In most English-speaking countries, November 11 is known as Veterans Day or Remembrance Day, honoring military veterans and those who have died in the line of duty. In France, this day is still known as Armistice Day, in memory of the 1918 armistice signed between the Allies and Germany that ended World War I. Since 2012, all those who died for France have also been commemorated during Armistice Day. The French Foreign Legion participates annually in those ceremonies. See images.
3e REI: 2023 Fourragere Day
In mid-September 2023, the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) celebrated both the regimental holiday and the 50 years of the 3e REI’s presence in French Guiana. See some images.
3e REI: 2023 Jaguar Course Documentary
See a new documentary produced directly by the French Foreign Legion to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its presence in French Guiana, represented by the famous 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI). The 3e REI arrived in French Guiana in mid-September 1973, after having left Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The more than an hour-long documentary details an important task of the regiment: one of the most difficult military courses in the world, the two-month jungle warfare Jaguar Course.
Lieutenant Colonel Jean Pierre Bissey
The 5th of August 1933 marks the day when Lieutenant Colonel Jean Pierre Bissey, a lesser-known officer of the French Foreign Legion, was killed in a battle with local rebels during the French Pacification of Morocco. All but forgotten nowadays, he remains not only the highest-ranking officer of the Foreign Legion killed between the two world wars but also during the long campaign in Morocco. The following article was written in his memory.
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.
3e REI: Activities in April 2023
See some of the activities of the Foreign Legion’s 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) that occurred in French Guiana, South America during April 2023.
3e REI: 2023 Jaguar Course
See some nice images from the international Jaguar Course, a two-month jungle warfare course organized by the French Foreign Legion’s 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI). It is designed mainly for platoon leaders from allied armies around the world.
Foum Zabel Tunnel – Tunnel of Legionnaire
Built by forty legionnaires over a few months in the late 1920s, the Foum Zabel Tunnel in Morocco remains the most spectacular demonstration of the know-how of Foreign Legion builders and the pure determination of a legionnaire to accomplish any given task.
90 years ago: A violent battle took place in the mountains of Morocco
In late February 1933, a violent battle took place in what was then the French protectorate in Morocco, during one of the last stages of France’s pacification of the country. Men from four mounted companies of the Foreign Legion actively participated in the battle.
Read more90 years ago: A violent battle took place in the mountains of Morocco
French Foreign Legion: A Soldiers Story
Watch an awesome interview released by POVCAST in late January 2023, with Senior Corporal Johnny Leggett telling his experiences serving in the Foreign Legion, including his training and deployments. Born in Scotland, United Kingdom, Johnny joined the Legion in 1979, when he was 21, and left it after 15 years of service, in 1994.