The world contains more misfits, sadists, masochists, and people who enjoy fighting than we sometimes like to suppose. At the end of the first contract, the legionnaire will have the option to choose between contracts varying in duration from 6 months to 5 years to pursue his career. The french foreign legion has had a long and unique history amongst the units of the french army. By outlining the legions vicissitudes, victorious campaigns, epic marches, heroic and sometimes hopeless stands, dirtiest combats and dramatic defeats, but also by briefly placing the legion back in the historical background of france, and by describing its development. Swiss hundred cent suisse swiss hundred was established by king louis xi. Historian douglas porch chronicles the legions involvement in spain, mexico, indochina, madagascar, wwi, vietnam, and algiers to name a few and delves into the inner workings of legionnaires and their captains.
Alex lochries fighting for the french foreign legion is the first book ive actually read on the topic, and i am glad that it was my first. French foreign legion, elite military force consisting of volunteer soldiers for. French foreign legionnaires in southeastern europe during. French foreign legionnaires in southeastern europe during world war i may 10, 2020 posted in history, legion 105 years ago, in late april 1915, the allied forces consisting of french, british, australian and new zealand troops landed in the gallipoli peninsula in todays turkey, to open a new theatre of the first world war. Created in france in 1831 by king louisphilippe and immediately posted to the scorching deserts of algeria, it went on to become a unit renowned for its cruel. The author describes how he joined the french foreign legion, without being able to speak any french and very close to the age limit. Wrens 1924 romantic novel, beau geste, unleashed a sandstorm of popular legion inspired celluloid. At the beginning of january 1985, my company was on the move again. Created in france in 1831 by king louisphilippe and immediately posted to the scorching deserts of algeria, it went on to become a unit renowned for its cruel training regime, and its absolute disregard for death in battle. Mitchell, an irish amateur historian and a wellknown foreign legion insignia collector andrew j. Dien bien phu and the french defeat in vietnam 2004. I thought it was a good read set in the algerian war and gives some good in sight to the legion. Chief among them has to do with a foolish weakness for old things.
The duration of an initial contract with the foreign legion is 5 years nonnegotiable. He is the author of various books on military history, including the conquest of the sahara and the french foreign legion. Best books about the french foreign legion from the past. There is no more famous fighting force than the french foreign legion. Created as a temporary expedient in a french army that otherwise barred foreigners from serving in.
Aug 30, 2010 the french foreign legion is an extraordinary and unique army, specifically created for foreign nationals wishing to serve in the french armed forces, but commanded by french officers. The french foreign legion was created by louis philippe, the king of france, on 10 march 1831 from the foreign regiments of the kingdom of france. Item is in very good condition without any faults that i can see. By young, john robertdeighton, len introbergot, erwan history of the legion. We need an american foreign legion the washington post. The french foreign legion is one of the most famous fighting organizations in the world, jealously guarding a reputation that dates back to the 1830s. The hard truth about the foreign legion by max hastings. Just about everyone who was on my bus from paris to aubagne got a new name. French foreign legion colonial medal with tchad ba. Algeria, during the french conquest of this african territory.
Thats why the history of the french foreign legion from 1831 to the present day is so important. In july 2019, a new book dedicated to the french foreign legion and its history was released. History of the french foreign legion book depository. This article lists the principal units of the french foreign legion created since 1831. Here douglas porch examines the legion myth and goes beyond it to explore the legion s mystique and describe its performance from its founding in 1831 to today. Take an inside look into the history of one of the worlds most enigmatic military forces. The literary life of the french foreign legion publishing. Recruits included soldiers from the recently disbanded swiss and german foreign regiments of the bourbon monarchy. This book will give you all the information you need to know on how the process of recruitment, basic training and what to expect when you enter the ffl. Since its foundation by royal decree of louis philippe in 1831, the legion, with its unique. The french foreign legion was, and is, a french military elite unit. Created in france in 1831 and immediately posted to the scorching. Books and writers books about the french foreign legion.
Discover tormented odyssey of forgotten heroes that started. Lochrie does an excellent job showing us what led him to the legion a life of success and failure, and a desire to challenge himselfand then delves into life in the legion and the assignments he held. For nearly two centuries, adventure seekers or men on the run from all around the globe have found a home in the foreign legion and shed blood for france. The book is amazing, full of interesting characters and stories. Psi research staff and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A complete history of the legendary fighting force, by douglas porch harpercollins. The history of the french foreign legion amber books.
French foreign legionnaire, 18901914, martin windrow. The royal ordinance for the establishment of the new regiment specified that the foreigners recruited could only serve outside. Jan, 2017 a french foreign legion website by is licensed under a creative commons attributionnoncommercialnoderivs 3. The foreign legion was originally based in algeria, north africa, and algeria became the foreign legion s long standing home.
