In late May 1976, during a military exercise in the Horn of Africa, a helicopter transporting Foreign Legion elements crashed into the ground. Six legionnaires died immediately; another two died later. Others were badly wounded. At the time, the incident became the deadliest accident for the Legion since the end of the Algerian War in 1962. Despite being forgotten these days, even in France, this sad event and its victims should be remembered.
1976 Djibouti Helicopter Crash: Prelude
The year of 1976 started well for the French Foreign Legion. In early February, its legionnaires took part in a successful, widely reported 1976 Loyada hostage rescue mission. It was a mission to rescue 31 French children kidnapped by Somali rebels in Djibouti, the capital of the then French Territory of Afars and Issas (TFAI, formerly French Somaliland). Since 1977, the country has been called Djibouti. It is located in the Horn of Africa and borders Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia.
In support of the rescue mission in Djibouti, a Foreign Legion operational/intervention force was alerted – Foreign Legion Task Force (GOLE), commanded by Major Michel Guignon. Formed in 1971, the battalion-sized GOLE was based at Bonifacio, Corsica. Since 1972, the unit had been assigned to the re-activated 2e RE (2e REI now), also stationed in Corsica.
The GOLE left France on February 5, 1976. However, when the unit landed in the TFAI/Djibouti, the Loyada mission had already been over. But a new order was given – the GOLE had to stay in the country for next four months (Short Duration Mission, MCD), to strengthen the French military presence there. Its legionnaires (only HQ + 6th Company + 4th Squadron, 1er REC were deployed) would participate in military maneuvers and conduct border patrols alongside their comrades from the 13e DBLE, having been stationed permanently in Djibouti since 1962.
GOLE’s 1976 Djibouti Helicopter Crash
On May 24, 1976, a firing exercise took place in southeastern part of the TFAI/Djibouti. The GOLE legionnaires (nicknamed GOLEmen) were involved. They would be transported by helicopters from Arta to a military shooting range at Holhol (sometimes also spelled as Holl Holl). Arta is a small town in the southeastern part of the country, about 20 miles (30 km) west of the capital. The HQ + 6th Company, GOLE were stationed there at the time. Holhol is situated some 15 miles (25 km) south of Arta.
The transport was conducted by three helicopters (SA 330B PUMA) from the French Army Light Aviation Detachment (DETALAT) of Djibouti, in the morning. The first rotation was with Mortar Platoon (HQ Company) on board. The three PUMAs left Arta around 06.45 AM (06:45) and returned thirty minutes later, without problems. The second rotation moved to HolHol at 07.15 AM, with the first part of the 6th Company on board.
The third (and most likely the final) rotation took the 3rd Platoon, 6th Company. The three PUMAs left Arta around 07.45 AM (07:45). When they were approaching Holhol, about 1,25 mile (2 km) distant, an accident happened. The second PUMA of the formation, with three crew members and twelve legionnaires on board, crashed for unknown reasons into the Djadjaboka thalweg and burst into flames. The pilot and six legionnaires were thrown out of the helicopter. However, two crew members and six legionnaires died in the fire. Including Staff Sergeant Smajil Zolic, platoon sergeant, the deputy to a platoon leader.
Between the survivors, four badly wounded legionnaires. They were rescued and transported to France a few hours later, to be hospitalized in Paris. By the way, there aren’t any other information concerning the destiny of these badly wounded legionnaires sent to the hospital.
UPDATE April 2019: Shortly after their arrival to the military hospital in Paris, two badly wounded legionnaires died from their injuries caused by the helicopter’s rotor. The other two legionnaires survived and, after having recovered, they retired in Puyloubier, the Foreign Legion’s home for disabled veterans situated near Aubagne, southern France.[1]
1. Evidence of General Vittorio Tresti, the then 6th Company's commander, given in late March 2019 and provided to the Foreign Legion Info website by Roberto Castiglioni.
1976 Djibouti Helicopter Crash: Casualties
6 killed legionnaires of the 3rd Platoon, 6th Company, GOLE:
- Staff Sergeant Smajil ZOLIC – platoon sergeant
- Senior Corporal Julien COLETT
- Legionnaire Alois BRUNNER
- Legionnaire Joseph GALIESER
- Legionnaire Pierre GAUMONT
- Legionnaire René LARIER
4 badly wounded legionnaires of the 3rd Platoon, 6th Company, GOLE:
- Legionnaire Ruddy BRUNNER (from Germany)
- Legionnaire CHARBONNEL (from Belgium)
- Legionnaire ROAGNA (from Spain)
- Legionnaire ZIEGLER (from Austria)
UPDATE April 2019: Two of the badly wounded legionnaires died later. Their identity is unknown, however.
2 killed crew members of the DETALAT crashed helicopter:
- Adjudant Jean-Louis DUBOST
- Maréchal des logis chef Christian BAIXAS
1976 Djibouti Helicopter Crash: Conclusion
In the accident, the then Legion suffered its worst losses in a single incident since the end of the Algerian War (1962). Nevertheless, the event would be completely forgotten during the next decades. On the internet, even in 2018, there wasn’t any French article concerning the accident, except for a 2016 forum comment translating the original version of our article.
There could be two reasons. Six years later, another air accident killing legionnaires occurred in Djibouti: 1982 Mont Garbi Accident. This is a well-known event, fully covered by the media, commemorated annually. The second reason could be a hidden background with a potential trace of Somali insurgents. Who knows…
In any case, these two air accidents + the 2016 Avalanche accident in the Alps have remained the deadliest incidents for the Foreign Legion which occurred since the end of the Algerian conflict in 1962.
The operation in the TFAI/Djibouti was the only “rapid intervention” the GOLE took part in. The unit was dissolved in July 1977 and its three combat companies (5th + 6th + 7th) consolidated directly with the 2e RE. In late 1983, the regiment left Corsica for France. There, in July 1984, the three companies became the 1st + 2nd + 3rd Company, 2e REI.
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Special thanks:
I highly appreciate Roberto Castiglioni and his help with this article.
Also, many thanks to General Vittorio Tresti.
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Main information & images sources:
Képi blanc magazines (1976)
Mémorial GenWeb
Aéorostèles
Google Maps
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More from the Foreign Legion’s history:
1863 Battle of Camerone
1908 Forthassa Disaster
Foreign Legion in the Balkans: 1915-1919
1932 Turenne Rail Accident
1954 Battle of Dien Bien Phu
1976 Loyada Hostage Rescue Mission
1982 Mont Garbi Accident
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The page was updated on: April 14, 2019