While Foreign Legion troops across France took part in Armistice Day ceremonies on November 11, members of the 1st Company of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) marked the occasion a bit farther east — in Poland.
As the first Foreign Legion unit ever to deploy to this Central European country, the 1st Company of the 2e REI commemorated the armistice of November 11, 1918 during an official ceremony held in Łódź, a major city located in the central region of Poland.
In addition to the currently serving legionnaires, the ceremony was attended by French ambassador Etienne de Poncins as well as representatives of a local Foreign Legion veterans’ organization (AAALEP) led by Captain Michalik.
This event thus marked the first public ceremony in Poland in which the French Foreign Legion has participated.
Beyond the official commemoration, 2e REI legionnaires presented their unit and equipment to the public, drawing considerable interest from local residents. They were already wearing the new BME (multi-environment camouflage pattern) combat uniform.
The 1st Company has been in Poland since last month as part of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). The legionnaires are scheduled to train Ukrainian soldiers there for a period of four months.
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