Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion
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The Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (RMLE) (french: link=no, Régiment de marche de la Légion étrangère) was a French military unit that fought in
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...
and
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
. Initially composed of marching regiments from the
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 in the French Army. The regiment is also responsible for running sp ...
(1er RE) of
Sidi Bel Abbes ''Sidi'' or ''Sayidi'', also Sayyidi and Sayeedi, ( ar, سيدي, Sayyīdī, Sīdī (dialectal) "milord") is an Arabic masculine title of respect. ''Sidi'' is used often to mean "saint" or "my master" in Maghrebi Arabic and Egyptian Arabic. W ...
and the
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment The 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (french: 2e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie, 2e REI) is an infantry regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. The regiment is one of two mechanized infantry regiments of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade ...
(2e RE) of Saida, Algeria, it re-formed as the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI). The Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion was created on November 11, 1915 by merging: * the
2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment The 2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment, (french: 2e régiment de marche du 1er étranger, 2e R.M. 1er R.E) was a French military unit of the Legion which formed the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E) and existed ephe ...
, and * the 2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment ...with a strength of 71 officers and 3,315 junior officiers, corporals and legionnaires. The Marching Regiment became the first regiment of the
French Army History Early history The first permanent army, paid with regular wages, instead of feudal levies, was established under Charles VII of France, Charles VII in the 1420 to 1430s. The Kings of France needed reliable troops during and after the ...
to wear the fourragere with colors of the Médaille militaire and one of the most decorated, along with the Régiment d'infanterie-chars de marine (RICM).


Creation and name

* On November 11, 1915: the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (RMLE) was created by merging the remaining men of the
2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment The 2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment, (french: 2e régiment de marche du 1er étranger, 2e R.M. 1er R.E) was a French military unit of the Legion which formed the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E) and existed ephe ...
(2e RM 1er RE) with the 2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment, (2e RM 2e RE). * On November 15, 1920: the RMLE was designated the 3rd Foreign Regiment (3e RE). * On June 20, 1922: the 3e RE was designated the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) * On December 5, 1942: a Colonial Infantry and Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade, (DBICLE) was created from the components of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment. Ten days later, on December 15, this demi-brigade was designated the 3rd Foreign Marching Infantry Regiment, (3e REIM). * On July 1, 1943: the 3e REIM was redesignated the RMLE. * On July 1, 1945: the regiment was redesignated the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment, (3e REI).


History, garrisons, campaigns and battles


World War I

Throughout the course of
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...
, the merger of the RMLE of 1915, the predecessor of the 4 Marching Regiments (1914–1915) which existed ephemerally, was in combat at the corps of the Moroccan Division supported by: * 4th Tunisian Tirailleurs Regiment (4e Régiment de Tirailleurs Tunisiens, 4e RTT) * 7th Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment (7e Régiment de Tirailleurs Algériens, 4e RTA) *
8th Zouaves Regiment The 8th Zouaves Regiment (french: 8e Régiment de Zouaves , 8e R.Z) was an infantry unit of the French Army. Created in 1914, the unit was designated as 8th Marching Zouaves Regiment. Creation and different nominations * 1914 : 8th Marching Zoua ...
(8e Régiment de Zouaves, 8e RZ).


1914

August 1914-Formation The marching regiment of the Foreign Legion (RMLE) of 1915 was constituted from at least 4 Marching Regiments formations created at the beginning of the war. With the addition of volunteers, the
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 in the French Army. The regiment is also responsible for running sp ...
(1er RE) of Sidi Bel Abbès and the 2nd Foreign Regiment, (2e RE), of Saïda, Algeria, provided demi-battalions as follows:


