THE FRENCH CAVALRY CORPS IN 1940 In 1932-1935, the first fully motorized/mechanized French unit, the 1e DLM (Division Légère Mécanique = Light Mechanized Division), was born and developed. The 2e DLM was born in 1937 and the 3e DLM in February 1940. There...
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THE FRENCH CAVALRY CORPS IN 1940 In 1932-1935, the first fully motorized/mechanized French unit, the 1e DLM (Division Légère Mécanique = Light Mechanized Division), was born and developed. The 2e DLM was born in 1937 and the 3e DLM in February 1940. There will be 3 DLMs on May 10, 1940 (1e DLM, 2e DLM and 3e DLM) forming the French cavalry corps under command of General René Jacques Adolphe Prioux (1879-1953). General Prioux The DLM is more powerful than the DCR, faster and more mobile. It is a unit fully adapted to modern mobile warfare. The term "light" referred to its speed and mobility. The 1e DLM and 2e DLM became very well trained divisions (even at the divisional and corps level) with efficient crews and specialists. Manoeuvres and trainings were organized at large scale in 1935, 1936, 1937 1938, 1939 and the last divisional training in 1940. They included deep penetration behind fortifications, cooperation with close air support and close inter-arms cooperation. The crew knew t
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