by Douglas Boyd
MLE - photographed by the author in the Legion museum at Aubagne by kind permission of the Commanding General of the Foreign Legion.
ALE - documents in the Archives de la Légion Etrangère, reproduced by arrangement with the Centre de Documentation of 1 RE at Aubagne.
SHAT – document at the Service Historique de l’Armée de Terre;
Notes and Sources
All translations are by the author, unless otherwise attributed
All reasonable steps have been taken to trace copyright owners. If any copyright has nevertheless been infringed, please communicate with the author, care of the publisher, so that this may be corrected in subsequent editions.
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[1] ‘Il sentait bon le sable chaud’
[2] ‘ . . . devenu fils de France, non par le sang reçu, mais par le sang versé.’
[3] Vous autres légionnaires sont soldats pour mourir, et je vous enverrai là où on meurt.’
[4] The French-built main roads, known as the routes coloniales, are still the principal arteries of the Vietnamese road network. Since many of them were used by the US later and re-named Highway One, etc, they are thus referred to in this book, and not as RC 1, RC 2 following French usage.
[5] P. Bonnecarrère Par le Sang Versé Paris, Presses de la Cité 1989, pp. 388-390
[6] SHAT 10 H 1142 18 August 1950
[7] Bonnecarrère, p. 418
[8] An alternative version is that, to overcome lack of radio communications due to terrain and meteorological conditions, a written order was dropped to Lepage from a light spotter plane flying beneath the low cloud cover.
[9] Bonnecarrère, pp. 431-2
[10] Bonnecarrère, p. 421. The incident is interesting as it corroborates Charton’s statement that the locals were not coerced into coming along, nor used as a human screen.
[11] Bonnecarrère, p. 422
[12] Bonnecarrère, p. 426-7
[13] B. Cabiro Sous le béret vert Paris, Plon 1987, p. 252
[14] Gen. R. Huré and Gen. H. de la Barre de Nanteuil, quoted in T. Geraghty March or Die London, Grafton 1986, p. 287
[15] Cabiro, p. 256
[16] Historian Philippe Devillers in Les Brûlures de l’Histoire broadcast on FR3 TV 26 April 1994
[17] Then called Bône
[18] See pp. 410-11 of Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff dated 28 August 1953 entitled ‘Subject: The Navarre Concept for Operations in Indochina,’ summarising the paper Principles for the Conduct of the War in Indochina submitted by Navarre to Lt.-Gen. O’Daniel, Chief of US Military Mission in Vietnam. Accessible in The Pentagon Papers, Gravel Edition on www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/pentagon/doc17.htm
[19] See p. 8/18 of the doctoral thesis prepared in 1991 by Maj. Harry D Bloomer for United States Army Marine Corps University Command and Staff College An Analysis of the French Defeat at Dien Bien Phu, accessible on www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1991/BHD.htm
[20] Bloomer, pp. 3/18 & 12/18
[21] Devillers in Brûlures
[22] C. Jacquemart in Le Figaro 7 May 2004
[23] E. Bergot Les 170 Jours de Diên Biên Phu Paris, Presses de la Cité 1979, pp. 45- 8
[24] ibid, p. 52
[25] ibid, p. 53
[26] ibid, p. 57
[27] Devillers in Brûlures
[28] Bergot 170 Jours, pp. 60-61
[29] Bloomer, pp. 14-18
[30] P. Grauwin Doctor at Dienbienphu London, Hutchinson 1955, p. 169 (abridged)
[31] ibid, p. 278 (abridged)
[32] ibid, p. 156 (abridged)
[33] Geraghty, p. 293
[34] ibid, p. 294
[35] Devillers in Brûlures
[36] L. Greisamer in Le Monde 13 July 2004
[37] ibid
[38] E. Bergot Convoi 42 Paris, Presses de la Cité 1986, p. 91
[39] Bergot’s Convoi 42 describes the ordeal in fictional form to avoid using real names.
