This regiment was a provisional unit designated for defending mainland france against nazi germany. Devils guard, by george robert elford published in 1971, is the story of a former german waffenss officers string of nearconstant combat that begins on world war ii s eastern front and continues into the books focusthe first indochina war, as an officer in 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. Members of the waffen ss join the french foreign legion fighting in vietnam. A south african breaks out of the french foreign legion, cheats death, and finds peace. How many former ss members joined the french foreign. The rest were recruited into the french foreign leigion from other parts of europe and the french union. Jan 24, 2009 those with knowledge of the foreign legion and access to its records claim that no unit comprised entirely of germans fought in french indochina. Christopher hale who wrote hitlers foreign executionners says more than 1. French in vietnam french losses in vietnam were about 90,000 men, with 20,000 of these being french soldiers french nationals.
The legion had always had a large complement of germans in its ranks, but now, in spite of the nazis widespread campaign to discourage germans from enlisting, even larger numbers were pouring in. Americans struggle to meet the french foreign legions. The book centres around a platoon of mainly germans who manege to kill. Look into david jordan the french foreign legion 1830 today. On the road with the french foreign legion the new york. History and images of the wellknown battle with the viet minh in then french indochina. This is the naziapologia war novel that apparently. Before i left, i had a lot of questions since, like many of us, i didnt really understand much about the legion outside of what i learned from shitty jeanclaude van damme movies. French foreign legion french foreign legion history. I had seen a passing reference to the legion in another book something along the lines of a legionnaire will drop dead before he stops marching. The battalion commander was french and the company commanders were italian. Recruits included soldiers from the recently disbanded swiss and german foreign regiments of the bourbon monarchy. Wellordered data, maps, photos, french and foreign legion units. The french foreign legion remains one of the worlds most enigmatic military forces.
French foreign legion for beginners, available on amazon. Score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Legion of the lost is a compelling, firsthand account of the contemporary french foreign legion, sure to dispel myths while, at the same time, add to the legend of the finest trained army of mercenaries the world has ever seen. Nov 12, 2012 the word foreign in the name french foreign legion does not refer to faraway battlegrounds. It refers to the legion itself, which is a branch of the french army commanded by french officers. It was only in the last 50 years that the legion began accepting frenchmen, before that it is believed that many french joined the legion under assumed nationalities. Nowadays everybody needs to provide a valid identification, but it seems that the french are also allowed to join. There was also a great influx of germans and brits into the legion after ww1 which created a tradition of german and british service in the legion.
The french foreign legion and the men who made it glorious by geoffrey bocca and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. This is the naziapologia war novel that apparently inspired seal team 6 combat tactics. The word foreign in the name french foreign legion does not refer to faraway battlegrounds. Germany saw its opportunity in the large number of legion noncommissioned officers who were german by birth. Others were welcomed to the middle east and south america. Not even their former adversaries could deny that the waffen ss was the most efficient, fanatical, well trained and well lead fighting force ever created.
Although best known as one of the finest light infantry forces in the world, the french foreign legion had many specialized units in indochina. Books about the history and activities of the french foreign legion. Books about the legion were publicly burned in germany, and the violence. Paperback book ss in french foreign legion after ww2. 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. Rather than hearing from a writer who met a legionnaire in a bar, or read a book. There is also this free copy of a book online how to join the french foreign legion i think by jameson it came out in 9798 and i think he served in the late 80s. To train the arabic armies and south american armies the. A french gendarmerie officer, pierre thoumelin, had the idea of crossing the files of the legionnaires who died on official duty, kept and accessible to the office of archives of the victims of contemporary conflicts in caen in france, and those. Could someone tell me what happened to german and austrohungarian nationals serving in the french foreign legion on the outbreak of the great war. No gary cooper in this french foreign legion the new. 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 foreign legion, another french exception youtube. Foreign legion specialized units in indochina the underdeveloped nature of indochina demanded a number of technical units to perform combat support and service support functions that were not easily.
Unparalleled in the thoughtfulness and detail of its coverage. French cavalry of the regular army has its version. Germans in 1st indochina war 19461954 axis history forum. Employing the legion in france in 187071 violated the french legal code but needs must when the devil drives and much the same applied in 191418. The figures in the book relating to foreign enlistments in the french army between 21 august 1914 and 1 april 1915 include 379 british probably includes empire as well and 200 americans which includes those from south america. Frenchmen who served in the ss or wehrmacht were either killed outright or could join the foreign legion. Germans have always been well represented in the legion. Some characters mentioned in this book are morphs of several individuals. Iaman american who joined, and served, in the french foreign legion. After the second world war france lacked the will to keep fighting another war and was short on men. The german original is in the legion song book, alongside with the french version. Experiences of germans with recruitment for foreign legion.
