1er RPIMa
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The 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine ( en, 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment) or 1er RPIMa is a unit of the French Army Special Forces Command, therefore part of the Special Operations Command. Heirs to the
Free French Free France (french: France Libre) was a political entity that claimed to be the legitimate government of France following the dissolution of the Third Republic. Led by French general , Free France was established as a government-in-exile ...
paratrooper A paratrooper is a military parachutist—someone trained to parachute into a military operation, and usually functioning as part of an airborne force. Military parachutists (troops) and parachutes were first used on a large scale during Worl ...
s of the 3rd and 4th squadrons of the Special Air Service (SAS) founded in the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
during
WWII World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, the 1er RPIMa is sometimes referred to as the "French SAS" and still uses the same motto as their British counterparts to this day: (French for "''Who Dares Wins''").


Origins

Quite unusually for the French Armed Forces, the affiliations of this unit are various, not directly related to each other, and numerous. The regiment is heir simultaneously to formations of the French Air Force, mainland
infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and mar ...
,
Troupes coloniales The ''Troupes coloniales'' ("Colonial Troops") or ''Armée coloniale'' ("Colonial Army"), commonly called ''La Coloniale'', were the military forces of the French colonial empire from 1900 until 1961. From 1822 to 1900 these troops were de ...
and
Troupes de marine The (TDM, ) is a corps of the French Army that includes several specialities: infantry, artillery, armoured, airborne, engineering, and transmissions (Signals). Despite its name, it forms part of the Army, not the Navy. Intended for amphibi ...
.


