In 1971, a combined battalion was activated to group Foreign Legion pioneers and French Army Engineer Corps sappers to construct the largest military camp in Western Europe. Later, the battalion constructed or modernized other military training areas, before its deactivation in late 1982. Even today, these camps still preserve concrete traces of the remarkable efficiency of the men of the Foreign Legion, who reaffirmed that legionnaires are both elite soldiers and competent builders, just like their ancestors.
The legionnaires, who built up the largest military camp in Western Europe
Legionnaires of the French Foreign Legion have kept the long tradition of their Pioneers-Sappers history. The bearded Legion Pioneers are well known, an inseparable part of every larger parade of legionnaires. In the 1970s, the modern Legion Pioneers from the very little-known 61st Engineer Legion Mixed Battalion (61e BMGL) participated in the construction of the largest military camp in Western Europe: Camp Canjuers. See the 61e BMGL’s rare images & history.
Read moreThe legionnaires, who built up the largest military camp in Western Europe