Fighting for the French Foreign Legion: Memoirs of a Scottish Legionnaire

by Alex Lochrie

Overview

The author describes how he joined the French Foreign Legion, without being able to speak any French and very close to the age limit. He takes the reader through the vigorous selection procedure, the relentless recruit regime and then elite Second Parachute Regiment’s training in Corsica. We learn about the ethos and strict discipline of the Foreign Legion. He describes his fellow legionnaires drawn from many backgrounds and nations.

Having won his kepi and paratroop wings he served across Africa and the Middle East, taking part in Operation DESERT STORM (fighting Saddam Hussein’s Republican Guard), peace keeping operations in Sarajevo and Bosnia and in former French colonies such as Chad and the Central African Republic. He graphically describes the action and appalling conditions of the local population.

Accounts of life in the modern day Foreign Legion are rare indeed and this one written by a mature and modest man makes fascinating reading.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781783376155
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	11/02/2013
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	575,302
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Alex Lochrie has had a varied and colourful career. He has been a Police officer, Forensic Scene of Crime Examiner, a commercial artist and a rally driver. After leaving the French Foreign Legion he started his own graphic design business. He lives at Troon, Scotland. Alex has published two novels 'Deadly Black Rain' and 'The Real Cost of Terror' which are available as e-books.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vi

Chapter 1 Survivors 1

Chapter 2 Bygone Days 4

Chapter 3 Into the Unknown 12

Chapter 4 Basic Instruction 18

Chapter 5 The 2ème REP 25

Chapter 6 La Première Compagnie 35

Chapter 7 Normality, Legion Style 47

Chapter 8 Collective Power 55

Chapter 9 Commando Training 61

Chapter 10 New Responsibilities 73

Chapter 11 The Day When All of our Lives Changed 84

Chapter 12 Operation Desert Storm 90

Chapter 13 A Touch of Normality 95

Chapter 14 Why are We Here and What are We Doing? 100

Chapter 15 Our Darkest Hour 134

Chapter 16 My Personal Shame 149

Chapter 17 Life, Continues 161

Chapter 18 A Little Bit of History 165

Chapter 19 Conclusion 170