World War II

* September 15, 1940, the 1st Air Infantry Company (
Free French Free France (french: France Libre) was a political entity that claimed to be the legitimate government of France following the dissolution of the Third Republic. Led by French general , Free France was established as a government-in-exile ...
) (1e ''Compagnie d'Infanterie de l'Air'': 1e C.I.A) was created in the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
by Captain
Georges Bergé Georges Roger Pierre Bergé (3 January 1909 – 15 September 1997) was a French Army general who served during World War II. He enlisted in the Free French Forces, where he took command of the ''1re compagnie de chasseurs parachutistes'' (1st P ...
. * March 15, 1941: Operation Savanna, the first operation of the
Special Operations Executive The Special Operations Executive (SOE) was a secret British World War II organisation. It was officially formed on 22 July 1940 under Minister of Economic Warfare Hugh Dalton, from the amalgamation of three existing secret organisations. Its pu ...
(SOE) in France, an ambush in Brittany. * On April 10, 1941 the 1st Air Infantry Company (1e C.I.A) was reattached to the
Free French forces __NOTOC__ The French Liberation Army (french: Armée française de la Libération or AFL) was the reunified French Army that arose from the merging of the Armée d'Afrique with the prior Free French Forces (french: Forces françaises libres, l ...
and renamed ''1er Compagnie Parachutiste'' (1st Parachute Company). * May 1941:
Operation Josephine B Operation Josephine B (or Operation Josephine) was a military mission in June 1941 during the Second World War. The mission was organised jointly by the Free French and the British Special Operations Executive (SOE), together with the Royal Air ...
(destruction of six transformers at the electric plant in
Pessac Pessac (; ) is a commune in the Gironde department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France. It is a member of the metropolis of Bordeaux, being the second-largest suburb of Bordeaux and located just southwest of it. Pessac is also home to ...
). * Divided into one section assigned to the BCRA intelligence unit, and two other sections sent to the Middle East. * July 21, 1941: embarked for the Mideast, garrisoned in
Beirut Beirut, french: Beyrouth is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. , Greater Beirut has a population of 2.5 million, which makes it the third-largest city in the Levant region. The city is situated on a peninsula at the midpoint o ...
, then Damascus. * On September 25, 1941 the 1st Parachute Company became the ''Peloton Parachutiste du
Levant The Levant () is an approximate historical geographical term referring to a large area in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Western Asia. In its narrowest sense, which is in use today in archaeology and other cultural contexts, it is ...
'' (Parachute Platoon of the Levant) and was attached to the French Air Force. * On October 15, 1941 the unit's name changed again, to the ''1er Compagnie de Chasseurs Parachutistes'', (1er C.C.P) (1st Parachute
Chasseur ''Chasseur'' ( , ), a French term for "hunter", is the designation given to certain regiments of French and Belgian light infantry () or light cavalry () to denote troops trained for rapid action. History This branch of the French Army orig ...
Company). * On January 1, 1942 the unit became the French Squadron of the Special Air Service under Major
David Stirling Sir Archibald David Stirling (15 November 1915 – 4 November 1990) was a Scottish officer in the British army, a mountaineer, and the founder and creator of the Special Air Service (SAS). He saw active service during the Second World War. ...
, a special forces unit garrisoned at
Kibrit Air Base Kibrit Air Base (formerly Kabrit Air Base) is an operational Egyptian Air Force ( ar, القوات الجوية المصرية, ') helicopter base located in Egypt, approximately 20 miles north of Suez; 125 km east of Cairo. An SA-342 Gazell ...
on the Suez Canal. * June 1942: the French SAS destroyed 20 German airplanes in
Crete Crete ( el, Κρήτη, translit=, Modern: , Ancient: ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, ...
, then attacked the airports in Matouba-Derna,
Benina Benina is a suburban borough ( formerly Basic People's Congress) administrative division of Benghazi, Libya Libya (; ar, ليبيا, Lībiyā), officially the State of Libya ( ar, دولة ليبيا, Dawlat Lībiyā), is a country in the ...
, Barce and Benghazi on the
Libya Libya (; ar, ليبيا, Lībiyā), officially the State of Libya ( ar, دولة ليبيا, Dawlat Lībiyā), is a country in the Maghreb region in North Africa. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Suda ...
n front. * July 1942: operations in
Cyrenaica Cyrenaica ( ) or Kyrenaika ( ar, برقة, Barqah, grc-koi, Κυρηναϊκή παρχίαKurēnaïkḗ parkhíā}, after the city of Cyrene), is the eastern region of Libya. Cyrenaica includes all of the eastern part of Libya between ...
. * January 1943: harassed the German rear-guard in
Tunisia ) , image_map = Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = Location of Tunisia in northern Africa , image_map2 = , capital = Tunis , largest_city = capital , ...
. * Spring 1943: rest and training at Camberley (England). * On July 1, 1943 the unit became the ''1er Bataillon d'Infanterie de l'Air'', (1er B.I.A) (1st Air Infantry Battalion). * In November 1943 the 1st Battalion was renamed ''4e Bataillon d'Infanterie de l'Air'', (4e B.I.A) (4th Air Infantry Battalion) * Beginning 1944: training of French SAS in Scotland. The battalion was assigned to the Special Air Service. * Night of June 5–6: parachuted into
Brittany Brittany (; french: link=no, Bretagne ; br, Breizh, or ; Gallo: ''Bertaèyn'' ) is a peninsula, historical country and cultural area in the west of modern France, covering the western part of what was known as Armorica during the period ...
, 36 paratroopers of the FFL in four groups (two over Plumelec, two over Duault). The sole battle casualty in Plumelec (on June 6 at 0 h 40), caporal Emile Bouétard, was probably the first casualty of the Normandy Landing. * June 1944: combined forces with the
French Forces of the Interior The French Forces of the Interior (french: Forces françaises de l'Intérieur) were French resistance fighters in the later stages of World War II. Charles de Gaulle used it as a formal name for the resistance fighters. The change in designation ...
(FFI) and the 2nd U.S. Division. * June 1944: fighting along with the maquis de Saint-Marcel,
Morbihan Morbihan ( , ; br, Mor-Bihan ) is a department in the administrative region of Brittany, situated in the northwest of France. It is named after the Morbihan (''small sea'' in Breton), the enclosed sea that is the principal feature of the coastl ...
and maquis of Duault in
Côtes-d'Armor The Côtes-d'Armor (, ; ; br, Aodoù-an-Arvor, ), formerly known as Côtes-du-Nord ( br, Aodoù-an-Hanternoz, link=no, ), are a department in the north of Brittany, in northwestern France. In 2019, it had a population of 600,582.
; a battalion (450 men) parachuted in with the
French Forces of the Interior The French Forces of the Interior (french: Forces françaises de l'Intérieur) were French resistance fighters in the later stages of World War II. Charles de Gaulle used it as a formal name for the resistance fighters. The change in designation ...
(FFI) 3000 total, tied up 85000 Germans in Brittany, preventing them from reaching
Normandy Normandy (; french: link=no, Normandie ; nrf, Normaundie, Nouormandie ; from Old French , plural of ''Normant'', originally from the word for "northman" in several Scandinavian languages) is a geographical and cultural region in Northwestern ...
, and joined two divisions of George Patton’s army on August 6. * On July 1, 1944 the 4th Battalion was renamed 2e R.C.P S.A.S (2nd SAS Parachute Chasseur Regiment) of the 4th SAS Regiment. * August 1944: operations and SAS participation in the Liberation of Paris. * September 11, 1944: one company took 3000 Germans prisoner. * Autumn: rest leave in Champagne. * November 11, 1944: the two regiments of the French SAS marched up the
Champs-Élysées The Avenue des Champs-Élysées (, ; ) is an avenue in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France, long and wide, running between the Place de la Concorde in the east and the Place Charles de Gaulle in the west, where the Arc de Triomphe is l ...
in Paris before General Charles de Gaulle and British Prime Minister
Winston Churchill Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 187424 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, and again from ...
after the 2e RCP was awarded the ''Compagnon de la Libération'' designation (Companion of the Liberation). * December 23, 1944: provided reinforcement in the Ardennes. * February 1945: regrouped in England. * Night of April 7–8, 1945: Operation Amherst, parachuted into the Netherlands. Fighting until the 18th. * On August 1, 1945 the Parachute Chasseur Regiments merged completely into the
French Army The French Army, officially known as the Land Army (french: Armée de Terre, ), is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces. It is responsible to the Government of France, along with the other components of the Armed Force ...
. The 3rd Parachute Chasseur Regiment (3e R.C.P) or 3rd SAS Regiment was dissolved and its components transferred to the 2e R.C.P.


