Marines – which must not be confused with navy troops, component of the army – fall in one of the oldest categories of vessels’ onboard servicemen.
From the days of sailboats…
Prior to the French Revolution, soldiers of the king’s Marine Corps were assigned to provide backup to gunners, and also take part in musketry during close confrontations and landings. Recruited as volunteers, then as conscripts, these soldiers equally carried out missions involving deck manoeuvres and sail hoisting, and served as on-board policemen.
In 1627, the cardinal of Richelieu created the marine regiment, composed of navy officers commanding troops capable of carrying out operations both in the sea and on land. However, it wasn’t until June 5, 1856 , that the training of the Marine Corps, created by Emperor Napoleon III, was entrusted to the Lorient training centre.
Since then marines have been participating in several overseas conflicts, in China and Mexico, and later on in the 1870-1871 War, in which they distinguished themselves through their courage during the Bapaume and Bourget battles, and subsequently, during colonial campaigns in Africa and the Far East. Our Marine of Honour, “Jean Louis”, has been immortalized by a statue at Ecole des Fusiliers (Marines Academy).
Through modern warfare…
If marines are reputed triumphant combatants it is because during the First World War, under the command of Admiral RONARC’H, they put up an outstanding performance during fighting in Dixmude and Yser in 1914-1915, Longewaede in 1917, Hailles and Laffaux in 1918. Their flag was decorated with the Legion of Honour and the War Cross and they were granted the right to wear the red lanyard.
1939 to 1945 witnessed yet another war, World War II, another opportunity for exploits. Marines from the defence of Dunkirk to Cherbourg , from Lorient , fusiliers from the 1st RFM, they inherited the flag, at Bir Hakeim , Italy , in the Vosges and along the Rhine, crews of tanks of the Marines Armoured Regiment (RBFM) of the famous Leclerc division, in Paris , Dompaire, Baccarat, Strasbourg and Authion. “Marinettes”, health corps female nurses, accompanied our marines all through their battlefront ordeals.
Finally, during this same war, a commando corps was created within the FN.F.L at the Ardnacarry boot camp. These famous marine commandos, wearing green, right-tilted berets with insignia to the left (English style), served in Dieppe in August 1942, in Ouistreham in June 1944, as well as in Flessingue, and enthusiastically and courageously carried out very delicate and daring missions. To the decorations on their flag were added the Liberation Cross, the French Resistance Medal and the Colonial Medal.
In Indochina , from 1946 to 1956, marines played a major role through the continuation of their missions within the framework of the naval attack divisions (DNA) and amphibian flotilla in the Red Sea , on the arroyos and along the coast. Commando François was exterminated at Ninh Binh (six survivors are still in our midst), while Commando Montfort, the famous Commando “Storm”, and the PONCHARDIER Autonomous Unit were overwhelmed with glory during this jungle warfare.
During the Algerian War, 1954 - 1962, Marines were trained at Sirocco (cap Matifou) which later became the Marines’ Mecca . Demi Brigade de Fusiliers Marins was founded on May 31, 1956 , by Captain PONCHARDIER, the idol of Saccos (corps jargon name for Marine). Three battalions were created: the first was sent to the Tunisian borders, the second one to the Marnia sector and the third to the Moroccan borders (Bab el Assa command post). The officers were enlisted men while the troops were conscripts and naval trainees from the Sirocco recruits training centre (CIR).
Commandos Jaubert, Trepel, de Montfort and de Penfentenyo, air-lifted in Fleet Air Arm helicopters, participated in operations in Kabylie (operation Jumelles) and in the rest of the territory, and also carried out some sea surveillance missions.
Upon the evacuation of troops from Algeria in 1962, the Marines flag was entrusted to the Ecole des Fusiliers ( Marines Academy ) in Lorient , and only trainees of this institution wear the lanyard won by their elders.
They belong to the elite of the French army
Marines and commandos have now been merged into a naval force created in March 2001, which has a strength of 1700 men based in the ports of Lorient, Toulon, Cherbourg and Brest, as well as in Fleet Air Arm bases and other national navy sites. They are present on a permanent basis in DOM-TOM, in Africa , and are called upon to serve in OPEX within the framework of special operations command (C.O.S.).
Serving by turns as shock troops, parachutists, commandos, frogmen, saboteurs, mine layers, mine clearance soldiers, transmitters, dog masters, marines and navy commandos, these servicemen undoubtedly belong to the elite of the French army.
Marines and commandos
