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Battle of Messifre 1925

Rapace

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This is why the lyrics of the 1er REC regimental song say “Une colonne de la Légion étrangère, s'avance dans le bled, en Syrie (...). Le Druze s'avance à la bataille (...)” If you read the names of the legionnaires KIA during this fight, you notice many Russian names (including one called Gorbatcheff !). This is because, originally, the 1er REC was essentially composed of “White” (anti-Bolshevik) Russians who fled their country after the Communists eventually won the civil war that lasted several years after the 1917 Revolution.
 

SnafuSmite

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Never knew that the REC was initially composed of "white" Russians. I'm trying to read up on the interwar history of the Legion. Some real interesting stuff!
 

Rapace

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Never knew that the REC was initially composed of "white" Russians. I'm trying to read up on the interwar history of the Legion. Some real interesting stuff!
In the interwar period, another ‘hot spot’ for the Legion was Morocco and the war in the Rif moutains (nothern Morocco), against the troops of leader Abd-El-Krim. 4e REI (now 4e RE at Castelnaudary) was actually the Legion regiment ‘dedicated’ to Morocco (like 5e REI was dedicated to Indochina).
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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In the interwar period, another ‘hot spot’ for the Legion was Morocco and the war in the Rif moutains (nothern Morocco), against the troops of leader Abd-El-Krim. 4e REI (now 4e RE at Castelnaudary) was actually the Legion regiment ‘dedicated’ to Morocco (like 5e REI was dedicated to Indochina).

And both their regimental couleurs are kept in the crypt in Aubagne.
 

SnafuSmite

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In the interwar period, another ‘hot spot’ for the Legion was Morocco and the war in the Rif moutains (nothern Morocco), against the troops of leader Abd-El-Krim. 4e REI (now 4e RE at Castelnaudary) was actually the Legion regiment ‘dedicated’ to Morocco (like 5e REI was dedicated to Indochina).
Wasn't that the premise for Jean-Claude Van Damme's Legionnaire? The Rif War.
 

Rapace

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Wasn't that the premise for Jean-Claude Van Damme's Legionnaire? The Rif War.
Yes. However, if I remember right, most of the scenes in the movie take place in desert landscapes while the Rif actually is more a mountainous region, not a desert with dunes like in the Sahara.
 

SnafuSmite

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Yes. However, if I remember right, most of the scenes in the movie take place in desert landscapes while the Rif actually is more a mountainous region, not a desert with dunes like in the Sahara.
Hollywood at its finest....
 
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