French Expeditionary Corps

By Scott Elaurant, Phil Bradley and Simon McBeth

Updated by Wayne Turner


 French Forces, Italy 1944
“It is a matter of honour”, General Juin to General Monsalbert, before the assault on Colle Belvedere,
Italy, 23 January 1944.
No military force suffered more than the French army in the the remnants of 60,000 Vichy Colonial troops, 12,000 Free
Mid-War period. The defeat of 1940 had left the French French, and some 20,000 emigres who survived the perilous
military painfully divided. There were those who felt duty journey out of Vichy France via Spain. The majority, over
bound to remain loyal to the Vichy government, a few who 100,000, were local volunteers, French Europeans living in
had escaped to join the Free French under De Gaulle, and North Africa and native North Africans. The entire force was
many troops scattered throughout the colonies unsure which organised into eight Divisions along US lines and received
way to turn. Some even fought against the Allies, notably in American weapons, though often of second-line quality. The
Syria. Free French had to return their British supplied weapons to
the Eighth Army. The Allies only committed a handful to the
The Torch landings in North Africa at first did little to resolve
Sicilian invasion and none initially to Italy. The enforced
the situation. Local commanders were sympathetic, but
delay gave General Juin time to train and weld them into a
theatre CIC Admiral Darlan was pro-Vichy and ordered the
united force.
French to resist the Allies. This did not endear them to the
Allied high command, especially US General Mark Clark
Deployment to Italy
who would later be a key figure in their fighting in Italy.
Eventually a truce was agreed. A few units under the patriotic Despite the prejudices of the Allied high command, by early
General Barre fought with the American troops in Tunisia in 1944 a chronic shortage of infantry made use of the French
1943. The Free French Brigades under Leclerc and Koenig essential in Italy. The Allies were trying to batter their way
continued to fight with the British Eighth Army. However through the Gustav Line south of Rome. Some of Juin’s forces
most of the French troops were only slowly equipped by the were transported to Italy as individual divisions. Eventually
Allies, and their quality was considered as suspect as their permission was gained to form a corps structure. By mid-
loyalty to the cause. Nevertheless, under more patriotic 1944 the French Expeditionary Corps (FEC) in Italy
leaders like General Giraud and General Juin over 230,000 consisted of five well trained divisions:
Frenchmen eventually joined the Allied cause in North 3rd Division d’Infanterie Algerienne (3 DIA)
Africa. 2nd Division d’Infanterie Marocaine Division (2 DIM)
Giraud and Juin desired to form a united French army to help 4th Division d’Infanterie Marocaine Division (4 DIM)
liberate France from the Axis, but they knew it would take 1st Division Française Libre (DFL) (1st Free French
time. First they had to form and train them into a cohesive Division); it was later called 1e Division Motorisee
force. The soldiers were mostly volunteers and consisted of d’Infanterie (1st Motorized Infantry Div) (1DMI)
Goum Force (3 regiment sized Tabors)


Before Cassino able to capture Attina and outflank the Cassino position from
the east, forcing a German withdrawal. But Clark had only
In Late 1943 Allied forces in Italy under Field Marshall
ever seen the FEC assault as a diversion and no reinforcements
Alexander had cleared the Axis from south of Naples and
were forthcoming.
were approaching the Germans prepared defence line – the
Gustav Line, which stretched across Italy at its narrowest With the Allies now pinned down on the mountains to east
point, in mountains south of Rome. Initial attempts to breach and west of Cassino, the offensive degenerated into a series of
the Gustav Line were costly failures. On the eastern (Adriatic) costly assaults up Route Six through the middle. These
coast the British Eighth army under General Brian Lees, tried inevitably had to pass through the town and the adjacent
to cross the Sangro River. The Canadian Division eventually Monte Cassino, with its dominant monastery. Over the next
cleared the town of Ortona after suffering heavy casualties. four months three successive attempts to break through the
But Lees could not outflank the Sangro River line, which German positions would end in bloody failure. In part this
stretched all the way to the central Italian range. It was a was due to the epic resistance of the German 1st Fallschirmjäger
stalemate. Eighth army units were transferred to the west Division. But a series of predictable and uncoordinated Allied
coast for a combined attack. frontal assaults were also to blame. General Juin, aware of his
Corps’ ability to move through the mountains, suggested that
On the western (Mediterranean) coast the US Fifth Army
the position be outflanked, but was ignored by Alexander and
under General Mark Clark at first made good progress. US II
Clark. British, New Zealand, Indian and US Divisions all
Corps crossed the Volturno River and captured Mount
suffered heavy casualties instead.
Maggiore to close up on the Gustav Line. The FEC was
attached to VII Corps of US Fifth army and was now used for
Breaking the Gustav Line
the first time. General Juin had deliberately kept their vehicles
and heavy weapons to a minimum for mobility in the Finally in April 1944 Alexander directed that there would be
mountains. Now the Morrocan and Algerian Divisions, 2 a coordinated offensive along the width of the entire front.
DIM and 3 DIA, attacked through the mountains on the Once again the FEC would be used in a support role, to
right side of Cassino to reach the Gustav Line. They performed attack the line through the coastal Arunci Mountains west of
well and the assault was only barely stopped by German Cassino. But this time the FEC would be used as a united
reserves. Corps. Juin’s offensive was immediately successful, cracking
the Gustav Line and outflanking the Cassino position.
But Clark as yet had little faith in the French. The main Although the FEC did not capture Cassino, their success
assault on the Gustav Line would be by British X Corps across forced the gradual withdrawal of German troops from
the Garigliano River, and by US II Corps across the Rapido Cassino. This made the capture of the monastery by General
River near Cassino. X Corps crossed the river before being Anders’ Polish Corps possible, after a brutal struggle, on 18
halted on the heights of the west coastal range, the Arunci May 1944.

