1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, History, creation and different nominations, Creation of the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (6e REG)
The combat section and companies of the 6e REG deployed in missions of short duration in Mayotte, Guyane, the Central African Republic and very quickly the regiment gained its first combat experience. For the actions of 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment ( 6e R.E.G ) in Tchad at Faya-Largeau in 1987, the 1st combat company was cited at the orders of the armed forces with the Croix de la Valeur militaire. In the same theater of combat engagement, Sergent-Chef Panic was killed by an Anti-tank mine on January 14, 1988 during a mission of opening and clearing the route.


1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, History, creation and different nominations, Creation of the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (6e REG)
In 1989, a detachment of the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment trained Pakistanis in demining during Operation Salam in Pakistan. At Laudun, the mood and mode of the regiment was accelerated by the dispatching of combat companies, sections and small separate detachments tasked with punctual missions. In 1990, for the first time, the entire regiment intervened. In Iraq and Kuwait, the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment participated to the victorious offensive of the Division Daguet part of Opération Daguet and was seen cited at the orders of the armed forces with Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures with a palm.


1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, History, creation and different nominations, Creation of the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (6e REG)
During the Gulf War, D.I.N.O.P.S operated in support of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, and provided the EOD services to the division. After the cease fire took hold they conducted a joint mine clearing operation alongside a Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver Team Unit. Barely in return to Laudun, combat companies were seen redispatched to new theatres of combat operations. The regiment would be found in Cambodia, Bosnia, Somalia, Rwanda, Kosovo and other geographical locations.


1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, Campaigns
The 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment ( 6e REG ) then 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) engaged in:


1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, Campaigns, 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG)
The 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (French: 1er Regiment Etranger de Genie, 1er REG) on was renamed on July 1, 1999 with the creation of the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment 2e REG.


1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, Organization
The regiment is composed of 980 men organized into 8 companies.


1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, Traditions, Regimental Song
Chant de Marche : Le fanion claque et s'élève featuring:


1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, Traditions, Regimental Song
Le fanion claque et s'élèveAu dessus du pont romain. Légionnaire marche sans trèveSur les pas de nos anciens. Les médailles sonnent sur le tablier,Sur l'épaule brille la hache du pionnier. Honneur fidélité. Premier régiment étranger de génieGrenades à sept flammes sur ta cuirasse brille. Honneur fidélitéEn sondant, les baïonnettesChantent toutes le même refrain,Il faut faire place netteDéminer tout le terrain. Les grappins soulèvent des mines piégéesIl faut avancer au mépris du danger. Honneur fidélité. Premier régiment étranger de génieGrenades à sept flammes sur ta cuirasse brille. Honneur fidélité. Une seule devise aux lèvres :Légio patria nostra. Le lance flammes ou la portièreLégionnaire tu serviras. Quand le vert et rouge de ton fanion surgitC'est la débandade dans les rangs ennemis. Honneur fidélité. Premier régiment étranger de génieSapeur de combat sans crainte ni répit. Honneur fidélité


1st Foreign Parachute Battalion
The 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (French: 1er Bataillon Etranger de Parachutistes (1er BEP)) was a foreign parachute battalion of the French Foreign Legion formed from the Parachute Company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment.


1st Foreign Parachute Battalion, History
1er Bataillon Etranger de Parachutistes, 1er BEP - I, II, III Formations -


1st Foreign Parachute Battalion, History
The 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion, (1er BEP, I formation) was created on July 1, 1948 at Khamisis, in Algeria. The 1er BEP embarks in Indochina on November 12 and is engaged in combat operations in the Tonkin. On June 1, 1949, the Co. Para du 3ème REI completed its count. On November 17, 1950; the 1er BEP (1er BEP, I Formation) jumps on That Khé and sacrifices itself in Coc Xa to protect the unfolding of the RC4 in a traditional Foreign Legion battlefield. Heading and leading tradition was 1er BEP battalion commander Chef de Corps du 1er BEP, Commandant Pierre Segrétain. Segrétain was fatally wounded while leading the BEP during the Battle of Route Coloniale 4.


1st Foreign Parachute Battalion, History
The battalion dissolved on December 31, 1950; is reconstituted on March 1, 1951 (1er BEP, II formation) and is seen participating excessively in combat operations at Cho Ben, on the black river and at Annam. On November 21, 1953; the reconstituted 1er BEP is parachuted on Dien Bien Phu. In this gigantic battle, the reconstituted (1er BEP, II formation) 1er BEP counts 575 killed and missing for the second time in a traditional Foreign Legion battlefield.


1st Foreign Parachute Battalion, History
Amongst the fatal casualties feature Lieutenants Dumont, Boisbouvier and de Stabenrath, killed in between April 1 and May 13 as well as Sergent-Chef Grimault, killed on March 30. Reconstituted for the third time (1er BEP, III formation) on May 19, 1954, the 1er BEP leaves Indochina on February 8, 1955. The 1er BEP totals 5 citations at the orders of the armed forces and the fourragère of the colors of the Médaille militaire. The 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1er BEP, III Formation) becomes the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment (1er REP) in Algeria on September 1, 1955.


1st Foreign Parachute Battalion, History
The insignia of the 1st Foreign Paratrooper Battalion was created in 1948 by Commandant Segrétain, battalion commander Chef de Bataillon, CBA of the 1er BEP.


1st Foreign Parachute Battalion, Traditions, Insignias
The insignia of the Foreign Legion Paratroopers of France represents a closed "winged armed dextrochere", meaning a "right winged arm" armed with a sword pointing upwards. The Insignia makes reference to the Patron of Paratroopers. In fact, the Insignia represents "the right Arm of Saint Michael", the Archangel which according to Liturgy is the "Armed Arm of God". This Insignia is the symbol of righteous combat and fidelity to superior missions.


1st Foreign Parachute Battalion, Traditions, Decorations
5 citations with Fourragère with ruban colors of Médaille militaire


1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company
The 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company (French: 1re Compagnie étrangère parachutiste de mortiers lourds, 1er CEPML) was an ephemeral foreign airborne heavy mortar company of the French Foreign Legion which fought during the First Indochina War at the corps of the French Far East Expeditionary Corps.


1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company, History
In August 1953, lieutenant Jacques Molinier serves in the 1st Vietnamese Parachute Battalion (1er BPVN). Accordingly, he is tasked by the headquarters of Hanoi to form a heavy mortar parachute combat company integrated in the French Foreign Legion and based in Tonkin. Created on September 1, 1953, based on elements, mainly artillery specialist of the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1er B.E.P) and 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion (2e B.E.P); the created combat company is administratively attached to the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1er B.E.P). The rear base of the company is situated at Quynh Loï, South of Hanoï.


1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company, History
The first operation launched by the 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company (1re C.E.P.M.L) was to support of the 1st and 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalions. The company also made a combat jump alongside Chef de Battalion Marcel Bigeard's 6th Colonial Parachute Battalion.


1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company, History
On November 21, 1953, Lieutenant Molinier jumped on Dien Bien Phu with the first wave of Operation Castor, at the border Landing Zone (L.Z) Natacha. at 1500, 67 enlisted and officers, as well as 8 Brandt 120mm mortars and 800 rounds of ammunition are dropped on the landing zone. At 1600, the company was in position to fire. This company is the first heavy 120mm mortar unit to be dropped in an airborne operation. The 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company had packed the mortars in alvéoles type compartments about 3 to 4 meters in diameter. Following the drop, the company received another drop of a supplementary 4 120mm mortars to make the total count of 12 120mm mortars available with 99 officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and legionnaires.


1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company, History
On March 12, 1954, Lieutenant Molinier was wounded during a recon operation conducted with the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion 1er BEP on “Béatrice”. Wounded by a dozen of pieces of shrapnel in the back and face, he is carried to the underground hospital of commandant-doctor Paul-Henri Grauwin, who had him evacuated by plane to Hanoi. For the officer, the Battle of Dien Bien Phu is over. Molinier passes command of the company to Lieutenant Paul Turcy who is killed on March 14, 1954. Accordingly, Lieutenant Erwan Bergot assumes interim command of the company until the parachute support of Lieutenant Jean Singland. On May 7, 1954, the final assault commenced and the French Foreign Legion fired their mortars in all directions during the defence.


1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company, History
On June 1, the 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company was dissolved. In its eight-month existence, the company fired more than 30,000 rounds and endured heavy losses: 24 killed, 43 wounded. At the liberation of the prisoners from the Viet-minh camps, only 17 had survived. Following the dissolution of the company, Lieutenant Molinier assumed command of the Command and Support Company (C.C.S) of the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1er B.E.P).


1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company, Traditions
Circled Winged Armed Dextrochere worn on Green Beret of Foreign Legion Paratroopers


1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company, Traditions, Insignias
The insignia of the Foreign Legion Paratroopers of France represents a closed "winged armed dextrochere", meaning a "right winged arm" armed with a sword pointing upwards. The Insignia makes reference to the Patron of Paratroopers. In fact, the Insignia represents "the right Arm of Saint Michael", the Archangel which according to Liturgy is the "Armed Arm of God". This Insignia is the symbol of righteous combat and fidelity to superior missions.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment
The 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment (French: 1er Régiment Etranger de Parachutistes, 1er REP) was an airborne regiment of the French Foreign Legion which dated its origins to 1948. The regiment fought in the First Indochina War as the three-time reconstituted 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion, the Suez Crisis and Algerian War, but was dissolved along with the 10th Parachute Division and 25th Parachute Division following the generals' putsch against part of the French government in 1961.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, Jeanpierre's regiment
Legion Lieutenant Colonel Pierre Paul Jeanpierre (1912–1958), was considered the patron and symbol of the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment. The camp of the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment was named after him in 1959.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History
On 13 May 1948 a Groupement d'Instruction de Parachutistes was formed at Khamis, near Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria for the purpose of raising two foreign parachute battalions. The 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1er BEP, I Formation) (French: 1er Bataillon Étranger de Parachutistes, 1er BEP) was created on 1 July 1948, under the command of Commandant Chef de bataillon Pierre Segrétain with adjoint battalion commander Pierre Jeanpierre while complementing the ranks with officers and legionnaires of the Parachute Company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
The battalion boarded the transport ship Pasteur on 24 October 1948 at Mers El Kébir, and arrived in Indochina on 12 November that same year. During the entire period of conflict in Indochina, the unit primarily saw action in Tonkin (northern Vietnam).


