Arras
601e Régiment de Circulation Routière
It all begins with Napoleon
On 27 March 1807 having become depressed with the civilian companies providing his army's logistical services Napoleon created Le Train des Équipages Militaires.
Ne me parlez plus de ces compagnies. C'est un tas de gueux qui ne font pas le service... Je regrette l'argent que je leur ai donné. Nos armées ne seront organisées que lorsqu'il n'y aura plus un seul administrateur, que tout militaire sera militaire... sans quoi nous serons à la merci de fripons, comme nous en avons.
Not another word about these companies! They're a shower of good for nothings who don't help at all ... I regret every penny given to them. Our armies wont be organised until there is just the one administrator, until everything military is in fact military ... until then we will be at the mercy of rogues such as these.
From that moment on, soldiers of the service have served in every theatre of war and peace keeping force conducted by the French Army.
The creation of the Circulation Units in 1916
The monument to The Train at Verdun - note the winged wheel
Pillar marking the Voie Sacrée within the Citadelle
At the outbreak of the First World War almost everything was of course still moved by horse but The Train now included a Motorised Section which started the war with less than 200 vehicles and would finished it with 92 000 lorries alone.
In February 1916 the Germans attacked the fortress town of Verdun with the intention of bleeding France to death.
By chance, on 20 February 1916 (the eve of the battle) and realising the growing threat to Verdun, the French Army had created the first Traffic Regulation Units (Commission Régulatrice Automobile).
During the nightmare which became the battle of Verdun the lorries and vehicles of The Train kept the army and town alive via the only road open to them: la Voie Sacrée linking Bar-le-Duc with Verdun.
The task was enormous.
Each week 90 000 soldiers coming to and from the front had to march in the fields so as to leave the road open to the 6000 lorries which ran night and day.
If a lorry broke down it went into the ditch to get it off the road.
All of this was done under the control of the CRA wearing their shoulder brassards of green and white - which they still wear to this day.
Detail on the monument
Other such units were later created in other areas of the Western Front and it is to them that the 601 RCR can trace its history.
The Second World War
Following the return to active duty of the French Army two units were created at Rivoli in 1943 (521st Regt) and at Casablanca in 1944 (522nd Regt).
The 521st was decorated at Acquafondata in Italy in January 1944 when the French Expeditionary Force stormed the mountain village driving the Germans before them. The 521st would then find themselves sign posting for the British 8th Army who were relieving them in the line.
On 16 August 1944 (Its first anniversary) the 521st found itself in St Tropez in the advance guard of General de Lattre de Tassigny's 1st French Army.
From there they took part in the liberation of France and the drive across the Vosges and Alsace to the Rhine. At Germersheim on 31 March 1945 they won a second decoration for their part in the crossing of the river.
The Regiment today
The 601st was officially created in 1975 and was at that time stationed in Germany.
Times changed and the geopolitical make up of Europe suddenly changed over 1989/90. There was no longer any need for the French II Corps and they were stood down - the 601st with them - on 31st July 1993.
Less than six months later on 1st January 1994 the Regiment was recreated in Arras taking the place of the 625th RCR.
They have quickly become part of the town and have taken on the nickname of the Arrageois after the immediate area.
The Regimental Banner of the 601 RCR
The 601 RCR's banner carries the two battle honours of Acquafondata 1944 and Germersheim 1945 as well as the 1939-45 Croix de Guerre in Silver.
What do they do ?
Currently made up of about 1200 men and 450 vehicles their mission is to ensure that French troops get to where they are supposed to be. They work out the routes, put up the sign panels and organise the traffic points to control the traffic.
Soldiers of the 601 RCR
In France they are responsible for ensuring that the likes of the 14th of July in Paris runs smoothly with the various arms and vehicles turning up on time and in the right place.
Like many units of the Logistical Services in no matter whose army, they are often in the first wave of troops deployed, ensuring that railway platforms, air strips etc. are built in the right place and are then properly organised.
The Regiment is made up of a Headquarters Squadron, an Administration and Support Squadron and five Circulation Squadrons who are currently deployed in such places as Kosovo, the Ivory Coast and the Lebanon.
Like many units that once used horses they have stuck with cavalry terms for their ranks and structures. They have a regimental banner rather than a flag, sound trumpets rather than bugles, and a corporal is called a brigadier (a major being a senior sergeant - thus Brigadier General; Major General; Lieutenant General).
A professional army
Now that France no-longer has conscription the Army is made up of professional volunteers and reservists (6th Squadron).
The Regiment at Vimy: April 2007
Maintaining the link with the people
Although conscription has been done away with all French children on reaching 17 must carry out a Journée d'appelle as it is called. This day long seminar brings youngsters into contact with the Military of all arms so that they can be taught about the Defence Forces and instilled with a bit of patriotic spirit.
Those that wish can undertake a period of a week or two with a fighting unit to see how they like the life.
An important point about this day with the military is that without the certificate of attendance you cannot work for the Civil Service, or even obtain a driving licence. Thus, even if you have no interest at all in things military, you are still induced to spend a bit of time learning about what they do and why.
The town of Arras
CWGC Cemetery and Memorials
Mur des Fusillés
The Citadel