4th Foreign Regiment (France) explained

Unit Name:4th Foreign Regiment
Native Name:4e régiment étranger
Dates:1920–1940
1941–1943
1948–1963
1976 – Present
Country: France
Branch: French Army
Role:Instruction command
Recruit induction & Training
Command Structure:Foreign Legion Command
Garrison:Quartier Captaine Danjou, Castelnaudary, Aude, France
Nickname:Creuset de la Légion (Crucible of the Legion)
Colors:Green & Red
Battles:Rif War (1924–1934)
Syrian Revolution (1921–1926)
Second World War
* Tunisia Campaign (1943)
Malagasy Uprising (1947–1951)
First Indochina War (1949)
Algerian War (1955–1964)
Battles Label:Battles/Wars
Decorations:Croix de guerre (1939-1945) w/ Palm
Website:Official Website
Identification Symbol Label:Beret insignia of the 4th Foreign Regiment
Identification Symbol 2:4e RE
Identification Symbol 2 Label:Abbreviation

The 4th Foreign Regiment (fr|4<sup>e</sup> Régiment étranger, 4<sup>e</sup> RE) is a training regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. Prior to assuming the main responsibility of training Legion recruits, it was an infantry unit which participated in campaigns in Morocco, Levant, French Indochina, and Algeria.[1]

History, creation and different designations

Created in November 1920 in Marrakesh, Morocco, the 4th Foreign Regiment became the 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment in 1922.[2] Following its formation, the regiment was engaged in campaigns in Morocco in the Rif War between 1920 and 1934.[2] The 4th and 5th battalions saw active service in the Levant between 1921 and 1926.[2]

World War II

Dissolved in November 1940 to allow the creation of the 11th Foreign Infantry Regiment, 12th Foreign Infantry Regiment and then the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion, the 4th Foreign Regiment was recreated in 1941 under the designation of 4th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion.[2] The regiment participated in 1943 in the Tunisian campaign, seeing combat in the Zaghouan Mountain (or djebel).[2] The regiment was again dissolved in June 1943, and its personnel were transferred to the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E.), which experienced heavy combat during the campaigns of France and Germany.[2]

Far East and North Africa

The 4th Foreign Regiment was recreated in 1946. Battalions saw active service in Madagascar between 1947 and 1951. In the Far East, the 2nd and 5th battalions served as a single unit before being broken up to reinforce other regiments.[2] Again dissolved in 1951, the <<4th>> was recreated in Morocco in March 1955, before being engaged in combat in Algeria between 1957 and 1962.[2]

In July 1962, the 4th Foreign Regiment was redeployed to Reggane in southern Algeria, tasked with guarding the oil fields and French nuclear facilities in the region.Subsequently the 4th Foreign Regiment was disbanded and its subordinate units incorporated into the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment. In October 1976 the Foreign Legion established a new Instruction Regiment (Regiment d'Instruction) at Castelnaudary by divesting the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment's Instruction Group (Groupement d' Instruction).

Regiment of Instruction

On September 1, 1977, the regimental colors of the 4e Etranger were entrusted to the Instruction Regiment of the Foreign Legion which had taken up garrison duties at Castelnaudary, a year earlier.[2] On June 1, 1980, the unit was redesignated as the 4th Foreign Regiment.[2]

Present role

Now based at Castelnaudary for more than 30 years, first at the Lapasset barracks then at the Danjou barracks, the regiment has trained multinational cadres, specialists and foreign volunteer recruits. The training cadre comprises about 44 officers, 170 warrant officers and non-commissioned officers, and 358 enlisted personnel.[2]

Campaigns

Companies

The Regiment consists of six companies:

The regimental headquarters company which also has integrated logistical capabilities. This company has several subordinate administrative units such as the Office of Maintenance and Logistics, the Office of Job Training (Bureaux Instruction Empoi), and the Directorate of Human Resources (Direction des Ressources Humaines).[3]

Responsible for performing recruit basic training. The regiment has three such companies.

Conducts all NCO education and professional development courses.[4]

Conducts training courses in administrative and technical skill. This company teaches over forty courses a year ranging from three to fifteen weeks each.[5]

Traditions

See main article: Foreign Legion Command.

Regimental Colors

Inscribed on the regimental colors of the 4th Foreign Regiment are the motto of the Foreign Legion:

"Honneur et Fidélité"[6]

Code of Honour

Regimental Song

Chant de Marche : C'est le 4 en chantant featuring:

À travers pierres et dunes,S'en vont les képis blancs.Sous le soleil, clair de lune,Nous marchons en chantant.Vers Bechar ou vers Casa,Dans toutes les direction,Nous repartons au combat,Pour la gloire de la Légion.

C'est le 4 en chantant qui s'avance,Qui s'avance, laissez-le passer.

Sur les pistes des Corbières,Nous partons en mission.Une colonne de bérêts verts,S'en va à l'instruction.Vers la Jasse ou vers Bel-Air,Dans toutes les directions,Devenir légionnaire,C'est notre seule ambition.