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
As part of a consolidation of parachute-trained French formations the Compagnie Parachutiste du 3e Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie was disbanded on 31 May 1949 and its men – 3 Legion officers, 14 Sous-officiers and 92 Legion corporals and legionnaires – were transferred to 1er BEP (I Formation).


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
On 16 September 1950, the French post at Đông Khê was overrun, with only a small handful of survivors of the garrison making their way south to French lines at That Khe. In response, on September 17 and 18, the battalion jumped on That Khe in order to reinforce the combat command under Lieutenant-colonel Lepage, operating out of Lạng Sơn whose mission was to rescue the garrison of Cao Bằng which was evacuating the city along the Route Coloniale 4 (RC4).


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
Following a consolidation of French forces at That Khe, the battalion led the French forces north towards Đông Khê with plans to retake the town, hold it long enough to link up with French forces retreating from the north, and then evacuate south. Although the two French groups were able to link up, heavy Việt Minh interdiction on the roads and constant ambushes in the thick jungle forced the French off the roads in an attempt to bypass the town, during what became known as the Battle of Route Coloniale 4.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
In so doing, the entire battle group was forced into the Coc Xa gorge, where it was destroyed piecemeal. An attempt to reinforce the battle group occurred on the night of 8 October when approximately 570 additional reinforcements from 3ème BCCP (French: Bataillon Colonial de Commandos Parachutistes) were dropped near That Khe in an attempt to draw the Việt Minh forces away from the gorge, but this operation became hopelessly bogged down and the reinforcements were cut to pieces in turn.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
The unit was almost entirely destroyed in the subsequent battle in October around Đông Khê, with only 130 men of the battalion remaining of the original 500 who jumped. In this engagement, the battalion distinguished itself in its willingness to go to great lengths to evacuate their wounded through forbidding terrain, including an incident in which the men rappelled down a 75-meter cliff at the Coc Xa gorge with the wounded strapped to their backs.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
Over the course of the battle and subsequent engagements between 17 September and 30 October, the unit lost 21 legion officers, 46 legion NCO's and warrant officers, and 420 legionnaires killed or wounded, including the battalion commander, Pierre Segrétain leading and heading, killed in action the night of 7 October. Only isolated elements of the battalion were able to rejoin the French lines led by Pierre Jeanpierre, who would later command the regiment in Algeria. Having ceased to exist as a combat-worthy formation, the unit was disbanded on 31 December 1950.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
The 1er BEP reformed (II Formation) on 1 March 1951 from the survivors of the 1er BEP (I Formation) (which had up to that point been attached to the 2ème BEP), as well as legionnaires from the 2ème BEP and reinforcements newly arrived from North Africa. Thus the battalion consisted of 3 companies, including a headquarters formation, the 1st and 2nd companies, and a company composed of Indochinese volunteers.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
On 10 September 1951, the unit returned to combat during Operation Tulip, part of General de Lattre de Tassigny's effort to put the Việt Minh on the defensive around the Cho Ben pass, north of Hòa Bình. The operation was a tactical success with the battalion successfully assisting in the capture of Hòa Bình, but further counter-attacks by the Việt Minh in November convinced the French military command that they were overextended and as a result the area was evacuated, with the last units leaving Hòa Bình in February 1952.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
Having reached an apparent stalemate in early 1952 around the Red River Delta, the French command again decided to go on the offensive, giving the plan the code name Operation Lorraine. On 9 November 1952, the 1st BEP and other airborne formations were dropped into combat near Phu Doan, capturing a quantity of Việt Minh supplies and securing the area. However, the operation failed in drawing the Việt Minh into a large, set-battle (as the French commanders had hoped), and as such the operation was abandoned and the remaining French forces were withdrawn on 16 and 17 November.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
The battalion was one of the formations selected to hold the rearguard post at Nà Sản, where it sustained a fierce assault from the Việt Minh between 23 November and 2 December 1952. The post was well-fortified and held in the face of overwhelming numbers, with the bloodied Việt Minh falling back after a week of fighting.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
After falling back to the French defensive positions around the de Lattre line, the battalion was reorganized and reinforced, with a third company of legionnaires being added, bringing the total strength of the battalion to 4 combat companies: 3 Legion and 1 Indochinese. In addition, on 1 September 1953 the 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company was created and attached to the 1er BEP (II Formation).


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
On 21 November 1953, the unit was dropped as part of the second wave of French troops into the area around Điện Biên Phủ as part of Operation Castor, with the objective of securing a World War II-era landing strip and drawing the Việt Minh into another pitched battle against a well-defended position. The operation was completed without incident, with the battalion digging in around Dien Bien Phu in late November 1953. During the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, the battalion was divided into mobile fire-brigades, with the primary focus being the Huguette forts, specifically Huguette 5.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Indochina
The 1 CEPML was stationed at Dominique 2 until the 14th of March, 1954, at which point it was shifted to various locations in the fort. Despite furious resistance, the 1st BEP (II Formation) is destroyed for a second time on 7 May 1954 with the final fall of Dien Bien Phu camp. The unit (1er BEP, II Formation) lost 316 legionnaires killed in action over the course of the siege, not including those who subsequently died in captivity in Indochina.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Algeria
Following the Geneva Conference, on 1 February 1955, 1er BEP (III Formation) embarked on the steamship Pasteur in Saigon and arrived at Mers el-Kebir on the 24th of the same month.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Algeria
On 1 September 1955, the 1er BEP (III Formation) was expanded to a regiment-level formation and re-designated 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment. From that point on, the unit was based out of Zéralda.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Algeria
On 6 November 1956, as part of the 10th Parachute Division, the regiment landed in Egypt at Port Said and Port Fuad as part of the French military force participating in the Suez canal crisis. It was evacuated piecemeal between 10 and 22 December 1956, at which point the towns were handed over to United Nations control.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Algeria
From 1957 onwards, the regiment (1er REP) was sent back to Algeria, first in Algiers, then in the djebel (mountains), and finally at Guelma. Regimental commander colonel Buchond partnered with Jeanpierre to lead operations.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Algeria
Following the petrol route in the Sahara, combat operations engage the regiment non-stop in the region of Guelma. Their results were earned by the death of regimental commander Chef de Corps Legion Lieutenant Colonel Pierre Paul Jeanpierre; who fell to the enemy on 28 May 1958; as well as legion officers, legion sous-officiers and a couple of hundred legionnaires.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Algeria
On the eve of the generals' putsch of April 1961, the regiment (1er REP) was commanded by Hélie Denoix de Saint Marc, as Lt. Col. Guiraud was on leave.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Algeria
With the agreement of the officers, Cdt. de Saint-Marc activated the regiment alongside the mutineers, and began the generals' putsch on 21 April by marching on Algiers. Following the failure of the putsch, the regiment (1er REP) was disbanded on 30 April 1961, under the orders of Pierre Messmer, the French Minister of Defense. Upon being notified that their regiment (1er REP) was to be disbanded and that they were to be reassigned, Legionnaires burned the Chinese pavilion acquired following the Siege of Tuyên Quang in 1884 and also blew up their barracks.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Algeria
The relics from the Legion's history museum, including the wooden hand of Captain Jean Danjou, accompanied the Legion to France. Also removed from Sidi Bel Abbès were the symbolic Legion remains of General Paul-Frédéric Rollet ("The Father of the Legion"), Prince Count Aage of Rosenborg, and Legionnaire Heinz Zimmermann (the last fatal casualty in Algeria).


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Algeria
It was during this time that the Legion acquired its parade song "Non, je ne regrette rien" ("No, I regret nothing"), a 1960 Édith Piaf song that their Sous-Officiers, Senior Corporals, Corporals and Legionnaires sang leaving their barracks for re-deployment following the Algiers putsch of 1961. The song has been a part of Legion heritage since then.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Algeria
At that point, part of the regiment deserted and went over to the Organisation armée secrète (OAS). Those who did not join in the putsch were escorted back to France and detained at Fort de Nogent.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, History, Algeria
The 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, part of the 10th Parachute Division, was dissolved on 30 April 1961. Both the 10th Parachute Division and 25th Parachute Division were disbanded following the generals' putsch. However, the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, while part of the dissolved 25th Parachute Division, remained in existence as the only foreign parachute regiment in France and the Legion.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, Traditions
Except for the Legionnaires of the 1er REP that conserve the Green Beret; the remainder of the French army metropolitan and marine paratroopers forming the 10th Parachute Division, the 25th Parachute Division and the 11th Parachute Brigade wear the Red Beret.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, Traditions, Insignias
The insignia of the Foreign Legion Paratroopers of France represents a closed "winged armed dextrochere", meaning a "right winged arm" armed with a sword pointing upwards. The Insignia makes reference to the Patron of Paratroopers. In fact, the Insignia represents "the right Arm of Saint Michael", the Archangel which according to Liturgy is the "Armed Arm of God". This Insignia is the symbol of righteous combat and fidelity to superior missions.