Indochina war


The colonial battalions

* On February 1, 1946 the 1er Battaillon de Choc S.A.S, (1e B.C-S.A.S) (1st SAS
Shock Shock may refer to: Common uses Collective noun *Shock, a historic commercial term for a group of 60, see English numerals#Special names * Stook, or shock of grain, stacked sheaves Healthcare * Shock (circulatory), circulatory medical emergen ...
Battalion) was created from elements of the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment (1e R.C.P ) and the 2nd Parachute Chasseur Regiment (2e R.C.P). * On February 23, 1946 the battalion became the 1er Bataillon Parachutiste S.A.S, (1e B.P-S.A.S) (1st S.A.S Parachute Battalion). * On March 1, 1946 the 2e Battaillon de Choc S.A.S, (2e B.C-S.A.S) (2nd S.A.S shock battalion) was created from elements of the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment (1e R.C.P) and the 1st Shock Parachute Infantry Regiment (1e R.I.C.A.P). * On September 25, 1947 the two S.A.S para battalions regrouped and became the 1er Bataillon Parachutiste SAS, (1e B.P-S.A.S) (1st S.A.S Parachute Battalion). * On January 1, 1948 the battalion became the 1er Bataillon Colonial de Commandos Parachutistes, (1e B.C.C.P) (1st Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion). * On July 4, 1948 the 1e B.C.C.P was dissolved. * On December 7, 1949 another 1st Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (1e B.C.C.P) was created. * On October 1, 1950 the colonial parachute commandos became the 1er Groupe Colonial de Commandos Parachutistes, (1e G.C.C.P) (1st Colonial Parachute Commando Group). * On March 1, 1951 the parachute commando group became the 1er Bataillon de Parachutiste Coloniaux, (1e B.P.C) (1st Colonial Parachute Battalion). * On January 19, 1952 the 1st Colonial Parachute Battalion, (1e B.P.C) was dissolved. * On June 20, 1953 another 1st Colonial Parachute Battalion, (1er B.P.C) was created.


The colonial brigades

* On July 1, 1946 the 1er Demi-Brigade de Parachutistes SAS, 1er D-B.P.SAS (1st SAS Parachute Demi-Brigade) was created in
Indochina Mainland Southeast Asia, also known as the Indochinese Peninsula or Indochina, is the continental portion of Southeast Asia. It lies east of the Indian subcontinent and south of Mainland China and is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west an ...
from the 1st and 2nd SAS Parachute Battalions. * On October 1, 1947 the Demi-Brigade Coloniale de Commandos Parachutistes D-B.C.C.P (Colonial Parachute Commando Demi-Brigade) was created in Brittany. * On October 23, 1947 the SAS Demi-Brigade became the Demi-Brigade Coloniale de Commandos Parachutistes SAS, D-B.C.C.P-S.A.S, (SAS Colonial Parachute Commando Demi-Brigade). * In June 1948 the two demi-Brigades became: in Brittany, the 1e D-B.C.C.P and the 2e D-B.C.C.P in Indochina. * On February 1, 1955: the 1e D-B.CCP became the Colonial Parachute Brigade ( BPC ). File:Filiation du 1er RPIMa 1940-1946.jpg, 1940 to 1946 File:1er RPIMa période 1946-55.jpg, 1946 to 1955 File:1er RPIMa période 1955 - 2009.jpg, 1955 to 2009


Post-Indochina

The
brigade A brigade is a major tactical military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute a division. B ...
* On February 25, 1958 the B.P.C became the Brigade école des Parachutistes Coloniaux, (B.E.P.C) (Colonial Parachute Brigade Instruction Center). * On December 1, 1958 the B.E.P.C became the Brigade de Parachutistes d'Outre-Mer, (B.P.OM) (Overseas Parachute Brigade). * On November 1, 1960 the B.P.OM became the Brigade Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine, B.P.I.Ma (Marine Infantry Parachute Brigade). * On December 31, 1961 the B.P.I.Ma was dissolved. The
regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation. In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscript ...
* On November 1, 1960 the Center of Instruction of the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment was created at Bayonne. * On January 1, 1973 the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment, 1er (R.P.I.Ma) was assigned and tasked with special operations.


History, garrisons, campaigns and battles

Despite its name, the 1er RPIMa is part of the
French Army The French Army, officially known as the Land Army (french: Armée de Terre, ), is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces. It is responsible to the Government of France, along with the other components of the Armed Force ...
, like other Marine units. The naval infantry background dates back to 1762, when units of the French Army were detached to the
French Navy The French Navy (french: Marine nationale, lit=National Navy), informally , is the maritime arm of the French Armed Forces and one of the five military service branches of France. It is among the largest and most powerful naval forces in t ...
for ship-borne and overseas duties. It is the heir to the first Colonial Parachute Commando Demi-Brigade, whose origins date back to
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
. Under the command of Captain
Georges Bergé Georges Roger Pierre Bergé (3 January 1909 – 15 September 1997) was a French Army general who served during World War II. He enlisted in the Free French Forces, where he took command of the ''1re compagnie de chasseurs parachutistes'' (1st P ...
, the 1st Air Company was created in England on September 15, 1940 with parachute units of the Special Air Service (SAS). The 1e CCP/SAS was created in 1941 in
Scotland Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...
. From 1942 to 1944, this company was engaged in
Crete Crete ( el, Κρήτη, translit=, Modern: , Ancient: ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, ...
,
Libya Libya (; ar, ليبيا, Lībiyā), officially the State of Libya ( ar, دولة ليبيا, Dawlat Lībiyā), is a country in the Maghreb region in North Africa. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Suda ...
,
Tunisia ) , image_map = Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = Location of Tunisia in northern Africa , image_map2 = , capital = Tunis , largest_city = capital , ...
,
Brittany Brittany (; french: link=no, Bretagne ; br, Breizh, or ; Gallo: ''Bertaèyn'' ) is a peninsula, historical country and cultural area in the west of modern France, covering the western part of what was known as Armorica during the period ...
,
Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
, and the
Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
. Afterwards, the company was dissolved and re-designated as an SAS Parachute Demi-Brigade from 1946 to 1949, then 1st Colonial Parachute Commando Demi-Brigade from 1949 to 1955 in
Indochina Mainland Southeast Asia, also known as the Indochinese Peninsula or Indochina, is the continental portion of Southeast Asia. It lies east of the Indian subcontinent and south of Mainland China and is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west an ...
. It was classified as B.P.C in Algeria from 1955 to 1958, the B.C.C.P dissolved and re-designated from 1959 to 1960 as G.I.B.P.OM then in 1960 B.P.C.I.Ma and renamed in 1962 1erR.P.I.Ma which retained the SAS emblem.