[40] The end of the Second World War in Europe
[41] Reasonable estimates put the figure at 6,000. Radio Cairo claimed 50,000 dead.
[42] S. Stora Histoire de la Guerre d’Algérie Paris, Editions La Découverte 2004, p. 15
[43] ibid, p. 18
[44] D. Porch The French Foreign Legion London, HarperPerennial 1992, pp. 572-3
[45] An abbreviation of fellagha, plural felIouze
[46] Interview with the author
[47] In his speech to the House of Commons 4 November 1956
[48] P. Sergent Ma Peau au bout de mes Idées Paris, La Table Ronde 1967, pp. 154-6, 242
[49] P. Aussarès Pour la France Paris, Editions du Rocher 2001, pp. 265-7
[50] Stora Guerre dAlgérie, p. 25
[51] ibid, p. 27
[52] S. Murray Legionnaire London, Sidgwick & Jackson 1989, p. 172
[53] Interview with the author
[54] J.W.Worden Wayward Legionnaire London, Futura 1989, pp. 94-96
[55] ibid, pp, 104-5
[56] ibid, p. 104
[57] ibid, p. 105
[58] ibid, p. 177
[59] Aussarès, p. 267
[60] La Guerre d’Algérie en Photos Paris, EPA 1989, p. 46
[61] ibid, p. 61
[62] French grenades had longer fuses than US ones. When the latter were issued to men unaccustomed to them, things became ‘interesting.’
[63] French name, Philippeville
[64] Cabiro, p. 330
[65] Murray, pp. 131-4
[66] Cabiro, pp. 357-360
[67] ibid, p. 362
[68] Murray, pp. 135-8
[69] La Guerre d’Algérie en Photos, p. 111
[70] Worden, p. 112
[71] Cabiro, pp. 365-8
[72] ibid, p. 371-3
[73] Murray, p. 172
[74] ibid, pp.169-181
[75] Stora Guerre Algérie, p. 90
[76] ibid, p. 90 adds another 16,378 to this category
[77] Figures extracted from official reports and quoted in Stora, pp. 15, 25, 32, 34
[78] Stora Guerre d’Algérie, p. 90 quotes Renseignements Généraux figures giving 15,000 victims of internecine feuds and another 2,000 ALN killed by the Tunisian and Moroccan armed forces.
[79] La Guerre d’Algérie en Photos, p. 90
[80] It was called la guerre des sables - the war of the sands
[81] The départements d’outre-mer and territoires d’outre-mer, known as DOM-TOMs
[82] L’Histoire de Guillaume le Maréchal ed. P Meyer, vol III, Paris 1901, p. 171
[83] Stora Histoire de l’Algérie Coloniale Paris, La Découverte 2004, p. 12
[84] Chronique de France et des Français Paris, Larousse 1987, p. 837
[85] Col. P. Azan L’Armée d’Afrique 1830 – 1852 Paris, Plon 1936, p. 124 (author’s italics)
[86] SHAT Xb 725, 16 July 1831
[87] Porch, p. 6
[88] SHAT Xb 726 30 June 1831 (author’s italics)
[89] The full name el djazaïr beni Mezghana means ‘the islands of the sons of Mezghana,’ whose four islets were linked to make the early harbour walls.
[90] R.C. Anderson Devils, Not Men Newton Abbot, David & Charles 1988, p. 30
[91] J. Wellard The French Foreign Legion London, André Deutsch 1974, pp. 23-4
[92] Meaning ‘west’ in Arabic
[93] Anderson, p. 31
[94] L’Aiglon
[95] He had also been Napoleon’s Minister of Police.
