Active 1939-1940 Branch French Army Size 3,000 men | Country France Type Infantry | |
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Engagements World War II
Battle of France | ||
The 11th Foreign Infantry Regiment (French: 11e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie, 11e REI) was a regiment of the French Foreign Legion which served during World War II from 1939 to 1940.
Contents
History
The 11th Foreign Infantry Regiment was stationed in Lorraine, France from late 1939 to the spring of 1940.
The 11th REI defended the northern Inor Wood near Verdun from the German offensive early on in the battle until June 11, 1940, when the regiment began a fighting retreat to the south. By June 18, the 11th REI had lost three-fourths of its strength and the regiment withdrew to the south near Toul. The regimental flag was burned at Crezilles near Nancy to prevent it falling into German hands.
Organization
The 11th Foreign Infantry Regiment was composed of 2,500 veterans of the Legion who had served in North Africa and 500 Legionnaire reservists.