troops, such as the Alpine infantry, cavalry, artillery, and signals except for the [[2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment|2ème REG]] engineers who wear the green beret.


The 16th battalion of chasseurs are not mountain troops and wear the standard French Army blue beret with the chasseur cap badge.
The 16th battalion of chasseurs are not mountain troops and wear the standard French Army blue beret with the chasseur cap badge.
[[File:Tundra Camouflage - Chasseurs Alpines.jpg|thumb|'''Tundra Camouflage''' ]]
[[File:Tundra Camouflage - Chasseurs Alpines.jpg|thumb|'''Tundra Camouflage''']]
[[File:French Tundra Camo.jpg|thumb|French Tundra Camouflage]]
[[File:French Tundra Camo.jpg|thumb|French Tundra Camouflage]]
Current winter uniform consists of [http://www.flickriver.com/photos/42411259@N07/sets/72157629741770359/ 'Tundra']<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.flickriver.com/photos/42411259@N07/sets/72157629741770359/|title=Flickriver: Photoset 'French Chasseur Alpins Tundra Camo' by Gozilah52_Archive|website=www.flickriver.com|access-date=2019-03-26}}</ref> camouflage made in 50/50 ripstop. It was specifically created for the Chasserurs & has later been adopted by other French units such as the GCM for winter exercises.<ref>{{Citation|last=Armée de Terre|title=Exercice étoile verte des groupes de commandos montagne (GCM)|date=2011-12-16|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKPYFMwJdOM|access-date=2019-03-26}}</ref>
Current winter uniform consists of [http://www.flickriver.com/photos/42411259@N07/sets/72157629741770359/ 'Tundra']<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.flickriver.com/photos/42411259@N07/sets/72157629741770359/|title=Flickriver: Photoset 'French Chasseur Alpins Tundra Camo' by Gozilah52_Archive|website=www.flickriver.com|access-date=2019-03-26}}</ref> camouflage made in 50/50 ripstop. It was specifically created for the Chasseurs & has later been adopted by other French units such as the GCM for winter exercises.<ref>{{Citation|last=Armée de Terre|title=Exercice étoile verte des groupes de commandos montagne (GCM)|date=2011-12-16|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKPYFMwJdOM|access-date=2019-03-26}}</ref>


==Various traditions==
==Various traditions==
[[File:Fanfare 27BCA 03.JPG|thumb|Military band of the chasseurs alpins]]
[[File:Fanfare 27BCA 03.JPG|thumb|Military band of the chasseurs alpins]]


Chasseurs do not say ''rouge'' (red) but ''bleu-cerise'' (cherry blue - The color of blood on their blue uniforms), except when speaking of the color of the lips of a beloved, the red in the [[Legion of Honour]]'s insignia (including its [[fourragère]] which is called ''la rouge''), and the red of the French flag. This stems from the days when [[Napoleon III]] tried to impose the wearing of the scarlet ''pantalons [[Rose madder|garance]]''. The mountain troops objected, and no longer use the word 'red' as a result.
Chasseurs do not say ''rouge'' (red) but ''bleu-cerise'' (cherry blue - The color of blood on their blue uniforms), except when speaking of the color of the lips of a beloved, the red in the [[Legion of Honour]]'s insignia (including its [[fourragère]] which is called ''la rouge''), and the red of the French flag. This stems from the days when [[Napoleon III]] tried to impose the wearing of the scarlet [[Pantalon rouge|pantalons garance]]. The mountain troops objected, and no longer use the word 'red' as a result.


The chasseurs have a few other typicalities in what they say:
The chasseurs have a few other typicalities in what they say:
Line 76: Line 78:


