Units of the French Foreign Legion forgotten by time. Independent, self-governing autonomous motorized infantry companies serving in Algeria, established at the turn of the year 1954/1955 in response to rising rebel activity in French North Africa. The companies were equipped with Jeeps, Dodges WC 6×6, M3 Scout Cars (22e CPLE in 1955) and with AM-M8 Greyhound armored cars. They were often supported or even transported by helicopters and co-operated in several military operations with Foreign Legion paratroopers from 1er REP. In February 1956, the companies were grouped into a motorized group: GPLEA.
Legion’s youngest Saharan motorized company
An almost unknown unit of the French Foreign Legion. An independent, autonomous motorized infantry company formed in 1955 to serve in Algeria during the Algerian War. A few months later, it became the 4th Legion Saharan Motorized Company (4e CSPL). The youngest of the four legendary Saharan motorized companies of the Foreign Legion.
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.
Second Saharan motorized unit of the Legion
Learn about the 2nd Legion Saharan Motorized Company (2e CSPL), an autonomous motorized infantry unit of the French Foreign Legion serving in the Algerian Sahara between the 1940s and 1960s. Very little known today, equipped with Dodges WC 4×4 and 6×6, and also by AMM8 Greyhound armored cars, it became a Saharan rapid reaction force during the Algerian War.
Legion’s first Saharan motorized unit
Though little known today, four autonomous Saharan companies ranked among the most prestigious Foreign Legion’s units in the 1950s – 1960s. They kept the old traditions of the legionnaires riding camels through the North African desert and oasis, serving in the old cool-looking fortresses. Even the official recruiting posters of the Legion in the 1950s and 1960s portrayed Saharan units to attract new volunteers to join in. Today, the Legion’s first Saharan motorized unit will be presented here.
Rare Foreign Legion’s photos from the 1980s & Gulf War
Chad, Djibouti, Mayotte and the Gulf War… See the interesting slideshows created by Ch. R., a former legionnaire and NCO of the French Foreign Legion, who served in the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) during the 1980s and 1990s. Hundreds of rare, cool photos from places known by almost all legionnaires and from the Gulf War 1990-91.
Read moreRare Foreign Legion’s photos from the 1980s & Gulf War
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
4e REI: History of the Regiment of Morocco
See the history and images of the 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment (4e REI), the last Foreign Legion regiment that served in Morocco. Constituted in late 1920 and nicknamed as the Regiment of Morocco, the 4e REI participated in the pacification of that country, as well as in the campaigns in Syria and Lebanon, in Madagascar, in Indochina, and eventually in the Algerian War. It was disbanded in 1964. The current training regiment of the Legion took over the title, history and traditions of the 4e REI.
2e REP: History of the Foreign Legion’s last airborne unit
See history of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP), the last airborne unit of the French Foreign Legion, including more than 70 pictures. Established in Algeria in 1948 as a battalion, it participated in the First Indochina War. Reorganized to a regiment, the 2e REP took part in the Algerian War, Battle of Kolwezi and other military operations. The unit has been based on the island of Corsica since 1967.
Read more2e REP: History of the Foreign Legion’s last airborne unit
Foreign Legion in a 1978 documentary
An interesting Brazilian documentary on the French Foreign Legion, showing, besides other things, the very rare images of advanced training courses of this legendary unit. It was released 36 years ago, in January 1978 by Globo, the second-largest commercial TV network in the world.
1976: Training units left Corsica for Castelnaudary
From June 1962, training units of the French Foreign Legion were based in Corsica, having arrived there from Algeria. In October 1976, they left the island and moved to mainland France to be stationed in the town of Castelnaudary, in the southern part of the country.
Read more1976: Training units left Corsica for Castelnaudary