On this day. Discover the Legion’s interesting historical events which occurred between September 01 and September 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 T-Shirts: 2e REP Insignia
The 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) of the French Foreign Legion remains its only airborne unit and, most probably, the best-known regiment of the Legion. During its campaigns in Asia, Africa or Europe, the famous 2e REP gained 10 unit citations, mentioned in the order of the Army. Because of this, the 2e REP legionnaires are allowed to bear two Fourrageres, in colors of the Legion of Honor and the Military Valor.
1er REG & 1er REC: Operation Sentinelle in Nice 2016
On August 24, 2016, French Army General Bertrand H. de La Chesnais visited French soldiers, including legionnaires, at Nice, France. Legionnaires from 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) and 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) are patrolling the city as part of Operation Sentinelle. The city is located in the Côte d’Azur area on the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea. Last month, on the Bastille Day of July 14, at least 84 people were killed in Nice during a terrorist attack…
Read more1er REG & 1er REC: Operation Sentinelle in Nice 2016
Foreign Legion T-Shirts: 2e REI Insignia
In April 2016, the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) of the French Foreign Legion celebrated the 175th Anniversary. It has been the longest-serving regiment of the Legion. During its campaigns in Africa, Europe, Mexico, French Indochina or the Middle East, the famous 2e REI gained 6 unit citations, mentioned in the order of the Army. Its battalions and companies have gained another 22 unit citations since 1841.
4e RE: 2016 Foreign Legion Basic Training
Watch dynamic footage from the Foreign Legion’s basic training, provided by an Eastern European recruit from the 2nd Enlisted Volunteer Company (2CEV) of the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE) – the Legion’s training unit. The video includes scenes from the company’s farm and from Castelnaudary in southern France, where the 4e RE is based, along with a few photos taken during the training.
2e REI: History of the Foreign Legion’s longest-serving regiment
In 2016, the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) of the French Foreign Legion commemorated the 175th Anniversary of its activation. The history of the 2e REI started in Algeria, in April 1841, when the French Foreign Legion divided into two parts. Its legionnaires fought in Algeria, Crimea, Italy, Mexico, French Indochina, Madagascar, Morocco, France, Chad, Iraq, ex-Yugoslavia, Ivory Coast, Mali or in the Central African Republic. Currently (2016), the 2e REI is also the largest regiment of the Foreign Legion.
Read more2e REI: History of the Foreign Legion’s longest-serving regiment
2e REP: 2016 Change of Command
On July 22, 2016, the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP), the French Foreign Legion unit based on the island of Corsica, saw the Change of Command ceremony. It took place at Camp Raffalli, the HQ of the 2e REP located near the town of Calvi.
2016: 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Belloy-en-Santerre
On July 4, 2016, the Foreign Legion commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Belloy-en-Santerre. The battle, which occurred on July 4, 1916 near the river Somme in the Picardy region of northern France, was part of the Battle of Somme, the largest battle of the First World War on the Western Front. That day, hundreds of legionnaires were killed within a few hours, including the American poet Alan Seeger.
Read more2016: 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Belloy-en-Santerre
Foreign Legion: 2016 Bastille Day Military Parade
On July 14, France celebrates its National Day, Bastille Day. Every year, a military parade takes place on the Champs-Elysées in Paris. The French troops, including legionnaires from the French Foreign Legion, march down the street. In 2016, the Foreign Legion was represented, as usual, by the Foreign Legion Pioneers, being accompanied by the Foreign Legion Music Band. This year, 109 legionnaires from the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE) also participated in the parade.
13e DBLE: From Abu Dhabi to France
In June 2016, the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE) of the French Foreign Legion left officially Zayed Military City near Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It had been stationed there for 5 years, since the summer of 2011. In late June 2016, the 13e DBLE was placed at Camp Larzac, southern France.
13e DBLE: Officially based in France
On June 29, 2016, the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) was officially stationed on French soil for the first time in 76 years. Lieutenant Colonel Guillaume Percie du Sert, the unit’s new commanding officer, received the regimental colors from General Jean-Pierre Bosser, chief of the French Army Staff, during a ceremony at Camp Larzac in the Aveyron department of southern France — the demi-brigade’s new permanent home.