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"What is the French Foreign Legion?"
By Le Sergent Chef
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Adventurers, nobles, criminals, soldiers of fortune, sons of the rich and famous, men with a past. The French Foreign Legion (FFL) is all that. Legionaires are men who fight for a country they don't love, and for causes they don't necessarily believe in. The motto of the FFL is "Legio Patria Nostra" (The Legion is our Fatherland). The FFL was created in 1831 to be an expendable military force to police, fight and die in France's colonies so the French didn't have to. In fact, the original Legion was given to Spain in 1832 to fulfill a treaty obligation. The original Legion was used, abused, and ultimately wiped out in Spain. A new Legion was formed in 1835 and posted to Algeria, which became its home for 125 years. The FFL is a corps of foreigners within the regular French Army. The Legion's officers are career French Army officers. Frenchmen are prohibited by law from enlisting into the FFL. However, on several occasions, like WWI and WWII, a large number of "Belgians" enlisted. There were also occasions where whole groups of soldiers joined up under their own officers (who were given commissions in the French Army). There was a Swiss contingent (1855-59) who not only served under their own officers, but wore their own uniforms.
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The perspective Legionnaire enlists under his own name, or any other name he chooses. No questions are asked about his past. Enlistments are for 5 year periods. The Legionnaire can serve a maximum of 20 years. After the completion of the first enlistment, Legionaires are offered French citizenship. If they take it, however, they must leave the Legion. From the time of it's creation and up to WWI, Legionaires served in one of the two REs (Regiment Etrangere: Foreign Regiment),at various times there was only one, in Algeria and Morocco. But Legionaires also saw active service in the Crimean War (1853-56) and Italy (1856-59), Mexico (1863-67), Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), Tonkin, Dahomey and Madagascar in the 1880's-90's. In WWI the first RMLE (Reiment de Marche Legion Etrangere: Long March unit, equivalent to an expeditionary regiment) was formed and fought with distinction in France. It was the second most decorated unit in the French Army and was awarded the double lanyard. The post WWI period saw massive expansion for the Legion. After WWI, the REs were renamed REIs (Regiment Etrangere d'Infanterie: Foreign Infantry Regiments). The RMLE was re-designated 3rd REI. A 4th REI was also created. The 1st-4th REI's served in Algeria, Morocco, and Syria/Lebanon in the1920's and 30's. In 1921 the 1st REC was created from the large number of White Russians and Cossacks who joined the Legion after the Bolshevik Revolution. A 5th REI was formed in 1930 and posted in French Indo-China. A second REC was formed in 1936 (disbanded in 1940). Both REC's were spread throughout North Africa and the Middle East. In 1939, the various units in Syria were formed into a 6th REI. In addition to the regiments, there were a number of independent mounted (mule) and Saharan companies (CSPL: Compagnie Saharienne Portee de la Legion: FFL long range desert patrol group), as well as artillery batteries.
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| Free French Assault in Tunisia | 1st REI 75MM Gun Crew Early 1940s | Bir Hakeim February 1942 |
World War Two History of The 13th DBLE
By Le Webmaster
The following is based on information provided in the following books: The French Foreign Legion - Complete History of The Legendary Fighting Force, by Douglas Porch; March or Die- A New History of the French Foreign Legion, by Tony Geraghty; Uniforms of the French Foreign Legion, 1831-1981, by Martin Windrow; French Foreign Legion 1914-1945 (Men-at-Arms Series), by Martin Windrow.
Formation and Expedition to Norway 1940
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The Outbreak of the Second World War saw an immediate increase in the ranks of the French Foreign Legion. A number of new units were raised, many in metropolitan France, where over 6,000 volunteers were enlisted on "duration only" contracts for the war, rather than the usual several year obligation. However, when the 13th Demi Briagde of the Legion Etrangere was formed in February of 1940, it was largely filled with veteran Legionnaires of the 1st REI, and from throughout the Algerian and Morocco garrisons, many of whom had already served several years in the legion. The average age of the legionnaires was older than their regular French Army counterparts, with ages between 26 and 28. The first commander of the 13th was Lieutenant Colonel Raoul Magin-Vereney, a Legionnaire since 1924, and a World War One veteran wounded 17 times in combat. The 13th was comprised of a number of notable junior officers who would later rise to the general rank or achieve fame in battle. These included, Captain Pierre Koenig,Captain Jacques Paris de Bollardiere, Lieutenant Bernard Saint-Hillier, Captain Dimitri Amilakvari,Captain Gabriel Brunet de Sairigné, and Second Lieutenant Pierre Messmer. For more information on these individuals, see the "Yearbook", in the "13th Handbook" webpage, which can be located on the navigation bar at the top of the screen.
