Quote:
Originally Posted by Olefin
Actually the FAR deployed to Africa starting in 1995 according to the RDF
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Actually,
part of the FAR deployed to Africa starting in 1995. As far as I can tell, two Divisions of the FAR never left Metropolitan France and a third Division has only went as far (no pun intended) as Belgium.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Legbreaker
That makes sense since France was technically and practically a neutral. Attacking the capital is IMO an outright and unmistakable declaration of WAR!! (as if nuking anything else wasn't...?)
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I agree. It makes sense to me as well, but it is one of the things that comes up from time to time in discussions of how heavily France was attacked in 1997. The Big Yellow Book does state that Marseille is the largest undamaged City in France, but as mentioned before, Marseille is the second largest City in France anyway (after Paris) so that doesn't really help clear things up. Nevertheless, it's useful to find confirmation that whilst Paris appears to have suffered some damage (somehow) during 1997 it appears to be still able to function as the French Capital / Seat of Government in 1998.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Legbreaker
That's pretty much what I was saying a few days back in another thread. The "missing" troops may either have never left France, or were withdrawn to the battered homeland to provide replacements/assistance on the borders and internal civil duties.
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Sorry, was offline for a couple of days earlier in the week, so must have missed that. In any event, I agree with you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Olefin
Sorry Leg - but its obviouis to anyone who looks at the order of battle and the number of men that they have taken casualties and thats why their units are smaller.
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I think it's obvious that French units are operating with less than their normal peacetime complements. No doubt some of these losses are down to casualties suffered in combat, but as has been stated, there may be other reasons why units might be missing troops. Sickness and desertion are two that spring immediately to mind - there are probably others. In addition to that it appears that the French Army order of battle includes several units that don't exist IRL, so perhaps some of the missing troops were used as cadres for War raised Divisions.