The 6th Light Armoured Brigade (french: 6
e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6
e BLB) is one of the eight inter-arm brigades which are at the disposition of the ''
Commandement des Forces Terrestres
The ''Commandement des Forces Terrestres (CFT)'' is the new appellation (since July 1, 2008) of the Commandement de la Force d'action Terrestre (“Command of the land combat forces”, French acronym CFAT). It is the High command of the land f ...
''. The headquarters of the brigade is situated in
Nîmes
Nîmes ( , ; oc, Nimes ; Latin: ''Nemausus'') is the prefecture of the Gard department in the Occitanie region of Southern France. Located between the Mediterranean Sea and Cévennes, the commune of Nîmes has an estimated population of 148,5 ...
. The brigade is capable of deploying to any exterior theatre of operation while delivering fire power, agility, and mobility.
History
The brigade is heir to the 6th Cavalry Division (french: 6
e Division de cavalerie ) of 1914, the 6th Light Cavalry Division of 1940 (french: 6
e Division Légère de Cavalerie), and the
6th Armoured Division, stationed in Compiègne (1951-1957) and then in Strasbourg (1977-1984)
In 1984, the formation was reorganised as the 6th Light Armoured Division (6e DLB) and was part of the
Rapid Action Force
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) is a specialised wing of the Central Reserve Police Force of India to deal with riot and crowd control situations.
History
RAF was raised on 11 December 1991 with headquarters in New Delhi. It became fully opera ...
(1984-1999). The division then was formed of 7 regiments, 5 professionals out which 3 are part of the
Foreign Legion:
*
21st Marine Infantry Regiment
The 21st Marine Infantry Regiment (french: 21e Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine, 21e RIMa) is a unit of the French military issued by filiation from the 2e RIC.
Creation and different nominations
* 1831: creation of the 2nd Marine Infantry Re ...
, 21
e RIMa, which had been part of the
31st Brigade (1981-1984)
* 68th Artillery Regiment, 68
e RA
* 6th Command and Support Regiment, 6
e RCS
*
1st Spahi Regiment
The 1st Spahi Regiment (french: 1er Régiment de Spahis) is an armored regiment of the modern French Army, previously called the 1st Moroccan Spahi Regiment (french: 1er Régiment de Spahis Marocains). It was established in 1914 as a mounted cava ...
, 1
er RS
*
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
The 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment () is the only cavalry regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. It is one of two armoured cavalry regiments of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade.
The regiment recently moved camp after being stationed ...
, 1
er REC, attached to the 31st Brigade
*
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment
The 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (french: 2e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie, 2e REI) is an infantry regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. The regiment is one of two mechanized infantry regiments of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade ...
, 2
e REI, a regimental component of the 31st Brigade
*
6th Foreign Engineer Regiment
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 Engin ...
, 6
e REG
Structure in 2007
Following Army reorganisation in 1999, the division was renamed the 6th Light Armoured Brigade (french: 6
e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6
e B.L.B). It consists of 6000 service personnel with 2100 wheeled vehicles, and includes 6 regiments and one transmission company:
*
21st Marine Infantry Regiment
The 21st Marine Infantry Regiment (french: 21e Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine, 21e RIMa) is a unit of the French military issued by filiation from the 2e RIC.
Creation and different nominations
* 1831: creation of the 2nd Marine Infantry Re ...
*
3rd Marine Artillery Regiment
*
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment
The 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (french: 2e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie, 2e REI) is an infantry regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. The regiment is one of two mechanized infantry regiments of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade ...
, 2
e REI
*
1st Spahi Regiment
The 1st Spahi Regiment (french: 1er Régiment de Spahis) is an armored regiment of the modern French Army, previously called the 1st Moroccan Spahi Regiment (french: 1er Régiment de Spahis Marocains). It was established in 1914 as a mounted cava ...
*
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
The 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment () is the only cavalry regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. It is one of two armoured cavalry regiments of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade.
The regiment recently moved camp after being stationed ...