French Expeditionary Corps

Mountains. Meanwhile the US 36th Division was mauled
trying to cross the Rapido River and fell back. The adjacent General Mark Clark recognised the efforts of the FEC in
US 34th Division had been making some progress up Monte breaking the Gustav Line:
Cassino to the east, but was now trapped on the slopes with ‘Meantime, the French forces had crossed the Garigliano (River)
open flanks. It would be up to the FEC to help. and moved forward into the mountainous terrain lying south of
General Clark asked the FEC to mount an attack on the the Liri River. It was not easy. As always, the German veterans
mountain east of Monte Cassino, Colle Belvedere. This was reacted strongly and there was bitter fighting. The French
no easy task. Colle Belvedere was 2000 metres high, with a surprised the enemy and quickly seized key terrain including
sheer dominating ridge face of almost 600 metres. The line Mounts Faito Cerasola and high ground near Castelforte. The 1st
was fortified with bunkers and mines, and defended by units Motorized Division helped the 2nd Moroccan division take key
of the German 44th and 71st Infantry Divisions. The Rapido Mount Girofano and then advanced rapidly north to S.
River would have to be crossed merely to reach the position. Apollinare and S. Ambrogio. In spite of the stiffening enemy
Yet General Juin knew he could not refuse Clark’s request if resistance, the 2nd Moroccan Division penetrated the Gustav Line
the Allies were to take the FEC seriously. As he said to General in less than two day’s fighting.’
Monsalbert ‘It is a matter of honour’. ‘The next 48 hours on the French front were decisive. The knife-
On 25 January the 2 DIA led the attack, crossing the Rapido wielding Goumiers swarmed over the hills, particularly at night,
with speed and stealth rather than firepower, and making and General Juin’s entire force showed an aggressiveness hour
good progress. Yet as the regiments made their way up the after hour that the Germans could not withstand. Cerasola, San
steep slopes, they began to suffer losses from murderous Giogrio, Mt. D’Oro, Ausonia and Esperia were seized in one of
German crossfire from the mountains above. Remarkably, the most brilliant and daring advances of the war in Italy, and
they made the foot of the cliff and then, using its steepness to by May 16 the French Expeditionary Corps had thrust forward
provide cover, climbed up over three hours to emerge and some ten miles on their left flank to Mount Revole, with the
assault the defenders on top. After suffering horrific losses remainder of their front slanting back somewhat to keep contact
they captured Point 915 and Colle Abate in the centre of the with the British 8th Army.’
ridge and the enemy’s defence line. Over the next two days ‘For this performance, which was to be a key to the success of the
German reserves first threw them back, but follow up troops entire drive on Rome, I shall always be a grateful admirer of
of 3 DIM recaptured the heights and held onto them. Indeed, General Juin and his magnificent FEC.’
if more reserves had been available the French may have been
By 5 June the Allies captured Rome and advanced onwards to


northern Italy. For the FEC though, their time was over. In 2e Division d’Infanterie Marocaine (DIM) (Moroccan Infantry
September they were withdrawn from the front and joined Division): The 2nd DIM was formed on 1 May 1943 and was
the Free French Army invading Southern France. the first French formation on active service in Italy. It arrived
Unfortunately for Juin, political manoeuvring by de Gaulle in Italy at end November 1943 and fought in all the FEC
saw he and de Tassigny command French forces in France battles.
and Juin returned to Tunisia. The Goums too were split up
3e Division d’Infanterie Algérienne (DIA) (Algerian Infantry
and added to the divisions. Despite their success in battle,
Division): The former Division of Constantine was a colonial
appalling violence outside combat made them notorious.
unit stationed near the Tunisian border when the Allies
Numerous assaults and the murder of over 100 Italian civilians
landed in North Africa. They participated in the operations
in the Ciociaria area meant they would not be allowed to
that led to the liberation of Tunisia. On 3 May 1943 they
operate as a single force again.
were combined with new local recruits and re-designated as
the 3rd DIA or 3rd Algerian Infantry Division. After some
Organisation of FEC in Italy
amphibious training 3 DIA embarked for Italy and relieved
The French were organised as follows under the US Fifth the US 45th Division. It led the assault at Colle Belvedere.
Army.
4e Division Marocaine de Montagne (DMM) (Moroccan
1e Division Française Libre (DFL) (1st Free French Division) Mountain Division): The 4th DMM was originally formed as
or 1e Division Motorisee d’Infanterie (1st Motorized Infantry the 3e Division d’Infanterie Marocaine but changed to the
Division) (1DMI): The 1st DFL was formed in February 4th DMM. Later it was renamed simply the Division Marocaine
1943 out of a combination of the 1st and 2nd Free French de Montagne, but it continued to be referred to as the
Brigades. After a reorganization in August, it was designated 4th DMM. Units of this division participated in the liberation
as the 1e Division Motorisee d’Infanterie (1st Motorized of Corsica in September and October 1943 and later fought
Infantry Division) and then again as the 1e Division de Marche in Italy.
d’Infanterie, which is a general term use by French for a
mixture of diverse units. This division arrived in Italy in April There were also almost a division of Goums, organised into
1944 and continued to be called the Free French Division Rifle platoons, company groups, battalions (called Tabors)
and 1st Motorized Infantry Division. It took part in Diadem. and ultimately three regiment-sized Tabor groups.