The washington post the french foreign legion is a complete. It would have been fair of jeremy harding to mention that among the germans in the french foreign legion were not only those who fought the commune in 1871 and exwehrmacht and waffen ss veterans after the second world war, but also those who enrolled as foreign volunteers during the war to fight the nazis lrb, 26 march. In return, the french received a disposable force, that few inside of metropolitan france cared about. Devils guard and millions of other books are available for instant access.
The legion is our home is the motto of the foreign legion, the legendary elite branch of the french army. On the road with the french foreign legion squeezed inside a military fighting vehicle in west africa with soldiers from around the world recruited to frances legendary force, just days before. When 1930s germany started looking at its neighbors with greedy eyes, it knew that it had to do something about the legion. Sep 21, 2019 recently, i went to french guiana in the heart of the south american jungle to train a french foreign legion regiment.
The belief, he writes, that their ranks were largely filled with german exwehrmacht and waffenss veterans recruited straight from french prison camps with few. French foreign legion soldiers were toughest in the world. The foreign volunteers of french origin that joined the german wehrmacht or auxiliary forces were numerous, widespread, and uniquely colorful. I thought it was a good read set in the algerian war and gives some good in sight to the legion. Small groups of haggard german soldiers came instead. With numbers in the tens of thousands, they were by far the largest single volunteer force from western europe that fought with germany during wwii. Whatever your reason, you have found the french foreign legion, the only place in the world for second chances. Spaniards in the foreign legion axis history forum. The legion had always had a large complement of germans in its ranks, but now, in spite of the nazis widespread campaign to discourage germans from. History of the french foreign legion book depository. 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. At first the intelligence officers at the headquarters of the french foreign legion in sidibelabbes, algeria, were puzzled. Jun 08, 2018 why you dont want to face the french foreign legion in combat throughout its history, the french foreign legion and the fighters who make up its ranks were seen as expendable.
The french foreign legion in world war ii was filled with nazis. I have found quite a lot of books and studies relating this subject, but am still searching for memoirs of german soldiers who went to indochina. Dec 01, 2008 camp szuts, french guiana there was no other way to put it. 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. How else can one explain the fact that the french foreign legion is heavily overrecruited. At first the intelligence officers at the headquarters of the french foreign legion in sidi bel abbes, algeria, were puzzled. It is always being drummed into the legionnaire that he is intended for nothing else in this world except for marching. Im currently writing a small paper about the way german soldiers were recruited for the french foreign legion after the war to fight in indochina. Feb 11, 2009 many found their way to france, often on foot, to enlist in the french foreign legion. Marine corps reserve, whose military career actually began in the french foreign legion. They get sent to french indochina present day laos, cambodia, and vietnam to fight the communist insurgents. The french foreign legion in world war ii was filled with. I know it to be true that many germans and former waffenss and wehrmacht soldiers fought in the foreign legion in indochina and that some units were made up by germans only.
The 2nd foreign legion parachute battalion was made up of germans, spanish anarchists, and vietnamese. Its about nazis, mainly waffen ss, who escape from germany after wwii and join the french foreign legion. 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. French foreign legion soldiers and their units great war. Iaman american who joined, and served, in the french foreign. Americans in the french foreign legion the french foreign. Many found their way to france, often on foot, to enlist in the french foreign legion. Stiven baird, an american in the french foreign legion, looked terrible. This force, raised in 1815 after the defeat of napoleon when france was in disarray, was disbanded in 1831, its foreign troops incorporated into the newly formed french foreign legion that same year. There seem to many requests for something along these lines, so i thought id do my best to answer whatever questions reddit has. Mar 02, 2009 french foreign legion nazi indochina vietnam world war 2. I do think that the author probably did participate in that war. Online shopping from a great selection at books store.
In that group was one of the most decorated marines in world war ii and the most decorated member of the oss, col. This force, raised in 1815 after the defeat of napoleon when france was in disarray, was disbanded in 1831, its foreign troops incorporated into the newly formed french foreign legion. 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 1972 book devils guard by george robert elford. These guys were supposed to be the hardest of the hardcore. Elford is also the author of recall to inferno and. Dien bien phu and the french defeat in vietnam by martin windrow, our f. Thought it is famously secretive, a lot is known about the french foreign legion. An excellent source for information on the history of the french foreign legion is the book the french foreign legion, by douglas porch isbn 006092308. A complete history of the legendary fighting force douglas porch on. Battle of dien bien phu french foreign legion information. 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. A long shelf of books at the libraryor at least at a good university library, such as the one i sit in every day, staring at a horribly blank pagedeal with the legion, its history, character, and traditions.
Jun 29, 2017 book of the week at the edge of the world. Hitlers foreign legions nine non german units that fought for the nazis in ww2 by 4 may, 2016 9 comments indian volunteers. German soldiers recruited into french foreign legion, to. The dark romance and grim reality of life in the french.