Successive garrisons

* September 1940:
RAF Ringway The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) an ...
(England) * 1941:
Beirut Beirut, french: Beyrouth is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. , Greater Beirut has a population of 2.5 million, which makes it the third-largest city in the Levant region. The city is situated on a peninsula at the midpoint o ...
then Damascus. * 1942: Kabrit on the Suez Canal. * 1943: Camberley,
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
* Following the war, in
France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
* 1960: Creation of the 1eR.P.I.Ma and Garrison at Bayonne


World War II

The 1er RPIMa inherited the traditions of the two
Free French Free France (french: France Libre) was a political entity that claimed to be the legitimate government of France following the dissolution of the Third Republic. Led by French general , Free France was established as a government-in-exile ...
Special Air Service (SAS) Regiments that served with distinction alongside the British SAS Brigade during World War II. On September 15, 1940, General Charles de Gaulle signed the activation order of the 1ère Compagnie d'Infanterie de l'Air (1ère CIA) of the
Free French Forces __NOTOC__ The French Liberation Army (french: Armée française de la Libération or AFL) was the reunified French Army that arose from the merging of the Armée d'Afrique with the prior Free French Forces (french: Forces françaises libres, l ...
, or 1st Free French Airborne Infantry Company, under the command of Captain Bergé. The 1ère CIA began operational missions, parachuting into occupied France in March 1941. The company was then split into two units, a covert action unit used for clandestine operations and a conventional and uniformed company sent to
North Africa North Africa, or Northern Africa is a region encompassing the northern portion of the African continent. There is no singularly accepted scope for the region, and it is sometimes defined as stretching from the Atlantic shores of Mauritania in ...
in September 1941 to fight
Axis Forces The Axis powers, ; it, Potenze dell'Asse ; ja, 枢軸国 ''Sūjikukoku'', group=nb originally called the Rome–Berlin Axis, was a military coalition that initiated World War II and fought against the Allies. Its principal members were ...
along with British Forces. A very good relationship was quickly established between Captain Bergé and Major
Stirling Stirling (; sco, Stirlin; gd, Sruighlea ) is a city in central Scotland, northeast of Glasgow and north-west of Edinburgh. The market town, surrounded by rich farmland, grew up connecting the royal citadel, the medieval old town with its me ...
, the commander of the newly created Special Air Service (SAS); the French detachment was soon incorporated into the SAS and became the French Squadron. From 1942 to 1943, the French SAS roamed the region, ranging as far as Crete hunting down Axis forces and destroying their aircraft and supply dumps. In November 1943, the 3rd and 4th Air Infantry were created and incorporated into the SAS Brigade along with their British and Belgian counterparts, the 1st and 2nd SAS Regiments. The Free French SAS took an important part in the liberation of Europe. In
Brittany Brittany (; french: link=no, Bretagne ; br, Breizh, or ; Gallo: ''Bertaèyn'' ) is a peninsula, historical country and cultural area in the west of modern France, covering the western part of what was known as Armorica during the period ...
, a little after midnight on D-Day, June 6, 1944, Caporal Emile Bouétard (born in Brittany, 1915) was the first soldier killed in action in Plumelec,
Morbihan Morbihan ( , ; br, Mor-Bihan ) is a department in the administrative region of Brittany, situated in the northwest of France. It is named after the Morbihan (''small sea'' in Breton), the enclosed sea that is the principal feature of the coastl ...
. On August 1, 1944, the 3rd and 4th Air Infantry battalions were renamed the 2nd and 3rd Chasseur Parachute battalions. As a reward for their bravery, King
George VI George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of I ...
awarded the Free French SAS the right to wear the red beret of the British SAS, which replaced the black beret worn until then. As the war drew to a close, 52 French SAS "sticks" (705 men) were parachuted into the Netherlands on April 7, 1945, causing major havoc in the rear areas of German occupation forces and easing pressure on the forward thrust of the 2nd Canadian Army Corps. The Free French SAS took a major part in the epic battles of the SAS in Africa, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, earning French and foreign awards (including many British DSOs, MCs and MMs). The regimental colours of the 1er RPIMa have also been decorated with the U.S. Bronze Star Medal, the Dutch Bronze Cross and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. Today, this SAS heritage is still evident in its regimental motto "Qui Ose Gagne" ("Who Dares Wins") and in the awarding of the RAPAS Wings, reminiscent of the wartime SAS "Operational Wings" that can only be awarded to 1er RPIMa operators after they have successfully passed a series of strict selection requirements, including operational deployments.


