Hello,
In the midst of my dissertation research and I keep coming across this French unit stationed in Montelimar during 1939 after mobilization.
Can anyone point me to a resource with more information on the unit? Perhaps also its battlefield performance during the Battle of France, where its soldiers came from, etc? I suppose a unit history. Thanks!
Have you tried the 482eme war diary? From what I can read I don't think you mentioned having a look at the regiment's Journal des marches et des opérations. It should really help you if you have not been able to find much so far. Even online (WW2 reenactors, genealogy websites) the 482nd has not drawn much attention.
The war diary (JMO) will be at the Services Historique de la Défense at Vincennes, série 34 N - 340 for the JMO of the 482ème RPC. It is not online so you would have to plan a trip there or ask someone to go for you. You can ask them to send you digitized documents but I am not sure they can do it for an entire war diary and it is not going to be free. Not to mention you cannot be sure of the value of war diary for your research but it should mention when they arrived and when they left Montélimar and what they did during this period.
If I were you I would contact the Services Historique de la Défense to be sure that the 482ème's war diary is there as it should before planning to get your hands on it. I hope this helps, good luck with your research.
Hello there! As your question is related to looking for identification/information regarding military personnel, our Guide on Military Identification may be of use to you. It provides a number of different resources, including how to request service records from a number of national agencies around the world, as well as graphical aids to assist in deciphering rank, unit, and other forms of badges or insignia. While the users here may still be able to lend you more assistance, hopefully this will provide a good place to start!
Could you give some background as to why you keep coming across this unit? It could help to know where when one looks for information.
They aren't exactly who you are looking for but you could try contacting the ASSOCIATION PATRIMOINE MONTILIEN who might have information or know who does. As well, depending on your dedication, you could contact their Office de Tourisme by phone, the number is listed on their website.