In this article, we will complete the story of the French Foreign Legion. The soldiers of his regiments are now treated much better in France than they were fifty years ago. At least, the soldiers of the legion are not now considered by and large as criminals and socially dangerous psychopaths. However, there is no particular sympathy for them, especially in the left and liberal circles. The legionnaires themselves joke that the French love them only one day a year - during the Parade in honor of the capture of the Bastille, when their units are solemnly marching along the Champs Elysees.
There were times when the number of the Foreign Legion reached 42,000 people (the beginning of World War I), now it has, according to various sources, from seven and a half to eight thousand soldiers and officers. Jean Morin (namesake of the last commander of the 1e REP, Jeanpierre's successor), defense attaché of the French Embassy in the Russian Federation, in an interview with the Echo of Moscow radio station, which he gave on April 24, 2010, named the number of 7,600 people. Probably, his data should be trusted, since since August 1, 2014 it is he who has been the commander of the French Foreign Legion.
Of the 11 regiments of the legion, 7 are now based in France: in Aubagne, Castelnaudary, Calvi (the island of Corsica), Orange, Avignon, Nimes and Sant Cristol, 4 - outside: in Djibouti, French Polynesia, the island of Mayotte (the Comoros archipelago) and French Guiana.
The headquarters of the entire legion is now Aubagne (a city about 15 km from Marseille): the First Regiment (1 RE) is located in the Vienot barracks, here after the evacuation from the Algerian city of Siddi Bel Abbes, which the legionnaires affectionately called the Beautiful Abbes (in it By the way, the spags were also located), the main headquarters of the Foreign Legion and its command were transferred.
This monument to the fallen soldiers of the Foreign Legion was erected in Siddi Bel Abbes in 1932:
We see the globe lying on an armful of palm branches, guarded by four figures symbolizing the legionnaires of Algeria, Mexico, the colonial campaigns and the First World War. The initiator of the creation and installation of this monument was the "father of the legion" - Colonel Paul-Frederic Rollet (he was described in the article "Dogs of War" of the French Foreign Legion "). At his request, the legionnaire of the colonial campaigns was given a resemblance to Major Bryundso.
Leaving Algeria in 1962, the legionnaires brought him to Aubagne:
The first regiment is now a training regiment, the main function of its servicemen is the primary training of recruits.
The Second Infantry Regiment, which was formed back in 1841 on the basis of the 4th and 5th battalions of the 1st Regiment, is located in the Wallong barracks (Nîmes city). It is curious that the regimental song of the second regiment is the German "Anna Maria".
The famous 13th semi-brigade is actually a regiment now, but in memory of past merits it retained its name.
Until 2011, it was located in Djibouti. In these photos we see the soldiers of the 13th semi-brigade:
And here is a French military reconnaissance vehicle ERC 90 Sagaie of the 13th semi-brigade in the vicinity of Djibouti, photo from 2005:
Then the 13th semi-brigade was transferred to Abu Dhabi (UAE), and now it has returned to France.
In this photo, the fourth regiment of the Foreign Legion leaves the Danjou barracks, Castelnaudary, France (1980):
In the location of this regiment there is an officer's school and a school for non-commissioned officers.
Many recruits who got to study at the Castelnaudary school recall the time spent there as a nightmare: they had to work literally to wear out.
In addition to infantry, in the Foreign Legion there are parachute, tank (armored cavalry), engineer regiments (by the way, at present only sappers are allowed to let go of their beards).
The airborne regiment of the legion (2e REP, is located in the Raffali barracks, the city of Calvi, Corsica) includes special forces units, which are recruited from volunteers with the rank of sergeant at least - CRAP (Commandos de Recherche et d'Action dans la Profondeur).
The regimental holiday 2e REP is celebrated on September 29, the day of the Archangel Michael, who is considered the patron saint of paratroopers.
All regiments of the legion are part of the larger military formations of the French army. For example, the second parachute regiment is part of the 11th parachute brigade, and the first armored cavalry regiment is part of the 6th light armored division.
