4th Foreign Regiment

4th Foreign Regiment (4^e régiment étranger)
Regimental badge of 4^e RE
Active	1920–1940 1941–1943 1948–1963 1976 – Present
Country	France
Allegiance	French Foreign Legion
Branch	French Army
Role	Recruit induction & training
Part of	Foreign Legion Command
Garrison/HQ	Quartier Captaine Danjou, Castelnaudary, Aude, France
Nickname(s)	Creuset de la Légion (Crucible of the Legion)
Colors	Green & Red
Battles/Wars	Rif War (1924–1934) Syrian Revolution (1921–1926) Second World War *Tunisia Campaign (1943) Malagasy Uprising (1947–1951) First Indochina War (1949) Algerian War (1955–1964)
Decorations	Croix de guerre (1939-1945) w/ Palm
Website	Official Website
Insignia
Beret badge of the 4th Foreign Regiment
Abbreviation	4e RE

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 4th Foreign Regiment (French: 4^e Régiment étranger, 4^e RE) is the regiment responsible for training the French Foreign Legion.^[1] Prior to assuming the main responsibility of training Foreign Legion personnel, the 4th Foreign Regiment is an infantry regiment which participated in campaigns in Morocco, French Indochina, and Algeria.^[2]

History, creation and different nominations

A rooted regiment of mutltiple and profound traditions

Created in November 1920 in Marrakesh, Morocco, the 4th Foreign Regiment became the 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment in 1922.^[3] While barely created, the regiment engaged in campaigns in Morocco in the Rif War between 1920 and 1934.^[3] During that time simultaneously, the 4th and 5th battalion engaged in combat campaigns in the Levant between 1921 and 1926.^[3]

World War II

Dissolved on November 1940 to allow the creation of the 11th Foreign Infantry Regiment, 12th Foreign Infantry Regiment and then the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion; the 4th Foreign Regiment was recreated in 1941 under the designation of 4th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion, 4^eDBLE.^[3] It was under that designation (1er R.E.I.M, which essentially contributed to constitute) in which the regiment participated in 1943 to the campaign of Tunisia, where the regiment illustrated capabilities at Zaghouan Mountain (or djebel).^[3] Following events and during World War II, the regiment was again dissolved in June 1943, and the constituents forming were transferred to the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E), the regiment which participated and endured heavy combat action during the campaigns of France and Germany.^[3]

Far East and North Africa

the 4th Foreign Regiment was recreated in 1946. The regiment engaged successively constituting battalions in Madagascar (between 1947 and 1951), also engaging in the Far East, where the 2nd and 5th battalions were sent in a single unit forming before being dispersed to other regiments.^[3] Again dissolved in 1951, the <<4th>> was recreated in Morocco on March 1955, before being engaged in combat in Algeria between 1957 and 1964.^[3]

In July 1962, the 4th Foreign Regiment was redeployed to Reggane in southern Algeria, tasked with guarding the oil fields and French nuclear facilities in the region.^[4] Following, the 4th Foreign Regiment was disbanded and its subordinate units were folded into the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment.^[4] On October 1976 the Foreign Legion established a new Instruction Regiment (Regiment d'Instruction) at Castelnaudary by divesting the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment's Instruction Group (Groupement d' Instruction).^[4]

Regiment of Instruction

On September 1, 1977, the regimental colors of the 4^eEtranger were entrusted to the Instruction Regiment of the Foreign Legion which took garrison at Castelnaudary, a year earlier.^[3] On June 1, 1980, the later was redesignated as 4th Foreign Regiment.^[3]

The crucible of the Foreign Legion

Implemented solidly and firmly for 30 years at Castelnaudary, first at garrison Lapasset then garrison Danjou, the regiment pursued the arts in forming the various multinational cadres, specialists and young foreign volunteer recruits hailing from the four corners of the globe; strong with 44 officers, 170 warrant officers and non-commissioned officers, and 358 enlisted, all permamently dedicated to this unique and important mission for the future of the Foreign Legion.^[3]

Throughout the course of this moving history, the <<4th>> has illustrated combat capabilities mainly in:^[3]

• TINTEGHALINE, de TIZI N’RECHOU (1922)
• D’OUAOUIZERT (1922)
• RIFF WAR (1924 – 1934)
• LEVANT (1921 – 1926), MESSIFRE (1925)
• CAMPAGNE DE TUNISIE (1943)
• MADAGASCAR (1947–1951)
• INDOCHINA (1949)
• MAROCCO – ALGERIA (1955 - 1964)

