Review of the troops, parade, French naturalization… the legionnaires of the 1st Reg celebrate the Battle of Camerone

The 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, based in Laudun-L’ardoise, celebrated the Battle of Camerone this Tuesday, April 30. There were numerous members of the public, families and elected officials to attend the troop parade.

The 161st anniversary of the battle of Camerone was celebrated this Tuesday April 30 at the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1st Reg) of Laudun-l’Ardoise. This battle, where around sixty legionnaires resisted 2,000 Mexicans for 11 hours on April 30, 1863, is considered the foundation of the Legion spirit. Despite uncertain weather, a large number of people attended the taking of arms. Several mayors from surrounding towns were present as well as the RN deputy for the 3rd constituency of Gard, Pascale Bordes. The troops were presented by Colonel Rémy Chabaud, corps commander of the 1st Reg, to General Seiler, commander of the 6th Light Armored Brigade (6th BLB).

A naturalization ceremony

The general officer then addressed the legionnaires. "By commemorating this year the 40th anniversary of this regiment, you join a long and prestigious line of sapper legionnaires […] As the storm roars across the world, be ready to do facing the harshest shocks. And if necessary, until the supreme sacrifice." A chief warrant officer and a major, who have respectively completed 21 and 31 years of service in the Legion, were awarded a military medal. A first year lieutenant of the 2nd company recited by heart the story of the fight at Camerone.

The companies (except the 3rd deployed in Ivory Coast) then paraded in front of the public, families and elected officials. As tradition dictates, it was the pioneers who opened the way with their buffalo leather apron, their white gloves and their ax on their shoulder.

Just afterwards, three non-commissioned officers and five enlisted personnel received their French naturalization decree in the hall of honor in the presence of elected officials, the general and the commanding officer.

The elected officials, in the presence of the general and the commander, presented a decree of naturalization in the hall of honor to three non-commissioned officers and five rank-and-file soldiers. Chloé Lopez – Midi Libre

The festivities continue until the early evening with the legionnaire's ball and the election of Miss White Kepi from 9 p.m. On May 1, the Rollet headquarters reopens its doors from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the rest of the fair with fairground and fun stands. Between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., dynamic demonstrations carried out by the different companies.