= Marching Regiments of the 1st Foreign Regiment

= The marching regiments of the
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 in the French Army. The regiment is also responsible for running sp ...
(1er RE) included: * 1st Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment ** (1er Régiment de Marche du 1er Régiment Etranger, 1er RM 1er RE); 1913 – 1918. *
2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment The 2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment, (french: 2e régiment de marche du 1er étranger, 2e R.M. 1er R.E) was a French military unit of the Legion which formed the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E) and existed ephe ...
, (2e Régiment de Marche du 1er Régiment Etranger, 2e RM 1erRE); 1914 – 1915. *
3rd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment The 3rd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment, (french: 3e régiment de marche du 1er étranger, 3eR.M. 1erR.E) was a French Military unit of the Legion which formed the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E) and existed epheme ...
, (3e Régiment de Marche du 1er Régiment Etranger, 3e RM 1er RE); 1914 – 1915. *
4th Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment The Garibaldi Legion (french: Légion Garibaldienne) or officially the 4th Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment (french: 4e régiment de marche du 1er étranger, 4eR.M. 1erR.E) was a unit of the Foreign Legion in the French Army which f ...
, (4e Régiment de Marche du 1er Régiment Etranger, 4e RM 1er RE); 1914 – 1915, otherwise known as the Garibaldi Legion (Légion Garibaldienne).


= Marching Regiments of the 2nd Foreign Regiment

= The marching regiments that formed the 2nd Foreign Regiment, 2eRE RM included: * 1st Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment, (1er Régiment de Marche du 2e Régiment Etranger, 1er RM 2e RE); 1907 – 1918). * 2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment, (2e Régiment de Marche du 2e Régiment Etranger, 2e RM 2e RE); 1914 – 1915). Volunteers of 51 nationalities arrived from all over France, from recruiting depots in (
Toulouse Toulouse ( , ; oc, Tolosa ) is the prefecture of the French department of Haute-Garonne and of the larger region of Occitania. The city is on the banks of the River Garonne, from the Mediterranean Sea, from the Atlantic Ocean and fr ...
, Montélimar, Paris,
Nîmes Nîmes ( , ; oc, Nimes ; Latin: ''Nemausus'') is the prefecture of the Gard department in the Occitanie region of Southern France. Located between the Mediterranean Sea and Cévennes, the commune of Nîmes has an estimated population of ...
,
Lyon Lyon,, ; Occitan: ''Lion'', hist. ''Lionés'' also spelled in English as Lyons, is the third-largest city and second-largest metropolitan area of France. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône, to the northwest of ...
,
Avignon Avignon (, ; ; oc, Avinhon, label= Provençal or , ; la, Avenio) is the prefecture of the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of Southeastern France. Located on the left bank of the river Rhône, the commune had ...
,
Bayonne Bayonne (; eu, Baiona ; oc, label= Gascon, Baiona ; es, Bayona) is a city in Southwestern France near the Spanish border. It is a commune and one of two subprefectures in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine r ...
and
Orléans Orléans (;"Orleans"
(US) and Forest of Argonne (December 1914) *
Somme __NOTOC__ Somme or The Somme may refer to: Places *Somme (department), a department of France *Somme, Queensland, Australia *Canal de la Somme, a canal in France *Somme (river), a river in France Arts, entertainment, and media * ''Somme'' (book), a ...
and Craonne (winter 1914–1915) * Artois (May 1915) * Champagne (September 1915). An entire additional foreign regiment for the
French Army History Early history The first permanent army, paid with regular wages, instead of feudal levies, was established under Charles VII of France, Charles VII in the 1420 to 1430s. The Kings of France needed reliable troops during and after the ...
was provided by the All-Italian, the very leading first,
4th Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment The Garibaldi Legion (french: Légion Garibaldienne) or officially the 4th Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment (french: 4e régiment de marche du 1er étranger, 4eR.M. 1erR.E) was a unit of the Foreign Legion in the French Army which f ...
(french: link=no, 4e régiment de marche du 1er étranger, 4eR.M.1erR.E) under regimental commander Lieutenant-Colonel
Peppino Garibaldi Brigadier-General Giuseppe Garibaldi II (29 July 1879 – 19 May 1950), better known as Peppino Garibaldi, was an Italian soldier, patriot and revolutionary, and grandson of Giuseppe Garibaldi. Biography Garibaldi was born in Melbourne, Austr ...
. This unit had its baptism by fire at Argonne where the first 40 Italian legionnaires were killed in action. On November 11, 1915 a decision was made by the
Chief of the Defence Staff (France) The Chief of the Defence Staff (french: Chef d'État-Major des Armées 'CEMA'' ) is the military head of the Armed Forces of the French Republic, ensuring the commandment of all military operations (under reserve of the particular dispositions r ...
Joseph Joffre, to merge the remaining men of the
2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment The 2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment, (french: 2e régiment de marche du 1er étranger, 2e R.M. 1er R.E) was a French military unit of the Legion which formed the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E) and existed ephe ...
with the 2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment to form the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (RMLE).


