PHOTOS: 6e REI in Tunisia around 1950

Here is a small set of photos taken in Tunisia, North Africa, in 1949 or 1950. They show a German 1st Class Legionnaire who served with the 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment (6e REI) in Tabarka. At the time, the 2nd Battalion 6e REI was stationed in this coastal town situated in the northwestern part of the country.

Like did the rest of the regiment, also this battalion served as a training unit for newcomers or fresh legionnaires before their first deployment to French Indochina. They underwent their basic or advanced training there and familiarized themselves with the common duties in the Foreign Legion: military instruction, construction work, guards, patrols, ceremonies.

At the same time, the regiment was receiving the officers, NCOs, and legionnaires hardened in the fights in the Far East, during the First Indochina War (1946-1954). After their prescribed two-year deployment (which might have been voluntarily prolonged every six months), and a following three-month furlough, these veterans were assigned to the 6e REI as cadres. Nevertheless, this practice applied to all Foreign Legion units based in North Africa back then.

In fact, it is hard to find any picture related to the 6e REI in Tunisia on the internet today. Enjoy.

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