45th Infantry Division (France)

The 45th Infantry Division, also known as the 45th Algerian Division, was an infantry division of the French Army that served in World War I. The 45th Division was formed on 19 August 1914 from personnel from Algeria, Morocco, and North Africa in general, within the 19th Military Region; The division consisted primarily of tirailleurs and Zouaves (both types of light infantry). The alleged first gas attack of the Western Front was launched against its positions (among other divisions) north of Ypres on 22 April 1915. Chemical weapons had already been used on the Eastern Front and there are some claims that use on the Western Front occurred prior to 22 April 1915. The division was disbanded on 27 March 1919 at Mainz.