Within the French Armed Forces, the Foreign Legion is known as a corps that has traditionally maintained a strong conservative and Christian spirit. So it was no surprise when the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) launched, in 2021, a fund-raising campaign to create a new chapel for its legionnaires. After several years, the construction of the chapel is nearing completion.
Foreign Legion: 2024 Armistice Day
Today, on November 11, 2024, the French Foreign Legion detachments participated in the ceremonies commemorating Armistice Day, to honor the memory of military veterans and those who died in the line of duty. See images.
Foreign Legion: 2024 SAED Presentation
Watch a nice presentation of a SAED commando-like platoon of the French Foreign Legion. A combat support platoon, it is still a relatively little-known unit among Foreign Legion enthusiasts. You’ll learn more about the platoon in this article.
2e REI: 2024 El Moungar Day
On Monday, September 2, 2024, the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) officially commemorated the 121st anniversary of the 1903 Battle of El Moungar, an important part of the French conquest of the Sahara, and the 36 men of the regiment who had fallen during it.
2e REI: C4 Close Combat Course
See a short video showing young legionnaires of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) who are trained in close combat.
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
2e REI: Shooting exercise for 3rd Company
While most of the legionnaires from the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) are deployed in France and abroad, the training continues for the 3rd Company.
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
2e REI: 2024 Infernal Run
On May 25, 2024, another edition of the Infernal Run took place near Nimes, Southern France. As usual, the event was organized by the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI). Legionnaires and civilians participated.
70 years ago: A decisive battle ended in French Indochina
In early May 1954, the decisive battle of the First Indochina War between French troops and the communist-led Viet Minh ended. Thousands of legionnaires participated, and many Foreign Legion units were lost during the fighting. The battle culminated in French withdrawal from Southeast Asia after almost 100 years.
Read more70 years ago: A decisive battle ended in French Indochina
Foreign Legion: 2024 Victory in Europe Day
On May 8, 2024, the French Foreign Legion units commemorated the 79th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. The end of the war came after the signing of the definitive overall surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies in Berlin. See some images from the 2024 Victory in Europe Day celebrations.