1916

July 1916 - The RMLE was formed of three battalions each with four
combat Combat (French for ''fight'') is a purposeful violent conflict meant to physically harm or kill the opposition. Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed ( not using weapons). Combat is sometimes resorted to as a method of self-defense, or ...
companies which engaged in the
Battle of the Somme The Battle of the Somme (French: Bataille de la Somme), also known as the Somme offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British Empire and French Third Republic against the German Empire. It took place be ...
. * Regimental Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Cot ** 1st battalion:
Commandant Commandant ( or ) is a title often given to the officer in charge of a military (or other uniformed service) training establishment or academy. This usage is common in English-speaking nations. In some countries it may be a military or police ran ...
(Major) Ruelland (killed in action July 9) ** 2nd battalion: Commandant Waddell ** 3rd battalion: Commandant Mouchet (killed in action July 6) On July 4 during the siege of Belloy-en-Santerre, the 3rd Battalion was completely destroyed and lost their commandant. In this battle American poet Alan Seeger was also killed. He had volunteered for the Foreign Legion throughout the duration of the
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...
and was the author of the poem "I Have A Rendez-vous with Death". On July 7, the 1st battalion launched the attack on Boyau de Chancelier and lost the battalion commandant. Mid-July, the regiment only counted three combat companies per battalion and was pulled back from the front to reconstitute battle formations. From July 4 to the 9, the regiment lost 1368 of 3000 men (14 officers killed and 22 wounded, 431 legionnaires killed or missing and 901 wounded).


1917

April 1917 – Aubérive * Regimental Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Duriez (killed April 17) ** 1st battalion: Commandant ** 2nd battalion: Commandant James Waddell ** 3rd battalion: Commandant Deville then Captain Lannurien The battle lasted from the April 17 to 21 and put out of commission half of the 1500 legionnaires of the RMLE and they lost their regimental commander, who was replaced by Commandant Deville. August 1917 – Battle of Verdun * Regimental Commander Lieutenant-Colonel
Paul-Frédéric Rollet Paul-Frédéric Rollet (1875–1941) was a Général
** 1st battalion: Commandant Husson de Sampigny ** 2nd battalion: Commandant Waddell ** 3rd battalion: Commandant Deville On August 20, the regiment was in charge of
counterattack A counterattack is a tactic employed in response to an attack, with the term originating in "war games". The general objective is to negate or thwart the advantage gained by the enemy during attack, while the specific objectives typically seek ...
ing to save the city. Entrenched in front of the regiment were four enemy regiments. On the 21st, the regiment attained all set objectives and pierced the front, spearheading up to 3.5 km into the line. With that, the regiment earned a 6th citation at the orders of the armed forces and was decorated the regimental colors with the
Légion d'honneur The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon ...
.


