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Post by legionnaire on Jul 27, 2006 1:18:39 GMT -5
Legionnaire serial # 26892, Philip
The Legendary 2e Regiment Etrangere d' Infanterie Morocco, 1908
The Beau Geste era during the Legion's great days. ”The Legion became a favorite of foreign pressmen; the inexorable advance of the hollow square of blue-coated figures, ignoring heavy fire, was a impressive and newsworthy picture. The Legionnaires were praised in print for their imperturbable steadiness on the battlefield, their marksmanship (noticeably superior to French line troops), their discipline, and their cheerful and ingenious improvisation in harsh conditions.”  Their favorite weapon the "epee' bayonet" called their "Rosalie"model 1886/93 “Lebel” 8mm rifle M1892/ 16 Scabbard/ frog bayonet 2 liter canteen (“Le Bidon”)  "Two companies of the 2e REI made an incredible march in April 1900. they set out from Geryville in that month, marched to El Goleah, Timimoun, Laghout, Afloa and returned to Geryville 72 days later. This represented a journey of 1,140 miles – an average of 16 miles a day through the terrible terrain of the great Western Erg, risking death from thirst or massacre in unmapped country." text by Martin Windrow Summer white “1882 Bourgeron” overalls
Summer white 1879 fatigue trousers
Traditional Legion Blue sash
Combat boots with black leather leggings
"Legio Patria Nostra" "Some of you men will try to quit. Others will try to run away.
No man in this command has ever succeeded!
If the desert doesn't get you, the Arabs will.
If the Arabs don't get you, the Legion will.
The legion doesn't get you, then I will!
I don't know which is worse!"
- Major Foster, from the great classic Legion film "March or Die" |
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Post by VeeVee on Jul 27, 2006 11:46:32 GMT -5
Wow... very nice. Where did you get your uniform and gear from?  Ah so that's what it is... "Le Boudin", I've always wondered what that was that Gene Hackman commanded them to sing while leaving the Arab camp in the movie. Did you ever see the FFL special/episode on the Military Channel? |
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Post by legionnaire on Jul 27, 2006 14:37:44 GMT -5
Hi Vic, The uniform I got from a guy who supplied the movie studios. The Rifle was from that Military shop in Burbank. The rest were from the Great westeren gun show in Pomona which is now gone!  Le Boudin in english means "the sausage roll". Will check on it's history As for the History cahnnel on ther legion I have that too! Philip |
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Post by milspec on Jul 28, 2006 13:02:36 GMT -5
Greetings Philip,
Very nice collection and impression. Very unusual, first time I've seen a French foreign legion impression. You are truly a military historian.
milspec
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Post by bravotwozero on Aug 4, 2006 21:30:56 GMT -5
Way cool Philip. That's a very unique niche you've got there. It looks good! I specially like the one without the overcoat. Parang tamang-tama for the desert.
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bolo
New Member
Posts: 34
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Post by bolo on Jan 29, 2008 3:10:23 GMT -5
I like your 1886 / 93 "Lebel" 8mm rifle, I have two bayonets for the Lebel in my collection
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Post by legionnaire on Jan 29, 2008 14:44:51 GMT -5
Do you have the two variations of the "Epee" bayonet?
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bolo
New Member
Posts: 34
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Post by bolo on Jan 29, 2008 14:53:08 GMT -5
Do you have the two variations of the "Epee" bayonet? both of mine have silver colored handles like yours, with 20 1/2" in long blade one has matching numbers one is not matching I heard they cut down the blades during WWI on most of the Epee bayonets? mine are original size pre WWI |
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Post by legionnaire on Jan 29, 2008 16:34:16 GMT -5
Are both yours with the C hook "blade breaker" Quillon ?
The other one I have has no quillon and with a brass handle.
All you need to complete it is a Lebel or Berthier Rifle! ;D I know who sells them.
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bolo
New Member
Posts: 34
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Post by bolo on Jan 29, 2008 17:29:44 GMT -5
Are both yours with the C hook "blade breaker" Quillon ? The other one I have has no quillon and with a brass handle. All you need to complete it is a Lebel or Berthier Rifle! ;D I know who sells them.  I wouldnt mind having one of these Berthier carbines, I like carbine sized rifles yes both of my Epee bayonets have the C hook, I think it was also used as a stacking swivel? |
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Post by texian13cav on Jan 29, 2008 19:29:48 GMT -5
Dude, BOUDIN means "sausage" come to SW Louisiana or SE Texas and eat your fill !!!!
