What happened to the French Foreign Legion in ww2?

Unfortunately, about 2,000 men were found out by the Nazis. Most were sent to a new German unit, the 361st Motorised Infantry Regiment, and forced to fight for Germany. Ultimately, the Free French Foreign Legion won and continued supporting the Allies well into the invasion of Germany.

Did the Foreign Legion fight in ww2?

The Foreign Legion was primarily used, as part of the Armée d’Afrique, to protect and expand the French colonial empire during the 19th century, but it also fought in almost all French wars including the Franco-Prussian War, World War I and World War II.

Did Germans join the French Foreign Legion after ww2?

When the Nazis came to power in 1933, they made it illegal for German citizens to enlist, or re-enlist, in foreign militaries. So by 1939 any German still serving in the French Foreign Legion was a criminal, and often a political exile.

What happened during the French Resistance?

The French Resistance played a vital part in aiding the Allies to success in Western Europe – especially leading up to D-Day in June 1944. The French Resistance supplied the Allies with vital intelligence reports as well as doing a huge amount of work to disrupt the German supply and communication lines within France.

What role did the French Foreign Legion play in WW2?

The Foreign Legion played a smaller role in World War II in mainland Europe than in World War I, though there was involvement in many exterior theatres of operations, notably sea transport protection through to the Norwegian, Syria-Lebanon, and North African campaigns.

Was the Foreign Legion part of Vichy France or the French army?

As others have written the Foreign Legion was part of the French Army and fought for both the Free French and Vichy, depending on circumstances. It should be noted that the Nazis viewed Germans who served in the Legion as unpatriotic. Once they came to power in 1933 they made it illegal for German citizens to enlist in the Legion.

What is the difference between the Legion and the Foreign Legion?

The Legion is the only part of the French military that does not swear allegiance to France, but to the Foreign Legion itself. Any soldier who gets wounded during a battle for France can immediately apply to be a French citizen under a provision known as ” Français par le sang versé ” (“French by spilled blood”).

How did the French defend the Maginot Line against the Germans?

Instead, four more foreign regiments were raised in France and trained by veteran Legion officers from North Africa. These legionnaires garrisoned the Maginot Line, the string of concrete fortresses that the French had built as their main defense against Germany.