Did ex members of the waffen ss escape germany and join. Not even their former adversaries could deny that the waffen ss was the most. Yes and no there definetely were former members of the ss in the foreign legion, but a lot of it is based on exaggeration. For sources, im mostly drawing from douglas porchs excellent book the french foreign legion, but also a series of books by martin windrow done for osprey. Some examples the 3rd battalion, 3rd regiment of foreign legion infantry most mostly germans as the rank and file. Quite some years ago, i have read a book from an ex ss officer who did serve. For almost 200 years, the french foreign legion has prided itself on offering a haven for men yearning for adventure and a new start in life. The french foreign legion and its most famous us legionnaires. These questions lingered in my mind when reading the rest of the book. The french foreign legion is a military service branch of the french army established in 1831. There definetely were former members of the ss in the foreign legion, but a lot. Germans in the first indochina war seacom southeast asia.
To train the arabic armies and south american armies the art of torture, how to set ieds, booby traps, guerilla warfare. 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. 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 deser. Africans, americans, asians, europeans, anyone between 17 and 40. Nov 12, 2017 for almost 200 years, the french foreign legion has prided itself on offering a haven for men yearning for adventure and a new start in life.
One exception was the hohenlohe regiment, largely staffed by germans but including men of all nationalities. Did ex members of the waffen ss escape germany and join the. Mar 15, 2014 a legion presence was still needed in the colonies. The news of the german capitulation reached us by radio deep in the. French foreign legion, french legion etrangere, an elite military force originally consisting of foreign volunteers in the pay of france but now comprising volunteer soldiers from any nation, including france, for service in france and abroad. German songs and the french foreign legion axis history. Waffenss and wehrmacht soldiers fought in the foreign legion in indochina.
Oct 14, 2010 the world contains more misfits, sadists, masochists, and people who enjoy fighting than we sometimes like to suppose. I would suggest you take any historic fact from this book with a pinch of salt as there is. Nothing much about its culture has changed since the german recruit erwin rosen, quoted by adrian gilbert in voices of the foreign legion, wrote in the early 1900s. The hard truth about the foreign legion by max hastings. It was written in 1971 and follows the story of a nazi ss officer. An american experience in the french foreign legion. Apr 10, 2017 one exception was the hohenlohe regiment, largely staffed by germans but including men of all nationalities.
Remember, most of europe, and virtually all of germany was destroyed. As a boy, id always more than halfwondered if the french foreign legion was an invention of hollywood. The foreign legion offered food, lodging, money, and few questions. Devils guard, by george robert elford published in 1971, is the story of a former german waffenss officers string of nearconstant combat that begins on world war iis eastern front and continues into the books focusthe first indochina war, as an officer in the french foreign legion.
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. Training legionnaires to fight and eat rodents the new. Please understand that some questions i may choose to not answer, or not answer as completely as youd like, as not everyone in my life is aware of. By their symbol i can tell they are from turkistan legion. A week into the legions jungle warfare course here in the. In world war ii, the french foreign legion fought against the germans with its. Foreign legion specialized units in indochina historynet. Sep 17, 2007 i read this book in paperback years ago.
The 11th foreign infantry regiment 11e rei was the very first unit of the french foreign legion to appear in france during the early stage of the second world war. A canadian in the french foreign legion is the firsthand account of the authors six years as a professional soldier during the 1990s, and his experience in the legion s elite groupe des commandos parachutistes gcp. Good gallic logic therefore to give members the choice of serving in europe and staying to man the borders of the far flung imperium. The fascinating, true story of the french foreign legions nazi battalion. Now, is it possible that former german soldiers or even ss men joined the foreign legion after the second world war. The book follows a nazi ss officer named hans josef wagemueller who manages to. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
The french foreign legion is one of frances elite fighting forces, filled with men who are ready and willing to do extreme violence on frances behalf. It is entirely in german language, but contains a huge collection of photographs, copies of documents and pictures of uniforms and paraphernalia. Americans struggle to meet the french foreign legions high. Why you dont want to face the french foreign legion in. May 03, 2004 some examples the 3rd battalion, 3rd regiment of foreign legion infantry most mostly germans as the rank and file. Approximately 80 officers and 200 enlisted men from the marine corps served in the office of strategic services oss during world war ii. German legionnaires were incorporated into the wehrmachts 90th light infantry division in north africa. The real story devils guard, book 1 by eric meyer fantastic fiction.
It refers to the legion itself, which is a branch of the french army commanded by french. His story of privation, suffering, hairbreadth escapes, and cruelty in the famous organization provokes a german demand that france abolish it. This is the naziapologia war novel that apparently inspired seal. For some, the legion was simply employment during difficult times that followed ww ii. Joel struthers recounts the dangers and demands of military life, from the rigours of recruitment and operational training in the rugged mountains of france, to faceto. Before joining the french foreign legion 9 things you. The legion was aware of the background the germans but it also needed the experience and expertise of these warhardened veterans of countless battles. But the last red and blue ribbon was unique it identified travers as the only woman in the french foreign legion.
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