Particularly following

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, the Foreign Legion grew exponentially reputable and important part 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 For ...

. Accordingly, new regiments have been formed which one of them was the

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. During the

interwar period In the history of the 20th century, the interwar period lasted from 11 November 1918 to 1 September 1939 (20 years, 9 months, 21 days), the end of the World War I, First World War to the beginning of the World War II, Second World War. The in ...

and in 1930, following the creation of the

5th Foreign Infantry Regiment The 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (abbr. 5th REI, french: 5e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie), nicknamed the "Regiment of Tonkin" (french: "Régiment du Tonkin"), was a regiment of the Foreign Legion of the French Army created under the Thir ...

5^e REI in

Tonkin Tonkin, also spelled ''Tongkin'', ''Tonquin'' or ''Tongking'', is an exonym referring to the northern region of Vietnam. During the 17th and 18th centuries, this term referred to the domain ''Đàng Ngoài'' under Trịnh lords' control, includi ...

, the Legion stood strong at 30,000 Legionnaires . Accordingly, the need to organize 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 ...

was necessary and also the need to provide a clear structure of command that would safe keep the evolution of the legion in relation to the foreign service of its volunteers proved to be even more important. On March 2, 1931, the general staff headquarters of the Armies, a

Général is the French word for general. There are two main categories of generals: the general officers (), which are the highest-ranking commanding officers in the armed forces, and the specialist officers with flag rank (), which are high-level offic ...

, signed the instruction of two formulations, which rather initial, would be the main founding legislative pillar acts of the Inspection of the Foreign Legion. This reorganization has been mainly and for a while preoccupied by the intentions of the

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 ...

Paul-Frédéric Rollet Paul-Frédéric Rollet (1875–1941) was a Général

while commanding the

1st Foreign Regiment The 1st Foreign Regiment (french: 1er Régiment étranger, 1er RE) and the 2nd Foreign infantry Regiment are the original and most senior founding regiments of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. The regiment is also responsible for running sp ...

1^er RE. Since 1928,

Marshal of France Marshal of France (french: Maréchal de France, plural ') is a French military distinction, rather than a military rank, that is awarded to generals for exceptional achievements. The title has been awarded since 1185, though briefly abolished (1 ...

Louis Franchet d'Espèrey Louis Félix Marie François Franchet d'Espèrey (25 May 1856 – 8 July 1942) was a French general during World War I. As commander of the large Allied army based at Salonika, he conducted the successful Macedonian campaign, which caused t ...

exposed in reports argumenting in favor of a new organization 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 ...

in reason of the increase of general enlistments and the existence of

combat Combat ( French for ''fight'') is a purposeful violent conflict meant to physically harm or kill the opposition. Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed ( not using weapons). Combat is sometimes resorted to as a method of self-defense, or ...

regiments mainly depending on two different arms, the

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 marine i ...

and

armoured cavalry Armoured cavalry are combat units using armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) instead of horses. They began to replace horse cavalry in the heavy shock and the light reconnaissance, skirmishing and exploitation/pursuit roles in most armies commenc ...

. The date of creation of the Inspection of the Foreign Legion was fixed on April 1, 1931. The inspection would be entrusted to a

(or really exceptional

), particularly specialized in Legion affairs. On March 26, 1931, Colonel Rollet passed command of the

1^er to Colonel Nicolas. On April 1, 1931, Rollet was promoted to

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 ...

and assumed the function of the Général Inspector of the Foreign Legion. Until his retirement in 1935, Rollet would serve his tailored function in total submission while comforting the culture of the Legion and codifying the essence of traditions. The inspection would be dissolved when

Rollet would leave active duty. In 1948, the

Inspection An inspection is, most generally, an organized examination or formal evaluation exercise. In engineering activities inspection involves the measurements, tests, and gauges applied to certain characteristics in regard to an object or activity. ...

would have been seen activated for 2 years under the command of

Raoul Magrin-Vernerey Raoul Charles Magrin-Vernerey, also known as Ralph Monclar (born 7 February 1892, died 3 June 1964) was a French général, officer and Inspection of the Foreign Legion, 2nd Inspector of the Foreign Legion who fought in World War I, World War I ...

. Dissolved again in 1950, the inspection reappeared as Autonomous Group of the Foreign Legion (G.A.L.E) commanded successively by

generals A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel."general, adj. and n.". OED On ...

Jean Olié and

Paul Gardy Paul Gardy was Général de brigade of the French Army and Commandant of the Foreign Legion in 1951 and 1958. Military career Saint-Cyrien of the 108th promotion ("du Souvenir" - "of Memory" promotion), sous-lieutenant Gardy, graduated Saint- ...

whom were designated as

général is the French word for general. There are two main categories of generals: the general officers (), which are the highest-ranking commanding officers in the armed forces, and the specialist officers with flag rank (), which are high-level offic ...

inspector. The Autonomous Group of the Foreign Legion (G.A.L.E) compromised then, 1 Headquarters Staff in Sidi bel-Abbès, the

Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments 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 ...

, the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1^er REI which regrouped all training/instruction units and the moral service for works of the Foreign Legion (S.O.M.L.E). The inspection of the Foreign Legion would give later form to 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 ...

References

Sources:
Division Histoire et Patrimoine de la Légion étrangère

Revue Képi blanc

External links

{{French Foreign Legion navbox French Foreign Legion

See also

References

External links