Historical Background

Chad, an arid landlocked country at the heart of Africa, with a surface area of 1,284,000 square kilometres and a population of a little over 5 million inhabitants (in 2004), was for centuries the close battle field of incessant confrontations between its various constituent kingdoms and sultanates.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, these kingdoms and sultanates were themselves almost subdued by a Sudanese hegemony, if not of the victorious intervention of French forces along the banks of River Chari, in Kousseri.
Becoming a French colony in 1920, Chad, some twenty years latter, became the base of Division Leclerc, and gained independence on August 11, 1960.

Chad - October 1971 - Operation Limousin
The 3rd Commando in the desert

Libyan army incursions

On several occasions, in keeping with the defence agreements signed in 1960, France was called up to carry out military operations to counter Libyan army incursions and to help restore the territorial integrity of Chad.

Some noteworthy dates :

• February 1968: intervention of the French army at Tibesti, against Frolinat, supported by Algeria and Libya: marine troops and the Foreign Legion were engaged.
• 1969-1970: supervision of armed rebel groups by East European officers; interventions of the French army in the north of the country.
• June 1977: France’s logistic assistance to the Chadian army, against Frolinat.

The 11th RAMa during Operation TACAUD, May 25 to September 21, 1978 -
Collection Pascal Lenoir

• April 1978: another French military intervention; Jaguar fighter-bombers and Puma helicopters provided air fire backup to ground troops.

Airlifted combat group in the conflict zone

• June 1983: France’s logistic assistance to the Chadian army fighting Goukouni Oueddeï, who, supported by Libyan troops, was approaching N’Djamena.

• August 1983: operation Manta: over 3,000 French soldiers were deployed in Chad, supported by combat aircrafts.

• February 1986: Opération Epervier (Operation Sparrowhawk): France set up a deterrent force in N’Djamena and carried out air raids against Ouadi-Doum; Chadian forces thus scored several resounding victories against Libyan troops which had occupied the northern region, under the supervision of East European officers. The Libyan forces were pushed back.

Chad - 1986 - Operation Epervier (Hawk)

• Opération Epervier continued in Chad for over a decade.

Chad - 1971- Operation Limousin – 6th CPIMa
- 3rd Commando – Warrant Officer Chastanet in the grass

France, former administering Power, perfectly fulfilled its 1960 commitments and provided vital assistance to Chad, enabling this country to gradually regain relative internal stability and to preserve its territorial integrity along the Aouzou strip, hitherto occupied by foreign forces.

In 2004, France was still present in Chad with ALAT helicopters, air force aircrafts and detachments of Engineers, Chasseurs, Armoured Division and Infantry troops.

• Jacques Napoléon PARISOT : Tchad Oct. 1970 - Embuscade de Bedo
• Combats au Tchad : Octobre1970 à Bedo et 1971 à Kouroudi
• Editorial du 1er Journal de Liaison des Anciens de la CPIMa - Juin 2000
• Annuaire des Morts pour la France
• Liste des blessés au combat
• Le Tchad vu par un aviateur : Emile GOMEZ

• Histoire et géographie du Tchad
• Le 126 e RI au Tchad - photographies
• Amicale des Elephants Noirs