60 years ago: Foreign Legion’s Regiment of Morocco was disbanded

60 years ago, deep in the Algerian Sahara in late April 1964, an entire Foreign Legion regiment was disbanded, victim of the reorganization of the French army after the end of the Algerian War (1956-62). Activated in French North Africa in late 1920 and given the nickname the “Regiment of Morocco,” its units fought in Morocco, Tunisia, Madagascar, Indochina, Mauritania, Spanish Sahara, and Algeria. In 1980, its number, history, and traditions were taken over by the training regiment of the Legion in Castelnaudary.

Read more60 years ago: Foreign Legion’s Regiment of Morocco was disbanded

Captain Pierre Bourgin (1924 – 1959)

On the 1st of March 1959, in the Souk Ahras region of northeastern Algeria, a French Foreign Legion paratrooper platoon was engaged by local insurgents. Advancing in the lead was a popular officer, Captain Pierre Bourgin. As soon as the first shots were fired, he was fatally wounded. In him, the Foreign Legion lost one of its rare poets. The following article was written in his memory.

Read moreCaptain Pierre Bourgin (1924 – 1959)

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

75 years ago: Second airborne unit of the Foreign Legion in North Africa was born

75 years ago, in late 1948, another airborne unit of the Foreign Legion was officially activated in France’s North Africa. Like its older sister unit, even the new one was to take part in the First Indochina War (1946-1954) in Southeast Asia. It would distinguish itself and become the most decorated French Army battalion to have fought there. Subsequently, back in North Africa, the unit transformed into a regiment, which would later be known as one of the best trained and action-ready operational formations in the world.

Read more75 years ago: Second airborne unit of the Foreign Legion in North Africa was born

Lieutenant Colonel Jean Pierre Bissey

On August 5, 1933, Lieutenant Colonel Jean Pierre Bissey, a little-known officer of the French Foreign Legion, was killed in a battle with local rebels during the French pacification of Morocco. Almost forgotten today, he remains the highest-ranking Foreign Legion officer killed not only between the two world wars but also during the long Moroccan campaign. The following article has been written in his memory.

Read moreLieutenant Colonel Jean Pierre Bissey

75 years ago: An elite airborne unit of the Foreign Legion was activated

75 years ago, in France’s North Africa in early July 1948, an airborne unit of the Foreign Legion was officially constituted to take part in the First Indochina War (1946-1954) in Southeast Asia. There, the resolute unit would become a legend, as the very first French airborne battalion lost in combat.

Read more75 years ago: An elite airborne unit of the Foreign Legion was activated