See a complete history of the legendary Foreign Legion companies mounted on mules. The last of them disappeared 70 years ago in Morocco, in late December 1949. Elite high-mobile units, consisting of hard men loving the autonomous life far from the civilization, they played crucial role in the successful conquest of Algeria’s South Oran between the 1880s and 1900s. Shortly afterwards, they took part in the Pacification of Morocco and were fighting there until the mid-1930s.
65 years ago: Little known repair units in Africa are disbanded
Learn about the history of the four almost forgotten Foreign Legion repair units serving in Africa during the ongoing war in Indochina. Organized in North Africa in the late 1940s and the early 1950s, they provided support to Legion and French regular units in Algeria, Tunisia and even deep in French West Africa, which was really exceptional.
Read more65 years ago: Little known repair units in Africa are disbanded
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020
The year 2019 is behind us, Christmas are coming. In September, the Foreign Legion Info project started the eighth year of its existence. For me, as a person being fully responsible for this website and its content, it’s time to review annual goals and look ahead to what the year 2020 could bring.
Foreign Legion: Military close combat basics with Major Gérald
See another interesting video published by the official French Foreign Legion channel on YouTube. The fourth video of a training series shows the fundamental basic techniques of close quarter combat. They are presented by Major Gérald (the most senior warrant officer), the head of the Sports Office, 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE), the Legion’s HQ.
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3e REI: 3rd Company in Suriname 2019
In late November 2019, the legionnaires from the 3rd Company, 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) carried out shooting exercises in Suriname, a country on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America.
1er REG + 2e REG: 2019 Saint Barbara Day
Within a week, in late November and early December 2019, the two engineer regiments of the French Foreign Legion organized an annual commemoration of their patron, Saint Barbara (Sainte Barbe in French). See photos.
4e RE: Remise de Kepi blanc at Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
In mid-October 2019, a platoon of Foreign Legion enlisted volunteers from the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE) finished their initial four-week instruction. After having passed a long march, they were allowed to make a military oath and be called legionnaires. The ceremony took place at the Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, an old castle in southwestern France. See the video.
Read more4e RE: Remise de Kepi blanc at Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
Foreign Legion: Explosive training exercises with Major Gérald
See an interesting motivational video published by the official French Foreign Legion channel on YouTube in late November. The already third video of a training series shows simple and effective physical training techniques for developing your explosive strength. They are presented by Major Gérald (similar to the rank of Sergeant Major in the US + UK, the most senior warrant officer) from the Sports Office of the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE), the Legion’s HQ located in Aubagne.
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Operation Barkhane: 13 French soldiers died, including a legionnaire
On Monday, 25 November 2019, two helicopters of the French Army crashed in Mali (West Africa), during anti-terrorist Operation Barkhane. The crash cost lives of 13 soldiers, including a French Foreign legionnaire from the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG).
Read moreOperation Barkhane: 13 French soldiers died, including a legionnaire
55 years ago: An important Foreign Legion engineer task force was disbanded
See a fully reworked article dealing with the history of a forgotten Foreign Legion engineer task force, the only engineer battalion-sized unit of the Legion that has ever been established in North Africa (no, the short-lived 12th Pioneer Battalion from 1939 wasn’t in fact a Foreign Legion formation). Organized by a half of the then 3e REI, the legionnaires of this important unit were tasked with the urgent transfer of the Legion’s Motherhouse from Algeria and its installation in France and Corsica, after the end of the Algerian War in 1962.
Read more55 years ago: An important Foreign Legion engineer task force was disbanded
2e REI + 1er REG + 1er REC: Training before deployment
In October-November 2019, a company from the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI), a company from the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) and two squadrons of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) moved to military camps to participate in an intensive training before their overseas deployment. See images.
Read more2e REI + 1er REG + 1er REC: Training before deployment