Summer holidays are over and thus it’s time to share again some historical pictures of the French Foreign Legion. This time, those related to the pre-WWII 3rd Company, 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment (4e REI). A direct heir to the famous 3rd Company, 1st Battalion, Foreign Regiment that participated in the legendary 1863 Battle of Camerone.
1956 Tainaste Attack in Morocco
In the mid-1950s, violent attacks by local rebels against French targets – military, administrative and civilian – proliferated in French North Africa, which encompassed Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. At the beginning of 1956, several units of the Foreign Legion were stationed in Morocco. Among them was the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) of Lieutenant Colonel Jacquot. The regiment was based in the northern part of the country, in the Taza region, already well-known for the Legion.
65 years ago: Two little-known motorized groups of the Foreign Legion were disbanded
In North Africa in late 1956, two little-known motorized groups of the Foreign Legion were disbanded, and their five companies helped to double the ranks of the two freshly established “motorized regiments”, first among Foreign Legion units. Learn more about these units that patrolled not only Algeria or Morocco, but also Northern Mauritania.
Read more65 years ago: Two little-known motorized groups of the Foreign Legion were disbanded
110 years ago: A fierce battle in Morocco
110 years ago, on 15 May 1911, during a French campaign to liberate the besieged ruler of Morocco, two platoons of the French Foreign Legion were involved in a fierce battle with numerous Moroccan rebels. Determined never to surrender to the enemy, only an officer and six legionnaires left alive after six hours of fighting. Although this battle is considered as the second Camerone, it has been almost forgotten over the years.
113 years ago: Foreign Legion’s company decimated by a severe snowstorm
In early February 1908, an unexpected severe snowstorm surprised a Foreign Legion company on the edge of the Sahara, during their march to a remote military post at the Algeria-Morocco border. Within hours, the unmerciful element decimated the unit. Many legionnaires died, others had to undergo amputation of their frozen extremities.
Read more113 years ago: Foreign Legion’s company decimated by a severe snowstorm
100 years ago: A Foreign Legion regiment was constituted in Morocco
In the then French protectorate of Morocco in late 1920, four autonomous battalions of the French Foreign Legion that had spent the whole First World War there were grouped to form a new unit, nicknamed as the Regiment of Morocco. The new regiment had to go on with the pacification of the country while, at the same time, his men were the first legionnaires ever to operate in the Middle East…
Read more100 years ago: A Foreign Legion regiment was constituted in Morocco
111th anniversary: Foreign Legion’s company overtook by a severe snowstorm
March or Die… In Algeria on February 1, 1908, a blinding snowstorm overtook a company of the Foreign Legion during their march to a remote military post at the Algeria-Morocco border. Beaten by the severe snowstorm in a semi-desert land, tens of legionnaires died. Many other suffered frostbite and had to be amputated. Though forgotten these days, the disaster has remained one of the most tragic events for the Legion.
Read more111th anniversary: Foreign Legion’s company overtook by a severe snowstorm