8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
| 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (8e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active |
1951 - 1954 1956 - present |
| Country | France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | troupes de marine |
| Role | Airborne |
| Size | Battalion 1200 men and women |
| Part of | 11th Parachute Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Castres, France |
| Motto | Volontaire (Volunteer) |
| Colors | Blue and red |
| Anniversaries | Saint-Michel Day |
| Engagements |
First Indochina 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 battalion of the French Army. It is part of the 11th Parachute Brigade and is stationed at Quartier Fayolle, Castres, France.[1]
It is an elite unit that can be rapidly sent anywhere in the world. Part of the regiment is the Commando Parachute Group, a French special forces unit. Paratroop training is conducted at the École des troupes aéroportées (ETAP) in Pau.
History
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 19 May 1954, after Dien Bien Phu.
Algeria
The unit was recreated as the "8th Colonial Parachute Regiment" on 1 May 1956. The regiment participated in operations against the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN), most notably at El Kiffene, Ain El Kesseub and Tarf.
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.
Later Deployments
The regiment took part in the intervention in Chad between 1969 and 1972.
The regiment is currently serving with the NATO ISAF in Afghanistan. In a fierce battle on 18–19 August 2008, ten French soldiers were killed and 21 wounded making it the largest loss of French troops in battle in many years. ISAF Press Release
Composition
The regiment consists of battalion size unit of around 1200 personnel organized into eight companies:[1]
- Compagnie de commandement et de logistique (CCL)[1] - Command and logistics company
- Compagnie d'éclairage et d'appui (CEA)[1] - Reconnaissance and support company
- 1er Compagnie de combat[1] - 1st Combat company
- 2e Compagnie de combat[1] - 2nd Combat company
- 3e Compagnie de combat[1] - 3rd Combat company
- 4e compagnie de combat[1] - 4th Combat company
- Compagnie de réserve opérationnelle (CRO)[1] - Operational reserve company
Traditions
Except for the Legionnaires of the 1e REG, 2e REG, 2e REP that conserve the Green Beret; the remainder of the French army metropolitan and marine paratroopers forming the 11th Parachute Brigade wear the Red Beret.
-
Anchored Winged Armed Dextrochere worn on Red Beret (Amaranth) of French Army Marine Infantry Paratroopers
The Archangel Saint Michael, patron of the French paratroopers is celebrated on 29 September.
The prière du Para (Prayer of the Paratrooper) was written by André Zirnheld in 1938.
Insginias
Just like the paratrooper Brevet of the French Army; the Insignia of French Paratroopers was created in 1946. The French Army Insignia of metropolitan Paratroopers represents a closed <<winged armed dextrochere>>, meaning a "right winged arm" armed with a sword pointing upwards. The Insignia makes reference to the Patron of Paratroopers. In fact, the Insignia represents <<the right Arm of Saint Michael>>, the Archangel which according to Liturgy is the <<Armed Arm of God>>. This Insignia is the symbol of righteous combat and fidelity to superior missions. The French Army Insignia of Marine Infantry Paratroopers is backgrounded by a Marine Anchor.
Commanding officers
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Officers and marines
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
Honours
Battle honours
Decorations
- Croix de guerre des Théatres d'Opérations Exterieures with 3 palms.
See also
- U.S. Army Rangers, closest U.S. equivalent
- Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom), the closest UK equivalent
Notes
External links
- Official site - 8e RPIMa