The guys who revolted in N Africa counted on military wide support. There was long and deep involvement with that area.

Problem was, most serving at the time in the regular army were conscripts and not old professionals.

They had no intention of getting involved in this sort of maneuver.

Without their support, the resistance collapsed.

I know today the legion has a very long and deep pre enlistment process.

In addition to being some rough customers, homosexuality has its place.

Originally Posted by MAT-49

French Military (most likely Airborne) units NOT Legion. Period. Nowhere near that AO.
History is what is is. Quoting Jamie Salazar's book....bad start to gaining any credibility.
Regards
Bob Underwood

You may be correct about Airborne. All I remember was our kassernes being shut down and our being told it was because of rioting caused by troops returning from Algeria. The main rumor was that they were Legionaires enraged by what they felt was being betrayed by the French government and people.

Originally Posted by MAT-49

French Military (most likely Airborne) units NOT Legion. Period. Nowhere near that AO.
History is what is is. Quoting Jamie Salazar's book....bad start to gaining any credibility.
Regards
Bob Underwood

MAT-49 and Lvcabbie

FYI

The French don't call it airborne, its called "regiment parachautiste" or RP. But they are always called "les Paras".

For example: 1st 2nd REP the R.E.P stands for

REGIMENT. ETRANGER. PARACHAUTISTE. French Army "Paras" use the abbrieviation "RP". 2nd RP would be the 2nd Parachute Regiment and there are others like RPIM, REGIMENT PARACHUTIST INFANTRIE de MARINE (Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment).


Back to topic

I can ask my father in law about this one if you give me some time. He was a French Army Colonel in the Paras. 1962 was slightly before his time, but I bet he'd know if any PARAS were deployed in Verdun in 1962. 1962 is not a year the French military is soon to forget any time soon.

The French don't call it airborne, its called "regiment parachautiste" or RP. But they are always called "les Paras".

that's a given, I was trying to put in terms our "Master Sgt" could grasp...the one whom quotes Jamie Salazar

That would be Sergent Chef.

I am an american citizen, I have always wanted to join the US Military but due to my juvenile record I cannot join the desired branch which was either Army or Marines. The charges are no where near severe and even the recruiters said that they were stupid but its just the rules I guess. Im not a fan of being an outsider to my own country but seeing how France is a US friendly and seeing how the FFL help out around the world I see no problem in wanting to enlist. I just wanted to know if these charges would affect my enlistment, because that is a hell of a travel and money spent for no reason.
-Theft under $50 ($5)
-Fighting
-Miscellaneous Mischief (wrote in a book)
-Truancy (skipped 3 classes)
-Disruption of class (wearing a hat)
-Theft $50-$500
Im 18 years old, graduated early from High School and I have to serve to make due for taking granted of my privileged lifestyle and give back any way i can

Well by a one way ticket to Paris, find a cop and ask him for directions to the nearest Legion recruiting station and go knock on the door.
Dont specualte just bloody do it.

@MuteNPause.... my son followed Warwick's advised path, some years ago.
Do you have the grit to go through some of the roughest training in the world?
Its no joke.

@mmarsh ......and Etranger Genie? are they engineers?

Sometimes its the only way...... anyone really serious about joining the Legion would/ should have the smarts to hook upon one of the many Legion websites or forums for advice.
Though they have a pretty harsh view on wanna-be's......

Originally Posted by tonyreb

@MuteNPause.... my son followed Warwick's advised path, some years ago.
Do you have the grit to go through some of the roughest training in the world?
Its no joke.

@mmarsh ......and Etranger Genie? are they engineers?

Yes Im looking forward to it