2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment
(2e régiment étranger d'infanterie)
2rei.jpg
Regimental badge of 2ème REI
Active 3 Apr 1841 – 1 Apr 1943
1 Aug 1945 – 1 Jan 1968
1 Sept 1972 – Present
Country  France
Allegiance Flag of legion.svgFrench Foreign Legion
Branch French Army
Type Infantry
Role Mechanized infantry
Size 1230 men
Part of 31ème Brigade
(1981-1984)

6th Armoured Division
(1990-1991)

6th Light Armored Brigade
(1999-present)
Garrison/HQ Nîmes, France
Nickname(s) 2e Étranger
Motto Être prêt ("Be ready")
Colors Green and Red
March Anne-Marie du "2"
Mascot Tapanar (mule)
Anniversaries Camerone Day (April 30) and El-Moungar day (2 September)
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander
Colonel Valéry PUTZ
Notable
commanders
François Certain Canrobert
Patrice MacMahon
Insignia
Insignia of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment Insigne de béret du 2e RE Type 3.jpg
Abbreviation 2ème REI

The 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (French: 2e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie, 2e REI) is an infantry regiment of the French Foreign Legion. The regiment is one of two mechanized infantry regiments of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade[1] The regiment is currently stationed at Quartier Colonel Marie Louis Henry de Granet-Lacroix de Chabrières; named in honor of Colonel de Chabrières who was shot in the chest while leading a charge of the regiment. Quartier Colonel Chabrières is situated in Nimes, a historical Roman city, in the south of France.[2]

As a mobile infantry regiment, the 2ème REI may undertake any mission being allocated to. The Regiment has responsibility for field testing new equipment for the French Army as a whole.[3]

History, creation and different nominations

Royal Foreign Regiments

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

Foreign Legion since 1831

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

2nd Regiment of the 1st Foreign Legion in 1855

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

  • On April 3, 1841; the 2nd Regiment of the Foreign Legion (2ème R.L.E) was created at Bône and commanded by Colonel Sinelhes,[4] constituted of 2240 legionnaires and organized in 3 battalions stationed in Bone, Bougie and Djidjelli respectively starting from 1842.[4]
  • From 1841 to 1857 : the 2nd Regiment (2ème R.L.E) participated at the conquest and campaigns of Algeria.[4]
  • From 1854 to 1855 : the 2nd Regiment (2ème R.L.E) took part in the Crimean War in the Battle of Alma and the Siege of Sevastopol.[4]
  • On January 17, 1855: the 2nd Regiment (2ème R.L.E) became the 2nd Regiment of the 1st Foreign Legion (2èmeR.1èreL.E)[4][5]

2nd Foreign Regiment in 1856

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

Foreign Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment in 1862

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

Each year, the French Foreign Legion commemorates and celebrates Camarón in its headquarters in Aubagne and Bastille Day military parade in Paris; featuring the Pionniers leading and opening the way.

Foreign Legion of the 1st Foreign Regiment in 1875

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

Sudan Campaign and Dahomey Expedition

Creation of the Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment in 1907

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

  • On August 29, 1907; the Marching Regiment (R.M) was created from the 2nd Foreign Regiment (2ème R.E) in Morocco.[4]

Pacification of Algeria

From 1841–1907 legionnaires from the 2nd Regiment where deployed in Algeria. In the early twentieth century, France faced numerous incidents, attacks and looting by uncontrolled armed groups, in the newly occupied areas in the south of Oran (Algeria). Under the command of General Lyautey, the French army's mission was to protect these areas newly controlled in the west of Algeria, near the poorly defined Moroccan boundaries.

This loose boundary, between French Algeria and the Sultanate of Morocco, promotes incursions and attacks perpetrated by Moroccan tribesmen.

On 17 August 1903, the first battle of the South-Oranese campaign took place in Taghit, where French Foreign legionnaires were assailed by a contingent of more than 1,000 well-equipped Berbers. For 3 days, the legionnaires repelled repeated attacks of an enemy more than 10 times higher in number, and inflicted huge losses on the attackers, forcing them finally into a hasty retreat.

A few months after the Battle of Taghit, 148 legionnaires of the 22nd mounted company, from the 2ème REI, commanded by Captain Vauchez and Lieutenant Selchauhansen, 20 Spahis and two Mokhaznis were escorting a supply convoy, when they were ambushed at 9:30 am on 2 September by 3,000 Moroccans marauders. The half-company had halted to eat, no sentries had been posted and only a few cavalry pickets had been placed.

