| 8e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1951-1954 1956- |
| Country | France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | troupes de marine |
| Role | Airborne |
| Size | 1,047 men and women |
| Part of | 11th Parachute Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Castres |
| Motto | Volontaire (Volunteer) |
| Colors | Blue and red |
| Anniversaries | Saint-Michel Day |
| Engagements | First Indochina War *Battle of Hoa Binh *Battle of Dien Bien Phu Algerian War |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Philippe du Chaxel |
| Notable commanders |
Guy Le Borgne, Pierre Tourret |
| Insignia | |
| Beret badge of the 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment | |
| Abbreviation | 8e RPIMa |
The 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (French: 8e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine, 8e RPIMa) is an airborne regiment in the French Army. It is an elite unit that can be rapidly sent anywhere in the world. Part of the regiment are Commando Parachute Group, a French special forces unit.
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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 19 May 1954, after Dien Bien Phu.
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.
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.
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The regiment consists of over 1047 men and women, divided into seven companies:
The regiment has been headquartered in Castres, France, since 1963. Paratroop training is conducted at the École des troupes aéroportées (ETAP) in Pau.