Depicting French Troops

Most of the French troops in Italy fought in US uniforms and vehicles, thus Battlefront’s range of Late War US miniatures are
the best choice. However, you could also mix in some Early-war French troops in Adrian helmets. Equipment included M3
Scout Cars, M5 Stuarts, M10s, M8s, 40mm Bofors, 105mm and 57mm guns. Vehicles were all US supplied. Markings and
insignia were uniquely French though, with the Lorraine Cross popular on vehicles.

Most infantry wore US uniforms and helmets. Of course,

there were exceptions too. A few veterans still had their French
LMGs and World War One style helmets from the Early War
period. Many officers wore the Kepi.
The Goums (FR802) still fought in their original uniforms
with distinctive vertical striped colour scheme of brown and
white or grey. A demi-brigade (2 battalions) of French Foreign
Legion troops also fought in their French uniforms, including
the Kepi with neck flap made famous in the desert. The
survivors of Leclerc’s Free French force from the North
African campaign were re-equipped with US weapons for
logistical reasons, but some of them probably also still had
their Kepis.


 The French Expeditionary Force
A large force of French troops fought during 1944 and 1945. This force was organised and equipped along US lines, but
they still retained much of their own unique French approach to warfare.
Compagnie de Tirailleurs Page 7 Esquadron de Spahi Page 14
The heart of the FEC are the infantry forces. First trained The French lacked any heavy or even medium tanks in
and now led by the indomitable spirit of General Juin, they Italy. They did not even have the half-tracks to create
have already proven in Italy that they are as good as any armoured infantry companies. Yet they did not lack for
Allied infantry. For them Italy is only a stepping stone effective mobile forces, even if there were few opportunities
towards the real goal – France. But it is one they will to use them. There were Esquadron de Spahi mechanised
approach with courage, discipline and skill. recon forces equipped with M3 White Scout cars in each
Division. The Régiment de Fusiliers-Marins de
General Juin has shown himself to be not only a good
Reconnaissance in the Free French DMI Division was
leader and organiser but also tactically astute. The decision
similar. The Spahi units and their Stuart tanks were lightly
to leave many vehicles behind and use mules for transport
armed and armoured, and so the emphasis was on
has given the French Corps a decided edge in the mountains.
skirmishing and scouting, with accompanying infantry,
Combined with the mountain background of many of the
artillery and M10 self-propelled anti-tank guns to deal with
troops, and Juin’s emphasis on being lightly equipped and
heavier opposition. They shared the aggressive spirit which
trained to march, the FEC is perhaps the most mobile
permeated the FEC, and were not afraid to take on German
formation in Italy. It is not as heavily armed as some of the
panzers. But they relied on skill and speed to do so, not
Allied formations, but its combination of marching speed
brute force.
and combat skill make it formidable.

French Special Rules

French infantry are not equipped with the Garand Rifles used Central Fire Control
by US units and do not use the Automatic Rifles, Excellent French Artillery doctrine introduced during the 1920s and

French Expeditionary Corps

Communications, or Under Command special rules. Instead, 1930s influenced many nations. When a French Observer
it uses any of the other US special rules, such as Time on places a request for fire, the artillery battalion fire direction
Target and Truscott Trott (or March On as the FEC would centre assesses its priority and assigns all available artillery
say), as well as all of the following French special rules. Goum batteries to fire the mission. This ensures that the battalion’s
Platoons use the special rules on page 13. artillery resources are used in the most efficient manner.
However, everything must go through the proper channels
Colonial Troops with properly trained officers directing the artillery fire.
France has a large colonial empire. Colonial troops are
recruited to protect and maintain it from the native tribes of French Company Command teams cannot act as spotting
Algeria, Morocco and Senegal. While they may not be au fait teams for artillery bombardments.
with the latest military methods, they are renown for their When a French Artillery battery that has a Staff team fires a
ferocity and prowess in personal combat. The infantry of the bombardment, you may chose to group other artillery batteries
FEC are made up of European troops from the colonies and with Staff teams into the same bombardment before rolling to
native troops from Morocco and Algeria. Range In as a Central Fire Control Bombardment.
French Infantry and Gun teams hit in assault combat on a
roll of 2+ (instead of 3+ for being rated Veteran). Mountain Infantry
Many of the FEC troops have experience fighting in the
mountains of their North Africa homelands and are at ease
travelling through seemingly impassable terrain.
French Infantry and Man-packed Gun teams are
Mountaineers (see page 46 of the rulebook).


 Compagnie de Tirailleurs
Light Infantry Company
(Infantry Company)
Headquarters

Headquarters
You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each
box shaded grey.

