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Foreign Legion Command

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Foreign Legion Command
Commandement de La Légion Étrangère
ActiveCommandement de La Légion Étrangère[1]
(1931 - 1984)
Commandement de La Légion Étrangère[1]
C.O.M.L.E (1984 - present)[1]
Country France
Branch French Army
TypeCommand
RoleHeadquarters
HeadquartersAubagne, France
Motto(s)Honneur et Fidélité
Legio Patria Nostra
ColorsGreen and Red
Battle honoursCamerone 1863
Commanders
CommandantMajor General Alain Lardet[2]
Notable
commanders		Paul-Frédéric Rollet[1]
Insignia
Beret badge of the Foreign Legion Command
AbbreviationC.O.M.L.E

The Foreign Legion Command (Template:Lang-fr) (official) is the Command of the Foreign Legion in the French Army.[3][4]

The Legion is led by a French general, a Legion officer (Template:Lang-fr)[1] who is usually a general who spent his entire career in Legion units. COMLE also includes the general staff headquarters of the foreign legion command (Template:Lang-fr)[5](official), led by another senior officer, chief of the general staff headquarters of the foreign legion command (Template:Lang-fr) (official).[5][6] As of 2017, the general staff headquarters of the foreign legion command includes several divisions related to the functioning of the Legion.[7] The general staff headquarters of the foreign legion command has adopted various inspecting, grouping, and commanding designations since 1931 and has been designated officially as C.O.M.L.E since 1984.[1] The Général de division commanding the Legion, also known as Father of the Legion (Template:Lang-fr) or Foreign Legion Command Chief (Template:Lang-fr) [8] (official) is a direct subordinate of the Chief of Staff of the French Army (C.E.M.A.T). The Division Général is also the technical counselor commanding for the ensemble related to the Legion (recruitment, traditions, employment, regimental formations and security).[9]

The Divisional general commanding the Legion, commands also the 1st Foreign Regiment, the 4th Foreign Regiment and the Foreign Legion Recruiting Group (G.R.L.E). The GRLE was not formed till 2007.[6] The commands of the C.O.M.L.E division general commandant extends to:

The Music of the Foreign Legion (MLE) is led by the Music Chief.[10]

History

The origins and history tradition making of Legion regiments was front line opened and led by the Pionniers and charged by the service and sacrifices of the legionnaires following behind their legion regimental, battalion and company commanders since 1831 and serving the commanding Division Général of the Legion since 1931.[1]

The Legion is part of the History of France.[11] it was created by a King, combat engaged at Camarón under an Emperor and has known to endure the most heavy losses under the Republic.[12]

Pionniers & Legion Regiments

Main articles: Honneur et Fidélité and Foreign Legion Pioneers (Pionniers)
Regiment Regiment Insignia Legion Regimental Command
1st Foreign Regiment, (1er R.E)[13]
Foreign Legion Tenure (1841 - present)
Foreign Legion Regiment - 1er RE Colonel[14][15]
Legion Pionniers Sections of Tradition
C.O.M.L.E Exclusive Command[1]
4th Foreign Regiment, (4e R.E)[16]
Foreign Legion Tenure (1920 - present)		 Foreign Legion Regiment - 4e RE Colonel[17]
Legion Pionniers Groups
C.O.M.L.E Exclusive Command[1]
Foreign Legion Recruiting Group, (G.R.L.E)[18]
Foreign Legion Tenure (2007 - present)		 Foreign Legion Regiment - GRLE Colonel[19]
C.O.M.L.E Command[1]
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment, (1er R.E.C)[20]
Foreign Legion Tenure (1920 - present)		 Foreign Legion Regiment - 1er REC Colonel[21]
Regiment part of the French 6th Light Armoured Brigade
1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er R.E.G)[22]
Foreign Legion Teunure (1999 - present)
Foreign Legion Regiment - 1er REG Colonel[23]
Legion Pionniers Groups
Airborne Combat Engineers
Regiment part of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, (2e R.E.I)[24]
Foreign Legion Tenure (1841 - present)
Foreign Legion Regiment - 2e REI Colonel[25]
Regiment part of the French 6th Light Armoured Brigade
2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, (2e R.E.P)[26]
Foreign Legion Tenure (1948 - present)		 Foreign Legion Regiment - 2e REP Colonel[27][28]
Commando Parachute Group
Regiment part of the French 11th Parachute Brigade
2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment, (2e R.E.G)[29]
Foreign Legion Tenure (1999 - present)		 Foreign Legion Regiment - 2e REG Colonel[30]
Legion Pionniers Groups
Airborne Combat Engineers
Regiment part of the French 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade
3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment, (3e R.E.I)[31]
Foreign Legion Tenure (1945 - present)
former
Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion, (R.M.L.E)
Foreign Legion Tenure (1915-1920) - (1942-1945)
Foreign Legion Regiment - 3e REI Colonel[32]
Legion Pionniers Groups
Regiment part of territorial command of French Army
13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion, (13e D.B.L.E)[33]
Foreign Legion Tenure (1940 - present)		 Foreign Legion Regiment - 13e DBLE Colonel[34]
Regiment part of the French 6th Light Armoured Brigade
Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte, (D.L.M.E)[35]
Foreign Legion Teunure (1973 - present)		 Foreign Legion Detachment - DLME Colonel[36]
Legion Pionniers Groups
Detachment part of the territorial command of the French Army

