Andrew J. Mitchell: Mafteiu and the Compagnie Montée d’Algérie

In mid-November 2023, a new English-written book dedicated to the French Foreign Legion was released: Mafteiu and the Compagnie Montée d’Algérie, subtitled The obscure history of the little-known French Foreign Legion Mounted Company of Algeria, 1881 – 1939. This is another original work of our friend Andrew J. Mitchell, an Irish amateur historian and a passionate Foreign Legion insignia collector.

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DOCUMENTS: 1847 1st Foreign Legion Regiment Honorable discharge certificate

A new part of the DOCUMENTS series. Today a very rare document is presented here, the oldest document related to the French Foreign Legion that is currently available on our website. It was issued as early as 1847 to a Belgian legionnaire, at the conclusion of his honest and faithful service in North Africa.

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Lieutenant Colonel Jean Pierre Bissey

The 5th of August 1933 marks the day when Lieutenant Colonel Jean Pierre Bissey, a lesser-known officer of the French Foreign Legion, was killed in a battle with local rebels during the French Pacification of Morocco. All but forgotten nowadays, he remains not only the highest-ranking officer of the Foreign Legion killed between the two world wars but also during the long campaign in Morocco. The following article was written in his memory.

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PHOTOS: 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Camerone in Aubagne in 1963

A new part of the PHOTOS series. Enjoy rare photographies which present the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Camerone that was commemorated in Aubagne in 1963, within the new HQ of the Foreign Legion and the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE). In fact, it was also the very first Camerone Day celebrated in France and not in Algeria’s Sidi Bel Abbes.

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Foreign Legion: 2023 Victory in Europe Day

On May 8, 2023, the French Foreign Legion units commemorated the 78th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, which came after the definitive overall surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies, signed in Berlin. During the final battles in Europe in May 1945, three Legion units participated: the RMLE (3e REI now), 1er REC, and the 13e DBLE. See some images from the 2023 Victory in Europe Day celebrations.

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