3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment

3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e Régiment étranger d'infanterie)
Regimental badge of 3e REI
Active	11 November 1915 - present
Country	France
Allegiance	French Foreign Legion
Branch	French Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Light Infantry Jungle Warfare Security assistance Counter-drug operations
Size	675 men
Garrison/HQ	Kourou, French Guiana
Colors	Green & Red
March	Anne-Marie du 3e Etranger
Engagements	World War I World War II First Indochina War *Battle of Route Coloniale 4 *Battle of Na San *Battle of Dien Bien Phu Algerian War
Commanders
Current commander	Jérôme Ransan
Notable commanders	Général Rollet (RMLE) André Lalande Antoine Mattei
Insignia
Beret badge of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment
Abbreviation	3e REI

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.

The 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (French: 3e Régiment étranger d'infanterie, 3e REI) is an infantry regiment of the French Foreign Legion. The regiment is stationed in French Guiana, protecting the Centre Spatial Guyanais.

History, creation and different nominations

Main articles: Foreign Legion Command, 1st Foreign Regiment, and 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment

• On November 11, 1915; the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E) is created from the veterans of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Marching Regiments of the 1st Foreign Regiment, R.M.1eR.E, (Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment) and from the fr, 2.R.M.2e.R.E ( 2nd Foreign Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment).
• On November 15, 1920; the (R.M.L.E) becomes by name change the 3rd Foreign Regiment (3e R.E).
• On June 20, 1922; the 3rd Foreign Regiment becomes the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e R.E.I).
• On December 5, 1942; a Foreign Legion Colonial Infantry Dem-Brigade (D.B.I.C.L.E) is created from the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e R.E.I). On December 15, the colonial infantry demi-brigade becomes the 3rd Foreign Marching Infantry Regiment,3e Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie de Marche (3e R.E.I.M).
• On July 1, 1943; the 3e R.E.I.M becomes again the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E)
• On July 1, 1945; at the end of the World War II, the (R.M.L.E) is redisganted as the 3e R.E.I.
• On April 1, 1948; a foreign parachute company is formed and designated as the Parachute Company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment.

Campaigns since 1915

Main articles: French Foreign Legion and Foreign Legion Command

1915-1945

World War I (1914-1918)

Main article: World War I

Most decorated regiment in the Foreign Legion, the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e R.E.I) is heir to the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E) created in 1915. The R.M.L.E distinguishes itself during the take of de Belly-en-Santerre, on July 4, 1916, then finds glory September 14, 1918 during the piercing of the Hidenberg Line, under orders of regimental command Lieutenant-Colonel Rollet, <<The Father of the Legion>>. With 9 citations earned at the orders of the armed forces during the World War I, the R.M.L.E obtains the double fourragère with ruban colors of the Legion of Honour and the Croix de guerre 1914-1918.

World War II (1939-1945)

Main article: World War II

The R.M.L.E joins Morocco in 1920, where nominated for the first time as 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment, the regiment takes part in the combat in the Rif and the pacification of the country. In 1943, the R.M.L.Eis reformed and combat engages the German forces at Mansour mountain, in Tunisia, before participating to the campaign of France from 1944 to 1945 at within the ranks of the 5th Armored Division. The regiment reaches the Rhinm, conquers Stuttgart, makes way to Austria during the moment of the armistice. With three new citations, the regiment obtains a fourragère with ruban colors of the Croix de guerre 1939-1945, materialised by olive on the double fourragère obtained during the first World War. The R.M.L.E is also decorated by the " United Distinguished Badge U.S. " with inscription " Rhine-Bavarian Alps ".

The Legion records that 42,883 men served on the western front in the Marching Regiments of the 1st and 2nd Foreign Regiment of the R.M.L.E. It suffered 5,172 killed in action and around 25,000 wounded or missing, a total of 70% casualties over the course of the war. When the war ended it was the second most decorated regiment in the French Army.

