Armoured Cavalry Branch Training School
Encyclopedia
The Armoured Cavalry Branch Training School is a French military training establishment at Saumur
. Originally set up to train the cavalry of the French Army
, it now trains the troops of France's arme blindée et cavalerie (Armoured Cavalry Branch
) in reconnaissance and armoured warfare.
(via the Duc de Choiseul
) reorganised the French cavalry. A new school for officers from all the cavalry regiments was set up at Saumur, managed and supervised by the "Corps Royal des Carabinier
s" - since its inception the school has been hosted in the carabinier regiment's quarter of the town, latterly in a magnificent 18th century building. This functioned until 1788. At the end of 1814, after the First Restoration
, Louis XVIII set up the "École d'Instruction des Troupes à cheval" in Saumur. Its activities declined from 1822 onwards so it was regenerated by Charles X
under the name of the "École Royale de Cavalerie" (later renamed the École impériale de cavalerie de Saumur). Most of its building complex was taken up with a military riding area and a riding-academy training hall. From 1830, with the disappearance of the École de Versailles, Saumur became the capital and sole repository of the French equestrian tradition, and its knowledge (such as in the Cadre Noir
and its training regime in dressage
) is still recognised throughout the world. At the end of the Second World War the French cavalry (mainly in a reconnaissance role by this point) and armoured troops merged to form the 'Arme blindée et cavalerie' (ABC), with the École de Saumur becoming the new branch's training centre.
Saumur
Saumur is a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France.The historic town is located between the Loire and Thouet rivers, and is surrounded by the vineyards of Saumur itself, Chinon, Bourgueil, Coteaux du Layon, etc...
. Originally set up to train the cavalry of the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
, it now trains the troops of France's arme blindée et cavalerie (Armoured Cavalry Branch
Armoured Cavalry Branch
The Armoured Cavalry Branch is a component of the French Army. It was formed after the World War II by merging tank and cavalry branches. It operates the majority of France's armoured vehicles, though a small minority of France's armour is still operated by infantry regiments. It continues the...
) in reconnaissance and armoured warfare.
History
In 1763, Louis XVLouis XV of France
Louis XV was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and of Navarre from 1 September 1715 until his death. He succeeded his great-grandfather at the age of five, his first cousin Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, served as Regent of the kingdom until Louis's majority in 1723...
(via the Duc de Choiseul
César Gabriel de Choiseul
César Gabriel de Choiseul, duc de Praslin was a French officer, diplomat and statesman.On 30 April 1732, he was married with Anne Marie de Champagne de Villaines de la Suze....
) reorganised the French cavalry. A new school for officers from all the cavalry regiments was set up at Saumur, managed and supervised by the "Corps Royal des Carabinier
Carabinier
A Carabinier was originally a cavalry soldier armed with a carbine...
s" - since its inception the school has been hosted in the carabinier regiment's quarter of the town, latterly in a magnificent 18th century building. This functioned until 1788. At the end of 1814, after the First Restoration
First Restoration
The First Restoration, or Première Restauration in French, refers to Louis XVIII of France's accession to the throne after Napoleon's exile to Elba. It lasted from 6 April 1814 to 20 March 1815, on which day Napoleon arrived back in Paris....
, Louis XVIII set up the "École d'Instruction des Troupes à cheval" in Saumur. Its activities declined from 1822 onwards so it was regenerated by Charles X
Charles X of France
Charles X was known for most of his life as the Comte d'Artois before he reigned as King of France and of Navarre from 16 September 1824 until 2 August 1830. A younger brother to Kings Louis XVI and Louis XVIII, he supported the latter in exile and eventually succeeded him...
under the name of the "École Royale de Cavalerie" (later renamed the École impériale de cavalerie de Saumur). Most of its building complex was taken up with a military riding area and a riding-academy training hall. From 1830, with the disappearance of the École de Versailles, Saumur became the capital and sole repository of the French equestrian tradition, and its knowledge (such as in the Cadre Noir
Cadre Noir
The Cadre Noir is an equestrian display team based in the city of Saumur in western France. The troop was founded in 1828, and gets its name from the black uniforms that are still used today...
and its training regime in dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
) is still recognised throughout the world. At the end of the Second World War the French cavalry (mainly in a reconnaissance role by this point) and armoured troops merged to form the 'Arme blindée et cavalerie' (ABC), with the École de Saumur becoming the new branch's training centre.
Commandants of the E.A.A.B.C.
Date of entering post and surname :- 1919 Thureau
- 1925 Lafont
- 1929 (de) Marin de Montmarin
- 1931 (de) Fornel de La Laurencie
- 1935 Petiet
- 1938 Bridoux
- 1939 La Font
- 1940 Michon
- 1940 Méric de Bellefon
- 1944 Préclaire
- 1945 Lecoq
- 1945 Miquel
- 1946 Durosoy
- 1947 de Langlade
- 1950 Noiret
- 1952 du Breuil
- 1955 de Clerck
- 1958 de Menditte
- 1961 de Boisredon
- 1962 Marzloff
- 1965 de Galbert
- 1968 Crémière
- 1971 Boucher
- 1973 Guinard
- 1976 de Launay
- 1979 de La Motte
- 1981 Robert
- 1984 Codet
- 1987 Arnold
- 1991 Bonavita
- 1994 Boucher
- 1996 Pelletier
- 1998 Lafontaine
- 2000 Galineau
- 2002 Garrigou-Granchamp
- 2005 de Parseval
- 2007 Le Bot
- 2009 Rives