1918

April 1918 – Le bois de Hangard The 131st Infantry Division marched against the village of Hangard and cote 99. While not a surprise, an urgent response was present to contain at best. The Moroccan Division launched into battle with no prior preparation. The RMLEo covered the right wing of the Moroccan Division. The objective of the regiment was Le bois de Hangard. The German response was immediate; exchange of fire was continuous. The survivors of the 1st battalion lead their progression charging, followed by the 11th
combat Combat (French for ''fight'') is a purposeful violent conflict meant to physically harm or kill the opposition. Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed ( not using weapons). Combat is sometimes resorted to as a method of self-defense, or ...
company of the 3rd battalion. Legion officers were lost first leading assaults and the legionnaires would find themselves often deprived of their lead. Legionnaire Kemmler, a Luxembourgian volunteer, a medic in the Machine gun section, took charge of the lead. Even though wounded, Kemmler took command of injured legionnaires and despite the environment, managed to dress and maintain the atmosphere around the men. Accordingly, the legionnaires found their lead and made front valiantly until the arrival of an adjudant. Consequently, the assault of the regiment was saved. The nights and days that succeeded until 6 May, revolved around maintaining positions and repelling a series of incessant counter-attacks. The siege of "Le bois de Hangard" on April 26 witnessed the destruction of the 1st and 2nd battalions; losses for the regiment included 822 men out of which thirteen officers. May–June 1918 – La Montagne de Paris On 29 May, the Moroccan Division and the RMLE had to block an advancement towards
Villers-Cotterêts Villers-Cotterêts () is a commune in the Aisne department in Hauts-de-France, France. It is notable as the signing-place in 1539 of the '' Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts'' discontinuing the use of Latin in official French documents, and as t ...
while taking position on the "Montagne de Paris". The attack was launched at dawn following a storming incessant rainy series of
artillery Artillery is a class of heavy military ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during si ...
round batteries. Superior in number forces, opposing forces succeeded in reaching the vicinity of legion positions. Forced to economize their ammunitions, Legionnaires endured 47 killed, 219 wounded and 70 missing in two days of combat. Losses for the legion increased to those of the previous month, almost 1250 men. Nevertheless, the RMLE succeeded in maintaining its positions and blocked the German advance in the Legion's designated combat area sectors. Until 31 May, on a 5 km stretch, the RMLE, which included Armenian volunteers, along with the 3e BCP and 10e BCP, held the line during six days and six nights, without rear forces support, heavy artillery, air support, and with only one available short artillery battery; the regiment managed to halt all successive attacks. July 1918 – Second Battle of the Marne The RMLE participated after July 18 in the grand counter-offensive of
Marshal of France Marshal of France (french: Maréchal de France, plural ') is a French military distinction, rather than a military rank, that is awarded to generals for exceptional achievements. The title has been awarded since 1185, though briefly abolished ( ...
Ferdinand Foch Ferdinand Foch ( , ; 2 October 1851 – 20 March 1929) was a French general and military theorist who served as the Supreme Allied Commander during the First World War. An aggressive, even reckless commander at the First Marne, Flanders and Ar ...
, in the region of
Villers-Cotterêts Villers-Cotterêts () is a commune in the Aisne department in Hauts-de-France, France. It is notable as the signing-place in 1539 of the '' Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts'' discontinuing the use of Latin in official French documents, and as t ...
. The 1st Battalion lost their commander, commandant Husson de Sampigny. September 1918 – Hindenburg Line In August 1918, the regiment recuperated the wounded and filled the ranks with reinforcements from the depot in Lyon and cadres from Morocco counting 48 officers and 2,540 legionnaires): * Regimental Commander Lieutenant-Colonel
Paul-Frédéric Rollet Paul-Frédéric Rollet (1875–1941) was a Général
** 1st battalion: Captain Jacquesson ** 2nd battalion: Captain Lannurien then Captain Sanchez-Carrero ** 3rd battalion: Commandant (Major) Marseille On September 2, the regiment launched an assault on the defense line of Hindenburg at the elevation of Terny-Sorny. In two weeks of combat, the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion lost half the men in the regiment (275 killed out of which 10 officers and 1118 wounded of whom 15 were officers). Consequently, the regiment endured the loss of its chef de battaillon Captain Lannurien. Nevertheless, on September 14 the RMLE pushed forward and relaunched the attacks while piercing the front at the village of Allemant.


