THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION Free Essay Example, 2750 words

Thus, on 10 March 1831, une là ©gion composà ©e d’à ©trangers (a legion composed of foreigners) was formed under royal order signed by the King. Using foreign soldiers by French was though not a new concept. The French Foreign Legion was based on the Hohenlohe Regiment that was formed in 1815 as a backup for the conquered foreign regions to be included into Napoleon’s huge military. It furnished a base upon which the new French Foreign Legion was structured. By the end of 1831, five complete divisions had been organized and were positioned all around the Mediterranean into Algeria. The early formation of Legion was far from a quality force that it would become despite of the fact that force was being led by Army officers and non-commissioned officers of regular French military. Almost every volunteer was welcomed as a part of the force despite of the requirement that â€Å"every applicants should provide a birth certificate, a recommendation of good conduct, and a authorized document from military stating that person had the essential requirements for making him a good soldier† importantly â€Å"all volunteers should be aged between 18 and 40s. † The starting months of the unit’s engagement in Algeria was noticeable by murder, thievery, desertion and related offenses committed by criminals that were accepted by Legion recruiters gladly enlisted. We will write a custom essay sample on THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page