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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The Foreign Legion only unit ever based in Libya

A hardly known self-governing, autonomous motorized infantry unit of the French Foreign Legion, established in 1949 to guard the Fezzan region of Libya, being under the French administration. The 3rd Legion Saharan Motorized Company (3e CSPL), one of the four legendary Saharan motorized companies of the Legion. In the late 1950s, 3e CSPL left Libya to participate in the Algerian War.

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