This week, between 22 and 25 February 2021, an important exercise to maintain operational readiness of the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE) in open terrain took place in Lozère, a department in the Occitanie region in southern France.
3e REI: 2021 Eryx anti-tank missile course
In French Guiana in early February 2021, six legionnaires of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) had successfully finished their Eryx course and became Eryx gunners.
AAALEP: Zygmunt Jatczak has passed away
It is with deep sadness that the Foreign Legion Veteran association in Poland (A.A.A.L.E.P.) announces the death of their comrade and honorary member Zygmunt Jatczak. He served in the Foreign Legion in 1947-1952 and was one of the last few survivors of the First Indochina War (1946-1954). Zygmunt Jatczak died last week, on 9 February 2021, in Olsztynek, Poland. He was 97 years old. R.I.P.
2e REI: 2021 Mission CORYMBE
In early February 2021, a new Mission CORYMBE began for legionnaires of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI). The legionnaires will cruise along the coastline of West Africa, between Senegal and Gabon. The mission will last about two to three months.
39th Anniversary: A Foreign Legion airborne platoon perished in Djibouti in February 1982
39 years ago, in early February 1982, a common French military exercise had to take place in Djibouti, a country in the Horn of Africa. A French Foreign Legion airborne platoon was to participate. The Legion paratroopers were ordered to carry out a routine training jump over a drop zone located nord-west of the capital. They boarded their aircraft and took off…
Read more39th Anniversary: A Foreign Legion airborne platoon perished in Djibouti in February 1982
113 years ago: Foreign Legion’s company decimated by a severe snowstorm
In early February 1908, an unexpected severe snowstorm surprised a Foreign Legion company on the edge of the Sahara, during their march to a remote military post at the Algeria-Morocco border. Within hours, the unmerciful element decimated the unit. Many legionnaires died, others had to undergo amputation of their frozen extremities.
Read more113 years ago: Foreign Legion’s company decimated by a severe snowstorm
Official COVID-19 FAQ page of the French diplomacy
Two small updates for those considering to join the French Foreign Legion in the following days or weeks.
1er REC: Video to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the regiment
The only cavalry unit currently serving within the French Foreign Legion, 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC), released a video to commemorate the upcoming 100th anniversary of the regiment.
Read more1er REC: Video to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the regiment
Five years ago: Six legionnaires killed in an avalanche in the French Alps
On January 18, 2016, around 50 members of the Foreign Legion’s 3rd Company, 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG) were taking part in basic mountain warfare training near the Valfréjus ski resort in France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region when an avalanche struck. Five legionnaires died at the scene. A sixth legionnaire died one week later.
Read moreFive years ago: Six legionnaires killed in an avalanche in the French Alps
Foreign Legion: Hand-to-hand combat training with Major Gérald
See another interesting video published by the official French Foreign Legion YouTube channel, featuring Major Gérald, head of the Sports Office of the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE).
Read moreForeign Legion: Hand-to-hand combat training with Major Gérald
4e RE: 2020 Christmas at the school of the French Foreign Legion in Castelnaudary
See 2020 Christmas nativity scenes made by enlisted volunteers and legionnaires during their basic training or advanced instruction within the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE), the Legion’s training school based in Castelnaudary, southern France. As every year, for all enlisted volunteers and fresh legionnaires from the three basic training companies, it was their very first Christmas in the Foreign Legion.
Read more4e RE: 2020 Christmas at the school of the French Foreign Legion in Castelnaudary