The 30th of April 2023 marked the 160th anniversary of the 1863 Battle of Camerone, an epic moment in the history of the French Foreign Legion in which its 65 men faced some 2,000 Mexican adversaries. The famous battle is portrayed as a pure example of bravery and the determination to fight to the finish, and gave the Legion its character and esprit de corps. Therefore, Camerone Day became the most important holiday for all current or former members of this exceptional military unit. See 2023 Camerone Day pictures from several Legion regiments.
115 years ago: A fierce battle took place in the Algerian-Moroccan borderlands
In mid-April 1908, a fierce battle took place in the Algerian-Moroccan borderlands, during one of the first stages of France’s conquest of Morocco. Men from two Foreign Legion companies contributed significantly to the success of the battle.
Read more115 years ago: A fierce battle took place in the Algerian-Moroccan borderlands
MLE: Musician trained by Major Gérald
Why a physical training when you are a musician? Because you are a musician in the French Foreign Legion! See a new video with Major Gérald, recently published by the Legion’s official YouTube channel. This time, the highest-ranking NCO serving as the head of the Sports Office, 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE) presents a workout for a member of the famous Foreign Legion Music Band (MLE), called “Iron lungs,” aimed at correct breathing.
PHOTOS: Lieutenant Mafteiu and Algerian Mounted Company in the early 1930s
PHOTOS series. See a set of rare pictures showing a peloton of the Algerian Mounted Company, the last mule-mounted company that served in France’s Algeria. The rare pictures belonged to Lieutenant Georges Mafteiu, the peloton leader, and were taken in the Algeria-Morocco borderlands in the early 1930s.
Read morePHOTOS: Lieutenant Mafteiu and Algerian Mounted Company in the early 1930s
90 years ago: A violent battle took place in the mountains of Morocco
In late February 1933, a violent battle took place in what was then the French protectorate in Morocco, during one of the last stages of France’s pacification of the country. Men from four mounted companies of the Foreign Legion actively participated in the battle.
Read more90 years ago: A violent battle took place in the mountains of Morocco
PHOTOS: Legionnaires in Syria around 1930
Another part of the PHOTOS series. Enjoy beautiful photographies which show legionnaires in Syria. The rare pictures were taken mostly in 1930. At the time, the men served there with the 8th Battalion, 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment (1er REI, now 1er RE).
115 years ago: Foreign Legion’s company decimated by a severe snowstorm
In early February 1908, an unexpected severe snowstorm surprised a Foreign Legion company on the edge of the Sahara, during their march to a remote military post at the Algeria-Morocco border. Within hours, the unmerciful element decimated the unit. Many legionnaires died, others had to undergo amputation of their frozen extremities.
Read more115 years ago: Foreign Legion’s company decimated by a severe snowstorm
DOCUMENTS: 1856 1er RLE 1st Foreign Legion Military service certificate
Today, we present another part of the DOCUMENTS series. It’s a rare military service certificate, issued more than a hundred years earlier than the previous certificate, in mid-1856, shortly after the end of the Crimean War.
Read moreDOCUMENTS: 1856 1er RLE 1st Foreign Legion Military service certificate
PHOTOS: 1er RE Adjudants around 1900
Today is exactly ten years and ten days since the first post was published on this website. This is the reason to share a slightly rarer picture in the PHOTOS series. Thus, here comes one of the rarest ones found in my archive.
90 years ago: The deadliest accident ever experienced by the Foreign Legion
90 years ago, on September 14, 1932, a disaster occurred in North Africa’s Algeria, home to the French Foreign Legion at the time. A train carrying a detachment of the 1st Foreign Regiment derailed and crashed into a ravine. Dozens of legionnaires were killed in the accident, more than two hundred legionnaires were wounded. Yet, the sad event has almost been forgotten.
Read more90 years ago: The deadliest accident ever experienced by the Foreign Legion
1er RE, 2e REG: 2022 Bastille Day Military Parade in Marseille
See images from Marseille, Southern France, from July 14, 2022, when a Foreign Legion detachment paraded there. It consisted of elements provided by the same two regiments that also took part in the 2022 Bastille Day Military Parade in Paris on the same day: the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE) and the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG).
Read more1er RE, 2e REG: 2022 Bastille Day Military Parade in Marseille