2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment

2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e régiment étranger d'infanterie)
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	French Foreign Legion
Branch	French Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Mechanized infantry
Size	1230 men
Part of	31e Brigade (1981-1984) 6th Light Armoured Division (1990-1991) 6th Light Armored Brigade (1999-present)
Garrison/HQ	Nîmes, France
Nickname(s)	2e Étranger
Motto(s)	Être prêt ("Be ready")
Colors	Green and Red
March	Anne-Marie du "2"
Mascot(s)	Tapanar (mule)
Anniversaries	Camerone Day (April 30) and El-Moungar day (2 September)
Engagements	Pacification of Algeria Crimean War Second Italian War of Independence French intervention in Mexico Franco-Prussian War Sino-French War Second Franco-Dahomean War Second Madagascar expedition Maroc 1907–1913–1921–1934 World War I Rif War World War II First Indochina War Algerian War Chadian–Libyan conflict Lebanon 1982–1984 Gulf War Yugoslavia Wars Rwandan Civil War War in Afghanistan First Ivorian Civil War Second Ivorian Civil War Northern Mali conflict Central African Republic conflict (2012–present)
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel Valéry PUTZ
Notable commanders	François Certain Canrobert Patrice MacMahon
Insignia
Insignia of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment
Abbreviation	2ème REI

The 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (French: 2^e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie, 2^e 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 2^ème 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

Foreign Legion since 1831

• On March 10, 1831; the French Foreign Legion (L.E) was created.^[4]

2nd Regiment of the 1st Foreign Legion in 1855

• On April 3, 1841; the 2nd Regiment of the Foreign Legion (2^ème 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 (2^ème R.L.E) participated at the conquest and campaigns of Algeria.^[4]
• From 1854 to 1855 : the 2nd Regiment (2^ème 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 (2^ème R.L.E) became the 2nd Regiment of the 1st Foreign Legion (2^èmeR.1^èreL.E)^[4][5]

2nd Foreign Regiment in 1856

• In 1856, the 2nd Regiment became the 2nd Foreign Regiment (2^èmeR.E).^[4]
• In 1859, the 2nd Foreign Regiment took part in the Second Italian War of Independence.^[4]
• On June 4, 1859; Colonel de Chabrière, the regimental commander, was killed in action leading the charge during the Battle of Magenta.^[4]

Foreign Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment in 1862

• In 1862, the 2nd Foreign Regiment became the Foreign Regiment (R.E).^[4]
• From 1863 to 1867 : the Foreign Regiment took part in the French intervention in Mexico.^[4]
• On April 30, 1863; the Foreign Regiment (R.E) took part in the legendary Battle of Camarón where legion officers, Captain Jean Danjou, Sous-Lieutenant Jean Vilain, Sous-Lieutenant Clément Maudet led 62 legionnaires against 800 Mexican cavalry and 2200 Mexican infantry.^[4] When only six of the French-led soldiers remained, and were out of ammunition, a bayonet assault was launched in which three of the legionnaires were killed.

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.

Captain Jean Danjou (Battle of Camarón)

• From 1864 to 1907 : the Foreign Regiment took part in the South-Oranese Campaign.^[4]
• From 1870 to 1871 : the Foreign Regiment took part in the Franco-Prussian War.^[4] Three battalions of the regiment (two battalions from Algeria and one formed in France) participated in the Battles of Orleans, the Battle of Coulmiers and the Battle of Saint Suzanne.^[4] Immediately following the war, the Foreign Regiment was amongst those troops used to suppress the rising of the Paris Commune (May 1871).

Foreign Legion of the 1st Foreign Regiment in 1875

• On April 10, 1875; the 2nd Foreign Regiment became the Foreign Legion (L.E).^[4]
• In 1883, the Foreign Legion took part in the Far East in the Sino-French War, notably during the Capture of Sontay, the Bắc Ninh Campaign, the Siege of Tuyên Quang and the disembarking of Formosa.^[4]
• On January 1, 1885; the Foreign Legion became the 2nd Foreign Regiment.^[4]

Sudan Campaign and Dahomey Expedition

• From 1892 to 1894, the 2nd Foreign Regiment (2^ème R.E) took part in the Sudan Campaign and the Second Franco-Dahomean War.^[4]
• In 1903, the 2nd Foreign Regiment took part in the Battle of El-Moungar.^[4]
• From 1895 to 1905 : the 2nd Foreign Regiment took part in the Campaigns of Madagascar.^[4]
• From 1907 to 1918 : the 2nd Foreign Regiment took part in the Pacification of Morocco; during which combat units of the regiment received 7 citations at the orders of the armed forces.^[4]

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

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

Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion.

