The 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (french: 2^e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine, 2^e RPIMa) is an airborne regiment of the

French Army The French Army, officially known as the Land Army (french: Armée de Terre, ), is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces. It is responsible to the Government of France, along with the other components of the Armed Force ...

created in 1947. The regiment is heir to the traditions of the 2nd Colonial Commando Parachute Battalion 2^eB.C.C.P. As of 2008, the regiment is stationed at

Saint-Pierre, Réunion Saint-Pierre (; rcf, label= Reunionese Creole, Sin-Pyè) is the third-largest commune in the French overseas department and region of Réunion. Located on the southwest side of the island, it is the capital of the French Southern and Antarc ...

History

In 1947, the 2nd Colonial Commando Parachute Battalion 2^eB.C.C.P was posted to Indochina, combat engaging until 1953 in two rounds (1947-1949 and 1950-1953), being cited three times at the orders of the armed forces. In 1954, the 2nd Colonial Parachute Battalion 2^e BPC made way to Morocco and was then subsequently dissolved on July 31, 1955. In 1955, the regiment was redesignated as the 2nd Colonial Parachute Regiment 2^e RPC by regrouping the dissolved components of the 1^e BPC, 5^e BPC and 8^e BPC and then in 1958, designated again as the 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment. The unit served from 1955 until 1962 in North Africa at the corps 10th Parachute Division. On 5 November 1956, the unit jumped in the second wave of the French/British attack on the Suez Canal over Port Said and was cited at the orders of the armed forces. In July 1961, the regiment jumped over Bizerte and broke the Tunisian siege of the French airport installations. The regiment was then dissolved on 5 July 1962 and recreated 1 January 1965 in Ivato, Madagascar from the 5th Marine Infantry Parachute Battalion 5^e BPIM. The regiment was then transferred to Reunion in 1973. Since then, the regiment has participated in various operations: Djibouti (1993/1994), Comoros (1990), Rwanda (1994) and Comors (1995/1996). In May and October 2009 the regiment performed a parachute jump and participated in a major military exercise in the Bay of Saint-Paul with GAM (Groupe d'assaut par mer).

Traditions

Except for the Legionnaires of the 1^ème REG, 2^ème REG, 2^ème REP that conserve the

Green Beret The green beret was the official headdress of the British Commandos of the Second World War. It is still worn by members of the Royal Marines after passing the Commando Course, and personnel from other units of the Royal Navy, Army and RAF wh ...

; the remainder of the French army metropolitan and marine paratroopers forming the 11th Parachute Brigade wear the

Red Beret The red beret is a military beret worn by many military, paramilitary, commando, and police forces and should not be confused with the maroon beret worn by airborne troops all around the world. Military police Red berets are worn by the military ...

. File:Chuteur Opérationnel.jpg, French

Commando Parachute Group The Commando Parachute Group (french: Groupement des Commandos Parachutistes, GCP) is a unit of elite pathfinders within the French Army's 11th Parachute Brigade (11e BP). These pathfinders are paratroopers drawn from the various regiments of t ...

Brevet of Chuteur Opérationnel File:Parachutistes coloniaux-béret.jpg, Anchored Winged Armed Dextrochere of

Marine Infantry Marines, or naval infantry, are typically a military force trained to operate in littoral zones in support of naval operations. Historically, tasks undertaken by marines have included helping maintain discipline and order aboard the ship (refl ...

Paratroopers A paratrooper is a military parachutist—someone trained to parachute into a military operation, and usually functioning as part of an airborne force. Military parachutists (troops) and parachutes were first used on a large scale during World ...

File:Brevet Parachutiste.jpg, French Parachute Brevet. The Archangel Saint Michael, patron of the French paratroopers is celebrated on September 29. The ''prière du Para'' (Prayer of the Paratrooper) was written by André Zirnheld in 1938.

Insignias

Just like the paratrooper Brevet of the French Army; the Insignia of French Paratroopers was created in 1946. The French Army Insignia of metropolitan Paratroopers 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 Archangels () are the second lowest rank of angel in the hierarchy of angels. The word ''archangel'' itself is usually associated with the Abrahamic religions, but beings that are very similar to archangels are found in a number of other relig ...

which according to Liturgy is the "Armed Arm of God". This Insignia is the symbol of righteous combat and fidelity to superior missions. The French Army Insignia of Marine Infantry Paratroopers is backgrounded by a Marine Anchor. File:Insigne du 2° BCCP.jpg, 2^e B.C.C.P Image:Insigne infanterie de marine.png, Left arm insignia of the

Troupes de Marine The (TDM, ) is a corps of the French Army that includes several specialities: infantry, artillery, armoured, airborne, engineering, and transmissions (Signals). Despite its name, it forms part of the Army, not the Navy. Intended for amphibi ...

File:Parachutistes coloniaux-béret.jpg, Beret insignia of the Marine Parachute Units

Regimental Colors

2e régiment parachutiste d'infanterie de marine - drapeau

''Sewn in gold letters in the respective folds, the following inscriptions:Order on the award 1952-1962 NFA registration on flags and banners and training of armed services, November 19, 2004 (A) NORDEF0452926A Michele Alliot-Marie

Regimental Song

Decorations

The regimental colors of the 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment ( 2^e RPIMa) is decorated with: * Cited 4 times at the orders of the armed forces. The regiment bears wearing the

Fourragère The ''fourragère'' () is a military award, distinguishing military units as a whole, in the form of a braided cord. The award was first adopted by France, followed by other nations such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and Luxembourg. Fou ...

: * Fourragère bearing the colors of the Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures. File:Fourragère CG TOE.jpg, Fourragère aux couleurs de la Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures

Honors

Battle Honors

* Indochine 1947-1954 * Port Saïd 1956 * AFN 1952-1962

Regimental Commanders

Officers and marines

* Raymond Duc * Elrick Irastorza

References

External links

Friends of the 2e RPIMa

'Le Quotidien de la Réunion', 7 octobre 2009. {{DEFAULTSORT:Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment, 2nd Parachute regiments of France Marines regiments of France 20th-century regiments of France 21st-century regiments of France Military units and formations established in 1947 Military units and formations disestablished in 1953 Military units and formations established in 1955 Military units and formations disestablished in 1962 Military units and formations established in 1965 1947 establishments in France