1945–1974

Between 1945 and 1954 the unit that was later to become the 1er RPIMa after a series of name changes, took part in the war in Indochina, performing several of the more than 160 combat jumps carried out by French paratroopers during that conflict. After the war, the regiment underwent structural changes and became a training depot for the entire colonial airborne forces. As such, it did not take part in the Algerian conflict. In 1960 1er RPIMa was created. It continued in the training role until 1974, when the 1er RPIMa was transformed into a Special Forces unit, a role it still plays today.


1974–2006

The unit's mission has been mostly to support France's interests in Africa. Between 1974 and 1981, the 1er RPIMa underwent another mission change to focus on long-range
reconnaissance In military operations, reconnaissance or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, terrain, and other activities. Examples of reconnaissance include patrolling by troops (skirmisher ...
patrols for almost a decade, while it still used its training skills to training friendly forces abroad. In the 80s and 90s the regiment deployed dozens of times to various hotspots on the planet. While engaged in
Operation Desert Storm Operation or Operations may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * ''Operation'' (game), a battery-operated board game that challenges dexterity * Operation (music), a term used in musical set theory * ''Operations'' (magazine), Multi-Ma ...
, the 1er RPIMa lost two of its men in Iraq in 1991. A year later, the creation of the French Special Operations Command (Commandement des Opérations Spéciales, COS) led to a major shake-up of French special forces units to incorporate the
lessons learned Lessons learned (American English) or lessons learnt (British English) are experiences distilled from past activities that should be actively taken into account in future actions and behaviors. There are several definitions of the concept. The ...
in the First Gulf War. As part of this process, in 1997, the nucleus of what was to become the army's BFST (Brigade des Forces Spéciales Terre) (Land Special Forces Brigade) was created and the 1er RPIMa became its core unit. All the while, the regiment participated in operations in the Balkans and in Africa; it was specifically involved in stalking war criminals in Bosnia, leading to several successful arrests of individuals indicted for war crimes.


Today

Part of the French Army Special Forces Command (COM FST), the 1er RPIMa is a modern, highly skilled and experienced Special Forces unit organized along company lines. The main strength of the regiment lies in its three RAPAS companies (RAPAS meaning Airborne Reconnaissance and Special Action) each specialised in a specific field such as HAHO/HALO, Counter-Terrorism, amphibious, jungle, mountain or motorized patrols operations and its RAPAS Signal company dedicated to C3 (Command, Control and Communications) support for Special Operations. The 1er RPIMa also fields a Training and Operations company tasked with providing selection, basic and continuation training of the unit's manpower and a logistics company which supports the regiment in its daily and operational missions. As the unit was inspired by the British Special Air Service, it has still much in common with them, including missions and capabilities.


Unit specialization

* CTLO (Counter-terrorism and hostage rescue teams) * GDC (Garde du Corps) * THP/TELD (Tireurs Haute Précision / Tireur d'élite longue distance, snipers) * SCO (Paratrooper – SAS Chuteurs Opérationnels) * PAT SAS (motorized patrols. Patrouilles SAS) * SPO (SAS Plongeurs Offensifs, offensive divers) * Mountain, arctic, desert, and jungle warfare * Explosives and demolitions


Organisation and structure

Due to its long history with the
British Special Air Service The Special Air Service (SAS) is a special forces unit of the British Army. It was founded as a regiment in 1941 by David Stirling and in 1950, it was reconstituted as a corps. The unit specialises in a number of roles including counter-terro ...
much of the 1er RPIMA core aspects are based upon the British SAS. Each company specializes in a particular area. * Four main RAPAS (Airborne Reconnaissance and Special Action) combat companies: ** 1e Compagnie: Paratroopers, HAHO
HALO Halo, halos or haloes usually refer to: * Halo (optical phenomenon) * Halo (religious iconography), a ring of light around the image of a head HALO, halo, halos or haloes may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Video games * ''Halo'' (franch ...
, counter-terrorism, and bodyguards ** 2e Compagnie: Mountain, arctic, desert and jungle warfare ** 3e Compagnie: Motorized patrols ** 4e Compagnie: Counter terrorism, hostage rescue, and reconnaissance in urban areas There is also one command and logistics company and a training and operations company which is in charge of recruiting, and initial and continuing training. Each company is split in RAPAS sections. Each section includes 30 men. The 1er RPIMa is based in Bayonne, which makes amphibious and mountain training possible. This location is also ideal due to its proximity to the Centre d'Entrainement Adaptée (CTA), Europe's largest and most modern Close Quarter Battle (CQB) facility and to the dedicated assets of the French army's Special Forces Aviation Detachment (DAOS) and airborne school (ETAP), both establishments that are essential to its training and operations.