At its formation, the 13th consisted of approximately 1,619 legionnaires, divided into two battalions. After the formation of the unit in Africa, the 13th was sent to Camp Larzac, in central France, where it was re-equipped. The unit was set to be deployed in an expedition to Finland, to assist the Finns in confronting the Russian invasion. The 13th was designated as an "Alpine" Mountain Unit, though it is questionable as to how much cold weather snow mountain training the Legionnaires from Morocco and Algeria would have had, or would have received in the few short weeks they spent in France prior to their deployment in such conditions, although a number of the 13th's officer cadre did have prior service experience in Alpine units. By March of 1940, the 13th consisted of two battalions, with a total of approximately 55 officers, 210 noncomissioned officers, and 1,984 legionnaires.
The fall of Finland on March 12, 1941, prior to the 13th's departure, saw the unit reassigned to General Bethouart's 1st French Light Divison and to its subsequent Anglo-French expedition to Norway to counter German incursions. The 13th sailed from Brest on March 24, and after a stop over in England, arrived near Norway via Royal Navy Transports. On May 13, the 13th landed at the beaches at Bjerkvik, which was 8 miles below Narvik. The 13th moved to seize the town, and successfully pushed the Germans out of the area, overrunning the German camp at Elvegaarden. On May 28th, the 13th landing in Narvik, directly in the middle of the German positions. Heavy artillery fire, resulted in the support Royal Navy Ships' withdrawal, leaving the 13th on shore to fend for itself. The 13th engaged in the rugged task of routing out German positions throughout the port, Lt. Col. Margin-Vereney became a notable figure of the scene, frequently walking around the front lines, using his walking stick to direct the assaults. In these engagements, the 13th DBLE suffered 7 officers and 60 legionnaires killed in action. However, the following ten days saw the Allies successfully push the Germans back against the Swedish border.
With the collapse of the French forces in France, the 13th was recalled, departing from Norway on June 7. After its arrival at Brest, where it became evident that there was nothing, which could possibly be done, the 13th re-boarded its ships and sailed again from Brest. It arrived in England on June 21, 1941, and was sent to Trentham Park near Stoke-on-Trent, where a collection of French forces evacuated from Dunkirk was being kept. On June 16, the Reynaud government capitulated, with Marshal Petain as the new head of the state, announcing intentions to surrender to the Germans. Two days later General De Gaulle, a minor figure in the Reynaud government broadcasted an appeal for further French resistance. On July 1, the French soldiers at Trentham Park, were given the option of repatriation to the new French state or remaining in England under De Gaulle. About half of the 13th opted for repatriation to North Africa. The rest chose to remain in England with Lt. Col. Margin-Vereney as their commander, and join the Free French Forces, where its ranks swelled with a furry of new recruits. The 13th DBLE in England was then redesignated the "14" DBLE, as the 13th DBLE was the designation for the unit of those who had chosen to be repatriated. However, by November, 1941, the repatriated 13th DBLE, which had returned to Morocco, had dispersed, and the "14th" in England reassumed its original title.
North Africa and the Middle East 1940-44
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The 13th remained in England for the next two months, being refitted by the British. On August 30, 1940, the unit departed from Liverpool. The 13th fought ruggedly against Vichy Forces in the Battle of Dakar, September 23-5, 1940, as well as the assault on Liberville. The 13th also participated in the assault against Italian positions in Eritrea, suffering 18 killed in action. On June 8, 1941, the 13th DBLE joined with the Damascus column of the British Army, crossing from Jordan into French Vichy Syria. It was in Syria, that one of the more notable instances in the history of the 13th DBLE in World War Two took place. A large section of the Syria garrison was consisted of the 6th REI, a legion unit, which had opted to remain loyal to the Vichy Government. The 13th DBLE entered into combat with fellow French legionnaires. The casualties were high, but it was noted that each side treated wounded soldiers of the other as fellow legionnaires first, and enemies second. The 13th DBLE lost 21 killed in action with another 47 wounded, while the Vichy 6th REI lost 128 killed and 728 wounded. The July 14th peace, ended the fighting in Syria and roughly 1,000 former 6th REI legionnaires and two officers chose to join the 13th DBLE, and became consituted as the 13th's new Third Battalion, giving the 13th DBLE an overall strength of approximately 1,771.