1945- 1973

Main article: List of French paratrooper units

Following World War II, the R.M.L.E returns to Morocco and retakes the denomination of 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment. Nevertheless, idle time is short termed and the regiment rejoins Indochina as of December 1945. The regiment takes positions around the routes coloniales 3 and 4. Ambushes, base and convoy attacks succeed. In 1948, the first known legionnaires parachute unit is founded; mainly the Parachute Company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment, before being dissolved one year later at the corps of the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion.

Combats intensify. On July 25, 1948; the battle of Phu Tong Hoa takes place. The combat company of Captain Cardinal resists heroically and holds the line for 9 hours against non-stop assaults of the Viet Minh. In 1950, battalion commander Forget and behind him following the total of the 3rd battalion disappear at Cao Bang and on route colonial 4 in traditional Foreign Legion battlefield. Nevertheless, the regiment is still found combatting at Dong Khe, Bac Khan and Dien Bien Phu in 1954. The regiment loses the equivalent of 5 battalions in Indochina. With four new citations, the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment obtains a fourragère with ruban colors of the Médaille militaire, with one olive at the colors of the ruban of the Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures.

On December 1954, the regiment is disembarked at Bône in Algeria. The regiment is put in charge of the difficult sector of Aures Nementchas. Following the departure of the 3rd battalion for Madagascar, in 1957, the regiment intervenes specially in the north contantinois and along the Tunisian barrage. In 1962, the regiment takes base in Madagascar, at Diego Suarez, where the regiment proves adaptation capacity of tropical surroundings.

1973 - Present

On September 11, 1973, the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment takes garrison at Kourou in Guyana. In a fast tempo, the regiment marks the territory, takes charge and pierces the route towards the east which is supposed to link Cayenne to the Brazilian frontier while investing time operations around the Guiana Space Centre, work for which the regiment received the vermeil medal from the National Centre for Space Studies.

The Jungle Training Center, (C.E.F.E) sees daylight in 1986 at Régina, near the Approuague, which becomes the French reference in material of survival and jungle tropical forest combats. 35,000 jungle-brevets were issued by the C.E.F.E since creation.

The organization of the regiment witnessed several modifications during that time. In 1986, the equipment and materials company is dissolved and is replaced by a reconnaissance company. In 1998, the 3rd combat company is replaced by a rotating combat company, also dissolved in 2003 for two proterre units, before being recreated permanently in 2010, in order to give way in response to the various accelerations of mission rhythms.

In 2004, the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment engages in Operation Carbet, in Haiti. In 2008, the president of the republic launches Operation Harpie, with point to combat jungle clandestine terrorism and illegal activities. This mission becomes permanent and is also reinforced in 2010. The regiment is mainly in charge of sector Oyapock, at the Brazilian frontier, while supporting forces of the gendarmerie. At end of 2011 would take place a Soyuz rocket launch, which the regiment would ensure the protection around.

3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (1915–present)

Since creation of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 7,216 Legionniares have died for France. In 2013, the regiment celebrated the passing of 40 years in Guyana, where 50 legionnaires have thus far lost their lives.

Missions

Main article: Foreign Legion Command

Operation Titan

The mission of the regiment revolves around the protection of the Guiana Space Centre (French: Centre Spatial Guyanais, CSG). Prior and before each planetary space launch, under a prefectoral requisition at the corps of an inter-armed contingent, the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment conducts search reconnaissance patrols in the exterior zones around the launching area in order to prevent any compromising intrusion. Each space launch requires the prevention deployment of 3 combat companies. Simultaneously, the regiment also ensures the defense of sensitive low altitude and very lower altitude installations in relation to the launch site. End of 2011, the Guiana Space Center, integrated the Soyouz and Vega launchers, to which the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment would ensure the usual front line protection.

Operation Harpie

Initiated in 2008 and reinforced in 2010, Harpie is an interministerial operation of significant magnitude aimed to fight against jungle terrorism and illegal clandestine mining activities. The 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment, intervenes under prefectoral requisistion in support of forces of the gendarmerie. Launching operations from Saint-Georges and Camopi on the Oyapock, combat sections conduct jungle patrol warfare intervention oeprations that last from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. These clandestine jungle operations require specific operational preparations and perfect savoire-fair and connaissance around the equatorial jungle forests. The success of the regiment in fighting jungle clandestine terrorism is measured by prevention operations capabilities.