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, Traditions, Regimental and Battalion Songs
IContre les Viets, contre l'ennemi,Partout où le devoir fait signe,Soldats de France, soldats de pays,Nous remonterons vers les lignes. RefrainO légionnaires, le combat qui commence,Met dans nos âmes, enthousiasme et vaillance,Peuvent pleuvoir grenades et gravats,Notre victoire en aura plus d'éclat. Peuvent pleuvoir grenades et gravats,Notre victoire en aura plus d'éclat. IIEt si la mort nous frappe en chemin,Si nos doigts sanglants se crispent au sol,Un dernier rêve: adieu à demain,Nous souhaiterons faire école. RefrainIIIMalgré les balles, malgré les obus,Sous les rafales ou sous les bombes,Nous avançons vers le même but,Dédaignant l'appel de la tombe. Refrain


1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, Battalion and regimental commanders
Note (* †): Legion officers killed heading their battalions and regiments1er BEP1er Bataillon Etranger de Parachutistes Tenure ( 1948–1955 ) – I, II, III Formations -


1st Foreign Regiment
The 1st Foreign Regiment (French: 1er Régiment étranger, 1er RE) and the 2nd Foreign infantry Regiment are the original and most senior founding regiments of the Foreign Legion.


1st Foreign Regiment
The regiment is also responsible for running special institutions of the Legion. These include the magazine Képi Blanc, the Legion's Athletics Team (ATHLEG), the Legion Military Band, the Legion Museum and numerous other Legion initiatives.


1st Foreign Regiment
The 1st Foreign Regiment is a Foreign Legion Command depot regiment. The regiment and all regiments of the French Foreign Legion, differentiate, that their Legion Majors, Legion Adjudant Chefs and Legion Adjudants, form both a French and non-French (Foreign) elite composition.


1st Foreign Regiment, History, Royal Foreign Legion
Under the first restoration, the Bourbons would only retain the Swiss, in souvenir to their loyal service rendered to France during four centuries, and with them also, four foreign regiments out of which one colonial, formed of Spanish and Portuguese. The eight reorganized foreign regiments by Napoleon at the Hundred Days formed in 1815 the Royal Foreign Legion (French: La Légion Royale Etrangère), which became the Hohenlohe Legion (French: La Légion de Hohenlohe), then in 1821 the Hohenlohe Regiment. Licensed in 1830, the latter contributed to form the twenty first light, then the French Foreign Legion (French: La Légion Étrangère). The Swiss regiments of the restoration disappeared in 1830, nevertheless, the Swiss reincorporated again the French Army from 1855 to 1859 under the successive denomination of 2nd Foreign Legion (French: La Deuxième Légion Etrangère) and 1st Foreign Regiment (French: 1er Régiment Etranger).


1st Foreign Regiment, History, 1st Regiment of the 1st Foreign Legion, 1st Foreign Regiment of 1885
The 1st Regiment of the Foreign Legion was created in 1841 based on 3 battalions in the newly created 1831 Foreign Legion. The 1st Regiment of the Foreign Legion became in 1855 the 1st Regiment of the 1st Foreign Legion. This regiment merged with the 2nd Foreign Regiment (2e R.E. ), (1856-1861) in 1859 and became the Foreign Regiment (R.E), (1862-1875), then came the 1st and 2nd battalion of the Foreign Legion (L.E), (1875-1884) which produced the 1st Foreign Regiment of 1885 that consequently became the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI in 1922 and the 1st Foreign Marching Infantry Regiment (French: 1er Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie de Marche, 1er R.E.I.M) in 1943.


1st Foreign Regiment, History, 1st Foreign Regiment of 1856
The 1st Foreign Regiment (1er R.E.) (1856-1861) was created based on the 1st and 2nd Foreign Regiments of the 2nd Foreign Legion.


1st Foreign Regiment, History, 1st Foreign Regiment of 1955
The 1st Foreign Regiment (1er R.E) was created based on the recreated 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment (1946-1955). This 1st Foreign Regiment gave formation on September 1, 1972, to the Foreign Legion Groupment (G.L.E) which became the Foreign Legion Command (C.O.M.L.E) on July 1, 1984. With the Foreign Legion Command, the 1st Foreign Regiment constitute the Mother House (French: Maison Mère) of the Foreign Legion.


1st Foreign Regiment, History, 1st Foreign Regiment of 1955
This expression inherited from Sidi Bel Abbès came from the primordial role the regiment played in conserving tradition and rendering the 1st Foreign Regiment a genuine turning plateau for the ensemble of the Foreign Legion. Quartier (garrison) Vienot of Aubagne and Sidi Bel Abbès were both named in honor of Colonel Raphaël Vienot (French: Raphaël Vienot). Aubagne also houses the French Foreign Legion Museum.


1st Foreign Regiment, History, 1st Foreign Regiment of 1955
Created in 1841 and stationed in Aubagne since 1962, the 1st Foreign Regiment is the patron of all Foreign Legion regiments. Beyond this historical aspect, the 1st Foreign Regiment represents a major cornerstone in the career paths of legionnaires. The legionnaires initiate their careers from the 1st Foreign Regiment at the selection center of incorporation while also confirming successful return upon completion of basic training before deploying to a legion operational regiment. Legionnaires also pass by the 1st Foreign Regiment each time a posting of a regiment changes, and also finalize in the same regiment their departure formalities at the end of active duty service.


1st Foreign Regiment, History, 1st Foreign Regiment of 1955, Missions of the 1st Foreign Regiment
The 1st Foreign Regiment, is a regiment with essentially a combat and administrative vocation which major missions are the support of the Foreign Legion and directed by the Foreign Legion Command. However, during exterior and interior mission deployments requirements of units and regiments of the legion; the 1st Foreign Regiment usually also dispatches particular individuals or teams of specialists (O.M.L.T). In addition, the foreign regiment like all regiments of the French Army, does also engage in the alert phase mission of Vigipirate. The 1st Foreign Regiment also dispatches and supports world humanitarian missions around the globe during natural catastrophes and disasters.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, 1841 to 1852
The 1st Foreign Regiment 1er was created in Aleria on April 1, 1841 from the first three Legion battalions.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, 1841 to 1852
On January 1, 1849, the 1er RE, under the command of Colonel Émile Mellinet (French: Émile Mellinet), was in garrison at Oran in Algeria.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Second Empire
On July 6, 1856, the regiment received the regimental flag colors "Emperor Napoleon III at the 1st Foreign" (French: l'Empereur Napoléon III au 1er Etranger) before initiating the campaign in Kabylie.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Second Empire
The foreign regiment first participated to the pacification of Algeria, then was funneled to the Crimean War (French: Crimée (1853-1856)) where the regiment formed a brigade with the foreign brother regiment, 2nd Foreign Regiment 2e RE, at the corps of the 6th Division. The regiment participated to the Battle of Alma (French: bataille de l'Alma) and to the Siege of Sevastopol (French: siège de Sebastopol). The regimental commander, colonel Vienot was killed in combat on May 1, 1855. The regiment participated to the apprehension of the Malakoff tower on September 8, 1855.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Second Empire
The regiment then partcipiated to the Italian campaign (French: campagne d'Italie) in 1859, at the corps of the 2nd Infantry Division of the 2nd Army Corps of Patrice de MacMahon, Duke of Magenta, and illustrated capability during the Battle of Magenta (French: bataille de Magenta). The regiment entered triumphantly in Milan liberated on June 7, 1859.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Second Empire
Returned to Algeria, the regiment was licensed on December 14, 1861, by Imperial decree. The men were accordingly transferred to the 2nd Foreign which changed name designation on January 1, 1862, to become the Foreign Regiment. During the Mexican expedition from 1861 to 1867, the foreign regiment embarked to Mexico where the latter arrived on March 25, 1863 at Veracruz. The 3rd combat company illustrated itself with distinction while sacrificing itself during the Battle of Camarón (French: Bataille de Camerone) on April 30, 1863. The 1st and 2nd battalions participated to the siege of Oaxaca which capitulated in April 1865.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Second Empire
The 2nd battalion lost on March 1, 1866, 102 men killed during the combat of Santa Isabel. On December 13 of the same year, the regiment left Mexico. During the Franco-Prussian War (French: Guerre franco-allemande de 1870), the Legion engaged the conflict within delay.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Second Empire
It was at the end of September 1870, that the regiment integrated the 15th Crops 1st Brigade, 2nd Division and was found making way towards Orléans (where the regiment refused 3 times consecutively the order to retreat and where foreign Lieutenant Kara, Peter I of Serbia illustrated capability) on October and December 1870 then at Montbéliard in January 1871, where he forced the Germans to leave the city.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, 1871 to 1914
During the Paris Commune (French: la Commune de Paris) in 1871, the regiment participated with Armée Versaillaise (French: armée versaillaise) to the semaine sanglante ("Bloody Week"). The commander-in-chief of the Armée Versaillaise was Marshal of France Patrice de Mac Mahon. The regiment then returned to Algeria in June 1871 (Mascara near Oran). On January 1, 1885, the "French Foreign Legion", named given to the "Foreign Regiment" on March 13, 1875, doubled in two foreign regiments constituted each of 4 battalions and one depot company. During the Expedition of Madagascar in 1895–1896, the foreign regiment with the 2nd Foreign Regiment, formed a Marching Battalion, which depended on the Algerian Regiment (French: Régiment Algérie), of the Army of Africa (French: l'Armée d'Afrique) under the orders of Colonel Oudri of the 2nd Foreign Regiment.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, 1871 to 1914
In 1881, the 1st Foreign Regiment was combat engaged in Morocco (combats of Chellaha of May 19) and South Oran (combat of Chott Tigri on April 26, 1882 where 300 Legionnaires faced 8000 dissidents). The 1st Foreign Regiment combat engaged in 1900 during the Battle of the Oasis, again in South-Oran and the Moroccan confines. On January 27, 1906, the 3rd combat company of the 1st Foreign Regiment crushed the enemy which participated to the combat of El Moungar (where the 22nd company of the 2nd Foreign Regiment had endured heavy losses, and which the battle was surnamed the "Cameron of the Sands").


