Since June 2018, several companies of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) have been deployed to Mali, a country in West Africa, to participate in anti-terrorist Operation Barkhane. To support the 2e REP units, a GCP commando group also serves in Mali. During this summer, the commandos conducted an operational jump to find local rebel groups.
The worst accident in the Foreign Legion’s history: 86 years already
86 years ago, in September 1932, the worst accident in the French Foreign Legion’s history occurred. In Algeria (North Africa), on the 14th September of 1932, a troop train was heading for Morocco, carrying a Legion battalion being ready for fighting with Moroccan rebels. In the afternoon, the train had derailed and fell into a ravine. Tens of legionnaires were killed, two hundreds of legionnaires were wounded.
Read moreThe worst accident in the Foreign Legion’s history: 86 years already
1er REC: New legionnaires arriving at the regiment
The 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) decorated 12 new freshly trained legionnaires having arrived at the only cavalry regiment od the French Foreign Legion and took them into its ranks.
2e REI: El Moungar 2018
On September 2, 2018, the 115th anniversary of the famous Battle of El Moungar occurred. The battle took place at El Moungar, a waterhole north of Taghit, western Algeria, on September 2, 1903. That day, the 22nd Mounted Company, 2e RE (2e REI now) were ambushed by a Moroccan war party.
Foreign Legion’s Repair Companies in French Indochina 1946-56
Learn about repair companies of the French Foreign Legion serving in then French Indochina during the First Indochina War (1946-54). Very little-known units, even in France, these companies provided an important support to French troops during military operations aimed at the Viet Minh.
Read moreForeign Legion’s Repair Companies in French Indochina 1946-56
3e REI: Paying homage to Senior Corporal Camara
On August 10, 2018, a truck with legionnaires from the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) had an accident, in which Senior Corporal Ibrahima Camara died and five legionnaires were seriously injured. Four days later, the regiment was paying homage to their comrade. See an official video.
4e RE: Remise de Kepi blanc at Sainte Livrade in July 2018
On July 24, 2018, a traditional ceremony of the French Foreign Legion occurred at Sainte-Livrade-sur-Lot, a small town in southwestern France. That day, a platoon of volunteers from the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE) gained their Képi blanc (White kepi) and became legionnaires.
Read more4e RE: Remise de Kepi blanc at Sainte Livrade in July 2018
3e REI: A legionnaire died, another 5 legionnaires seriously injured
On Friday, August 10, 2018, a traffic accident occurred in French Guiana, South America. While returning from a military exercise, a truck from 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) left the road and plunged into a small ravine. A long-serving legionnaire was killed, and 13 other legionnaires were injured.
Read more3e REI: A legionnaire died, another 5 legionnaires seriously injured
French Foreign Legion: New Commander
August 1, 2018, General Denis Mistral became the new Commander of the French Foreign Legion. He replaced General Jean Maurin, a former Legion paratrooper, who spent long four years by heading this famous institution. Usually, the office is held for two years.
2e REP: Mountain course in Corsica 2018
In June 2018, the legionnaires-alpinists of the 2nd Company, 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) conducted a three-week course to gain a mountain badge. The course took place in the mountains of Corsica, an island located south-east of mainland France and the homeland to the Legion’s paratroopers.
13e DBLE: Events in France in July 2018
In July 2018, having already back from their four-month mission in Mali (Africa), legionnaires of the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE) could take part in some public ceremonies within or nearby their Camp of Larzac in southern France.