In early 2024, a new English-written book dedicated to the French Foreign Legion was released: the long-awaited Collecting French Foreign Legion Insignia, Volume III – Part 2, 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment. The new book is another original work of our friend, Andrew J. Mitchell, an Irish amateur historian and a Foreign Legion insignia collector.
Collecting French Foreign Legion Badges, Volume III – Part 2 is a loose continuation of the previous part, which was published in late 2022. It dealt with Foreign Legion airborne units existing between 1948 and 1961, with the exception of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP).
It is to the latter unit that Andrew has decided to dedicate a separate book, just published. In the author’s own words, this eagerly anticipated work slips back onto the track of the first two volumes (i.e., 1er RE Insignia and 2e REI Insignia) and promptly delivers a hammer-blow study of official insignias dedicated to the 2e REP. He lays out a diligent study of the insignias featuring over 250 2e REP badges and patches, including an extensive array of distinct variants from 1955 until the present day. As well as insignia, the book typically features unpublished photos of the regiment while respectfully giving a unique insight into the 2e REP history and delivering a fundamental breakdown of the companies that make up the modern regiment.
As the author also reminds, this work is a must-have for any Foreign Legion or parachute insignia collector to ensure a collection devoid of the fakes and restrikes that are inevitably beginning to clog up the market.
It should surprise no one that this book can delight not only the die-hard insignia collectors like Andrew, but also the general reader interested in one of the world’s most elite regiments, the Foreign Legion’s 2e REP.
Here are some samples (click on to enlarge them):
Andrew J. Mitchell is currently working on another book dedicated to the same regiment, this time mapping in detail its Algerian period. The only civilian member and historian of the A.A.L.E.I., the official association of Irish former legionnaires, he also administrates the Facebook page called Collecting French Foreign Legion Badges.
His new book, which has over 100 pages, is available on Blurb, in both hardcover or PDF formats. Simply follow this link:
Please, keep in mind that the link is NOT an affiliate link to generate money. Thank you.
If you are interested in other works of Andrew J. Mitchell, see our older posts in the section below.
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Realated posts:
Andrew J. Mitchell: Mafteiu and the Compagnie Montée d’Algérie
Andrew J. Mitchell: Collecting French Foreign Legion Insignia – Parachute Units 1948-61
Andrew J. Mitchell: Pictorial History of the French Foreign Legion in Indochina, 1927-1945
Andrew J. Mitchell: The Tigers of Tonkin