Instruction and training to life and combat in the Jungle

Centre d'entraînement en forêt équatoriale (C.E.F.E)

Situated in Regina, on the shores of the approuague, in an exceptional environment, the Jungle Training Center (French: Centre d'entraînement en forêt équatoriale, 'C.E.F.E) is the French reference of equatorial forest domain, and one of the 4 "jungle instrcution centers" internationally recognized. The mission of the C.E.F.E is to train, teach, and combat ready French and foreign units who participate in various instructions of combat in the jungle. The C.E.F.E is renowned around the globe to be equipped with highly qualified if not the best jungle warfare senior instructors and aid-moniteur known to man and military training. Created in 1986, the C.E.F.E graduated 35,000 brevet-badges.

A Regional Sea Continental Operational Force

The 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment is projected in the Caribbean South America. The regiment is a prepositionned operational force capable to intervene at any moment in the Caribbean South America zone, such was the case in 2004 during Operation Carbet in Haïti.

Organization

The regiment is composed of around 675 men organised into 5 companies.

• Legion Pionniers Groups
• Compagnie de Commandement et de Soutien (CCS) - Command and Support Company (mixed regular / 4 month tours) including the SAED (Section d'Aide à l'Engagement Débarqué - the Regiment's recon platoon, all regular)
• 2ème Compagnie (2e CIE) - 2nd Infantry Company (an administration and logistic platoon, 3 combat platoons and a support platoon)
• 3ème Compagnie (3e CIE) - 3rd Infantry Company (an administration and logistic platoon, 3 combat platoons and a support platoon) (replaced between 1998-2010 by a 4-month-tour unit, re-created as regular in 2010)
• Compagnie d’Appui (CA) - Support Company (air defense) (on 4-month tours, an administration and logistic platoon, 2 SHORAD platoons)
• Compagnie de Réserve (4e CIE) - Reserve Company (formed in 2010)

Traditions

Insignia

• 

  Regimental Insignia of the 3e REI

• 

  Beret Insignia of the 3e REI

Regimental Song

Chant de Marche : Anne-Marie du 3ème REI in the German language featuring:

Mein Regiment, mein Heimatland
Meine Mutter hab'ich nie gekannt
Mein Vater starb schon fruh im Feld, ja Feld
Ich bin allein auf dieser Welt. (bis)

Anne-Marie, das ist mein Nam'
Den ich vom Regiment bekam
Mein ganzes Leben lasse ich, ja ich
Fur's Bataillon da sterbe ich. (bis)

Wenn's Regiment fruh ausmarschiert
Der Tambur seine Trommel ruhrt
Tausch ich mit keiner Furstin nicht, ja nicht
Sie lebt nicht glucklicher als ich. (bis)

Ein Offizier den mag ich nicht
Weil er den Maedchen viel verspricht
Ein Legionaer nur soll es sein, ja sein
Ihm schenke ich mein Herz allein. (bis)

Refrain
Mein Name ist Anne-Marie
Ein jeder kennt mich schon
Ich bin ja die Tochter vom ganzen
Bataillon

Honours

Battle honours

• Cameróne 1863
• Artois 1915
• Champagne 1915
• Bataille de la Somme 1916
• Les Monts de Verdun 1917
• Picardie-Soissonnais 1918
• Vauxaillon 1918
• Maroc 1921-34
• Djebel Mansour 1943
• Alsace 1944-1945
• Stuttgart 1945
• Indochine 1946-1954
• AFN 1952-1962

Decorations

The 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment is actually as of 2006 in its class and in a single forming the most decorated Foreign Legion Regiment and one of the most decorated regiment in France, along with the Marine Tank Infantry Regiment (RICM).

