On Monday, September 2, 2024, the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) officially commemorated the 121st anniversary of the 1903 Battle of El Moungar, an important part of the French conquest of the Sahara, and the 36 men of the regiment who had fallen during it.
2e REI: C4 Close Combat Course
See a short video showing young legionnaires of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) who are trained in close combat.
Operational Company, 1st Foreign Regiment in Algeria in 1968
The Operational Company, 1st Foreign Regiment was the last French Foreign Legion unit to remain stationed in Algeria, North Africa. Its task was to guard the French air base at Bou Sfer near the city of Oran. The company was disbanded on August 17, 1968.
Read moreOperational Company, 1st Foreign Regiment in Algeria in 1968
2e REI: Shooting exercise for 3rd Company
While most of the legionnaires from the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) are deployed in France and abroad, the training continues for the 3rd Company.
80 years ago: Foreign Legion’s last artillery batteries were disbanded
With the conflict in Ukraine, a long-neglected component of Western armies, artillery, has once again stepped to the fore. It might come as a surprise to many Foreign Legion enthusiasts that a 1920 law allowed the Foreign Legion to establish, along with a cavalry regiment, also a separate artillery regiment. Equally surprising might be the fact that, in 1941, the legionnaires probably served in as many as 11 artillery batteries at the same time. The last of these units were disbanded 80 years ago, in 1944.
Read more80 years ago: Foreign Legion’s last artillery batteries were disbanded
2e REI: 2024 Infernal Run
On May 25, 2024, another edition of the Infernal Run took place near Nimes, Southern France. As usual, the event was organized by the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI). Legionnaires and civilians participated.
70 years ago: A decisive battle ended in French Indochina
In early May 1954, the decisive battle of the First Indochina War between French troops and the communist-led Viet Minh ended. Thousands of legionnaires participated, and many Foreign Legion units were lost during the fighting. The battle culminated in French withdrawal from Southeast Asia after almost 100 years.
Read more70 years ago: A decisive battle ended in French Indochina
Foreign Legion: 2024 Victory in Europe Day
On May 8, 2024, the French Foreign Legion units commemorated the 79th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. The end of the war came after the signing of the definitive overall surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies in Berlin. See some images from the 2024 Victory in Europe Day celebrations.
Foreign Legion: 2024 Camerone Day
On April 30, 2024, the French Foreign Legion celebrated the 161st anniversary of the 1863 Battle of Camerone, an epic moment in its history. The celebrations were held across the regiments in France and abroad. See images.
Major Raymond Cabaribère (1913 – 1954)
Major Raymond Cabaribère was an officer of the French Foreign Legion. He was killed in action on April 21, 1954, during the Indochina War, while commanding the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment. He was 41 years old.
130 years ago: A forgotten campaign in West Africa ended
In February 1894, the last elements of the French Foreign Legion left the Slave Coast in West Africa where they had successfully participated in two expeditions aimed at a local kingdom’s ruler and his forces. Not only did the legionnaires face heat, disease, and supply problems, but they also had to fight local female warriors, Amazons…
Read more130 years ago: A forgotten campaign in West Africa ended