1st Foreign Parachute Battalion

The 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion () was a parachute battalion of the Foreign Legion formed from the Parachute Company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment.

History

1^er Bataillon Etranger de Parachutistes, 1^er BEP - I, II, III Formations -

The 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion, (1^er BEP, I formation) was created on July 1, 1948 at Khamisis, in Algeria. The 1^er BEP embarks in Indochina on November 12 and is engaged in combat operations in the Tonkin. On June 1, 1949, the Co. Para du 3^ème REI completed its count. On November 17, 1950; the 1^er BEP (1^er BEP, I Formation) jumps on That Khé and sacrifices itself in Coc Xa to protect the unfolding of the RC4 in a traditional Foreign Legion battlefield. Heading and leading tradition was 1er BEP battalion commander Chef de Corps du 1^er BEP, Commandant Pierre Segrétain. Segrétain was fatally wounded while leading the BEP during the Battle of Route Coloniale 4.

The battalion dissolved on December 31, 1950; is reconstituted on March 1, 1951 (1^er BEP, II formation) and is seen participating excessively in combat operations at Cho Ben, on the black river and at Annam. On November 21, 1953; the reconstituted 1^er BEP is parachuted on Dien Bien Phu. In this gigantic battle, the reconstituted (1^er BEP, II formation) 1^er BEP counts 575 killed and missing for the second time in a traditional Foreign Legion battlefield. Amongst the fatal casualties feature Lieutenants Dumont, Boisbouvier and de Stabenrath, killed in between April 1 and May 13 as well as Sergent-Chef Grimault, killed on March 30. Reconstituted for the third time (1^er BEP, III formation) on May 19, 1954, the 1^er BEP leaves Indochina on February 8, 1955. The 1^er BEP totals 5 citations at the orders of the armed forces and the fourragère of the colors of the Médaille militaire. The 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1^er BEP, III Formation) becomes the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment (1^er REP) in Algeria on September 1, 1955.

The insignia of the 1st Foreign Paratrooper Battalion was created in 1948 by Commandant Segrétain, battalion commander Chef de Bataillon, CBA of the 1^er BEP.

Traditions

Insignias

The insignia of the Foreign Legion Paratroopers of France represents a closed "winged armed dextrochere", meaning a "right winged arm" armed with a sword pointing upwards. The Insignia makes reference to the Patron of Paratroopers. In fact, the Insignia represents "the right Arm of Saint Michael", the Archangel which according to Liturgy is the "Armed Arm of God". This Insignia is the symbol of righteous combat and fidelity to superior missions.

Battalion Colors

Battalion Song

Contre Les Viets

http://foreignlegion.info/songs/contre-les-viets/

Decorations

Honours

Battle honours

Battalion commanders

1st Foreign Parachute Battalion, 1^er BEP (1948–1955 ) - I, II, III Formations -

Notable officers and legionnaires

• Rémy Raffalli
• Roger Faulques

References