Interwar period (1918–1939)

The regiment was, stationed for a short duration in Germany and was then dispatched to take part in campaigns of
Morocco Morocco (),, ) officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to A ...
. On September 20, 1920, the RMLE was designated the 3rd Foreign Regiment.


World War II (1939–1945)

December 1942 – 3e REIM Following the disembarkation of
United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...
units in
Morocco Morocco (),, ) officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to A ...
(
Operation Torch Operation Torch (8 November 1942 – 16 November 1942) was an Allied invasion of French North Africa during the Second World War. Torch was a compromise operation that met the British objective of securing victory in North Africa while al ...
of November 8, 1942), the French Foreign Legion was ordered to form units to combat the Germans in
Tunisia ) , image_map = Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = Location of Tunisia in northern Africa , image_map2 = , capital = Tunis , largest_city = capital , ...
. Following the brief existence of a Colonial Infantry and Foreign Legion Marching Demi-Brigade (5/12/1942), Général Henri Giraud on December 15, 1942 created the 3rd Foreign Marching Infantry Regiment 3e REIM, from elements of the I (battalion) / 3e REI, the III (battalion) / 3e REI, and a third mixed
battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions ...
from the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 3e REI and
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment The 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (french: 2e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie, 2e REI) is an infantry regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. The regiment is one of two mechanized infantry regiments of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade ...
, 2e REI. Each battalion had four
combat Combat (French for ''fight'') is a purposeful violent conflict meant to physically harm or kill the opposition. Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed ( not using weapons). Combat is sometimes resorted to as a method of self-defense, or ...
companies. * Regimental Commander Colonel Lambert ** I / 3e REIM: Commandant Laparra ** II / 3e REIM: Commandant Boissier ** III / 3eREIM: Commandant Langlet In January 1943, the 3e REIM was totally engaged in resisting the German offensive, engaged in separating the communication couloir between the Armies of Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen von Arnim of Tunisia, and the Armies of Generalfeldmarschall
Erwin Rommel Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel () (15 November 1891 – 14 October 1944) was a German field marshal during World War II. Popularly known as the Desert Fox (, ), he served in the ''Wehrmacht'' (armed forces) of Nazi Germany, as well as servi ...
, set back since the Second Battle of El Alamein. On the 18th, during the combats of the reservoir of l'Oued Kebir, the II (battalion) / 3e REIM was completely destroyed and the battalion's Commandant was wounded and taken captive. The next day, to the turn, the I (battalion) / 3e REIM disappeared. During combats, the regiment had the sad privilege of meeting the first German
Tiger I The Tiger I () was a German heavy tank of World War II that operated beginning in 1942 in Africa and in the Soviet Union, usually in independent heavy tank battalions. It gave the German Army its first armoured fighting vehicle that mounted ...
tank A tank is an armoured fighting vehicle intended as a primary offensive weapon in front-line ground combat. Tank designs are a balance of heavy firepower, strong armour, and good battlefield mobility provided by tracks and a powerful ...
s and the regiment endured the loss of 35 officers and 1634 legionnaires. Consequently, the regiment had only two battalions capable left, each with two combat companies. Retrieved from the front on February 10 to reform battle formations, the regiment was reinforced on March 30, 1943 by a detachment from
Morocco Morocco (),, ) officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to A ...
. *Regimental Commander, Colonel Lambert ** I / 3e REIM: Commandant Laparra ** II / 3e REIM : Commandant Gombeaud On April 16, the regiment was assigned to the Moroccan Marching Division commanded by General Mathemet. Re-formation of the R.M.L.E On July 1, 1943, the 3e REI M was subsequently entirely US American built equipped and was redesignated as the R.M.L.E. The regiment was integrated in the 5th Armored Division. *Regimental Commander,
Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge ...
Gentis ** I / R.M.L.E:
Commandant Commandant ( or ) is a title often given to the officer in charge of a military (or other uniformed service) training establishment or academy. This usage is common in English-speaking nations. In some countries it may be a military or police ran ...
(Major) Daigny (assigned to CC5) ** II / RMLE: Commandant Charton (assigned to CC4) ** III / RMLE: A Commandant (assigned to CC6) Belfort – November 1944 On September 14 and 20, 1944, the three battalions disembarked near Saint-Raphaël on the beach of Dramont. From November 15 to December 13, the battalions of the RMLE participated with the designated ''Combat Command'' of the 5th Armored Division in operations of
Trouée de Belfort The Belfort Gap ( ) or Burgundian Gate ( ) is the area of relatively flat terrain in Eastern France between the Vosges Mountains to the north and the Jura Mountains to the south. It marks the watershed between the drainage basins of the River Rh ...
