61st Engineer Legion Mixed Battalion | French Foreign Legion Information

The 61st Engineer Legion Mixed Battalion (61e BMGL) was a combined French Army unit composed of regular Army sappers and legionnaires. Activated in early 1971, it was tasked with building Camp Canjuers, the largest live-fire training range in Western Europe at the time. After later working at the camps of Larzac, La Courtine, Caylus, and des Garrigues, the 61e BMGL was deactivated in 1982.

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L'article en français : 61ème Bataillon Mixte de Génie Légion
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61eme BMGL - 61 BMGL - 61st Engineer Legion Mixed Battalion - History

Creation of the 61e BMGL

In 1962, after the Algerian War ended and as French forces prepared to redeploy from North Africa to Europe, a decision was taken to build a new large training area in France, intended primarily for armored cavalry. To carry out this project, Foreign Legion engineer elements were selected and deployed in early 1968 to Canjuers, in the Var Department of southeastern France, north of Draguignan. They were later reinforced by regular army engineers, and the two groups worked side by side there until late 1970. Those elements would then merge into a single unit.

Accordingly, the 61st Engineer Legion Mixed Battalion (61e Bataillon Mixte de Génie Légion, 61e BMGL) was activated at Camp Canjuers on January 1, 1971. A combined Engineer Corps/Foreign Legion unit, it remains the only such unit established in metropolitan France to date, and the second unit of this type then in existence, after the 5th Mixed Regiment serving in the Pacific.

The 61e BMGL inherited the traditions of the 61st Engineer Battalion (1939–1940) in France and the 61st Engineer-Legion Battalion (1949–1955) from the Indochina campaign. Under its fanion, decorated with the 1939–45 War Cross and the Overseas Operations War Cross (including a palm for a citation in orders), the battalion brought together the engineer elements that had been working at Canjuers for the previous three years.

Assigned to the 7th Military Region, the 61e BMGL consisted of the Command and Services Company (CCS), the Engineer Corps Construction Company (CTG), and the Legion Construction Company (CTL). The latter was, in fact, the former Foreign Legion Pioneer Company (CPLE), which had been stationed at Canjuers since February 1968.

At the beginning, the strength of the battalion was 511 men: 24 officers, 91 non-commissioned officers, and 396 enlisted personnel (sappers, conscripts, and legionnaires). Lieutenant Colonel Debent, a former lieutenant with the 2e BEP in Indochina, assumed overall command.

The Legion Construction Company numbered 151 men, including 6 officers, 23 non-commissioned officers, and 122 legionnaires. It was organized into a command platoon and three construction platoons. The company remained under Captain Doussau, who had commanded it since its formation in 1968.

61e BMGL - 61 BMGL - Foreign Legion - France - Paris - Draguignan - map - location

61e BMGL - 61 BMGL - Foreign Legion - Camp Canjuers - Draguignan - map - location

61e BMGL - 61 BMGL - Foreign Legion - Camp Canjuers - Lieutenant Colonel Debent - 1972 — Lieutenant Colonel *Debent*, the first commander of the 61e BMGL at *Canjuers*. During the Indochina War, he served as a lieutenant with the *2e BEP*.

61e BMGL - 61 BMGL - Foreign Legion - Camp Canjuers - Captain Doussau - 1971 — Captain *Doussau*, commander of the Legion Company, 61e BMGL. In February 1968, he and a small Legion detachment – the first elements of the future *CPLE* – were the first to arrive at *Canjuers*.

Canjuers 1971-1974

The mission of the 61e BMGL was to continue developing the future Canjuers firing range: a vast maneuver area of 86,500 acres (35,000 hectares) and 22 miles (35 kilometers) in length, destined to become the largest military training camp in France – and one of the largest in Western Europe.

To accomplish this mission, the battalion maintained a substantial fleet of heavy equipment and vehicles. Its heavy machinery included bulldozers, graders, agricultural tractors, self-propelled equipment, concrete mixers, rock-drilling rigs, crushers, and cranes, among others. The vehicle fleet included liaison vehicles (cars), tractor units, dump trucks, recovery vehicles, and tanker trucks.

The 61e BMGL first had to complete the overall development of the camp’s built-up area, enabling civilian contractors to proceed with the construction of new, modern barracks. The battalion’s units then built infrastructure across the maneuver area as a whole: the Auveine, Lagne, Amandiers, and Chaudoin firing ranges; the network of armored-vehicle tracks; the access tracks to the mobile targets; and the South and West beltways.

In addition, the battalion completed a VTC road (for vehicles transporting a nuclear load), as well as bypasses and the widening of Departmental Road 955 (RD955), which provided access to the camp.

