Foreign Legion: 2018 in retrospective

January 22, 2019 · Posted in legion

The French Foreign Legion reminds some important events which occurred during the previous year of 2018. See the new video released by the Legion.

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Foreign Legion Music Band, Aubagne in southern France, 2018... ... See MoreSee Less

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French Foreign Legion and February 20:

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The most interesting events of the Foreign Legion's history that occurred on February 20. Click "see more" to read the full post...
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- 1940, 13th Demi-Brigade (Half-Brigade)
- that day in Algeria, a battalion was formed
- a few days later in Morocco, another battalion was formed
- the two battalions constituted a new unit
- 13th Foreign Legion Provisional Half-Brigade (13e DBMLE)
- in France, a half-brigade is composed of two battalions
- the new provisional unit comprised some 2,100 men
- it got the number 13
- because of the existence of 11e REI, 12e REI
- another two freshly-created provisional units
- the three units were established to fight in WWII
- 13e DBMLE was organized as a mountain warfare unit
- determined to fight in Finland against the USSR
- in the Winter War (1939-40)
- later, the mission was changed
- the unit would deploy to Norway to face German troops
- in the Norwegian Campaign (April-June 1940)
- part of WWII in Europe
- 13e DBMLE fought bravely in Norway
- in July 1940, it was disbanded back in Morocco
- at the same time, part of the men left the French Army
- they formed a new unit within the British Army
- in 1944-45, the unit was (re-)integrated into the Legion
- in 1945, it was named 13e DBLE
- currently, the 13e DBLE is the only French Army unit bearing the title Demi-Brigade
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- 1959, Operation Sylvain
- an operation in northeastern Algeria
- aimed at local rebels
- the operation took place in the El Melah region
- carried out by legionnaires from 5e REI
- 21 rebels were killed
- however, 5 legionnaires were also killed
- Lieutenant Georges Chambre was badly wounded
- he died a week later
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- 1961, in northern Algeria, a skirmish with local rebels
- 2e REC (Cavalry Regiment) were involved
- the skirmish occurred in the Bou Saada region
- 20 rebels were killed
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- in the photo, the 13e DBLE color guard in France, 2016 ... See MoreSee Less

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Foreign Legion Info shared 2ème Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie's post.

1 day ago

2e REI, 3rd Company during a military training in southern France, February 2019...Préparation opérationnelle interarmes (POIA) 2019. Chaque compagnie du régiment travaille ses fondamentaux et ses savoir-faire métiers.

Quelle que soit la mission, quelles que soient les conditions, le but de ces exercices de haute intensité est le même : se préparer pour vaincre au combat. ... See MoreSee Less

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French Foreign Legion and February 19:

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The most interesting events of the Foreign Legion's history that occurred on February 19. Click "see more" to read the full post...
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- 1952, in then French Indochina, a battle with the Viet Minh
- it took place close to Xom Hun
- in the Hoc Mon region of Southern Vietnam
- 1st Battalion, 13e DBLE (Half-Brigade) were involved
- 14 rebels were killed
- 11 rebels were imprisoned
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- 1954, Fourragère of Military Medal for 1er BEP
- that day, 1er BEP was awarded
- 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (later 1er REP)
- awarded for their brave actions in French Indochina
- with the Fourragère of Military Medal in yellow-green colors
- the ceremony took place in Northern Vietnam
- in the Dien Bien Phu valley
- in three months, the battalion would be annihilated there
- in the well-known Battle of Dien Bien Phu
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- 1956, Operation Oscar Alpha ended
- in northern Algeria, Operation Oscar Alpha ended
- a week-long operation in the Khenchela region
- carried out by 13e DBLE legionnaires
- over 40 rebels were killed
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- 1959, in northern Algeria, heavy fighting with local rebels
- at Djebel Faidja, in the Djelfa region
- 2e REC (Cavalry Regiment) were involved
- 90 rebels were killed
- 17 rebels imprisoned
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- in the picture, a Lieutenant (left) and his 2e REC legionnaires during the operation at Djebel Faidja, northern Algeria, on February 19, 1959 ... See MoreSee Less

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