. The 3rd combat company of the I / RMLE was decimated at Montreux-Château while elements of the 7th combat company (I
Battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions ...
/ RMLE) illustrated savoir-faire near Delle and halted a German combat company. Colmar Pocket – January 1945 * Regimental Commander Colonel Louis-Antoine Gaultier (by interim of Colonel Tristschler) ** I / RMLE: Commandant Daigny (assigned to CC5) ** II / RMLE: Commandant de Chambost (assigned to CC4) ** III / RMLE: Commandant Boulanger (assigned to CC6) The regiment was engaged again with the 5th Armored Division starting January 22, 1945 in the counter-offensive put into motion by
Marshal of France Marshal of France (french: Maréchal de France, plural ') is a French military distinction, rather than a military rank, that is awarded to generals for exceptional achievements. The title has been awarded since 1185, though briefly abolished ( ...
(''posthumous'')
Jean de Lattre de Tassigny Jean Joseph Marie Gabriel de Lattre de Tassigny (2 February 1889 – 11 January 1952) was a French général d'armée during World War II and the First Indochina War. He was posthumously elevated to the dignity of Marshal of France in 1952. As ...
to relieve
Strasbourg Strasbourg (, , ; german: Straßburg ; gsw, label= Bas Rhin Alsatian, Strossburi , gsw, label= Haut Rhin Alsatian, Strossburig ) is the prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est region of eastern France and the official seat of the ...
. The CC6 including the III (battalion) / RMLE fought alongside the
1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment The 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment (french: 1er Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes, 1er R.C.P) is the oldest and among the most decorated airborne regiments of the French Army. Established in the French Army in 1943 and formerly part of the Fr ...
(1er RCP); of the
French Air Force The French Air and Space Force (AAE) (french: Armée de l'air et de l'espace, ) is the air and space force of the French Armed Forces. It was the first military aviation force in history, formed in 1909 as the , a service arm of the French Ar ...
transferred to the
French Army History Early history The first permanent army, paid with regular wages, instead of feudal levies, was established under Charles VII of France, Charles VII in the 1420 to 1430s. The Kings of France needed reliable troops during and after the ...
; at
Jebsheim Jebsheim is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Grand Est in north-eastern France. During WWII in fighting over the Colmar Pocket, which included Jebsheim, Audie Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the Uni ...
northeast of Colmar from January 25 to 30. The CC5 took Urschenheim on February 1, 1945 while the CC4 liberated
Colmar Colmar (, ; Alsatian: ' ; German during 1871–1918 and 1940–1945: ') is a city and commune in the Haut-Rhin department and Grand Est region of north-eastern France. The third-largest commune in Alsace (after Strasbourg and Mulhouse), it i ...
on the 2nd. Germany – Austria – March to May 1945 On March 11, 1945, Colonel Jean Olié replaced Colonel Tritschler, who had died at the
Val-de-Grâce The (' or ') was a military hospital located at in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France. It was closed as a hospital in 2016. History The church of the was built by order of Queen Anne of Austria, wife of Louis XIII. After the birth of h ...
military hospital. On March 15, the CC6 (III (battalion)/ RMLE) was engaged by the
3rd Algerian Infantry Division The 3rd Algerian Infantry Division (french: 3e Division d'Infanterie Algérienne, 3e DIA) was an infantry division of the Army of Africa (french: Armée d'Afrique) which participated in World War II. Following the liberation of French North Afr ...
for the conquest of the ''Annemarie Line'' then in the piercing of the
Siegfried Line The Siegfried Line, known in German as the ''Westwall'', was a German defensive line built during the 1930s (started 1936) opposite the French Maginot Line. It stretched more than ; from Kleve on the border with the Netherlands, along the we ...
on the 20th. On April 9, the regiment penetrated the
Black Forest The Black Forest (german: Schwarzwald ) is a large forested mountain range in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany, bounded by the Rhine Valley to the west and south and close to the borders with France and Switzerland. It is ...
and captured
Stuttgart Stuttgart (; Swabian: ; ) is the capital and largest city of the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It is located on the Neckar river in a fertile valley known as the ''Stuttgarter Kessel'' (Stuttgart Cauldron) and lies an hour from the Sw ...
on the 21st. Continued south, the regiment cleared and made its way to the
Danube The Danube ( ; ) is a river that was once a long-standing frontier of the Roman Empire and today connects 10 European countries, running through their territories or being a border. Originating in Germany, the Danube flows southeast for , pa ...
and then
Lake Constance Lake Constance (german: Bodensee, ) refers to three bodies of water on the Rhine at the northern foot of the Alps: Upper Lake Constance (''Obersee''), Lower Lake Constance (''Untersee''), and a connecting stretch of the Rhine, called the Lak ...
. Subsequently, the regiment penetrated
Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...
in May 1945 on the eve of the 8th.