Organization

The Regiment consists of six companies:^[1]

• Legion Pionniers Groups
• Compagnie de Commandement et des Services (CCS) - Command and Services Company

The regimental headquarters company which also has integrated logistical capabilities.^[1] This company has several subordinate administrative units such as the Office of Maintenance and Logistics, the Office of Job Training (Bureaux Instruction Empoi), and the Directorate of Human Resources (Direction des Ressources Humaines).^[5]

• Compagnies d’Étranger Volontaire (CEV) - Foreign Volunteer Companies

Responsible for performing recruit basic training.^[1] The regiment has three such companies.^[1]

• Compagnie d’Instruction des Cadres (CIC) - Cadre Training Company

Conducts all NCO education and professional development courses.^[6]

• Compagnie d’Instruction des Spécialistes (CIS) - Specialist Instruction Company

Conducts training courses in administrative and technical skill.^[1] This company teaches over forty courses a year ranging from three to fifteen weeks each.^[7]

Traditions

Insignia

• 

  Regimental Insignia of the 4th Foreign Regiment, 4^e R.E

• 

  Beret Insignia of the 4th Foreign Regiment, 4^e R.E

Regimental Colors

Inscribed on the regimental colors of the 4th Foreign Regiment are the motto of the Foreign Legion:

"Honneur et Fidélité"^[8]

Code of Honour

• Art. 1 - Légionnaire, tu es un volontaire, servant la France avec honneur et fidélité.^[9]
• Art. 2 - Chaque légionnaire est ton frère d'armes, quelles que soient sa nationalité, sa race ou sa religion. Tu lui manifestes toujours la solidarité étroite qui doit unir les membres d'une même famille.^[9]
• Art. 3 - Respectueux des traditions, attaché à tes chefs, la discipline et la camaraderie sont ta force, le courage et la loyauté tes vertus.^[9]
• Art. 4 - Fier de ton état de légionnaire, tu le montres dans ta tenue toujours élégante, ton comportement toujours digne mais modeste, ton casernement toujours net.^[9]
• Art. 5 - Soldat d'élite, tu t'entraînes avec rigueur, tu entretiens ton arme comme ton bien le plus précieux, tu as le souci constant de ta forme physique.^[9]
• Art. 6 - La mission est sacrée, tu l'exécutes jusqu'au bout et si besoin, en opérations, au péril de ta vie.^[9]
• Art. 7 - Au combat, tu agis sans passion et sans haine, tu respectes les ennemis vaincus, tu n'abandonnes jamais ni tes morts, ni tes blessés, ni tes armes.^[9]

Regimental Song

Chant de Marche : C'est le 4 en chantant featuring:

À travers pierres et dunes,
S'en vont les képis blancs.
Sous le soleil, clair de lune,
Nous marchons en chantant.
Vers Bechar ou vers Casa,
Dans toutes les direction,
Nous repartons au combat,
Pour la gloire de la Légion.

C'est le 4 en chantant qui s'avance,
Qui s'avance, laissez-le passer.

Sur les pistes des Corbières,
Nous partons en mission.
Une colonne de bérêts verts,
S'en va à l'instruction.
Vers la Jasse ou vers Bel-Air,
Dans toutes les directions,
Devenir légionnaire,
C'est notre seule ambition.

Decorations

• 

  Croix de guerre 39-45 with palm

Honors

Battle Honors

• CAMERONE 1863^[8]
• MAROC 1914–1918-1921-1934
• DJEBEL ZAGHOUAN 1943
• A.F.N 1952 - 1962

Regimental and Demi-Brigade Commanders

4th Foreign Infantry Regiment Tenure (1920-1940)[10] 4ème Regiment Etranger d'Infanterie,(4^e R.E.I) 1920 - 1926 : colonel Maurel 1927 - 1927 : colonel Pourailly (January to May) 1927 - 1928 : colonel Poupillier 1928 - 1932 : colonel Mathieu 1933 - 1936 : colonel Conte 1936 - 1940 : lieutenant-colonel Lorillard 1940 - 1940 : lieutenant-colonel Genits 4th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion[10] 4 ème Demi-Brigade de La Légion Etrangère,(4^e D.B.L.E) 1941 - 1941 : Lieutenant-colonel Bouty (August - September) 1941 - 1943 : Lieutenant-colonel Gentis 1st Foreign Motorized Infantry Regiment[10] 1er Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie Motorisé(1er R.E.I.M) 1943 - 1943: Lieutenant-colonel Gentis (March to June)

