In April 2019, legionnaires of the French Foreign Legion’s 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) and 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) meet together during another joint military exercise to maintain their operational readiness and to train cooperation within a combined task force.
2e REP: 3rd Company in New Caledonia in 2019
Since January 2019, the 3rd Company of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP), the only airborne unit of the French Foreign Legion, has been deployed to New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean.
1er REG: Egypt, Djibouti and Mozambique
In March 2019, legionnaires-sappers of the French Foreign Legion’s 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) on board of the Tonnerre, the French amphibious assault helicopter carrier, left France’s Toulon to be shipped to Africa to carry out different missions.
Foreign Legion Saharan Motorized Companies in North Africa: History & Images
The famous four Foreign Legion Saharan motorized units were disbanded in Algeria, North Africa, in late March 1963. Their men, vehicles, traditional uniforms, and fanions were absorbed into two infantry regiments. The dream of many generations of young men – the Saharan legionnaire with his white kepi, V-shaped bandoleer, wide trousers, Saharan burnous cloak, and sandals – officially came to an end.
Read moreForeign Legion Saharan Motorized Companies in North Africa: History & Images
2e REG: 3rd Company mountain training
In February 2019, legionnaires from the 3rd Company, 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG) of the French Foreign Legion spent several weeks in the Alpes of the Savoie department to train mountain warfare.
13e DBLE: First exercise with helicopters
In March 2019, the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE) conducted an exercise with helicopters at Larzac. It was the very first such exercise taking place at their military camp located in southern France.
1er REC: Training at Canjuers and Larzac in March 2019
In March 2019, legionnaires of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) deployed to French military camps at Canjuers and Larzac to maintain their operational readiness at the highest possible level.
Read more1er REC: Training at Canjuers and Larzac in March 2019
32 years ago: A sad bomb attack in Djibouti killed four French soldiers
32 years ago, on the 18th March of 1987, a bomb attack occurred in Djibouti, the capital of a small country of the same name located in the Horn of Africa. The attack was aimed at L’Historil, a restaurant frequented by Western guests, mainly French Army personnel. At least 11 people were killed, including a French Foreign Legion non-commissioned officer…
Read more32 years ago: A sad bomb attack in Djibouti killed four French soldiers
1er RE: Regimental Exercise Kamencei
In late February 2019, legionnaires of the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE), the HQ of the Foreign Legion, participated in a regimental exercise taking place close to Aubagne (southern France), their garrison town. See the video.
65 years ago: A decisive battle started in then French Indochina
65 years ago, a decisive battle started in then French Indochina between French troops, including legionnaires, and the Viet Minh. The two-month battle occurred in a remote valley of Dien Bien Phu in northeastern Vietnam. On 13 March 1954, the Viet Minh launched a bloody assault on a defensive position held by a Foreign Legion battalion. After several hours of severe fighting, the position would be overrun…
Read more65 years ago: A decisive battle started in then French Indochina
10 March 1831: When a Legion was born
188 years ago, on 10 March 1831, a royal ordinance of Louis Philippe I, King of the French was issued. The ordinance ordered the establishment of the Foreign Legion, to engage a number of foreign deserters asking to serve France. Until the 2000s, the 10th March of 1831 marked the official birthday of the current French Foreign Legion which derived its origin from that original Legion. Nevertheless, the lineage of the Legion is far more complex and because of that, the official birthday was quietly changed in the last decade to the more neutral 9th March.