First Grenadier Division

1st Grenadier Division
Memorial badge of the division, featuring the Cross of Lorraine
Active	1939-1940
Country	Poland
Branch	Land forces
Type	Motorized infantry
Size	16,180 soldiers and officers
Engagements	Battle of Lagarde, Maginot Line
Commanders
Notable commanders	Bronisław Duch

The 1st Grenadier Division (literal translation 1st Grenadiers Division; Polish: 1. Dywizja Grenadierów, French: 1ère Division des Grenadiers) was a Polish infantry formation raised in France during the early stages of World War II. The division was created as a result of the Invasion of Poland as part of the Polish Army in France, and took part in the Battle of France in 1940.

As an effect of the Franco-Polish Military Alliance, the formation of a Polish division in France began in early September 1939, shortly after the Invasion of Poland. The French government gave over a military camp at Coëtquidan to the Polish military mission and permitted voluntary recruitment from the Polish diaspora in France, which were particularly numerous in the coal-producing regions of Flanders. After the fall of Poland and the formation of the Polish government in exile, the newly appointed Polish commander-in-chief Władysław Sikorski ordered the formation of the 1st Grenadier Division on November 13, 1939.

Initially commanded by Colonel Stanisław Maczek, the division was taken over by Colonel Bronisław Duch in January 1940. It was organized according to the French model and was equipped with French weapons and uniforms. Altogether, the formation numbered eventually about 13,000 enlisted soldiers, 2600 NCOs and 580 officers of all grades, when it was sworn in by Gen. Sikorski on May 25, 1940, shortly before arriving at the front in Lorraine.