, 1
er REC
*
1st Foreign Engineer Regiment
The 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (french: 1er Régiment étranger de génie, 1er REG) is one of two combat engineer regiments of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. The regiment provides the combat engineering component of the 6th Light Arm ...
, 1
er REG
*6th Command and Support Regiment
It includes significant numbers of the
Foreign Legion 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 amphibio ...
.
Organization in 2009
Strong with 6000 service personnel,
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 ...
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 amphibio ...
the brigade is composed of:
*General H.Q. in
Nîmes
Nîmes ( , ; oc, Nimes ; Latin: ''Nemausus'') is the prefecture of the Gard department in the Occitanie region of Southern France. Located between the Mediterranean Sea and Cévennes, the commune of Nîmes has an estimated population of 148,5 ...
* 6th Command and Support Regiment, 6
e RCS
*
21st Marine Infantry Regiment
The 21st Marine Infantry Regiment (french: 21e Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine, 21e RIMa) is a unit of the French military issued by filiation from the 2e RIC.
Creation and different nominations
* 1831: creation of the 2nd Marine Infantry Re ...
, 21
e RIMa
*
3rd Marine Artillery Regiment, 3
e RAMa
*
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment
The 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (french: 2e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie, 2e REI) is an infantry regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. The regiment is one of two mechanized infantry regiments of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade ...
, 2
e REI
*
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
The 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment () is the only cavalry regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. It is one of two armoured cavalry regiments of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade.
The regiment recently moved camp after being stationed ...
, 1
er REC
*
1st Foreign Engineer Regiment
The 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (french: 1er Régiment étranger de génie, 1er REG) is one of two combat engineer regiments of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. The regiment provides the combat engineering component of the 6th Light Arm ...
, 1
er REG
Organization in 2016
Mostly manned with troops from the
Foreign Legion 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 amphibio ...
, the brigade is composed of:
* General H.Q. in
Nîmes
Nîmes ( , ; oc, Nimes ; Latin: ''Nemausus'') is the prefecture of the Gard department in the Occitanie region of Southern France. Located between the Mediterranean Sea and Cévennes, the commune of Nîmes has an estimated population of 148,5 ...
* 6
e Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions (6
e CCT) - Command and Signals Company in
Nîmes
Nîmes ( , ; oc, Nimes ; Latin: ''Nemausus'') is the prefecture of the Gard department in the Occitanie region of Southern France. Located between the Mediterranean Sea and Cévennes, the commune of Nîmes has an estimated population of 148,5 ...
with VAB
*
1 Régiment de Spahis – Cavalry Regiment in
Valence with
AMX 10 RC
The AMX-10 RC is a French armoured fighting vehicle manufactured by GIAT for armoured reconnaissance purposes. Equipping French cavalry units since 1981, over 240 are still in service with the French Army as of 2021. In addition, 108 units were s ...
*
1 Régiment Etranger de Cavalerie (1 REC)
Foreign Legion - Cavalry Regiment in
Marseille
Marseille ( , , ; also spelled in English as Marseilles; oc, Marselha ) is the prefecture of the French department of Bouches-du-Rhône and capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Situated in the camargue region of southern Franc ...
with
AMX 10 RC
The AMX-10 RC is a French armoured fighting vehicle manufactured by GIAT for armoured reconnaissance purposes. Equipping French cavalry units since 1981, over 240 are still in service with the French Army as of 2021. In addition, 108 units were s ...
*
2e Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie (2
e REI) - Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment in
Nîmes
Nîmes ( , ; oc, Nimes ; Latin: ''Nemausus'') is the prefecture of the Gard department in the Occitanie region of Southern France. Located between the Mediterranean Sea and Cévennes, the commune of Nîmes has an estimated population of 148,5 ...
with
VBCI
The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie ( English: ''Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle'') or VBCI is a French Infantry fighting vehicle designed and manufactured by GIAT Industries (now Nexter Systems) and Renault Trucks Defense to replac ...
