In late May 1976, during a military exercise in the then French Territory of the Afars and the Issas (TFAI, today’s Djibouti), a country located in the Horn of Africa, a French Army helicopter crashed. Eight men on board were killed, including six legionnaires from GOLE (Foreign Legion Task Force). At the time, the incident became the deadliest accident for the Legion since the end of the Algerian War (1962). It has still remained the second deadliest accident for the Legion since then. Nevertheless, for unknown reasons, the fatal crash has been completely forgotten in France.
40 years ago: A successful rescue operation in Kolwezi
On May 19, 1978, the legionnaires of the Foreign Legion’s 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) jumped over Kolwezi, a city located in then Zaire, Central Africa. Their task was to rescue over 2,000 Europeans captured and held by local rebels. Thanks to the success of the operation and the international media coverage at the time, the regiment became popular across the world…
2e REP: 2018 Camerone Day Challenges
An interesting videoclip showing legionnaires of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP), the only airborne unit of the French Foreign Legion, during 2018 Camerone Day challenges in Corsica.
1961: A failed military revolt in Algeria
In late April 1961, a failed military revolt took place in Algeria, the then integral part of France located in North Africa. The revolt became one of the most controversial event in France’s modern history, with a strong participation of the Foreign Legion.
57 years ago: A prestigious regiment was dissolved
57 years ago, a prestigious regiment of the French Foreign Legion was dissolved. Called as the most elite regiment of the French Army, two times annihilated in combat, the unit eventually didn’t survive a clearly political decision. Its sad end was a result of previous events in Algeria in late April 1961…
Foreign Legion: 2018 Camerone Day
This Monday, April 30, 2018, the French Foreign Legion commemorated the 155th anniversary of the famous Battle of Camerone. This day is the most important day of the year for all current or former legionnaires of the Legion. The well-known battle is seen as a sample illustration of bravery and determination of fighting to the finish. Because of that, the event became the sacred symbol of the Foreign Legion to be commemorated annually.
13e DBLE: A legionnaire died in Mayotte
Friday, April 20, 2018, a legionnaire of the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE) died in Mayotte. In March 2018, he deployed with his company there to maintain the French presence in the Indian Ocean, between the coast of Southeast Africa and Madagascar.