41 years ago, on February 4, 1976, a hostage rescue mission occurred in Loyada, a border village of the then French Territory of Afars and Issas (TFAI, formerly French Somaliland, Djibouti now). The base task of the mission was to save 31 French children, kidnapped by Somali rebels from the FLCS, a pan-Somali guerrilla organization. French Foreign Legion units and France’s GIGN took part in the successful mission.
Legion to recruit 1,700 candidates in 2017
The French Foreign Legion will recruit 1,700 candidates also in the year of 2017, according to General Hervé Wattecamps, the Chief of the French Army human resources direction (DRHAT). The Foreign Legion has already recruited 1,700 candidates in 2016, contrary to some 950 candidates recruited between 2013-15.
Foreign Legion events: January 11 – 20
On this day. Explore the Legion’s interesting historical events which occurred between January 11 and January 20. Learn about famous operations, campaigns, battles, activations or dissolutions of units and other important Foreign Legion historical events which happened from 1831 to these days. Every day is supplemented with an image.
4e RE: Remise de Képis blancs at Auriol
On December 13, 2016, French Foreign Legion volunteers from the 2nd Enlisted Volunteers Company (2CEV), 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE) obtained their Képi blanc (White kepi) and became legionnaires in the Legionnaire’s Home of Auriol, southern France. See some nice images from the ceremony.
Foreign Legion events: January 01 – 10
On this day. Discover the Legion’s interesting historical events which occurred between January 01 and January 10. Learn about famous operations, campaigns, battles, activations or dissolutions of units and other important Foreign Legion historical events which happened from 1831 to these days. Every day is supplemented with a picture.
Foreign Legion units structure in 2017
Our info pages regarding the current structure of Foreign Legion units were fully updated to the 2017 situation. If you are interested which companies or even platoons the current Legion units are composed of, just follow the links below.
Regiment of Tonkin: From Indochina to Polynesia
Regiment of Tonkin. The only regiment of the French Foreign Legion established (two times) in Asia. Nicknamed after Tonkin, the then title for northern Vietnam during the French rule and the place were the unit was born, the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE) remains also the only regiment of the Foreign Legion stationed in French Polynesia. Its legionnaires were also the only Legion force fighting against the Japanese during WWII (1940 and 1945). Besides that, the 5e RE’s units fought in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Algeria. In 1963, the regiment was reorganized and moved to French Polynesia to build and guard a new French nuclear testing site…
Foreign Legion events: December 21 – 31
On this day. Explore the Legion’s interesting historical events which occurred between December 21 and December 31. Learn about famous operations, campaigns, battles, activations or dissolutions of units and other important Foreign Legion historical events which happened from 1831 to these days. Every day is supplemented with an image.
2e REI: Official Video clip 2016
See a very nice, new official video clip presenting the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) of the Foreign Legion, the largest and longest-serving regiment of the Legion, currently stationed at Nimes, southern France.
Foreign Legion events: December 11 – 20
On this day. Discover the Legion’s interesting historical events which occurred between December 11 and December 20. Learn about famous operations, campaigns, battles, activations or dissolutions of units and other important Foreign Legion historical events which happened from 1831 to these days. Every day is supplemented with a picture.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2017
The ForeignLegion.Info website and its FB Fan Page are dedicated to the French Foreign Legion. The project started in 2012. My vision was to bring some interesting and useful info about this famous unit to the English-speaking world. I am glad to see you are enjoying it.