*
13e Demi Brigade de Légion Etrangère (13
e DBLE) -
Foreign Legion regiment in
La Cavalerie
La Cavalerie (; oc, La Cavalariá) is a Communes of France, commune in the Aveyron Departments of France, department in southern France. During the 1970s it became the focal point of Fight for the Larzac, peasant resistance to the proposed ext ...
with
VAB
*
21e Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine (21
e RIMa) - Marine Infantry Regiment in
Fréjus
Fréjus (; ) is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in Southeastern France. In 2019, it had a population of 54,458.
It neighbours Saint-Raphaël, effectively forming one urban agglomeration. The north of ...
with
VAB
*
3e Régiment d'Artillerie de Marine (3
e RAMa) - Marine Artillery Regiment in
Canjuers
Canjuers is a calcareous plateau and a military camp in Provence located in southeastern France. It’s the largest military camp in Continental Europe.
Geography
Situated in the ''département'' of the Var in the Prealps of Castellane, on the sou ...
with
TRF1
The TRF1 is a 155mm French towed howitzer produced by Nexter (ex Giat Industries) and used by the French Army.
The TRF1 was showcased in 1979 at the Eurosatory arms trade show, as a replacement for Armée de Terre's Obusier_de_155_mm_Mod%C3%A8le_ ...
howitzers,
CAESAR
Gaius Julius Caesar (; ; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC), was a Roman people, Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in Caes ...
self-propelled howitzers and
RTF1 mortars
*
1 Régiment Étranger de Génie (1 REG) - Foreign Legion Engineer Regiment in
Laudun
Laudun-l'Ardoise (; oc, Laudun) is a commune in the Gard department in Occitanie (southern France).
The commune name was ''Laudun'' until February 1, 2001.
Population
Wine
Laudun is one of the communes producing Côtes du Rhône Villages w ...
Division & Brigade Commanders
(1984 - 1999)
*1984 - 1986 :
général de division
Divisional general is a general officer rank who commands an army division. The rank originates from the French (Revolutionary) System, and is used by a number of countries. The rank is above a brigade general, and normally below an army corps ...
Moreau
*1986 - 1988 : général de brigade Favreau
*1988 - 1990 : général de brigade Pincemin
*1990 - 1991 : général de brigade Mouscardès
*1991 - 1993 : général de division
Bernard Janvier
Bernard Janvier (born 16 July 1939) is a former general of the French Army who served in the French Foreign Legion, primarily spearheading and putting in place effective resolving forces.
He first took part in the Algerian War. He then spearheade ...
*1993 - 1994 : général de division Bâton
*1994 - 1996 : général de division Rideau
*1996 - 1999 : général de brigade Schwrdorffer
(1999 - present)
* 1999 - 2000:
général de brigade
Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed to ...
Barro
* 2000 - 2002: général de brigade de Kermabon
* 2002 – 2004: général de brigade
Bruno Dary
Bruno Dary (born 21 December 1952 in Barcelonnette, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) is a Général d'armée of the French Army and Commandant of the Foreign Legion.
Général Dary is the 136th Military governor of Paris (french: Gouverneur militaire ...
* 2006 – 2008: général de brigade Bertrand Clément-Bollée
* 2008 – 2010: général de brigade Eric Margail
* 2010 – 2012: général de brigade Antoine Windeck
* 2012 – 2014: général de brigade Laurent Kolodziej
* 2014 – 2016: général de brigade Pierre Gillet
* 2016 - 2017: général de brigade Benoît Durieux
* 2017 - 2019: général de brigade Franck Nicol
* 2019 - 2021: général de brigade Jean-Christophe Bechon
* 2021 - : général de brigade Eric Ozanne
See also
*
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 ...
References
External links
6e DLBOfficial site
Page de la 6° BLB sur le site du ministère français de la Défenseservir-et-defendre.comL'ordre de bataille de la force terrestre.
{{Use dmy dates, date=June 2017
1999 establishments in France
Brigades of France
Military units and formations established in 1999