1st Foreign Regiment

1st Foreign regiment
1er Régiment étranger

Regimental badge of 1er RE
Active 1841 - present
Country  France
Allegiance French Foreign Legion
Branch French Army
Part of Foreign Legion Command
Garrison/HQ Aubagne
Motto(s) Honneur et Fidélité
Colors Green & Red
March

Nous sommes tous des volontaires

(We are all volunteers)
Anniversaries Camerone Day (April 30) and Christmas
Engagements

Crimean War

Second Italian War of Independence

French intervention in Mexico

World War I
World War II
Multinational Force in Lebanon
Gulf War

Global War on Terror (2001-present)
Commanders
Notable
commanders

Raphaël Viénot

Paul-Frédéric Rollet
Insignia
Insignia of the 1st Foreign Regiment
Abbreviation 1er RE
Each year, the French Foreign Legion commemorates and celebrates Camarón in its headquarters in Aubagne and Bastille Day military parade in Paris; featuring the Pionniers leading and opening the way.

The 1st Foreign Regiment (French: 1er Régiment étranger, 1er RE) is the oldest and most senior regiment of the French Foreign Legion.

The regiment is also in charge of special institutions of the legion to include the magazine Képi Blanc, the Legion's Athletics Team (ATHLEG) and the Military band.

History, creation and different nominations

Royal Foreign Regiments

1st Foreign Regiment Pionniers

The Legion retook since 1831 the tradition of Pionniers.

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.[1] The 1st Regiment of the Foreign Legion became in 1855 the 1st Regiment of the 1st Foreign Legion.[1] This regimet 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 in 1922 and the 1st Foreign Marching Infantry Regiment (French: 1er Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie de Marche, 1er R.E.I.M) in 1943.[1]

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.[1]

1st Foreign Regiment of 1955

The 1st Foreign Regiment (1er R.E) (1955–present) was created based on the recreated 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment (1946-1955).[1] 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.[1] With the Foreign Legion Command, the 1st Foreign Regiment constitute the <<Maison Mère>> (Mother House) of the Foreign Legion.[2]

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.[2][3] Quartier (garrison) Raphaël Vienot of Aubagne and Sidi Bel Abbès were both named in honor of colonel Viénot. Aubagne also houses the French Foreign Legion Museum.[2]

Created in 1841 and stationed in Aubagne since 1962, the 1st Foreign Regiment is the patron of all Foreign Legion regiments.[2] Beyond this historical aspect, the 1st Foreign Regiment represents a major cornerstone in the career paths of legionnaires.[2] 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.[2] 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.

Missions of the 1st Foreign Regiment

The 1st Foreign Regiment, is a regiment with essentially an administrative vocation which major missions are the support of the Foreign Legion and the Foreign Legion Command.[3] However, during exterior and interior misson 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).[3] In addition, the foreign regiment like all regiments of the French Army, does also engage in the alert phase mission of Vigipirate.[3] The 1st Foreign Regiment also dispatches and supports world humanitarian missions around the globe during natural catastrophe and disasters.[3]

Organisation

The regiment consists of three companies, as follows:[4]

It also runs the following:[4]

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

Tradition

Insignia

<gallery = "mode packed">

File:Insigne 1er régiment étranger-transparent.png|

Regimental Insignia of the 1st Foreign Regiment, 1er R.E.

Image:Insigne du 1° REI.JPG|

Regimental Insignia of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment, 1er R.E.I (1950-1955)

File:Écusson de la 31e brigade.jpg| The Foreign Legion Groupment, G.L.E in the 31st Brigade featuring Poseidon File:Pionniers.png|Pionniers of the 1st Foreign Regiment

Image:CodexMendoza01.jpg|

Codex Mendoza

File:Insign de béret 1er RE Type 3.jpg|

Insignia of the 1st Foreign Regiment

</gallery>

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.

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 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.

The insignia makes reference to a white diamond shape on which figures the arms of Mexico (a black Circaetus holding a serpent) and a Roman saltire with Foreign Legion and Mexican colors.

Regimental colors

Verso Colors of the 1st Foreign Regiment, 1er R.E with Honneur et Fidélité.

Regimental Song

Chant de Marche : Nous sommes tous des volontaires featuring:[5]

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.

Decorations

Honors

Battle honours

Foreign Legion and Regimental Commanders

Tenure (1841-1955)

1st Regiment of the 1st Foreign Legion Tenure (1841 -1856)[7]
1er Régiment étranger de la Légion étrangère, (1er R.E.L.E)[7]

  • 1841 : colonel de Mollenbeck
  • 1842 : colonel Despinoy
  • 1843 : colonel Mouret
  • 1846 : colonel Mellinet
  • 1850 : colonel Lesueur de Givry
  • 1851 : colonel Bazaine
  • 1854 : colonel Vienot killed heading the regiment
  • 1855 : colonel Levy
  • 1855 : colonel Martenot de Cordoue

1st Foreign Regiment Tenure (1856-1862)[7]
1er Régiment étranger, (1er R.E)[7]