==Choruses and Ringin==
==Choruses and Ringin==
[[File:24 hours with the Chasseurs Alpins.webm|thumb|24 hours with the Chasseurs Alpins]]
A chasseur salutes when he hears the chorus of his battalion, or ''[[Les Allobroges]]'' (the anthem of Savoie). Each battalion has a different chorus, and a chasseur must learn all of them:
A chasseur salutes when he hears the chorus of his battalion, or ''[[Les Allobroges]]'' (the anthem of Savoie). Each battalion has a different chorus, and a chasseur must learn all of them:
* 1{{sup|er}} bataillon « Si l'septième de ligne a des couilles au cul, C'est qu'le Premier Chasseurs les lui a foutues ! »
* 1{{sup|er}} bataillon « Si l'septième de ligne a des couilles au cul, C'est qu'le Premier Chasseurs les lui a foutues ! »
Line 88: Line 91:
* 10{{sup|e}} bataillon « Dixième Bataillon, Commandant Mac-Mahon, N'a pas peur du canon nom de nom »
* 10{{sup|e}} bataillon « Dixième Bataillon, Commandant Mac-Mahon, N'a pas peur du canon nom de nom »
* 11{{sup|e}} bataillon « Onzième Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins, Onzième Bataillon d'lapins »
* 11{{sup|e}} bataillon « Onzième Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins, Onzième Bataillon d'lapins »
* 12{{sup|e}} bataillon « Ah c'qu'il est con, c'qu’il est con l'Douzième, Ah c'qu’il est con, c'qu’il est con c'con là ! »
* 12{{sup|e}} bataillon « Ah c'qu'il est con, c'qu'il est con l'Douzième, Ah c'qu'il est con, c'qu'il est con c'con là ! »
* 13{{sup|e}} bataillon « Sans pain, sans fricot, au treizième on n'boit que d'l'eau ! »
* 13{{sup|e}} bataillon « Sans pain, sans fricot, au treizième on n'boit que d'l'eau ! »
* 14{{sup|e}} bataillon « La peau de mes roulettes pour une casquette, La peau de mes rouleaux pour un shako ! »
* 14{{sup|e}} bataillon « La peau de mes roulettes pour une casquette, La peau de mes rouleaux pour un shako ! »
* 15{{sup|e}} bataillon « Je fumerais bien une pipe, Mais je n’ai pas de tabac ! »
* 15{{sup|e}} bataillon « Je fumerais bien une pipe, Mais je n'ai pas de tabac ! »
* 16{{sup|e}} bataillon « Seizième Bataillon d'Chasseurs à pied, Seizième Bataillon d'Acier ! »
* 16{{sup|e}} bataillon « Seizième Bataillon d'Chasseurs à pied, Seizième Bataillon d'Acier ! »
* 17{{sup|e}} bataillon « Cré nom d'un chien, nous voilà bien partis, Cré nom d'un chien, nous voilà bien ! »
* 17{{sup|e}} bataillon « Cré nom d'un chien, nous voilà bien partis, Cré nom d'un chien, nous voilà bien ! »
Line 119: Line 122:
===Enlisted & NCO===
===Enlisted & NCO===
* ''Chasseur'' (Hunter/[[Private (rank)|Private]])
* ''Chasseur'' (Hunter/[[Private (rank)|Private]])
* ''Chasseur de 1ère Classe'' (1st class Hunter/[[Private First Class|Private 1st class]])
* ''Chasseur de 1ère Classe'' (1st class Hunter/[[Private 1st class]])
* ''Caporal'' ([[Lance corporal]])
* ''Caporal'' ([[Lance corporal]])
* ''Caporal-Chef'' ([[Corporal]])
* ''Caporal-Chef'' ([[Corporal]])
Line 134: Line 137:
* ''Lieutenant'' ([[First lieutenant]])
* ''Lieutenant'' ([[First lieutenant]])
* ''Capitaine'' ([[Captain (OF-2)|Captain]])
* ''Capitaine'' ([[Captain (OF-2)|Captain]])
* ''Commandant '' ([[Major]])
* ''Commandant '', also called ''Chef de bataillon'' ([[Major (rank)|Major]])
* ''Lieutenant-Colonel'' ([[Lieutenant colonel]])
* ''Lieutenant-Colonel'' ([[Lieutenant colonel]])
* ''Colonel'' ([[Colonel]])
* ''Colonel'' ([[Colonel]])


Note: the [[Non-commissioned officer|NCO]] ranks ''[[Brigadier]]'' and ''[[Maréchal-des-logis]]'' are not used in the chasseurs alpins corps since they belong to the infantry.
Note: the [[Non-commissioned officer|NCO]] ranks ''[[Brigadier]]'' and ''[[Maréchal-des-logis]]'' are not used in the chasseurs alpins corps since they belong to the infantry (and those ranks are not used within the infantry).


