1er REC: History of the Legion’s first cavalry regiment

See the history and pictures of the current French Foreign Legion’s only cavalry unit, 1er REC. Established officially in Tunisia in 1922, it remains the only active cavalry unit within the Legion and also its only unit (constituted before 1999) that has never changed its title.

Participating in the Rif War, Great Syrian Revolt, World War II, First Indochina War, Algerian War, Gulf War and other military operations, the 1er REC still continues in its active military duty. The regiment, as the first unit of the Legion, joined Operation Serval in Mali in January 2013 and Operation Sangaris in Central African Republic in December 2013.

See the History & images of 1er REC.

1er Régiment Étranger de Cavalerie - 1 REC - 1er REC - 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment - History

Welcome to FFL Info

This site is updated regularly. New updates are reported here. Thank you for your interest!

Nov 17 - 6e REI article was revised and updated
Nov 14 - PRLE platoons in Africa article was revised and updated
Oct 31 - Foreign Legion's Lineage article was revised and updated
Oct 23 - LCL de Vaugrigneuse article was revised and updated
Oct 05 - 5e RE's History article was entirely rewritten
Aug 29 - LCL Bissey article was revised and updated
Jul 07 - 6e REG article was published
Jul 07 - CRTRLE article was published
Jun 22 - Foreign Legion Artillery Batteries article was published
Jun 01 - Cie Para/3e REI article was revised and updated
May 11 - Battle of Dien Bien Phu was entirely rewritten
May 03 - 4e REI article was revised and updated (la version française incluse)