4th Foreign Infantry Regiment (Morocco) - 4th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion [10] 4ème Regiment Etranger d'Infanterie (Maroc) - 4ème Demi-Brigade de La Légion Etrangère (4ème R.E.I. (Maroc) - 4ème D.B.L.E. (Maroc)) 1946 - 1948 : Lieutenant-colonel Laparra 1948 - 1951 : Lieutenant-colonel Bablon 1951 - 1951 : Lieutenant-colonel Sourd (March to May) 2/4 D.B.L.E. - 4/4 R.E.I. (Madagascar)[10] 1947 - 1949 : battalion commander Perin 1949 - 1950 : battalion commander Brinon 1950 - 1951 : lieutenant colonel Royer 1/4 R.E.I.[10] 1951 - 1952 : battalion commander Gaucher 1951 - 1954 : battalion commander Pfirmann 1954 - 1954 : battalion commander Dubos (January to June) 1954 - 1955 : battalion commander Hauteclocque

4th Foreign Infantry Regiment Tenure (1955-1964)[10] 4ème Regiment Etranger d'Infanterie,(4^e R.E.I) 1955 - 1957 : colonel Borreil 1957 - 1959 : colonel Lemeunier 1959 - 1961 : lieutenant-colonel Georgeon 1961 - 1962 : lieutenant-colonel Vadot 1962 - 1964 : lieutenant-colonel Brule Instruction Regiment of the Foreign Legion[10] Régiment d’Instruction de La Légion Etrangère (R.I.L.E) 1977 - 1979 : lieutenant-colonel Forcin 1979 - 1980 : lieutenant-colonel Jean 4th Foreign Regiment Tenure (1980–present)[10] 4e régiment étranger,(4^e R.E.) 1980 - 1981 : colonel Jean 1981 - 1983 : colonel Latournerie 1983 - 1985 : colonel colcomb

1985 - 1987 : colonel kreher 1987 - 1989 : colonel Seignez 1989 - 1991 : colonel Grail 1991 - 1993 : colonel Dureau 1993 - 1995 : colonel Pinard Legry 1995 - 1997 : colonel Buffeteau 1997 - 1999 : colonel Pichot de Champfleury 1999 - 2001 : colonel Barbaud 2001 - 2003 : colonel Thiebault 2003 - 2005 : colonel Kotchine 2005 - 2007 : colonel Roqueplo 2007 - 2009 : colonel Pau 2009 - 2011 : colonel Mistral 2011 - 2013 : colonel Talbourdel 2013 - 2015 : colonel Lobel 2015 - 20** : Lieutenant-colonel Dufour

See also

• 1st Foreign Regiment
• 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
• 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment
• 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment
• 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment
• 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment
• 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment
• 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment
• 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion
• Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte
• Foreign Legion Recruiting Group

References

• www.legion-etrangere.com
• Windrow, Martin (1996). French Foreign Legion Since 1945. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-85532-621-3.

1. Koelher, Charles (31 March 2006). "LEGIO PATRIA NOSTRA: THE HISTORY OF THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION SINCE 1962" (PDF). U.S. General Command and Staff College. pp. 70–72. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
2. "Historique du 4ème Régiment étranger". French Foreign Legion. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
3. Official Website of the 4th Foreign Regiment,A rooted regiment of mutltiple and profound traditions
4. Windrow, Martin (1996). Foreign Legion since 1945. Osprey. pp. 43–45. ISBN 1-85532-621-3.
5. "Compagnie de commandement et de service". Retrieved 22 May 2010.
6. "Compagnie d'instruction des cadres". Legion Etrangere. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
7. "Compagnie d'instruction des spécialistes" (in French). Legion Etrangere. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
8. Official Website of the 4th Foreign Regiment, Regimental Colors,Le drapeau du 4ème RE
9. Official Website of the 4th Foreign Regiment,Code d'honneur du légionnaire
10. Official Website of the 4th Foreign Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1920-present)

External links

• Official website - 4e Régiment étranger
• 4e REI - History & images of 4e REI

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