==Famous members==
==Famous members==
{{Main|List of Chasseurs Alpins}}
{{Main|List of Chasseurs Alpins}}
* [[Albert Severin Roche]]
* [[Albert Severin Roche]]
* [[Yves Godard (French officer)|Yves Godard]]
* [[Yves Godard]]
* [[André Lalande (soldier)|André Lalande]]
* [[André Lalande]]


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 157: Line 160:


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of mountain warfare forces]]
* [[Ski warfare]]
* [[Ski warfare]]
* [[French Armed Forces]]
* [[French Armed Forces]]
Line 170: Line 174:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Triplet |first=William S. |date=2000 |editor-last=Ferrell |editor-first=Robert H. |editor-link=Robert Hugh Ferrell |title=A Youth in the Meuse-Argonne |pages=89–90 |location=Columbia, Mo. |publisher=[[University of Missouri Press]] |isbn=0-8262-1290-5 |lccn=00029921 |oclc=43707198}}
* {{cite book |last=Triplet |first=William S. |date=2000 |editor-last=Ferrell |editor-first=Robert H. |editor-link=Robert Hugh Ferrell |title=A Youth in the Meuse-Argonne |pages=[https://archive.org/details/youthinmeuseargo00trip/page/89 89–90] |location=Columbia, Mo. |publisher=[[University of Missouri Press]] |isbn=0-8262-1290-5 |lccn=00029921 |oclc=43707198 |url=https://archive.org/details/youthinmeuseargo00trip/page/89 }}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons|Chasseurs alpins}}
{{commons}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040926013814/http://www.bca7.terre.defense.gouv.fr/ 7{{sup|e}} bataillon de chasseurs alpins]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040926013814/http://www.bca7.terre.defense.gouv.fr/ 7{{sup|e}} bataillon de chasseurs alpins]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040925224613/http://www.bca13.terre.defense.gouv.fr/ 13{{sup|e}} bataillon de chasseurs alpins]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040925224613/http://www.bca13.terre.defense.gouv.fr/ 13{{sup|e}} bataillon de chasseurs alpins]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160924202755/http://www.bca27.terre.defense.gouv.fr/ 27{{sup|e}} bataillon de chasseurs alpins]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160924202755/http://www.bca27.terre.defense.gouv.fr/ 27{{sup|e}} bataillon de chasseurs alpins]

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Infantry units and formations of France]]
[[Category:Infantry units and formations of France]]
[[Category:Mountain units and formations]]
[[Category:Mountain units and formations]]
[[Category:1888 establishments in France]]

Latest revision as of 11:12, 26 October 2024

Chasseurs alpins
Chasseurs alpins
Active1888–present
Country France
Branch French Army
TypeInfantry
RoleMountain Infantry
SizeThree battalions
Garrison/HQ7e Bataillon – Varces-Allières-et-Risset
13e Bataillon – Chambéry
27e Bataillon – Cran-Gevrier
Nickname(s)Les diables bleus (Eng: The Blue Devils)
Motto(s)Jamais être pris vivant (Eng: Never to be Taken Alive)
Sans peur et sans reproche (Eng: Without fear and beyond reproach)
"Vivre libre ou mourir" (Eng: Live Free or Die)
EngagementsWorld War I (incl. Battle of the Yser)
World War II (incl. Battle of Narvik)
War in Afghanistan (incl. Battle of Alasay)

The chasseurs alpins (English: Alpine Hunters) are the elite mountain infantry force of the French Army. They are trained to operate in mountainous terrain and in urban warfare.

History

[edit]
Chasseurs Alpins during the Occupation of the Ruhr in Buer (now Gelsenkirchen), 1923.
Vichy-era recruitment poster for the 13th Battalion

France created a mountain corps in the late 19th century to oppose any Italian invasion through the Alps. In 1859–70 the Unification of Italy, forming a powerful state took place. The French army saw this geopolitical change as a potential threat to their Alpine border, especially as the Italian army was already creating troops specialized in mountain warfare (Alpini). On December 24, 1888, the first troupes de montagne (mountain troops) corps were created from 12 of the 31 existing Chasseurs à pied Hunters on Foot/Foot Rifles) battalions.

Initially these units were named bataillons alpins de chasseurs à pied (Alpine Battalions of Hunters on Foot/Alpine Foot Rifle Battalions). Later this was shortened to bataillons de chasseurs alpins (Alpine Hunter Battalions/Alpine Rifle Battalions). From their establishment the chasseurs Alpins wore a plain and practical uniform designed to be suitable for mountain service. This comprised a loose-fitting dark blue jacket and blue-grey breeches, together with a large beret carrying the yellow (daffodil) hunting horn insignia of the Chasseur branch. They are believed to have been the first regular military unit to have worn this form of headdress. The 47e BCA was reformed at Bourg-Saint-Maurice in 1979, and dissolved on 1 July 1985.