The first volleys wounded or killed half of the detachment. Both officers and most of the non-commissioned officers were killed in the first stage of the fight. At 10:30 am, Quartermaster Sergeant (sergent-fourrier) Tisserand, who commanded the survivors, sent two spahi cavalrymen to Taghit for reinforcements. They immediately left.

About forty survivors of the French force gathered on a nearby hill and under a scorching sun, on hot sand and without water, fought off the enemy for more than eight hours. Near the end of the battle, Tisserand, wounded, gave over command to Corporal Detz; the highest ranked man still able. At 5 pm, they were relieved by Captain de Sulbielle, who rode from Taghit with his Spahis. At the sight of the approaching French cavalry, the Moroccans retreated in small groups.

  • On November 1908; the Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment (R.M.2èmeR.E) was dissolved .[4]

2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment in 1922

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

  • In 1922, the 2nd Foreign Regiment (2èmeR.E) became the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2èmeR.E.I).[4]
  • On April 1, 1943 during World War II; the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment was dissolved and its components were transferred to the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion, (R.M.L.E) from 1943-1945.[4]

Far East Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion in 1945

  • On August 1, 1945; the Far East Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E/E.O) was formed ("Régiment de marche de la Légion Etrangère d'Extrême-Orient (RMLE/EO").[4]

2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment in 1946

  • On January 1, 1946; the regiment was renamed the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2èmeR.E.I).[4]
  • From 1946 to 1945 : the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment took part in the First Indochina War and receives 9 citations at the orders of the armed forces.[4]
File:Insigne du 2° REI - Type 1.JPG
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2ème REI) during the Dien Bien Phu order of battle
  • From 1955 to 1956 : the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment rejoined Tunisia, then Morocco.[4]
  • From 1956 to 1962 : the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment participated in combat operations during the Algerian War.[4]
  • From 1962 to 1967 : the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment was placed at the disposition of central command of military sites in the Sahara.[4]
  • On January 1, 1968; the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment was dissolved.[4]

2nd Foreign Regiment in 1972

  • On September 1, 1972; the recreation of the 2nd Foreign Regiment took place in Corsica.[4] While in Corsica the regiment was garrisoned in Corte (basic training unit) and Bonifacio.

2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment in 1980

  • On July 1, 1980; the 2nd Foreign Regiment became the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment.[4]
  • From 1982 to 1984 : the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment filled the ranks of the Multinational Force in Lebanon. During the deployment of the regiment to Lebanon in 1983; the men took part in several training and combat peacekeeping missions while also finding out that they will not be seeing Corsica again and will return to Nîmes, the new garrison of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment as of November 11 1983, while the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment 2ème REP, housed Calvi.[4]
  • In 1986, elements of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment were deployed to Chad as part of Operation Sparrowhawk (Opération Epervier).[6]
  • The regiment has also participated in several recent conflicts, most notably in the Gulf War (1991), in Bosnia, Chad and other parts of Africa.[2]
  • Since 2001, the regiment took part in the global War on Terror. In 2006, the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment deployed as part of the French contingent of the ISAF.[6]

Organization

The regiment is composed of around 1230 men organised into 10 companies, thus making it the largest regiment of the Foreign Legion and one of the largest around the ensemble of infantry regiments forming the French Army.[1]

  • Compagnie de Commandement et de Logistique (CCL) – Command and Logistics Company
  • Compagnie d'Administration et de Soutien (CAS) – Administrative and Support Company
  • 1re Compagnie de Combat (1re Cie) – 1st Combat Company (4 combat sections)
  • 2ème Compagnie de Combat (2e Cie) – 2nd Combat Company (4 combat sections)
  • 3ème Compagnie de Combat (3e Cie) – 3rd Combat Company (4 combat sections)
  • 4ème Compagnie de Combat (4e Cie) – 4th Combat Company (4 combat sections)
  • 5ème Compagnie de Combat (5e Cie) – 5th Combat Company (4 combat sections)[7]
  • Compagnie Antichar (CAC) – Anti-Tank Company (4 sections)
  • Compagnie d'Eclairage et d'Appui (CEA) – Reconnaissance and Support Company (3 sections)
    • Section de reconnaissance régimentaire (SRR) – Regimental Recce Section (VBL)
    • Section antichars (SAC) – Anti-Tank Section (Milan)
    • Section de tireurs d'élite (STE)Sniper Section (PGM 12.7mm)
  • 8ème Compagnie de reserve (8e Cie) – 8th Reserve Company

