4th Army (France): Difference between revisions

 

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====The Continuation of Second Battle of Marne====

====The Continuation of Second Battle of Marne====

* 18 July{{snd}}end of July: during the [[Second Battle of the Marne]], French counter-attacks <ref name=Marne2WW1>{{cite web|title= Battles – The Second Battle of the Marne, 1918 | url= https://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/marne2.htm|access-date=January 1, 2025}}</ref> and advances north of [[Souain-Perthes-lès-Hurlus|Souain]], [[Prosnes]] and [[Beaumont-sur-Vesle]]. From the end of July, the reconquered positions are organized.

* 18 July{{snd}}end of July: during the [[Second Battle of the Marne]], French counter-attacks <ref name=Marne2WW1/> and advances north of [[Souain-Perthes-lès-Hurlus|Souain]], [[Prosnes]] and [[Beaumont-sur-Vesle]]. From the end of July, the reconquered positions are organized.

* 21 August: right limit (2nd Army) shifted to the northeast of [[Vienne-le-Château]].

* 21 August: right limit (2nd Army) shifted to the northeast of [[Vienne-le-Château]].

* On 22 September, the American Army replaced the French 2nd Army being on the right of the 4th Army.<ref name=AHP>{{cite web|title=A HIDEOUS PRICE|author1=Lt. Col. Peter F. Owens, USMC (RET)|author2= Lt. Col. John Swift, USMC (RET) | url=https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/A%20Hideous%20Price_WEB.pdf|pages=5|access-date=1 January 2025}}</ref>

* On 22 September, the American Army replaced the French 2nd Army being on the right of the 4th Army.<ref name=AHP>{{cite web|title=A HIDEOUS PRICE|author1=Lt. Col. Peter F. Owens, USMC (RET)|author2= Lt. Col. John Swift, USMC (RET) | url=https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/A%20Hideous%20Price_WEB.pdf|pages=5|access-date=1 January 2025}}</ref>

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====Second phase (October 4–28, 1918)====

====Second phase (October 4–28, 1918)====

<!— I corps liaison with fourth army—>

<!— I corps liaison with fourth army—>

On the 8th and 9 October, working in coordination with [[I Corps (United States)|I Corps]], the French Fourth Army conducted a pincer attack that resulted in the Germans withdrawing.<ref>{{cite web |author=Faulkner |first=Richard S. |title=MEUSE-ARGONNE 26 SEPTEMBER–11 NOVEMBER 1918 |url=https://www.history.army.mil/html/books/077/77-8/cmhPub_77-8.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910162755/https://history.army.mil/html/books/077/77-8/cmhPub_77-8.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |access-date=9 January 2025 |pages=38}}</ref> After the battle, the Fourth Army reorganized itself on the [[Termes, Ardennes|Termes]] front with the 1st American Army and in the [[Vouziers]], [[Rethel]] region with the 5th Army.<ref>{{cite web|title= American Expeditionary Forces at Meuse-Argonne|url= https://www.usaww1.com/American-Expeditionary-Force/American-Expeditionary-Force-Meuse-Argonne.php5|access-date=5 January 2025}}</ref><ref name=AmericanOPS1918>{{cite web|title=American Operations in the Meuse-Argonne Region|url= https://www.abmc.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Section4.pdf|pages=6, 69|access-date=20 December 2024}}</ref> On October 14, attacking at the same time as the [[Hindenburg Line|attack on the Hindenburg line]], the French Fourth Army attack on the left of the First American Army.<ref name=AmericanOPS1918>{{cite web|title=American Operations in the Meuse-Argonne Region|url= https://www.abmc.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Section4.pdf|pages=6, 69|access-date=20 December 2024}}</ref> From 16 to 20 October, there was a French offensive with heavy fighting in the [[Olizy-Primat|Olizy]], Vouziers region. On October 18, there was a crossing of the Aisne towards Vouziers, and a creation of a bridgehead north of the Aisne. On 21 October, there was a strong German attack towards Terron-sur-Aisne.

