6th Foreign Engineer Regiment
| 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (6e Régiment étranger de Génie) | |
|---|---|
 Regimental Insignia of 6e REG | |
| Active | 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment 1984 - 1999 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment 1999-present |
| Country |  France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Engineer |
| Role | Combat Engineer Airborne Combat Engineer |
| Size | 750 |
| Part of | 6th Light Armoured Division, (6e DLB) |
| Garrison/HQ | Laudun |
| Patron | Saint Barbara |
| Motto(s) | AD UNUM ( All to One End ) |
| Colors | Green & Red |
| March | Sapeurs, mineurs et bâtisseurs |
| Engagements | Kuwait 1990–1991 |
| Battle honours | Camerone 1863[1] Battle of Messifre 1925[1] Syria 1925-1926[1] Kuwait 1990–1991[2] |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | 6e REG |
The 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (French: 6e régiment étranger de génie) was a unit of the Foreign Legion in the French Army, part of the rapid reaction force and component of the 6th Light Armoured Division, (6e DLB). The 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment became the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1e REG) in 1999.
Creation and names
[edit]The 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (6e REG) was created on 1 July 1984 at Laudun (Gard). The regiment was redesignated as the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (French: 1er Regiment Etranger de Genie) on 30 June 1999 with the creation of the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment 2e REG.[3] At creation, the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (6e REG) comprised a command, 3 combat companies, reconnaissance and support company (CCAS). On the eve of the regiment change to the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, 1er REG; the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment already included:
- Legion Pionniers Groups
- 1st Amphibious Combat Company
- 2nd Combat Company of Assault Mechanized Engineering
- 3rd Combat Company of Aerotransportable Assault Engineering
- 4th Combat Company was created in 1996
- The Combat Reconnaissance Company ( CA ) compromising heavy equipments
- The Command and Logistics Company ( CCs )
- DINOPS Teams of Nautical Subaquatic Intervention Operational Detachment ( French: Détachement d'Intervention Nautique Operationnelle Subaquatique ) specialized in Parachute, Underwater Demolition and Diving.
History -- garrison, campaigns and battles
[edit]- Chad (Operation Epervier)
- Iraq (Opération Daguet). During the Gulf War, DINOPS operated in support of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, and provided EOD services to the division. After the ceasefire they conducted a joint mine clearing operation alongside a Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver Team Unit.
- Somalia (Operation Oryx)
- Cambodia (United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia) (Opérations Marquis 1 et 2)
- Former Yugoslavia - Sarajevo (UNPROFOR)
- Former Yugoslavia - Sarajevo/Rajlovac (IFOR)
- Kosovo (Kosovo Force)
Traditions
[edit]The 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (6e REG) inherits the traditions and battle honors of the 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment.
Insignias
[edit]-
Insignia of the Pionniers of the 1st Foreign Regiment. -
Insignia Type 1 of the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment
The insignia symbolizes the 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment in the form of a hexagon, the three Roman columns of the temple of Jupiter at Baalbek to the left of the insignia and the symbols of the French Foreign Legion: red and green colors with a grenade with seven flames in its center.
The specialty of the regiment is symbolized by the "pot en tête" (metal military helmet) and armor used by sergeants at arms in the 13th century and later worn by pionniers sapeurs. The number of the regiment is indicated in the grenade underneath the armor while the motto of the regiment is inscribed to the left and right of the hexagon.
Regimental colors
[edit]
Regimental song
[edit]Chant de Marche : Sapeurs, mineurs et bâtisseurs
1er couplet
Sixième étranger d’infanterie.
Nous sommes tous les héritiers.
Syrie, Liban et Tunisie
Partout les combats sans pitié
Par le sang versé
Rendirent gloire.
Au vieux régiment du levant.
De nos anciens chantons la gloire
Et reprenons d’un même élan.
Refrain
Sapeurs, mineurs et bâtisseurs
À l’assaut légionnaire du Six
Et de la force des vainqueurs
Portons très haut notre devise
Parfois détruire.
Souvent construire.
Toujours servir avec Honneur et Fidélité.
2e couplet
Sixième étranger de génie Légion,
Dans les combats les plus violents,
En première ligne nous serons mis,
Comme les Pionniers en défilant.
Et pour la gloire de la Légion
Nous remplirons avec ardeur,
Dans le respect des traditions
Notre mission de constructeurs.
Decorations
[edit]
- La Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures with 1 palm, the regiment for engagement in Kuwait in Opération Daguet, 1990.
-
Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures
Battle Honors
[edit]- Camerone 1863[1]
- Musseifre 1925[1]
- Syria 1925-1926[1]
- Kuwait 1990–1991[2]
Regimental Commanders
[edit]- 1984 - 1985 : Colonel Degre
- 1985 - 1987 : Colonel Boileau
- 1987 - 1989 : Colonel Martial
- 1989 - 1991 : Colonel Manet
- 1991 - 1993 : Colonel Petersheim
- 1993 - 1995 : Colonel Danigo
- 1995 - 1997 : Colonel Hourbon
- 1997 - 1999 : Colonel Ganascia
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f GYI. "Le drapeau du 1er REG". legion-etrangere.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-29. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
- ^ a b "Édition Chronologique n° 45 du 29 octobre 2010".Le Ministère de la Défense instruction n°1515/DEF/EMA/OL/2 du 23 septembre 1983, modifiée, sur les filiations et l'héritage des traditions des unités; décision n°010318/DEF/CAB/SDBG/CPAG du 15 juillet 2008 portant création d'une commission des emblèmes. Art 1er. L'inscription "Koweït 1990-1991" est attribuée aux drapeaux et étendards des formations des armées énumérées ci-dessous. 2e R.E.I, 1er R.E.C, 6e R.E.G, 3e R.I.Ma, 1er R.P.I.Ma, 11e R.A.Ma, 4e Régiment de dragon, 1er Régiment de Spahis, 6e Régiment de Commandement et de Soutien, 1er R.H.C, 3e R.H.C, puis les formations de l'Armée de l'Air les 5e, 7e, 11e escadre de chasse, la 33e escadre de reconnaissance et les 61e et 64e escadre de transport. Le présent arrêté sera publié au bulletin officiel des armées, Hervé Morin.
- ^ "Le drapeau du 1er REG". Archived from the original on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2011-12-30.