To support these construction sites – especially the roads and tracks – legionnaires and sappers extracted hundreds of thousands of tons of construction aggregate from the Petorgues and Comboutaire quarries.

In April 1971, the 61e BMGL’s unit badge was issued. The men of the Legion Company also retained their former badge, that of the CPLE, and wore it alongside the new battalion insignia. The practice was soon adopted by the battalion’s commanders as well – a highly unusual arrangement.

The battalion’s fanion (banner) arrived shortly afterward, in May.

In August 1971, Captain Doussau left the CTL after commanding it for three and a half years. He was succeeded by Captain Cattaneo, who had begun his career as a simple legionnaire in 1946.

In October 1972, the 61e BMGL also changed commanders: Major Bouchier succeeded Lieutenant Colonel Debent.

In May 1973, Captain Cattaneo took his well-deserved retirement after 27 years in the Legion. He was replaced by Captain Gansmann, who became the new commander of the CTL.

From the second half of 1973 onward, new construction sites were added to the battalion’s agenda, including road works for the commune of Montferrat, located south of the camp.

On October 11, 1974, Major Brunet replaced then-Lieutenant Colonel Bouchier at the head of the battalion. During the ceremony, a 19-mile (30 km) road, part of the camp’s future beltway, was officially opened.

By that time, the camp’s new, modern barracks had already been completed, along with other facilities (e.g., a swimming pool, post office, cinema, and restaurant). This allowed army units to come to Canjuers to conduct their first training exercises.

61e BMGL - 61 BMGL - Foreign Legion - Mixed Battalion - Camp Canjuers - Badge - Insignia - 1971 — The 61e BMGL badge, designed and issued in 1971. The grenade and the green-and-red colors symbolize the Legion; the black color and the breastplate with helmet represent the Engineer Corps. Interestingly, the design appears to combine elements of the insignia of the two Foreign parachute regiments, the *1er REP* and *2e REP*.

CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Camp Canjuers - Badge - Insignia - 1971 — The Legion Construction Company badge. The unit retained its original badge, created in 1970 for the CPLE. The design was inspired by the insignia of the *1er REI*’s Sapper-Pioneer Company (CSP/1), which served in North Africa prior to World War II.

61e BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Camp Canjuers - Rock drilling rig - 1973 — Legionnaires of the CTL 61e BMGL with their rock drilling rig at Camp Canjuers, 1973.

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Camp Canjuers - Captain Cattaneo - Captain Gansmann - 1973 — In August 1971, Captain *Cattaneo* (left, wearing a personal *fourragère*) became commander of the Legion Company. In May 1973, after 27 years in the Legion, he retired and was succeeded by Captain *Gansmann* (right). A Grand Officer of the *Legion d’honneur*, an Indochina veteran, and fifteen times mentioned in dispatches, *Cattaneo* had enlisted as a simple legionnaire in 1946.

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Camp Canjuers - Bulldozer - 1973 — A bulldozer (Caterpillar D9) of the CTL working at Camp Canjuers, 1973.

61e BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Camp Canjuers - farmhouse - 1973 — A farmhouse occupied by a CTL platoon at Camp Canjuers. Note the company insignia on the wall.

61e BMGL - 61 BMGL - Foreign Legion - Camp Canjuers - 1974 - Amicales - Veterans - Garden party — Garden party organized jointly by the CTL company and Legion veterans from various associations (*Amicales*) at Camp Canjuers, in June 1974. The photo has been published with the kind permission of *Krzysztof Schramm*, historian of Poland’s Foreign Legion veteran association (*A.A.A.L.E. de Pologne*) and author of *Zygmunt Jatczak: I Regret Nothing*.

61e BMGL - 61 BMGL - Foreign Legion - Mixed Battalion - Camp Canjuers - 1973 — Camp Canjuers, 1974. By then, a new, large military city had already been built by civilian contractors, allowing French units to begin arriving for live-fire training.

61e BMGL - 61 BMGL - Foreign Legion - Mixed Battalion - Camp Canjuers - 1974 — In addition to barracks and a mess, the new base at *Canjuers* also offered a swimming pool, post office, cinema, and restaurant.

61e BMGL - 61 BMGL - Foreign Legion - Mixed Battalion - Camp Canjuers - Lieutenant Colonel Bouchier - Major Brunet - 1974 — Lt. Col. *Bouchier* (left), the battalion’s commander since 1972, was replaced by Major *Brunet* on October 11, 1974. The 61e BMGL’s commanders came from the Engineer Corps, while the second-in-command was drawn from the Legion.

