A Brief History
On March 9, 1831, King Louis Phillipe of France established the French Foreign Legion, a fighting force for France that has gone on to win fame and admiration for their fierceness, esprit d’ corps, bravery and honor.
Digging Deeper
Formed from the remains of foreign regiments fighting for France (German and Swiss), the Legion was formed in response to the need for reinforcements in the French battles to pacify the colony of Algeria. Expressly formed for fighting outside of continental France only, the Foreign Legion is officered exclusively by French officers and though most of the recruits are foreigners, about a fourth are French citizens.
The Foreign Legion fought mostly in Africa during the 1800’s, tending after the colonial interests of France, although they did fight in the disastrous Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Fighting in the 19th Century also included the Carlist War, the Crimean War, the Italian Campaign, the Mexican Expedition and Sino-French War in addition to various African campaigns. The Legion fought for France during World War I and World War II, and virtually all foreign wars since its inception. Its base of operations would remain in Algeria until the 1960’s when Algeria won its independence from France.
The French Foreign Legion suffered 12,000 killed during the 1946-1954 Indochina War culminating in the defeat at Dien Bien Phu, ending France’s control of French-Indochina. Algerian rebellion led to another French defeat in 1962, costing another 2000 Legionnaire’s lives since 1954. Since 1960, the Legion has served in Africa, the Middle East (including peacekeeping missions and the Gulf War), Yugoslavia, and Cambodia.
The Generals’ Putsch of 1961 involved the Legion in domestic politics, and nearly saw the disbanding of the storied outfit. The Legion survived at a reduced size, and has remained a professional, non-conscript band of volunteers suitable for deployment to the most difficult missions. Today the Legion consists of almost 8000 men in 11 regiments, and is headquartered in France. Their fame includes their mottoes, “The Legion is our Fatherland” and “Honour and Fidelity.” An unofficial motto, “March or Die,” was the basis for a 1977 film by that name starring Gene Hackman. Another famous French Foreign Legion based movie is Beau Geste, a 1939 film starring Gary Cooper. (There are other versions of the story made into movies by the same name.) Singers such as Edith Piaf, Frank Sinatra, and Radiohead have referenced the Foreign Legion in their songs, and numerous literary and film references are extant. Comics, cartoons, and video games often contain references to the Legion. Even Snoopy the Beagle of Peanuts cartoon fame is sometimes depicted as a Legionnaire!
Training for the Legion is rigorous and standards are high, especially for discipline. The high degree of comraderie and loyalty are instilled from the start. Of course, all recruits are required to learn to speak and read French, and live by a strict 7 article Code of Honor.
Some would have you believe the Foreign Legion is a gang of undisciplined outcasts on the run from the law, brutal and criminal in action. Others admire and respect Legionnaires as consummate professionals, resolute and relentless. Question for students (and subscribers): Which version is closer to the truth? Let us know what you think in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Porch, Douglas. The French Foreign Legion: A Complete History of the Legendary Fighting Force. Skyhorse Publishing, 2010.