Regimental colors of the 3e REI are decorated with:

• Knight Cross of the Légion d'honneur
• Médaille militaire
• Croix de guerre 1914-1918 with 9 palms, allowing the double fourragère in colours of Légion d'honneur and croix de guerre.
• Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with 3 palms, allowing the 1939-1945 olive on the aforementioned fourragère.
• Croix de guerre théâtre d'opérations extérieures with 5 palms, allowing the fourragere in colours of medaille militaire with the TOE olive.
• Mérite militaire chérifien (Morocco)
• Ordem Militar da Torre e Espada (Order of the Tower and Sword - Portugal)
• Medalla de les voluntars catalans (Catalonia)
• Presidential Unit Citation with RHINE-BAVARIAN ALPS conferred May 6, 1946 by the United States.
• Médaille de vermeil of the National Centre for Space Studies of Kourou conferred for the first to a military unit.

• 

  Knight Cross of the Legion of Honneur

• 

  Military Medal

• 

  Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 with 9 palms

• 

  fourragère of the 3e REI

• 

  Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 with 3 palms

• 

  Croix de Guerre TOE with 5 palms

• 

  Portuguese Order of the Tower and Sword

• 

  U.S. Army Presidential Unit Citation RHINE-BAVARIAN ALPS

Regimental Annual Celebration

The annual celebration of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment is the piercing of the Hindenburg Line.

Regimental Commanders

Main articles: Foreign Legion Command and Honneur et Fidélité

Period 1915 -1920 : Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion Régiment de marche de la Légion étrangère (R.M.L.E) Period 1920 - 1943 : 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment 3e Régiment étranger d’Infanterie 1920 : lieutenant-colonel Rollet 1925 : lieutenant-colonel François 1926 :lieutenant-colonel Blanc 1928 : colonel Michet de La Baume 1932 : colonel Brillat-Savarin 1936 : colonel Mantoz 1939 : colonel Lales 1941 : colonel Levêque 1942 : lieutenant-colonel Lambert (3e R.E.I.M) Period 1943 -1945 : Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion Régiment de marche de la Légion étrangère (R.M.L.E) 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment 3e Régiment étranger d’Infanterie(3e R.E.I) 1945 : lieutenant-colonel Clément 1945 : colonel Lehur 1947 : lieutenant-colonel Méric 1947 : lieutenant-colonel Royer 1948 : lieutenant-colonel Simon 1949 : colonel Constans 1950 : lieutenant-colonel Jacquot 1951 : colonel Laimay

1953 : colonel Marguet 1953 : lieutenant-colonel de Bruc de Montplaisir 1953 : colonel Lalande 1954 : colonel Raberin 1955 : colonel Thomas 1956 : colonel Gaume 1958 : colonel de Corta 1960 : lieutenant-colonel Torquat de La Coulerie 1960 : colonel Langlois 1962 : lieutenant-colonel Mattei 1964 : lieutenant-colonel Iacconi 1966 : colonel Letestu 1969 : colonel Bramoullé 1971 : colonel Charles-Dominé 1973 : colonel Billot 1975 : colonel Grosjean 1977 : colonel Girard 1979 : colonel Fouques-Duparc 1981 : colonel Gosset 1983 : colonel Guillot 1985 : colonel Piquemal 1987 : lieutenant-colonel Tresti 1989 : colonel Dubos 1991 : colonel Théry 1993 : colonel Serveille 1995 : colonel Lalanne-Berdouticq

1997 : colonel Houdet 1999 : lieutenant-colonel de Guillebon 2001 : lieutenant-colonel de Stabenrath 2003 : colonel Vincent Le Cour-Grandmaison 2005 : colonel Gomart 2007 : colonel Guyot 2009 : colonel de Bourdoncle de Saint-Salvy 2011 : colonel Lardet 2013 : colonel Walter 2015 : colonel Ransan

See also

• 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
• 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment
• 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment
• 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment
• 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment
• 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment
• 4th Foreign Regiment
• 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion
• Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte
• Foreign Legion Recruiting Group
• List of French paratrooper units

References

• www.legion-etrangere.com
• Porch, Douglas. The French Foreign Legion. Harper Collins, New York, 1991. ISBN 978-0-06-092308-2
• Tu Survivras Longtemps, Antoine Mattei

External links

• Official website - 3e Régiment étranger d'infanterie