As usual, also this year the French Foreign Legion regiments organize sports competitions for its men, as part of the coming Christmas festivities. This includes the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI), which organized its Christmas cross country run this week, close to Nimes, its garrison in Southern France. See images.
1er REC, 2e REI, 1er REG: Exercise BIA 23
This week, on November 27, began an important tactical combined arms maneuver BIA 23 that takes place in the Marne Department in northeastern France, north of Camp Mailly. Organized by the 6th Light Armored Brigade (6e BLB), it is to be the very first French exercise involving a combined arms brigade of the modern SCORPION generation ready for an operational deployment. Among the participating units are the Foreign Legion’s 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC), 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI), and the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG).
DOCUMENTS: 1847 1st Foreign Legion Regiment honorable discharge certificate
A new part of the DOCUMENTS series. A very rare document is presented here; it is the oldest French Foreign Legion-related document currently available on our website. It was issued as early as 1847 to a Belgian legionnaire at the conclusion of his honest and faithful service in North Africa.
Read moreDOCUMENTS: 1847 1st Foreign Legion Regiment honorable discharge certificate
120 years ago: A violent battle in Algeria
In early September 1903, a violent battle was fought in Algeria between men of a Foreign Legion mounted company and a Moroccan war party. The battle that lasted more than seven hours resulted in heavy casualties on the Legion side.
2e REI: 2023 El Moungar Day
On September 2, 2023, the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) commemorated the 120th anniversary of the 1903 Battle of El Moungar, a crucial moment in their history. See the images.
Legion: New Caledonia in August 2023
As we informed earlier, three regiments of the French Foreign Legion have deployed their men to New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia, since June 2023. The legionnaires should stay in this special overseas collectivity of France for four months, as is common practice for the so-called short duration mission (MCD). See some new images from taken during their deployment in August.
Lieutenant Colonel Jean Pierre Bissey
On August 5, 1933, Lieutenant Colonel Jean Pierre Bissey, a little-known officer of the French Foreign Legion, was killed in a battle with local rebels during the French pacification of Morocco. Almost forgotten today, he remains the highest-ranking Foreign Legion officer killed not only between the two world wars but also during the long Moroccan campaign. The following article has been written in his memory.
2e REI: 1st Company in New Caledonia
Since June 2023, the 1st Company of the French Foreign Legion’s 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) has been deployed to New Caledonia, a special overseas collectivity of France in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia.
2e REI: 5th Company dissolved
Last week, on May 16, 2023, the 5th Company of the Foreign Legion’s 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) was disbanded during an emotional ceremony, as a result of the planned French infantry reorganization. Its men would be dispersed among remaining companies or join other regiments.
Foreign Legion: 2023 Victory in Europe Day
On May 8, 2023, the French Foreign Legion units commemorated the 78th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, which came after the definitive overall surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies, signed in Berlin. During the final battles in Europe in May 1945, three Legion units participated: the RMLE (3e REI now), 1er REC, and the 13e DBLE. See some images from the 2023 Victory in Europe Day celebrations.
Foreign Legion: 2023 Camerone Day
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.