On the 8th and 9 October, working in coordination with [[I Corps (United States)|I Corps]], the French Fourth Army conducted a pincer attack that resulted in the Germans withdrawing.<ref>{{cite web |author=Faulkner |first=Richard S. |title=MEUSE-ARGONNE 26 SEPTEMBER–11 NOVEMBER 1918 |url=https://www.history.army.mil/html/books/077/77-8/cmhPub_77-8.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910162755/https://history.army.mil/html/books/077/77-8/cmhPub_77-8.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |access-date=9 January 2025 |pages=38}}</ref> After the battle, the Fourth Army reorganized itself on the [[Termes, Ardennes|Termes]] front with the 1st American Army and in the [[Vouziers]], [[Rethel]] region with the 5th Army.<ref>{{cite web|title= American Expeditionary Forces at Meuse-Argonne|url= https://www.usaww1.com/American-Expeditionary-Force/American-Expeditionary-Force-Meuse-Argonne.php5|access-date=5 January 2025}}</ref><ref name=AmericanOPS1918>{{cite web|title=American Operations in the Meuse-Argonne Region|url= https://www.abmc.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Section4.pdf|pages=6, 69|access-date=20 December 2024}}</ref> On October 14, attacking at the same time as the [[Hindenburg Line|attack on the Hindenburg line]], the French Fourth Army attack on the left of the First American Army.<ref name=AmericanOPS1918/> From 16 to 20 October, there was a French offensive with heavy fighting in the [[Olizy-Primat|Olizy]], Vouziers region. On October 18, there was a crossing of the Aisne towards Vouziers, and a creation of a bridgehead north of the Aisne. On 21 October, there was a strong German attack towards Terron-sur-Aisne.

====Third phase (October 28 – November 11, 1918)====

====Third phase (October 28 – November 11, 1918)====

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* [[List of French armies in WWI]]

* [[List of French armies in WWI]]

[[Category:Field armies of France in World War I]]

[[Category:Field armies of France|04]]

[[Category:Field armies of France in World War II]]

== References ==

== References ==

Military unit

The Fourth Army (French: IVe Armée), nicknamed the “Army of Fontainebleau”, was a unit of the French Army, which fought during World War I and World War II.

It was one of five armies created and mobilized by the Grand Quartier Général when Plan XVII was launched in the opening days of World War I.

Further information: 1914 French mobilization

On mobilization in August 1914, the 4th Army of the French Army was commanded by General de Langle de Cary. It comprised the 12th and 17th Corps, the Colonial Army Corps and a cavalry division.

Chief of Staff: General Paul Maistre (replaced on 12 September 1914 by Colonel Alphonse Nudant, then on 21 November 1914 by Colonel Gabriel Alexandre Paquette);

Deputy Chief: Lieutenant-Colonel Dessens;

Head of 3rd Office: Commandant de La Fontaine ;

Head of Aviation Services: Commandant Barès;

Head of Stages and Services: General Sentis.

The 1st echelon of staff from Paris arrived at Saint-Dizier on 5 August at 8:15 a.m.; the 2nd echelon on 6 August at 9 p.m. from Fontainebleau.

• 23rd Infantry Division (France) [fr] (Haute-Vienne, Charente, Creuse)
• 24th Infantry Division (France) [fr] (Dordogne, Corrèze)
• Infantry regiments (attached to the 12th Army Corps):
• Cavalry (attached to the 12th Army Corps):
• Artillery (attached to the 12th Army Corps):
• Engineers (attached to the 12th Army Corps):
• Others (attached to the 12th Army Corps):
  • 12th Squadron of the Military Crew Train
  • 12th section of staff and recruitment secretaries
  • 12th section of military nurses
  • 12th section of military administrative clerks and workers

• 33rd Infantry Division
• 34th Infantry Division (France) [fr]
• Infantry regiments (attached to the 17th Army Corps) :
• Cavalry (attached to the 17th Army Corps):
• Artillery (attached to the 17th Army Corps):
• Engineers (attached to the 17th Army Corps):
• Others (attached to 17th Army Corps):
  • 17th Squadron of the Military Crew Train
  • 17th Section of Staff Secretaries and Recruitment
  • 17th Military Nurses Section
  • 17th section of military administrative clerks and workers

The Colonial Army Corps (CAC, formed in Paris) was commanded by General Jules Lefèvre (replaced on January 22, 1915, by General Henri Gouraud).

