French Expeditionary Corps (1943–44)

The French Expeditionary Corps (FEC) (French: Corps expéditionnaire français) was an army unit of the Free French Forces that fought in the Italian Campaign of World War II, from late 1943 to mid-1944. Commanded by General Alphonse Juin, the FEC was primarily composed of French soldiers from Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and other parts of the French colonial empire, supplemented by metropolitan French volunteers who had escaped to North Africa.

The FEC played a critical role in breaking the German Gustav Line, particularly during the Battle of Monte Cassino. Its troops, known as goumiers, were particularly adept at mountain warfare, exploiting difficult terrain to outflank German positions. The FEC's participation was instrumental in the Allied advance toward Rome.

The composition of the FEC reflected the diverse nature of the French colonial empire. Many soldiers were experienced combat veterans from previous campaigns, while others were younger recruits eager to liberate France. Despite facing considerable challenges, including difficult terrain, fierce German resistance, and logistical hurdles, the FEC demonstrated its fighting prowess and contributed significantly to the Allied victory in Italy.

The FEC's successes came at a significant cost, with heavy casualties suffered during the campaign. The contribution of the FEC, however, helped to restore France's military prestige and played a part in its post-war standing. The actions of the goumiers are, however, also associated with incidents of war crimes, particularly the Marocchinate – mass rapes committed by Moroccan soldiers against Italian civilians after the Battle of Monte Cassino.