The 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment () was a cavalry regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. the regiment was dissolved twice in 1946 and 1962; the regimental colors have been entrusted by the Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte since 1984.
History
2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment since 1939
The 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment (2e R.E.C) was created in July 1939 on the substance of the squadron groups of Morocco issued from the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment 1er REC.
World War II
At the outbreak of World War II, the 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment was stationed in Morocco and part of it were quickly attached to the 97th Reconnaissance Group of the Infantry Division, (G.R.D 97) () which engaged in combat in France during the German spring offensive of 1940, and which the commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Boyer de Latour, was killed leading at the bois de Noroy the 9th of July of the same year. Following the armistice, the regiment was dissolved on November 15, 1940, and the regimental colours were entrusted to the honor guard of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment.
Indochina
The 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment was officially dissolved on June 1, 1946, at Sidi Bel Abbès, however, the regiment was recreated in November of the same year, garrisoned at Oujda, where the regiment would remain until 1956. The mission of the regiment was to instruct and train reinforcements destined for the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment in the Far East.
North Africa and Algerian War
Following the Paris accords in 1954 and the departure for Indochina in 1955, the 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment participated to the securing of Moroccan territories then, starting from 1956 to the missions of maintaining order in Algeria, first in the sector of Laghouat, then, starting from 1958, along the Tunisian border. In January 1962, the 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment made way on Biskra before being dissolved again following the Evian accords.
In 5 years of campaigning in Algeria, the 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment eliminated more than 1022 rebels and captured 697 arms, of which 30 machine guns. The 2nd Squadron (2e Esc) was attached to the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment when deployed to take part in the operations of the Suez Canal Crisis.
Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte
In 1984, the Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte received the honor guard regimental colors of the 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment.
Traditions
Insignias
Regimental Colours
Regimental Colours of the 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment were entrusted to the Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte in 1984.
Decorations
Decorations of the 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment with cited decorations of the Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte as of 1984.
Honours
Battle honours
As inscribed on the regimental colors of the 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment:
Camerone 1863
AFN 1952–1962
Regimental Commanders
1939–1940 Colonel Farine
1940–1940 Chef d'escadrons Billon
1946–1948 Lieutenant colonel Lennuyeux
1948–1952 Lieutenant colonel de Chazelles
1952–1953 Lieutenant colonel Berchet
1953–1955 Lieutenant colonel Renucci
1955–1957 Lieutenant colonel Legendre
1957–1960 Lieutenant colonel Ogier de Baulny
1960–1961 Lieutenant colonel de Coatgoureden
1961–1962 Lieutenant colonel Baldini
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See also
Major (France) French Foreign Legion Music Band (MLE) Paul Gardy René Lennuyeux 1st Mounted Saharan Squadron of the Foreign Legion Armored Train of the Foreign Legion Passage Company of the Foreign Legion 5th Heavy Weight Transport Company