 Nashville  | 20 Nov 2015 8:29 a.m. PST |
On 21 April, 1962, army plotters called on Algeria-based elite French paratroop regiments and the Foreign Legion to fly to France, and seize the airport around Paris. The rebels were then to drive into Paris, arrest senior government officials, including De Gaulle, and impose a military regime.
link
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| Bob the Temple Builder | 20 Nov 2015 8:58 a.m. PST |
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| Jcfrog | 20 Nov 2015 10:09 a.m. PST |
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| Patrick Sexton | 20 Nov 2015 11:22 a.m. PST |
Ah, more of the 'Legion was mostly ex-Heer or Waffen SS' bushwa. |
| Jcfrog | 20 Nov 2015 12:32 p.m. PST |
And whole bn of ex anti soviet cossacks/ POA.
You guys should know there is far more to the French army than the FFL. |
| Chokidar | 20 Nov 2015 1:14 p.m. PST |
But how much of it can actually make it into the field – as instanced by resorting to the antiquated Battalions de marche in places like Afghan and Mali – formations cobbled together from whatever is available – is another question. |
| Jcfrog | 20 Nov 2015 2:05 p.m. PST |
Even the Legion is rather small. 1 " cavalry" bn 1 para and one/ 2 engineers plus bits in garrisons. There is also a will to please the various "stabbles"( écuries) of Marine, Legion,others… Opex( external ops) are good for career and VERy good for money ( up to x3) so every one and his dog wants a bit. There are no training units. So all companies in bns are not up the proper "export" level hence the use of part units. Most low rankers only stay 3 years so it is a seminpro army in effects.
Some also are especially trained for specific jobs that can or not be needed ( ex mountain). |
 Legion 4  | 20 Nov 2015 4:22 p.m. PST |
Posted this on another thread. The FFL is always one of my favorite units to study. Wish I had the chance to work with them more when I was on active duty.
Foreign Legion
Role
Foreign Infantry, Foreign airborne infantry, Foreign armoured cavalry, Foreign combat engineer, Foreign airborne engineer, Regimental Foreign military police Size
c. 7,700 men in eleven regiments and one sub-unit Garrison/HQ Foreign Legion Command
France 1st Foreign Regiment Foreign Legion Pionniers 4th Foreign Regiment
Foreign Legion Recruiting Group
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
1st Foreign Engineer Regiment
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment Haute-Corse 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment French Guiana 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment United Arab Emirates 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion |
| Jcfrog | 21 Nov 2015 2:31 a.m. PST |
Guiana " rgt" for ex is only 1+ coy strong plus other units rotating in.
4 th is training.
13th demi b. Shell of what it was say in the 80s.
Ok still the punchy top of what is left, no doubt.
They have to be trained a bit more before unit ( as for language ) and stay longer. More cohesion. |
| Legion 4 | 21 Nov 2015 7:48 a.m. PST |
I remember reading most are not at Regimental strength. More like Battalion. Regardless, they and some of the other French Para, Cdo, Marine, etc. are still very good at what they do. |
| Jcfrog | 21 Nov 2015 11:39 a.m. PST |
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expands his 15mm modern building collection.