Weapons and equipment

The main weapon used by the 1er RPIMa is the
HK416 The Heckler & Koch HK416 is a gas-operated assault rifle chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. It is designed and manufactured by the German company Heckler & Koch. Although the design is based on the AR-15 class of firearm (specific ...
5.56x45mm assault rifle. Besides this, SIG 550, M4 and
FN SCAR The FN SCAR (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle) is a family of gas-operated short-stroke gas piston automatic rifles developed by Belgian manufacturer FN Herstal (FN) in 2004. It is constructed with modularity for the United State ...
assault rifles are also used by French Army Special Forces. Sometimes
M203 The M203 is a single-shot 40 mm under-barrel grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older stand-alone M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilizes the high-low propulsion system to keep recoil forces ...
or HK69 grenade launchers are also used. For CQB the
MP5 The Heckler & Koch MP5 (german: Maschinenpistole 5) is a 9x19mm Parabellum submachine gun, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch. There are over 100 variants and clones of the MP5, ...
series and
FN P90 The FN P90 is a compact 5.7×28mm personal defense weapon designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium. It can also be considered a submachine gun. Created in response to NATO requests for a replacement for 9×19mm Parabellum firearms, th ...
are used as the main weapons, the 10.4 inches version of the HK416 is also sometimes used. The
Glock 17 Glock is a brand of polymer- framed, short recoil-operated, locked-breech semi-automatic pistols designed and produced by Austrian manufacturer Glock Ges.m.b.H. The firearm entered Austrian military and police service by 1982 after it was th ...
and H&K USP are the standard sidearm carried by the soldiers. The
ARWEN 37 The ARWEN 37 is a less-lethal launcher which fires a variety of 37mm less-lethal munitions which includes direct impact batons, chemical irritant delivery munitions and smoke delivery munitions. The ARWEN 37 has 5-round rotary drum magazine. Hi ...
 mm grenade launcher is used in CQB work to launch CS gas into buildings. The
Benelli M4 The Benelli M4 is a semi-automatic shotgun produced by Italian firearm manufacturer Benelli Armi SpA, and the last of the "Benelli Super 90" series of semi-automatic shotguns. The M4 uses a proprietary action design called the "auto-regulating ...
shotgun is also used during CQB, to take down doors.
FN Minimi The FN Minimi (short for french: Mini Mitrailleuse; "mini machine gun") is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun/squad automatic weapon developed by Ernest Vervier for FN Herstal. First introduced in the late 1970s, it is now in service in more tha ...
is used as light machine gun, 5.56mm and 7.62mm, and snipers use the
HK417 The Heckler & Koch HK417 is a battle rifle designed and manufactured by Heckler & Koch. Being the larger caliber version of the Heckler & Koch HK416, and chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO rifle cartridge, it is intended for use where the penetra ...
or Hecate II rifles. Sometimes MILAN missiles have been used in combat to provide fire support. They wear standard French camouflage and webbing, except when doing CT/HR/CQB work. CQB kit includes a black balaclava, black nomex coveralls, non-slip boots, special webbing and holsters, medical kit for teams medics, gas masks, and special communications equipment. VPS Panhard VPS (Véhicule Patrouille SAS), based on the Mercedes-Benz 270 CDI G-Class 4x4 light tactical vehicle, is the vehicle used by French Army Special Forces. It is a rapidly deployable vehicle capable of long-duration missions in extremes of climate. An armored floor provides anti-landmine protection to the crew and VPS is air transportable by C-160 Transall or C-130 Hercules. In the French Army the VPS is equipped with 360° ring-mount over the rear body which is armed with a Browning 12.7mm heavy machine gun or Gatling machine gun. One more 7.62mm machine is mounted on swivel station at the front of the crew compartment which is operated by the vehicle commander.