[96] Azan, L’Armée d’Afrique, p. 47
[97] SHAT Xb 725 1 December 1832
[98] Azan L’Armée d’Afrique, pp. 80 - 81
[99] ibid, p.50
[100] SHAT 764, 1 January 1884
[101] Gen P.A. Grisot & Lt E. Coulombon La Légion Etrangère de 1831 – 1887 Paris, Berger-Levrault 1888, p. 97
[102] C-A Julien Histoire de l’Algérie Contemporaine Paris, PUF 1964, p. 272
[103] Wellard, p. 12
[104] Porch, p. 27
/> [105] Wellard, p. 41
[106] Porch, p. 34
[107] Wellard, p. 45
[108] Anderson, p. 35
[109] Azan L’Armée d’Afrique, p. 251
[110] ibid, p. 307
[111] Wilhelm von Rahden Wanderungen eines alten Soldaten(Berlin, Alexander Duncker 1851, Vol III, p. 251 (abridged)
[112] Azan L’Armée d’Afrique, p. 523
[113] G. Bapst Le Maréchal Canrobert Paris, Plon 1913, Vol I, p. 357
[114] A. St-Arnaud Lettres du Maréchal St-Arnaud Paris, Calmann-Levy 1864, p. 139
[115] St-Arnaud, p. 131
[116] Porch, 61 (abridged)
[117] Porch 64-5
[118] P. Azan Par L’Epée et par la Charrue. Ecrits et Discours du Général Bugeaud Paris, PUF 1948, p. 112
[119] Lady Duff Gordon The French in Algeria London, John Murray 1855, p.26
[120] Archives d’Outre-mer 18 June 1842, quoted in Porch, 76
[121] Bapst, Vol I, p.255
[122] J. de la Faye Souvenirs du Général Lacretelle Paris, Emile Paul 1907, pp. 1-2
[123] formerly Mogador
[124] P. de Castellane Military Life in Algiers London, Hurst & Blackett 1853, Vol I, p. 237-8
[125] Wellard, p.14
[126] Porch, p. 82
[127] Chronique, pp. 893-7
[128] There is an excellent account with maps and photographs on http://www.xenophongi.org/crimea/war/alma/alma.htm
[129] In the work known as rei militaris instituta
[130] See account on http://www.xenophongi.org/crimea/war/balaklava/balabat.htm
[131] See inter alia http://www.lourmel-algeriefrancaise.com/un%20peu%20d'histoire.htm
[132] Porch, p. 126
[133] Count G. de Villebois-Mareuil ‘La Légion Etrangère’ in La Revue des Deux Mondes, Vol 134 1896, p. 876
[134] Porch, p. 133
[135] Porch, p. 127
[136] Anderson, p. 40
[137] Grisot and Coulombon, pp. 565-70
[138] SHAT Xb 778
[139] Of Irish stock, but born a French citizen
[140] C-J. Zédé, quoted in Porch, p. 129
[141] ibid, pp. 129-30
[142] Porch, p. 130
[143] Porch, p.136
[144] Geraghty, p. 82
[145] G. Diesbach de Torny Notes et Souvenirs (unpublished MS), ALE, p. 50
[146] Légion Etrangère Historique Sommaire – avril 1864 (ALE)
[147] C-J. Zédé in Carnets de la Sabretache No 371 July-August 1934
[148] For a full account of the engagement from both Mexican and French sides, plus directions for finding Camarón, see the Spanish-language site of Bernardo Massieu and Marco Couttolenc - http://www.prodigyweb.net.mx/bservin/batalla_camaron_veracruz.htm
[149] The Museum of the Foreign Legion at Aubagne has a remarkable collection. Open to the public, it is, to borrow the Guide Michelin expression, well worth the journey.
[150] Personal communication from Brig Hunter-Choat.
[151] Légion Etrangère, Historique Sommaire ‘avril 1864’ ALE
[152] J.A. Dabbs The French Army in Mexico 1861 – 67 The Hague, Mouton 1963, pp. 230, 268
[153] Geraghty, pp 91-2
[154] Now Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
[155] Grisot & Coulombon, pp. 317-26
[156] ibid
[157] Chronique, p. 933
[158] A corps d’armée at the time was between 25,000 – 30,000 men.