Modern unit

[edit]
Training of chasseurs alpins on the Mont Blanc massif.
13th Battalion in Chambéry (Savoie)

Since 1999 they have been (with other units) part of the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade (Brigade d'Infanterie de Montagne), and are currently organised into three battalions:

All three battalions are based in cities in the French Alps, thus the name of the units.

Training includes climbing, Ski mountaineering, plus winter and summer mountain leadership and mountain guiding skills completed at the High Mountain Military School. Traditional training included mountain survival skills such as to build an igloo shelter and to sleep in temperatures around 0 °C. Modern troops may be transported in all-terrain VMBs, VACs, (Bandvagn 206) or untracked VAB personnel carriers. Personal weaponry includes the FAMAS assault rifle, Minimi machine gun, FRF-2 sniper rifle, PGM Hécate II heavy sniper rifle, and LGI light mortar, while group weapons included the M2 machine gun, LLR 81mm mortar, and vehicle-mounted 20 mm autocannon, plus AT4, Eryx and MILAN anti-tank missiles.

The chasseurs are easily recognised by their wide beret (when not in battle uniform), named the tarte des Alpes (after a type traditional alpine tart). Note though that this is also worn by other mountain troops, such as the Alpine infantry, cavalry, artillery, and signals except for the 2ème REG engineers who wear the green beret.

The 16th battalion of chasseurs are not mountain troops and wear the standard French Army blue beret with the chasseur cap badge.

Tundra Camouflage
French Tundra Camouflage

Current winter uniform consists of 'Tundra'[1] camouflage made in 50/50 ripstop. It was specifically created for the Chasseurs & has later been adopted by other French units such as the GCM for winter exercises.[2]

Various traditions

[edit]
Military band of the chasseurs alpins

Chasseurs do not say rouge (red) but bleu-cerise (cherry blue - The color of blood on their blue uniforms), except when speaking of the color of the lips of a beloved, the red in the Legion of Honour's insignia (including its fourragère which is called la rouge), and the red of the French flag. This stems from the days when Napoleon III tried to impose the wearing of the scarlet pantalons garance. The mountain troops objected, and no longer use the word 'red' as a result.

The chasseurs have a few other typicalities in what they say:

  • not jaune (yellow), but jonquille (daffodil);
  • not uniforme (uniform), but tenue (outfit, or dress), like in the Royale;
  • not la musique (the music), but la fanfare (the band);
  • the band does not joue (play), but sonne (the band sounds);
  • not tambour (drum), but caisse claire (snare drum);
  • and not caserne (barracks), but quartier (neighborhood, barracks, or quarters).

The chasseurs are said to have green blood, after the pun: "Le sang vert, c'est pour la France; Le sang versé pour la France" ("Green blood is for France'; Blood shed, 'poured out', for France").

Note that these traditions are also shared by the 16th battalion of chasseurs, who are not chasseurs alpins.

When marching with the band and horns, the marching pace is 140 steps a minute - faster than most other armed forces units, with the exception of the Italian Bersaglieri, whose pace is 180 steps per minute.

The chasseurs alpins are informally known as Les diables bleus (Eng: The Blue Devils).[3] Monuments and memorials to the unit, such as Memorial to the Chasseur Alpins are marked Aux Diables Bleus (Eng: To the Blue Devils).

Choruses and Ringin

[edit]
24 hours with the Chasseurs Alpins

A chasseur salutes when he hears the chorus of his battalion, or Les Allobroges (the anthem of Savoie). Each battalion has a different chorus, and a chasseur must learn all of them:

