Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion in Indochina


The Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion, existed briefly in Indochina while regrouping the ensemble of the Battalion Forming Corps issued from the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI. The Demi-Brigade would become on 1 September 1930 the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment.

Creation and different nominations

History, garrisons, campaigns and battles

On 1 September 1930 the BFC of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI and the 1st battalion of the 1er REI newly arrived in the Far East allowed the constitution of four battalions of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment 5e REI:
  • The 4e BFC became the I/5e REI : 1st battalion of the 5e REI
  • The 7e BFC became the II/5e REI: 2nd battalion of the 5e REI
  • The 9e BFC became the III/5e REI : 3rd battalion of the 5e REI
  • The 1st battalion of the 1er REI became the IIII/ 5e REI : 4th battalion of the 5e REI
Nevertheless, the BFC remained until 1 April 1931.

Regimental Commanders

  • Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion in Indochina.
  • * 1930 : Lieutenant-colonel Debas Jean.
  • 9e BFC of the 1er REI
  • * 1926: Chef de bataillon Prieur.
  • * 1927: Chef de bataillon Maire.
  • * 1929: Chef de bataillon Lorillard
  • 7e BFC of the 1er REI
  • * 1927 - 1929: Chef de bataillon Boutry
  • * 1929 - 1930: Chef de bataillon Kratzert
  • 4e BFC of the 1er REI
  • * 1930: Chef de bataillon Lambert.