Comments on: French Foreign Legion's 13th Demi-Brigade Fought in World War II

By: samuel perlmutter

samuel perlmutter — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 18:52:17 +0000

my father join the 13 demi-brigade after the libaration of algeria in 43. he told my few story from the war but only after its death we found is diary with remark abute the landind in soutern france to the libratin of paris

By: The power of stories « Perennial Student

The power of stories « Perennial Student — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 23:28:25 +0000

[...] 13th Demi-Brigade split up at the time of the French surrender to Germany, some going to join the Free French [...]

By: Daniel G. Webber

Daniel G. Webber — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 15:36:42 +0000

This is an excellent article on a very obscure and hard to research subject. Just a shame that no bibliography is included, nor any citations referenced. Would certainly like to know more about the two commanders listed.

By: Julio Grato

Julio Grato — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:31:39 +0000

Don't believe this article is entirely correct. Following the Narvik campaign , the journey to brest and subsequently crossing over Britain. The Legion split was not as amicable as the article suggests. Before boarding the ship bound for North Africa the Spanish contingent threw down their arms and jackets and refused to board the ship. This caused a major political incident, De Gaulle wanted the spanish contingent shot. Fortunately the British knowing Franco had made no committment at that time felt that a spanish contingent could be useful to the British army. Consequently my father and his colleagues were transferred in to the British army and eventually involved in the D day landings. For this my father and his colleagues were considered Legion deserters and were never able to collect their Narvik campaign medals.

By: Jeanne Bouvette

Jeanne Bouvette — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 14:50:40 +0000

My father, a17yo American from Charleston, SC was a 13DBLE legionnaire in WWII. We are fortunate enough to have his certificates from his trip to Legion headquarters in 1977 which include 2 Croix du Guerre recognitions.
When he returned to the USA in 1946 he was hesitant to speak of his experiences for concern of his family, Mom says.
And who would believe that this year I met the son of another legionnaire of the WWII 13DBLE….right here in New Orleans. We have had good conversations about our stories, he with a strong French accent having been born in France after WWII. Having stayed in France, his Dad had so many stories and contacts post WWII.
The children of these brave men are always searching for understanding of these men's efforts for France.
Would love to find more English translations and photos for sure regarding the 13th DBLE.

By: Jeff Habermehl

Jeff Habermehl — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 01:09:21 +0000

I've been researching the 13th DBLE for a novel with characters who are Legionairres. I found this article to be concise and historically correct. What's more is that it's not burdensome to the reader with "milltary speak."
A good read!

By: james

james — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 05:39:16 +0000

I was in the US arny, I looked into how to join the ffl on the internet, and i rememered hard requirements to enlist.

By: Nandita Menon

Nandita Menon — Sun, 09 May 2010 08:22:54 +0000

Informative and interesting. It makes one want to read on.

By: Jacob F. Grimm

Jacob F. Grimm — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:49:13 +0000

Excellent history article!

By: Foreign Legion 13th DBLE - World War II Forums

Foreign Legion 13th DBLE - World War II Forums — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 08:57:57 +0000

[...] the only woman legionnaire ever and was commanded by a czarist prince out of Beau Geste. French Foreign Legion's 13th Demi-Brigade Fought in World War II ? HistoryNet [...]