The 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (french: 2^e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine, 2^e RPIMa) is an airborne regiment of the French Army created in 1947. The regiment is heir to the traditions of the 2nd Colonial Commando Parachute Battalion 2^eB.C.C.P. As of 2008, the regiment is stationed at Saint-Pierre, Réunion.

History

In 1947, the 2nd Colonial Commando Parachute Battalion 2^eB.C.C.P was posted to Indochina, combat engaging until 1953 in two rounds (1947-1949 and 1950-1953), being cited three times at the orders of the armed forces. In 1954, the 2nd Colonial Parachute Battalion 2^e BPC made way to Morocco and was then subsequently dissolved on July 31, 1955. In 1955, the regiment was redesignated as the 2nd Colonial Parachute Regiment 2^e RPC by regrouping the dissolved components of the 1^e BPC, 5^e BPC and 8^e BPC and then in 1958, designated again as the 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment. The unit served from 1955 until 1962 in North Africa at the corps 10th Parachute Division. On 5 November 1956, the unit jumped in the second wave of the French/British attack on the Suez Canal over Port Said and was cited at the orders of the armed forces. In July 1961, the regiment jumped over Bizerte and broke the Tunisian siege of the French airport installations. The regiment was then dissolved on 5 July 1962 and recreated 1 January 1965 in Ivato, Madagascar from the 5th Marine Infantry Parachute Battalion 5^e BPIM. The regiment was then transferred to Reunion in 1973. Since then, the regiment has participated in various operations: Djibouti (1993/1994), Comoros (1990), Rwanda (1994) and Comors (1995/1996). In May and October 2009 the regiment performed a parachute jump and participated in a major military exercise in the Bay of Saint-Paul with GAM (Groupe d'assaut par mer).

Traditions

Except for the

Legionnaires The French Foreign Legion (french: Légion étrangère) is a corps of the French Army which comprises several specialties: infantry, cavalry, engineers, airborne troops. It was created in 1831 to allow foreign nationals into the French Army. It ...

of the 1^ème REG, 2^ème REG, 2^ème REP that conserve the Green Beret; the remainder of the French army metropolitan and marine paratroopers forming the 11th Parachute Brigade wear the Red Beret. File:Chuteur Opérationnel.jpg, French Commando Parachute Group Brevet of Chuteur Opérationnel File:Parachutistes coloniaux-béret.jpg, Anchored Winged Armed Dextrochere of French Army Marine Infantry Paratroopers File:Brevet Parachutiste.jpg, French Parachute Brevet. The Archangel Saint Michael, patron of the French paratroopers is celebrated on September 29. The ''prière du Para'' (Prayer of the Paratrooper) was written by

André Zirnheld André Louis Arthur Zirnheld (March 7, 1913 – July 27, 1942) was a French paratrooper, a member of the Free French Air Force, and a member of the French Squadron, Special Air Service during World War II. He is famous for being the first French ...

in 1938.

Insignias

Just like the paratrooper Brevet of the French Army; the Insignia of French Paratroopers was created in 1946. The French Army Insignia of metropolitan Paratroopers represents a closed "winged armed dextrochere", meaning a "right winged arm" armed with a sword pointing upwards. The Insignia makes reference to the Patron of Paratroopers. In fact, the Insignia represents "the right Arm of Saint Michael", the Archangel which according to

Liturgy Liturgy is the customary public ritual of worship performed by a religious group. ''Liturgy'' can also be used to refer specifically to public worship by Christians. As a religious phenomenon, liturgy represents a communal response to and partic ...

is the "Armed Arm of God". This Insignia is the symbol of righteous combat and fidelity to superior missions. The French Army Insignia of Marine Infantry Paratroopers is backgrounded by a Marine Anchor. File:Insigne du 2° BCCP.jpg, 2^e B.C.C.P Image:Insigne infanterie de marine.png, Left arm insignia of the Troupes de Marine File:Parachutistes coloniaux-béret.jpg, Beret insignia of the Marine Parachute Units

Regimental Colors

2e régiment parachutiste d'infanterie de marine - drapeau

''Sewn in gold letters in the respective folds, the following inscriptions:Order on the award 1952-1962 NFA registration on flags and banners and training of armed services, November 19, 2004 (A) NORDEF0452926A Michele Alliot-Marie

Regimental Song

Decorations

The regimental colors of the 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment ( 2^e RPIMa) is decorated with: * Cited 4 times at the orders of the armed forces. The regiment bears wearing the Fourragère: * Fourragère bearing the colors of the

Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures The ''Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieurs'' (War Cross for foreign operational theatres), also called the ''Croix de Guerre TOE'' for short, is a French military award denoting citations earned in combat in foreign countri ...

. File:Fourragère CG TOE.jpg, Fourragère aux couleurs de la Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures

Honors

Battle Honors

* Indochine 1947-1954 * Port Saïd 1956 * AFN 1952-1962

Regimental Commanders

Officers and marines

* Raymond Duc * Elrick Irastorza

References

External links

Friends of the 2e RPIMa

'Le Quotidien de la Réunion', 7 octobre 2009. {{DEFAULTSORT:Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment, 2nd Parachute regiments of France Marines regiments of France 20th-century regiments of France 21st-century regiments of France Military units and formations established in 1947 Military units and formations disestablished in 1953 Military units and formations established in 1955 Military units and formations disestablished in 1962 Military units and formations established in 1965 1947 establishments in France