80th Infantry Regiment
Start of the Campaign
Barracks: Narbonne, France (11)
Integrated (to): 63rd Brigade, 32nd Division, 16th Army Corps
Composition: 3 Battalions
1914
(VIII): Lorraine, Igney-Avricourt [18 - 20]; Combat at Muhlwald (Vulcan Woods) [20]; Combat and rest at Moriviller [25].
(XI - XII): Combat at Bischoote, Saint-Eloi et Wyschaate (Belgium); “Race to the Sea.”
1915
(III): Champagne, north of Mesnil-lès-Hurlus at cote 196 [17]; Combat at cote 196 [18 - 29].
(IV - V): Sector between Perthes and Souain [IV. 1]; Mine combat, defends sector [IV. 16 - V. 27].
(IX - XI): Main-de-Massiges [IX]. Tahure.
1916
(VIII): Fleury-sous-Douaumont, defense of Verdun [18 - 30].
(IX - XII): Occupies sectors of La Chalade, Four-de-Paris, Bec de Cheppe (Argonne).
1917
(I - III): Sector Quartier du Bec.
(VIII - X): Relieves 143rd RI at Le Mort Homme; Defense against German attack [X. 4]; Vesoul [8]; Lure [27]; Belfort.
(XI - XII): Turenne [XI. 10 - XII. 14].
1918
(I - IV): Attack on the Bridge of Aspach, Alsace [II. 23].
(V - VIII): Relieves British unit at Le Kemmel, (Belgium) [3]; Defends sector; Lorraine, Nancy [VI. 12 - VIII. 18]; Soissons [28].
(IX - X): Pont-Saint-Mard [30]; Coucy-le-Château, Folembray [IX. 1 - X. 11]
(XI): Bois-les-Pargny, Neuville-Housset [5]; Vilpion, La Bouteille, Fontaine-les-Vervins, La Haute-Bonde [6 - 7].
Group photo of infantrymen of the 80th Infantry Regiment at Soissons, 1916
The 80th Infantry Regiment at Narbonne, 1914
The 80th Infantry Regiment north of
Mesnil-lès-Hurlus, 1915
The 80th IR combats at the Cote 304 and Le Mort-Homme sectors, 1917
Decorations
Three citations at the order of the army (three palms):
V.1918
Elite regiment, commanded for almost three years by Colonel Plande. Held the enemy in check for five months at Hill 304, in performing numerous coups de main, some of which can be cited as models of daring and skill. Has just asserted itself as a perfectly educated unit with a exceptional bravery, on May 8, 1918, in the execution, under a most violent bombardment, from a very delicate counter-attack to through particularly difficult terrain, and on May 11, by moving to attack of a resolute adversary, already in position and having numerous machine guns, which he brilliantly repressed making him 115 prisoners including 4 officers.”
IX.1918
“Magnificent regiment which has just demonstrated once again his admirable qualities of ardor, stubbornness, and spirit of sacrifice. Below the energetic impulse of Commander Cros, then of Colonel Plande, fought a series of fierce battles, pushed an enemy back step by step tenacious and finally forced him into a hasty retreat. Captured more than 250 prisoners and made an enormous loot.”
VIII.1918 - XI.1918
“Regiment which asserts itself ever more ardently. A, under the energetic impulse of Colonel Plande, crossed on October 13 and 14, 1918, at a splendid appearance, the Saint-Gobain massif, without leaving the slightest respite to the enemy to whom he took a hundred prisoners and captured machine guns. On November 3 and 4, executed two coups de main particularly daring which provided the command with valuable information and during which he took 160 prisoners and took machine guns. On November 5, 6 and 7, launched with a extreme determination in pursuit of the retreating enemy and, despite the difficulties of all kinds, broke down the resistance put up by the rearguards, took 80 prisoners, removed machine guns and captured coupled carriages.”
Flag of the regiment
Sources:
Wikipedia offers a foundation for understanding the regiment’s history. The user can see click here.
A public domain scan of the history of the regiment from 1914 - 1918. The user can see click here.
Les Français à Verdun is an incredible resource for the regiments and strategy of the Battle of Verdun. The user can direct to regiments to find the 80th Infantry Regiment by clicking here.
Chtimiste is an incredible resource for anything 1914 - 1918. For the operations of the 80th Infantry Regiment, the user can click here.