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Post by jimmay on Apr 30, 2008 8:46:08 GMT -5
Speaking the French Foreign Legion, here's an jnteresting fact about the FFL and what they did today during the French Intervention in Mexico
"On the 30th of April, at 1 a.m., the 3rd company — 62 soldiers and 3 officers — was en route. At 7 a.m., after a 15-mile march, they stopped at Palo Verde to rest. Soon after, a Mexican Army force of 2,000 soldiers (800 cavalry & 1,200 infantry) was sighted. Captain Danjou ordered the company take up a square formation, and, though retreating, he rebuffed several cavalry charges, inflicting the first heavy losses on the Mexican army.
Seeking a more defensible position, Danjou made a stand at the nearby Hacienda Camarón, an inn protected by a 3-metre-high-wall. His plan was to occupy Mexican forces to prevent attacks against the nearby convoy. While his legionnaires prepared to defend the inn, the Mexican commander, Colonel Milan, demanded that Danjou and soldiers surrender, noting the Mexican Army's numeric superiority. Danjou replied: "We have munitions. We will not surrender." He then swore to fight to the death, an oath which was seconded by the men.
At noon, Captain Danjou was shot in the chest and died; his soldiers continued fighting despite overwhelming odds under the command of an inspired Lt. Vilain, who held for four hours before falling during an assault. With ammunition exhausted, the last of Danjou's soldiers, numbering only five under the command of Lt. Maudet, desperately mounted a bayonet charge. Two men died outright, while the rest continued the assault. The tiny group was surrounded and literally beaten to the earth. Colonel Milan, commander of the Mexicans, managed to prevent his men from ripping the surviving legionnaires to pieces. When the last two survivors were asked to surrender, they insisted that Mexican soldiers allow them safe passage home, to keep their arms, and to escort the body of Captain Danjou. To that, the Mexican commander commented, "What can I refuse to such men? No, these are not men, they are devils," and, out of respect, agreed to these terms." - From Wikipedia
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Post by legionnaire on Apr 30, 2008 13:47:29 GMT -5
The most important commemoration of the legion "Camerone Day! "
This would really make a classic story for a film. I wonder if there has been a French film made on this?
Philip
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Post by jimmay on Apr 30, 2008 21:22:19 GMT -5
I searched google for a film about Camerone but it didn't find one.  Bloody shame too, it make a good French version of the Alamo; I could understand that it seems difficult to make a film about this battle. I had a difficult time searching what the FFL and the Mexican Infantry and Calvary wore at that time. It would make a great film though |
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Post by legionnaire on Apr 30, 2008 21:45:21 GMT -5
The FFL wore white summer trousers as they kept their red trousers for important occasions. I read that they tossed away those sombrero hats and opted for their Kepi's.
I help a 1/6 customizer once for his project on the Legion specially on Camerone. Will try and find some of his works.
Philip
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Post by VeeVee on May 1, 2008 6:07:51 GMT -5
It's always the same theme for the FFL. A'la Beau Geste, March of Die. Always surrounded, fighting to the last man. They should make a movie about it.
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Post by VeeVee on Oct 24, 2009 21:32:45 GMT -5
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Post by legionnaire on Oct 25, 2009 1:51:14 GMT -5
 Nice beginnings! Your petit légionnaire recruit will need a complete legion uniform for Halloween? He will need marching boots too. Mon Capitaine! perhaps have Perry's tailor have one made. Scout and Legionnaire. Check this out as a possible Christmas gift! ;D www.conteco.com/TheStore/FFL/FFLHOME.htm
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Post by legionnaire on Oct 25, 2009 1:59:13 GMT -5
 Paris The French Foreign Legion is going into the wine business to raise funds for its veterans. Called Esprit de Corps, to embody the legionnaire spirit, its 2007 Côtes de Provence red and rose vintages are produced from grapes grown on a property in southern France used to shelter its war-wounded and former fighters, who work in the vineyard. At a ceremony to launch the wines, Lieutenant-Colonel Xavier Lantaires, an officer at the property in Puyloubier, described them as “strong when attacked, solid on the onslaught, full of grapeshot on the front line”. (AFP) Vive la Legion! |
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Post by VeeVee on Oct 27, 2009 0:22:19 GMT -5
Nice beginnings! Your petit légionnaire recruit will need a complete legion uniform for Halloween? He will need marching boots too. Mon Capitaine! perhaps have Perry's tailor have one made. Scout and Legionnaire. Check this out as a possible Christmas gift! ;D www.conteco.com/TheStore/FFL/FFLHOME.htm Great website! Thanks  I may have to get him a toy rifle instead of a shotgun |
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Nice beginnings! Your petit légionnaire recruit will need a complete legion uniform for Halloween? He will need marching boots too. Mon Capitaine!
I may have to get him a toy rifle instead of a shotgun