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==History==
==History==
===Origins===
===Origins===
[[File:French sas north africa 1943.jpg|left|thumb|Members of the [[1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment]] during the Second World War.]]
The origins of the 1er RPIMa dates back to the Second World War. The Regiment was first formed as the ''1ère Compagnie d’Infanterie de l’Air'' in Britain, redesignated ''1ère Compagnie de Chasseurs Parachutistes'' (1e CCP) under [[Captain (land and air)|Captain]] [[Georges Bergé]]. It consisted of around 50 paratroopers when they were transferred to [[David Stirling|David Stirling's]] [[Special Air Service]] in the North African campaign; in this unit, they took part in successful operations in Africa, Crete, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Today, this SAS heritage still shows in [[Special Air Service#Uniform distinctions|the regimental insignia and the regimental motto]] "Qui Ose Gagne" (Who Dares Wins). After completing the SAS training course they were called French Squadron SAS. The regiment is the heir to the two Free French Special Air Service (SAS): 3 SAS (3e RCP) and 4 SAS (2e RCP).
The origins of the 1er RPIMa dates back to the Second World War. The Regiment was first formed as the ''1ère Compagnie d’Infanterie de l’Air'' in Britain, redesignated ''1ère Compagnie de Chasseurs Parachutistes'' (1e CCP) under [[Captain (land and air)|Captain]] [[Georges Bergé]]. It consisted of around 50 paratroopers when they were transferred to [[David Stirling|David Stirling's]] [[Special Air Service]] in the North African campaign; in this unit, they took part in successful operations in Africa, Crete, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Today, this SAS heritage still shows in [[Special Air Service#Uniform distinctions|the regimental insignia and the regimental motto]] "Qui Ose Gagne" (Who Dares Wins). After completing the SAS training course they were called French Squadron SAS. The regiment is the heir to the two Free French Special Air Service (SAS): 3 SAS (3e RCP) and 4 SAS (2e RCP).
Following the end of World War II, 3 and 4 SAS was handed over to the French Army on 1 October 1945.
Following the end of World War II, 3 and 4 SAS was handed over to the French Army on 1 October 1945.

Revision as of 20:51, 25 October 2011

1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine
Regimental insigne
Active1941-
CountryFrance
BranchArmée de Terre
TypeSpecial Forces
RoleSpecial Operations
Counter Terrorism
SizeOne regiment
Part ofTroupes de marine / Army Special Forces Brigade
Garrison/HQBayonne, France
Motto(s)Qui Ose Gagne (Who Dares Wins)
AnniversariesSaint-Michel Day
EngagementsWorld War II
First Indochina War
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Enduring Freedom
Commanders
Current
commander		Colonel Vidaud
Insignia
Beret badge of the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
Abbreviation1er RPIMa

The 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (French: 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine, 1er RPIMa) is one of three regiments in the French Army Special Forces Brigade. Based in Bayonne in the local Citadel. They have operated all over the world.

Unit Specialization

  • CTLO (counter terrorism and hostages rescue teams)
  • GDC (Bodyguard Garde du Corps)
  • THP (Snipers Tireurs Haute Précision)
  • RCO (pathfinders – Rapas Chuteurs Opérationnels)
  • PRS (Desert special reconnaissance patrols Patrouilles de Reconnaissances Speciales)
  • RPO (combatdivers Rapas Plongeurs Offensifs)
  • Moutain and Jungle Warfare
  • Explosives and demolition

History

Origins

Members of the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment during the Second World War.

The origins of the 1er RPIMa dates back to the Second World War. The Regiment was first formed as the 1ère Compagnie d’Infanterie de l’Air in Britain, redesignated 1ère Compagnie de Chasseurs Parachutistes (1e CCP) under Captain Georges Bergé. It consisted of around 50 paratroopers when they were transferred to David Stirling's Special Air Service in the North African campaign; in this unit, they took part in successful operations in Africa, Crete, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Today, this SAS heritage still shows in the regimental insignia and the regimental motto "Qui Ose Gagne" (Who Dares Wins). After completing the SAS training course they were called French Squadron SAS. The regiment is the heir to the two Free French Special Air Service (SAS): 3 SAS (3e RCP) and 4 SAS (2e RCP). Following the end of World War II, 3 and 4 SAS was handed over to the French Army on 1 October 1945. The regiment was restructured after returning from Indochina and acted as training depot for the colonial parachute force during the Algerian War. It remained in this role until 1974 when it became a Special forces regiment.

Parent unit

Organisation & Structure

Due to its long history with the British Special Air Service much of the 1er RPIMa core aspects are based upon the British SAS. Each company specialises in a particular area such as maritime, air ops/pathfinder, mobility.

  • Three main Combat Companies RAPAS (Recherche Aéroportée et Actions Spécialisées (RAPAS) which translates to Airborne Reconnaissance and Special Action.
    • 1e Compagnie(Pathfinders / Divers / Snipers)
    • 2e Compagnie (Mountain and jungle specialists)
    • 3e Compagnie (Mobility / Desert ops)
    • 4e Compagnie (Urban - Counter terrorism and Bodyguards)

There are also one Command and Logistic Company

Selection & Training

Officers and NCOs joining the regiment have to attend the same selection and training as enlisted.

Enlisted: Each soldier enlisted in the French army can try to join the 1er RPIMA, between 1 and 3 years of active duty, if they are medically OK (airborne agreement).

First step is a profile selection: Candidates will be selected regarding unit requirements and personal file (e.g : if the regiment needs some mountain specialists, they will ask for more mountain troopers to come for the selection). Candidates selected must attend the two weeks basic airborne training prior the SF training, for those who are not already enlisted in an airborne regiment.

Second step of selection is "adaptation training" and "stage commando" during twelve weeks. Candidates must be above average to continue the training. Most of failures and RTU occur during this phase.

Last step of selection is the "stage CTE RAPAS" during six months. After completion of this "stage", candidates are fully assigned to the regiment as special force soldier. They will attend additional training to become specialists (bodyguard, pathfinders, etc)

Lineage

  • May, 1941: 1st Air Infantry Company
  • June, 1943: 1st Air Infantry Battalion
  • March, 2011, Libya: direct action & unconventional warfare e.g. 1e Cie, 3e Cie

Honours

Battle Honours

Decorations

References

  • Shortt, James (1981). The Special Air Service. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 0-85045-396-8.

External links

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