5th Foreign Infantry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (5th REI), or 5e régiment étranger d'infanterie, was an infantry regiment in the French Foreign Legion
in existence from 1930 to 1945 and 1949 to 1955.
. The 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment was tasked with reinforcing the troops already guarding the Tokin region
. The 5th REI was deployed across northern Indochina with its headquarters located in the Red River delta
. Garrison duty in French Indochina proved to be a fairly comfortable assignment for its legionnaires until the outbreak of World War II
with the notable exception of the Yen Bei uprising
.
and Second Armistice at Compiègne, French Indochina
remained loyal to the Vichy government
, leaving the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment largely on its own for the duration of World War II. On September 22, 1940 the 2nd Battalion of 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment was attacked by elements of the Japanese 5th Infantry Division
as they withdrew from China across the Tonkin border. The 2nd Battalion alongside the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Regiment Tirailleurs Tonkinois and the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Colonial Infantry Regiment
put up a defense, but despite their efforts found themselves surrounded and without artillery, armor, or air support three days later and were forced to surrender. By September 26 fighting in the region died down and with the exception of repulsing the Thai incursion in to Indochina, the next few years the 5th REI's military activity was limited to combating groups of armed bandits. On March 9, 1945, the Japanese launched a coup against the French leading to the collapse of the French government in Indochina. A French garrison at the fort at Brière de l'Isle more than 100 legionnaires was surprised when it was attacked by a Japanese regiment, but was able to effect a defense through the night until its ammunition was exhausted by the next morning; the Japanese massacred the French prisoners. Another Legion garrison was overrun at Ha Giang
on the Claire River. Brigadier General
Marcel Alessandri
rallied as many elements of the 5th REI as he could outside of Vietri as he determined that the 5th REI was vastly outnumbered French forces had no choice but to escape the region as he had 2,000 legionnaires at his disposal compared to 40,000 Japanese soldiers in the region. General Alessandri decided that the only feasible escape was north to territory controlled by Nationalist China. Over the next fifty-three days General Alessandri led the 5th REI 700 miles (1,127 km) through mountainous jungle and heavy combat towards the Chinese border into Yunnan
. Once on the other side the 5th REI still had to march another 300 miles (483 km) to Tsao-pa to receive help from the Nationalists on June 15. On July 1, 1945, the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment was disbanded.
previously deployed to Indochina from 1920 to 1927 and an additional battalion from the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment. On September 2, 1932, the 4th Battalion was disbanded.
French Foreign Legion
The French Foreign Legion is a unique military service wing of the French Army established in 1831. The foreign legion was exclusively created for foreign nationals willing to serve in the French Armed Forces...
in existence from 1930 to 1945 and 1949 to 1955.
Overview
The creation of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment was mandated on July 17, 1930 to deal with growing disorder in French IndochinaFrench Indochina
French Indochina was part of the French colonial empire in southeast Asia. A federation of the three Vietnamese regions, Tonkin , Annam , and Cochinchina , as well as Cambodia, was formed in 1887....
. The 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment was tasked with reinforcing the troops already guarding the Tokin region
Tonkin
Tonkin , also spelled Tongkin, Tonquin or Tongking, is the northernmost part of Vietnam, south of China's Yunnan and Guangxi Provinces, east of northern Laos, and west of the Gulf of Tonkin. Locally, it is known as Bắc Kỳ, meaning "Northern Region"...
. The 5th REI was deployed across northern Indochina with its headquarters located in the Red River delta
Red River Delta
The Red River Delta is the flat plain formed by the Red River and its distributaries joining in the Thai Binh River in northern Vietnam. The delta measuring some 15,000 square km is well protected by a network of dikes. It is an agriculturally rich area and densely populated...
. Garrison duty in French Indochina proved to be a fairly comfortable assignment for its legionnaires until the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
with the notable exception of the Yen Bei uprising
Yen Bai mutiny
The Yên Bái mutiny was an uprising of Vietnamese soldiers in the French colonial army on 10 February 1930 in collaboration with civilian supporters who were members of the Viet Nam Quoc Dan Dang ....
.
World War II
After the Battle of FranceBattle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
and Second Armistice at Compiègne, French Indochina
French Indochina
French Indochina was part of the French colonial empire in southeast Asia. A federation of the three Vietnamese regions, Tonkin , Annam , and Cochinchina , as well as Cambodia, was formed in 1887....
remained loyal to the Vichy government
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
, leaving the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment largely on its own for the duration of World War II. On September 22, 1940 the 2nd Battalion of 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment was attacked by elements of the Japanese 5th Infantry Division
5th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)
The was an infantry division in the Imperial Japanese Army. Its call-sign was the .-History:The 5th Division was formed in Hiroshima in January 1871 as the , one of six regional commands created in the fledgling Imperial Japanese Army. The Hiroshima Garrison had responsibility for western region...
as they withdrew from China across the Tonkin border. The 2nd Battalion alongside the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Regiment Tirailleurs Tonkinois and the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Colonial Infantry Regiment
3rd Marine Infantry Regiment
The 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment is one of the oldest marine units in the French Army, as part of the troupes de marine. It formed part of the 2nd Brigade of the Blue Division during the Franco-Prussian War...
put up a defense, but despite their efforts found themselves surrounded and without artillery, armor, or air support three days later and were forced to surrender. By September 26 fighting in the region died down and with the exception of repulsing the Thai incursion in to Indochina, the next few years the 5th REI's military activity was limited to combating groups of armed bandits. On March 9, 1945, the Japanese launched a coup against the French leading to the collapse of the French government in Indochina. A French garrison at the fort at Brière de l'Isle more than 100 legionnaires was surprised when it was attacked by a Japanese regiment, but was able to effect a defense through the night until its ammunition was exhausted by the next morning; the Japanese massacred the French prisoners. Another Legion garrison was overrun at Ha Giang
Ha Giang
Hà Giang is a town in northeastern Vietnam. It is the capital of Ha Giang province. The town has an area of 168.7 km² and population of 40,000 inhabitants.-Administration:Hà Giang is divided into one city and ten districts:Bắc MêBắc Quang...
on the Claire River. Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
Marcel Alessandri
Marcel Alessandri
Marcel Alessandri was a French army officer who served in the World War I, World War II, and the First Indochina War. During World War II, he was stationed in French Indochina where he ultimately assumed supreme command of the French forces in China, in addition to assuming responsibility for the...
rallied as many elements of the 5th REI as he could outside of Vietri as he determined that the 5th REI was vastly outnumbered French forces had no choice but to escape the region as he had 2,000 legionnaires at his disposal compared to 40,000 Japanese soldiers in the region. General Alessandri decided that the only feasible escape was north to territory controlled by Nationalist China. Over the next fifty-three days General Alessandri led the 5th REI 700 miles (1,127 km) through mountainous jungle and heavy combat towards the Chinese border into Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
. Once on the other side the 5th REI still had to march another 300 miles (483 km) to Tsao-pa to receive help from the Nationalists on June 15. On July 1, 1945, the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment was disbanded.
First Indochina War
On November 1, 1949 the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment was reestablished in the Tonkin Region of Indochina.Organization
The 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment was established from three battalions of the 1st Foreign Regiment1st Foreign Regiment
The 1st Foreign Regiment is the senior regiment in the French Foreign Legion. Today the regiment is mainly administrative, and provides staff for the Command of the Foreign Legion....
previously deployed to Indochina from 1920 to 1927 and an additional battalion from the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment. On September 2, 1932, the 4th Battalion was disbanded.