2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion

2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion (2e Bataillon Étranger de Parachutistes)
Battalion Insignia
Active	2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion October 1, 1948 – December 1, 1955 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment December 1, 1955 – 2e REP
Country	France
Branch	French Foreign Legion
Type	Foreign Airborne Battalion
Part of	2e B.E.P I Formation, 1949 2e B.E.P II Formation, 1951 2e B.E.P III Formation, 1953 2e B.E.P IV Formation with 3e B.E.P, 1954 3e B.E.P redesignated 2e B.E.P, 1954 2e B.E.P V Formation, 1955 2e R.E.P in 1955
Garrison/HQ	Setif Philippeville
Colors	Green and Red
Anniversaries	Camerone Day
Engagements	First Indochina War
Commanders
Notable commanders	Rémy Raffalli
Abbreviation	2e B.E.P

Each year, the French Foreign Legion commemorates and celebrates Camarón in its headquarters in Aubagne and Bastille Day military parade in Paris; featuring the Pionniers leading and opening the way.

The 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion (French: 2^e Bataillon Étranger de Parachutistes, 2^e B.E.P) was a foreign parachute battalion of the French Foreign Legion initially composed of volunteers of the 4th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (4^e D.B.L.E).

History, creation and different nomination designations

2^e Bataillon Etranger de Parachutistes, 2^e BEP

The 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion was created on October 1, 1948 by execution of a ministerial prescription dating to March 27, 1948.^[1] The combat companies of the 2^e BEP were constituted by the 4th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion (4^e D.B.L.E) in Morocco and the depot of the foreign regiments in Sidi-bel-Abbès, were assigned by the 25th Airborne Division Element (French: 25^e Elément Divisionnaire Aéroporté, EDAP/25).^[1] Composed of one command company and three combat companies type fusiliers-voltigeurs, the battalion makes and clears way to Oran on January 19, 1949, destined for Indochina.^[1] Disembarked in Saïgon on February 9, the battalion is directed to Kep (Cambodia) by land route.^[2] In November 1949, the battalion takes base in Quan Thé.^[3]

The first combat engagements of the 2^e BEP have for theatre of operations, Cambodia, Cochinchine and Annam.^[2] In October 1950, the 2^e BEP is summoned to Tonkin. Reinforced by a heavy mortars company, the battalion engages in all military operations in the Delta, in Thaï lands, Mékong and the plains of Jarres.^[2] The impressive series of combat engagements are earned at the battle of Nghia Lo, colonial route N°6 (RC6), Hoa Binh and the defense of the camp by an airborne operation on Langson.^[2] Crowned of a magnificent epoque, the 2^e BEP makes and clears way to Dien Bien Phu on April 9 and 10 of 1954 in the middle of the furnace.^[2] Following the couter-attack of supporting point "Huguet", lead by a rare determination during the night of the 22 and 23 of April; the 2^e BEP and the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1^er B.E.P) merge to form a single foreign marching battalion. On May 7, the foreign marching battalion is dissolved and the 2^e BEP is recreated by members of the 3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion.^[2] On June 1, 1954, the 2^e BEP leaves Asia on November 1, 1955.^[2] The colors of the battalion are decorated with 6 citations at the orders of the armed forces and the fourragère of the colors of the Legion of Honor.^[2] The losses of the 2^e BEP rises to 1500 Legion officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and Legionnaires killed along with their "chef de corps", Legion commandant Barthélémy Rémy Raffali leading and heading a traditional Foreign Legion battlefield.^[2] Returned to Algeria, the 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion (2^e BEP) becomes the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment on December 1, 1955.^[2]

The insignia of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion was created in 1949, in Cambodia. The battalion insignia represents an eastern winged dragon making reference to the original implementation in Asia. The three point triangular shape of the insignia represents the form of an open Parachute; center by the flag colors of the legion; and is symbol of the perfection that is expected of the men serving this regiment.^[4] The battalion was commanded at the time by commandant Solnon (1948-1950).^[2]

Traditions

The Archangel Michael featured in Mont Saint-Michel and the Insignia of the 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment.

• 

  French and Foreign Legion Parachute Brevet.

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  Circled Winged Armed Dextrochere of Foreign Legion Paratroopers

Insignias

The insignia of the Foreign Legion Paratroopers of France 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 is the <<Armed Arm of God>>. This Insignia is the symbol of righteous combat and fidelity to superior missions.

• 

  1^er B.E.P Insignia

• 

  2^e B.E.P and 2^e R.E.P Insignia

• 

  3^e B.E.P then 3^e R.E.P Insignia

Colonel Paul Marie Félix Jacques René Arnaud de Foïard
(1921-2005)

Decorations

• 

  6 citations with Fourragère ruban colors of the Legion of Honor

Battalion Commanders

Notable Officers and Legionnaires

• Paul Arnaud de Foïard
• Rémy Raffalli
• Hélie de Saint Marc

See also

• Airborne Units of France
• 25th Parachute Division
• 11th Parachute Brigade
• 10th Parachute Division
• 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment
• 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment
• 3rd Foreign Parachute Regiment

References

Foreign Legion Command French Foreign Legion
Honneur et Fidélité History of the French Foreign Legion Foreign Legion Pioneers (Pionniers) List of French paratrooper units Képi Blanc (publication)
Current Foreign Legion Units	Administrative Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments 1st Foreign Regiment Foreign Legion Command Foreign Legion Recruiting Group Infantry & Parachute Infantry 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte Cavalry 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment Engineer & Parachute Engineer 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment Training 4th Foreign Regiment Jungle Training Center Combat Training Center at Arta Beach
Defunct Foreign Legion Units	Administrative and Training Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments Parachute Parachute Company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion 3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion Foreign Air Supply Company 3rd Foreign Parachute Regiment 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company Infantry 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1st Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment 2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment 3rd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment 4th Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment/Garibaldi Legion 1st Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment 2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment 11th Foreign Infantry Regiment 12th Foreign Infantry Regiment 21st Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers 22nd Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers 23rd Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers Cavalry 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment 97th Reconnaissance Group of the Infantry Division Transport Armored Train of the Foreign Legion Disciplinary Disciplinary Company of the Foreign Regiments in the Far East Foreign Legion Brigades 31st Brigade (France)