Portal:Military history of France/Selected unit/8

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The 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (French: 13e Démi-Brigade de Légion Étrangère) (13e DBLE) is an infantry demi-brigade in the French Foreign Legion. It is the only permanent demi-brigade in the French Army.

The 13 DBLE was raised in February 1940 at Sidi Bel Abbes in Algeria, with its cadre drawn from 1e REI. The 13 DBLE fought during World War Two for the Free French Forces including service at the Battle of Bir Hakeim. The unit fought in the French Indochina War and suffered heavy losses at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.

1st battalion (1/13 DBLE) and 3rd battalion (3/13 DBLE) fought at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu during the French Indochina War. At the commencement of the campaign, the demi-brigade was commanded by Colonel Jules Gaucher. During the early stages of the battle, 1/13 DBLE occupied positions at the “Claudine” fortifications and 3/13 DBLE occupied positions at the “Beatrice” fortifications. (More...)