Since 1831, the French Foreign Legion has been a renowned symbol of discipline and solidarity. Made up completely of foreign volunteers, the French Foreign Legion gives men a new lease on life, and a chance to test their limits both physically and mentally. And in 1999, the Foreign Legion was just what American Jaime Salazar was looking for.
From the harrowing physical rigors of Legion basic training to his posting in the 2e REG outside of the tiny village of Saint Christol, from his fierce competitiveness and pride to his ultimate disillusionment with the French Foreign Legion and dramatic desertion, this is the story of Salazar's quest for honor and sacrifice. Legion of the Lost is a compelling, first-hand account of the contemporary French Foreign Legion, sure to dispel myths while, at the same time, add to the legend of the finest trained army of mercenaries the world has ever seen.
Some characters mentioned in this book are morphs of several individuals. Some occurrences described were second hand accounts. Some events were exaggerated or left out, in order to emphasize a point. This narrative describes my experience in the Foreign Legion in 1999, and is not mean to characterize the Legion as a whole in subsequent years. The original text was edited for clarity and succinctness.

1. French Foreign Legion Craps Rules
2. French Foreign Legion Uniforms
3. Americans In The French Foreign Legion

The Foreign Legion resumed wearing it in 1926; initially in red and blue, and then in 1939, with white covers on all occasions. The bulk of the French army readopted the kepi in the various traditional branch colours for off-duty wear during the 1930s. It had now become a straight-sided and higher headdress than the traditional soft cap. In 2015, four former French Foreign Legion soldiers were given suspended prison sentences for violence against a fellow recruit who died from heatstroke during an exercise in one of the legion’s. Apr 8, 2017 - Explore Robert Newman's board 'French Foreign Legion', followed by 489 people on Pinterest. See more ideas about French foreign legion, Legion, Legion etrangere.

All photography provided by Jaime Salazar

French Foreign Legion equipment. See what pistols, rifles, machine guns, missiles, personnel carriers and other vehicles are used by legionnaires during their duty service, exercises or military operations conducted by the Foreign Legion. Tens of pictures. Well-ordered data.

French Foreign Legion Weapons

PA MAC 50

PA MAC 50 (Pistolet Automatique – Automatic pistol) is a standard semi-automatic pistol (also known as the MAS 50) used by the Foreign Legion. It had been produced initially by Manufacture d’Armes de Chatellerault (MAC), thereafter by Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS). The PA MAC 50 had been using in the French Army since 1950. It has been replacing by the PA MAS G1 since 2000.

• Caliber: 9mm
• Weight (without ammunition): 890g / 31,4oz
• Length: 195mm / 7,7in
• Feed system: 9-cartridges magazine
• Effective range: 50m / 54,7yd
• Muzzle velocity: 315 m/s / 344,5 yd/s

PAMAS G1

PAMAS G1 is a standard semi-automatic pistol (a copy of the Beretta 92) produced by Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne, the French weapons factory of St.Étienne. French Army forces has been using it since 2000. The PAMAS G1 is currently replacing the older pistol PA MAC 50, which has been using in the French Army and Foreign Legion since 1950.

• Caliber: 9mm
• Weight (without ammunition): 960g / 33,9oz
• Weight (with ammunition): 1090g / 38,4oz
• Length: 217mm / 8,54in
• Feed system: 15-cartridges magazine
• Effective range: 50m / 54,7yd
• Muzzle velocity: 347m/s / 379,5yd/s

FAMAS F1

FAMAS (Fusil d’Assaut de la Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne – Assault rifle of the Weapons factory of Saint-Étienne) is the bullpup assault service rifle used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It was created in 1973. The Foreign Legion has been using the FAMAS since the early 1980s.

• Caliber: 5,56mm
• Weight (without ammunition): 3780g / 133,3oz (F1 standard magazine version) or 3747g / 132,2oz (G2 magazine version for NATO operations)
• Weight (with ammunition): 4370g / 154,1oz (F1) or 4170g / 147,1oz (G2)
• Length: 757mm / 29,8in
• Feed system: 25-cartridges magazine (F1) or 30-cartridges magazine (G2)
• Effective range: 300m / 328yd
• Max range: 3200m / 3500yd
• Rate of fire: 1000 rounds/min (F1) or 1100 rounds/min (G2)
• Muzzle velocity: 960m/s / 1050yd/s (F1) or 925m/s / 1012yd/s (G2)

FAMAS FÉLIN

FÉLIN (Fantassin à Équipement et Liaisons Intégrés – Integrated Infantryman Equipment and Communications) is the name for the French infantry combat system combining a modified FAMAS rifle with a host of other electronics, clothing, pouches, and body armour. It was firstly used by a French Army unit in September 2010. Some Foreign Legion units have been using FÉLIN since 2012 (such as the 2e REI).