Skills

The 1er RPIMa is tasked with several jobs. These include: bodyguard for VIPs in conflict areas, direct action,
reconnaissance In military operations, reconnaissance or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, terrain, and other activities. Examples of reconnaissance include patrolling by troops (skirmisher ...
,
sabotage Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening a polity, effort, or organization through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. One who engages in sabotage is a ''saboteur''. Saboteurs typically try to conceal their identitie ...
, unconventional warfare and hostage rescue. While their name states they are Marine Infantry, they are in fact Army. The 1er RPIMa relies on a number of skills to successfully carry out its missions. Most skills are either regiment or brigade-specific and need constant honing to be kept at the desired level of proficiency. They can be divided into several generic fields: * The RAPAS (Airborne Reconnaissance and Special Action) basic skills ** RAPAS skill training is given to enlisted men and NCOs after they have completed a series of organic and basic regimental courses ** Basic training leading to the first rung of the RAPAS ladder is the elementary RAPAS technical certificate, which takes six months to earn. ** RAPAS training covers all the basics of special forces functions and is complemented by specific courses (marking out
drop zone A drop zone (DZ) is a place where parachutists or parachuted supplies land. It can be an area targeted for landing by paratroopers, or a base from which recreational parachutists and skydivers take off in aircraft and land under parachutes. In ...
s (DZ) and
landing zone In military terminology a landing zone (LZ) is an area where aircraft can land. In the United States military, a landing zone is the actual point where aircraft, especially helicopters, land (equivalent to the commonwealth landing point.) In ...
(LZ), basic and advanced
close quarters combat Close-quarters combat (CQC) or close-quarters battle (CQB) is a tactical situation that involves a physical fight with firearms involved between multiple combatants at short range. It can occur between military units, police/corrections officer ...
, sniping...) ** A RAPAS group is led by a senior non-commissioned officer or a lieutenant. NCOs are generally former enlisted men who rose from the ranks of the regiment, while officers come from various specialized schools (mostly Infantry, Armour and Engineer) before following a specific course complemented by on-the-job training. ** When fully qualified and operational, a RAPAS team member reaches the rank of Caporal-chef (Master Corporal), and has been in the regiment for five years and spent more than two thirds of that taking classes, has been deployed in real-world operations, probably once a year. * Air insertion ** Parachute operations: each member of the regiment is static-line parachute qualified using some specific low-altitude (125 meters) dropping techniques. The 1er RPIMa can also field different teams proficient in both HAHO and HALO techniques. Each company has HALO capability. ** Helicopter operations: Fast-roping and helicopter rappelling, special purpose infiltration and extraction rigs, LZ marking, special operation procedures, helicopter fire support, helicopter-borne sniper support, light helicopter insertion and extraction ** Air delivery: the 1er RPIMa is unique in the way it has integrated air delivery component with teams able to rig and airdrop light to heavy loads and pallets in support of special operations from cargo aircraft of dedicated special operations division of the French air force. * Amphibious operations ** Open circuit breathing apparatus: the 1er RPIMa can field a complete open air circuit (scuba) team for beach recce or riverine operations using light crafts, including kayaks ** Closed circuit breathing apparatus: the 1er RPIMa can field a complete closed circuit team for covert underwater missions. This team is not a combat diver team; its purpose is to use waterways as another infiltration method. * Motorised operations ** True to their SAS ancestors, the 1er RPIMa has always maintained a motorized patrol capability. It currently centres on PATSAS patrols that are tasked with developing and refining the methods and equipment needed for such operations. In addition to the PATSAS, each RAPAS company fields several motorised RAPAS groups. The mounts of motorised patrols are modified Peugeot P4s, Mercedes VPS and ACMAT VLRA trucks, all fitted with machine guns, automatic cannons, mortars, AGLs or ATGWs. ** The Special Recce Patrols (PRS): Having understood with time and experience that it is always better to act on intelligence which had been gathered and analyzed by operators that intimately know which method of operation would be best used by the action groups, the 1er RPIMa has decided to include in its specialized teams the PRS concept. The PRS are infiltrated ahead of the action teams and provide real time intelligence on the target area. The information gathered by the PRS is then transmitted by a variety of secure means to the command level which then disseminates it to the action groups. * Counter Terrorism ** The 1er RPIMa can field several CT teams, all backed by specialized sniper teams proficient in calibers ranging from 5.56 mm to 12.7 mm (.50 cal) ** All ranks of the company are CT trained ** The Regiment benefits from proximity to the Centre d'Entraînement Adapté (CTA), Europe's largest and most modern CQB facility (CQB = Close Quarters Battle or Killing House). The CTA is located in Pau and offers unmatched live firing capabilities for all sorts of CT scenarios. ** The CQB skills are kept honed to a high level thanks to regular training in the CTA and cross training with French and Allied CT units. * Bodyguard teams ** The 1er RPIMa has been involved in bodyguard duties for the last 25 years. ** The Regiment only provides Bodyguard teams to high-ranking officials at theater level. ** A fully qualified RAPAS team member is also Bodyguard qualified * Jungle, desert and mountain operations ** So as to prepare RAPAS units of the 1er RPIMa for operations over difficult terrain it can use French and foreign training centers on the world ** Mountain, jungle and desert training exercises are scheduled every year ** RAPAS team members are sent regularly as permanent instructors to jungle and desert schools in French Guiana or friendly African countries ** Every year, the Regiment sends some of its members to foreign schools to improve its tactics and procedures in hostile environments (jungle, bush...) ** A regular influx of experienced NCOs volunteering from the French 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade keeps the Regiment up-to-date on modern mountaineering techniques


Selection and training

Officers and NCOs joining the regiment have to attend the same selection and training as enlisted personnel. Enlisted soldiers in the
French Army The French Army, officially known as the Land Army (french: Armée de Terre, ), is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces. It is responsible to the Government of France, along with the other components of the Armed Force ...
can try to join super RPIMA, between their first and third years of active duty. First step is a profile selection: Candidates will be selected regarding unit requirements and personal file (e.g. if the regiment needs some mountain specialists, they will ask for more mountain troopers to come for the selection). Candidates selected must attend the two weeks basic airborne training prior the SF training, for those who are not already enlisted in an airborne regiment. Second step of selection is "adaptation training" and "stage commando" lasting twelve weeks. Candidates must be above average to continue the training. Most cases of failure and RTU occur during this phase. The last step of selection is the "stage CTE RAPAS" lasting six months. After completion of this "stage", candidates are fully assigned to the regiment as special force soldier. They will attend additional training to become specialists (bodyguards, pathfinders, etc.)


Traditions


Anniversary of the Troupes de Marine

The anniversary is celebrated of fighting in Bazeilles, a village which was taken and abandoned four consecutive times under orders, on August 31 and September 1, 1870. ; ''Et au Nom de Dieu, vive la coloniale !'' '' In the Name of God, long live the colonial !'' The Marsouins and the Bigors have for Saint, God. This war calling concludes intimate ceremonies which part life in the regiments. Often also at origin as an act of grace to
Charles de Foucauld Charles Eugène de Foucauld de Pontbriand, Viscount of Foucauld (15 September 1858 – 1 December 1916) was a French soldier, explorer, geographer, ethnographer, Catholic priest and hermit who lived among the Tuareg people in the Sahara in Alg ...
.