Traditions

Insignias

Regimental Colors

Regimental Colors of the 2nd REI with Honneur et Fidélité.
File:Drapeau 2REI recto.jpg
Recto of Regimental Colors

Regimental Song

Chant de Marche : Anne-Marie du 2ème REI in the German language featuring:[8]


-I-
 Anne-Marie, wo geht die Reise in,
 Anne-Marie, wo geht die Reise in,
 Sie geht in’s Städtelein
 Wo die Soldaten sein.
 Ein, zwei, drei
 Junge, junge, junge Anne-Marie

 -II-
 Anne-Marie, heute wollen wir lustig sein,
 Anne-Marie, heute wollen wir lustig sein,
 Wir wollen tanzen gehen
 Und uns im Kreise drehen.
 Ein, zwei, drei
 Junge, junge, junge Anne-Marie.

Decorations

The standard and regimental colors of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment is heir to 28 citations at the orders of the armed forces.[4]

Personnels of the regiment are authorized to wear the fourragère with colors of the Croix de guerre des Théâtres d'Opérations Extérieurs.

Honours

Battle Honours

In the 19th century, the colors of the 2nd Foreign Regiment were inscribed with the following battles and campaigns:

Regimental Annual Celebration

The annual celebration of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment is the second Campaign of Madagascar, which took place on September 2, 1903. The regiment honors that day with a parade commemorating and presenting hommage to the old combatants and anciens.

Regimental Commanders

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

File:Drapeau 2REI Maison Carree.jpg
Regimental Colors of the 2ème Étranger on the best preserved Roman temple, the Maison Carrée.

2nd Foreign Legion Regiment Tenure
2e Régiment Etranger de la Légion étrangère(2èmeR.E.L.E)
Tenure ( 1841 - 1855 )[11]

  • 1841 - 1843 : Caries de Senilhes
  • 1843 - 1844 : Patrice de Mac-Mahon
  • 1844 - 1848 : Caries de Senilhes
  • 1848  : François Certain Canrobert
  • 1848  : de Noue
  • 1848 - 1851 : Jean-Luc Carbuccia
  • 1851  : Cœur
  • 1851 - 1855 : de Caprez
  • 1855  : Marie Louis Henry de Granet-Lacroix de Chabrières

2nd Foreign Regiment Tenure
2e Régiment Etrangère(2ème R.E.)
Tenure ( 1856 - 1875 )

  • 1856 - 1859 : Marie Louis Henry de Granet-Lacroix de Chabrières
  • 1859  : Signorino
  • 1859 - 1862 : Mathieu Butet
  • 1862  : Pierre Joseph Jeanningros
  • 1862-1866  : Pierre Joseph Jeanningros
  • 1866-1867  : Guilhem
  • 1867-1870  : Deplanque
  • 1870-1875  : de Mallaret

Foreign Legion Tenure
Légion Etrangère(L.E.)
Tenure ( 1875 - 1884 )

2nd Foreign Regiment Tenure
2e Régiment étrangère(2ème R.E)
Tenure ( 1885 - 1922 )

  • 1885 - 1886 : Hugot
  • 1886 - 1888 : Letellier
  • 1888 - 1889 : Vincent
  • 1889 - 1893 : Octave Gustave Adolphe Gillet
  • 1893 - 1895 : Oudri
  • 1895 - 1896 : Gosse Dubois
  • 1896 - 1900 : Béranger
  • 1900 - 1902 : Bruneau
  • 1902 - 1906 : Desorthes
  • 1906 - 1908 : Schlumberger
  • 1908  : Branlière
  • 1908  : Alix
  • 1908 - 1911 : Jean-Marie Brulard
  • 1911 - 1914 : Passar
  • 1914 - 1915 : Bourgeois
  • 1915  : Plande
  • 1915  : Arque
  • 1915-1916  : Deville
  • 1916-1917  : Donneve
  • 1917  : Chartier
  • 1917-1918  : Arrieu
  • 1918-1920  : Hottenger
  • 1920-1922  : Martin

1st Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment Tenure
1er Régiment de Marche du 2e Régiment Etranger (1er R.M.2èmeR.E)
Tenure( 1907 - 1918)

  • 1907  : Brulard
  • 1908 - 1909 : Szarvas
  • 1909 - 1912 : Forey
  • 1912 - 1913 : Vandenberg
  • 1913 - 1914 : Girodon
  • 1915 - 1916 : Crobière
  • 1916  : Theveney
  • 1916 - 1917 : Tisseyre

