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.
2022 Legion Christmas nativity scenes
Christmas Eve marks the second most important holiday within the French Foreign Legion, traditionally a pro-Catholic institution. Thus, for that day, legionnaires in all units of the Legion create original nativity scenes and compete to see which one is the nicest and most original. This Legion tradition is unique within the French Army.
70 years ago: A successful battle in an entrenched valley in French Indochina
In late 1952, an important confrontation between the French and the communist Viet Minh took place in then French Indochina, in a valley transformed into a well-fortified camp. A direct predecessor to the sad 1954 battle of Dien Bien Phu, the confrontation ended with a clear French victory, thanks to a significant role of the French Foreign Legion men.
Read more70 years ago: A successful battle in an entrenched valley in French Indochina
Foreign Legion: 2022 Armistice Day
In France, the 11th of November marks Armistice Day. That day – known as Remembrance Day (or Veterans Day) in mostly English-speaking countries – the entire nation in France and abroad commemorates the end of hostilities of World War I. Thus, yesterday, on November 11, even the French Foreign Legion – as well as the rest of the French Armed Forces – commemorated the 104th Armistice Day, and remembered the 36,000 legionnaires and foreign volunteers who were killed or wounded during WWI. See the photos.
3e REI: 2022 Fourragere Day
As usual in September, the French Foreign Legion’s 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) celebrated the regimental holiday, called Fourragere Day. See the nice images of this important event.
3e REI: 2022 Victory in Europe Day
In French Guiana of South America, on May 8, 2022, the French Foreign Legion’s 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) commemorated Victory in Europe Day. The ceremony took place in Kourou, its garrison town.
Lieutenant Colonel Brochet de Vaugrigneuse
April 15 marks the day when Lieutenant Colonel Maurice Brochet de Vaugrigneuse was killed during the war in Algeria, in 1957. At the time, he was the temporary commander of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI). Almost-forgotten officer of the Foreign Legion, this article was written to honor his memory.
3e REI: New Tracked Articulated Vehicle
In January 2022, the French Foreign Legion’s 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI), stationed in French Guiana of South America, tested a new tracked articulated, all-terrain carrier HT270.
3e REI: 2021 Bugler Course
A traditional bugler course for its future regimental buglers was organized by the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) in French Guiana in recent weeks. See the photos.