| Battalion of Chasseurs Ardennais | |
|---|---|
 Cap badge depicting the head of a wild boar | |
| Active | 1933 – present |
| Country |  Belgium |
| Branch | Land Component |
| Type | Infantry |
| Part of | Motorized Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Marche-en-Famenne |
| Motto(s) | Résiste et Mords! (lit. 'Resist and bite!') |
| Colors | |
| March | Marche des Chasseurs ardennais |
| Engagements | World War II Congo Crisis[1] |
The Bataillon de Chasseurs Ardennais (lit. 'Battalion of Ardennes Hunters', or more figuratively, 'Ardennes Light Infantry', officially abbreviated as ChA)[a] is an infantry formation in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. Originally formed in 1933 to ensure the defense of Belgium's Luxembourg Province including the natural region of the Ardennes and particularly noted for its role during the German invasion of 1940, the unit currently serves as a mechanized infantry formation and forms part of the Motorized Brigade.
The Chasseurs ardennais were first formed as a light infantry unit in 1933 from the existing 10th Line Regiment to defend the largely rural region south of the Fortified Positions of Namur and the Liège. Considered a high-value élite unit, it was formed largely of volunteers from the region and was allocated more modern equipment than other units of the Belgian Army. After Belgium's return to neutrality in 1936, the role of the Chasseurs ardennais shifted and the formation expanded significantly. It eventually consisted of two army divisions complete with artillery and mobile units.
At the time of the German invasion of Belgium in May 1940, the Chasseurs ardennais proved more successful in combat than many other units and fought a number of successful small-scale actions against the German Army before the capitulation of the Belgian Army. After the war, the military traditions of the Chasseurs ardennais were revived in 1946. The formation formed part of the Belgian Forces in Germany and subsequently participated in a range of international peacekeeping and NATO missions. It was reduced to its current strength in 2011.
After its inception, the Chasseurs ardennais has adopted a distinctive green basque-style beret and insignia depicting a wild boar.
- ^ "Les Chasseurs ardennais résistent et mordent!". 23 December 2015.
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