2nd Armored Division (France)
2e Division Blindée Original badge of the 2nd Armored Division. The divisional badge features the Cross of Lorraine Active 24 August 1943 – 31 March 1946 1977–1999 Country France Branch French Army, ex-Free French Type Armored division, later 2nd Armored Brigade Engagements Invasion of Normandy Liberation of Paris Liberation of Strasbourg Colmar Pocket Royan Western Allied invasion of Germany Commanders Notable commanders Philippe Leclerc The French 2nd Armored Division (French: 2e Division Blindée, 2e DB ), commanded by General Philippe Leclerc, fought during the final phases of World War II in the Western Front. The division was formed around a core of units that had fought in the North African campaign, and re-organized into a light armored division in 1943. The division embarked in April 1944 and shipped to various ports in Britain. On 29 July 1944, bound for France, the division embarked at Southampton. During combat in 1944, the d...