Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments

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Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments
Common Depot
Active	1933 - 1955 1955 - 1st Foreign Regiment
Disbanded	July 1, 1955
Country	France
Branch	French Army
Type	Military Training
Garrison/HQ	Sidi-bel-Abbes, Algeria

The Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments (DCRE), or (French: Dépôt commun des régiments étrangers, D.C.R.E), was the primary training formation of the French Foreign Legion from 1933 to 1955.

History[]

The Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments (D.C.R.E) (French: Dépôt commun des régiments étrangers, D.C.R.E) was created on 13 October 1933. The DCRE included a staff, a training battalion, a transit battalion, and depots in Toul, Marseille, Oran, and Arzew. The Communal Depot of the Foreign Regiments was administratively dependent on the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment.

From 1 April 1942, the D.C.R.E became a formed unit corps (the equivalent of a regiment) and was commanded by a senior colonel; the highest ranked colonel amongst all French Foreign Legion regimental commanders. This senior colonel of the D.C.R.E acts as a general inspector vis-à-vis of the minister.

On 1 September 1950, the functions of the D.C.R.E are delegated to the Autonomous Group of the Foreign Legion (G.A.L.E) (French: Groupement autonome de la Légion étrangère, G.A.L.E) which took over temporarily from the Inspection of the Foreign Legion (I.L.E) (French: Inspection de la légion étrangère, I.L.E); the (I.L.E) that would later constitute the Foreign Legion Command. The D.C.R.E in the meantime changed name to the Communal Depot of the Foreign Legion (D.C.L.E) (French: Dépôt commun de la Légion étrangère, D.C.L.E). From 1950 to 1955, the newly renamed D.C.L.E was charged with running staffing operations, administration and the affairs of combat companies in transit. The D.C.L.E dissolved on 1 July 1955 and its mission was taken over by the 1st Foreign Regiment.

Insignia[]

Two hemispheres, one red and one green, masking a grenade with 7 flames placed on top of the inscription: French Foreign Legion (French: << LÉGION ÉTRANGÈRE FRANÇAISE>>), The two hemispheres represent simultaneously the implementation of the Legion at quartier Viénot at Sidi-bel-Abbès and the relic monument aux morts of the D.C.R.E, responsible of traditions in mounting the guard. The green and red colors with the grenade with 7 flames are the traditional marks of the French Foreign Legion. The Insignia was created in 1946 by Colonel Gaultier, highest Legion ranking regimental commander of the D.C.R.E.

Organization[]

• Headquarters Staff
• Instruction/Training Battalion
• Transit Battalion
• Four Operations Depots
  • Depot at Arzew
  • Depot at Marseilles
  • Depot at Oran
  • Depot at Toul

See also[]

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

References[]