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, 1871 to 1914
At the beginning of 1883, the 1st and 2nd battalions of the 1st Foreign Regiment were sent to Tonkin. They apprehended Sontay on December 16, 1883. From January 26 to March 3, 1884, 600 men of Tuyen-Quang out of which 390 Legionnaires repelled 20,000 Chinese regulars.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, 1871 to 1914
In 1892, the 1st Foreign Regiment was engaged in Dahomey (Actual Benin) and disembarked at Cotonu on August 22. They combat engaged in September and October. 800 Legionnaires of Colonel Fauraux faced thousands of combatants and re-embarked victorious on November 17.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, 1871 to 1914
Between 1892 and 1894, the companies of the 1st Foreign Regiment intervened as well in Sudan. On July 1, 1893, the legionnaires of Lieutenant Betheder and Sergent Minnaêrt fought with ferocity at Bossé. They lost 60 killed and wounded which earned this heroic Sergent (who already distinguished capability at Tonkin) the decoration of the Légion d'honneur for his bravery under fire.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, 1871 to 1914
In 1895–1896, the regiment was part of the expedition which went on to the conquest of Madagascar. While combats were effective, climatic conditions were terrible and caused ravages. The losses through diseases were significant (200 dead). The Legionnaires exhausted themselves and gave their full without complaints. It was customary to say that in the Expeditionary Corps : " when a French trooper entered the hospital , it would be for repatriation, a Tirailleur would enter for medical treatment, and a Legionnaire would only enter for dying". The pacification debuted in 1895 and endured till 1905, date of permanent return of units of the 1st Foreign Regiment to Algeria.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, 1871 to 1914
The Moroccan époque debuted in 1906. In August 1907, Chef de bataillon (Commandant – Major) Provost was killed at Casablanca while repelling a violent attack. In 1908, the 1st Foreign Regiment 1er RE distinguished capability at Menabah. In 1911, the 22nd combat company of Captain Labordette endured the loss of 29 including their company commander at Alouana.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, First World War
The regiment was not directly combat engaged in World War I. However, the regiment continued to combat administer the institution and supply men for the ensemble of foreign units engaged in the conflict. In 1914, the 1st Foreign Regiment formed the constitution totality or most of the corps of many units.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, First World War
In Morocco : The 1st Foreign Regiment 1er RE supplied the entire of the 1st Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment, 1er RM 1er RE (constituted from the 1st, 2nd and 6th battalions). These units combat engaged for 4 years at the cost of 272 killed at Taza or Sidi-Amar. The 1st Marching Regiment was dissolved on February 15, 1918 and the battalions and mounted companies became autonomous.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, First World War
In France: The 1st Foreign Regiment formed the corps constitution of the 2nd Marching Regiment, 3rd Marching Regiment and 4th Marching Regiment ("Légion garibaldienne") combat engaged in France, out of which the essential constitution was formed of foreign volunteers for the duration of the war (out of which the prominents featured tour de France champion François Faber, and poets Blaise Cendrars, Camil Campanyà or Alan Seeger). Between March and July 1915, the 3rd and 4th Marching Regiments disappeared after terrible losses.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, First World War
The 2nd Marching Regiment which was cited at 2 occasions was annihilated (1322 killed) with his foreign brother regiment 2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment 2e RM 2e RE in September 1915 during combats of Navarrin. The survivors constituted the renowned Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (RMLE) which was entrusted to Colonel Paul-Frédéric Rollet. The RMLE would be the second most decorated unit of the French Army (after the Infantry Colonial Regiment of Morocco, actual RICM).


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, First World War
In the Orient: A provisional regiment was formed of troops of the Army of Africa (France), with the title of 1er Régiment de Marche d'Afrique. The first two battalions were from the Zouaves, and the third battalion was formed of men from the Foreign Legion. This composite infantry battalion would be engaged with other units of the Corps expéditionnaire d'Orient in the Orient (firstly in the Gallipoli campaign in the Dardanelles, and thereafter on the Salonika front). The unit was originally formed of 2 companies of 1st


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, First World War
Foreign Infantry Regiment (1er REI) and 2 companies of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI). The battalion headquarters company hailed from the 1er REI and the battalion commander (French: chef de bataillon) from the 2e REI. Losing 815 men under fire, the Legion Battalion of 1er RMA was cited 3 consecutive times out of which 2 at the orders of the army before being disbanded on 30 September 1917.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, First World War
In Tonkin, these attacks were led by Annamese agitators (French: agitateurs annamites) between August 1915 and July 1918. These action would repeat themselves until 1940. The 4th Battalion lost 216 men during this period.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Interwar period
In 1925, the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI counted 10,000 men repatriated in 9 battalions (8 combat battalions and 1 training battalion, the 5th, 9 specialized companies, and the Communal Depot of Foreign Regiments (DCRE)).


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Interwar period
The 4th Battalion forming a corps at Tonkin, rejoined by the 9th created in 1926. The battalion combat engaged Annamese agitators at the cost of more than 200 fatalities.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Interwar period
The 8th battalion and 24th company were in Syria. They combat engaged at Messifré and Soueida on September 12, 1925. The 8th battalion would be cited 2 times at the orders of the army (the first citation was obtained while they belonged to the 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment 4e REI, before becoming the 8th battalion of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI).


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Interwar period
The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th as well the specialized units were in Algeria.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Interwar period
Rif War: the conquest of Morocco would require in several times the engagements of units of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI and especially since 1918.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Interwar period
On August 9, 1918, the 2nd Mounted Company endured terrible combats mounting to 49 fatalities out which 2 out of exhaustion. Their chief, Captain Timm, severely wounded in the leg and in the face, attached himself to a mule to be able to continue his commandment and lead his men. On July 23, 1923, the 6th battalion attacked the Taghzout hill and lost 18 killed and 36 wounded.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Interwar period
The paroxysm of these interventions was reached in 1925-1926 during the Rif War. Four battalions (1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th and two companies of sapeurs-Pionniers of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI were engaged (almost 2000 men). At the cost of more than 400 fatalities, the battalions illustrated themselves in furious combats often in close range corps-a-corps combat. On June 10, 1924, the 6th battalion was decimated at the cost of 4 officers killed and 60 fatalities during an operation at night to liberate the post of Mediouna. The 2nd battalion chief, Commandant (Major) Deslandre was killed while leading at the head of his Legionnaires on July 18, 1924 near Tezual.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Interwar period
On May 8, 1926, the general offensive was launched. All the units of the 1st Foreign Regiment were of participation, in particular the 1st, 2nd and 6th battalions. Victory was definite on May 26. Nevertheless, Chef de bataillon (Commandant -Major) Le Roch was killed in violent combats on July 14 while leading the 1st Battalion at the tips of Tizi-N'Ouidel.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Interwar period
The four battalions were cited 5 times (out of which 2 citations for the 6th battalion).


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Second World War
In France: In 1939, the "1st Foreign" directed on France 2500 Cadres and Legionnaires out of the 3000 men, who formed the 11th Foreign Infantry Regiment 11e REI and 12th Foreign Infantry Regiment 12e REI. Three former regimental commanders of the 1er REI would command the 11e REI. These two regiments disappeared during the defeat of 1940 at cost of heavy losses. The 11e REI was cited at the orders of the army, the 12 e REI at the orders of the division.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Second World War
In parallel, the 1st battalion of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment was transferred to the 13e DBLE which was on its way to Narvik.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Second World War
In 1941, two battalions of the 1er REI and the company "hors rang" (CHR) constituted the 4th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (4e DBLE) sent to Senegal. The 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI grew back in size by integrating the veterans of the 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment 6e REI whom fought in Syria.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Second World War
In November 1942, the 1st Battalion of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI illustrated capability during combats against the Afrika Korps in Tunisia. The 2nd company was annihilated in the Djebel Mansour and was cited at the orders of the army.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Second World War
With the return of the 4th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (4e DBLE) to Sidi-Bel-Abbès and the beginning of the campaign of Tunisia in 1943, the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI became the 1st Foreign Marching Infantry Regiment 1er REIM on April 16, 1943. Formed of three battalions, the regiment illustrated combat ability at the cost of 380 fatalities by inflicting heavy losses to the enemy at Pont du Fhas and in the Djebel Zaghouan.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Second World War
For actions incurred, the regiment was cited at the orders of the army, a citation which currently adorns the regimental colors flag of the regiment. The veterans of the 1st Foreign Marching Infantry Regiment 1er REIM and 3rd Foreign Marching Infantry Regiment 3e REIM, would form again the renowned Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (RMLE) which participated in full to the total liberation of the national territory.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Second World War
The 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI ceased to exist on June 30, 1943. The respective missions were assured by the DCRE at Bel-Abbès.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Indochina War
The 1st Foreign Regiment was reborn on May 1, 1946. The regiment participated along the various combat specialized units which would partake operations in which the Legion would lead until 1962 (notably the Mounted Saharan Companies). The regiment accordingly was fully dedicated to the selection, training/instruction of foreign volunteers, institution administration and funneling via the communal depot, general reinforcements for units engaged in Indochina. Accordingly, the regiment did not actually participate directly to the conflict.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Indochina War
On September 1, 1950, the Autonomous Group of the Foreign Legion (GALE) was created, commanded consecutively by Générals Jean Olié and Paul Gardy. This Autonomous Foreign Legion Group was the Commandment ancestor of the actual Legion.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Algerian War
During the stir-up of "Events in Algeria", the 1st Foreign Regiment 1er RE, like all Legion regiments which lived in Algeria since 1831 would participate to combats which would last until 1962; the regiment endured the loss of 92 Officers, Sous-Officiers (Sergeants to Warrant Officers) and Legionnaires while placing out of combat 1151 rebels and recuperating 529 individual and collective arms.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Algerian War
A couple of dates: November 18, 1954, death of Sous-lieutenant of the 3rd Marching Battalion in Djebel Orbata. On January 7, 1958, the 6th company of Center Instruction No 2 destroyed a band of rebels north-west of Franchetti. On March 5, 1961, the tactical general staff headquarters of the 1st Foreign Regiment 1er RE at the orders of battalion chief (Commandant -Major) Fournier was engaged in the region of Sebdou then Djilali. The section of student candidate sous-officiers of Adjudant Kemenceî responded to the rebels and beat 24, at the cost of 2 fatalities. On August 11, 1961, rebels infiltrated to Sidi-Bel-Abbès. Spotted, they entrenched themselves in a house. The Legionnaires of the 1st Foreign Regiment mounted the assault at the cost of 3 fatalities, out of Legionnaire Zimmerman would be last fatality in Algeria.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Algerian War
Departure: On September 29, 1962, the bodies of général Paul-Frédéric Rollet, Chef de bataillon (Prince) Aage de Danemark, and Legionnaire Zimmermann (representing the ensemble of Legionnaires whom died in Algeria) were transferred to the cemetery at Puyloubier (Bouches du Rhône). October 24, 1962, marked the continental departure ceremony at the Monument aux Morts (which was dismantled and repatriated to Aubagne). The black pavilions brought back from Tuyen-Quang in 1885 by Captain Borelli were burned in application of wishes to have them never leave Sidi-Bel-Abbès. October 26, marked the continental departure.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Algerian War
The 1st Foreign Regiment however would conserve units in the Sahara in virtue with the Evian accords (defense of a nuclear site). The last legionnaires of these Saharan companies would return to Aubagne in 1969 and would notably be garrisoned at Bou-Sfer (with the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment 2e REP and 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment 1er REC leaving in 1967).


