Division Daguet

In 1991 the division participated in Operation Desert Storm guarding the left flank of the allied advance.

France had already dispatched troops to Saudi Arabia in September 1990 to help deter Iraq from further military adventures, but with war drawing closer, the French contingent was rapidly reinforced all through fall of 1990.

The initial objective of the division was an airfield 90 miles (140 km) inside Iraq at As-Salman.

Reinforced by the US 82nd Airborne Division, the French crossed the border unopposed and attacked north.

After a brief battle, supported by French Army missile-armed Aérospatiale Gazelle attack helicopters, they controlled the objective and captured 2,500 prisoners.

The French operated on the left flank during Opération Daguet (click to enlarge)
An AMX-30 B2 main battle tank from the 4 e Régiment de Dragons from the 10th Armoured Division
Soldiers from the 2 e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie from the 6th Light Armoured Division prepare to fire a 120mm MO-120-RT-61 mortar
An ERC 90 Sagaie of the 1 er Régiment de Hussards Parachutistes from the 11th Paratrooper Division during Operation Desert Shield .
French and American soldiers inspecting an Iraqi Type 69 tank destroyed by the French Division Daguet during Operation Desert Storm.
French Division Daguet during the First Gulf War