Compagnie de
7

Tirailleurs HQ

Support Platoons
Combat Platoons

Weapons Platoons

Infantry Machine-gun
Armour Artillery

Tirailleurs Machine-

19
Tirailleurs Platoon Field Artillery Battery
7

gun Platoon 8

18
US Tank Platoon
Spahi Light Tank

17
Infantry Machine-gun Platoon Artillery

Armour
Tirailleurs Machine-

19
Field Artillery Battery
8

Tirailleurs Platoon gun Platoon

7

Field Artillery

19
Battery (155mm)
Artillery

18
Infantry US Tank Platoon
Spahi Assault Gun Anti-aircraft
Platoon 17
Tirailleurs Mortar
9

Platoon Tank Destroyer Platoon

18

Tirailleurs Platoon
7

Anti-aircraft Artillery Platoon

20
Anti-tank
Infantry
Weapons Platoon
Aircraft

Tirailleurs Anti-tank
9

Platoon
12

Goum Platoon
Tirailleurs Weapons Engineer Combat
8

Platoon
20

21
Infantry Platoon Air Support

Reconnaissance AOP
Allied Platoons Tirailleurs Ammunition
10

& Pioneer Platoon

21
16

US Platoons in your force Spahi Platoon Air Observation Post

Regimental Support Platoons

are Allies and follow the Anti-tank

Allies rules on page 183
of the rulebook.
Tirailleurs Anti-tank
9

Platoon

Reconnaissance

Tirailleurs Intelligence
10

& Recon Platoon

Artillery

Tirailleurs Cannon
11

Platoon


 Motivation and Skill Compagnie de Tirailleurs
French Expeditionary Corps (FEC) divisions were among the best trained and motivated
Reluctant Conscript
Allied troops in Italy. They had gained much experience fighting in North Africa and Sicily in
1943, as well as many of them being long service veterans of the French colonial forces. A Confident Trained
Compagnie de Tirailleurs is rated as Confident Veteran. Fearless Veteran

Headquarters
Compagnie de Tirailleurs HQ

Capitaine
Headquarters
Capitaine
Company HQ 30 points

Options Company Command 2iC Command Bazooka

Rifle team Rifle team team
• Replace Command Rifle teams with Command SMG
Company HQ
teams for +5 points per team.
• Add a Bazooka team for +20 points. Compagnie de Tirailleurs HQ
A French Company Command is led by an officer steeped in
• Add up to three Sniper teams for +50 points per team.
the traditions of the French Army. He is a patriot, his courage
is unquestioned and he will lead the company to victory. He
will see France free again but first the army must prove itself
here in Italy.

Combat platoons
Tirailleurs Platoon

French Expeditionary Corps

Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
HQ Section with:
3 Tirailleurs Squads 170 points
Command Rifle team Bazooka team
2 Tirailleurs Squads 120 points HQ Section
Option
Sergent Sergent
• Add a Bazooka team for +20 points.

Tirailleurs platoons are drawn from all of the men who have Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
answered the call to liberate France from the Nazis. Whether
émigrés, Free French, or others from the African colonies,
they are trained and ready to fight. Rifle team Rifle team
Tirailleurs Squad Tirailleurs Squad
The Americans have given them their oldest weapons –
Springfield Rifles, a few BARs, some have their trusty FM Sergent
1924/29s - but it does not matter. With their courage, verve,
and aggressive tactics, the Tirailleurs will take the fight to the
Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
boche.
Tirailleurs Squad
Tirailleurs Platoon


 Tirailleurs Weapons Platoon
Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
HQ Section with Mortar Section and:
2 Machine-gun Sections 170 points
1 Machine-gun Section 125 points Command Jeep with
Rifle team .50 cal AA MG
Option
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG for +5 points.
Sergent Sergent
The weapons platoon gives you a handy reserve of firepower.
It can either form a base of fire when attacking or be handed M2 60mm mortar M1919 LMG
out to the rifle platoons to strengthen their positions when
defending. The mortars in particular have proven very handy M2 60mm M2 60mm M1919 LMG
in the mountains of Italy. mortar mortar
machine-gun
Mortar Section Section
Tirialleurs Weapons Platoons may make Combat
Sergent
Attachments to Combat Platoons.

M1919 LMG M1919 LMG

machine-gun
Section

Tirailleurs Weapons platoon

Weapons platoons
Tirailleurs Machine-gun Platoon
Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
HQ Section with:
2 Machine-gun Sections 140 points Command Jeep with
Rifle team .50 cal AA MG
1 Machine-gun Section 75 points
Options
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG for +5 points. Sergent Sergent
• Add Jeeps with trailers at no cost.
M1917 HMG Jeep with trailer M1917 HMG Jeep with trailer
France was the first country in Europe to introduce machine
guns – the mitralleuse in the 19th century. Machine guns are
a traditional strength of the French army and with these M1917 HMG Jeep with trailer M1917 HMG Jeep with trailer
M1917 Brownings, the tradition continues. machine-gun machine-gun
Section Section
Tirialleurs Machine-gun Platoons may make Combat Tirialleurs Machine-gun platoon
Attachments to Combat Platoons.


 Tirailleurs Mortar Platoon
Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
HQ Section with:
2 Mortar Sections 120 points Command Jeep with Observer
1 Mortar Section 60 points Rifle team .50 cal AA MG Rifle team

Options
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG for +5 points. Sergent Sergent
• Add Jeeps with trailers at no cost.
• Add an Observer Rifle team for +15 points. M1 81mm Jeep with trailer M1 81mm Jeep with trailer
mortar mortar
The mortar platoon provides close fire support, able to fire
onto targets over the steep hills. With mule transport they M1 81mm M1 81mm
Jeep with trailer Jeep with trailer
have proven very mobile and able to keep up with the fast mortar mortar
marching French in the mountains. General Juin has wisely Mortar Section Mortar Section
encouraged their use.
Tirialleurs Mortar platoon

Tirailleurs Anti-tank Platoon

Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
HQ Section with:
3 M1 57mm 105 points
2 M1 57mm 75 points Command Jeep with
Rifle team .50 cal AA MG
Options
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG for +5 points.
Sergent Sergent
• Add 1.5-ton trucks at no cost.