For nearly two centuries adventure seekers or men on the run from all around the globe have found a home in the foreign legion and shed blood for france. The french foreign legion, has built up a goodly number of myths during its nearly 180 year history. Books about the history and activities of the french foreign legion. His most recent book is the phenomenal our friends beneath the sands published by orion publishing company. The french foreign legion a complete history 1991 macmillan. French foreign legion synonyms, french foreign legion pronunciation, french foreign legion translation, english dictionary definition of french foreign legion. The story of the french foreign legion by hugh mcleave 1974, book, illustrated at the best online prices at ebay. Nine days later on march 18, 1831, an additional directive was issued restricting membership in the newly formed legion to foreigners. Founded by a royal ordinance issued by king louis philippe of france on march 9, 1831 with aim of bolstering the strength of the french army while also finding a use for the influx of refugees. Using an aggressive and arduous training program, the french foreign legion has turned itself into one of the worlds elite forces, a status it has continually maintained in battles of extraordinary courage and bloodshed.
For 170 years, jobless, homeless and loveless men have found in the legion a sense of purpose worth all the rigors and risks of serving in the worlds longeststanding mercenary army. French foreign legion french foreign legion history. History of the french foreign legion by david jordan. The foreign legion will always be apart and unlike any other army corps in france. From the deserts of morocco to the jungles of vietnam, the legion has a welldeserved reputation for extraordinary bravery and fighting ability in the worst of battlefield conditions. The french foreign legion is a complete, captivating stud. Dien bien phu and the french defeat in vietnam by martin windrow, our f. Though initially conceived in 1831 as a means of drafting recently discharged foreign soldiers to algeria, the legion has developed into a sophisticated force of motorized infantry, airborne troops and light armour. Best books about the french foreign legion from the past 20.
The french foreign legion is an extraordinary and unique army, specifically created for foreign nationals wishing to serve in the french armed forces, but commanded by french officers. The french foreign legion is the most famous of the legions, but its not the only one. Known for its austerity and discipline, deprivation and sacrifice, the french foreign legion is perhaps the most intriguing and famous fighting force in the world. I just came from aubagne french foreign legion rejected, if anyone has any questions, here are the few i can answer. Dec 01, 2005 the french foreign legion remains one of the worlds most enigmatic military forces. By outlining the legion s vicissitudes, victorious campaigns, epic marches, heroic and sometimes hopeless stands, dirtiest combats and dramatic defeats, but also by briefly placing the legion back in the historical background of france, and by describing its development, organization.
The french foreign legion reveals the facts and reality behind this compelling unit. The foreign legion was founded by king louisphilippe on march 9, 1831, as a military unit to support the conquest of algeria, which the french had invaded the previous year. This is one of a series of ospreys looking at the legion, and covers the life of the legionnaire in the quarter of a. Mitchell, an irish amateur historian and a wellknown foreign legion insignia collector read more andrew j. All important units, battles and campaigns included. The french foreign legion is one of the most famous of all military units, with a reputation for brutality towards its own men along with one as an elite fighting unit. Not being able to speak any french although i understood alot didnt seem to matter 3.
The spanish used the french army as a model, except its soldiers now are mainly spaniards who serve abroad. Feb 07, 2014 the guide to joining the french foreign legion the step by step guide that will help you in deciding whether or not you are ready to join the legion. The tigers of tonkin the history of the french foreign legion in indochina 18831945. It can be used as a stepping stone to books,that cover all aspects of the legion in more depth. His book represents the first comprehensive and objective history of the french foreign legion since its inception in 1831 by the royal decree of louis philippe. Historian douglas porch chronicles the legion s involvement in spain, mexico, indochina, madagascar, wwi, vietnam, and algiers to name a few and delves into the inner workings of legionnaires and their captains. Feb 24, 2009 erwin james is writing a book called legion of honour, based on his experiences in the french foreign legion.
Martin windrow is series editor at osprey and an authority on the postwar french army, particularly the foreign legion. Devils guard, by george robert elford published in 1971, is the story of a former german waffenss officers string of nearconstant combat that begins on world war ii s eastern front and continues into the books focusthe first indochina war, as an officer in the french foreign legion. To my surprise, with such a prominent writer and close ties with hong kong, the book has its chinese edition only recently. French foreign legion reference guide mon legionnaire. The french foreign legion remains one of the worlds most enigmatic military forces. Smashwords the guide to joining the french foreign legion. How else can one explain the fact that the french foreign legion is heavily overrecruited. The french foreign legion and the men who made it glorious by geoffrey bocca and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. French foreign legion colonial medal with tchad timpo foreign legion x5 inc 1 mounted figures in very good condition. This book gives the reader,a concise history of the foreign legion. The most prolific writer about the french foreign legion is martin windrow.
