This is what basic training in the french foreign legion is. Oct 14, 2010 the world contains more misfits, sadists, masochists, and people who enjoy fighting than we sometimes like to suppose. The french foreign legion is the most famous of the legions, but its not the only one. History of the french foreign legion howstuffworks.
It could always be worse like in the french foreign legions four month basic training. It is no doubt one of the most unique experiences in the world, and i personally. The french foreign legion has had a long and unique history amongst the units of the french army. The french foreign legion is one of the strangest military units ever created. 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. The french foreign legion reveals the facts and reality behind this compelling unit. 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. Watch another useful video published by the official french foreign legion channel on youtube to improve your core strength. French foreign legion paratrooper combat manual original.
The spanish used the french army as a model, except its soldiers now are mainly spaniards who serve abroad. Dietz has written a future history where the legion is now the official armed forces of the confederacy, a multispecies political entity. 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. Interesting book about the origin of the foreign legion and its history through stories of its most famous battles. 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. And the color sergeant put it all down in the big book without the ghost of a smile. The recruitment of candidates for the french foreign legion was suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus disease covid19. The history of the french foreign legion amber books. Article vii of the french foreign legions code of honor, which is a hint at the bottles unlikely provenance. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. The ascetic lifestyle of a legionnaire is explored in depth, including firsthand accounts of training and punishments. French foreign legion history the interesting bits. History of the french foreign legion david jordan on.
He is the author of various books on military history, including the conquest of the sahara and the french foreign legion. 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. Swiss hundred cent suisse swiss hundred was established by king louis xi. A complete history of the legendary fighting force.
His 1926 sequel beau sabreur tells the story of the further adventures of the american friends from beau geste, hank and buddy. This book gives the reader,a concise history of the foreign legion. 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. Founded by a royal ordinance issued by king louis philippe of france on march 9. A member of the french foreign legion salutes american soldiers as they march by during a. Until 1962, the foreign legion headquarters was located in sidi bel abbes, algeria. 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. One of those heroic units was the 11th foreign legion infantry rei. History of the french foreign legion book depository. The french foreign legion by douglas boyd goodreads. This item shows some wear from consistent use, but remains in good condition and works great.
The foreign legion subsequently found a permanent home in the ranks of. Perhaps the greatest challenge to the french foreign legions particularism comes from the french government itself, which in the summer of 2010 declared that after 179 years of legion existence. For the better part of its history, the foreign legion, remote, fascinating, somewhat sinister, has been shrouded in mystery. Regiments of the french foreign legion documentary youtube. 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.
The book is presented by the author as nonfiction but considered to be untrue by military historians, and usually sold as fiction. 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. This video is dedicated to simple and effective physical training techniques for developing your abdominal muscles. Recruitment into the french foreign legion is open to all people who are meet basic. History of the french foreign legion by david jordan. American guerrilla fighting behind the enemy lines a stirring personal story of an american in the french foreign legion wwii the french foreign legion. Aug 06, 2018 it is up to you to decide if you want to be part of this great social experiment called the french foreign legion.
The hard truth about the foreign legion by max hastings. Describes the elite troops role in frances colonial warsincluding those in algeria and indochinaand both world wars. There are some photographs, but they were dark in the paperback book i read. If the idea of spending 12 weeks in boot camp is what keeps people from joining the marine corps, they should be thankful that its only that long. While frances army and ability to defend itself is often the subject of jokes, there is no joking about the diehard and resolute history of its foreign legion. Apr 10, 2019 the abc spends a week in corsica with one of only 10 australians serving in the infamous french foreign legion, a legendary fighting force of fugitives and misfits lured by regular pay and the. 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. Jul 01, 2017 the book describes the french foreign legion ffl from the very beginning to present day and takes in all the colonial battles in which they fought. A complete history by douglas porch online at alibris. They are volunteers of any nationality, race or creed, always ready to serve france. It has blended into the background, camouflaged by the military multitude hopping aboard its historical bandwagon. Wellordered data mapping the whole history of the foreign legion, from its predecessors to nowadays. This remained in effect until world war i when france needed all the troops it could get into the trenches. While todays legion only holds about eight thousand men.
Created as a temporary expedient in a french army that otherwise barred foreigners from serving in its ranks, the french foreign legion eventually gained a reputation as the worlds premier mercenary corps. This time sequential history of the french foreign legion is a mustread for any casual or studious reader of military history. French foreign legion french foreign legion history. Dien bien phu and the french defeat in vietnam by martin windrow, our f. These include some obscure conflicts including dahomey, the rif war and madagascar among others in addition to the better known actions in algeria and morocco. How good is the french foreign legion compared to the british.
