The french foreign legion is the most famous of the legions, but its not the only one. For 170 years, jobless, homeless and loveless men have found in the legion a sense of purpose worth all the rigors and risks of serving in the worlds longeststanding mercenary army. The french foreign legion was created by louis philippe, the king of france, on 10 march 1831 from the foreign regiments of the kingdom of france. How does the french foreign legion rank as a very tough. Search the history of over 424 billion web pages on the internet. It is also one of the last remaining mercenary forces in the world alongside the gurkha regiments in the british army. A complete history of the legendary fighting force b the french foreign legion. Complete history of the legendary fighting force by douglas porch 1992, paperback, reprint at the best online prices at ebay. Time was, films about the french foreign legion were themselves legion.
Wren s 1924 romantic novel, beau geste, unleashed a sandstorm of popular legioninspired celluloid. History of the multinational military force established in 1831 and its relationship to. A complete history of the legendary fighting force. Complete history of the legendary fighting force at.
The french foreign legion is a complete, captivating study of the famed fighting force, from its inception in 1831 to modern times. The legend of beau gaste and the hellraising, harddrinking, longsuffering, loyal legionnaires has been immortalized by countless novels and hollywood movies. Conceived in fear and mistrust, this fighting force of unmanageable misfits and deserters survived, thrived and earned its countrys grudging respect. A complete history of the legendary fighting force by douglas porch porch is a professor at the citadel in charleston, south carolina. Featured texts all books all texts latest this just in smithsonian libraries fedlink us genealogy lincoln collection.
Douglas porch no other military force in the last century and a half has captured the popular imagination to such a degree or has been so surrounded by romance, legend, and mystery as the french foreign legion. The spanish used the french army as a model, except its soldiers now are mainly spaniards who serve abroad. Those who faced them on the battlefield had less to say. A complete history of the legendary fighting force full collection. History of the french foreign legion howstuffworks. Seeger was the brother of charles seeger, a noted american pacifist and musicologist. What led to the creation of the french foreign legion. Dien bien phu and the french defeat in vietnam by martin windrow, our f. Alan seeger 22 june 1888 4 july 1916 was an american war poet who fought and died in world war i during the battle of the somme, serving in the french foreign legion. My senior thesis was on the french foreign legion between 1914 and 2014. On march 9, 1831, king louis phillipe of france established the french foreign legion, a fighting force for france that has gone on to win fame and admiration for their fierceness, esprit d corps, bravery and honor. This item shows some wear from consistent use, but remains in good condition and works great.
A new history of the french foreign legion tony geraghty the french foreign legion. Meet the australian who joined the misfits and fugitives. A complete history of the legendary fighting force ebook pdf. The foreign legion 30th january, 2018 by rupert millar the french foreign legion is one of the most famous fighting forces in the. Fighting and taining with english subtitles duration. The legend of beau gaste and the hellraising, harddrink. He is best known for the poem i have a rendezvous with death, a favorite of president john f.
He served as chief of state of france from 1873 to 1875. The abc spends a week in corsica with one of only 10 australians serving in the infamous french foreign legion, a legendary fighting force of fugitives and misfits lured by regular pay and the. What i mean is that the ffl is made primarily of foreign soldiers who agree to rather harsh terms. The unit is a very distinctive and is regarded as an elite fighting force. Legionnaires are highly trained infantry soldiers and the legion is unique in that it is open to foreign recruits willing to serve in the french armed forces. Known for its austerity and discipline, deprivation and sacrifice, the french foreign legion is perhaps the most intriguing and famous fighting force in the world. The french foreign legion a complete history of the legendary fighting force. The remainder were french regulars of the colonial army plus three battalions of the foreign legion.
These were men at the end of their tether who found a home among their fellow outcastsand found glory, too, more than enough to go around. This book is the most complete and balanced history of the legion ever written. Nine days later on march 18, 1831, an additional directive was issued restricting membership in the newly formed legion to foreigners. Recruits included soldiers from the recently disbanded swiss and german foreign regiments of the bourbon monarchy. A separate force of indigenous gardes indochinois gendarmerie. Historian douglas porch chronicles the legions involvement in spain, mexico, indochina, madagascar, wwi, vietnam, and algiers to name a few and delves into the inner workings of legionnaires and their captains. The inside story of the worldfamous fighting force by john robert young and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Or rather, put them to work outside france so they would not mess things up again. It has blended into the background, camouflaged by the military multitude hopping aboard its historical bandwagon. No other military force in the last century and a half has captured the popular imagination to such a degree or has been so surrounded by romance, legend, and mystery as the french foreign legion. These were the rough, tough, preternaturally savage fighters of the french foreign legion. Here douglas porch examines the legion myth and goes beyond it to explore the legion s mystique and describe its performance from its founding in 1831 to today.