FAMAS Valorisé

FAMAS Valorisé (Upgraded FAMAS) is an upgraded, non-félinized version of FAMAS F1 designated for operational units of the French Army. It’s an intermediate between F1 and FÉLIN versions of the rifle, with a Picatinny attachment and laser designator. It has also the same modified bipod as the FÉLIN. The French Army was equipped with the upgraded rifle in the 2010s, including several units of the Legion (such as the 2e REI or 2e REP). Don’t confuse with a version called FAMAS Surbaissé (Decreased FAMAS) with the typically raised handguard being decreased and modernized.

HK 416 F

HK 416 F (Heckler & Koch HK416 French version) is an assault rifle made by a German defense manufacturing company. The French version of the rifle is a modified version of the HK 416 A5, displayed for the first time in 2008. The French Armed Forces made a deal in 2016 to deliver 93,000 rifles to the French Army between 2017-2028 (38,500 in standard version equipped with a grenade launcher and 54,500 in short version). The Foreign Legion has been using the HK 416 F since June 2017 (its 13e DBLE was one of the first two French Army regiments to receive the new rifle).

• Caliber: 5,56 mm
• Weight: 4000 g / 141,1 oz (416F-S standard) or 3700 g / 130,5 oz (416F-C short version)
• Length: 830-930 mm / 32,7-36,6 in (416F-S standard) or 740-840 mm / 29,1-33,1 in (416F-C short version)
• Feed system: 30-round magazine
• Effective range: 400 m / 437 yd (416F-S standard) or 300 m / 328 yd (416F-C short version)
• Max range: 3,600 m / 3,940 yd
• Rate of fire: 850 rounds/min
• Muzzle velocity: 882 m/s / 965 yd/s (416F-S standard) or 780 m/s / 853 yd/s (416F-C short version)

AA NF1

AA NF1 (Arme Automatique de 7,62mm NATO, Modèle F1 – Automatic weapon of 7,62mm NATO, F1 model) or AA 52 is a machine gun used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It was created in 1952. Since 2011, it has been replaced by the Belgian FN MAG (see below). However, the Foreign Legion was still using AA NF1 in 2018.

• Caliber: 7,62mm
• Weight (without ammunition): 10kg / 22lb
• Length: 1145mm / 45,1in
• Feed system: 50-cartridges – 200-cartridges belts
• Effective range: 800m / 875yd
• Max range: 3850m / 4210yd
• Rate of fire: 900 rounds/min
• Muzzle velocity: 810m/s / 886yd/s

FN MAG 58

FN MAG 58 (Mitrailleuse d’Appui Général – General purpose Machine Gun) is a gas-operated machine gun used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It was created by a Belgium company FN (Fabrique Nationale) Herstal in 1958. First FN MAG 58 guns were received by the French Army in 2013, to replace gradually the older AA NF1. The French Army ordered 8,000 of these machine guns. The Foreign Legion has used them since 2017.

• Caliber: 7,62 mm NATO
• Weight (without ammunition): 12 kg / 26 lb
• Length: 1263 mm / 49,7 in
• Feed system: 50-round belt
• Effective range: 800 m / 875 yd
• Max range: 1850 m / 2023 yd
• Rate of fire: 650-1000 rounds/min
• Muzzle velocity: 840 m/s / 2756 ft/s

FN Minimi

FN Minimi (Mini-Mitrailleuse – Mini machine gun) is a machine gun used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. The Minimi was created in Belgium by a Fabrique Nationale (FN) factory in 1974.