French Expeditionary Corps

Though the French had to leave their 25mm and 47mm guns M1 57mm gun M1 57mm gun
behind in North Africa, these new American guns are in fact
much better, and keep the Panzers at bay.
1½-ton truck 1½-ton truck
Gun Section Gun Section
Sergent

M1 57mm gun 1½-ton truck

Gun Section
Tirialleurs Anti-tank platoon


 Tirailleurs Ammunition & Pioneer Platoon
Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
HQ Section with:
3 A&P Squads 150 points Command Pioneer Bazooka Bazooka Pioneer Supply
2 A&P Squads 105 points Rifle team team team 3
/4-ton truck

Options
• Add Bazooka teams for +20 points per team. Caporal Caporal Caporal
• Add Pioneer Supply truck for +25 points.
Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team
The pioneers are trained to both create and destroy
fortifications. They only have Springfield rifles, but proved
their courage clearing mines in the way of the French attacks Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team
on the Gustav Line. A&P Squad A&P Squad A&P Squad

Tirialleurs Ammunition & Pioneer platoon

Support platoons

Tirailleurs Intelligence & Recon Platoon

Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
HQ Section with:
3 I&R Squads 100 points
2 I&R Squads 75 points Command Jeep with
Rifle team .50 cal AA MG
Options
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG and unarmed Jeeps to
Sergent Sergent Sergent
the platoon for +5 points.
• Arm any or all unarmed Jeeps with an AA MG for
+5 points per Jeep. Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team

The Intelligence & Recon Platoon may be mounted in some

of the few jeep transports kept in the divisions by Juin. They Jeep Jeep Jeep
act as scouts before the French advance, locating defensive I&R Squad I&R Squad I&R Squad
strongpoints and guiding fire to keep them pinned down Tirialleurs Intelligence & Recon platoon
until the infantry complete their demise.

A Tirialleurs Intelligence & Recon Platoon is a Reconnaissance

Platoon.

10
 Tirailleurs Cannon Platoon
CapitainE
Platoon
CapitainE
HQ Section with:
3 Gun Sections 160 points Command Jeep Observer Jeep
2 Gun Sections 115 points Carbine team Carbine team

1 Gun Section 65 points

Option Lieutenant Lieutenant
• Add Jeep and 1½-ton trucks for +5 points for the
platoon. M1A1 75mm pack howitzer M1A1 75mm pack howitzer

The Americans wisely adopted the French doctrine of forward

use of howitzers and have supplied us with the guns to once 1½-ton truck 1½-ton truck
again do the same. In the capable hands of French artillery
officers these platoons provide excellent fire support. We use
M1A1 75mm pack howitzer M1A1 75mm pack howitzer
75mm pack howitzers which can be broken down into man-
packed loads. Mule transport keeps them going through the
Appenines. Anywhere the infantry go, they follow.
1½-ton truck 1½-ton truck
Gun Section Gun Section
A Tirialleurs Cannon Platoon is a Mountaineer Platoon.
Lieutenant

M1A1 75mm pack howitzer M1A1 75mm pack howitzer

1½-ton truck 1½-ton truck

Gun Section

Tirialleurs Cannon platoon

French Expeditionary Corps

11
 Goum Platoon

Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
HQ Section with:
3 Goum Squads 200 points
Command Rifle team
2 Goum Squads 145 points HQ Section

Sergent Sergent
Goum platoons are the cutting edge of the French army. They
are tribal warriors drawn from the Atlas mountains of
Morroco. They are armed with the same old weapons as the Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
Tirailleurs, Springfield rifles and a few BAR’s, but they also
have their knives. Stalking through the hills in the dead of
night, they strike fear into the hearts of the Germans, who Rifle team Rifle team
have no answer to them. Goum Squad Goum Squad
Sergent
Goum Rifle platoons carry American Springfield rifles
limiting their firepower, but the rifle’s light weight enabled
the Goums to move quickly and silently through rough Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
terrain and close rapidly with their enemies.
Goum Squad
The Goums are commanded by French officers, but they Goum Platoon
must be exceptional men, to keep control of the wild north
Africans, and at the same time lead them in the French
The fearsome Moroccan Goum Platoon
manner.
Goum fighters are rated
Fearless Trained. Reluctant Conscript
Confident Trained
Fearless Veteran

12
 Goum Special Rules
A Goum Platoon uses most of the US Special Rules found in the Flames Of War rulebook. A Goum Platoon does not use the
Automatic Rifles, Excellent Communications, or Under Command special rules. Instead, it uses any of the other US special
rules as well as all of the following Goum special rules.

Assault Troops Colonial Troops

Goums attached to each division of the French Expeditionary France had a large colonial empire. Colonial troops are
Force led the charge on enemy positions. recruited to protect and maintain it from the native tribes of
Algeria, Morocco and Senegal. While they may not be au fait
Goum Platoons may re-roll failed Motivation Tests to with the latest military methods, they are renowned for their
Rally from being Pinned Down. ferocity and prowess in personal combat.

Cautious Movement

French Expeditionary Corps

Goum Platoons hit in assault combat on a roll of 3+ (instead
The Goums were experts at silently crossing the most barren of 4+ for being rated Trained).
terrain and surprise their prey before they could react.
No Obstacle Too Tough
Goum teams are considered Gone to Ground in the opponent’s The Goums called the mountains of North Africa home and
following turn if they are Concealed, and did not move At were at ease in travelling through seemingly impassable terrain.
the Double, shoot or assault in their own turn.
Goum Infantry and Man-packed Gun teams are
Mountaineers.

