80 years ago, in early June 1946, a new Foreign Legion disciplinary unit was established in French Indochina. Stationed on a remote island off the coast of Vietnam, the unit’s mission was to reform ill-disciplined legionnaires who had been deployed to the Far East to fight in the First Indochina War (1946–1954), and whose offenses were too serious to be handled through standard disciplinary measures at the regimental, battalion, or company level.
PHOTOS: A Legionnaire’s Photographs from My Tho, French Indochina, 1947–1949
This is a new part in our PHOTOS series. Once again, we turn to French Indochina — this time to southern Vietnam in the late 1940s. The photographs presented here were shared with us by a French reader whose grandfather, Emile Louis André, served there with the Foreign Legion. His granddaughter, Ms. Alcina Machado, provided some basic details about his service, while the rest had to be researched or pieced together from the photographs themselves. She also shared a few lines about her grandfather’s life, giving us a glimpse into the personal story of one of the tens of thousands of legionnaires who were deployed to the First Indochina War (1946–1954).
Read morePHOTOS: A Legionnaire’s Photographs from My Tho, French Indochina, 1947–1949
Autonomous Battalion of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (BFC 5) – 1945-1946
In northern Vietnam in the autumn of 1945, a new unit was established, bringing together the surviving members of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (5e REI) who remained in the area at the time of Japan’s surrender. Though virtually unknown today (unlike the 5e REI’s much better-documented marching battalion – BM 5 – formed in China), it was the first Foreign Legion formation to reappear within the borders of French Indochina after World War II, reaffirming the Legion’s enduring presence in this territory.
Read moreAutonomous Battalion of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (BFC 5) – 1945-1946
PHOTOS: 3rd Company 13e DBLE in French Indochina in 1946
A new part of the PHOTOS series. See rare photos showing legionnaires of the 3rd Company, 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) during 1946, the first year of their deployment to French Indochina.
Read morePHOTOS: 3rd Company 13e DBLE in French Indochina in 1946
5e RE: Commemorating the 140th Anniversary of the Siege of Tuyen Quang
On March 3, 2025, the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE), known as the “Regiment of Tonkin,” held its inaugural commemoration of the Siege of Tuyen Quang, marking 140 years since the Foreign Legion’s historic victory. This event, celebrated as the 5e RE’s new regimental day, highlights the enduring legacy of the 1885 battle during the Sino-French War.
Read more5e RE: Commemorating the 140th Anniversary of the Siege of Tuyen Quang
PHOTOS: 1st Battalion 2e REI in Vietnam’s Faifo around 1950
Another part of the PHOTOS series. See a small set of nice pictures taken in French Indochina’s Vietnam from 1950 to early 1951, during the First Indochina War (1946-1954). These few photographs belonged to a German legionnaire serving with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) there at the time.
Read morePHOTOS: 1st Battalion 2e REI in Vietnam’s Faifo around 1950
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
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.
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
Hélie Denoix de Saint Marc (1922-2013)
Hélie Denoix de Saint Marc was a French Foreign Legion officer who served mainly with airborne units. Best known for his active participation in the 1961 Generals’ Putsch, he died on August 26, 2013. The following article was written in his memory.
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