• Caliber: 5,56mm
• Weight (without ammunition): 6850g / 241,6oz or 6500g / 229,3 oz (Paratrooper version)
• Length: 1038mm / 40,9in or 910mm / 35,8 in (Para) – 725mm / 28,5in (Para stock collapsed)
• Feed system: 30-cartridges magazine or 200-cartridges belt
• Effective range: 300-1000m / 328-1094yd
• Max range: 2700-3000m / 2953-3281yd
• Rate of fire: 900 rounds/min
• Muzzle velocity: 925m/s / 1012yd/s or 866m/s / 947yd/s (Para)

FR F2

FR F2 (Fusil à Répétition modèle F2 – Bolt action rifle, F2 model) is a French standard sniper rifle used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It was created in the 1980s. The Foreign Legion and other French Army forces has been using the FR F2 since 1986.

• Caliber: 7,62mm
• Weight (without ammunition): 5100g / 180oz
• Length: 1138mm / 44,8in
• Feed system: 10-cartridges magazine
• Effective range: 800m / 875yd
• Rate of fire: 5 rounds/min
• Muzzle velocity: 830m/s / 908yd/s
• Sights: APXL 806 or SCROME J8 8×40

PGM Hécate II

PGM Hécate II is a standard heavy sniper, anti-materiel rifle used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It was created in 1995 by the French rifle factory PGM Précision. The Foreign Legion has been using the PGM Hécate II since the end of 1990s.

• Caliber: 12,7mm
• Weight (without ammunition): 15,8kg / 34,8lb
• Length: 1370mm / 53,9in
• Feed system: 7-cartridges magazine
• Effective range: 1800m / 1969yd
• Max range: 7000m / 7655yd
• Muzzle velocity: 780m/s / 853yd/s
• Sights: SCROME J10 10×40

M2 Browning 12,7

M2 Browning, called simply the “12,7”, is a heavy machine gun used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It was created in USA in 1921. The French Foreign Legion has used the 12,7 since summer 1943.

• Caliber: 12,7mm
• Weight (without ammunition): 38,1kg / 84lb
• Length: 1650mm / 65in
• Feed system: 105-cartridges belt or 100-cartridges / 265-cartridges magazines
• Effective range: 1200m / 1312yd
• Max range: 6800m / 7400yd
• Rate of fire: 500 rounds/min
• Muzzle velocity: 930m/s / 1017yd/s

LGI F1

LGI Mle F1 (Lance-Grenade Individuel Mle F1 – Individual grenade launcher, F1 Model) is a lightweight close-support infantry weapon. The LGI has been using by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces since the 1990s.

• Caliber: 51mm
• Weight (without ammunition): 4800g / 169,3oz
• Length: 605mm / 23,8in
• Effective range: 675m / 738yd
• Rate of fire: 30 rounds/min

Mo 81 LLR F1

Mo 81 LLR F1 (Mortier de 81 mm Léger Long Renforcé modèle F1 – 81 mm lightweight long reinforced mortar, F1 Model) is a light mortar. The Mo 81 LLR F1 has been using by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces since the end of 1990s.

• Caliber: 81mm
• Weight (without ammunition): 44kg / 97lb
• Length: 1550mm / 61in
• Effective range: 3100-5600m / 3390-6124yd
• Rate of fire: 12-20 rounds/min

AT4

AT4 (AntiTank 4) is an unguided, portable, single-shot anti-tank weapon (also known as a rocket-propelled grenade, RPG). It was created in Sweden in 1980. The Foreign Legion and other French Army forces have been using the AT4 since the mid-1980s.

• Diameter: 84mm
• Weight: 7600g / 268oz
• Length: 1040mm / 41in
• Effective range: 20-250m / 22-273yd
• Speed: 220m/s / 241yd/s

LRAC F1

LRAC F1 (Lance-Roquettes AntiChar de 89 mm modèle F1 – 89 mm anti-tank rocket launcher, F1 model) is a French reusable rocket launcher used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It was created in France in the beginning of the 1970s. The Foreign Legion have been using the LRAC F1 since the mid-1970s. Since 2008, the LRAC F1 has been replacing by the Swedish AT4 and French ERYX as the standard anti-tank and assault weapon.

• Diameter: 89mm
• Weight: 5000g / 176oz
• Length: 1170mm / 46in
• Effective range: 300-500m / 328-546yd
• Max range: 2300m / 2515yd
• Speed: 295m/s / 322yd/s

ERYX

French Foreign Legion Craps Rules

ERYX is a short-range portable wire-guided anti-tank missile used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It is based on SACLOS (Semi-Automatic Command to Line Of Sight) method of missile guidance. It was created in Canada in 1991. The Foreign Legion has been using the ERYX since the mid-1990s.

