The hard truth about the foreign legion by max hastings the. Rollet created the position of inspector of the foreign legion, assumed its duties, and would go on to carry out those duties until 1935. Ever since reading beau geste as a child, ive had a soft spot for french foreign legion stories and this one is fabulous. Conceived in fear and mistrust, this fighting force of unmanageable misfits and deserters survived, thrived and earned its countrys grudging respect. The french foreign legion is a military service branch of the french army established in 1831. He is an associate of the royal historical society and of the foreign legion association of great britain. Throughout the war, foreign volunteers continued to make up a substantial portion of the french foreign legion, most notably central european jews and spanish republicans. Not within the last 20 but you could try legionnaire. He is the author of the highly successful menatarms 300.
Time was, films about the french foreign legion were themselves legion. The book describes the french foreign legion ffl from the very beginning to present day and takes in all the colonial battles in which they fought. The french foreign legion and its most famous us legionnaires. The vineyard where retired french soldiers make wine gastro. A complete history of the legendary fighting force, by douglas porch harpercollins. Conflicts of 18311918, world wars, indochina, algeria etc. Its record in combat is described in detail and the ascetic lifestyle of a legionnaire. He is a series editor at osprey and an authority on the french foreign legion. It may be marked, have identifying markings on it, or show other signs of previous use. Legionnaire by simon murray, 9780891418870, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook. Simon murray wrote an account of his service in his 1978 book legionnaire. Royal foreign legion legion royale etrangere royal foreign legion was established by king louis xviii it absorbed the swiss and recruits from the recently disbanded eight foreign regiments. The french foreign legion was created by louis philippe, the king of france, on 10 march 1831 from the foreign regiments of the kingdom of france. By outlining the legions vicissitudes, victorious campaigns, epic marches, heroic and sometimes hopeless stands, dirtiest combats and dramatic defeats, but also by briefly placing the legion back in the historical background of france, and by describing its development.
The heroic century of the french foreign legion corrects that lack of knowledgeit gives an excellent overview, both factually and, as it were, spiritually. The legion absorbed many refugees who crowded into france as well as unemployed soldiers, such as members of the swiss regiments who had served the unpopular bourbon regime prior to the july revolution of 1830. The french foreign legion by martin windrow books on. Created in france in 1831 and immediately posted to the scorching deserts of algeria, it went on to become a unit renowned for its cruel training regime and its absolute disregard for death in battle. The french foreign legion remains one of the worlds most enigmatic military forces. Having said that,this book is still an interesting read. The foreign legion was founded by king louisphilippe on march 9, 1831, as a military unit to support the conquest of algeria, which the french had invaded the previous year. Regiments of the french foreign legion documentary.
A complete history of the legendary fighting force. How else can one explain the fact that the french foreign legion is. This item shows some wear from consistent use, but remains in good condition and works great. By outlining the legion s vicissitudes, victorious campaigns, epic marches, heroic and sometimes hopeless stands, dirtiest combats and dramatic defeats, but also by briefly placing the legion back in the historical background of france, and by describing its development. I thought it was a good read set in the algerian war and gives some good in sight to the legion. Dec 26, 2019 join the conversation on twitterinstagram. What are some good books about the french foreign legion.
History of thefrench foreign legion reveals the reality behind this compelling unit, from its participation in the conquest of algeria in the 1840s to its role in the war against terrorism today. The french foreign legion is the most famous of the legions, but its not the only one. As an integral part of the french army, the french foreign legion is a professional fighting unit using the same equipment and with the same missions as any other infantry, tank, or engineer unit of the french army. How else can one explain the fact that the french foreign legion is heavily overrecruited.
In an age when most of the worlds armies strive to make military service a less bestial and more enlightened experience than it used to be, the legion still drives its trainees to. History of the pioneers of the french foreign legion in morocco. History of the french foreign legion by david jordan goodreads. The world contains more misfits, sadists, masochists, and people who enjoy fighting than we sometimes like to suppose. French foreign legion french foreign legion history.
Its history in combat is described in full, from its use in the conquest of algeria in the 1840s to its role in the war against terrorism today. French foreign legion archives warfare history network. The foreign legion was loaned by napoleon iii to the crown of mexico for this purpose. The history of the french foreign legion, part iii. Examines the lure of enlistment in the legion and the types of individuals who join. One of maximilian is conditions for the acceptance of the mexican throne was the provision of a corps of 10,000 european soldiers. There were also a large number of legionnaires from germany, and the vichy government would later release 2,000 of them back to the nazis. This book gives the reader a straightforward and continuous survey of the history of the french foreign legion. The french foreign legion reveals the facts and reality behind this compelling unit. The hard truth about the foreign legion by max hastings.