  • 1856 : colonel Meyer
  • 1858 : colonel de Saint-André
  • 1858 : colonel Granchette
  • 1858 : colonel Brayer
  • 1859 : colonel Martinez

Foreign Regiment Tenure (1862-1875)[7]
Régiment étranger, (R.E.)[7]

  • 1862 : colonel Butet
  • 1862 : colonel Jeanningros
  • 1865 : colonel Lavoignet
  • 1865 : colonel d'Ornano
  • 1866 : general Jeanningros
  • 1866 : colonel de Courcy
  • 1866 : colonel Guilhem
  • 1867 : colonel Deplanque
  • 1870 : colonel de curten
  • 1870 : colonel Thierry
  • 1871 : colonel Chaulan
  • 1871 : colonel de Mallaret

Foreign Legion Tenure (1875-1884)[7]
Légion étrangère, (L.E)[7]

  • 1875 : colonel de Mallaret
  • 1881 : colonel Oscar de Négrier
  • 1883 : colonel Grisot

1st Foreign Regiment Tenure (1885-1942)[7]
1er Régiment Etranger, (1er R.E)[7]

  • 1885 : colonel Grisot
  • 1886 : colonel Wattringue
  • 1890 : colonel Barberet
  • 1891 : colonel Zeni
  • 1895 : colonel de Villebois-Mareuil
  • 1896 : colonel Bertrand
  • 1900 : colonel Dautelle
  • 1904 : colonel Boutegourd
  • 1907 : colonel Girardot
  • 1910 : colonel Bavouzet
  • 1913 : colonel Boyer
  • 1914 : Lt.colonel Cosman
  • 1914 : colonel Tahon
  • 1915 : Lt.colonel Met
  • 1916 : Lt.colonel Heliot
  • 1918 : Lt.colonel Forey
  • 1920 : colonel Boulet-Desbarreau
  • 1925 : colonel Paul-Frédéric Rollet
  • 1931 : colonel Nicolas
  • 1934 : colonel Maire
  • 1934 : colonel Debas
  • 1935 : colonel Azas
  • 1939 : colonel Robert
  • 1940 : colonel Flan
  • 1940 : colonel Girard
  • 1940 : colonel Bouty
  • 1941 : colonel Lambert
  • 1941 : colonel Barre
  • 1942 : colonel Vias

1st Foreign Marching Infantry Regiment Tenure (1943)[7]
1er Régiment étranger d'infanterie de marche, (1er R.E.I.M)[7]

  • 1943 : Lt.colonel Gentis

1st Foreign Infantry Regiment Tenure (recreated 1949-1955)[7]
1er régiment étranger d'infanterie, (1er R.E.I)[7]

  • 1949 : colonel Babonneau
  • 1949 : colonel Gaultier
  • 1950 : colonel Pénicaut
  • 1953 : colonel Thomas
  • 1955 : colonel Raberin

Tenure (1955-present)

  • 1956 : colonel Thomas[8]
  • 1959 : colonel Brothier[9]
  • 1961 : colonel Vaillant[10]
  • 1963 : colonel Vadot[11]
  • 1966 : colonel Chenel[12]
  • 1968 : colonel Fuhr[13]
  • 1970 : colonel Letestu[14]
  • 1972 : Lt.colonel Plantevin[15]
  • 1974 : colonel Riou[16]
  • 1976 : colonel Delsuc[17]
  • 1976 : colonel Thibout[18]
  • 1978 : colonel Ameline[19]
  • 1980 : colonel Talbourdet[20]
  • 1982 : Lt.colonel Bénézit[21]
  • 1984 : colonel Cler[22]
  • 1986 : colonel Carles[23]
  • 1989 : colonel Bernier[24]
  • 1992 : colonel Cayrou[25]
  • 1994 : colonel Raymond[26]
  • 1996 : colonel Blevin[27]
  • 1998 : colonel Pierson[28]
  • 2000 : colonel Relave[29]
  • 2002 : colonel Guenin[30]
  • 2004 : Lt.colonel Xavier Lantaires[31]
  • 2006 : colonel Jean-François Hackenbruch[32]
  • 2008 : colonel André Labat[33]
  • 2010 : colonel Alban des Courtils[34]
  • 2012 : Lt.colonel Damien de Besombes[35]
  • 2014 : Lt.colonel Remy Rousseau[36]

Notable personalities having served in the 1st Foreign Regiment

Gallery

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Affiliations of the 1st Foreign Regiment
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regiment History
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, the 1st Foreign Regiment
  4. 1 2 "Le 1er Régiment étranger". Legion Etrangere. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
  5. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Chant du 1er Régiment étranger
  6. 1 2 Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Colors and decorations
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Foreign Legion and Regimental Commanders (1841-1955)
  8. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  9. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  10. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  11. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  12. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  13. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  14. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  15. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  16. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  17. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  18. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  19. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  20. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  21. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  22. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  23. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  24. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  25. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  26. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  27. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  28. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  29. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  30. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  31. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  32. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  33. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  34. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  35. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)
  36. Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1955-present)

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/14/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.