• Diameter: 136mm
• Weight: 13kg / 28,7lb
• Length: 905mm / 35,6in
• Effective range: 600m / 656yd
• Speed: 18m/s / 19,7yd/s in the beginning, afterwards 245m/s / 268yd/s

MILAN

MILAN (MIssile Léger Antichar NATO – NATO Anti-tank light missile) is a anti-tank guided missile used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It was created by a France-Germany team between 1962-1971 and it is based on SACLOS method of missile guidance. The Foreign Legion has been using the MILAN since the mid-1970s.

• Diameter: 115mm
• Weight: 7100g / 250,4oz
• Length: 1200mm / 47,2in
• Effective range: 200-2000m / 219-2187yd
• Speed: 75m/s / 82yd/s in the beginning, afterwards 200m/s / 219yd/s

French Foreign Legion Vehicles

VAC

French Foreign Legion Uniforms

VAC (Véhicule Articulé Chenillé – Tracked Articulated Vehicle) is a all-terrain non-armored carrier used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It comprises two units and is able to carry 12 personnel (4 + 8). It has been produced by BAE Systems AB, a Swedish defence company, under the title Bandvagn 206. The VAC serves in several French Army units, including the 2e REG and 3e REI of the Legion. They have been using the VAC since 2000s.

• Engine: Mercedes-Benz OM 3,000 cm3 Turbo Diesel
• Power: 136 hp (101 kW)
• Tracks: Moulded rubber with cord
• Speed: 55 km/h / 34 mph
• Speed in water: 3 km/h / 2 mph
• Operational range: 300 km / 190 mi
• Passengers: 12 (up to 17)
• Min Temperature: -52°C (-62°F)

Peugeot P4

Peugeot P4 is an unarmored 4×4 off-road vehicle used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It has been produced by Peugeot since the early 1980s to replace the WWII Jeeps. The Foreign Legion has been using the Peugeot P4 since the early 1990s. The aging “P4” has been replaced gradually by Masstech T4 (see below) since 2017 and by VT4 (see below) since 2018.

• Engine: Mercedes-Benz 2,500 cm3 XD3 Diesel I4
• Power: 70 hp (52 kW)
• Suspension: 4×4
• Speed: 120 km/h / 75 mph
• Operational range: 800 km / 500 mi
• Passengers: 4

Technamm Masstech T4

Technamm Masstech T4 is an unarmored 4×4 lightweight multipurpose tactical vehicle used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army units. The militarized five-door Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ76 has been produced by French coachbuilders Technamm, to replace partially the aging Peugeot P4. The Foreign Legion (2e REP) was the first unit of the French Army to receive the Masstech T4 (April 2017). The para-legionnaires used them during anti-terrorist Operation Sentinelle in Paris. Only 500 vehicles were ordered by the French Army in 2016. The 500th Masstech T4 was delivered in November 2018. A 6×6 Masstech T6 was being developed in 2018.

• Engine: Toyota V6 4,200 cm3 Diesel
• Max Power: 130 hp (96 kW)
• Suspension: 4×4
• Speed: 120 km/h / 75 mph
• Operational range: 950 km / 590 mi
• Passengers: 5-7

ACMAT VT4

ACMAT VT4 (Véhicule Tactique 4×4, initially called VLTP-NP) is an unarmored light multipurpose tactical vehicle used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army units. The militarized five-door off-road Ford Everest has been produced by ACMAT, a French company owned by ex-Renault Trucks Defense (now Arguus). The Army ordered first 3,700 vehicles in late 2016 to replace the aging Peugeot P4. The Foreign Legion received the first ACMAT VT4 vehicles in late 2018, as the rest of the Army. The vehicle would be used mainly during anti-terrorist Operation Sentinelle in French cities and towns or in overseas stabilization operation. It is not a combat vehicle designated for combat operations. In 2025, the French Army would have received almost 4,000 ACMAT VT4 vehicles.

• Engine: Ford 2,200 cm3 Diesel
• Max Power: 160 hp (120 kW)
• Suspension: 4×4
• Speed: 165 km/h / 103 mph
• Operational range: 700 km / 435 mi
• Passengers: 5 (or 4 soldiers with FÉLIN system)

PVP

PVP (Petit Véhicule Protégé – Small protected vehicle) is a light, armored 4×4 vehicle used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It has been producing by Panhard since 2008. The Foreign Legion has been using the PVP since 2012.