Traditions


Regimental Colors

At creation, on November 11, 1915, the R.M.L.E had for regimental colors, the
Flag A flag is a piece of fabric (most often rectangular or quadrilateral) with a distinctive design and colours. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design empl ...
of: ''
2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment The 2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment, (french: 2e régiment de marche du 1er étranger, 2e R.M. 1er R.E) was a French military unit of the Legion which formed the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E) and existed ephe ...
'' * On the avers (front, inscribed in French) ** ''
French Republic France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
'' ** Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion *On the revers (back, inscribed in French) ** ''Honneur and Patrie''
(on the regimental colors of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment 3e R.E.I, this motto was replaced in 1920 with Honneur et Fidélité, the year before the founding of the
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment The 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment () is the only cavalry regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. It is one of two armoured cavalry regiments of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade. The regiment recently moved camp after being stationed a ...
). During
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
, the new R.M.L.E received the regimental colors of the 3rd Foreign Regiment, (3e RE).


Decorations

The regimental colors of the RMLE are decorated with: *Knight Cross of the
Légion d'honneur The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon ...
(September 27, 1917) * Médaille militaire (August 30, 1919) * Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (September 13, 1915) with: ** 9 palms, allowing the double Fourragère in the colours of the Légion d'honneur and Croix de guerre. *
Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 The ''Croix de Guerre 1939–1945'' (English: War Cross 1939–1945) is a French military decoration, a version of the '' Croix de Guerre'' created on 26 September 1939 to honour people who fought with the Allies against the Axis forces at any ...
with: ** 3 palms, allowing the 1939–1945 olive on the fourragère. *' (
Order of the Tower and Sword The Ancient and Most Noble Military Order of the Tower and of the Sword, of the Valour, Loyalty and Merit ( pt, Antiga e Muito Nobre Ordem Militar da Torre e Espada, do Valor, Lealdade e Mérito), before 1910 Royal Military Order of the Tower an ...
–
Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of th ...
) *' (
Catalonia Catalonia (; ca, Catalunya ; Aranese Occitan: ''Catalonha'' ; es, Cataluña ) is an autonomous community of Spain, designated as a '' nationality'' by its Statute of Autonomy. Most of the territory (except the Val d'Aran) lies on the no ...
) * Presidential Unit Citation with RHINE-BAVARIAN ALPS conferred May 6, 1946 by the United States. The RMLE was the first regiment in France to receive the right to display the fourragère with the colors of the Médaille militaire.


