The 172 eme can trace its battle honours back to Bossus in 1794. During the Great War, they fought with distinction in many of the major battles of the conflict. 1914 saw the regiment initially stationed in their barracks in the fortress town of Belfort, near the Swiss border. Around October, they took part in the fighting at Le Donon, a high peak in the northern Vosges mountains, considered to be a vital military asset. Elements of the regiment also formed part of the defence around St Michel during the same time as they were engaged at Le Donon. 1915 saw them in action in the battles around the city of Reims in the Champagne region and in 1916, as with all French regiments, they took part in the meat grinder which was the battle for the defence of the city of Verdun. 1917 saw no let-up for the regiment as they were involved in the ill-fated Neuville offensive along the Chemin des Dames, finally ending their Great War at the Hundling Line.
Cloth sleeve Fortified Sector Insignia 'Bas Rhin'
Cloth sleeve Fortified Sector Insignia 'Bas Rhin'
The regiment was awarded the Military Medal for their efforts during the conflict; as a result, members were entitled to wear the fourragère on the left shoulder of their uniform. This also saw the regiment being considered among the elite of the French Armée.
When the Maginot Line was being planned and constructed, the 172 eme was seen as a natural choice to be selected to form part of its defence, so in 1936 they found themselves stationed around the city of Strasbourg (Bas Rhin Fortified Sector) with responsibility for the defence of the city and the Rhine, as far down as Séléstat.
The SF Bas Rhin was located immediately to the south of the SF Haguenau, which was, due to the higher water table to be encountered once in the actual Rhine Valley, the last of the SF to be provisioned with the large deep-level fortifications, which many associate with the Maginot Line today.
Uniform of an NCO of the 172eme RIF.
SF Bas Rhin comprised entirely of single-level casemates and smaller bunkers.
The SF Bas Rhin was located immediately to the south of the SF Haguenau, which was, due to the higher water table to be encountered once in the actual Rhine Valley, the last of the SF to be provisioned with the large deep-level fortifications, which many associate with the Maginot Line today.
Uniform of an NCO of the 172eme RIF.
SF Bas Rhin comprised entirely of single-level casemates and smaller bunkers.