Creation and different nominations (1931-1984)

Main articles: 1st Foreign Regiment, 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, and History of the 2nd Foreign Regiment

The command of the Foreign Legion is stationed at quartier Vienot in Aubagne at the corps of the 1st Foreign Regiment 1er RE. The headquarters detachment was established in 1984 following the reorganization of the previous Foreign Legion Group (G.L.E). Foreign Legion Command is headed by a Général.

History of the garrisons, campaigns and battles

Main articles: 1st Foreign Regiment, 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, and History of the 2nd Foreign Regiment

During the interwar period on April 1, 1931, while the Legion reached requirements of 30,000 Legionnaires, général Paul-Frédéric Rollet,[1] was entrusted with the post of Inspector of the Foreign Legion newly created in Tlemcen in Algeria. It is at this moment that the Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments (D.C.R.E) (Template:Lang-fr) was created. This Inspector of the Foreign Legion was dissolved with the retirement of the Father of the Legion.

In 1948, the Inspection was recreated for 2 years under the command of Général de division Raoul Magrin-Vernerey.[1] Again dissolved in 1950, the inspection unit left way for the Autonomous Group of the Foreign Legion (G.A.L.E) commanded consecutively by Générals Jean Olié and Paul Gardy which had the attributions of Inspector General.[1] Accordingly, the (G.A.L.E) was composed of one headquarter staff état-major at Sidi bel-Abbès, the Communal Depot of the Legion, the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI that regrouped all training/ instruction units, the intelligence service, and the Moral Service for Works of the Foreign Legion (S.O.M.L.E) (Template:Lang-fr)

In 1954, at the end of the First Indochina War, the Foreign Legion was reorganized. The 1st Foreign Regiment 1er RE inherited all the attributions of Legion units. The Foreign Legion Command (C.O.L.E) was created on July 1, 1955 at Vincennes; with command ensured by Colonel René Lennuyeux.[1] Two years later on September 16, 1957, the foreign legion command inherited the new naming of Technical Inspection of the Foreign Legion (I.T.L.E). This technical inspection was dissolved in 1964 and its attributions were transferred to the regimental commander of the 1st Foreign Regiment 1er RE.

In 1972, under the impulsion of Colonel Marcel Letestu,[1] a Foreign Legion Groupment (G.L.E) was created which was put at his disposition. Accordingly, Colonel Letestu has immediate authority on the 1st Foreign Regiment 1er RE and the 2nd Foreign Regiment 2e RE and conserved this prerogative of General Inspector. On the other hand, the commander of the (G.L.E) commanded also the 31st Brigade. This experimental unit, Legion dominated was among the first inter-arm brigade. The 31st Brigade (Template:Lang-fr) engaged in peacekeeping combat operations in Lebanon at the corps of the Multinational Force in Lebanon under the command of Foreign Legion Groupment (G.L.E) Général de brigade Jean-Claude Coullon.[1] The 31e Brigade was subsequently replaced by the 6th Light Armoured Division 6ème D.L.B in 1984 and then became designated as the 6th Light Armoured Brigade 6ème B.L.B following the Gulf War at the corps of Division Daguet.

