1st Foreign Regiment - History

History

In 1841 the Foreign Legion was reorganized into the 1st and 2nd Foreign Regiments. The two regiments provided three battalions each for the Crimean Campaign of 1854-56. Both regiments took part in the Magenta Campaign of 1859. After returning to Algeria the 1er RE was so weakened by losses it was disbanded in 1861, the remaining men joining the 2e RE in Sidi-Bel-Abbès and being re-titled Foreign Regiment (French: Régiment étranger, RE).

In October 1933 Sidi-bel-Abbes became the main depot for the whole Legion. Through World War Two 1er REI remained there. It continued as the main depot for the wars in Indo-China and Algeria. After Algerian independence the regiment left for Aubagne, France in October, 1962.

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