Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte
| Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte (Détachement de Légion étrangère de Mayotte) |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1973 – present |
| Country |
 France
|
| Allegiance |
 French Foreign Legion
|
| Branch |
French Army
|
| Type |
Foreign Infantry |
| Role | Garrison |
| Garrison/HQ | Dzaoudzi, Mayotte |
| Motto(s) | Pericula ludus (To Danger My Pleasure) |
| Anniversaries | Camerone Day (30 April) |
| Engagements | Global War on Terrorism (2001–present) |
| Battle honours |
Heir to the Regimental Colors of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment |
| Insignia | |
| Insignia of the Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte |  |
| Abbreviation | DLEM |
Foreign Infantry
Heir to the Regimental Colors of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment
The Foreign Legion Detachment in Mayotte (French: Détachement de Légion étrangère de Mayotte, DLEM) is a detachment of the French Foreign Legion based on the island of Mayotte, near Madagascar. It is the smallest operational unit of the French Foreign Legion. The main role of the detachment is to maintain a French presence in the region, enabling the French armed forces to quickly react to planetary events in the Indian Ocean and the east coast of Africa.
The detachment of the Foreign Legion in Mayotte (D.L.M.E) is initially heir to the 4th combat company (became in 1965 the 2nd company) of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e R.E.I), the most decorated regimental colors in the Foreign Legion.
In 1956, while the 3r Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e R.E.I), was engaged in combat during the Algerian War, the 3e R.E.I dispatched one of its 3 battalions to constitute a marching battalion which took garrison and stationed on the « la grande île », Madagascar. This battalion was named the Foreign Legion Battalion of Madagascar, (B.L.E.M). Following the cease fire and the accords of Evian in 1962, the integrality of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment leaves Algeria and regroups at Madagascar, on and around the Diégo Suarez base.
In the following years, the 4th combat company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (then, 2nd company after being changed in 1956), periodically conducted exercise drills or nomadizations on the Comores, also was seen parading on the islands and particularly in February 1965 at Moroni in presence of the regimental commander and the music band of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment. In February 1967, the 2nd company intervened in Anjouan, Moroni and Dzaoudzi, where minor troubles were produced.
In July 1967, the 2nd combat company commanded then by Captain Brissart, setted permanent garrison in the archipelago of the Comores. The 3rd section (platoon) of this company, commanded by Lieutenant Lafly, stationed at Dzaoudzi (Mayotte) while the 2nd section (platoon) commanded by Lieutenant Spillman stationed at Voivojou (7 km from Moroni on the island of Grand Comores).
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Wikipedia