See the french foreign legion history 183120 in more than 150 images note that the video was created in 20 and that some information could be not so precise. A complete history of the legendary fighting force is but one of his many thoroughly reseached and wellargued historical studies. Windrow is a british historian, editor and author of several hundred books, articles and monographs, particularly those on organizational or physical details of military history, and the history of the postwar french foreign legion. A complete history of the lengendary fighting force. French foreign legion archives warfare history network. It can be used as a stepping stone to books,that cover all aspects of the legion in more depth. The real life story of an englishman in the french foreign legion. The information offices as well as the recruitment centers in paris and aubagne are closed now. Unlike most books on the legion, it starts at the beginning and continues to modern times. In this book, acclaimed french army expert martin windrow examines the history and uniforms of the french foreign legion, from its service in the carlist war of 183536 to world war ii and beyond, debunking many of the prevalent myths surrounding this formidable force. 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. About the rafs french foreign legion this book examines and analyses the relationship between the raf, the free french movement and the french fighter pilots in wwii. Thats why the history of the french foreign legion from 1831 to the present day is so important. Mar 23, 2020 watch another useful video published by the official french foreign legion channel on youtube to improve your core strength.
If you are looking for a great vicarious adventure, read this book and the story of a mans. In july 2019, a new book dedicated to the french foreign legion and its history was released. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. How else can one explain the fact that the french foreign legion is. The story of these professional at war is fascinating and very. The french foreign legion remains one of the worlds most enigmatic military forces.
It may be marked, have identifying markings on it, or show other signs of previous use. 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. Created in france in 1831 and immediately posted to the scorching. Illustrated with 120 images, this absorbing study explores the ascetic lifestyle of a legionnaire, with firsthand accounts of training and punishments.
Before joining the french foreign legion 9 things you. The vineyard where retired french soldiers make wine gastro. A highly significant subject, this has been ignored by academics on both sides of the channel. Of course he will tell takes of great hardships and brutality, because that is what sells a book about the french foreign legion. The legion absorbed many refugees who crowded into france as well as unemployed soldiers, such as members of the swiss regiments who had served.
A well researched but, but it is a long and dry read with lots of historic and political background during the times of the legion. 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. To become a member of the famous french foreign legion, and to became legionnaire, the first thing is the motive or the will to what awaits you when you come there. History of thefrench foreign legion reveals the reality behind this compelling unit, from its participation in the conquest of algeria in the 1840s to its role in the war against terrorism today. The first four weeks are an introduction to military life. 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. French foreign legion in popular culture wikipedia. The hard truth about the foreign legion by max hastings the. One of its original rules was that it could never serve in france itself.
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 iis eastern front and continues into the books focusthe first indochina war, as an officer in the french foreign legion. Much has been written of the defeat of the french army in 1940, but little is heard of the heroism of many of its beleagured units. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. A books total score is based on multiple factors, including the. A south african breaks out of the french foreign legion, cheats death, and finds peace. The tigers of tonkin the history of the french foreign legion. Uses primary sources and historical accounts to document the legion s battles and leaders. 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 inundating france at the time. Meet the australian who joined the misfits and fugitives of.
The french foreign legion was historically formed of expatriate enlisted personnel led by french officers. Nine days later on march 18, 1831, an additional directive was issued restricting membership in the newly formed legion to foreigners. What are some good books about the french foreign legion. Having trained and fought with former legionnaires, it often surprised me how these guys could, often at the same time, excel at certain tasks and completely fail at others. Nov 01, 2010 this is a wellwritten, thoughtful history of the french foreign legion, or if you prefer the legion estranger. Ever since reading beau geste as a child, ive had a soft spot for french foreign legion stories and this one is fabulous. Search the history of over 424 billion web pages on the internet.
Recruits included soldiers from the recently disbanded swiss and german foreign regiments of the bourbon monarchy. The french foreign legion is a complete, captivating study of the famed fighting force, from its inception in 1831 to modern times. Having said that,this book is still an interesting read. On october 19, 1914, bullard enlisted and was assigned to the 3rd marching regiment of the foreign legion r. All candidates asking to join the foreign legion will be sent back home. Douglas porch is perhaps one of the most widely acknowledged experts on the history of the french army. The history of the french foreign legion reveals the facts and reality behind this compelling unit. Jul 01, 2014 previously, the legion was not stationed in mainland france except in wartime. 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. For most of its history, the legion also maintained the exceptional status of being a voluntary unit in a conscript army. This book gives the reader a straightforward and continuous survey of the history of the french foreign legion. How else can one explain the fact that the french foreign legion is heavily overrecruited. History of the multinational military force established in 1831 and its relationship to the french army and society. Meanwhile, those hastily raised foreign legion regiments at the maginot line were getting a baptism of fire.