Honors

Battle Honors

Regimental and Demi-Brigade Commanders

See main article: Foreign Legion Command and Honneur et Fidélité.

valign=top 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment Tenure (1920-1940)[8]
4ème Regiment Etranger d'Infanterie,(4e R.E.I)
  • 1920 - 1926 : colonel Maurel
  • 1927 - 1927 : colonel Pourailly (January to May)
  • 1927 - 1928 : colonel Poupillier
  • 1928 - 1932 : colonel Mathieu
  • 1933 - 1936 : colonel Conte
  • 1936 - 1940 : lieutenant-colonel Lorillard
  • 1940 - 1940 : lieutenant-colonel Genits

4th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion
4 ème Demi-Brigade de La Légion Etrangère,(4e D.B.L.E)

  • 1941 - 1941 : Lieutenant-colonel Bouty (August - September)
  • 1941 - 1943 : Lieutenant-colonel Gentis

1st Foreign Motorized Infantry Regiment
1er Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie Motorisé(1er R.E.I.M)

  • 1943 - 1943: Lieutenant-colonel Gentis (March to June)
valign=top 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment (Morocco) - 4th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion
4ème Regiment Etranger d'Infanterie (Maroc) - 4ème Demi-Brigade de La Légion Etrangère
(4ème R.E.I. (Maroc) - 4ème D.B.L.E. (Maroc))
  • 1946 - 1948 : Lieutenant-colonel Laparra
  • 1948 - 1951 : Lieutenant-colonel Gabriel Bablon
  • 1951 - 1951 : Lieutenant-colonel Sourd (March to May)

2/4 D.B.L.E. - 4/4 R.E.I. (Madagascar)

  • 1947 - 1949 : battalion commander Perin
  • 1949 - 1950 : battalion commander Brinon
  • 1950 - 1951 : lieutenant colonel Royer

1/4 R.E.I.

  • 1951 - 1952 : battalion commander Gaucher
  • 1951 - 1954 : battalion commander Pfirmann
  • 1954 - 1954 : battalion commander Dubos (January to June)
  • 1954 - 1955 : battalion commander Hauteclocque
valign=top 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment Tenure (1955-1964)
4ème Regiment Etranger d'Infanterie,(4e R.E.I)
  • 1955 - 1957 : colonel Borreil
  • 1957 - 1959 : colonel Lemeunier
  • 1959 - 1961 : lieutenant-colonel Georgeon
  • 1961 - 1962 : lieutenant-colonel Vadot
  • 1962 - 1964 : lieutenant-colonel Brule

Instruction Regiment of the Foreign Legion
Régiment d’Instruction de La Légion Etrangère (R.I.L.E)

  • 1977 - 1979 : lieutenant-colonel Forcin
  • 1979 - 1980 : lieutenant-colonel Jean

4th Foreign Regiment Tenure (1980–present)
4e régiment étranger,(4e R.E.)

  • 1980 - 1981 : colonel Jean
  • 1981 - 1983 : colonel Latournerie
valign=top
  • 1985 - 1987 : colonel kreher
  • 1987 - 1989 : colonel Seignez
  • 1989 - 1991 : colonel Bernard Grail
  • 1991 - 1993 : colonel Dureau
  • 1993 - 1995 : colonel Pinard Legry
  • 1995 - 1997 : colonel Buffeteau
  • 1997 - 1999 : colonel Pichot de Champfleury
  • 1999 - 2001 : colonel Barbaud
  • 2001 - 2003 : colonel Thiebault
  • 2003 - 2005 : colonel Kotchine
  • 2005 - 2007 : colonel Roqueplo
  • 2007 - 2009 : colonel Pau
  • 2009 - 2011 : colonel Mistral
  • 2011 - 2013 : colonel Talbourdel
  • 2013 - 2015 : colonel Lobel
  • 2015 - 2017 : Lieutenant-colonel Dufour
  • 2017 - 20** : Lieutenant-colonel de ROFFIGNAC

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Un régiment aux racines profondes et multiples . 2017-12-03 . 2017-12-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171203154341/http://4re.legion-etrangere.com/mdl/info_seul.php?id=39&block=17&titre=Un-regiment-aux-racines . dead .
  2. http://4re.legion-etrangere.com/mdl/info_seul.php?id=39&idA=51&block=17&idA_SM=0&titre=un-regiment-aux-racines
  3. Web site: Compagnie de commandement et de service. 22 May 2010. 22 January 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100122054952/http://4re.legion-etrangere.com/fr/cie/ccs.php. dead.
  4. Web site: Compagnie d'instruction des cadres. Legion Etrangere. 22 June 2010. 30 May 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120530051049/http://4re.legion-etrangere.com/modules/info_seul.php?id=51&idA=27&idA_SM=23%2F. dead.
  5. Web site: Compagnie d'instruction des spécialistes. Legion Etrangere. 22 June 2010. fr. 30 May 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120530051335/http://4re.legion-etrangere.com/modules/info_seul.php?id=52&idA=28&idA_SM=23%2F. dead.
  6. http://4re.legion-etrangere.com/mdl/info_seul.php?id=40&idA=52&block=17&idA_SM=0&titre=le-drapeau
  7. http://4re.legion-etrangere.com/mdl/info_seul.php?id=44&idA=20&block=17&idA_SM=0&titre=code-d-honneur
  8. http://4re.legion-etrangere.com/mdl/info_liste.php?article_theme=31&idA=46&block=15&idA_SM=0&titre=anciens-chefs-de-corps

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