Jump to content

1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m Reverted edits by 51.7.56.9 (talk) to last version by OJOM
Line 57: Line 57:
{{Main|List of French paratrooper units}}
{{Main|List of French paratrooper units}}


In August 1953, lieutenant Jacques Molinier serves in the [[List of French paratrooper units|1st Vietnamese Parachute Battalion]] ([[List of French paratrooper units|1<sup>er</sup> BPVN]]). Accordingly, he is tasked by the headquarters of [[Hanoi]] to form a heavy mortar parachute combat company integrated in the [[French Foreign Legion]] and based in [[Tonkin]]. Created on September 1, 1953 based on elements, mainly [[List of French paratrooper units|artillery specialist]] of the [[1st Foreign Parachute Battalion]] ([[List of French paratrooper units|1<sup>er</sup> B.E.P]]) and [[2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion]] ([[List of French paratrooper units|2<sup>e</sup> B.E.P]]); the created combat company is administratively attached to the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion ([[1st Foreign Parachute Battalion|1<sup>er</sup> B.E.P]]).<ref name=est>{{cite book|last=Braby & Windrow|first=Wayne & Martin|title=French Foreign Legion Paratroops|year=1985|publisher=Osprey Books Ltd|isbn=978-0-85045-629-5|pages=12}}</ref> The rear base of the company is situated at Quynh Loï, South of Hanoï.
In August 1953, lieutenant Jacques Molinier serves in the [[List of French paratrooper units|1st Vietnamese Parachute Battalion]] ([[List of French paratrooper units|1<sup>er</sup> BPVN]]). Accordingly, he is tasked by the headquarters of [[Hanoi]] to form a heavy mortar parachute combat company integrated in the [[French Foreign Legion]] and based in [[Tonkin]]. Created on September 1, 1953, based on elements, mainly [[List of French paratrooper units|artillery specialist]] of the [[1st Foreign Parachute Battalion]] ([[List of French paratrooper units|1<sup>er</sup> B.E.P]]) and [[2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion]] ([[List of French paratrooper units|2<sup>e</sup> B.E.P]]); the created combat company is administratively attached to the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion ([[1st Foreign Parachute Battalion|1<sup>er</sup> B.E.P]]).<ref name=est>{{cite book|last=Braby & Windrow|first=Wayne & Martin|title=French Foreign Legion Paratroops|year=1985|publisher=Osprey Books Ltd|isbn=978-0-85045-629-5|pages=12}}</ref> The rear base of the company is situated at Quynh Loï, South of Hanoï.


The first operation launched by the [[List of French paratrooper units|1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company]] ([[List of French paratrooper units|1<sup>re</sup> C.E.P.M.L]]) was to support of the 1st and 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalions. The company also made a combat jump alongside [[Marcel Bigeard|Chef de Battalion Marcel Bigeard's]] [[6th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment|6th Colonial Parachute Battalion]].
The first operation launched by the [[List of French paratrooper units|1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company]] ([[List of French paratrooper units|1<sup>re</sup> C.E.P.M.L]]) was to support of the 1st and 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalions. The company also made a combat jump alongside [[Marcel Bigeard|Chef de Battalion Marcel Bigeard's]] [[6th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment|6th Colonial Parachute Battalion]].
Line 86: Line 86:
File:Insigne 1°CEPML.jpg|[[List of French paratrooper units|1<sup>re</sup> C.E.P.M.L]]
File:Insigne 1°CEPML.jpg|[[List of French paratrooper units|1<sup>re</sup> C.E.P.M.L]]
File:1° BPVN.jpg|[[List of French paratrooper units|1st Vietnamese Parachute Battalion]] Insignia
File:1° BPVN.jpg|[[List of French paratrooper units|1st Vietnamese Parachute Battalion]] Insignia
Image:Cie_para_3REI.JPG|[[List of French paratrooper units|Co. Para]] du [[3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment|3<sup>e</sup> REI]] in the [[1st Foreign Parachute Regiment|1<sup>er</sup> REP]] and [[1st Foreign Parachute Battalion|1<sup>er</sup> BEP]]</center>
Image:Cie_para_3REI.JPG|[[List of French paratrooper units|Co. Para]] du [[3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment|3<sup>e</sup> REI]] in the [[1st Foreign Parachute Regiment|1<sup>er</sup> REP]] and [[1st Foreign Parachute Battalion|1<sup>er</sup> BEP]]</center>
File:2rep.jpg| [[List of French paratrooper units|2<sup>e</sup> B.E.P]] and [[2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment|2<sup>e</sup> R.E.P]] Insignia
File:2rep.jpg| [[List of French paratrooper units|2<sup>e</sup> B.E.P]] and [[2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment|2<sup>e</sup> R.E.P]] Insignia
</gallery>
</gallery>
[[File:Colonel Arnaud de Foiard.jpg|thumb|right|180px| Colonel Paul Marie Félix Jacques René Arnaud de Foïard <br>(1921-2005)]]
[[File:Colonel Arnaud de Foiard.jpg|thumb|right|180px| Colonel Paul Marie Félix Jacques René Arnaud de Foïard <br>(1921-2005)]]