In an age when most of the worlds armies strive to make military service a less bestial and more enlightened experience than it used to be, the legion still drives its trainees to. This book gives the reader a straightforward and continuous survey of the history of the french foreign legion. Windrow is a long time commissioning and art director for the men at arms and elite series for osprey publishing. See detailed history of the french foreign legion in the balkans during the first world war. History uniforms headgear insignia weapons equipment by raymond guyader aug 28, 2014 4. Aug 20, 2012 in 2006, the book was published by presidio press and again, with a different name legionnaire. What is the purpose of the french foreign legion and how do i. The french foreign legion by martin windrow books on. The french foreign legion was created by a royal ordinance issued by king louis philippe, at the suggestion of minister of war nicolas jeandedieu soult, on march 9, 1831. Why do i have to join the french foreign legion under an.
Created in france in 1831 and immediately posted to the scorching deserts of algeria, it went on to become a unit renowned for its cruel training regime and its absolute disregard for death in battle. Foreign legion for sale in uk 58 used foreign legions. The history of the french foreign legion reveals the facts and reality behind this compelling unit. Time was, films about the french foreign legion were themselves legion.
Jordan has written many books and articles on military subjects. Not within the last 20 but you could try legionnaire. The regiment fought in the first indochina war as the threetime reconstituted 1st foreign parachute battalion, the suez crisis and algerian war, but was dissolved along with the 10th parachute division and 25th. The french foreign legion today a french foreign legion forum. For the better part of its history, the foreign legion, remote, fascinating, somewhat sinister, has been shrouded in mystery. Are the members of the french foreign legion still brutal to. Before joining the french foreign legion 9 things you. French foreign legion, french legion etrangere, an elite military force originally consisting of foreign volunteers in the pay of france but now comprising volunteer soldiers from any nation, including france, for service in france and abroad. Historian douglas porch chronicles the legion s involvement in spain, mexico, indochina, madagascar, wwi, vietnam, and algiers to name a few and delves into the inner. The french foreign legion was historically formed of expatriate enlisted personnel led by french officers. Wellordered data mapping the whole history of the foreign legion, from its predecessors to nowadays. Mitchell, an irish amateur historian and a wellknown foreign legion insignia collector.
Life in the french foreign legion can be described in one word tough. You will see the military parade and always, at the end, come the legionnaires. May 19, 2016 but the french foreign legion is a part of the french military, is led by french officers, takes its orders exclusively from paris, offers its legionnaires the opportunity to apply for french. French foreign legion definition of french foreign legion. Lark is a serial imposter, one day taking on the guise of a rankandfile soldier, the next sitting comfortably, in a captains uniform, the officers mess.
French foreign legion history the interesting bits. The last legionnaire is the 5th book in paul fraser collards fabulous series of novels based on the chameleon soldier, jack lark and what a fabulous, eyecatching book cover. The legend of beau gaste and the hellraising, harddrinking, longsuffering, loyal legionnaires has been immortalized by countless novels and hollywood movies. You should watch french channels on july 14th, on the french national day. Apr 10, 2017 his memoir in the foreign legion 1910, published under the pseudonym erwin rosen, portrays the traditional legion in its toughest era, and was one source for the classic novel beau geste 1924 by p c wren. History of the french foreign legion howstuffworks. Its history in combat is described in full, from its use in the conquest of algeria in the 1840s to its role in the war against terrorism today.
Created as a temporary expedient in a french army that otherwise barred foreigners from serving in its ranks, the french foreign legion eventually. Legionnaires are highly trained infantry soldiers and the legion is unique in that it is open to foreign recruits willing to serve in the french armed forces. A dissolved legion unit which is recreated under the same designation will only appear once. The legion absorbed many refugees who crowded into france as well as unemployed soldiers, such as members of the swiss regiments who had served the unpopular. It is arguable that no group of fighting men in the history of european arms has been so misrepresented by illinformed publicity as the french foreign legion. The spaniards werent as good at recruiting foreigners as the french. The french foreign legion is a complete, captivating study of the famed fighting force, from its inception in 1831 to modern times. The last section of the list resummarizes actual legion. For rosen, however, the legion ceased to be interesting and fun once he ran out of money for extras such as wine and good food. How to join and what to expect when you get there by evan mcgorman. Legion units are only cited once, based on their respective dates of creation. By outlining the legion s vicissitudes, victorious campaigns, epic marches, heroic and sometimes hopeless stands, dirtiest combats and dramatic defeats, but also by briefly placing the legion back in the historical background of france, and by describing its development. Score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Nov 18, 2010 the french foreign legion is a complete, captivating study of the famed fighting force, from its inception in 1831 to modern times.
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