Chief of Staff: Colonel Puypéroux;

Deputy Chief of Staff: Lieutenant-Colonel Piquemal;

Artillery Commander: General Gautheron;

Engineer Commander: Colonel Dehoey.

The 9th Cavalry Division (France) [fr] (from Tours) was formed from the 9th, 10th and 11th regions, and was commanded by general Jean de l’Espée.

• 1st Brigade of Cuirassiers (Tours), Colonel de Mitry

5th Cuirassiers Regiment (France) [fr] (Tours)

8th Cuirassiers Regiment (France) [fr] (Tours)

• 9th Dragoon Brigade (Nantes), General de Sailly

1st Dragoon Regiment (France) [fr] (Luçon)

3rd Dragoon Regiment (Nantes)

• 16th Dragoon Brigade, General Gombaud de Séréville.

24th Dragoon Regiment (France) [fr] (Rennes)

25th Dragoon Regiment (France) [fr] (Angers)

Artillery

• 2nd Artillery Regiment
• 1 group of 155 CTR

Engineering

Aeronautical squadrons

With the arrival of the Americans in the conflict, troops served under French command and for the Fourth Army:

The Fourth Army was one of five armies mobilized as part of Plan XVII in August 1914 after the declaration of war. Its strength on mobilization was 4,689 officers, 154,899 NCOs and men, and 58,491 horses organized into three corps of four infantry divisions, two colonial infantry divisions, and one cavalry division. In August 1914, it was concentrated, in reserve between Saint-Dizier and Bar-le-Duc in the Argonne Region.^[3]

• On the 2nd of August, the French Fourth Army was officially mobilized. From the 2nd to the 14th of August, the Fourth Army became concentrated in the south and west of the Argonne. From the 8th of August, the Fourth Army had coverage by the 2nd Army Corps and the 9th Cavalry Division from Mangiennes (3rd Army) to Mouzon (5th Army).

• On August 21, the Fourth Army participated in an offensive in the general direction of Neufchâteau in coordination with the Third Army. Participating in the Battle of Ardennes, the French Fourth Army advanced to the Robelmont line, where the Third Army was located, Tintigny, Jamoigne [fr], Chiny, Bertrix, Houdremont, and Revin where the 5th Army was located. After heavy fighting, they withdrew to the right bank of the Chiers. On the 24th and 26 August, they withdrew to the Meuse. From Sassey-sur-Meuse, the 3rd Army withdrew to Mézières.

• From the 6th to the 10th of September, the Fourth Army engaged in the Battle of Marne (Battle of Vitry). They resisted the German thrust, fiercely fighting on the Marne front’s left wing which was located south of Sompuis. They fought in conjunction with the 9th Army.

• 10–15 September: pursuit of retreating German troops, up to the Varennes-en-Argonne line (3rd Army), Ville-sur-Tourbe, Sabot Wood (9th Army).
• 15–22 September: attempts to break the German front, then stabilization and organization of the positions reached.
• 22–23 September: loss of Varennes-en-Argonne.
• 26–29 September: violent German attacks in the Argonne. On September 29, right limit in liaison with the 3rd Army at Le Four de Paris.
• 7 October: extension of the front to the left as far as Ferme des Marquises (5th Army) following the suppression of the 9th army.
• October–November: numerous German attacks in Argonne on Grurie wood, Bagatelle, Saint-Hubert and Four de Paris.
• 20 November: right limit (3rd Army) brought to the Aire river.

• 8 January: sector reduced to the right as far as Aisne (Oise) (3rd Army).
• 31 May: front reduced to the right as far as Massiges (3rd Army).
• 10 August: front reduced to the right as far as Sabot Wood (2nd Army introduced on the front).
• 25 September: engaged in the Second Battle of Champagne, capture of Navarin Farm; then organization and defense of conquered positions.

