13e Demi-Brigade de Légion Étrangère, 13e DBLE. The only demi-brigade (half-brigade) of the Foreign Legion and the last demi-brigade within the current French Army. Since June 2016, the 13e DBLE has been stationed at Camp Larzac, near La Cavalerie in Southern France. It is one of the largest and most modernized French infantry regiments.
From August 2011 to June 2016, the considerably reduced 13e DBLE (less than 60 permanent Legion personnel) served in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and operated a desert warfare training camp located close to Abu Dhabi, the capital. From 1962 to 2011, the 13e DBLE was stationed in the Quartier Général Monclar in Djibouti, Horn of Africa, as the last Foreign Legion unit permanently based on this continent.
The unit was activated in North Africa in February 1940. Considered a mountain warfare unit comprising only two battalions, it was designated as a demi-brigade instead of a regiment. Because of the existence of other two Foreign Legion provisional units formed in 1939 and 1940, the 11e REI and 12e REI, the new unit got the number 13.
The 13th Demi-Brigade fought in World War II campaigns in Norway, Eritrea, Syria, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Italy, and France. After the war, it participated in the First Indochina War (1946-54) and the Algerian War (1955-62).
During the service in Djibouti, its men took part in the Loyada Hostage Rescue Mission. Also, the unit saw action in – among others – Somalia, Rwanda, Yemen, Ivory Coast, and the Central African Republic. Recently, the 13e DBLE units deployed to the Sahel region in Sub-Saharan Africa and carried out missions in Mayotte, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion, and Djibouti.
History of the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade
See the history of the 13e DBLE from 1940 to the 2020s. Well-ordered data including dozens of photographs covering all historical periods, from the Norwegian Campaign to its current service in France: History of the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade
Current structure of the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade
The regiment is divided (in 2024) into 7 companies composed of around 1,300 men. A reserve company consisting of non-Legion reservists is also assigned to the 13e DBLE.
The current 13e DBLE is organized as a modern infantry unit with a new generation of equipment. In mid-2017, it became the first French Army regiment to receive HK 416 F, the new French Army assault rifle. The regiment is specializes in landing operations, and all stages of ground military operations. In 2018, it took part in its first overseas military operations. Since 2021, its companies have been furnished with modern VBMR Griffon vehicles. A commando-like SAED platoon operates within the regiment’s CA company, as do other specialists, including snipers and drone operators.
The 13e DBLE is part of the 6th Light Armored Brigade (6e BLB). Other Legion regiments serve with this brigade too: the 1er REC, 2e REI, and 1er REG.
The 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade operates the DEEN2 (Level 2 Training Area Detachment, formerly CEITO), a large French Army training center placed within Camp Larzac. It is reserved for long-range snipers and 81 mm mortars.
In June 2024, the 5th Company was disbanded.
In 2024, the 13e DBLE is composed of:
- HQ & Logistics Company (Compagnie de Commandement et de Logistique, CCL)
- 1st Company (1re Compagnie, 1CIE)
- 2nd Company (2e Compagnie, 2CIE)
- 3rd Company (3e Compagnie, 3CIE)
- 4th Company (4e Compagnie, 4CIE)
- 6th Company (6e Compagnie, 6CIE, non-Legion personnel)
- Combat Support Company (Compagnie d’Appui, CA)
- Reserve Company (Compagnie de Réserve, 8CIE)
| NICKNAME: | Phalange Magnifique (Excellent Phalanx) |
|---|---|
| ACTIVATION: | 1940 |
| MOTTO: | “More Majorum” (In the manner of our ancestors) |
| REGIM. MARCH: | Sous le soleil brûlant d’Afrique |
| OFFIC. FB PAGE: | N/A |
| FFL INFO POSTS: | 13e DBLE’s category |
Location of the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade
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