Camp Raffalli, Calvi

[mark wake]

Dusa, here is one legend from Kolwezi... Sabljic (Sgt. at the time of Kolwezi, later Colonel). The first time I met the man he punched me squarely in the chest in the 3Cie club, stared men in the eye and said “you’re in the best company of the REP, now do your best”. He stands well over 6 foot. Sabljic now runs Puyloubier for the Legion.

Good! If things screw up here I can always go back there. He’ll either do one of two things. One..tell me to piss off! or two.. open a bottle of wine and we’ll get hammered!

 

[Crawdad]

Just looking at satellite imagery of both sites, it looks as if the Maison du Légionnaire doesn't have vignobles (vineyards) like Puyloubier does. Both are in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, so it's definitely wine country; but the MdL just doesn't seem have enough land to grow grapes. It does seem to have gardens, though.

 

[dusaboss]

Dusa, here is one legend from Kolwezi... Sabljic (Sgt. at the time of Kolwezi, later Colonel). The first time I met the man he punched me squarely in the chest in the 3Cie club, stared men in the eye and said “you’re in the best company of the REP, now do your best”. He stands well over 6 foot. Sabljic now runs Puyloubier for the Legion.

I would really like to meet that guy. Who knows ... young candidates going to Puyloubier to help. Now I only need to become cadinat , because young I'm not anymore.

 

[mark wake]

I would really like to meet that guy. Who knows ... young candidates going to Puyloubier to help. Now I only need to become cadinat , because young I'm not anymore.

That’s okay Dusa. Life is like that. It matters not to me if you are blue or green. You would not want the hurt inside me anyway. Just do the best you can in life. Take care lad.

 

[dusaboss]

I would really like to meet that guy. Who knows ... young candidates going to Puyloubier to help. Now I only need to become cadinat , because young I'm not anymore.

Anyway I couldn't really found anything in Yugo language about Zlatko SABLJIC (No wonder here they usually glorify deserters from FFL )
I read some French article and they say that he is born in France (if I translated right). Can someone confirm or deny that?

 

[dusaboss]

That’s okay Dusa. Life is like that. It matters not to me if you are blue or green. You would not want the hurt inside me anyway. Just do the best you can in life. Take care lad.

It does matter! I mean I really don't care if I get green name here even if I become legionnaire, but essence of that really does matter to me.

 

[Le petit caporal]

• Aug 84 - Dec 84 Reserve Officer training at Coëtquidan, after some time spent in the French equivalent of what is called ROTC in the US. I was with someone that Le Petit Caporal may have known at 2e REI, who ended as 2IC, Lt-Col Xavier Ca...

Confirm for the Lt-Col C. First met him on his arrival to the regiment and he was a sous-lieutenant (2Lt) at the time. Went up in the ranks.
Couple of times we talked, he came across as a decent bloke. Ended up as second in Command.

 

[Pink Floyd]

Anyway I couldn't really found anything in Yugo language about Zlatko SABLJIC (No wonder here they usually glorify deserters from FFL )
I read some French article and they say that he is born in France (if I translated right). Can someone confirm or deny that?

Dusa, please read again... ne en/born in Yugoslavia 1955

 

[USMCRET]

That’s okay Dusa. Life is like that. It matters not to me if you are blue or green. You would not want the hurt inside me anyway. Just do the best you can in life. Take care lad.

The hurt is immense like Atlas. The memories are not replaceable and the bonds are the strongest, more than mere friends or relatives

 

[Pink Floyd]

The legendary Pierre Jeanpierre from 1er REP... First photo from the museum Calvi 1994.

Joe Cos, Kiwi Trembath says hello. Now for something special. Kiwi Ray has finally got the 1, 2, 3e BEP original pucelles. It took him a lot of time, bargaining and money. He sent me this photo yesterday....

 

[Joseph Cosgrove]

I can only imagine what his room is like nowadays. Tell him I said hello back.

 

[Pink Floyd]

Nice one mate. I heard the remains of Cpl Arnold were removed from the cemetery. Were they sent back to the UK? If anybody has any information I’d be grateful.

Mark, one the lads sent me this photo. As you can see Arnold was originally buried in Calvi, then his remains sent to back Britain. No one seems to know whether he was re-buried, or cremated. Hope this helps...




The fort at Calvi, 1994. My last 5 months were with the PM’s. A good way to prepare for civvy street. A lot more relaxed compared to a combat company. Some good men in this photo. Most are coming to the end of their respective contracts.

 

[mark wake]

Mark, one the lads sent me this photo. As you can see Arnold was originally buried in Calvi, then his remains sent to back Britain. No one seems to know whether he was re-buried, or cremated. Hope this helps...

Thanks Ossie. He never spoke much about his family or even old blighty. Kept it to ourselves back then. Given a choice I think he would of wanted his remains to stay in Calvi. the REP takes good care of its own.

The fort at Calvi, 1994. My last 5 months were with the PM’s. A good way to prepare for civvy street. A lot more relaxed compared to a combat company. Some good men in this photo. Most are coming to the end of their respective contracts.

That last year I spent in the REP they squeezed every drop of of sweat out of me! Cadre for the young cpls of the regiment then cadre for the para promo. It was a bloody relief to be put on the PM’s. Good photo mate.

 

[Chas]

It does matter! I mean I really don't care if I get green name here even if I become legionnaire, but essence of that really does matter to me.

Dusaboss you are all heart man. Enjoy the forum and participate. It matters not what you do as long as eventually you can look back and say; I have lived a full and interesting life. So keep posting.

 

[Pink Floyd]

Thanks Ossie. He never spoke much about his family or even old blighty. Kept it to ourselves back then. Given a choice I think he would of wanted his remains to stay in Calvi. the REP takes good care of its own.

That last year I spent in the REP they squeezed every drop of of sweat out of me! Cadre for the young cpls of the regiment then cadre for the para promo. It was a bloody relief to be put on the PM’s. Good photo mate.

I’m at the rear, far right

 

[Pink Floyd]

Some recent photos of the 3Cie (compagnie amphibie) jumping into the bay of Calvi

 

[Rapace]

We can see in the pictures the new standard parachute introduced in the French Army from 2010, called EPC (Ensemble Parachutable du Combattant). Below a picture of a paratroopers equipped with this system. Interesting to see how the individual weapon is strapped and the new design of the so-called in French gaine, used to carry the rucksack.

 

[Joseph Cosgrove]

We can see in the pictures the new standard parachute introduced in the French Army from 2010, called EPC (Ensemble Parachutable du Combattant). Below a picture of a paratroopers using equipped with this system. Interesting to see how the individual weapon is strapped and the new design of the so-called in French gaine, used to carry the rucksack.

The guy in the front row, third from the right. I don't know, it could be his weapon or his gaine...

 

[Tom Juvenez]

Some recent photos of the 3Cie (compagnie amphibie) jumping into the bay of Calvi

How are the parachutes gathered in theatre after a jump into the sea, I've seen where raft boats are on stand by to gather them but is this always the case?

 

[Joseph Cosgrove]

Zodiacs. Yes, unless it was to be an operational jump and then they would probably be sunk.