6th Foreign Infantry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment (6th REI), or 6e Régiment Étrangère d'Infanterie, was an infantry regiment in the French Foreign Legion
from 1939 to 1941 and again from 1949 to 1955.
and the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment
. The 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment was established in part to handle the large number of foreign volunteers for French military service at the beginning of World War II, which numbered around 64,000 at the regiment's founding. The 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment remained loyal to Vichy France
at the beginning of World War II
. The 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment was disbanded on December 31, 1941. The regiment was founded once more in Tunisia
on April 1, 1949. The 6th Foreign Infantry regiment went on to fight in the First Indochina War
. Following its Indochina service, the regiment operated in Tunisia as part of French operations to maintain order in that country. The 6th Foreign Regiment was disbanded on June 30, 1955.
. The regiment was organized as such:
French Foreign Legion
The French Foreign Legion is a unique military service wing of the French Army established in 1831. The foreign legion was exclusively created for foreign nationals willing to serve in the French Armed Forces...
from 1939 to 1941 and again from 1949 to 1955.
History
The 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment was founded on October 15, 1939 in Syria with the elements of the disbanded 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment1st Foreign Regiment
The 1st Foreign Regiment is the senior regiment in the French Foreign Legion. Today the regiment is mainly administrative, and provides staff for the Command of the Foreign Legion....
and the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment
The 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment of the French Foreign Legion created in 1841 and is situated in the south of France at Nimes. The 2REI has participated in several conflicts, more notably in the Gulf war, in Bosnia, Chad and in different parts of Africa...
. The 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment was established in part to handle the large number of foreign volunteers for French military service at the beginning of World War II, which numbered around 64,000 at the regiment's founding. The 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment remained loyal to Vichy France
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
at the beginning of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment was disbanded on December 31, 1941. The regiment was founded once more in Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
on April 1, 1949. The 6th Foreign Infantry regiment went on to fight in the First Indochina War
First Indochina War
The First Indochina War was fought in French Indochina from December 19, 1946, until August 1, 1954, between the French Union's French Far East...
. Following its Indochina service, the regiment operated in Tunisia as part of French operations to maintain order in that country. The 6th Foreign Regiment was disbanded on June 30, 1955.
Organization
When first established the 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment consisted of 3,287 men. It was part of the 192nd Infantry Division192nd Infantry Division (France)
The 192nd Infantry Division, or the 192e division d'infanterie, was a French infantry division during World War II. The 192nd Infantry Division originally operated in the French Levant.-Overview:...
. The regiment was organized as such:
- General Staff, locateds at HomsHomsHoms , previously known as Emesa , is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Homs Governorate. It is above sea level and is located north of Damascus...
- 1st Battalion, formerly of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment, garrisoned at Soeuid.
- 2nd Battalion, formerly of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment, garrisoned at Baalbeck.
- 3rd Battalion, formerly of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment2nd Foreign Infantry RegimentThe 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment of the French Foreign Legion created in 1841 and is situated in the south of France at Nimes. The 2REI has participated in several conflicts, more notably in the Gulf war, in Bosnia, Chad and in different parts of Africa...
, garrisoned at DamascusDamascusDamascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
. - 4th Battalion, formerly of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment, garrisoned at HomsHomsHoms , previously known as Emesa , is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Homs Governorate. It is above sea level and is located north of Damascus...
and PalmyraPalmyraPalmyra was an ancient city in Syria. In the age of antiquity, it was an important city of central Syria, located in an oasis 215 km northeast of Damascus and 180 km southwest of the Euphrates at Deir ez-Zor. It had long been a vital caravan city for travellers crossing the Syrian desert...
.