• Engine: Iveco 8140 2,800 cm3 Diesel Turbo
• Power: 158 hp (117 kW)
• Suspension: 4×4
• Speed: 100 km/h / 62 mph
• Operational range: 750 km / 466 mi
• Passengers: 3-4

VBL

VBL (Véhicule Blindé Léger – Light armored vehicle) is a wheeled 4×4 all-terrain amphibious vehicle used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It has been produced by Panhard since the end of 1980s. Within the Foreign Legion, the VBL has been using by the reconnaissance units of 1er REC and 2e REI since the 1990s.

• Engine: Peugeot XD3T Diesel Turbo
• Power: 95 hp (70 kW)
• Suspension: 4×4
• Speed: 95 km/h / 59 mph
• Speed in water: 5,4 km/h / 3,36 mph
• Operational range: 600 km / 373 mi
• Main armament: 1x machine gun 7,62 mm or 1x machine gun 7,62 mm + MILAN
• Passengers: 3-4

VAB

VAB (Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé – Armored Vanguard Vehicle) is an armored personnel carrier and support vehicle used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It has been produced by GIAT Industries since 1976. The Legion has used VAB since 1982.

• Engine: Renault MIDR
• Power: 220 hp (162 kW)
• Suspension: 4×4
• Speed: 90 km/h / 56 mph
• Operational range: 1,200 km / 746 mi
• Main armament: 1x heavy machine gun 12,7mm or 1x machine gun 7,62mm or 1x machine gun 7,62mm + 1x anti-tank HOT missile launcher (VAB HOT)
• Passengers: 10

VBCI

VBCI (Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie – Infantry combat armored vehicle) is a new armored personnel carrier and support vehicle used by the Foreign Legion’s 2e REI (tested in the regiment since 2012, first vehicles received in early 2015) and by another 7 French Army regiments. It has been produced by Nexter Systems and Renault since 2008.

• Engine: Renault Diesel
• Power: 550 hp (410 kW)
• Suspension: 8×8
• Speed: 100 km/h / 62 mph
• Operational range: 750 km / 466mi
• Main armament: 1x M811 25 mm x 137mm NATO cannon
• Second armament: 1x 7.62 mm machine gun
• Passengers: 11

ERC-90 Sagaie

ERC-90 Sagaie (Engin à Roues, Canon de 90 mm – wheeled machine with a 90mm cannon) is a six-wheeled armored all terrain, fully amphibious vehicle used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It has been produced by Panhard since 1980. Within the Foreign Legion, the ERC-90 has been using by the 1er REC since the 1980s.
UPDATE: In 2018, ERC-90 Sagaie would leave the Legion, after more than 30 years of service…

Americans In The French Foreign Legion

• Engine: Peugeot V6 or MTU Diesel Turbo
• Power: 155-170 hp (96-106 kW) (petrol/diesel)
• Suspension: 6 hydropneumatic wheels
• Speed: 90 km/h / 56 mph
• Operational range: 730-800 km / 454-497 mi (petrol/diesel)
• Main armament: 1x 90 mm cannon
• Second armament: 2x 7.62 mm machine gun
• Passengers: 3

AMX 10 RC

AMX 10 RC (Rues-Canon – wheels-cannon) is a wheeled, heavily armed amphibious reconnaissance vehicle and tank destroyer used by the Foreign Legion and other French Army forces. It has been produced by GIAT Industries at its Ateliers de construction d’Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX) factory since 1976. Within the Foreign Legion, the AMX 10 RC has been using by the 1er REC since the 1980s. In the 2010s, the 1er REC was equipped with modernized types AMX 10 RCR (renové, renovated), furnished with various new systems and additional armor, to be able to serve until 2025.

• Engine: Baudouin 6F11 SRX Diesel
• Power: 280 hp (209 kW)
• Suspension: 6 hydropneumatic wheels
• Speed: 85 km/h / 53 mph
• Operational range: 800 km / 497mi (petrol/diesel)
• Main armament: 1x 105 mm cannon
• Second armament: 2x 7.62 mm machine gun
• Passengers: 4

Images source (besides that already defined):
Légion étrangère – FFL official website

Information source:
Wikipedia.org + French Army official website

—

The page was updated on: May 21, 2020

↑ Back to Top