On July 14, the Bastille Day Military Parade (Défilé militaire du 14 Juillet) marched down the Champs-Élysées in Paris. As always, the French Foreign Legion took part.
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2e REP and US Paratroopers in Corsica
As stated earlier, the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division trained with the legionnaires from the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) of the Foreign Legion, based on the island of Corsica, between May 25 – June 02 this year. The Legion launched its own official video…
1er REC: The last parade before leaving Orange
On July 9, 2014, the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) of the Foreign Legion organized the last parade in Orange, its garrison since 1967, just before leaving it. The last parade took place in the streets of Orange to say the last goodbye to the public. The regiment was placed at Camp Carpiagne near Marseille, on July 11. Watch the legionnaires parading in the streets of Orange…
Legionnaires preparing for the 14th July parade
Legionnaires from the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG), accompanied by legionnaires-pionners and the Foreign Legion Music Band from the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE) were participated in the preparations for the French main national event of July 14 at the Champs-Élysées avenue of Paris.
Second Saharan motorized unit of the Legion
Learn about the 2nd Legion Saharan Motorized Company (2e CSPL), an autonomous motorized infantry unit of the French Foreign Legion serving in the Algerian Sahara between the 1940s and 1960s. Very little known today, equipped with Dodges WC 4×4 and 6×6, and also by AMM8 Greyhound armored cars, it became a Saharan rapid reaction force during the Algerian War.
Legion’s first Saharan motorized unit
Though little known today, four autonomous Saharan companies ranked among the most prestigious Foreign Legion’s units in the 1950s – 1960s. They kept the old traditions of the legionnaires riding camels through the North African desert and oasis, serving in the old cool-looking fortresses. Even the official recruiting posters of the Legion in the 1950s and 1960s portrayed Saharan units to attract new volunteers to join in. Today, the Legion’s first Saharan motorized unit will be presented here.
3e REI: Operation Hermes 2014 Documentary
The newest French documentary, being released in May 2014, shows a journalist who joined for four days a group of the legionnaires from the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI), participating in Operation Hermes, in the Amazon jungle of French Guiana…
Rare Foreign Legion’s photos from the 1980s & Gulf War
Chad, Djibouti, Mayotte and the Gulf War… See the interesting slideshows created by Ch. R., a former legionnaire and NCO of the French Foreign Legion, who served in the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) during the 1980s and 1990s. Hundreds of rare, cool photos from places known by almost all legionnaires and from the Gulf War 1990-91.
Read moreRare Foreign Legion’s photos from the 1980s & Gulf War
2e REI: Tapanar II left the regiment
On May 16, Caporal-chef Tapanar II left the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI), after more than 28 years of service in the French Foreign Legion. Nevertheless, it must be said that the Caporal-chef Tapanar II is a mule in fact and it was a mascot of 2e REI. A ceremony to say goodbye to Tapanar II took place in 2e REI’s barracks.
1er REC: A concert to say goodbye to Orange
On June 3, 2014, the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) of the Foreign Legion organized a concert in Orange, to say goodbye to that southern France’s old town. The regiment will depart from Orange next month, on July 9. It will be placed in the Carpiagne military camp near Marseille, on July 11. The 1er REC has been based in Orange since 1967.
2e REP: 82nd Airborne Division trained with the Foreign Legion
During May 25 – June 02, 2014, about 120 paratroopers from across the United States’ 82nd Airborne Division trained with the legionnaires from the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) of the Foreign Legion, on the island of Corsica, the 2e REP’s base.
Read more2e REP: 82nd Airborne Division trained with the Foreign Legion