2017 El Moungar Day: 2e REI to commemorate the 114th anniversary of the battle

Tomorrow, on September 2, the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) will commemorate the 114th anniversary of the 1903 Battle of El Moungar, in which 113 men of the regiment fought against Moroccan Berbers close to the Sahara of western Algeria. The date of the event has become the regimental holiday, El Moungar Day.

The Battle of El Moungar took place at El Moungar, a waterhole near Taghit, in the Bechar region of western Algeria. The 22nd Mounted Company of the regiment comprised Captain Vauchez, his deputy Lieutenant Selchauhansen (a Danish officer) and 111 legionnaires. They were surprised by a furious attack on an open plain, when protecting a camel convoy going to the Sahara.

During the long battle, Captain Vauchez, Lieutenant Selchauhansen and 34 legionnaires were killed. Another 47 legionnaires were seriously wounded.

2 REI - 2REI - 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment - 2nd REI - Legion - Algeria - El Moungar 1903
In the very rare photo, military chaplain de Foucauld (in the middle) with the 2e RE legionnaires wounded during the Battle of El Moungar (late 1903)
2e REI: El Moungar Day 2015
2015 El Moungar Day at the headquarters of the 2e REI at Nimes, southern France; © Image credit: SIG/DILA République Française

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History of the 2e REI