The French Foreign Legion marching contingent, which will take part in the Republic Day parade, during a dress rehearsal in New Delhi. (India Sentinels photo via special arrangement.)
New Delhi: The French military marching contingent that will take part in the 75th Republic Day parade to be held here at Kartavya Path, on January 26, will feature six personnel of Indian origin and six personnel of Nepalese origin, the contingent commander of the French Foreign Legion, Captain Louis Noel, told reporters on Tuesday. As India Sentinels had reported, France will have a significant participation in this year’s Republic Day celebrations, in which the country’s president, Emmanuel Macron, will be the chief guest.
The French contingent will see the participation of two French air force Rafale fighters, one multirole tanker-transport aircraft, a 33-member French air force band, and a 95-member marching contingent of French Foreign Legion.
Interestingly, as the Indian military is preparing to showcase Nari Shakti (women power) on Republic Day, the entire French contingent will be led by a woman officer – Colonel Anne-Laure Michel, although she will not participate in the parade itself.
The French Foreign Legion marching contingent, which will take part in the Republic Day parade, during a dress rehearsal in New Delhi. (India Sentinels photo via special arrangement.)
What is the French Foreign Legion?
The French Foreign Legion (or Légion étrangère in French) is a branch of the French army that was created in 1831 by King Louis Philippe I (October 6, 1773 – August 26, 1850), who was also known as the “Citizen King”, to allow foreign nationals to serve in the French army.
The legion is known for its highly trained soldiers and its strong esprit de corps (common spirit existing among the members of the legion), as its men come from different countries with different cultures. The legion is unique in the way that it is open to foreign recruits willing to serve in the French military.
The French Foreign Legion consists of several specialties, including infantry, cavalry, engineers, and airborne troops. It has a strength of around 9,000 soldiers. Legionnaires are trained in traditional military skills and are known for their physical and psychological toughness. Training is often described as not only physically challenging, but also psychologically very stressful.
The French Foreign Legion marching contingent during a dress rehearsal in New Delhi with Indian military helicopters flying overhead. (India Sentinels photo via special arrangement.)
The legion has a long and unique history among the French army units. It was historically formed of expatriate enlisted personnel led by French officers. The legion has been involved in many conflicts throughout history, including the French conquest of Algeria (1830–1903), Crimean War (1853–1856), Franco-Prussian War (July 1870–January 1871), World War I (1914–1918), World War II (1939–1945), the First Indochina War (1946–1954), and the Algerian War (1954–1962).
Legionnaires (soldiers) of the French Foreign Legion may apply for French citizenship after three years of service, or immediately after being wounded during a battle for France under a provision known as “Français par le sang versé” (“French by spilled blood”).