  • 1er bataillon « Si l'septième de ligne a des couilles au cul, C'est qu'le Premier Chasseurs les lui a foutues ! »
  • 2e bataillon « Le Commandant a mal aux dents, mes enfants ! » (bis)
  • 3e bataillon « V'la l'troisième, v'la l'troisième, qui rapplique au galop, V'la l'troisième, v'la l'troisième, qui rapplique sac au dos ! »
  • 4e bataillon « Quatrième bataillon, Commandant Clinchant, Toujours en avant ! »
  • 5e bataillon « Cinquième Bataillon ventre à terre, Commandé par Certain Canrobert, en avant ! »
  • 6e bataillon « Le sixième est là, il est un peu là ! »
  • 7e bataillon « Bataillon, Bataillon, Bataillon de fer, Bataillon, Bataillon, Bataillon d'acier ».
  • 8e bataillon « T'as beau courir, tu ne m'rattraperas pas ! » (bis)
  • 9e bataillon « Marie, j'ai vu ton cul tout nu, Cochon, pourquoi le regardes-tu ? »
  • 10e bataillon « Dixième Bataillon, Commandant Mac-Mahon, N'a pas peur du canon nom de nom »
  • 11e bataillon « Onzième Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins, Onzième Bataillon d'lapins »
  • 12e bataillon « Ah c'qu'il est con, c'qu'il est con l'Douzième, Ah c'qu'il est con, c'qu'il est con c'con là ! »
  • 13e bataillon « Sans pain, sans fricot, au treizième on n'boit que d'l'eau ! »
  • 14e bataillon « La peau de mes roulettes pour une casquette, La peau de mes rouleaux pour un shako ! »
  • 15e bataillon « Je fumerais bien une pipe, Mais je n'ai pas de tabac ! »
  • 16e bataillon « Seizième Bataillon d'Chasseurs à pied, Seizième Bataillon d'Acier ! »
  • 17e bataillon « Cré nom d'un chien, nous voilà bien partis, Cré nom d'un chien, nous voilà bien ! »
  • 18e bataillon « Encore un biffin d'enfilé, rompez, Encore un biffin d'enfilé ! »
  • 19e bataillon « Trou du cul, trou du cul plein de poils sales, Trou du cul, trou du cul poilu ! »
  • 20e bataillon « Vingtième Bataillon, Commandant Cambriels, Les Chasseurs à pied ont des ailes ! »
  • 21e bataillon « En voulez-vous des kilomètres ? En voilà ! »
  • 22e bataillon « Encore un biffin de tombé dans la merde, Encore un biffin d'emmerdé ! »
  • 23e bataillon « V'la le vingt-troisième, nom de Dieu, ça va barder ! »
  • 24e bataillon « Tout le long du bois, j'ai baisé Jeannette, Tout le long du bois, j'l'ai baisé trois fois ! »
  • 25e bataillon « Pas plus con qu'un autre nom de nom, Mais toujours autant ! » (ou content)
  • 26e bataillon « Tu m'emmerdes et tu m'fais chier, tu m'dis ça c'est pour blaguer ! »
  • 27e bataillon « Si vous avez des couilles, il faudra le montrer ! »
  • 28e bataillon « Saut'Putten ; t'auras d'la saucisse, Saut'Putten, t'auras du boudin ! »
  • 29e bataillon « C'est le Vingt-neuvième, qui n'a pas d'pain, Qui crève de faim, qui marche quand même ! »
  • 30e bataillon « Il était un p'tit homme, Tout habillé de bleu, nom de Dieu ! » (ou sacrebleu)
  • 31e bataillon « Trente-et-unième, l'dernier v'nu, Pas l'plus mal foutu ! »
  • 32e bataillon « Si j'avais du pinard, j'en boirais bien une goutte, si j'avais du pinard j'en boirai bien un quart ! »
  • 40e bataillon « Trou du cul de la reine des Hovas »

Colours

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There is a single colour for all the battalions of chasseurs; the colours are held at the Fort Neuf de Vincennes. The colour guard is divided between the 7th, 13th and 27th battalion, and with the 16th battalion which is a mechanized unit.

Ranks

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Shoulder ranks insigna

Enlisted & NCO

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Officers

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Note: the NCO ranks Brigadier and Maréchal-des-logis are not used in the chasseurs alpins corps since they belong to the infantry (and those ranks are not used within the infantry).

Famous members

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Main article: List of Chasseurs Alpins
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  • Portrait of chasseurs alpins soldier in World War I
    Portrait of chasseurs alpins soldier in World War I
  • Commandant Soutiras, Officer of the chasseurs alpins
    Commandant Soutiras, Officer of the chasseurs alpins
  • Flag guard of the chasseurs alpins (1970)
    Flag guard of the chasseurs alpins (1970)
  • Dress uniform
    Dress uniform
  • Soldiers in Winter uniform
    Soldiers in Winter uniform
  • The band of the chasseurs alpins uses Alphorns
    The band of the chasseurs alpins uses Alphorns

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Flickriver: Photoset 'French Chasseur Alpins Tundra Camo' by Gozilah52_Archive". www.flickriver.com. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
  2. ^ Armée de Terre (2011-12-16), Exercice étoile verte des groupes de commandos montagne (GCM), retrieved 2019-03-26
  3. ^ Jean Pochard (March 1980). Société savoisienne d'histoire et d'archéologie, L'histoire en Savoie (ed.). "Les Diables bleus". "Mémoires et documents de la Société savoisienne d'histoire et d'archéologie" (in French). 57: 20. ISSN 0046-7510.

Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chasseurs alpins.
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