Between March 10 and 12, 2021, the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE) was receiving its first Multi-Role Armored Vehicles (VBMR), nicknamed Griffon. Part of the 2019-2025 modernization of the French Army, these armored personnel carriers are designed to replace the outdated Armored Frontline Vehicles (VAB), in service since 1976.
13e DBLE: 2021 Exercise at Lozere
This week, between 22 and 25 February 2021, an important exercise to maintain operational readiness of the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE) in open terrain took place in Lozère, a department in the Occitanie region in southern France.
AAALEP: Zygmunt Jatczak has passed away
It is with deep sadness that the Foreign Legion Veteran association in Poland (A.A.A.L.E.P.) announces the death of their comrade and honorary member Zygmunt Jatczak. He served in the Foreign Legion in 1947-1952 and was one of the last few survivors of the First Indochina War (1946-1954). Zygmunt Jatczak died last week, on 9 February 2021, in Olsztynek, Poland. He was 97 years old. R.I.P.
45 years ago: The very first anti-terrorist mission for the Foreign Legion
In early February 1976, two French Foreign Legion units participated in their very first anti-terrorist mission to rescue 31 French children kidnapped by Pan-Somali militants in the Horn of Africa. Although it was such an exceptional operation for them, the legionnaires did well.
Read more45 years ago: The very first anti-terrorist mission for the Foreign Legion
13e DBLE: 2020 Documentary
See a new, well-rendered documentary covering young legionnaires of the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE) at Camp Larzac, their military base nearby La Cavalerie, a small commune in southern France. The documentary was released in late November 2020. English subtitles included.
13e DBLE: Commemoration of the 80th anniversary at Camp Larzac
In late September 2020, reunited again after having returned from different deployments, the officers and legionnaires of the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE) commemorated together the 80th anniversary of their unit constituted in 1940 in North Africa. See photos.
Read more13e DBLE: Commemoration of the 80th anniversary at Camp Larzac
Foreign Legion: Old documentaries – 1er RE, 13e DBLE, 1er REC, 2e REI
If you are interested in the French Foreign Legion, you can watch some rare and interesting French documentaries from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, recently posted on YT, showing the then Legion and legionnaires.
Read moreForeign Legion: Old documentaries – 1er RE, 13e DBLE, 1er REC, 2e REI
13e DBLE: 2020 Change of Command
In late July 2020, a Change of Command ceremony took place at Camp Larzac, the military base of the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE), currently the last surviving “half-brigade” (demi-brigade) within the French Army.
Zygmunt Jatczak & Krzysztof Schramm: Niczego nie żałuję (Je ne regrette rien)
In July 2020, Krzysztof Schramm, a Polish historian and an honorary member of Poland’s French Foreign Legion Veterans and Friends’ Association released a second edition of memories of Zygmunt Jatczak, most likely the last-known surviving Polish veteran of the First Indochina War (1946-54).
Read moreZygmunt Jatczak & Krzysztof Schramm: Niczego nie żałuję (Je ne regrette rien)