Formed in February 1940 and then once again in July of the same year, the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE) remains the only demi-brigade within the current French Army. During WWII in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, the unit gained various awards and decorations. The 13e DBLE continued in fighting for France and in receiving decorations in Indochina and Algeria between 1946-62.
13e DBLE: First 250 Heckler & Koch rifles
On June 9, 2017, the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE) of the French Foreign Legion received its first 250 HK416F rifles. As stated earlier, the 13e DBLE has been the first French Army regiment equipped with the German Heckler & Koch rifle, which has to replace the French FAMAS.
2e REI: Two legionnaires died in France
On May 19, 2017, two legionnaires from 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) died during a team-building exercise on the River Marne near Cumières, a town in northeastern France. The legionnaires drowned after being caught by the strong stream of the barrage built on the river.
13e DBLE: First French Army regiment to receive Heckler & Koch rifle
The 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE) of the French Foreign Legion will be the first French Army regiment to receive the German Heckler & Koch HK416F rifle. The rifle would replace the outdated FAMAS.
Read more13e DBLE: First French Army regiment to receive Heckler & Koch rifle
Foreign Legion: 2017 Camerone Day
On April 30, 2017, the French Foreign Legion commemorated the 154th anniversary of the Battle of Camerone, the well-known and most important event in its history. This day is also the most important day of the year for all current or former legionnaires of the Foreign Legion. See some Camerone Day videos from several Legion regiments.
13e DBLE: Exercise with Spanish Legion 2017
In March 2017, the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE) of the French Foreign Legion conducted an exercise with Spanish legionnaires (legionarios) from the X Bandera “Millán Astray”, Tercio 4, Spanish Legion at Camp Larzac, the home to the 13e DBLE in an inhospitable part of southern France.
1976 Loyada Rescue Mission: 41st anniversary
41 years ago, on February 4, 1976, a hostage rescue mission occurred in Loyada, a border village of the then French Territory of Afars and Issas (TFAI, formerly French Somaliland, Djibouti now). The base task of the mission was to save 31 French children, kidnapped by Somali rebels from the FLCS, a pan-Somali guerrilla organization. French Foreign Legion units and France’s GIGN took part in the successful mission.
13e DBLE: Defense Minister visited Larzac
On October 21, 2016, France’s Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian visited the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE) of the French Foreign Legion at Camp Larzac, Aveyron department, southern France, to make this installation official.
Foreign Legion: 2016 Bastille Day Military Parade
On July 14, France celebrates its National Day, Bastille Day. Every year, a military parade takes place on the Champs-Elysées in Paris. The French troops, including legionnaires from the French Foreign Legion, march down the street. In 2016, the Foreign Legion was represented, as usual, by the Foreign Legion Pioneers, being accompanied by the Foreign Legion Music Band. This year, 109 legionnaires from the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE) also participated in the parade.
13e DBLE: From Abu Dhabi to France
In June 2016, the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE) of the French Foreign Legion left officially Zayed Military City near Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It had been stationed there for 5 years, since the summer of 2011. In late June 2016, the 13e DBLE was placed at Camp Larzac, southern France.
13e DBLE: Officially based in France
Since June 29, 2016, the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE) of the French Foreign Legion has been officially based in mainland France, after 76 years. It left the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where the reduced unit (about 60 permanent personnel) was stationed between 2011-16.