On July 1, 1984; the (G.L.E) inherited the denomination of Foreign Legion Command (C.O.M.L.E) (Template:Lang-fr).[1]

Organization

Main article: 1st Foreign Regiment

In the mission, the division general commanding the Foreign Legion is assisted by a general staff headquarters which service operations are based on the personnel of the 1st Foreign Regiment 1er R.E and the Foreign Legion Recruiting Group (G.R.L.E). This general staff compromised as of the 2012 of the following Divisions and bureaux:

  • Foreign Legion Human Resources Division (Template:Lang-fr): Division ensured the management of the ensemble administration of personnel serving at Foreign Status.
  • Foreign Legion Recruiting Group, (Template:Lang-fr): responsible entity for Legion centers of information, Legion recruiting centers, as well as the Legion center of selection and incorporation.
  • Foreign Legion Information Systems and Communication Division, (Template:Lang-fr): Division developed proper applications, administered networks and consulting in material of formation (Information Systems) for the Foreign Legion. The division also supported the Foreign Legion Service Handling of Information (Template:Lang-fr).
  • Foreign Legion Statistical and Personnel Protection Division (Template:Lang-fr): Division handled in material of protection and security, the ensemble of personnel serving at Foreign Status. This division participated at the selection process of candidates at engagement.
  • Foreign Legion Communication and Information Division, (Template:Lang-fr): Division in charge of institutional communication. This division ran public relations, the media, issue numbers production of Képi Blanc (Template:Lang-fr), the monthly of the legion, the administration of information technologies, as well audio cells.
  • Foreign Legion History and Patrimony Division, (Template:Lang-fr): Division handled the conservation preservation and management of the foreign legion, and most notably the management of Foreign Legion Museum (Template:Lang-fr).
  • Foreign Legion Social Work and Aid Bureau, (Template:Lang-fr).

As of 2017, the general staff headquarters of the Foreign Legion Command (Template:Lang-fr), at the disposition of the Commandant of the Legion,[1] has undergone further organizational structuring and was articulated in various legion divisions revolving around: studies, pilotage and synthesis; human resources; security and protection; patrimony; solidarity and others.[37]

Commanders

Commandement de La Légion Étrangère (1931 - 1984)[1]

Inspector Tenure of the Foreign Legion

Inspection de la Légion étrangère (I.L.E)
Name Portrait Rank Tenure Note
Paul-Frédéric Rollet[1] Général 1931-1935 1st Foreign Regiment (1899-1909).
Captain of the 3rd mounted combat company of the 1st marching battalion of the 2nd Foreign Regiment from 1909 to 1914.
Lieutenant-Colonel Regimental Commander of the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion in 1917.
Lieutenant-Colonel Regimental Commander of the 3rd Foreign Regiment (1920-1925).
Colonel Regimental Commander of the 1st Foreign Regiment (1925-1931) until planning the 100th anniversary of the Legion on Camaron day of April 30, 1931.
Founding Pillar Patron of the organization of the French Foreign Legion and constituents.
Accumulated 41 years of military service out of which 33 years in the Legion.
Honorary titled Father of the Legion or Le Père de la Légion.[1]
Raoul Magrin-Vernerey[1] Général 1948-1950

Autonomous Group Tenure of the Foreign Legion

Groupement autonome de la Légion étrangère (G.A.L.E)
Name Portrait Rank Tenure Note
Jean Olié[1] Général 1950
Paul Gardy[1] - Général 1951

Foreign Legion Command Tenure

Commandement de la Légion étrangère (C.O.L.E)
Name Portrait Rank Tenure Note
René Lennuyeux[1] - Général 1955

Technical Inspection Tenure of the Foreign Legion

Inspection technique de la Légion étrangère (I.T.L.E)
Name Portrait Rank Tenure Note
René Lennuyeux[1] - Général 1957
Paul Gardy[1] - Général 1958
René Morel[1] - Général 1960
Jacques Lefort[1] - Général 1962

Foreign Legion Groupment Tenure

Groupement de la Légion étrangère (G.L.E)
Name Portrait Rank Tenure Note
Marcel Letestu[1] - Général 1972 Sergent to Général
Gustave Fourreau[1] - Général 1973 Caporal-Chef to Général
Bernard Goupil[1] - Général 1976 Caporal-Chef to Général
Paul Lardry[1] - Général 1980
Jean-Claude Coullon[1] - Général 1982 Caporal-Chef to Général

Commandement de la Légion Étrangère - C.O.M.L.E - (1984 - present)[1]

général Bruno Dary, Military governor of Paris (2007-2012), in revue passage.

