8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
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| 8e Régiment Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine | |
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| Active | 1951-1954 1956- |
| Country | France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Airborne |
| Part of | 11th Parachute Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Castres |
| Motto | Volontaire (Volunteer) |
| Anniversaries | Saint-Michel Day |
| Engagements | First Indochina War *Battle of Hoa Binh *Battle of Dien Bien Phu Algerian War |
The 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (French: 8e Régiment Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine, 8e RPIMa) is an Airborne regiment in the French army.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Indochina
The unit was created on 28 February, 1951, in Hanoi as the "8th Colonial Parachute Battalion," as a part of the French union forces.
The 8th Colonial Parachute Battalion fought at Lai-Chau, Hoa Binh, Langson and Dien Bien Phu. The Battalion was mentioned in dispatches four times for valor. It was dissolved on the 19 May 1954, after Dien Bien Phu.
[edit] Algeria
The unit was recreated as the "8th Colonial Parachute Regiment" on 1 May, 1956. The regiment parcipated in operations against the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN), most notably at El Kiffene, Ain El Kesseub and Tarf.
[edit] Relocation to Metropolitan France
The regiment relocated to the town of Nancy, Metropolitan France, in 1961, to form a part of the 11th Light Division. The regimental headquarters moved to Castres in 1963.
[edit] Later Deployments
- The regiment took part in the intervention in Chad between 1969 and 1972.
[edit] Lineage
- 1951: 8th Colonial Parachute Battalion
- 1952: 8th Colonial Parachute Group
- 1953: 8th Shock Parachute Battalion
- 1954: Dissolved
- 1956: 8th Colonial Parachute Regiment
- 1958: 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
[edit] Honours
[edit] Battle Honours
[edit] Decorations
- Croix de guerre des Théatres d'Opérations Exterieures with 3 palms.
[edit] Composition
The regiment consists of over 1047 men and women, divided into seven companies:
- 4 Combat companies
- 1 Reconnaissance and Support company (d'éclairage et d'appui ) (CEA)
- 1 Training company
- 1 Command and Logistics company
The regiment has been headquartered in Castres, France, since 1963. Paratroop training is conducted at the École des troupes aéroportées (ETAP) in Pau.
[edit] Official Site
- 8e régiment de parachutistes d'infanterie de marine from Defense.gouv.fr
