Regiment of Tonkin. The only regiment of the French Foreign Legion established (two times) in Asia. Nicknamed after Tonkin, the then title for northern Vietnam during the French rule and the place were the unit was born, the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE) remains also the only regiment of the Foreign Legion stationed in French Polynesia. Its legionnaires were also the only Legion force fighting against the Japanese during WWII (1940 and 1945). Besides that, the 5e RE’s units fought in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Algeria. In 1963, the regiment was reorganized and moved to French Polynesia to build and guard a new French nuclear testing site…

If you are interested in well-ordered data about the Foreign Legion’s 5th Foreign Regiment, including 40+ nice images, just follow the link or click the image below. The page was completely reworked…

See the History & Images of 5e RE.