The Foreign Legion Groupment (G.L.E)[1] transitted giving formation to the Foreign Legion Command (C.O.M.L.E)[1] through the command of Général de brigade Jean-Claude Coullon in 1984.[1]

# Name Portrait Rank Tenure Note
1 Jean-Claude Coullon[1] - Général 1984
2 Jean Louis Roué[1] - Général 1985 Caporal-Chef to Général
3 Raymond Le Corre[1] - Général 1988
4 Bernard Colcomb[1] - Général 1992
5 Christian Piquemal[1] - Général 1994
6 Bernard Grail[1] - Général 1999
7 Jean-Louis Franceschi[1] - Général 2002
8 Bruno Dary[1] - Général 2004
9 Louis Pichot de Champfleury[1] - Général 2006
10 Alain Bouquin[1] - Général 2009
11 Christophe de Saint-Chamas[1] Général 2011
12 Jean Maurin[1] - Général 2014
13 Denis Mistral - Général 2018

See also

References & Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg [1] Division General Commandant of the French Foreign Legion, Les Chefs COMLE
  2. ^ [2] Le C.O.M.L.E, Le Commandement de la Légion Étrangère (The Commandment of the French Foreign Legion)
  3. ^ "Commandement de la légion étrangère". www.legion-etrangere.com (in French). Retrieved 2022-01-15.
  4. ^ "Foreign Legion Command". Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  5. ^ a b [3] L'Etat-major du Commandement de la Légion Étrangère (general staff headquarters of the foreign legion command)
  6. ^ a b 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. p. 69. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  7. ^ [4] L'Etat-major du Commandement de la Légion Étrangère (general staff headquarters of the Foreign Legion Command)
  8. ^ [5] Le C.O.M.L.E, Le Commandement de la Légion Étrangère (C.O.M.L.E, The Foreign Legion Command)
  9. ^ "Foreign Legion Command | French Foreign Legion Information". Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  10. ^ [6] History of the French Foreign Legion Music Band
  11. ^ [7], « La Légion étrangère fait partie de l’histoire de France » ( The French Foreign Legion is part of the History of France), correspondence interview with Foreign Legion Command chief general Jean Maurin, source : Ministry of the Armies (Template:Lang-fr).
  12. ^ [8], « La Légion étrangère fait partie de l’histoire de France » ( The French Foreign Legion is part of the History of France), correspondence interview with COMLE chief general Jean Maurin, source : Ministry of the Armies (Template:Lang-fr).
  13. ^ [9] Archived 2017-05-08 at the Wayback Machine Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment
  14. ^ [10] Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE), Regimental Commanders from (1841 to 1955)
  15. ^ [11] Archived 2017-10-19 at the Wayback Machine Official Website of the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE), Regimental Commanders from (1955 - present)
  16. ^ [12] Archived 2015-08-29 at the Wayback Machine Official Website of the 4th Foreign Regiment
  17. ^ [13] Archived 2015-09-28 at the Wayback Machine Official Website of the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE), Regimental Commanders from (1920 - present)
  18. ^ [14] Archived 2018-04-22 at the Wayback Machine Official Website of the Foreign Legion Recruiting Group
  19. ^ [15] Official Website of the Foreign Legion Recruiting Group (GRLE), Regimental Commanders from (2007 - present)
  20. ^ [16] Archived 2015-05-02 at the Wayback Machine Official Website of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
  21. ^ [17] Official Website of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC), Regimental Commanders from (1921 - present)
  22. ^ [18] Archived 2016-08-10 at the Wayback Machine Official Website of the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment
  23. ^ [19] Official Website of the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG), Regimental Commanders (1984 - present)
  24. ^ [20] Archived 2012-01-04 at the Wayback Machine Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment
  25. ^ [21] Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI), Regimental Commanders (1841 - present)
  26. ^ [22] Archived 2017-07-30 at the Wayback Machine Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment
  27. ^ [23] Archived 2015-08-29 at the Wayback Machine Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP), Regimental Commanders (1955 - present)
  28. ^ [24] Archived 2015-08-29 at the Wayback Machine Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, History of Regimental and Commanders of the CEPs, BEPs and REPs (1948-Present)
  29. ^ [25] Archived 2016-03-12 at the Wayback Machine Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment
  30. ^ [26] Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG), Regimental Commanders (1999 - present)
  31. ^ [27] Archived 2015-09-01 at the Wayback Machine Official Website of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment
  32. ^ [28] Official Website of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment, Regimental Commanders (1915 - present)
  33. ^ [29] Official Website of the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion
  34. ^ [30] Official Website of the 13th Dem-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (13e DBLE), Regimental Commander (1940- Present)
  35. ^ [31] Official Website of the Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte
  36. ^ [32] Official Website of the Foreign Legion Deatchment in Mayotte (DLME) and 2nd Company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e Co. 3e REI), Regimental Commander
  37. ^ [33] L'Etat-major du Commandement de la Légion Étrangère (general staff headquarters of the Commandment of the French Foreign Legion)
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