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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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.