The 3rd Armoured Division was created in 1951 then dissolved in 1991. The 3rd Mechanised Brigade (3e BM), created in 1999, inherited the traditions of the division.[2]
The 3rd Division (3e DIV) was recreated on June 20, 2016 as part of a reorganisation of the French Army.[3]
The 3rd Armored Division (3e DB), heir of the 3rd Algerian Infantry Division, was created in 1951;
The 3rd Armored Division was dissolved in July 1991;
The 3rd Mechanised Brigade (3e BM), created in July 1999 inherited traditions of the division. The brigade became designated as 3rd Light Armored Brigade (3e BLB) in 2014;
The 3rd Division was recreated on June 20, 2016 part of the Scorpion Force alongside the 1st Division.
3e DIA
3e DB
3e BM
Heraldry
It was under the signs of Latin traditions that général de Monsabert wanted to place the 3rd Algerian Infantry Division 3e DIA during creation on May 1, 1943.
The "Victory" (French: La Victoire) was a Romangoddess protector of the Emperors that the Legio III Augusta de Cirta particularly venerated. The winged statuette was found during a search of an old garrison in Constantine in the 19th century.
The motto of the 3rd Light Armoured Brigade was : « Plus d'honneur que d'honneurs » in French which translates literally to « More honor than the honors ». The motto of the 3rd Division currently is : « Un seul but : La victoire », which translates to «One goal, Victory».
The 3rd Division was reconstituted in 1951 at the corps of the French Forces in Germany (French: Forces françaises en Allemagne, FFA). This was a grand unit of almost 15000 men covering the Western part of Germany and comprising three brigades:
the division became the 3rd Armoured Division in 1978. Three infantry regiments, two tank regiments, two artillery regiments, one engineer regiment, and one command and support regiment. During the transformation of the FFA into FFECSA (French: forces françaises et élément civil stationnés en Allemagne) (French Forces and Civilian Element), the division was redimensioned and dissolved in 1991.
Organigram in 1991
Two tank regiments, three infantry regiments, two artillery regiments, one engineer regiment, one command and support regiment:
The 3rd Mechanised Brigade (3e BM) created in 1999 retook traditions. The headquarter staff was based in Limoges. In 2011, the headquarter staff of the 3e BM garrisoned at Clermont-Ferrand.
On March 18, 2014, the 3rd Mechanised Brigade became designated as the 3rd Light Armoured Brigade (3e BLB).
Since 2016
The 3rd Division (3e DIV) was recreated during a ceremony on June 20, 2016. Interarm, the division is formed of three brigades part of the Scorpion Force alongside the 1st Division, units stationed in outre-mer and overseas. Headquarter staff is garrisoned in Marseille.
Composition
3e Division organization 2025Badge of the 2nd Armored Brigade
13e Régiment du Génie (13e RG) - 13th Engineer Regiment (VAB Génie), in Valdahon
Centre de Formation Initiale des Militaires du rang de la 2e Brigade Blindée / 12e Régiment de Chasseurs d'Afrique (CFIM 2e BB - 12e RCA) - 2nd Armored Brigade Troops Initial Formation Centre / 12th African Chasseurs Regiment, in Bitche
Centre de Formation Initiale des Militaires du rang 6e Brigade Légère Blindée / 4e Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine (CFIM 6e BLB - 4e RIMa) - 6th Light Armored Brigade Troops Initial Formation Centre / 4th Marine Infantry Regiment, in Fréjus
1er Régiment du Train Parachutiste (1er RTP) - 1st Parachute Supply Regiment, in Toulouse
École des Troupes Aéroportées (ETAP) - Airborne Troops School, in Pau
Centre de Formation Initiale des Militaires du rang 11e Brigade Parachutiste / 6e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (CFIM 11e BP - 6e RPIMa) - 11th Parachute Brigade Troops Initial Formation Centre / 6th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment, in Caylus
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