2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment Tenure
2e Régiment de Marche du 2e Régiment Etranger (2èmeR.M.2èmeR.E)
Tenure ( 1914 - 1915 )

  • 1914  : Passard
  • 1914 - 1915 : Lecomte-Denis
  • 1915  : de Lavenne de Choulot

2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment Tenure
2e Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie(2èmeR.E.I)
Tenure ( 1922 - 1968 )

  • 1922 - 1923 : Martin
  • 1924 - 1925 : Marty
  • 1926 - 1928 : Genmeau
  • 1928 - 1930 : Debas
  • 1930 - 1934 : Richert
  • 1934 - 1938 : Gerard
  • 1938 - 1940 : Girard
  • 1940 - 1943 : Flan
  • 1945 - 1947 : Lorillot
  • 1947 - 1948 : Courcelle-Labrousse
  • 1948  : Nicolas
  • 1949  : Doynel de la Sausserie
  • 1949 - 1950 : Thevenot
  • 1950 - 1951 : Pelletrat de Borde
  • 1951 - 1953 : Daigny
  • 1953 - 1956 : Jacquot
  • 1956 - 1958 : Goujon
  • 1958 - 1959 : Thevenon
  • 1959 - 1961 : de Seze
  • 1961 - 1963 : Romet
  • 1963 - 1965 : André Le Vert
  • 1965 - 1967 : Kopf
  • 1967 - 1968 : de Monferrand

2nd Foreign Regiment Tenure
2e Régiment Etrangère(2èmeR.E)
Tenure( 1972 - 1980 )

  • 1972 - 1974 : Servanckx
  • 1974 - 1976 : Gilbert
  • 1976 - 1978 : Mougin
  • 1978 - 1980 : Liege
  • 1980  : de Montlebert

2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment Tenure
2e Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie (2èmeR.E.I) Tenure( 1980–present )

  • 1980 - 1982 : de Montlebert
  • 1982 - 1984 : de Lajudie
  • 1984 - 1986 : François
  • 1986 - 1988 : Laffly
  • 1988 - 1990 : Soubirou
  • 1990 - 1992 : Derville
  • 1992 - 1994 : Emmanuel de Richoufftz de Manin
  • 1994 - 1996 : Antoine Lecerf
  • 1994 - 1996 : Verna
  • 1998 - 2000 : Bontoux
  • 2000 - 2002 : Bras
  • 2002 - 2004 : Margail
  • 2004 - 2006 : de Reviers de Mauny
  • 2006 - 2008 : Gillet
  • 2008 - 2010 : Durieux
  • 2010 - 2012 : Fouilland
  • 2012 - 2014 : Ozanne
  • 2014 -  : Putz

2nd Foreign Gallery

19 century


20th century

Alliances

See also

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. 2.0 2.1 http://le.cos.free.fr/2rei.htm
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33 4.34 4.35 4.36 4.37 4.38 Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, Historique du 2 REI, La Creation (Creation)
  5. [1] Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment, 2nd Foreign Regiment Timeline Formation
  6. 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, Historique du 2REI, Le chant du 2ème REI
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, Historique du 2e REI, Le drapeau du 2ème REI
  10. "Édition Chronologique n° 45 du 29 octobre 2010".Le Ministère de la Défense instruction n°1515/DEF/EMA/OL/2 du 23 septembre 1983, modifiée, sur les filiations et l'héritage des traditions des unités; décision n°010318/DEF/CAB/SDBG/CPAG du 15 juillet 2008 portant création d'une commission des emblèmes. Art 1er. L'inscription "Koweït 1990-1991" est attribuée aux drapeaux et étendards des formations des armées énumérées ci-dessous. 2e R.E.I, 1er R.E.C, 6e R.E.G, 3e R.I.Ma, 1er R.P.I.Ma, 11e R.A.Ma, 4e Régiment de dragon, 1er Régiment de Spahis, 6e Régiment de Commandement et de Soutien, 1er R.H.C, 3e R.H.C, puis les formations de l'Armée de l'Air les 5e, 7e, 11e escadre de chasse, la 33e escadre de reconnaissance et les 61e et 64e escadre de transport. Le présent arrêté sera publié au bulletin officiel des armées, Hervé Morin.
  11. Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, Le Chef de corps, Les anciens chef de corps

References

  • Porch, Douglas. The French Foreign Legion. Harper Collins, New York, 1991. ISBN 978-0-06-092308-2
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links