3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion

3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion
	3e Bataillon Étranger de Parachutistes
	Battalion Insignia
Active	November 15, 1949 – September 1, 1955
Country	France
Branch	French Foreign Legion
Type	Foreign Airborne Battalion
Part of	3e BEP I Formation, 1949; 3e BEP II Formation, 1951; 3e BEP III Formation, 1954; 3e BEP IV Formation, 1954; 3e REP, 1955;
Garrison/HQ	Sétif
Colors	Green and Red
Anniversaries	Camerone Day
Engagements	First Indochina War; Algeria; Tunisia
Commanders
Notable; commanders	Darmuzai
Abbreviation	3e B.E.P

The 3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion (French: 3^e Bataillon Étranger de Parachutistes, 3^e B.E.P) was foreign parachute battalion of the French Foreign Legion formed based on the Parachute Instruction Company (C.I.P) of the 7th combat company of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment.

Each year, the French Foreign Legion commemorates and celebrates Camarón in its headquarters in Aubagne and Bastille Day military parade in Paris; featuring the Pionniers leading and opening the way.

History, Creation and different nomination designations

3^e Bataillon Etranger de Parachutistes, 3^e BEP - I, II, III, IV Formations -

Before becoming the 3rd Foreign Parachute Regiment; the 3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion was created in April 1949 at Mascara.[1] The 7th combat company of paratrooper training of the 1st Foreign rejoins Sétif 7 months later, starting November 15, 1949, to become officially the 3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion.[1] The mission of the 3^e BEP was to instruct and form the legionnaires destined to relieve the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1^er B.E.P) and 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion (2^e B.E.P).[1] While mainly formed and created to instruct the Legionnaires, the 3rd Foreign Paratrooper Battalion participates in operations of maintaining order in Tunisia from January to June 1952.[2]

On May 4, 1954; when struggle becomes of a rage at Dien Bien Phu, the 3^e BEP makes and clears way to Indochina.[1] On May 25, 1954, the battalion is at Haïphong.[1] On June 1, the count of the men forming the 3^e BEP is transferred to the 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion during the reconstitution of the later.[1] The 3^e BEP merges with the injured of annihilated foreign battalions while in the meantime, owing to numerous volunteers, the 3^e BEP is seen reconstituted at Sétif.[1] Back to Algeria, the three foreign paratrooper battalions (1^er BEP, 2^e BEP, 3^e BEP) will be seen filling the ranks of the foreign regiment. On September 1, 1955, the 3^e BEP becomes the 3rd Foreign Paratrooper Regiment (3^e R.E.P).[1] Based at Batna, the regiment becomes operational but then is dissolved on December 1, 1955; the men constituting the regiment are merged with the 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion, (2^e B.E.P) to form a new corps, the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment.[1]

The insignia of the 3rd Foreign Paratropper Battalion was created in 1950 by Captain Darmuzai, battalion commander Chef de Bataillon, CBA of the 3^e BEP.[1]

Traditions

The Archangel Michael featured in Mont Saint-Michel and the Insignia of the 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment.

French and Foreign Legion Parachute Brevet.
Circled Winged Armed Dextrochere of Foreign Legion Paratroopers

Insignias

The insignia of the Foreign Legion Paratroopers of France 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.

1^er B.E.P Insignia
2^e B.E.P and 2^e R.E.P Insignia
3^e B.E.P then 3^e R.E.P Insignia

Colonel Paul Marie Félix Jacques René Arnaud de Foïard
(1921-2005)

Battalion Commanders