13
 Escadron de Spahi
Motorised Cavalry Squadron
(Mechanised Company)
Headquarters

Headquarters
You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each
box shaded grey.

Escadron de Spahi HQ
15

Support Platoons
Combat Platoons

Weapons Platoons

Reconnaissance Armour
Armour Artillery

Spahi Platoon Spahi Light Tank

18
Field Artillery Battery
15

16
Platoon Tank Destroyer

17
Platoon

Reconnaissance Armour Artillery

Infantry

18
Field Artillery Battery
Spahi Light Tank

12
Spahi Platoon Goum Platoon
16
15

Platoon
Field Artillery

18
Engineer Combat Battery (155mm)

19
Platoon
Reconnaissance
Anti-aircraft
Infantry

Spahi Platoon
15

19
Anti-aircraft Artillery Platoon
12

Goum Platoon
Artillery
Aircraft

Spahi Assault Gun

16

Platoon

20
Air Support

AOP
20

Air Observation Post

14
 Motivation and Skill Escadron de Spahi
Spahi units were the fast moving spearhead of the FEC when they finally broke free of the Nazi
Reluctant Conscript
defences in Italy. They don’t have the same modern equipment as their American counterparts,
but they use it with great skill probing the enemy’s defences. An Escadron de Spahi is rated as Confident Trained
Confident Veteran. Fearless Veteran

Headquarters
Escadron de Spahi HQ

Capitaine
Headquarters
Capitaine
Company HQ 45 points

Options Company Command 2iC Command M2 half-track Jeep

Rifle team Rifle team
• Arm either or both Jeeps and M2 half-track with AA
Company HQ
MG for +5 points per vehicle.
Sergent
• Add M3A1 armoured cars for +35 points per
vehicle.

French cavalry officers have found their place again in the M3A1 armored car M3A1 armored car
Spahi units. They have the same equipment as the American Security Squad
units, and more initiative and daring. The ranks of the Spahi Escadron de Spahi HQ
units contain many of the French troops with the most élan,
including a lot of the former Free French Division. The teams of an Escadron de Spahi HQ are Recce teams.

Combat platoons
Spahi Platoon

French Expeditionary Corps

Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
2 Armored Recon Patrols 240 points
1 Armored Recon Patrol 120 points
Command M3A1 M3A1 armored car
armored car

Before deployment you may replace any or all Spahi Platoons

with Dismounted Spahi Platoons with the same number of Mortar Jeep Recon Jeep
Patrols. Armored Recon Patrol
In each Patrol, you may replace at no cost: Sergent
• up to two Rifle teams with .50 cal MG teams,
• up to three Rifle teams with M1919 LMG teams,
• up to one Rifle teams with an M2 60mm mortar team, Command M3A1 M3A1 armored car
armored car
• up to two Rifle teams with Bazooka teams each or one
Rifle team with a M3 37mm anti-tank gun.
Mortar Jeep Recon Jeep
All of the Dismounted Recon Patrols in a Dismounted Spahi Armored Recon Patrol
Platoon operate as a single infantry platoon.
Spahi Platoon

Armored Recon Patrols operate as separate platoons, each Lieutenant

with their own Command team. Although its patrols count Lieutenant
as separate platoons for all other purposes, a Spahi Platoon
deploys all at the same time as a single platoon. For example,
Command Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
the entire Spahi Platoon is treated as a single platoon when
Dismounted Recon Patrol
calculating the number of platoons held in Ambush or
Reserve. Sergent

Armored Recon Patrols and Dismounted Spahi Platoons are Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
Reconnaissance Platoons. Dismounted Recon Patrol
Dismounted Spahi Platoon

15
 Spahi Assault Gun Platoon
Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
3 M8 Scott HMC 155 points
2 M8 Scott HMC 105 points

Command M8 Scott HMC

The M8 Scott HMC assault guns give fire support for the
Spahi Platoons, either by performing direct fire from its Sergent Sergent
75mm gun to knock out machine-gun nests and anti-tank
guns, or firing bombardments to keep the enemy’s head down
while the Spahi platoons probe the line.
M8 Scott HMC M8 Scott HMC
Gun Section Gun Section
Spahi Assault gun Platoon

Weapons platoons
Spahi Light Tank Platoon
Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
5 M5A1 Stuarts 310 points
4 M5A1 Stuarts 250 points
3 M5A1 Stuarts 190 points Command M5A1 Stuart

Each French Infantry Division contains these light tanks to Sergent Sergent
provide support. The French armoured crews are brave and
aggressive, even if their guns are weak.
M5A1 Stuart M5A1 Stuart

M5A1 Stuart M5A1 Stuart

Tank Section Tank Section
Spahi Light Tank Platoon

16
 Divisional Support
Motivation and Skill Divisional Support
The divisions of the FEC are full of experienced soldiers who have seen hard battles in Africa
Reluctant Conscript
and Syria. Now their goal is in sight, the liberation of France, they fight with grim determination
to defeat the Germans in Italy. FEC Divisional Support Units are rated as Confident Confident Trained
Veteran, unless noted otherwise. Fearless Veteran

Tank Destroyer Platoon

Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
HQ Section with:
4 M10 3in GMC 400 points Command Jeep with
2 M10 3in GMC 210 points Carbine team .50 cal AA MG

Option
• Arm any or all unarmed Jeeps with an AA MG for Sergent Sergent
+5 points per Jeep.