Revision as of 04:08, 4 February 2017

1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company
(1re Compagnie Etrangère Parachutiste de Mortiers Lourds)
Company Insignia
ActiveSeptember 1, 1953 - May 31, 1954
DisbandedAugust 1954
Country France
AllegianceFrench Foreign Legion
BranchFrance French Army
TypeForeign Airborne Mortar Unit
RoleInfantry support
Size120 men
Part ofAttached to 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion
Garrison/HQQuynh Loi, Hanoi, French Indochina
ColorsGreen & Red
EquipmentTwelve (12) type 120mm mortars
EngagementsOperation Castor
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Jacques Molinier
Erwin Bergot
Paul Turcy
Insignia
Identification
symbol
1er CEPML
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.
Members of the 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company in Indochina.

The 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company (Template:Lang-fr) was an ephemeral foreign airborne heavy mortar company of the French Foreign Legion which fought during the First Indochina War at the corps of the French Far East Expeditionary Corps.

History

In August 1953, lieutenant Jacques Molinier serves in the 1st Vietnamese Parachute Battalion (1er BPVN). Accordingly, he is tasked by the headquarters of Hanoi to form a heavy mortar parachute combat company integrated in the French Foreign Legion and based in Tonkin. Created on September 1, 1953, based on elements, mainly artillery specialist of the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1er B.E.P) and 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion (2e B.E.P); the created combat company is administratively attached to the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1er B.E.P).[1] The rear base of the company is situated at Quynh Loï, South of Hanoï.

The first operation launched by the 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company (1re C.E.P.M.L) was to support of the 1st and 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalions. The company also made a combat jump alongside Chef de Battalion Marcel Bigeard's 6th Colonial Parachute Battalion.

On November 21, 1953, Lieutenant Molinier jumped on Dien Bien Phu with the first wave of Operation Castor, at the border Landing Zone (L.Z) Natacha.[2] at 1500, 67 enlisted and officers, as well as 8 type 120mm mortars and 800 rounds of ammunition are dropped on the landing zone. At 1600, the company was in position to fire. This company is the first heavy 120mm mortar unit to be dropped in an airborne type operation. The 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company had packed the mortars in alvéoles type compartments about 3 to 4 meters in diameter. Following the drop, the company received another drop of a supplementary 4 type 120mm mortars to make the total count of 12 type 120mm mortars available for 99 officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and legionnaires.

On March 12, 1954, Lieutenant Molinier is wounded during a recon operation conducted with the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion 1er BEP on “Béatrice”. Attained by a dozen of mortar shrapnel shells in the back and face, he is carried to the underground hospital of commandant-doctor Paul-Henri Grauwin, who takes the decision to evacuate him by plane to Hanoi. For the officer, the Battle of Dien Bien Phu is over. Molinier passes command of the company to Lieutenant Paul Turcy who is killed on March 14, 1954. Accordingly, Lieutenant Erwan Bergot assumes interim command of the company until the parachute support of Lieutenant Jean Singland. On May 7, 1954, the final assault commenced and the French Foreign Legion launched their mortar response in all directions.

On June 1, the 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company was dissolved. In its eight-month existence, the company fired more than 30,000 rounds and endured heavy losses: 24 killed, 43 wounded. At the liberation of the prisoners from the Viet-minh camps, only 17 had survived. Following the dissolution of the company, Lieutenant Molinier assumed command of the Command and Support Company (C.C.S) of the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1er B.E.P).

Organization

Traditions

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

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.

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

Company Colors

Company Song

Decorations

Honours

Battle honours

Company Commander

  • 1953 - 1954 : Lieutenant Molinier
  • 1954 - 1954 : Lieutenant Turcy
  • 1954 - 1954 : Lieutenant Erwan Bergot
  • 1954 - 1954 : Lieutenant Singland

Notable Officers and Legionnaires

See also

References

  • Braby, Wayne & Windrow, Martin. French Foreign Legion Paratroops. London: Osprey Publishing, 1985. ISBN 978-0-85045-629-5
  • Collectif, Histoire des parachutistes français, Société de Production Littéraire, 1975.
  • Jean Brunon et Georges Manue, Le livre d’or de la Légion étrangère (1831-1955), éditions Charles Lavauzelle et Cie, 1958.
  • Pierre Montagnon, Les parachutistes de la Légion 1948-1962, éditions Pygmalion, 2005, ISBN 978-2-85704-940-1.
  1. ^ Braby & Windrow, Wayne & Martin (1985). French Foreign Legion Paratroops. Osprey Books Ltd. p. 12. ISBN 978-0-85045-629-5.
  2. ^ Braby & Windrow, Wayne & Martin (1985). French Foreign Legion Paratroops. Osprey Books Ltd. p. 13. ISBN 978-0-85045-629-5.