French Foreign Legion information. An online project dedicated to the famous Foreign Legion.
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).
Read more2e BEP: 70th anniversary of the predecessor to the 2e REP
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.
Read moreForeign Legion’s Repair Companies in French Indochina 1946-56
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.
Read moreForeign Legion’s Engineering Companies in the First Indochina War
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
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
On May 7, 1954, after 55 days of fierce fighting, the major battle between French troops and Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh soldiers was terminated. The battle occurred in the valley of Dien Bien Phu, in northern Vietnam, and signaled the end of French influence in Southeast Asia. Thousands of legionnaires were involved in the struggle and many of them died…
During the First Indochina War, the Foreign Legion was demanded by French military authorities to create a parachute unit to support French infantry forces operating in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos since 1946. In 1948, volunteers of the Legion regiments stationed in Indochina formed the first Foreign Legion airborne unit – the Parachute Company, attached to the 3e REI.
In October 1952, the Foreign Legion made a decision to create an independent heavy mortar unit. In 1954, there were three mortar units within the French Foreign Legion fighting in the First Indochina War. A parachute mortar company and the two infantry mortar companies composed of mixed elements: legionnaires and local anti-communist soldiers. These units used the 120mm heavy mortars. See history and a few images of the units.
Read moreHeavy mortar units of the Foreign Legion in the First Indochina War