The french foreign legion is a complete, captivating stud. It is no doubt one of the most unique experiences in the world, and i personally. Aug 06, 2018 it is up to you to decide if you want to be part of this great social experiment called the french foreign legion. In this book, acclaimed french army expert martin windrow examines the history and uniforms of the french foreign legion, from its service in the carlist war of 183536 to world war ii and beyond, debunking many of the prevalent myths surrounding this formidable force. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Historian douglas porch chronicles the legions involvement in spain, mexico, indochina, madagascar, wwi, vietnam, and algiers to name a few and delves into the inner workings of legionnaires and their captains. It is up to you to decide if you want to be part of this great social experiment called the french foreign legion. The french foreign legion is a complete, captivating study of the famed fighting force, from its inception in 1831 to modern times. These include some obscure conflicts including dahomey, the rif war and madagascar among others in addition to the better known actions in algeria and morocco. Douglas boyds history of the legion answers that question, with fifteen historic photographs and eleven battlecampaign maps. But in the meantime it can be said that every legionnaire, be he in the jungles of tonkin, or on the boiling sand of the desert, should his time come, will be prepared to face death, either with a smile or a curse on.
The relics from the legions history museum, including the wooden hand of captain jean danjou. Take an inside look into the history of one of the worlds most enigmatic military forces. A true story of the french foreign legion tony sloane. He is the author of various books on military history, including the conquest of the sahara and the french foreign legion. A complete history of the legendary fighting force by douglas porch isbn. The tigers of tonkin the history of the french foreign legion in indochina 18831945. Paul collard has done his homework and it shines through, his knowledge of the legion, their history and ethos, is secondtonone. Historian douglas porch chronicles the legions involvement in. French foreign legion since 1945 and menatarms 322. The legion absorbed many refugees who crowded into france as well as unemployed soldiers, such as members of the swiss regiments who had served the unpopular. Apr 10, 2019 the abc spends a week in corsica with one of only 10 australians serving in the infamous french foreign legion, a legendary fighting force of fugitives and misfits lured by regular pay and the. Wrens 1924 romantic novel, beau geste, unleashed a sandstorm of popular legioninspired celluloid.
Filmmakers have since released at least four movies directly based on the novel, with stars ranging from ronald colman to gary cooper and telly savalas, while scores. It can be used as a stepping stone to books,that cover all aspects of the legion in more depth. He deserts in djibouti, according to his book and is then caught by bounty. Founded in 1831 to fight frances colonial wars without spilling french blood, this mysterious army is today a worldclass fighting force. The inside story of the worldfamous fighting force by john robert young and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Historian douglas porch chronicles the legion s involvement in spain, mexico, indochina, madagascar, wwi, vietnam, and algiers to name a few and delves into the inner workings of legionnaires and their captains. Using an aggressive and arduous training program, the french foreign legion has turned itself into one of the worlds elite forces, a status it has continually maintained in battles of extraordinary courage and bloodshed. It has blended into the background, camouflaged by the military multitude hopping aboard its historical bandwagon. History of the french foreign legion david jordan on.
Article vii of the french foreign legions code of honor, which is a hint at the bottles unlikely provenance. The foreign legions history spans across conquest of algeria, the francoprussian war, numerous colonial exploits, both world wars, the first indochina war, and the algerian war. The creation of the second mexican empire was the impetus for an expansion of the french foreign legion. In july 2019, a new book dedicated to the french foreign legion and its history was released. For most of its history, the legion also maintained the exceptional status of. The spanish used the french army as a model, except its soldiers now are mainly spaniards who serve abroad. The foreign legion subsequently found a permanent home in the ranks of the french military.
Mostly, though, our knowledge ranges from impressionistic to false, derived largely from movies and with an overlay of the kneejerk odium that attends colonialism. French foreign legion in popular culture wikipedia. A complete history of the legendary fighting force is but one of his many thoroughly reseached and wellargued historical studies. French foreign legion, elite military force consisting of volunteer soldiers for. Legendary last stand of the french foreign legion in a dusty, heatstoked mexican village, a handful of french foreign legionnaires made a last stand that lives on in history.
Recruits included soldiers from the recently disbanded swiss and german foreign regiments of the bourbon monarchy. The history of the french foreign legion amber books. A complete history by douglas porch online at alibris. This volume reveals the facts and reality behind this compelling organization. Previously, the legion was not stationed in mainland france except in wartime. The real life story of an englishman in the french foreign legion. Uses primary sources and historical accounts to document the legion s battles and leaders. This book gives the reader,a concise history of the foreign legion. Dien bien phu and the french defeat in vietnam by martin windrow, our f.
Created in france in 1831 by king louisphilippe and immediately posted to the scorching deserts of algeria, it went on to become a unit renowned for its cruel training regime, and its absolute disregard for death in battle. Describes the elite troops role in frances colonial warsincluding those in algeria and indochinaand both world wars. Created as a temporary expedient in a french army that otherwise barred foreigners from serving in its ranks, the french foreign legion eventually gained a reputation as the worlds premier mercenary corps. Before joining the french foreign legion 9 things you. For most of its history, the legion also maintained the exceptional status of being a voluntary unit in a conscript army. History of the french foreign legion by david jordan. Perhaps the greatest challenge to the french foreign legions particularism comes from the french government itself, which in the summer of 2010 declared that after 179 years of legion existence. Illustrated with 120 images, this absorbing study explores the ascetic lifestyle of a legionnaire, with firsthand accounts of training and punishments. French foreign legion history the interesting bits.
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