The Marching Regiments of Foreign Volunteers () were temporary formations of the Foreign Legion organized from Foreign volunteers during World War II . These regiments were formed on 16 September 1939: On September 16, 1939, the war minister decided to form special corps of foreign volunteers part of the Foreign Legion. They were part of the Marching Regiments of Foreign Volunteers.
They were created at the corps of the Foreign Legion at Le Barcarès in October 1939 and May 1940. They recruited in principal from the Foreign Workers Companies (), essentially Spaniards from the Retirada, who represented 1/3 (one third) of formations, while the Foreign Jews who enlisted voluntarily constituted 40% (forty percent) of formations. These regiments were not well equipped and other units referred to them by derision as "twine regiments" (). The 21e, 22e and 23e RMVE did not have an active central corps, nor did they have Legion reserve back-ups, not even "cadres" from Sidi bel-Abbès, only the exception of a couple of Legion Officers. To differentiate themselves, the traditional colors were inverted and were "Red & Green". Without Legion traditions, they fought and upheld nevertheless the same conviction. While not being well equipped, these three regiments as well as the 12th Foreign Infantry Regiment 12e REI deserved the designation of "twine regiments", since they were the works of miracles at the gates of Paris, in Picardy, in the Ardennes and in Lorraine.
They achieved a mixed success, but like many units during the Fall of France were overwhelmed by the German blitzkrieg. Their regimental honors live on in the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment 2e REI.
21st Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers - 21e RMVE
September 29, 1939: creation of the 1st Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers (1er RMVE at Barcarès). February 25, 1940 : designated as 21st Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers 21e RMVE July 1940 : dissolution
The 1st Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers 1erRMVE was created at Barcarès in the Pyrénées-Orientales, in order to receive the foreign volunteers for the course of the war. The organization of the Marching Regiment included regimental units and three infantry battalions. On February 25, 1940, the 1er RMVE was designated as 21st Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers (21e RMVE). Strong with 2800 men, the regiment left Barcarès on April 30, in reinforcement of the Maginot Line. On May 25, the regiment was called for immediately, into the region of Verdun. Incorporated into the 35th Infantry Division, the regiment combat engaged during the night from June 8 to June 9. Despite exemplary resistances, the regiment had to unfold on Aire, in Argonne. Following a new combat engagement, while being heavily surrounded and tested with great force, the 21e RMVE was retrieved from the front on June 14, only to be reorganized. With the armistice being signed, the regiment would no longer pursue combat. Put to the test harshly twice, having lost half of formations, the 21e RMVE was dissolved in July 1940.
The insignia was created in 1939, by colonel Debuissy, first regimental commander of the 1er RMVE, then the 21er RMVE (October 1939 - June 1940). The 21e RMVE has worn the insignia with the number « 1 » featured in the bomb of the grenade.
22nd Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers - 22e RMVE
October 24, 1939 : creation of the 2nd Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers 2e RMVE. This Marching Regiment integrated the () February 25, 1940 : designated as the 22nd Marching Regiment of Foreign Volunteers 22e RMVE July 1940 : dissolution.