In July 2019, a new book dedicated to the French Foreign Legion and its history was released: The Tigers of Tonkin – The History of the French Foreign Legion in Indochina 1883-1945. This great book is an original work of Andrew J. Mitchell, an Irish amateur historian and a well-known Foreign Legion insignia collector.
70 years ago: The very first Foreign Legion airborne unit was disbanded
70 years ago today, on the 31st May of 1949, the very first airborne unit of the French Foreign Legion was disbanded. Organized and stationed in Hanoi (the then capital of French Indochina) in 1948, the company of no more than 150 legionnaires-paratroopers supported French troops during the first stage of the Indochina War (1946-54). If you are interested in the lesser-known history of the Foreign Legion, see our fully reworked article dedicated to this exceptional unit (une version française incluse).
Read more70 years ago: The very first Foreign Legion airborne unit was disbanded
65 years ago: A decisive battle started in then French Indochina
65 years ago, a decisive battle started in then French Indochina between French troops, including legionnaires, and the Viet Minh. The two-month battle occurred in a remote valley of Dien Bien Phu in northeastern Vietnam. On 13 March 1954, the Viet Minh launched a bloody assault on a defensive position held by a Foreign Legion battalion. After several hours of severe fighting, the position would be overrun…
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2e BEP: 70th anniversary of the predecessor to the 2e REP
70 years ago, on October 1, 1948, the 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion (2e BEP) of the Foreign Legion was established in North Africa. The unit would be shipped to Southeast Asia a few months later, to became the most awarded French battalion of the First Indochina War (1946-54). After having returned back to North Africa in late 1955, its men helped to constitute its famous successor, the 2e REP (Regiment).
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Foreign Legion’s Repair Companies in French Indochina 1946-56
Learn about repair companies of the French Foreign Legion serving in then French Indochina during the First Indochina War (1946-54). Very little-known units, even in France, these companies provided an important support to French troops during military operations aimed at the Viet Minh.
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Foreign Legion’s Engineering Companies in the First Indochina War
Learn about engineering companies of the French Foreign Legion serving in then French Indochina during the First Indochina War (1946-54). Although very little-known units, even in France, these companies were among first Foreign Legion elements joining the military operations in Indochina and provided an important combat support in the following war.
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64 years ago: Major confrontation with the Viet Minh started
64 years ago, a major confrontation between the French and the Viet Minh started. It took place in northeastern Vietnam, in then French Indochina. On March 13, 1954, the French garrison of Dien Bien Phu was attacked. After several hours of bloody assaults, the enemy would overrun one of the important French strongpoints…
Read more64 years ago: Major confrontation with the Viet Minh started
Foreign Legion’s Transportation Companies in the First Indochina War
Learn about transportation companies of the French Foreign Legion serving in then Indochina during the First Indochina War (1946-54). Almost unknown units, even in France, these companies were greatly appreciated by combat troops because of their high importance in the ongoing war.
Read moreForeign Legion’s Transportation Companies in the First Indochina War