Creation Of French Foreign Legion

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Introduction

The French Foreign Legion was established on March 10, 1831 by King Louis Philippe to serve two main roles. One of them and most extensively realized intention was to defend France’s empire, which was flourishing itself into Africa by this time. Secondly, and less significant, reason was as a way out to the inflow into France of foreigners from other countries in Europe. Legion fought for 130 years, bravely around the world defending the French empire. Departure of France from Algeria in 1962 generally marked the ending of French Imperialism worldwide and raised a question amongst many military thinkers in and outside of France the Legion’s military importance.

Even after 182 years of its survival, the French Foreign Legion remains a much misunderstood unit in the global military scenario. Huge non-supportive behavior of French people against the United States led alliance for war against terrorism in Iraq and also their rejection to even recognize it as a global war provides only to increase the Legion’s contemporary insignificance.

Legion has mainly engaged itself in very rare attempts in the domain of peacekeeping and expansion of larger national military forces since 1962, they have established and preserved a level of preparation and capability that is more than that of other specialized military establishments. Foreign French Legion remains a vital component of nation’s military infrastructure, especially after recent reorganization.

Creation of French Foreign Legion

King Louis Philippe came into power after King Charles X was overthrown in the result of a rebellion. King Louis Philippe was struggling with the problem soon after climbing the throne of France. That was how to address the huge number of refugees, revolutionaries and exiles coming from the bordering countries mixed up in internal uprisings. He knew the risk these foreigners can pose to his kingdom. A solution was proposed to King Louis Philippe by a self-proclaimed lieutenant general of French Army, Jean Lacroix. Lacroix had already formed a structure of foreign volunteers with designs on utilizing them in newly conquered territory of Algeria by the French army. He suggested that his force be expanded by positive recruiting all over the country side of France with pledges of handsome salary and legal status in the country. These suggestions of Jean Lacroix were approved by the King Louis Philippe as an excellent solution that was not only addressing his refugees’ problem, but it would also help in reducing the strive on the regular French military combating abroad. Thus, on 10 March 1831, une légion composée d’étrangers (a legion composed of foreigners) was formed under royal order signed by the King.

Using foreign soldiers by French was though not a new concept. The French Foreign Legion was based on the Hohenlohe Regiment that was formed in 1815 as a backup for the conquered foreign regions to be included into Napoleon’s huge military. It furnished a base upon which the new French Foreign Legion was structured. By the end of 1831, five complete divisions had been organized and were positioned all around the Mediterranean into Algeria. The early formation of Legion was far from a quality force that it would become despite of the fact that force was being led by Army officers and non-commissioned officers of regular French military. Almost every volunteer was welcomed as a part of the force despite of the requirement that "every applicants should provide a birth certificate, a recommendation of good conduct, and a authorized document from military stating that person had the essential requirements for making him a good soldier" importantly "all volunteers should be aged between 18 and 40s." The starting months of the unit’s engagement in Algeria was noticeable by murder, thievery, desertion and related offenses committed by criminals that were accepted by Legion recruiters gladly enlisted. This indiscipline attitude was soon eradicated by strong-handed leadership of French regulars as well as Swiss Hohenlohe veterans who slowly changed the Foreign Legion into a new disciplined outfit. Miscreants and aggressive criminals were shot without any trial while minor lawbreakers were ruthlessly beaten. This cruel attitude somehow took control over Legion volunteers would become a feared and efficient tradition; but, these practices were not entirely incorporated before the Legion’s first tests in battle on the deserts of Algeria.

Early Conflicts Legion Faced on the Grounds

Most of their early battles were scored as of poor quality on an unfamiliar terrain. These were marked in defense of the newly formed Legion. Legion faced a disaster in there early battle at Maison Carree on 27 May 1832. Twenty Seven members of Legion under the order of accompanied by some newly recruited Africans and led by Swiss lieutenant ordered by French regulars to seize an eastern attack into Algiers. After being heavily outnumbered by an attacking group of Arabs, Legionnaires fire just one poorly directed burst. While retreating Legionnaires were quickly surrounded by the attackers, all of them were slaughtering except one. Though this wasn’t the last defeat they’ve faced in the battle field, their later on efforts on the ground proved them less doubtful.

After satisfying with the Legion’s performance during training, King Louis Philippe sent off three of its battalions to for the assistance Queen Isabella II against her uncle conflict for the throne of the country, in the ending summers of 1835. Without any proper uniform and leadership Legionnaires were still better trained and well equipped. During their campaign in Spain French government was failed to fulfill its commitment of standards to Legion members. They failed to pay them properly, to fed them and even failed maintain the same standard of discipline amongst them, which resulted to disease, offense, and neglect inside the Legion’s ranks. Additionally, they were fighting under the command of Queen Isabella’s court which engaged Legionnaires in the most dangerous missions mostly against an unfamiliar enemy on unknown region. But still, they’ve showed courage and remained on the battle ground did so bravely often to their deaths. This campaign of Foreign French Legion was significant for two reasons firstly; it constituted a standard method for utilizing the force in the battle field- a force that was always prepared to die despite of loss. Secondly, it tagged the physical end of the true Legion. This military campaign also give Legionnaires a heavy life loss, out of 9000 servicemen who were deployed in Spain, about 200 or less returned to French territory in January 1839. While requirement of foreign legion remained, but need a rebuilt after a hard Spanish campaign.