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Since 1962
On July 15, 1962, the precursors arrived at the camp de la Demande at Aubagne, which would become quartier (garrison) Vienot. Colonel Vaillant, regimental commander, disembarked with the regimental colors flag on October 26, 1962.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Since 1962
On April 29, 1963, the first Cameron eve night in metropolis had lieu. On April 30 was the inauguration of the Monument aux Morts repatriated from Algeria and the celebration of the centennial of the battle of Cameron with a military parade.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Since 1962
The Instruction Group of the Foreign Legion (GILE) garrisoned at Corte (Haute-Corse) and Bonifacio (South of Corsica).


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Since 1962
In October 1969 : The Motorized Company of the Foreign Legion (CMLE) of the 1st Foreign Regiment was enacted in Corte. The Motorized Company was deployed to Chad at the occasion of Opération Tacaud. The company endured 6 fatalities in combat alongside the 2e REP until disengaging in 1970. The Motorized Company became the 6th company of the Operational Group of the Foreign Legion (GOLE) (created on March 9, 1971).


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Since 1962
The 1st Foreign Regiment was split in two giving birth to the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment 2e REI, which recuperated the Instruction Group of the Foreign Legion and Operational Group of the Foreign Legion stationed in Corsica.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Since 1962
On July 1, 1981 : creation of the 31st Brigade, which the 1st Foreign Regiment 1er RE was part of. One unit was deployed to Lebanon within the cadre of the Multinational Force in Lebanon (FMSB) from May to September 1983 (Command element & immediate support, the value size of a company).


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Since 1962
September 1990 to April 1991: The 1st Foreign Regiment engaged a Transport Platoon within the cadres of Opération Daguet in the Gulf.


1st Foreign Regiment, History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles, Since 1962
Since 1991, the regiment has regularly supplied and reinforced units of the Legion deployed in exterior theatres of operations as well as interior missions (notably Sentinel since 2015).


1st Foreign Regiment, Organisation
Also reported within the regiment is the Foreign Legion Emergency Staff and Statistics Division, a Legion intelligence section.


1st Foreign Regiment, Tradition, Insignia
The Foreign Legion Groupment, G.L.E in the 31st Brigade featuring Poseidon


1st Foreign Regiment, Tradition, Insignia
The insignia of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment, (1er R.E.I), (1950-1955) retook the symbolics of the Foreign Legion with the grenade of 7 flames and the green, red colors of the legion. The regiment is represented inside the grenade while the globe commemorates the relic of the Foreign Legion in Sidi Bel Abbès.


1st Foreign Regiment, Tradition, Insignia
The current insignia of the 1st Foreign Regiment, (1er R.E), retook the symbolic ruban of the Commemorative medal of the Mexico Expedition created in 1863. This insignia was initially destined for the 3rd company of the 4th Foreign Regiment 4e RE in 1936. The insignia became that of the Autonomous Group of the Foreign Legion, (G.A.L.E) and was then adopted by the 1st Foreign Regiment, (1er R.E.) in 1955.


1st Foreign Regiment, Tradition, Insignia
The insignia makes reference to a white diamond shape on which figures the arms of Mexico (a black coloured Mexican golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), locking on a serpent, as depicted on the flag of Mexico) and a saltire with Foreign Legion and Mexican colors.


1st Foreign Regiment, Tradition, Regimental Song
Chant de Marche : Nous sommes tous des volontaires  featuring:


1st Foreign Regiment, Tradition, Regimental Song
Nous sommes tous des volontaires,Les gars du 1er étranger,Notre devise est légendaire,Honneur Fidélité – Fidélité,Marchons légionnaires,Dans la boue, dans le sable brûlant, (bis)Marchons l'âme légère, (bis)Et le cœur vaillant, (bis)Marchons légionnaires. (bis)Nous marchons gaiement en cadence,Malgré le vent malgré la pluie,Les meilleurs soldats de la France,Sont là devant vous, les voici. Partout où le combat fait rage,L'on voit le 1er étranger,Exemple d'héroïsme, de courage,Se couvrir de glorieux lauriers. Gardons dans le fond de nos âmes,Le souvenir de nos aînés,Et pour la grenade à sept flammes,Loyal prêt à tout sacrifier.


1st Foreign Regiment, Foreign Legion and Regimental Commanders, Tenure (1841–1955)
1st Regiment of the 1st Foreign Legion Tenure (1841 -1856)1er Régiment étranger de la Légion étrangère, (1er R.E.L.E)


1st Foreign Regiment, Foreign Legion and Regimental Commanders, Tenure (1841–1955)
1st Foreign Marching Infantry Regiment Tenure (1943)1er Régiment étranger d'infanterie de marche, (1er R.E.I.M)


1st Foreign Regiment, Foreign Legion and Regimental Commanders, Tenure (1841–1955)
1st Foreign Infantry Regiment Tenure (recreated 1949-1955)1er régiment étranger d'infanterie, (1er R.E.I)


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers
The 1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers was a part-time unit of the British Army's Royal Artillery founded in Forfarshire (now Angus) in Scotland in 1859. It served with 51st (Highland) Division through many of the major battles on the Western Front during World War I. In World War II its regiments saw action in the Battle of France, in the campaigns in North Africa and Sicily, and in North West Europe from D-Day to VE Day. It continued in the postwar Territorial Army until 1975.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, Volunteer Force
The enthusiasm for the Volunteer movement following an invasion scare in 1859 saw the creation of many Rifle and Artillery Volunteer Corps composed of part-time soldiers eager to supplement the Regular British Army in time of need. By the end of April 1860 seven Artillery Volunteer Corps (AVCs) had been formed in Forfarshire:


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, Volunteer Force
On 14 December 1860 these units were brought together as the 1st Administrative Brigade, Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers based in Dundee under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel James Erskine. Each of the original corps consisted of a single battery, but in 1862 the units at Broughty Ferry amalgamated as a two-battery unit (the 3rd) and those at Dundee as a three-battery corps (the 4th). The 1st AVC at Arbroath added batteries in 1865 and 1877, and the 2nd had an additional half battery between 1866 and 1875.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, Volunteer Force
In 1867 the 4th AVC was increased to four batteries, in 1868 to six batteries with its own lieutenant-colonel commandant (Frank Stewart-Sandeman, who commanded the Administrative Brigade as well from 1872), and to seven batteries in 1879. The headquarters (HQ) of the Administrative Brigade moved to Broughty Ferry in 1862 and back to Dundee in 1875. In 1876 the 2nd (Johnshaven), 3rd (St Cyrus) and 4th (Bervie) Kincardineshire AVCs were transferred from the 1st Aberdeen Administrative Brigade to the 1st Forfarshire Administrative Brigade.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, Volunteer Force
In 1880 the Volunteer Force was consolidated into larger units. The 1st Forfar Administrative Brigade became the 1st Forfarshire (Forfar and Kincardine) AVC in March 1880, but the three Kincardine batteries returned to the 1st Aberdeen in May 1882 and the 'Forfar and Kincardine' subtitle was dropped. The size of the corps was increased again when a new battery was raised at Perth the following year, giving the following organisation:


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, Volunteer Force, Position artillery
The AVCs were intended to serve as garrison artillery manning fixed defences, but a number of the early units manned semi-mobile 'position batteries' of smooth-bore field guns pulled by agricultural horses. The Dundee batteries of the 1st Forfarshire AVC had two batteries of four field guns from 1868, but they were only occasionally turned out, and were not officially recognised by the War Office (WO). However the concept was revived in 1888 when some Volunteer batteries were reorganised as position artillery to work alongside the Volunteer infantry brigades. In 1889 the 1st


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, Volunteer Force, Position artillery
Forfarshire AVC was issued with a position battery of 16-pounder Rifled Muzzle-Loading guns, which were manned by two of the Dundee garrison batteries. In 1891 this was numbered the 1st Position Battery and the remaining garrison batteries were redesignated companies (Nos 2–6 at Dundee, 7–9 at Arbroath, 10 at Montrose, 11–12 at Broughty Ferry and 13 at Perth).