These are the heaviest anti-tank weapons in the French Carbine team Jeep Carbine team Jeep
Divisions. They are held in independent squadrons and are
carefully allocated to the sector where the enemy armoured
threat is greatest. Their crews are dedicated; they will stop any
M10 3in GMC M10 3in GMC
panzers.

French Expeditionary Corps

M10 3in GMC M10 3in GMC
Tank destroyer Tank destroyer
Section Section
Tank destroyer Platoon

US Tank Platoon
Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
5 M4 or M4A1 Sherman 450 points
4 M4 or M4A1 Sherman 360 points
3 M4 or M4A1 Sherman 270 points
Command tank

On 9 January 1944 the US 755th Tank Battalion was assigned Sergeant Sergeant
to the US Fifth Army and attached to the French Expeditionary
Corps (FEC). The battalion supported French infantry units
in the breaking of the German Winter Line near Cassino. For
its support of French forces during the Rome-Arno Campaign Tank Tank
the 755th Battalion received two awards of the French Croix
de Guerre (Cross of War, for mentions in dispatches).
Tank Tank
The 755th Tank US Tank Platoon Tank Section Tank Section
Battalion had been
fighting in Italy since Reluctant Conscript US Tank Platoon
late 1943. US Tank Confident Trained
US Tank Platoons are US Platoons and follow the US
Platoons are rated Fearless Veteran special rules in the Flames Of War rulebook and count as
Confident Veteran.
an Allied Platoon (page 183 of the rulebook).

17
 Field Artillery Battery

Capitaine
Platoon
Capitaine
HQ Section with:
4 M2A1 105mm gun 185 points Observer
2 M2A1 105mm gun 105 points Carbine team

Option
• Add ¾-ton trucks and 2½-ton trucks for +5 points for
the platoon.

At last the French artillery is equipped with a modern gun,

the Ami’s 105mm howitzer is good enough to be a French M2A1 105mm howitzer M2A1 105mm howitzer
gun! French artillery officers have been the world’s best since
the days of Napoleon, and now we will give the boche a
pounding.

M2A1 105mm howitzer M2A1 105mm howitzer

Field Artillery Battery

Field Artillery Battery (155mm)

CapitainE
Platoon
Capitaine
HQ Section with:
4 M1 155mm howitzers 275 points Observer
2 M1 155mm howitzers 145 points Carbine team

Option
• Add ¾-ton trucks and M5 high-speed tractors at +5
points for the battery.
You may not field a Field Artillery Battery (155mm)
equipped with M1 155mm howitzers unless you are also
fielding a Field Artillery Battery with at least as many
M1 155mm howitzer M1 155mm howitzer
M2A1 105mm howitzers.

The divisional artillery includes an artillery regiment organized

in three battalions set-up like the Americans, therefore there
M5 high-speed tractor M5 high-speed tractor
is three battalions of 105mm howitzers and a fourth battalion
is equipped with 155mm howitzers.
The reserve artillery were also armed with a number of M1 155mm howitzer M1 155mm howitzer
155mm guns and howitzers, including those supplied by the
Americans and older French models recaptured in Italy. For
example, the 1st Battery of the Groupe de Canonniers Marins
(Gunners Sailors Group) was equipped with 155mm GPF M5 high-speed tractor M5 high-speed tractor
(long range Fillioux) guns. These are French guns that the
Italians had taken between 1940 and 1943, and recapturd Field Artillery Battery (155mm)
after the landing of the Allied forces in Italy.

18
 Engineer Combat Platoon

Platoon
HQ Section with Weapons Squad and
2 Operating Squads 160 points
1 Operating Squad 115 points
No Operating Squads 70 points

Options
Sergent Sergent
• Add Bazooka teams for +20 points per team.
• Add Pioneer 2½-ton Supply truck for +25 points.

These units have the same courage and skill as the pioneer
units and are even better equipped. They are heavily employed
working to break the Gustav Line.

You may replace all Pioneer HMG teams with Pioneer Rifle
teams at the start of the game before deployment.
Sergent

Engineer Combat Platoon

Anti-aircraft Artillery Platoon

Lieutenant
Platoon
Lieutenant
HQ Section with:

French Expeditionary Corps

2 Automatic Weapons Sections 125 points Command Jeep
1 Automatic Weapons Section 65 points Carbine team

The Amis have not given us any AA half-tracks, but these Sergent Sergent
Bofors are good guns, and if the boche planes will not show
themselves they are useful against ground targets too.
M1 Bofors gun M1 Bofors gun

M1 Bofors gun M1 Bofors gun

2½-ton truck 2½-ton truck

2½-ton truck 2½-ton truck

Automatic Automatic
Weapons Section Weapons Section

Anti-aircraft Artillery Platoon

19
 Air Suprort
Flight Lieutenant
Priority Air Support
Flight Lieutenant
P-47 Thunderbolt 190 points
P-40 Warhawk 160 points
Aircraft
Limited Air Support
P-47 Thunderbolt 150 points Aircraft Aircraft
P-40 Warhawk 130 points Flight

Air Support

Air Observation Post

Flight Lieutenant
AOP
Flight Lieutenant
L4 Grasshopper AOP 25 points

Liaison Aircraft L4 Grasshopper AOP

AOP
Air Observation Aircraft use many of the aircraft rules.
However, one of the primary differences is that the Air Air Observation Post
Observation Aircraft starts the game on the table and
Air Observation Post
remains there for the rest of the game until it is shot down or
chased off, at which point it is permanently removed from The Air Observation Aircraft carries no weapons and cannot
the game. make attacks by itself. Instead an Air Observation Aircraft
In the Starting Step of each turn, you reposition your Air counts as an Observer team that can act as the Spotting
Observation Aircraft anywhere on the table (even within team for any artillery platoon that has a Staff team.
16”/40cm of friendly troops) when you would position any Treat it as an Observer team on the ground (although the
other aircraft. If your opponent has air support, they can roll model sits just above the table) when determining what it
for Fighter Interception as usual and use this to attempt to can see, as the Air Observation Aircraft fly low attempting
shoot your Air Observation Aircraft down instead of to avoid enemy fighter interception and cannot see over
intercepting Ground Attack Aircraft. terrain.