[159] Chronique, p. 933
[160] Porch, p. 165
[161] quoted in Geraghty, p. 101
[162] Porch, p. 165
[163] Grisot & Coulombon, p. 338
[164] Also referred to as fédérés
[165] French bitterness at these harsh terms led to the vengeful Treaty of Versailles in June 1919 that sowed the seeds for World War 2.
[166] 1er Régiment Etranger 1867-72 (ALE)
[167] They still are subject to military law. In a recent Internet forum, a Paris fireman was advised by a serving legionnaire to complete his contract before trying to join the Legion, since it would otherwise treat him as a deserter.
[168] Geraghty, p. 111
[169] Porch, p. 208
[170] M. Poulin L’Admiral Courbet, sa jeunesse, sa vie militaire et sa mort Limoges, Ardant 1888, p. 67
[171] Meaning, the beautiful island
[172] H. MacAleavy Black Flags in Vietnam New York, Macmillan 1968, pp. 257-8
[173] Le Père Pralon Lionel Hart, engagé volontaire Paris, Retaux-Bray 1888, p. 189
[174] Called la Rivière Claire by the French
[175] Pralon, p. 128
[176] Sometimes transliterated as Li Xan-Phuc or Luu Vinh Phuoc
[177] C. Hubert Le Colonel Dominé Paris, Berger-Levrault 1938, p. 66
[178] M-E. Dominé Journal, 28 February, quoted in Porch, p. 217
[179] Author’s abridged translation.
[180] SHAT 3H 10, 22 April 1885 (Négrier Report)
[181] A-P. Maury Mes Campagnes au Tonkin Lyon, Vitte & Peyrusssel 1888, p.194 - 6
[182] Bôn-Mat Souvenirs d’un Légionnaire Paris, Messein 1914, pp. 177 - 179
[183] J.P. Le Poer A Modern Legionary New York, Dutton 1905, p. 145
[184] Bôn-Mat, p. 181
[185] Maury, p. 199
[186] Col Tournyol du Clos in La revue de l’Infanterie No 525, Vol 89, 1 May 1936, p. 859
[187] L. Huguet En Colonne: Souvenirs d’extrême-Orient Paris, Flamarrion (undated), p. 109
[188] E. Bolis Mémoires d’un sous-officier Courrier de Saône et Loire, Châlon-sur-Saône, 1905, p.61
[189] C. Meyer La vie quotidien des Français en Indochine 1860 – 1910 (Paris, Hachette 1985), p. 259
[190] A. Sylvère Le Légionnaire Flutsch Paris, Plon 1982, p. 64
[191] Porch, pp. 245-7
[192] F. Martyn Life in the Legion from a Soldier’s Point of View New York, Scribner’s 1911, pp. 184-5
[193] Sir R. Burton A Mission to Gelele, King of Dahomey London, Routledge and Kegan Paul 1966, pp. 261-4
[194] Also spelled ‘Whydah’ by English-speakers
[195] Martyn, p. 195
[196] Capt Jacquot Mon Journal de Marche de Dahomey (unpub. MS), quoted in Porch, p. 257
[197] The Hotchkiss was a gas-operated heavy machine gun introduced in France in 1892. Possibly the confusion is because the Opale was firing both shells from her cannon and the Hotchkiss as well.