Canjuers 1975-1978

The years 1975 and 1976 saw additional projects completed, including the construction of a helicopter landing zone, an obstacle course, a launch site for MILAN anti-tank missiles, and facilities for artillery observation posts. The two construction companies also built several firebreaks with access roads as fire-prevention measures. From January 1975 onward, a fire-fighting platoon composed exclusively of legionnaires (five groups) permanently monitored the entire camp.

In May 1975, Captain Gansmann was replaced by Captain Stemberger as commander of the Legion Company. Stemberger, a former legionnaire who had enlisted in 1949, left the company and the Legion in October 1976. Captain Pierquin succeeded him.

That same month, in October 1976, Lieutenant Colonel Bissonnier took command of the 61e BMGL.

In 1977, the CTL legionnaires completed further projects, including the Guent submersible ford (Lieutenant Phong’s platoon), the Lagnes tank firing range, consisting of 8 miles (13 km) of tracks (Lieutenant Mey’s platoon), and the Amandiers firing range (Lieutenant Truc’s platoon). The 2nd Platoon (Lieutenant Bustos), equipped with a crusher and giant Berliet T30 trucks, extracted, crushed, and delivered thousands of tons of construction aggregate for these sites.

Nevertheless, 1978 marked the end of the 61e BMGL’s mission at Canjuers. In seven years of hard work, the battalion achieved impressive results:

600,000 m3 of earthworks
800,000 m3 of material transported
400,000 m3 of construction aggregate extracted
70 miles (110 km) of roads
250 miles (110 km) of tracks
50 fords and concrete piers for tanks
4 outdoor campsites (each for a regiment, i.e., about 1,000 men)
a helicopter landing zone

In August 1978, the battalion began its departure from Camp Canjuers. It was replaced by the Foreign Legion Reinforced Road Building Company (CRTRLE), created that same month.

Simultaneously, on August 25, Captain Llorens took command of the CTL.

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Canjuers - Captain Stemberger - Captain Pierquin - 1976 — Captain *Stemberger* (left, holding the unit fanion). A former legionnaire who enlisted in 1949, he took command of the Legion Company in May 1975 and retired in October 1976. He was succeeded by Captain *Pierquin* (right), a non-Legion officer from airborne units.

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Canjuers - Fire Fighting Platoon - 1976 — A group from the Fire-Fighting Platoon at *Canjuers*, 1976. The platoon, composed exclusively of legionnaires, consisted of five groups that monitored the entire camp.

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Canjuers - Saint Barbara Day - 1976 — Saint Barbara Day (December 4), the annual holiday of French engineers honoring their patron saint. Here, the *Foreign Legion Band* and CTL legionnaires at *Canjuers*, early December 1976.

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Canjuers - Firing Range of Amandiers - 1976 — The Amandiers armored-vehicle firing range, built at *Canjuers* by the Legion Company. It is still used annually by vehicles of the *1er REC*.

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Canjuers - departure ceremony - 1978 — NCOs of the CTL during the departure ceremony on July 26, 1978, marking the end of the 61e BMGL’s mission at *Canjuers*. Right: Adjudant-chef *Kiessling*, a warrant officer serving as the CTL first sergeant.

Larzac 1978-1981

In September 1978, the 61e BMGL was stationed at Camp Larzac (also known as Camp La Cavalerie), near Millau in the Aveyron Department of southern France. It was an older military camp with a nearby training area, both slated for renovation and modernization.

The necessary preparations were made to install the battalion in the camp, a process that continued through December.

On October 17, Lieutenant Colonel Bastian became the new commander of the 61e BMGL.

In 1979 and 1980, work at Larzac was in full swing. The most important task was the development of the ALAT Zone. This was a major 40-acre (16-hectare) construction site for a French Army Light Aviation regiment of combat helicopters – about 60 aircraft. At the same time, the battalion also had to build a road network for the camp, along with parking areas for tanks and other vehicles.

On August 25, 1980, Captain Bustos succeeded Captain Llorens as commander of the Legion Company.

A month later, the legionnaires of the 2e REP presented the new FAMAS rifle to the personnel of the CTL, which was still equipped with the older MAS 49/56.

In October, Lieutenant Colonel Bironneau took over the 61e BMGL. He was a veteran of the battalion, having served as a captain during its earliest period in 1971.

In 1981, the CTL legionnaires continued work on the ALAT Zone. Their other projects included five campsites (bivouacs with the capacity of one regiment per bivouac) and development of the site for the future military railroad station at L’Hospitalet.

However, for political reasons, work at Larzac had to be interrupted prematurely. The battalion’s units were instead detached to other locations.

61e BMGL - 61 BMGL - Foreign Legion - Camp Larzac - France - map - location

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Larzac - Lieutenant Colonel Bissonnier - Lieutenant Colonel Bastion - 1978 — Camp Larzac, October 1978. After two years in command of the 61e BMGL, Lieutenant Colonel *Bissonnier* (left) was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel *Bastian*. Note the “61” collar patches rather than the grenade worn by Legion officers.