Patron Saint

Saint-Michael: As a paratrooper regiment, the 1er R.P.I.Ma celebrates each year on September 29, the Patron-Saint of Paratroopers. This celebration gives rise to various events with veterans.


Motto

« Who dares wins » is the general motto of the British SAS, translated in French to « Qui ose gagne ».


Insignia

File:Insigne de La Brigade des forces spéciales terre.gif, Insignia
French Army Special Forces Brigade The Army Special Forces Command (french: Commandement des forces spéciales Terre, COM FST) regroups the various special operations forces units of the French Army and is the command charged with overseeing them. It is based in Pau, Pyrénées- ...
Image:Insigne de la 1° CCP.JPG, Insignia of the 1st Parachute Chasseur Company 1er C.C.P Image:Insigne du 1° BCCP SAS.jpg, Insignia of the
2e R.C.P, 1e B.C.C.P S.A.S, 1e B.P.C Image:Insigne du 1° BCCP.jpg, Insignia of the 1e B.C.C.P Image:Brevet Parachutiste.jpg, Parachute Brevet Image:Parachutistes coloniaux-béret.jpg, Beret insignia of para T.D.M File:Parachutistes coloniaux-béret modèle 1962.jpg, Previous beret insignia of para T.D.M Image:Insigne infanterie de marine.png, Shoulder Insignia


Regimental Colors

The unit is the only parachute regiments of the
Marines Marines, or naval infantry, are typically a military force trained to operate in littoral zones in support of naval operations. Historically, tasks undertaken by marines have included helping maintain discipline and order aboard the ship (refle ...
to wear purple berets as opposed to the standard red beret of other units.


Honors


Battle honours

The list of operations shows a world-wide commitment since it ranges from Afghanistan to Africa and the Balkans. * Crete 1942 * Libye 1942 * Sud Tunisien 1943 *
France 1944 France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
* Ardennes Belges 1945 * Hollande 1945 * Indochine 1946-1954 * Koweït 1990–1991 * 2011 Libyan civil war


Decorations

The most decorated French and allied unit of the
Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...
* Croix de la
Légion d'honneur The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon ...
.Collectivité décorées de la Légion d'honneur, 1er brigade de parachutistes coloniaux
- Ordre de la Légion d'honneur, France-Phaleristique.com * Ordre de la Libération as heir to the 2nd Parachute Chasseur Regiment of the Air Force, the regiment bears wearing the decoration bestowed on November 11, 1944 by général Charles de Gaulle, under the Arc de Triomphe at
Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), ma ...
to the 2nd Parachute Chasseur Regiment 2e R.C.P of the Air Force. * Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with 6 palms. * Croix de guerre des Théâtres d'opérations extérieurs (T.O.E) with 3 palms. *
Croix de la Valeur militaire The Cross for Military Valour (french: Croix de la Valeur Militaire) is a military decoration of France. It recognises an individual bestowed a Mention in Dispatches earned for showing valour in presence of an enemy, in theatres of operations wh ...
avec 3 palms. *
Bronze Lion The Bronze Lion ( nl, Bronzen Leeuw) is a high Royal Dutch award, intended for servicemen who have shown extreme bravery and leadership in battle favouring The Netherlands; in some special cases it can be awarded to Dutch or foreign civilians. It ...
. The officers and members of this regiment wear one of four
Fourragère The ''fourragère'' () is a military award, distinguishing military units as a whole, in the form of a braided cord. The award was first adopted by France, followed by other nations such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and Luxembourg. Fou ...
s: * The Fourragère bearing colors of the Légion d'Honneur 1re Brigade de Parachutistes Coloniaux * The fourragere bearing colors of the Croix des T.O.E * The fourragere bearing colors of the Valeur Militaire * The fourragere bearing colors of the Croix de la libération (since June 18, 1996).( that of the 2e R.C.P). Image:Fourragère LH.png, Fourragère bearing colors of the
légion d'honneur The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon ...
Image:Fourragere Ordre de la Libération.jpg, Fourragère bearing of the Ordre de la Libération Image:Fourragère CG TOE.jpg, Fourragère bearing colors of the Croix de guerre des T.O.E


See also

*
List of French paratrooper units The history of French airborne units began in the Interwar period when the French Armed Forces formed specialized paratroopers units. First formed in the French Air Force, they were rapidly integrated into the French Army, French Navy, Natio ...
* 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment *
Long Range Desert Group The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) was a reconnaissance and raiding unit of the British Army during the Second World War. Originally called the Long Range Patrol (LRP), the unit was founded in Egypt in June 1940 by Major Ralph Alger Bagnold, acti ...


References

*


External links


1er RPIMa Official website

QUI OSE GAGNE: Association des Anciens Parachutistes Troupe de Marine et anciens de la Brigade des Parachutistes Coloniaux héritiers des S.A.S

QUI OSE GAGNE: Association des Anciens Parachutistes Troupe de Marine et anciens de la Brigade des Parachutistes Coloniaux héritiers des S.A.S
* QUI OSE GAGNE: Association des Anciens Parachutistes Troupe de Marine et anciens de la Brigade des Parachutistes Coloniaux héritiers des S.A.S {{DEFAULTSORT:Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment, 1st 20th-century regiments of France 21st-century regiments of France Bayonne Companions of the Liberation Counterterrorist organizations Marines regiments of France Military units and formations established in 1941 Parachute regiments of France Special forces of France Army reconnaissance units and formations