[198] Jacquot, quoted in Porch, p. 257
[199] Geraghty, p. 129
[200] Martyn, p. 197
[201] H.P. Lelièvre Campagne du Dahomey (unpub. MS) ALE, p.27
[202] Now called Kodok
[203] See G. Drower Heligoland: the true story of German Bight Thrupp, Sutton 2002
[204] E.F. Knight Madagascar in Wartime London, Longmans Green 1896, p. 162
[205] Then called Tamatave
[206] Then called Tananarive
[207] Then called Majunga
[208] Porch, p. 277
[209] Rollet papers (ALE), quoted in Porch, p. 303
[210] E. Reibell Le Calvaire de Madagascar Paris, Berger-Levralt 1935, p. 104
[211] Lt. G.L. Langlois Souvenirs de Madagascar Paris, Charles Lavauzelle 1897, p. 116
[212] Langlois, pp. 123-4 (abridged)
[213] Reibell, p. 119
[214] Porch, p.275
[215] Known as l’affaire des fiches
[216] Geraghty, p. 140
[217] F. Fleming The Sword and the Cross London, Granta 2003, p. 169
[218] Le Temps, 2 May 1901
[219] The Times, 29 April 1901
[220] ibid
[221] J. Germain and S. Faye Le Général Laperrine Paris, Plon 1922, p. 98
[222] Fleming, p. 171
[223] Geraghty, p. 145
[224] Geraghty, p. 146
[225] al mamlakah al Maghribiyah
[226] Sgt Lefèvre Les Mémoires du Sergent Lefèvre à la Légion Etrangère (un
pub. MS at ALE, pages not numbered)
[227] ibid
[228] See images on www.ecpad.fr
[229] Lefèvre (abridged)
[230] Porch, pp. 323-4
[231] ibid, p. 293
[232] E. Rosen In the Foreign Legion London, Duckworth 1910, p. 229
[233] ibid, pp. 239-40
[234] Herson report (SHAT 1H 1015)
[235] The consequences of Bülow’s oversight caused his resignation on 26 June 1909.
[236] Geraghty, p. 151
[237] Sylvère, p. 203
[238] An interesting summary from The Handbook for the Diplomatic History of Europe, Asia and Africa 1870-1914 published in Washington DC by the Government Printing Office in 1918, is available on www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/boshtml/bos135.htm
[239] Figures disputed in SHAT 3H 148, 12 March 1913
[240] French title, Du Côté de Chez Swann
[241] Legal name, Frédéric Sauser
[242] M-C. Poinsot Les Volontaires Etrangers . . . en 1914-15 Paris, Dorbon-Aine 1915, pp. 12-13
[243] Wellard, pp. 83-4
[244] Poinsot, pp. 31-2
[245] Including 6,500 Alsatians and Lorrains, 4913 Italians, 3393 Russians, 2396 Germans and Austro-Hungarians, 1,867 Swiss, 1,462 Belgians, 1380 Greeks, 1369 Czech/Slovakian citizens, 979 Spaniards, 600 Americans from both hemispheres, 595 Turks, 591 Luxemburgers and 379 Britons
[246] B. Cendrars La Main Coupée Paris, Folio 1974, p. 141
[247] A. Seeger Letters and Diary of Alan Seeger New York, Scribner’s 1917, p. 154
[248] J. Reybaz Le 1er Mystérieux: Souvenirs de guerre d’un légionnaire suisse Paris, André Barry 1932, pp. 16-17
[249] K. Todorov Balkan Firebrand Chicago & New York, Ziff Davis 1943, p. 50
[250] Seeger Letters and Diary, p. 153
[251] Not just because of the vastness of the country, the poor railway network and the inefficiency of civil administration. There were also the personality problems of the Russian command. C-in-C Grand Duke Nikolai knew nothing of War Minister Sukhomnlinov’s elaborate Plan 19 for a pre-emptive strike into East Prussia that would take the pressure off the French on the western front. In any case, the grand duke was not on speaking terms with his army commanders, even Russian wireless communications were sent uncoded, and thus constantly intercepted by the Germans.
[252] Against troops including the BEF on the French left.
[253] That is, 4th Bataillon de Marche of 1 RE
[254] On 2 January
[255] In May 1915
[256] Cendrars, pp. 31-2
[257] The popular name for French infantry, meaning literally ‘hairy ones’, from their often unshaven appearance in the line.