Chasseurs Ardennais

The Bataillon de Chasseurs Ardennais (English: Ardennes Chasseur Battalion) is an elite infantry formation in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. The unit, currently at battalion strength, is a part of the Motorized Brigade.

10th Regiment of the Line (1830–1933)
Regiment of Chasseurs Ardennais (1933–2011)
Battalion of Chasseurs Ardennais
(2011–present)
Cap badge of the Chasseurs Ardennais
Active1933 – present
Country Belgium
BranchLand Component
TypeInfantry
Rolemotorized infantry
Part ofMotorized Brigade
Garrison/HQMarche-en-Famenne
Nickname(s)The Green Wolves
Motto(s)Résiste et Mords!
("Resist and bite!")
MarchMarche des Chasseurs ardennais

Within the context of military history, the French language term chasseur (literally "hunter") usually denotes light or mounted infantry.

A platoon of Chasseurs Ardennais parading in Bastogne

The unit was formed in 1933 when the 10th Regiment of the Line was renamed the Regiment de Chasseurs Ardennais, which it remained until 2011 when it was reduced to a battalion.[1] It is named after, and based in, the heavily forested and hilly Ardennes region of Belgium.

History

The origin of the Chasseurs Ardennais started with a concept conceived in 1914 by Colonel Bremer and pushed further by General Albert Hellebaut in 1928: the creation of a corps on the east border of Belgium, near Germany, in order to protect against a German attack. They were envisaged as a counterpart to the French Chasseurs Alpins light infantry, which inspired the uniform and traditions of the Chasseurs Ardennais, but were intended to serve as bicycle infantry with responsibility for guarding the Belgian frontier in the Ardennes.

On 10 March 1933, King Albert I changed the unit's name from 10e de ligne to Régiment des Chasseurs Ardennais. Subsequently, these soldiers, stationed in Arlon, wore a wild boar emblem, signifying the Ardennes, on their green Basque-style berets. One regiment was not enough to hold the east lines, so in August 1934, the regiment was divided into three and a bicycle battalion was added. On 24 March 1937, three regiments were created: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Régiment des Chasseurs Ardennais they were located in Arlon, Bastogne and Vielsalm. Each unit was structured with one HQ battalion, three battalions to three companies of mixed cyclists (three packs of riflemen and three packs of MG), one motorcycle company each with each three motorbike squadrons, and one squadron with three T-15 tanks; one company with four T-13 tanks armed with 47mm antitank cannons; and finally one medical company. On July 1, 1939, these were formed into a division. Following the mobilization of the Belgian Army in late 1939 this division comprised 35,000 men, and a second division of three more regiments was created.

Second World War

In the Second World War, the Chasseurs Ardennais took part in heavy fighting after Belgium was invaded on 10 May 1940; the Germans noted the fierce resistance of the Belgians and the Chasseurs Ardennais were no exception. In one engagement a 47mm anti-tank gun destroyed or disabled five German tanks.[2] A unit of only 40 men held off the combined arms of the German forces, including General Rommel's "Ghost Division" for 18 days and only surrendered after running out of ammunition, when asked where the others were, they simply replied 'We are all'.

Battle honours
Soldiers of the Chasseurs Ardennais, pictured in 1940

The unit's flag carries the following citations:

  • Namur
  • Termonde
  • Yser
  • Esen
  • Kortemark
  • Ardennes
  • La Dendre 1940
  • Vinkt

Uniform and insignia

The Chasseurs Ardennais have, since their inception, worn a large green beret in addition to the uniform which the rest of the army wears. The insignia worn on the cap is the head of a wild boar which are found in the Ardennes region.

Organisation

The Chasseurs Ardennais Battalion comprises:

  • HQ staff
  • 1st company
  • 2nd company
  • 3rd company
  • service company

The song Resist and Bite[3] on the Swedish heavy metal band Sabaton's 2014 studio album Heroes is about the participation of the Chasseurs Ardennais in the Battle of Belgium.

References
  1. "Historique des Chasseurs Ardennais". mil.be. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  2. (in French) Troupes d'Elite Volume 2. Editions Atlas, 1986
  3. "Resist and Bite – Lyrics"
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