When it comes to World War II, nations like Germany, Italy, Japan, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, United States, Poland, China and etc. come to mind, but countless nations or even factions that are forgotten by little involvement, neutrality and even short-lived. Here's what this mod is dedicated to.
Milice Française (1943-1944)
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Description
The French Militia was a response to the demand made by Adolf Hitler to the Prime Minister of Vichy, Pierre Laval, through the threat and growth of the French Resistance against the German occupation and collaboration with the Vichy government. The militia were paramilitary troops who also acted for police purposes, not just capturing political opponents, such as resisters, spies and Jews.
Initially equipped with blue outfits from the "Chasseurs alpins" (Alpine Infantry), la "Franc-Garde" (the only part of the "Milice" that is armed and intended for law enforcement) will draw, in early 1944 (when its workforce will grow enormously) on the khaki uniforms of the late "Armée d'Armistice" (Armistice Army).
Paramilitary ? Not exactly ! A paramilitary group is an armed force whose function and organization are similar to that of a professional army, but which is not considered part of a state's armed forces. In this case, Joseph Darnand, the chief of the Milice, holds the position of Minister, responsible for the maintenance of order, inside the Ministry of the Interior. The Milice is an official state organization, in parallel with the GMR ("Groupes Mobiles de Réserve" or Reserve Mobile Groups), police units equipped with military weapons, created in 1941 for the maintenance of order, in the "Zone libre" (free or southern zone of France).
Both took model on the "Gendarmerie Nationale", which wasn't frankly a "paramilitary formation" ! The Gendarmerie is the armed police in the campaigns (owns war weapons, including a LMG in each "Brigade"), has its specialized military trained forces for maintenance of order (Gendarmerie Mobile), constitutes the "prévôté" (provost) during wartime. In may 1940, Gendarmerie had even the "45e Bataillon de chars de combat de la Gendarmerie" (45th tank batallion of Gendarmerie), equipped with the regular Hotchkiss H-39, and which took part to the famous Battle of Stonne and to the fights in Tannay.
Cheers.