Le 7ème Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins

From a book

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The Chasseurs Alpins Corps to whom our convoy as attached are popularly known as 'The Blue Devils.' The Devil part of their nickname is in flattering allusion to, their valour; the adjective refers to the dark blue colour of their uniforms. They display an almost religious observance in the fulfilment of their vow, indicated by the motto of their corps, 'Never to be taken alive.' The corps is recruited from the mountain country of France the men are remarkable for their sturdy physique (they are mostly men of medium height) and for their tenacious courage. They are accustomed to hardship and fatigue, they live on simple fare and by tradition are deeply imbued with antagonism to the Germans. They are silent men. Their square-set faces seem to speak of successful struggle against the mighty forces of mountain dangers; their strong backs and their frank manners. harmonise well with the brave deeds for which they are world famous.

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[MR. POILU NOTES AND SKETCHES WITH THE FIGHTING FRENCH BY HERBERT WARD]

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• Short History of Savoy:
  • Circa 354 or 370 AD: Ammien Marcellin mentioned Sapaudia, which encompasses Savoy and Helvetia;
  • Influence of the House of Savoy all over Europe: in the late 13th century, an architect and masons from Savoy built the Harlech castle to the doom of Wales; up to the 14th century, Savoy people acquired honours and responsibilities in England; a whole district of London was under the patronage of Savoy; in 1366, two thousand Savoy knights and soldiers defeated Turks and Bulgarians at Constantinople...
  • In 1607, the "Academie Florimontane" model for the "French Academy" was created;
  • In 1713, Savoy became a kingdom: shortly after it included a big part of the French alps, from Switzerland down to Nice, the Italian Piemonte and Sardinia;
  • In 1860, Savoy became definitely French, according to a referendum, after California joined the United Sates;
  • In 1940, the outnumbered Chasseur Alpins halted the Italians offensive in the Alps;
  • The resistance in Savoy was exemplary...

Une devise : DUC IN ALTUM (Par les sommets)

Un refrain :

bataillon, bataillon, bataillon de fer

bataillon, bataillon, bataillon d'acier

Le chant des troupes de montagne :

Nous voulons servir, même s'il faut souffrir,

A travers les tourments nous luttons bravement,

Nous sommes les Alpins et n'avons peur de rien.

Soldats de montagne, dans toutes les campagnes,

Toujours les plus hauts et les premiers à l'assaut,

Nous mourrons s'il le faut.

Nous voulons servir, même s'il faut souffrir

A travers les tourments nous luttons bravement

Nous sommes les Alpins et n'avons peur de rien.

Cavaliers et chasseurs, artilleurs et sapeurs,

La neige et le froid ne nous arrêterons pas,

Nous vaincrons au combat.

Nous voulons servir, même s'il faut souffrir,

A travers les tourments nous luttons bravement,

Nous sommes les Alpins et n'avons peur de rien.

En paix comme en guerre, Vercors et Glières,

Sur tous les sommets ou dans toutes les vallées,

Nous irons pour lutter.

Nous voulons servir, même s'il faut souffrir,

A travers les tourments nous luttons bravement,

Nous sommes les Alpins et n'avons peur de rien.