The most difficult service is considered to be in the third infantry and second parachute regiments. It is difficult to serve in a parachute regiment due to the constant high loads and an extremely tough daily routine. Moreover, some companies of this regiment have their own unique training programs: the 1st company specializes in battles within the city, the 2nd company - in the war in the mountains, the 3rd is engaged in naval operations, the 4th company carries out sabotage and reconnaissance actions.
The third infantry regiment was previously stationed on the island of Madagascar, it is the second in the legion in terms of the number of awards, and its regimental holiday falls on September 14 - this is the date of the breakthrough of the Hindenburg line in 1918. It is currently located in Guiana, a place that the French used to call the "dry guillotine": in the first half of the 19th century, the mortality rate in prisons of three nearby islands (Ile de Salue archipelago) and three mainland ones reached 97%.
Guiana's most famous convict is the former commander of the Rhine and Northern armies, General Pishegru, whom Napoleon called "the most capable general of the Republic" on Saint Helena. By the way, he became one of the few who managed to escape from Guiana. Another "celebrity" of convict Guiana was the anarchist Clement Duval, who also fled the notorious "Devil's Island" in 1901.
Currently, legionnaires traveling to the "tropical paradise" of this overseas department of France receive up to 14 vaccinations against various diseases.
Guiana is home to the main launch site of the European Space Agency (Kuru), the protection of which is one of the tasks of the third regiment of the legion. And so that the legionnaires would not be bored, the Center d'entrainement a la foret equatoriale, a training center for survival in the jungle, was built nearby. The training course consists of modules of varying complexity, the simplest of which teaches you just not to die for four days (under the supervision of an experienced instructor). The second level of difficulty is covert movement, organization of ambushes, reconnaissance and observation. The third is training in commanding a unit during sabotage or anti-guerrilla operations. The fourth is an autonomous raid with a minimal survival kit. Legionnaires receive injuries during such exercises regularly, often life-threatening.
The "youngest" unit of the Foreign Legion is the second engineer regiment (2nd REG), created in 1999. He specializes in highland operations and is part of the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade (27e brigade d'infanterie de montagne). It is located in the city of Sant Cristol.
Soldiers of the Second Engineer-Sapper Regiment:
And here we see the teachings of the legionnaires of the DLEM unit (de Légion étrangère de Mayotte), Mayotte Island, 2007:
It is the smallest unit of the Foreign Legion, its motto is the Latin phrase Pericula Ludus (something like "Pleasure in danger" or "Danger is my game").
Those of you who have read the article "Bob Denard, Jean Schramm, Roger Folk and Mike Hoare: the fate of the condottieri" should remember that it was the legionnaires of the DLEM unit who arrested the famous mercenary king in the Comoros in 1995, Bob Denard, who wanted to arrange this state another coup d'état.
Despite the fact that the Foreign Legion is currently one of the most efficient formations of the French army (it is often called "the tip of the French spear"), its rank-and-file military personnel receive the usual salary (a modest base salary of 1200 euros) and do not have the benefit of the allowance for compared to other parts.
During hostilities, the salary of military personnel increases significantly (second numbers in the table above). Parachutists receive an additional 600 euros.
Jean Morin, already mentioned by us, stated in his interview that in the Foreign Legion
“Non-commissioned officers receive salaries below the average in France, as a skilled worker at the beginning of their careers. Experienced non-commissioned officers receive salaries as teachers at school … Senior officers receive salaries as senior cadres of enterprises. This means above the average in France."
The number of children in the legionnaire's family also affects the salary.
After being wounded or injured, during the time spent in the hospital, legionnaires also receive a salary supplement of 50 euros per day. Insurance payments are also expected - up to 240 thousand euros. In case of death, the relatives indicated by the legionnaire himself can claim compensation in the amount of 600 thousand euros.
Since the Foreign Legion is a closed structure, its officers cannot count on the highest posts in the French army. The pinnacle of their careers is the rank of brigadier general, which is usually assigned to the commander of units of the Foreign Legion, and colonel - the commander of one of the regiments. However, only a few make their way to positions above these and in other military formations of France.
