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.
Foreign Legion: 2023 Camerone Day
The 30th of April 2023 marked the 160th anniversary of the 1863 Battle of Camerone, an epic moment in the history of the French Foreign Legion in which its 65 men faced some 2,000 Mexican adversaries. The famous battle is portrayed as a pure example of bravery and the determination to fight to the finish, and gave the Legion its character and esprit de corps. Therefore, Camerone Day became the most important holiday for all current or former members of this exceptional military unit. See 2023 Camerone Day pictures from several Legion regiments.
3e REI: Activities in April 2023
See some of the activities of the Foreign Legion’s 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) that occurred in French Guiana, South America during April 2023.
115 years ago: A fierce battle took place in the Algerian-Moroccan borderlands
In mid-April 1908, a fierce battle took place in the Algerian-Moroccan borderlands, during one of the first stages of France’s conquest of Morocco. Men from two Foreign Legion companies contributed significantly to the success of the battle.
Read more115 years ago: A fierce battle took place in the Algerian-Moroccan borderlands
13e DBLE, 1er REC, 1er REG: 2023 Mission Lynx in Estonia
See some nice pictures from Estonia, a Baltic state located in Northeastern Europe, where are currently deployed legionnaires from three French Foreign Legion regiments: the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE), the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC), and the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG). There, they serve alongside Great Britain’s The Queen’s Royal Hussars (QRH).
Read more13e DBLE, 1er REC, 1er REG: 2023 Mission Lynx in Estonia
MLE: Musician trained by Major Gérald
Why a physical training when you are a musician? Because you are a musician in the French Foreign Legion! See a new video with Major Gérald, recently published by the Legion’s official YouTube channel. This time, the highest-ranking NCO serving as the head of the Sports Office, 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE) presents a workout for a member of the famous Foreign Legion Music Band (MLE), called “Iron lungs,” aimed at correct breathing.
PHOTOS: Lieutenant Mafteiu and Algerian Mounted Company in the early 1930s
PHOTOS series. See a set of rare pictures showing a peloton of the Algerian Mounted Company, the last mule-mounted company that served in France’s Algeria. The rare pictures belonged to Lieutenant Georges Mafteiu, the peloton leader, and were taken in the Algeria-Morocco borderlands in the early 1930s.
Read morePHOTOS: Lieutenant Mafteiu and Algerian Mounted Company in the early 1930s
3e REI: 2023 Jaguar Course
See some nice images from the international Jaguar Course, a two-month jungle warfare course organized by the French Foreign Legion’s 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI). It is designed mainly for platoon leaders from allied armies around the world.
1er REC, 2e REI, 1er REG: 2023 Training at the CENTAC Combat Training Center
In the second half of March 2023, legionnaires from three Foreign Legion regiments are deployed to the Combat Training Center (Centre d’Entraînement au Combat, CENTAC) at the Mailly Camp, in the Aube Department of Northeastern France.
Read more1er REC, 2e REI, 1er REG: 2023 Training at the CENTAC Combat Training Center
MLE: 2023 Music Parade in Wetzlar
See a video showing the well-known Foreign Legion Music Band (MLE) and their participation in the 2023 Music Parade in Germany’s Wetzlar in early March.
1er REG, 13e DBLE: FRINJEX 2023 in India
From March 6 to 9, 2023, legionnaires of the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) and the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) participated in a joint military exercise in Trivandrum, India.