Anti-aircraft Fire The Air Observation Aircraft does benefit from its height by
allowing it to re-roll the third attempt to range in if it failed
The opposing player can fire anti-aircraft fire at your Air on that attempt.
Observation Aircraft at the end of the Shooting Step, after
all other shooting is complete, but just before aircraft make
their attacks, just as they can at any other aircraft. This is
conducted just like firing at Ground-attack Aircraft,
including the limits on anti-aircraft guns’ ability to see over
terrain.
A team firing anti-aircraft fire must choose between firing at
the Air Observation Aircraft or at Ground-attack Aircraft.
A single team cannot shoot at both in the same turn.
Since the Air Observation Aircraft isn’t actually attacking
anything, Self-defence Anti-aircraft Weapons cannot shoot at it.

20
 French Arsenal
TANK TEAMS
Armour
Name Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes
Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower

Tanks
M5A1 Stuart Fully-tracked 4 2 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, AA MG, Light tank.
M6 37mm gun 24”/60cm 2 7 4+ Stabiliser.
M4 or M4A1 Sherman Fully-tracked 6 4 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, .50 cal AA MG.
M3 75mm gun 32”/80cm 2 10 3+ Smoke, Stabiliser.

Support Weapons
M8 Scott HMC Fully-tracked 3 2 0 .50 cal AA MG, Light tank.
M1A1 75mm howitzer 16”/40cm 2 6 3+ Smoke.
Firing bombardments 64”/160cm - 3 6 Smoke bombardment.

Tank Destroyers
M10 3in GMC Fully-tracked 4 2 0 .50 cal AA MG.
M7 3in gun 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Slow traverse.

Reconnaissance
M2A1 armored car Jeep 1 0 0 .50 cal AA MG, two AA MG.
Recon Jeep Jeep - - - AA MG.
Mortar Jeep Jeep - - -
M2 60mm Mortar 24”/60cm 2 1 3+ Hull mounted, Portee, Can fire over friendly troops.
Firing Bombardments 32”/80cm - 1 6

Vehicle Machine-guns

French Expeditionary Corps

Vehicle MG 16”/40cm 3 2 6 ROF 1 if other weapons fire.
.50 cal Vehicle MG 16”/40cm 3 4 5+ ROF 1 if other weapons fire.

GUN TEAMS
Weapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes
M2 .50 cal MG Man-packed 16”/40cm 3 4 5+
M1919 LMG team Man-packed 16”/40cm 5 2 6 ROF 2 when pinned down.
M1917 HMG team Man-packed 24”/60cm 6 2 6 ROF 2 when pinned down.
M2 60mm mortar Man-packed 24”/60cm 2 1 3+ Can fire over friendly troops.
Firing bombardments 32”/80cm - 1 6
M1 81mm mortar Man-packed 40”/100cm - 2 6 Smoke bombardment.
M1 Bofors gun Immobile 24”/60cm 4 6 4+ Anti-aircraft, Turntable.
M3 37mm gun Light 24”/60cm 3 7 4+ Gun shield.
M1 57mm gun Medium 24”/60cm 3 10 4+ Gun shield, No HE.
M1A1 75mm pack howitzer Light 16”/40cm 2 6 3+ Smoke.
Firing bombardments 56”/140cm - 3 6+ Smoke bombardment.
M2A1 105mm howitzer Immobile 24”/60cm 1 9 2+ Gun shield, Smoke.
Firing bombardments 72”/180cm - 4 4+ Smoke bombardment.
M1 155mm howitzer Immobile 24”/60cm 1 10 1+ Bunker buster, Gun shield, Smoke.
Firing bombardments 88”/220cm - 5 2+ Smoke bombardment.

Additional Special Rules

M1919 LMG teams and M2 60mm mortar teams may use the US special rule Truscott Trot as if they were Infantry teams.

21
 INFANTRY TEAMS
Team Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes
Carbine team 8”/20cm 1 1 6
Rifle team 16”/40cm 1 2 6
Bazooka team 8”/20cm 1 10 5+ Tank assault 4.
Staff team cannot shoot Moves as a Heavy Gun team.

Additional Training and Equipment

Pioneer teams are rated as Tank Assault 3.

TRANSPORT TEAMS
Armour
Vehicle Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes

Trucks
Jeep Jeep - - - Optional Passenger-fired AA MG or .50 cal AA MG.
Dodge ¾-ton, ½-ton or
GMC 2½-ton truck Wheeled - - -

Armoured Personnel Carriers

M2 or M3 half-track Half-tracked 1 0 0 Optional Passenger-fired AA MG or .50 cal AA MG.

Aircraft
Aircraft Weapon To Hit Anti-tank Firepower Notes
P-47 Thunderbolt MG 2+ 6 5+
Bombs 4+ 5 1+
P-40 Warhawk MG 2+ 6 5+
Bombs 4+ 5 2+

22