In the legion, punishments are practiced, which can be material (fines), disciplinary, but more often physical: from 30 to 50 push-ups. In winter, as a punishment for offense, you can spend the night on the street under a thin blanket:
According to the stories of modern veterans of the legion, sometimes more "traditional" methods of "physical influence" and "education" are used, but, as a rule, they are not systematic.
After a year of impeccable service, the soldier is awarded the title of second class legionnaire. After another two or three years, he can apply for the rank of corporal. But to receive the rank of sergeant (chief corporal), length of service is not enough - you still need to graduate from the school of non-commissioned officers. In the absence of serious violations of discipline after 8 years of service, a bonus of two annual salaries is paid.
There is no ration difference in the Foreign Legion - no halal or vegetarian menu.
According to the comments of those who served, the food in the canteens of the Legion is monotonous, and the food is not very tasty. The compilers of the menu seem to be inspired by the aphorism of Alexander the Great:
"The best chefs: for breakfast - night transition, for lunch - a meager breakfast."
This photo, found on the Internet, is a breakfast in Castelnaudary, where the fourth regiment of the legion is stationed:
An exception is dinner on Christmas Day, which is the second "special" day in the legion (the first is the Bastille Day parade). The third and last unusual day is a holiday in honor of the anniversary of the Battle of Cameron (it was described in the article "Dogs of War" of the French Foreign Legion ".
Cameron is said to be reminiscent of the Saturnalia in ancient Rome: soldiers and sergeants “change places,” and the rank and file even get “breakfast in bed”: blood sausage (le Boudin) and coffee with rum, but no sugar. The youngest legionnaire is appointed in charge of the barracks, and the sergeants are involved in cleaning the premises. But it is unlikely that ordinary legionnaires, remembering that there are still 364 (and sometimes 365) days a year, abuse their "rights" too much.
In addition, each combat unit of the Foreign Legion has its own regimental holiday.
Legionnaire's annual leave is 45 working days. In addition, lone legionnaires after retirement can settle in one of the "veteran houses", for example, in Domaine Capitaine Danjou.
Many sources claim that homosexuals are still not accepted into the Foreign Legion. Another requirement for recruits is to be unmarried: they will be able to marry after two years of service, and this will require official permission from the commander.
But the recruits are not required to know the French language - they will quickly learn in the process of training under the "sensitive guidance" of a strict sergeant. Usually, the recruit is assigned a partner who knows French well, and for every misunderstood word, both are punished.
The only benefit is the ability to obtain French citizenship and a pension.
Documents for obtaining French citizenship can be submitted in 3-5 years, but they say that after the completion of the first contract, it is easier to get a resident card for a period of 10 years.
The legionnaire's pension cannot be called very large - from 800 euros, its size is influenced by the place and time of service, and for parachutists - also the number of jumps. Previously, the minimum length of service was 15 years, now, depending on the circumstances, from 17 and a half to 19 years.
But even this turns out to be enough to make the service in the Foreign Legion look attractive in the eyes of people from poor countries (now soldiers of 130 nationalities serve in it). Currently, there are two pre-selection centers to which candidates from all over the world travel: camps near Paris and in Aubagne (Provence).
In addition to the pre-selection centers, there are legion recruitment offices in nine cities in France, where you can (in exchange for a passport) get a ticket to Paris or Aubagne.
The competition for the legion is comparable to the competition for the leading universities in France and even surpasses it (with the exception of people with medical education, who have a special account and often enter "out of competition").
Jean Morin, quoted here in a 2010 interview, said:
“We [in the French army [have no recruitment problem. For the rank and file, maybe it's like a competition, 2 people per seat. For non-commissioned officers, there can be 4 per place or 5, in the Foreign Legion - 8 per place ».
I confess, I almost fell out of my chair recently after reading literally the following in one article:
"It is enough for a French legionnaire to pull up four times, have healthy teeth and a little intelligence."
However, various sources cite the following standards for the physical fitness of candidates: 10 pull-ups, 30 push-ups, 50 squats, climb a six-meter rope without using legs, run 2800 meters in 12 minutes.
