Watch absolutely unique, very rare amateur footages depicting Foreign Legion ceremonies in Laghouat, Algeria in the 1950s and 1960s. At that time, the town was home to one of the Legion’s Saharan companies: 2nd Legion Saharan Motorized Company (2e CSPL). Two of the rare films are in color.
Foreign Legion Saharan Motorized Companies in North Africa: History & Images
The famous four Foreign Legion Saharan motorized units were disbanded in Algeria, North Africa, in late March 1963. Their men, vehicles, traditional uniforms, and fanions merged with two infantry regiments. The dream of many generations of young men – the Saharan legionnaire with his white kepi, V-shaped bandoleer, wide trousers, Saharan burnous cloak, and sandals – officially disappeared.
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Second Saharan motorized unit of the Legion
Learn about the 2nd Legion Saharan Motorized Company (2e CSPL), an autonomous motorized infantry unit of the French Foreign Legion serving in the Algerian Sahara between the 1940s and 1960s. Very little known today, equipped with Dodges WC 4×4 and 6×6, and also by AMM8 Greyhound armored cars, it became a Saharan rapid reaction force during the Algerian War.