Author and war expert Adrian Gilbert discussed the French Foreign Legion, a unique military organization established in 1831 and comprised mainly of foreign nationals wishing to serve in the French Army. Once known for attracting criminals looking for a clean start, the elite unit now performs extensive background checks on potential recruits. They do not accept murderers or people who have committed serious crimes, Gilbert said.
Those who are accepted into its ranks take on a new identity, and swear to live and die by the motto "The Legion is our Country," he continued. Gilbert cited the Battle of Camarón (1863) as evidence of the Legion's legendary toughness. In that battle, an outnumbered group of one hundred men fought against an advancing army of 2,000 Mexican revolutionaries until only three Legionnaires remained.
The Legion made its headquarters in Algeria, North Africa, until the 1960s. Their remote location from France allowed them to play only a small role in World War II. After Nazi Germany took over France, part of the Legion continued fighting against Axis forces while another part served the new Vichy regime, Gilbert explained. He also commented on stories about Nazi gold and other hidden WWII treasures, pointing out that he has found no documentary evidence to support their existence.
With no French Empire to defend, the contemporary Legion has morphed into a compact special forces unit of about 9,000 troops, Gilbert estimated. They are sent to troubled spots around the world, such as Afghanistan and the Ivory Coast, and paid reasonably well for their efforts, Gilbert noted. After serving faithfully in the Legion for five years, a member may apply to become a French citizen, he added.