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Bulldozer - 1973 — A bulldozer of the Legion Construction Company, late 1978.

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Millau - 1978 — Armistice Day (November 11), 1978. A CTL detachment at *Millau*, a town situated close to Camp Larzac.

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Larzac - Saint Barbara Day - 1979 — The Legion Company marching during the Saint Barbara Day parade at *Larzac*, 1979. Note the typical Larzac buildings in the background. Since 2016, the camp has been home to the *13e DBLE*.

61 BMGL - Mixed Battalion - Fanion - Larzac - Saint Barbara Day - 1979 — The fanion of the 61e BMGL, guarded by two Foreign Legion NCOs, during the same parade at *Larzac*, December 1979.

61e BMGL - 61 BMGL - Mixed Battalion - Foreign Legion - Lieutenant Colonel Anzanel - 1980 — Lieutenant Colonel *Anzanel*, second-in-command of the 61e BMGL from 1977 to 1979. He enlisted as a simple legionnaire in 1947 and retired in 1980.

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Larzac - ALAT Zone - 1980 — The ALAT Zone – a major construction site for a helicopter regiment – built by the 61e BMGL’s Legion Company at Camp Larzac.

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Larzac - Captain Llorens - Captain Bustos - 1980 — In late August 1978, Captain *Llorens* (left) assumed command of the CTL and led its move from *Canjuers* to *Larzac*. Exactly two years later, Captain *Bustos* succeeded him; *Bustos* had previously served with the company as a lieutenant.

61e BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Camp Larzac - General Lardry - 1980 — Camp Larzac, late 1980. CTL legionnaires receive a visit from General *Lardry*, then head of the Foreign Legion.

61 BMGL - CTL - Foreign Legion - Construction Company - Larzac - greeting card - 1980 — A greeting card of the Legion Construction Company 61e BMGL, from 1980.

La Courtine and Garrigues 1981-1982

In early July 1981, the battalion dispersed and its units became semi-independent. The Legion Construction Company was ordered to Camp La Courtine in central France, while the Engineer Corps Construction Company moved first to Camp Caylus and then to Camp Souge, near Bordeaux in western France. Within a few months, the 61e BMGL succeeded in launching eleven new construction sites spread across a 300-mile (500 km) front, from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean. Only the CCS remained at the rear base at Larzac.

At Camp La Courtine, the legionnaires were tasked in particular with building a moving target for the MILAN anti-tank missile range. Using D9 and D6 bulldozers, loaders, T30 trucks, and compactors, they shifted more than 40,000 cubic meters of material extracted from ground littered with shells, balls, cartridges, and other projectiles accumulated over decades of live-fire training. This debris required special handling and the presence of a bomb disposal team.

In October, the Legion Company had to move again, this time to Camp des Garrigues near Nîmes in southern France. There, from mid-November 1981 to late March 1982, the CTL carried out major work to upgrade the camp’s infrastructure, including construction of a shooting range requiring 15,000 m3 of earthworks; the building of a 4-mile (7 km) armored-vehicle track; improvement of a large firebreak; and clearance of more than 50 acres (20 hectares) of scrubland.

Back at Camp La Courtine in April 1982, the legionnaires continued their tasks: a moving target for the MILAN missile range, a simulated urban training area, a 22-mile (35 km) beltway along the north of the camp, and various trench works.

By this point, however, the end of the battalion was approaching. On July 12 at Larzac, the last joint ceremony took place, marking the battalion’s official departure from the camp.

The unit then split into two parts, permanently separated. The CCS and CTG companies moved to Camp Coëtquidan before joining Camp Mourmelon in northeastern France, where they formed the 72nd Engineer Regiment on November 1. The CTL legionnaires, commanded by Captain Kampmeyer since late June, remained at Camp La Courtine until late October.

On November 2, 1982, a small dissolution ceremony took place at Quartier Viénot in Aubagne. The Legion Construction Company was formally disbanded, and the unit’s fanion was deposited at the Legion Museum. The history of the battalion that built the largest military camp in western Europe came to an end.

Today, the camps of Canjuers, Larzac, des Garrigues, and La Courtine still preserve tangible traces of the Foreign Legion’s effectiveness. The men of the 61e BMGL reaffirmed that legionnaires can be both elite soldiers and capable builders – much like their predecessors in the Roman Empire and their forebears in the North African and Indochina campaigns.

61e BMGL - 61 BMGL - Foreign Legion - Camp La Courtine - Camp Caylus - Camp Souge - Camp Garrigues - France - map - position - 1981