A test to determine the degree of mental development, of course, is also carried out. Recruits age: 17 to 40 years old. However, persons under the age of 18 must bring a parental permit with them.
The most striking and memorable detail of the Foreign Legion's uniform is the famous white caps (Képi blanc), which, however, are only worn by privates (both with formal and casual uniforms). Caps are given to recruits after taking the oath. Before this, the future legionnaire needs to pass the test with a throw-march with full combat gear, which can last more than a day, and the distance traveled can reach 60-70 km.
One of the official songs of the legion is called “White caps”:
“It just so happened that our fate is a battle, and pain that must be endured.
We did not choose our destiny - destiny chose us.
And the guarantee of this is the strength of our souls, The strength of our hands and hearts
Not choosing an easy road, knee-deep in mud
White Caps are going forward.
Above the road are the banners of the White Caps - and the road belongs to them.
And behind us is hatred
And in front of us is the rumor that we are murderers, Drenched in black mud from head to toe.
White Caps are going forward.
We're dying on the road.
We die - but we win in battle
Swallowing black mud and bitterness of loss
White Caps are going forward.
Fate smiles at those who are furious, proud - those whose blood is hot.
"Honor and loyalty!" - we carry these words on our banners
From battle to battle.
And choking on that dirt, which is no blacker, The White Caps are coming, they are coming forward."
Later, green berets appeared, on the right side of which there is a stylized image of a grenade with seven flames. They are not worn with a full dress.
During the first four months, before taking the oath, the recruit can leave the legion at any moment (the second parachute regiment is the leader in the number of "refuseniks"). After that, it takes up to a month to review the resignation report, and usually this month turns out to be one of the worst in the life of a “deserter”.
A spokesman for the Foreign Legion, Lieutenant Gregory Gavroix, was not too politically correct when he once said that a typical recruit of this unit is "a restless person with a fragile psyche, who decided to change the country, lost his roots, striving to start life from scratch." And therefore the advertising slogans of the Foreign Legion are the appeal "Change your destiny!" and defining it as a "Second Chance School". When selecting candidates, they still turn a blind eye to minor offenses of candidates, but they try to cut off persons serving sentences for serious crimes accused of extremism and drug trafficking. "A legionnaire is rarely an angel, but never a criminal," the official website of the Foreign Legion now assures.
Colonel Pierre Framager is more optimistic:
“I'm not saying that legionnaires are the best, but they are among the best! They have thrown themselves a new challenge in life and have every reason to win."
And this advertising poster for the Legion invites you to "look at life in a new way" (or "see another life"?)
The Legion's own journal ("Kepi Blanc") should help the recruit learn about the history of this combat formation:
After the collapse of the USSR, many immigrants from the former Soviet republics (as well as countries that were members of the Warsaw Pact) were included in the legion, according to some sources, up to 30% of the total personnel. In second place are immigrants from Latin America - 25%, least of all Asians - 8%. As a result, the official website of the legion now has a Russian-language version (in addition to the French and English).
A Frenchman who wants to join the legion as a private receives a new passport, in which he appears to be a citizen of some French-speaking country. These can be Switzerland (where there are French-speaking cantons), Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada. This little trick allows the French presidents to avoid uncomfortable questions from journalists about the deaths of unknown where and why French citizens. And mercenaries without family and tribe and with a suspicious biography … Who is interested in them, who will count them? It is believed that such “former Frenchmen” in the legion are now about 20% of the total number of military personnel.
In order to become an officer, you first need to obtain French citizenship, but it is still very reluctant to give it before dismissal.
Units of the Foreign Legion are the only ones where women are officially prohibited from serving. Susan Travers, who was the only exception to this rule, was described in the article "The French Foreign Legion in World Wars I and II."
Women who now work in the structures of the legion (laundresses, cleaners, cooks and others) are civilians, they are not legionnaires.
They say that soldiers and sergeants who have served in the legion are willingly accepted into modern private military companies, which were described a little in the article "Private military companies: a respectable business of respectable gentlemen."
And many former legionnaires from those who do not like the harsh order of the French barracks, or those who cannot find a place for themselves in a peaceful life, use the opportunity of employment in these structures.
