It is with deep sadness that the Foreign Legion Veteran association in Poland (A.A.A.L.E.P.) announces the death of their comrade and honorary member Zygmunt Jatczak. He served in the Foreign Legion in 1947-1952 and was one of the last few survivors of the First Indochina War (1946-1954). Zygmunt Jatczak died last week, on 9 February 2021, in Olsztynek, Poland. He was 97 years old. R.I.P.
2e REI: 2021 Mission CORYMBE
In early February 2021, a new Mission CORYMBE began for legionnaires of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI). The legionnaires will cruise along the coastline of West Africa, between Senegal and Gabon. The mission will last about two to three months.
45 years ago: The very first anti-terrorist mission for the Foreign Legion
In early February 1976, two French Foreign Legion units participated in their very first anti-terrorist mission to rescue 31 French children kidnapped by Pan-Somali militants in the Horn of Africa. Although it was such an exceptional operation for them, the legionnaires did well.
Read more45 years ago: The very first anti-terrorist mission for the Foreign Legion
39th Anniversary: A Foreign Legion airborne platoon perished in Djibouti in February 1982
39 years ago, in early February 1982, a common French military exercise had to take place in Djibouti, a country in the Horn of Africa. A French Foreign Legion airborne platoon was to participate. The Legion paratroopers were ordered to carry out a routine training jump over a drop zone located nord-west of the capital. They boarded their aircraft and took off…
Read more39th Anniversary: A Foreign Legion airborne platoon perished in Djibouti in February 1982
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
Official COVID-19 FAQ page of the French diplomacy
Two small updates for those considering to join the French Foreign Legion in the following days or weeks.
1er REC: Video to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the regiment
The only cavalry unit currently serving within the French Foreign Legion, 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC), released a video to commemorate the upcoming 100th anniversary of the regiment.
Read more1er REC: Video to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the regiment
Five years ago: Six legionnaires killed by an avalanche in the French Alps
On January 18, 2016, fifty members from the Foreign Legion’s 3rd Company, 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG) were going through a mountain warfare basic training in the French Alps while an avalanche caught them. Five legionnaires had been killed immediatelly; the sixth legionnaire died a week later.
Read moreFive years ago: Six legionnaires killed by an avalanche in the French Alps
Foreign Legion: Hand-to-hand combat training with Major Gérald
See another interesting video published by the official French Foreign Legion channel on YouTube starring Major Gérald, the head of the Sports Office of the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE).
Read moreForeign Legion: Hand-to-hand combat training with Major Gérald