french foreign legion

[vicster2006]

whats is all about? why was it set up? whats it for? why do the wrong-uns go there?

[Drusilla1S]

The French Foreign Legion was set up in 1831 to fight a colonial war in Algeria. It was used to augment regular French forces and act as cannon fodder.

Originally, the Legionairres were French criminals or foreigners who were running away from problems in their own countries. The Legion was based in Sidi-bel-Abbes in Algeria until 1962 and this fact meant a great many undesirables were kept off French soil.

It could be argued the Legion is a mercenary army, paid for by the French. Recruits serve a five year term and after three years can apply for French citizenship, which has always been a great motivator for people running away from tyranny or escaping from justice. Many Jews joined the Legion to escape Hitler in the 1930's and surprisingly many former SS soldiers joined after WW II and fought in the Indo China wars of the 1950's.

Although, it is still possible to receive a new identity when joining, more thorough background checks are carried out than in the past. Murderers, rapists and armed robbers no longer find sanctuary within the Legion, which is now considered an elite, rapid response unit.

The Legion always marches at the back of any military ceremony in France because it has a very slow marching style, whose name eludes me at present.

For anyone interested in joining, this site may help.

http://www.foreignlegionlife.com/

[Artemis]

There is also a Spanish Foreign Legion.