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, Volunteer Force, Royal Garrison Artillery
In 1882 all the AVCs were affiliated to one of the territorial garrison divisions of the Royal Artillery (RA) and the 1st Forfarshire AVC became part of the Scottish Division. In 1889 the structure was altered, and the corps joined the Southern Division. In 1899 the RA was divided into separate field and garrison branches, and the artillery volunteers were all assigned to the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). When the divisional structure was abolished their titles were changed, the unit becoming the 1st Forfarshire Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers) on 1 January 1902. The following year the position batteries were redesignated as heavy batteries.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, Volunteer Force, Royal Garrison Artillery
In 1908 the unit's HQ was at Albany Quarters, Bell Street, Dundee, and it had a drill battery at Barry Links for gun practice. The Dundee and Broughty Ferry companies used a rifle range at Monifieth Links, while the other companies used ranges at Eliot Links near Arbroath and near Montrose.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, Territorial Force
When the Volunteers were subsumed into the new Territorial Force (TF) under the Haldane Reforms of 1908, the personnel of the 1st Forfarshire RGA was distributed to two new units:


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, Territorial Force
This unit was part of the TF's Highland Division. The batteries were each issued with four 15-pounder guns.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, Mobilisation
A warning order of the imminence of war was received at the Highland Division's HQ on 29 July 1914, and the order to mobilise was received at 17.35 on Tuesday 4 August 1914. Mobilisation began the following day at unit drill halls. On 12 August the division was ordered to concentrate at Bedford and entrainment began on 15 August. Concentration was completed by 17 August and the division formed part of First Army (Home Forces) in Central Force.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, Mobilisation
On the outbreak of war, units of the Territorial Force were invited to volunteer for Overseas Service. On 15 August the WO issued instructions to separate those men who had signed up for Home Service only, and form these into reserve units. Then on 31 August the formation of a reserve or 2nd Line unit was authorised for each 1st Line unit where 60 per cent or more of the men had volunteered for Overseas Service. The titles of these 2nd Line units would be the same as the original, but distinguished by a '2/' prefix. In this way duplicate batteries, brigades and divisions were created, mirroring those TF formations being sent overseas.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade
During the winter of 1914–15 the division's 1st Line units underwent war training, and a number left to join the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) on the Western Front. The division was warned for overseas service on 13 April and on 3 May it crossed to France, the artillery embarking at Southampton for Le Havre. The Highland Division completed its concentration at Lillers, Busnes and Robecq by 6 May and on 12 May it was officially numbered as the 51st (Highland) Division.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Western Front
The raw division was soon in action at the Battle of Festubert (18–25 May). The 51st (Highland) and 1st Canadian Division together formed 'Alderson's Force', which relieved  the attacking divisions at the end of the first day's fighting. It was also engaged at the Battle of Givenchy (15–16 June). Afterwards the division was moved to a quiet front to gain more experience. 1/II Highland Bde's old 15-pounders were replaced with modern 18-pounder guns on 28 August.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Western Front
On 7 April 1916 1/II Highland Bde formed an additional battery (D Bty). Then on 19 May the TF brigades of the RFA received numbers, the 1/II Highland becoming CCLVI (256) Brigade, and the old batteries were redesignated A, B and C. D Battery was then exchanged for R (Howitzer) Bty from the III Highland (CCLVIII) Howitzer Bde, which became D (H) Bty, equipped with 4.5-inch howitzers. (R (H) Battery had originally been C (H) Bty of CLI (1st County Palatine) Bde of 30th Division, a 'Kitchener's Army' unit raised by the Earl of Derby in Lancashire in 1914.) The brigade ammunition columns were abolished at the same time, and absorbed within the divisional ammunition column.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Somme
In July 51st (Highland) Division joined in the Somme Offensive. An attack on 14 July had failed to capture the dominating ground of High Wood, and 51st (H) Division was tasked with renewing the attack on High Wood a week later. A night attack was to be tried: the bombardment began at 19.00 on 22 July, under the direction of low-flying artillery observation aircraft. German sources reported that the shelling was of 'painful accuracy' and prevented the troops in High Wood from being relieved, despite the number of casualties they suffered.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Somme
At 01.30 the following morning the division attacked, but by 03.00 they were back on their start line having suffered heavy casualties of their own. British gunners had difficulty supporting attacks on High Wood, because they had to fire over Bazentin Ridge. The low elevation of the guns meant that shells skimmed the British trenches, the margin for error was small and numerous complaints were made that British infantry casualties were caused by friendly fire. Worn guns, defective ammunition and inaccurate information about the location of British infantry positions were blamed for short-shooting.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Somme
The setback seemed to confirm the division's nickname of 'Harper's Duds' (from their commander, Major-General George Harper, and their 'HD' formation badge). The division was withdrawn from the front on 7 August for rest and reorganisation. On 23 August CCLVI Bde was reorganised again: B Bty and the Left Section of C Bty of CCLVIII Bde joined to make A, B and C Btys up to six 18-pounders each.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Somme
The division returned to the front in October for the Battle of the Ancre Heights, the final series of actions of the Somme Offensive. A mass of guns was assembled, with the artillery of no less than eight divisions and eight heavy artillery groups supporting 51st (H) Division's attack on Beaumont-Hamel, which had been an uncaptured objective on the first day of the offensive on 1 July. The operation was planned for 24 October, and the batteries began firing to cut the barbed wire on 20 October, but it was postponed several times because of bad weather.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Somme
Eventually 13 November was chosen. H hour was 05.45, when the 18-pounders started a Creeping barrage (a recent innovation) moving in front of the infantry at 100 yards (91 m) every five minutes. A quarter of the 18-pounders deliberately fired 100 yards (91 m) short of the barrage line – this would have suppressed German outposts sheltering in shell craters in No man's land. The attack was helped by a dense fog, which screened the infantry from retaliatory shellfire as they struggled through the mud towards their objectives.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Somme
The barrage halted for an hour on the first objective before moving on. Some of the infantry were held up by machine guns in the notorious 'Y Ravine', which had caused so much trouble on 1 July, but reserves were employed and both attacking brigades had reached the third German trench line (the Purple Line) by 07.50. The Green Line was next taken, but the fourth wave of attackers lost the barrage on their way to the final (Yellow) objectives and had to pull back to the Green Line to consolidate a position in captured trenches. Beaumont Hamel had finally fallen, and 51st (Highland) Division had gone some way to shaking off the 'Harper's Duds' slur.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Somme
On 25 January 1917 CCLVI Bde was joined by the Left Section of C (H) Bty from CCLX (I Lowland) Bde to make D (H) Bty up to six howitzers. (C (H)/CCLX Bty had originally been 535 (H) Bty RFA.) The brigade then had the following organisation for the rest of the war:


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Arras
For the Battle of Arras opening on 9 April, the biggest concentration of guns yet seen was assembled, all working to a single plan. 51st (H) Division was in XVII Corps, where the field batteries were placed from 1,400 yards (1,300 m) to 2,000 yards (1,800 m) yards behind the line. The 18-pdrs began firing a creeping barrage at Zero hour to protect the infantry advance while 4.5s laid down a standing barrage on each objective in turn.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Arras
The barrage lasted for over 10 hours, advancing at a prescribed rate onto the final objective, over 7,000 yards (6,400 m) from the guns, some of which were moved forward during the day. Overall, XVII Corps' attack was a great success, even though some of 51st Highland's men were held up by unsubdued machine guns and drifted away from their barrage. The following day the brigade's CO, Lt-Col L.M. Dyson, personally went forward to reconnoitre the confused situation on the division's front, finding that the objective of Point de Jour was only partially held. After the first day the successes were harder won: the British guns had to move up through appalling conditions, and the follow-up attacks were less well planned and executed.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Arras
51st (H) Division attacked again at Gavrelle on 23 April under a full barrage (the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe), with the chemical works and village of Roeux as its objectives, but could not hold Roeux itself. The divisional artillery supported an attack by 34th Division on 28 April (the Battle of Arleux). The fire was not as  effective as had been hoped, failing to cut the barbed wire or subdue all the enemy machine guns, although a German counter-attack was 'mown down by the 18-pounders firing shrapnel'.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Arras
51st (H) Division distinguished itself in the eventual capture and defence of Roeux; CCLVI Bde first helped 4th Division take the west end of the village on 13 May, then 152nd Bde of 51st (H) Division occupied the rest during the night and held it against counter-attacks over the following days.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Ypres
An even greater concentration of guns was massed for the Third Ypres Offensive, but the circumstances were less favourable. Gun batteries were packed into the Ypres Salient, where they were under observation and counter-battery (CB) fire from the Germans on the higher ground. Casualties among guns and gunners were high even before Zero hour on 31 July (the Battle of Pilckem Ridge). Two thirds of the field guns fired a creeping barrage, the other third and the 4.5-inch howitzers provided the standing barrage.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Ypres
51st (H) Division reached the German second line and was consolidating when it was hit by a German counter-bombardment followed by a counter-attack. The British guns fired their pre-arranged protective barrages and destroyed the counterattack. Gains had been made, but now the rain came, and the guns had to move up through shell-churned mud to fresh positions before the attack could be renewed, and continued to suffer badly from German CB fire. 51st (H) Division was relieved on 8 August.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Ypres
The division was back in the line for the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge starting at 05.40 on 20 September. This was a limited attack made with massive artillery support. 51st (H) Division attacked towards the Poelcappelle Spur with one brigade (154th (3rd Highland)), supported by 22 batteries of 18-pdrs and six of 4.5s. At first the going was heavy and there was strong German resistance at 'Pheasant Trench', but thereafter there were no problems and the brigade had occupied its final objective across the spur by 08.25. A heavy German bombardment in the afternoon was followed by a counter-attack, but this was completely destroyed by the British artillery.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Cambrai
51st (Highland) Division was then moved south to take part in Third Army's surprise attack with tanks against the Hindenburg Line at Cambrai on 20 November. There was no preliminary bombardment, but for the attack the divisional artillery was reinforced, firing a lifting barrage of smoke, high explosive (HE) and shrapnel shells. The initial attack was a brilliant success, but on 51st (H) Division's front the advance stalled once the tanks crossed the Flesquières ridge, where many were knocked out by unsuppressed enemy guns. Artillery support could not be requested because of broken communications.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Cambrai
The fight at Flesquières went on all afternoon, but the Highlanders made little ground. However, the defenders in the village were almost cut off, and withdrew during the night. By now the division's guns were moving up into the former No man's land. They began a bombardment at 07.05 and at 07.30 the Highlanders moved on across the Graincourt road, but could not take the village of Cantaing until tanks came up. Although 51st (H) Division took Fontaine by 23 November, German opposition was stiffening, and the troops had to consolidate a line.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Cambrai
The infantry of 51st (H) Division had been relieved by the time the German counter-attack came in on 30 November, but the divisional artillery remained in the line, supporting 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. The attack against the 59th was easily broken by the guns of 51st (H)  and Guards Division. But breakthroughs elsewhere meant a scrambled retirement to a line further back.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Spring Offensive
The German spring offensive was launched on the misty morning of 21 March 1918 with great initial success against Fifth Army. In Third Army the situation was better: the mist cleared early and despite heavy casualties the batteries could fire at observed targets. On 51st (H) Division's front the attacking Germans described the British artillery fire as 'unbearable'. However, the division's flank had already been turned, and the troops here had to fall back to a 'switch' line. On this flank the division's forward zone was overrun, but the rear of the main battle zone was held from 15.00.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Spring Offensive
The German pressure was maintained the following day. Attempting to widen the hole in the flank, large numbers of Germans were seen at 2,000 yards (1,800 m) range: all four of CCLVI Bde's batteries hauled their guns out of their pits, swung them round, and engaged the enemy over open sights, inflicting such heavy casualties that further progress was checked for a time. One of the batteries then fired smoke to cover the advance of a battalion of British tanks coming up.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Spring Offensive
When the Germans ran from this counter-attack, the four batteries again did great execution, and were able to catch the German artillery coming up to support their infantry, one 18-pdr battery and the howitzer battery combining to destroy two guns and their teams and prevent the enemy battery from coming into action. Luckily the brigade was close to the divisional ammunition dump, and there was no shortage: the brigade fired 18,100 rounds of 18-pdr ammunition, and 2500 of howitzer; B Bty alone fired 1750 rounds per gun (rpg). By the time the German guns were able to fire it was dusk, and CCLVI Bde slipped away to the new line being taken up by 51st (H) Division.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Spring Offensive
Over the next two days the division retired slowly, its units becoming increasingly tired and reduced in numbers. On 23 March the very weak 152nd Bde threw back three attacks with rifle and artillery fire. Next day the division pulled back into the Red (fourth) Line behind other formations that took over holding the Green (third) Line. On 24 March all the artillery of the divisions in IV Corps was pooled, CCLVI Bde forming part of 'Right Group'. About 14.00 the infantry in front began to give way, and the artillery group had to withdraw.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Spring Offensive
51st (H) continued to hold the Red Line all day, forming a defensive flank, before falling back during the night. On 25 March 51st (H) Division was presented with some remarkable targets of German masses at long range, which were prevented from closing, but the enemy continued to move round the flank. However, reserves came up, and the exhausted 51st (H) Division was finally withdrawn that evening for rest.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Spring Offensive
51st (H) Division was sent north to First Army, absorbing drafts of reinforcements en route. The divisional artillery arrived on the evening of 9 April, just after the second phase of the German offensive (Operation Georgette) had struck First Army (the Battle of the Lys). The division's infantry had already been thrown into the gap left by the defeat of the 2nd Portuguese Division. The infantry and artillery together held the line through the next critical days.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Spring Offensive
51st (H) Division was sent back south in July to assist the French in the Second Battle of the Marne. The divisional artillery covered 80 miles (130 km) in three days, crossing the Marne near Épernay at 02.00 on 20 July. After a short halt they pushed on, reaching their assembly position near Nanteuil-la-Fosse, and CCLVI Bde was in action 500 yards (460 m) south west of Pourcy by 11.00, although they were only engaged in harassing fire during the Battle of Tardenois, while the division's infantry had attacked behind a barrage fired by French and Italian field guns.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Spring Offensive
An enemy counter-attack was expected, so the batteries were withdrawn at dusk, leaving a few guns in close support of the infantry during the night. In fact, the Germans withdrew across the Marne, and when the division attacked again the following morning the information on enemy positions was so poor that the barrage was fired too far ahead to be of use. On 23 and 27 July the division put in better-organised attacks behind barrages fired by its own artillery supported by French guns, against the now-retreating Germans. On 28 July, in the closing stages of the battle, CCLVI Bde moved up through the village of Chaumuzy under shellfire, having been misinformed that it was already in friendly hands.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Hundred Days Offensive
In August all the Allied armies began attacking in the Hundred Days Offensive. 51st (H) Division returned from the French sector and joined the Canadian Corps in First Army  in late August for the Battle of the Scarpe on 26 August. CCLVI Brigade supported the Canadian attack, and then rejoined 51st (H) divisional artillery supplemented by that of 16th (Irish) Division to provide a barrage for its own division's attack on the second objective against little opposition. The division attacked Greenland Hill the following day and failed to capture it, but succeeded two days later behind another barrage from 51st (H) and 16th (I) divisional artillery.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Hundred Days Offensive
After the Battle of the Selle the Allied armies began a pursuit. By 26 October First Army was lagging behind the advance, and 51st (H) Division was among those given the task of pushing on. The divisional artillery was supplemented by that of 39th Division together with army brigades and heavies. The attack went well, even though in some places the infantry lost the barrage. The Germans were now badly shaken and exhausted, and the campaign developed into a pursuit, although one serious counter-attack was broken up by the guns on 1 November.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Hundred Days Offensive
From 29 October the infantry of 51st (H) Division began to be withdrawn from the line, but the divisional artillery remained in action. On 1 November it supported 49th (West Riding) Division's assault crossing of the Rhonelle (the Battle of Valenciennes), and it remained in action until the Armistice with Germany came into force on 11 November.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 1/II Highland Brigade, Hundred Days Offensive
After the Armistice the division went into billets and demobilisation began. This was completed by mid-March 1919, and CCLVI Bde passed into suspended animation.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 2/II Highland Brigade
Recruiting for the 2nd Line unit was good, and 2/II Highland Bde was completed by the end of 1914. 2nd Highland Division formed in January 1915 (numbered as 64th (2nd Highland) Division in August) but the lack of equipment and need to supply drafts to 1st Line units delayed training. 2/II Highland Brigade remained around the Forfar area throughout 1915. In March 1916 the division moved south to Norfolk and joined Northern Army (Home Forces), with the artillery around Blickling and Worstead. It continued to send drafts to units serving overseas. By May, the artillery brigades had received 18-pounders and that month they were numbered: 2/II Highland became CCCXXI (321) Brigade and the batteries became A, B and C; later a D (H) Bty joined (probably from CCCXXIII (2/III Highland) (H) Bde, which was broken up).


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 2/II Highland Brigade
In Autumn 1916, B/CCXCIII (2/III County of London) Bty from 58th (2/1st London) Division was temporarily attached to the brigade. In November a new CCCXXII Bde of 18-pdr batteries was raised by V Reserve Bde, RFA, and joined the division, but on 29 January 1917 this was broken up to bring the existing batteries up to six guns each.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War I, 2/II Highland Brigade
By the winter of 1917 the division had become solely a training organisation, with no Highland associations. The artillery were quartered around Norwich, Aylsham and Haveringland, then in the summer of 1918 Westwick Park replaced Haveringland. In the winter of 1918 quarters at Reepham replaced Westwick Park. The division remained in Norfolk until after the Armistice, and was demobilised by April 1919.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, Interwar
The brigade was reformed in 1920 and redesignated as the 76th (Highland) Brigade, RFA, when the TF was reorganised as the Territorial Army (TA) in 1921 (becoming a Field Brigade, RA, in 1924 when the RFA was subsumed into the Royal Artillery). The brigade was once more in 51st (H) Division, with the following organisation:76th (Highland) Field Brigade, RA


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, Mobilisation
The TA was doubled in size following the Munich Crisis of 1938, with existing units splitting to form duplicates before the outbreak of World War II. 76th Field Regiment reorganised as follows:


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, Mobilisation
The establishment of a field battery was increased to 12 guns organised into three Troops.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment
On the outbreak of war 76th (Highland) Field Rgt mobilised in 51st (H) Division under the command of Lt-Col J.S.C. Sharp, still equipped with its World War I era 18-pounders and 4.5-inch howitzer, though now on pneumatic tyres and towed by gun tractors. On 1 October 1939 it moved to Ewshot and started to train hard, though many equipment problems were reported. It left Aldershot and landed at Le Havre on 31 January to join the new British Expeditionary Force (BEF), deploying at Avelin near Lille. On 5 March the regiment exchanged with a field regiment of 3rd Division, and remained with this Regular Army formation for the rest of the war.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Battle of France
The Battle of France began on 10 May with the German invasion of the Low Countries. The BEF responded by executing the pre-arranged Plan D, advancing into Belgium to take up defences along the River Dyle. 76th Field Rgt, now commanded by Lt-Col W.E. Vaudry, left on 12 May for its assigned position at Diegem on the north west outskirts of Brussels, arriving to a great reception from the Belgians. At dawn the following day the regiment deployed at Berthem to cover Louvain, with RHQ at Eegenhoven.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Battle of France
The heavily wooded position was difficult to occupy, but 303 Battery with 4.5-inch howitzers straddled the road running east from Berthem, while 302 Bty with its 18-pdrs was south of the main Louvain–Maline road. The Observation Posts (OPs) were with 9th Infantry Brigade on the line of the Dyle Canal. On the afternoon of 14 May the regiment did great damage to German units closing up to the Dyle. At one point the regiment fired 200 rpg in 1.5 hours.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Battle of France
The  Wehrmacht's Army Group B had been ordered to break through quickly between Louvain and Namur, but the artillery concentrations caused the leading troops to draw back. In the evening they began a series of attacks on 3rd Division's positions. During 15 May the regiment came under air attack, and there were several casualties in RHQ and 302 Bty.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Battle of France
However, the Panzers of Army Group A had broken through the Ardennes and threatened the BEF's flank, so on 16 May it began to withdraw to the River Escaut. For 76th Field Rgt firing continued throughout the day, with some of the Troops taking up alternate positions at Ste Veronique in the evening, but with B and E Trps still in forward positions. At 17.00 on 17 May the regiment was ordered to pull out and retire to Vondelin, about 13 miles (21 km) west of Brussels.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Battle of France
It was a difficult night move along roads packed with refugees and under bombing, but at dawn the regiment deployed in good positions in support of 9th Bde on the River Dendre. After the rearguard (4th Division) passed through, the regiment fired defensive tasks. Its next move, under air attack,  was 50 miles (80 km) back to the Escaut Canal line, where it deployed to support 7th Guards Brigade.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Battle of France
By 22 May the bulk of the BEF was cut off from the south and began to withdraw into a 'pocket' round Dunkirk from which it was preparing to evacuate (Operation Dynamo). On 28 May the regiment was ordered to move as soon as possible to Oostduinkerke on the Belgian coast where there had been an enemy breakthrough. It went into action near Coxyde, putting rifle parties on the canal near Westvleteren. They were ready by the morning, and from 13.00 on 29 May they were engaged in an infantry fight while the guns fired over open sights.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Battle of France
That night the 'riflemen' joined the newly arrived South Lancashires in a counter-attack that restored the situation somewhat. The regimental historian comments that 'undoubtedly these Gunners save d a potentially critical situation by their rapid action'. The regiment remained in action during 30 May, firing all day and receiving many casualties from shelling and bombing. At 15.00 on 31 May Lt-Col Vaudrey was ordered to destroy all equipment and move to the beaches for  embarkation that night. The regiment lost further casualties  from enemy shellfire while marching along the beach to Bray-Dunes. Other parties got away from La Panne[ in small boats but sustained casualties after they had transferred to the Isle of Wight ferry Gracie Fields when she was sunk 40 minutes after sailing for England.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Home Defence
The survivors of 76th (H) Fd Rgt concentrated at Glastonbury where it collected eight 18/25-pounder guns and then moved to Chichester for anti-invasion duties in mid-June 1940. Later it deployed with 302 Bty on Cissbury Ring near Worthing and 303 Bty at Steepdown Hill near Lancing College. 3rd Division was then pulled back from the Sussex coast to act as a counter-attack division in case of invasion and on 10 July the regiment went to Winchcomb in Savernake Forest. By the end of the year 76th  was at Dorchester.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Home Defence
Units returned from Dunkirk were progressively brought back up to strength and re-equipped. The establishment of a field regiment from 1941 onwards was three batteries, each of two four-gun troops of 25-pounders with Quad gun tractors. 76th (Highland) Fd Rgt formed 454 Fd Bty as its additional battery.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Home Defence
In 1943, 3rd Division was assigned to 21st Army Group training for the Allied invasion of Normandy (Operation Overlord). The division was chosen to spearhead the assault landings on Sword Beach and was given specialist training and equipment. 76th (H) Field Rgt became a self-propelled (SP) regiment operating US-built M7 Priest SP guns equipped with the 105 mm howitzer, with M4 Sherman tanks as armoured OPs.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, D-Day
The Normandy landings were launched on D Day, 6 June 1944. 76th (H) Field Rgt's Priests were aboard Landing craft tanks (LCTs), from which they gave support fire during the run-in to the shore, then landed shortly after the assault troops of 8th Brigade. Of the 18 LCTs taking in 3rd Division's three SP field regiments, six were damaged by enemy fire, five by beach obstacles and three by mines; two of these were total wrecks. There were significant casualties among the SP guns and crews. 3rd Division's advance was slowed by congestion on the beaches and by enemy strongpoints.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, D-Day
Artillery support and two attacks were required to overcome the strongpoint codenamed 'Hillman', and the division failed in its bid to take Caen in the first day. The field guns helped to drive off a tank attack by 21st Panzer Division. Over the following days the Germans attempted to drive in the bridgehead over the Orne Canal that had been seized by British airborne troops on D-Day. The most serious attack came on 9 June, when 3rd Division's field guns fired 'devastatingly accurate pre-arranged defensive fire' (DF) tasks across the Orne that broke up the attack.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, D-Day
For the rest of June 3 Division slowly inched forward towards Caen, capturing the Chateau de la Londe after a two-day battle. It then took part in Operation Charnwood to capture Caen, which was proceeded by air and naval bombardment before the full artillery barrage opened at 04.20 on 8 July. The infantry followed the barrage and made good progress, and by the end of the day 3rd Division was pushing along the Orne towards the city centre. The operation was completed the following day.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, D-Day
For Operation Goodwood the division crossed the Orne and attacked along the left flank of the main armoured thrust. The infantry attacked behind their barrage at 07.45, and it took all day to work through the villages on the left flank. Attempts to advance on the following day failed. In early August 3 Division was shifted west to support 11th Armoured Division's thrust towards Mont Pinçon in Operation Bluecoat.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, D-Day
Shortly afterwards, 21st Army Group broke out of the Normandy bridgehead and began driving across Northern France and Belgium before pausing at the Albert Canal. 3rd Division played a minor role on the flank of Operation Market Garden (the attempt to seize bridges as far as the Lower Rhine). It then endured the low-level winter fighting of 1944–45.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Rhineland
3rd Division was engaged in Operation Veritable, the battle to clear the Reichswald. After a colossal artillery barrage on 8 February, the operation devolved into what XXX Corps', commander, Lt-Gen Sir Brian Horrocks described as 'slogging match'. 3rd Division took Kerverheim on 1 March and Winnekendonk two days later.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Rhineland
3rd Division then held the line of the Rhine while the rest of XXX Corps pulled back to organise and train for the assault crossing Operation Plunder. On the evening of 23 March all the guns in XXX Corps fired a four-hour programme in support of 51st (H) Division's assault (see below), then switched to support 15th (Scottish) Division's later assault.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Rhineland
3rd Division later crossed the Rhine and took part in the advance across North Germany, capturing Lingen and cutting the Bremen–Delmenhorst road en route to the city of Bremen, which fell after five days' stiff fighting on 27 April. The fighting ended on 5 May after the German surrender at Lüneburg Heath.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Rhineland
76th (Highland) Field Regiment was placed in suspended animation in 1946.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 127th (Highland) Field Regiment
127th (Highland) Field Rgt mobilised in 9th (Highland) Division, the 2nd Line duplicate of 51st (H) Division. It remained training in Scottish Command until 7 August 1940 when 9th (H) Division was redesignated as 51st (H) Division to replace the original formation, most of which had been captured at Saint-Valery-en-Caux at the end of the Battle of France. 127th Field Rgt usually supported the division's 153 Brigade. 491 Field Battery was later formed as its third battery. After two more years' training in Scotland, the division sailed for Egypt on 16 June 1942, landing on 12 August.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 127th (Highland) Field Regiment, North Africa
The division's first action was the Second Battle of El Alamein. it moved up during the preceding nights, occupying gun positions and dumping ammunition, and remaining concealed during daylight. For the first time in the Western Desert Campaign, the British Eighth Army had enough 25-pounders to allow them to be concentrated and switched from one set-piece target to another. Almost every gun was used to neutralise enemy batteries. The bombardment began at 21.40 on 23 October and lasted for 15 minutes; then after 5 minutes silence they opened again on the enemy's forward positions and the infantry began to advance.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 127th (Highland) Field Regiment, North Africa
After a further 7 minutes the guns began firing concentrations at a succession of specific locations. The whole artillery programme lasted for 5 hours 30 minutes. 51st (H) Division ran into several centres of resistance and only on the extreme left did it reach its final objective; however, the 'break-in' phase of the battle had started well.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 127th (Highland) Field Regiment, North Africa
On the second night of the battle, 51st (H) Division's guns fired a similar succession of CB tasks, concentrations and then a barrage to support 1st Armoured Division's attack. On the night of 25/26 October 51st (H) Division made progress towards its own objective as the 'dog-fight' phase continued. The 'break-out' phase began on the night of 1/2 November with Operation Supercharge, preceded by another powerful barrage. In the early hours of 4 November 51st (H) Division broke through to the Rahman Track, and the Axis forces began to retreat.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 127th (Highland) Field Regiment, North Africa
51st (H) Division then took part in the pursuit to El Agheila and Tripoli in January 1943. 491 Field Bty claimed that four of its guns were the first Eighth Army guns in the deserted city, having used all of the regiment's available petrol to get there. The regiment took part in the victory parade in the city. By 25 February it was past Medenine in Tunisia and facing the Mareth Line. The Axis force made a spoiling attack on 6 March (the Battle of Medenine) but there was plenty of warning and the advance was easily repulsed.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 127th (Highland) Field Regiment, North Africa
51st (H) Division had already moved most of its artillery south in waiting for the attack, leaving three Troops to move and fire between various positions to simulate the whole divisional artillery remaining in its old positions. 127th Fd Rgt fired one full regimental task against a group of Axis infantry but was otherwise hardly engaged. Thereafter it was on harassing fire (HF) tasks.


1st Forfarshire Artillery Volunteers, World War II, 127th (Highland) Field Regiment, North Africa
The Battle of the Mareth Line began on the night of 16/17 March when 51st (H) Division took the outpost line against negligible opposition, though the Forward Observation Officers (FOOs) of 127th Fd Rgt going forward with the sappers came under heavy shellfire. The main attack followed on 20/21 March with another massive night barrage, 127th Fd Rgt's guns firing an average of 430 rounds each. But little progress was made over the Wadi Zigzaou for the first two days and the line held until it was outflanked by other forces in the south. The Axis defence collapsed on 28 March and the following day 51st (H) Division was on its way to Gabès.