The Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments (DCRE), or (french: Dépôt commun des régiments étrangers, D.C.R.E), was the primary training formation of the Foreign Legion from 1933 to 1955.

History

The Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments (D.C.R.E) (french: Dépôt commun des régiments étrangers, D.C.R.E) was created on 13 October 1933. The DCRE included a staff, a training battalion, a transit battalion, and depots in

Toul Toul () is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department. Geography Toul is between Commercy and Nancy, and the river Moselle and Canal de la Marne au Rhin. Climate Toul h ...

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 ...

Oran Oran ( ar, وَهران, Wahrān) is a major coastal city located in the north-west of Algeria. It is considered the second most important city of Algeria after the capital Algiers, due to its population and commercial, industrial, and cultural ...

, and

Arzew Arzew or Arzeu ( ar, أرزيو Berber; ) is a port city in Algeria, 25 miles (40 km) from Oran. It is the capital of Arzew District, Oran Province. History Antiquity Like the rest of North Africa, the site of modern-day Arzew was orig ...

. The Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments was administratively dependent on the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment. From 1 April 1942, the D.C.R.E became a formed unit corps (the equivalent of a regiment) and was commanded by a senior colonel; the highest ranked colonel amongst all Foreign Legion regimental commanders. This senior

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

of the D.C.R.E acts as a general inspector vis-à-vis of the minister. On 1 September 1950, the functions of the D.C.R.E are delegated to the Autonomous Group of the Foreign Legion (G.A.L.E) (french: Groupement autonome de la Légion étrangère, G.A.L.E) which took over temporarily from the

Inspection of the Foreign Legion Particularly following World War I, the Foreign Legion grew exponentially reputable and important part in the French Army. Accordingly, new regiments have been formed which one of them was the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment 1er REC. During the inter ...

(I.L.E) (french: Inspection de la légion étrangère, I.L.E); the (I.L.E) that would later constitute the

Foreign Legion Command The Foreign Legion Command (french: Commandement de la Légion Étrangère, (COMLE)) (official) is the Command of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. The Legion is led by a French general, a Legion officer (french: Officier de Légion) who ...

. The D.C.R.E in the meantime changed name to the Communal Depot of the Foreign Legion (D.C.L.E) (french: Dépôt commun de la Légion étrangère, D.C.L.E). From 1950 to 1955, the newly renamed D.C.L.E was charged with running staffing operations, administration and the affairs of combat companies in transit. The D.C.L.E dissolved on 1 July 1955 and its mission was taken over by the 1st Foreign Regiment.

Insignia

Two hemispheres, one red and one green, masking a grenade with 7 flames placed on top of the inscription: French Foreign Legion (french: << LÉGION ÉTRANGÈRE FRANÇAISE>>), The two hemispheres represent simultaneously the implementation of the

Legion Legion may refer to: Military * Roman legion, the basic military unit of the ancient Roman army * Spanish Legion, an elite military unit within the Spanish Army * Legion of the United States, a reorganization of the United States Army from 179 ...

at quartier Viénot at Sidi-bel-Abbès and the relic ''monument aux morts'' of the D.C.R.E, responsible of traditions in mounting the guard. The green and red colors with the grenade with 7 flames are the traditional marks of the Foreign Legion. The Insignia was created in 1946 by Colonel Gaultier, highest Legion ranking regimental commander of the D.C.R.E.

Organization

*Headquarters Staff *Instruction/Training Battalion *Transit Battalion *Four Operations Depots **Depot at

**Depot at

Marseilles 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 ...

**Depot at

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Communal Depot Of The Foreign Regiments Defunct French Foreign Legion units Army training units and formations Buildings and structures in Sidi Bel Abbès Province French Algeria Military parachuting training Military units and formations established in 1933 1933 establishments in France 1955 disestablishments in France

History

Insignia

Organization

See also

References