2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment

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The 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (French: 2e Régiment Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine, 2e RPIMa) is an Airborne regiment in the French army. It is heir to the traditions of the Free French and colonial paratroopers. Stationed at Saint-Pierre, Réunion.

1 History
2 Lineage
3 Honours
- 3.1 Battle Honours
- 3.2 Decorations

[edit] History

Formed in England from the companies of the air, the 2nd RCP jumps over Brittany on 5 June, 1944, where it distingushed itself before being used as flank-guard by Patton’s Third army.

In 1947, the 2nd Colonial Commondo Parachute Battalion leaves for Indochina, where it will fight until 1953, being mentioned three times in the order of the army.

In 1955, the unit is renamed 2nd Colonial Parachute Regiment, then in 1958, the 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment. It served from 1955 until 1962 in North Africa. On 5 November, 1955, it jumps in the second wave over Port Said and is mention in the order of the army.

In July 1961, it jumps over Bizerte and breaks the Tunisian siege of the French aiport installations. Dissolved 5 July, 1962, but recreated 1 January, 1965 in Ivato, Madagascar from the 5th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment.

It is transfarred to Reunion in 1973. Since then it has particpated in varoius operations: Djibouti (1993/1994), Comoros (1990), Rwanda (1994) and Comors (1995/1996).