11th Foreign Infantry Regiment

The 11th Foreign Infantry Regiment (French: 11e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie, 11e REI) was a regiment of the French Foreign Legion which served during World War II from 1939 to 1940.

11th Foreign Infantry Regiment
(11e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie)
Active1939-1940
Country France
AllegianceFrench Foreign Legion
BranchFrench Army
TypeInfantry
Size3,000 men
EngagementsWorld War II
Each year, the French Foreign Legion commemorates and celebrates Camarón in its headquarters in Aubagne and Bastille Day military parade in Paris; featuring the Pionniers leading and opening the way.

History

The 11th Foreign Infantry Regiment was stationed in Lorraine, France from late 1939 to the spring of 1940.

The 11th REI defended the northern Inor Wood near Verdun from the German offensive early on in the battle until June 11, 1940, when the regiment began a fighting retreat to the south. By June 18, the 11th REI had lost three-fourths of its strength and the regiment withdrew to the south near Toul.[1] The regimental flag was burned at Crezilles near Nancy to prevent it falling into German hands.[2]

Organization

The 11th Foreign Infantry Regiment was composed of 2,500 veterans of the Legion who had served in North Africa and 500 Legionnaire reservists.[3]

See also

Notes
  1. Porch, Douglas (1992). French Foreign Legion: The Complete History of the Legendary Fighting Force. pp. 2–4.
  2. Boyd, Douglas (2006). The French Foreign Legion. p. 252.
  3. Porch, Douglas (1992). French Foreign Legion: The Complete History of the Legendary Fighting Force. p. 455.

References
  • Porch, Douglas. The French Foreign Legion: The Complete History of the Legendary Fighting Force. Harper Collins, New York, 1991. ISBN 978-0-06-092308-2
  • Boyd, Douglas (2006). The French Foreign Legion. England: Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0-7509-3939-7.
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