• 5 January: as a result of the 2nd Army’s withdrawal from the front, right limit (3rd Army) extended to the Aisne (Oise).
• 9 January: German attacks on Mont Têtu.
• 12 February: German attack in the Navarin farm area.
• 25 February: French attack in the Navarin farm area.
• 27 February: German counter-attack in the same area.
• 15 March: French attack in the same area.
• 16 May: German coup de main at Mount Têtu.
• 26 June: following the withdrawal of the 3rd Army, right limit brought to Le Four de Paris (2nd Army).

• 22 March: right limit reduced to Ville-sur-Tourbe (2nd Army).
• 17 April – 16 July: Battle of the Champagne Mountains, offensive on the Aubérive front. Prosnes; capture of Aubérive, Mount Sans Nom, Mount Blond, Téton, Casque, Mount Haut and Mount Cornillet. Organization and defense of conquered positions.
• 10 May: right limit brought to Le Four de Paris (2nd Army).
• Late July and August: German attacks in the Monts region.

• 6 February: right boundary brought back to Beaurain Wood (2nd Army).
• 29 March: left limit brought up to the Courcy cavalrymen (withdrawal of the 5th Army).
• 26–27 May: following the withdrawal of the 6th Army, some elements of the left of the 4th Army fall back slightly to the south in the area northwest of Reims.
• 29 May: left limit (5th Army) brought back to the Prunay area (introduction of the 5th Army) and on May 31 brought to Fort de la Pompelle.
• On 16 June 1918, on the orders of General Pershing, the United States’ 42nd Division were attached to the Fourth Army and assigned under Henri Gouraud’s command until the end of the war.
• 4 July: left boundary (5th Army), moved to Prunay; right boundary 2nd Army, moved to the Houyette ravine.

• On the 15th of July, the German First and Third Army attacked the French Fourth Army east of Reims. At 11:00, the attack on the French Fourth Army was halted, while the simultaneous attack on the French Sixth Army, by the German Seventh and Ninth Armies, west of Reims, was successful.^[6]

15–18 July: Battle of Champagne, German offensive towards the Hand of Massiges [fr] at Prunay, halted in front of the French resistance position, after voluntary abandonment of the front lines (battle of Prosnes-Massiges).

• • 16 July: right limit (2nd Army) brought back to Beaurain Wood.

• From September 26 to October 16, the Fourth Army engaged in the Meuse–Argonne offensive, initially fighting in the Battle of Somme-Py, which lasted from September 26 to October 4. Exploiting the confusion of the Germans, the French Fourth Army advanced to the Aisne.

On the 8th and 9 October, working in coordination with I Corps, the French Fourth Army conducted a pincer attack that resulted in the Germans withdrawing.^[8] After the battle, the Fourth Army reorganized itself on the Termes front with the 1st American Army and in the Vouziers, Rethel region with the 5th Army.^[9][10] On October 14, attacking at the same time as the attack on the Hindenburg line, the French Fourth Army attack on the left of the First American Army.^[10] From 16 to 20 October, there was a French offensive with heavy fighting in the Olizy, Vouziers region. On October 18, there was a crossing of the Aisne towards Vouziers, and a creation of a bridgehead north of the Aisne. On 21 October, there was a strong German attack towards Terron-sur-Aisne.

At the start of the German offensive in May 1940, the Fourth Army was commanded by General Édouard Réquin and was positioned in the Champagne region as part of Army Group 2.^[1]

Army Assets & Reserve (Click “show” to expand)
Pioneer Regiments: 404th, 414th, 424th, and 442nd Pioneer Regiments (RP) [11] Tank Units: [1][11] 502nd Group of Tank Battalions (GBC): 20th and 24th Tank Battalions (BCC) [Renault R35] 504th Group of Tank Battalions (GBC): 10th and 11th Tank Battalions (BCC) [Renault R35] Army Reserve: [1][11] Army Heavy Artillery: 114th RALH and 160th RAP [11]