• On August 7, 1914 following the outbreak of World War I; the 1st Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment (1er R.M.2^èmeR.E) remained in Morocco with the formed combat company and the 2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment (2^èmeR.M.2^èmeR.E) took arms at the fronts in mainland France; receiving 5 citations at the orders of the armed forces. In September 1915, the 2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment was dissolved and the components were merged with the 2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment to form the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E) created November 11, 1915.^[4] During the interwar period, combat in Morocco persevered from 1919-1934 and the regiment received 7 citations at the orders of the armed forces.^[4]

2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment in 1922

• In 1922, the 2nd Foreign Regiment (2^èmeR.E) became the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2^èmeR.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 (2^èmeR.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]

2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2^ème 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 2^ème 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
• 1^re Compagnie de Combat (1^re Cie) – 1st Combat Company (4 combat sections)
• 2^ème Compagnie de Combat (2^e Cie) – 2nd Combat Company (4 combat sections)
• 3^ème Compagnie de Combat (3^e Cie) – 3rd Combat Company (4 combat sections)
• 4^ème Compagnie de Combat (4^e Cie) – 4th Combat Company (4 combat sections)
• 5^ème Compagnie de Combat (5^e 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)
• 8^ème Compagnie de reserve (8^e Cie) – 8th Reserve Company

Traditions

Insignias

• 

  Regimental Insignia of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 2^ème REI

• 

  Insignia of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 2^ème REI

• 

  The Foreign Legion Groupment, G.L.E in the 31^ème Brigade featuring Poseidon

Regimental Colors

Regimental Colors of the 2nd REI with Honneur et Fidélité.

Recto of Regimental Colors

Regimental Song

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

Decorations

• Croix de guerre des Théatres d'Opérations Extérieures with 3 palms ( First Indochina War 1945 to 1954 and Gulf War 1990 to 1991).^[9]
• Cross for Military Valour with palm Afghanistan.^[9]
• Gold Medal of the City of Milan in recognition for the victors in the battles Magenta and Solférino.^[9]

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.

• 

  Croix de guerre of TOE
• 

  Croix de la Valeur militaire
• 

  Gold Medal of the City of Milan
• 

  Ruban colors of the Croix de guerre des Théâtres d'opérations extérieures

Honours

Battle Honours

• Sevastopol 1855
• Kabilie 1857
• Magenta 1859
• Camerone 1863
• Extreme Orient 1884–1885
• Dahomey 1892
• Madagascar 1898–1905
• Maroc 1907–1913–1921–1934
• Indochine 1946–1954
• AFN 1952–1962
• Koweït 1990–1991^[10]

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

• Constantine, Algeria (1837)
• Mostaganem (1839)
• Mouzaïa (1840)
• Coleah (1841)
• Djidjelli (1842)
• Zaatcha (1849)
• Fedj-Menazel (1851)
• Battle of Alma (1854)

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

Regimental Colors of the 2^ème Étranger on the best preserved Roman temple, the Maison Carrée.

2nd Foreign Gallery

19 century

• 

  Marshal of France, Patrice de MacMahon, Duc de Magenta

• 

  Marshall of France
  François Certain-Canrobert

• 

  général François Oscar de Négrier, 1880

• 

  général Octave Gustave Adolphe Gillet in 1891

20th century

• 

  général Jean Marie Joseph Armand Brulard in 1918

• 

  Général Bruno Dary served in the 2nd Foreign Regiment; 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment in 1980; in Haute-Corse from 1975 to 1977 prior serving in the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment in Haute-Crose

• 

  A Legion honour guard of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment stands at attention as they await the arrival of Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. during Operation Desert Shield.
• 

  Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1 in Operation Desert Shield

• 

  Snipers of the 2REI with PGM Hecate II and FR-F2 in Afghanistan (2005).

• 

  VBL of the 2e REI in Afghanistan

Alliances

•  United Kingdom – The Rifles (Bond of Friendship)

See also

• Swiss Guard
• Honneur et Fidélité
• Pierre Segretain
• Pierre Jeanpierre
• Moroccan Division

Notes

References

• Porch, Douglas. The French Foreign Legion. Harper Collins, New York, 1991. ISBN 978-0-06-092308-2
• Windrow, Martin (1996). French Foreign Legion 1914–1945. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-85532-761-9. 
• Windrow, Martin (1996). French Foreign Legion Since 1945. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-85532-621-3. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2e Régiment étranger d'infanterie.

• Official website
• 2e REI's History (English) - History & images of the 2e REI

Foreign Legion Command French Foreign Legion
Honneur et Fidélité History of the French Foreign Legion Foreign Legion Pioneers (Pionniers) List of French paratrooper units Képi Blanc (publication)
Current Foreign Legion Units	Administrative Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments 1st Foreign Regiment Foreign Legion Command Foreign Legion Recruiting Group Infantry & Parachute Infantry 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte Cavalry 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment Engineer & Parachute Engineer 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment Training 4th Foreign Regiment Jungle Training Center Combat Training Center at Arta Beach
Defunct Foreign Legion Units	Administrative and Training Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments Parachute Parachute Company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion 3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion Foreign Air Supply Company 3rd Foreign Parachute Regiment 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company Infantry 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1st Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment 2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment 3rd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment 4th Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment/Garibaldi Legion 1st Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment 2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment 11th Foreign Infantry Regiment 12th Foreign Infantry Regiment 21st Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers 22nd Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers 23rd Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers Cavalry 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment 97th Reconnaissance Group of the Infantry Division Transport Armored Train of the Foreign Legion Disciplinary Disciplinary Company of the Foreign Regiments in the Far East Foreign Legion Brigades 31st Brigade (France)