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]

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  French Army Parachute Brevet.

Insignias edit

The insignia of the French metropolitan paratroopers 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^{[dubious – discuss]} is the "Armed Arm of God". This Insignia is the symbol of righteous combat and fidelity to superior missions.

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

Battalion Colors edit

Battalion Song edit

Decorations edit

Honours edit

Battle honours edit

3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion, 3^e BEP ( 1948 - 1955 ) - I, II, III, IV Formations - edit

• Paul Arnaud de Foïard
• Pierre Segretain
• Pierre Jeanpierre
• Hélie de Saint Marc

• Major (France)
• French Foreign Legion Music Band (MLE)