A new part of the DOCUMENTS series. Today we present four interesting documents issued by the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE) in North Africa in the 1920s.
Read moreDOCUMENTS: 1921-1929 1st Foreign Regiment certificates
Operational Company, 1st Foreign Regiment in Algeria in 1968
The Operational Company, 1st Foreign Regiment was the last French Foreign Legion unit to remain stationed in Algeria, North Africa. Its task was to guard the French air base at Bou Sfer near the city of Oran. The company was disbanded on August 17, 1968.
Read moreOperational Company, 1st Foreign Regiment in Algeria in 1968
1er RE: Foreign Legion HQ’s doors open to the public in late September 2024
On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, the headquarters of the French Foreign Legion in Aubagne opens its doors to the public, on September 21 and 22, 2024. Come and discover the motherhouse of the Foreign Legion.
Read more1er RE: Foreign Legion HQ’s doors open to the public in late September 2024
2024 Bastille Day Military Parade
Every year, a large military parade is held in Paris to commemorate the 14th of July, France’s national holiday, known in English-speaking countries as Bastille Day. On that day, the French Foreign Legion also takes part in the parade in the capital. However, due to the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, this year’s parade was downsized and did not take place on the famous Champs-Élysées. Read more and see images.
80 years ago: Foreign Legion’s last artillery batteries were disbanded
With the conflict in Ukraine, a long-neglected component of Western armies, artillery, has once again stepped to the fore. It might come as a surprise to many Foreign Legion enthusiasts that a 1920 law allowed the Foreign Legion to establish, along with a cavalry regiment, also a separate artillery regiment. Equally surprising might be the fact that, in 1941, the legionnaires probably served in as many as 11 artillery batteries at the same time. The last of these units were disbanded 80 years ago, in 1944.
Read more80 years ago: Foreign Legion’s last artillery batteries were disbanded
Foreign Legion: 2024 Camerone Day
On April 30, 2024, the French Foreign Legion celebrated the 161st anniversary of the 1863 Battle of Camerone, an epic moment in its history. The celebrations were held across the regiments in France and abroad. See images.
DOCUMENTS: 1902-1913 1st Foreign Regiment certificates of Leg. Masquère
Another part of the DOCUMENTS series. Enjoy rare documents issued by the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE) in North Africa more than a century ago.
Read moreDOCUMENTS: 1902-1913 1st Foreign Regiment certificates of Leg. Masquère
General Vittorio Tresti passed away
General Vittorio Tresti, a former commanding officer of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) and one of the few commanding officers who started their famous careers with the Foreign Legion as simple legionnaires, passed away on February 15, 2024. He was 85 years old.
130 years ago: A forgotten campaign in West Africa ended
In February 1894, the last elements of the French Foreign Legion left the Slave Coast in West Africa where they had successfully participated in two expeditions aimed at a local kingdom’s ruler and his forces. Not only did the legionnaires face heat, disease, and supply problems, but they also had to fight local female warriors, Amazons…
Read more130 years ago: A forgotten campaign in West Africa ended
Major Gérald: Secret tips for more effective abdominal exercises
The French Foreign Legion has published another useful video starring Major Gérald, the highest-ranking NCO serving as head of the Sports Office, 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE) in Aubagne. In this new video, he shares his secret tips for better strengthening of abdominal muscles.
Read moreMajor Gérald: Secret tips for more effective abdominal exercises
Andrew J. Mitchell: Mafteiu and the Compagnie Montée d’Algérie
In mid-November 2023, a new English-written book dedicated to the French Foreign Legion was released: Mafteiu and the Compagnie Montée d’Algérie, subtitled The obscure history of the little-known French Foreign Legion Mounted Company of Algeria, 1881 – 1939. This is another original work of our friend Andrew J. Mitchell, an Irish amateur historian and a passionate Foreign Legion insignia collector.
Read moreAndrew J. Mitchell: Mafteiu and the Compagnie Montée d’Algérie