The 13th next saw service in Libya, and at the end of 1941, the 13th was posted in Northern Egypt, assigned to the British 8th Army, and saw combat thoughout the next couple of months. The unit was now under the command of Lt. Col. Dimitri Amilakvari, who had been promoted from Captain. In the late winter-early spring of 1942, the Free French Brigade, with the 13th comprising about half of its infantry strength, was ordered to fortify the positions at Bir Hakeim, at the southern tip of the British 8th Army's Gazala Line. The Brigade was commanded by Marie Perrie Koenig, a former officer of the 13th. From February to May, the 13th was busy preparing its positions in a vast barren area of desert, filled with around 50,000 landmines. The Free French Brigade had received a number of 75MM guns from the French stores in Syria, as well as an issue of Bren Gun Carriers, from the British. On May 26, the Germans assaulted the Gazala Line, penetrating it numerous locations. At first, Bir Hakeim was left unscaved, though the threat it posed to Axis supply lines, caused it to become the site of intense fighting. On May 27, an Italian armored group assaulted Bir Hakeim, and was bitterly pushed back, with the destruction of 32 Italian tanks of the Ariete Division. A lull in the fighting followed, which was broken with a second determined Axis attack on June 2. Bir Hakeim was surrounded, shelled, and bombed by the Luftwaffe. Surrender demands were rejected, and night convoys managed to remove French wounded and bring in supplies to the garrison, under the guises of the Axis forces. The fighting was continuous, with the 13th facing the Italian Trieste Division and the German 90th Light Division. The 361st Infantry Regiment of the 90th German Light Division was comprised of former German legionnaires, who had been removed from loyal Vichy Legion units by the Germans. Despite fierce resistance, the German-Italian forces were tightening their grip on Bir Hakeim. On the evening of June 9, Koenig received radio permission to breakout to the east. On the 11th of June the Free French Forces broke out after intense and costly fighting, making their way to British lines. The Free French Force losses were at around 1,000. The 13th suffered 25 killed in action, 49 wounded, and 152 missing. The dogged defense and successful breakout at Bir Hakeim became an important moral and esteem rallying event for the Free French cause.
The 13th was again in combat at El Alamein, with an attack on German lines at El Himeimat on October 23, resulting in severe casualities. It was in this attack that the commander of the 13th, Lt. Col. Dimitri Amilakvari, was killed by an artillery explosion. The 13th remained with the 8th Army through their advance into Tunisia, and eventual defeat of Axis forces in North Africa.
Italy and Western Europe 1944-45 And Postwar
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After the victory in North Africa, the 13th DBLE was again re-equipped and replenished with new reinforcements. The unit changed sponsors from the British to the Americans, and subsequently received US equipment and uniforms. The Free French Brigade was upgraded to a division, though the 13th remained largely as an independent unit. In April of 1944 the 13th arrived in Italy with the US 5th Army. Fighting commendably at Radicofani on June 18. At this engagement, the 1st Battalion fought intensely, climbing a rocky hill under constant German artillery fire from a dug in German company with artillery and tanks, in an old castle at the summit. Throughout the Italian Campaign, the 13th DBLE suffered a total of 466 casualties. In August of 1944, the 13th was reinforced with 650 captured Ukranian 30th German SS troops, who had decided to switch sides, and fight for the allies.
The 13th was posted to join the Free French Division landing in Southern France, near Toulon, in September of 1944. The subsequent advance north, deemed the "Champagne Campaign", went for the most part without incident. However, after this brief period of ease, the 13th was again committed to combat, fighting fiercly at Colmar and Strasbourg, both of which were successfully captured. The 13th continued fighting through the Alps, at one point crossing into Italy. Between August of 1944 and February of 1945 the 13th suffered approximately 1,026 casualties, a ratio of 42%. The end of the war found the 13th in Provence, with them marching in a victory parade in Nice. The 13th's colors were also sent to Paris for the Victory parade on May 8th.
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| Camerone Day in Indochina 1953 |
What followed for the 13th after the victory was a several month period of reorganization and re-equipment. In March of 1946, the 13th was sent to Indochina. It remained there throughout the conflict, playing prominent roles in the Battles of Hoa Binh and Dien Bien Phu. After the French defeat, the 13th was posted to Algiers in June of 1955, and participated throughout the conflict. The 13th has continued to serve in a variety of campaigns, and peace keeping missions throughout the world, which include service in Somalia, 1993-4, Rwanda, 1994, and the Ivory Coast, 2002. Since 1962, the unit's home has been in Djibouti, the Horn of Africa, where, among other duties, the 13th is responsible for security and humanitarian aid to the area. The unit today comprises about 800 legionnaires, 360 of which are a permanent party at Djibouti.
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