Honours


Battle honours

* Camerone 1863 * Artois 1915 * Champagne 1915 * Bataille de la Somme 1916 * Les Monts-Verdun 1917 * Picardie-Soissonnais 1918 *
Vauxaillon Vauxaillon is a commune in the Aisne department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Geography The river Ailette forms all of the commune's northern border. Population See also *Communes of the Aisne department The following is a l ...
1918


Commanders

1914–1915
Marching regiments prior to the RMLE
2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment The 2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment, (french: 2e régiment de marche du 1er étranger, 2e R.M. 1er R.E) was a French military unit of the Legion which formed the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E) and existed ephe ...
* 1914–1915: Colonel Pein * 1915-1915: Lieutenant-colonel Cot
3rd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment The 3rd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment, (french: 3e régiment de marche du 1er étranger, 3eR.M. 1erR.E) was a French Military unit of the Legion which formed the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E) and existed epheme ...
* 1914-1914: Colonel Thiebault * 1914–1915: Lieutenant-colonel Desgouille
4th Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment The Garibaldi Legion (french: Légion Garibaldienne) or officially the 4th Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment (french: 4e régiment de marche du 1er étranger, 4eR.M. 1erR.E) was a unit of the Foreign Legion in the French Army which f ...

(Garibaldi Legion) * 1914–1915: Lieutenant-colonel
Peppino Garibaldi Brigadier-General Giuseppe Garibaldi II (29 July 1879 – 19 May 1950), better known as Peppino Garibaldi, was an Italian soldier, patriot and revolutionary, and grandson of Giuseppe Garibaldi. Biography Garibaldi was born in Melbourne, Austr ...
2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment * 1914-1914: Colonel Passard * 1914–1915: Colonel Lecomte-Denis * 1915-1915: Colonel de Lavenue de Choulot 1915–1920: Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion
''RMLE'' * 1915–1917: Lieutenant-colonel Cot * 1917-1917: Colonel Duriez * 1917–1920: Lieutenant-colonel
Paul-Frédéric Rollet Paul-Frédéric Rollet (1875–1941) was a Général
1920–1943: 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment
1943–1945: Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion * 1943-1943: Colonel Gentis * 1943–1944: Colonel Tritschler * 1944–1945: Lieutenant-colonel Louis-Antoine Gaultier * 1945-1945: Colonel Jean Olié 1945–present: 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment


Honorary Regimental Arms Celebration

The R.M.L.E, was decorated for piercing the Hindenburg Line on September 14, 1918. Since then this battle has been celebrated by the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment, (3e R.E.I), since this regiment inherited the traditions of the RMLE.


Notable members

* Colonel Alphonse Van Hecke, Sous-Lieutenant in the RMLE in 1917, who commanded the 7th African Chasseur Regiment (7e régiment de chasseurs d'Afrique, 7e RCA) during World War II * American poet Alan Seeger * Swiss French-naturalized poet Blaise Cendrars * Lieutenant-Colonel Prince Count Aage of Rosenborg * Colonel
Paul-Frédéric Rollet Paul-Frédéric Rollet (1875–1941) was a Général
* Italian writer Curzio Malaparte * Italian-bornv French naturalized Lazare Ponticelli


References

Bibliographies: * Le livre d’or de la Légion étrangère (1831–1955), Jean Brunon et Georges Manue, éditions Charles Lavauzelle et Cie, 1958. * *


External links


"Presentation of 3e REI"




* ttps://web.archive.org/web/20080620033948/http://www.farac.org/php/article.php3?id_article=163 "Regiment's decorations" {{French Foreign Legion navbox French Foreign Legion Ad hoc units and formations of the French Army Military units and formations established in 1915 Military units and formations established in 1945