Though little known today, four autonomous Saharan companies ranked among the most prestigious Foreign Legion’s units in the 1950s – 1960s. They kept the old traditions of the legionnaires riding camels through the North African desert and oasis, serving in the old cool-looking fortresses. Even the official recruiting posters of the Legion in the 1950s and 1960s portrayed Saharan units to attract new volunteers to join in. Today, the Legion’s first Saharan motorized unit will be presented here.

The 1st Legion Saharan Motorized Company (1re CSPL), a motorized infantry unit of the French Foreign Legion serving in the Algerian Sahara between the 1940s and 1960s.

See the History & images of 1re CSPL.