156 years ago, in late April 1863, a legendary battle occurred in Mexico between a small company of legionnaires and almost 2,000 Mexicans. An action during the Second French intervention in Mexico that helped the French to capture Mexico City, the capital. The eight-hour battle is portrayed today as a pure example of bravery and determination of fighting to the finish. It became an inseparable part of the cult of the French Foreign Legion. See the fully reworked article dedicated to the battle and supplemented with many images.
VIDEO: An Aussie in the Foreign Legion
In April 2019, Australia’s national broadcaster ABC released a nice short documentary about an Australian serving with the French Foreign Legion. Having left his home three years ago, he passed the selection and basic training, and has served in Corsica with the well-known 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) since then.
2e REI: Infernal Run 2019
On April 12, 2019, the sixth year of Infernal Run took place. An annual event organized by the French Foreign Legion’s 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) occured near Nimes, the regiment’s garrison in southern France. See a nice video + photos.
Foreign Legion Music: Game of Thrones
See a nice video showing the Foreign Legion Music (MLE) while performing the instrumental main theme of the popular fantasy TV series Game of Thrones. Another nice video shows the same musicians of the French Foreign Legion marching and playing in France’s Cannes last weekend.
VIDEO: 1er REC + 1er REG at Canjuers
See a nice French Foreign Legion official video showing legionnaires from the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) and 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) during their joint military exercise at Camp of Canjuers.
2e REI + 1er REG: CENTAC in April 2019
In April 2019, legionnaires of the French Foreign Legion’s 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) and 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) meet together during another joint military exercise to maintain their operational readiness and to train cooperation within a combined task force.
2e REP: 3rd Company in New Caledonia
Since January 2019, the 3rd Company of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP), the only airborne unit of the French Foreign Legion, has been deployed to New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean.
1er REG: Egypt, Djibouti and Mozambique
In March 2019, legionnaires-sappers of the French Foreign Legion’s 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) on board of the Tonnerre, the French amphibious assault helicopter carrier, left France’s Toulon to be shipped to Africa to carry out different missions.
Foreign Legion Saharan Motorized Companies in North Africa: History & Images
The famous four Foreign Legion Saharan motorized units were disbanded in Algeria, North Africa, in late March 1963. Their men, vehicles, traditional uniforms, and fanions merged with two infantry regiments. The dream of many generations of young men – the Saharan legionnaire with his white kepi, V-shaped bandoleer, wide trousers, Saharan burnous cloak, and sandals – officially disappeared.
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