Dort marschieren "Ehrenmenschen"! Menschen aus allen Nationen dieser Erde, die dort hin wollten! Mir ist es völlig gleichgültig, wer angeblich welcher Nation ist, das sind "Ehrenmenschen" die im Kampf zueinander gefunden haben. Deren Familie und Nation ist nicht Frankreich .....
No me extraña que un legionario de la Legion Extrangera, se asombrara en un video de la velocidad que desfila la Legion Española(160 pasos por minuto), Porque creo que la Legion Extranjera desfila más lento que los Regulares (con el paso lento).
I first saw legionnaires at Lord Mountbatten's funeral in London in 1979. A very impressive bunch of lads, and it was very moving with their slow, almost plodding march. respect to you guys!
Silly hats and a ponderous plod of a march but I'd very much rather they were on my side than the enemy's, so I am more than happy to overlook their sartorial and terpsichorean limitations!
This is one lot you really don't want to mess with. The rest of the French armed forces tend to be regarded as a joke, but all the dirty and dangerous stuff is done by these men.
The Foreign Legion anthem playing is Le Boudin. At first glance it appears they are honoring blood sausage. In reality it is far deeper. La Camaron! Viva La Legion!
Hi, when a marching formations are filmed from approaching from a distance the sound reaches the camera slower than the picture. It is best to add the sound later because if you leave the sound as was recorded on the camera then it will look as though the legionnaire's are marching out of step. Therefore on certain films, the sound is added later.
These soldiers don't have to goose step around, they walk with a quiet dignity they KNOW they are good, a force to be reckoned with. Vive la belle France . Any Brit would be proud to fight alongside them !
All groups that participate to the march split up in two at the end, in front of the President. One half to the left, one half to the right. All but one, that does not agree to be divided. Guess who.
The very first rows (bearded men) are the "Sapeurs" (= plural form, with an "s"), a unique branch of the Légion étrangère. Many things can be said about them, here are a few... They wear a leather apron. This is a symbol of their skills and ability at handling tools, as they are known for being able to build everything... out of nothing. The verb "saper" (prononce "sah-pay") means to destroy foundations (of a wall, a bridge, etc.) from underground. It takes roots in the Middle-age, when the best way to ruin a castle was to dig under its walls, then set a fire up underneath until the stones would crack and break, then attack through the opening. The "Sapeurs" are suppose to open the road for their fellow Légionnaires to arrive and start the fight. This is why they carry an axe on the rightside shoulder, the tool to open roads and paths (through the rough). Their beard is a proof they can live in the outside for a long time without any worry. They need no shaving to keep their image and appearance constant, and they can pack fewer things for their hygiene. But don't get fooled : they have a high standard when it comes to their look, and you hardly will find anything wrong in their uniform or condition. They lead the leaders ( = the Légion étrangère) because their fundamental mission is to be the very first to arrive at any given place. They start working no matter the environment, so the place is "ready" when other units and vehicules arrive later on. Everyone in the French military (air, sea, ground, etc.) know they depend heavily on the "Sapeurs" to open and clear the way. Who are deeply respected for that.
Very accurate answer, great ! Just one more point : sapeur is the generic word for this function in 'regular' French Army. In Foreign Legion they are known as the 'Pionniers', the first in the column to open the way.
This task is carried by the assault pioneers in British regiments, large engineering works at brigade level are carried by the Corps of Royal Engineers. also note assault pioneers sergeants traditional have beards
