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domingo, 1 de março de 2015

13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion


The 13e DBLE was raised in February 1939 at Sidi Bel Abbes in Algeria, with its cadre drawn from 1e REI. The 13e DBLE fought during World War II for the Free French Forces including service at the Battle of Narvik.
 

 On 28 May 1940, the 13e DBLE moved on Narvik. The legionnaires crossed Rombaksfjorden and landed squarely in the middle of the German positions. German air attacks forced the supporting British ships to withdraw, leaving the 13e DBLE ashore without fire support. 


 The legionnaires engaged in the difficult task of clearing-out German machine gun nests located in railway tunnels and concealed terrain. Lieutenant-Colonel Magrin-Vernerey commanded from the front, patrolling his front-lines to point out German positions to his troops with his walking stick.



 During the next 10 days, the Allied troops pushed the Germans to within 10 miles (20 km) of the Swedish frontier. Then, with the collapse of the French and British armies in France it was decided to cancel the Narvik operation and withdraw.


The 13e DBLE evacuated Narvik on 7 June and was withdrawn to England. The unit had lost 7 officers, 5 NCOs, and 55 legionnaires during the campaign.
                                                                                                             Source: Wikipedia


17 comentários:

  1. An interesting unit history. I didn't realize the FFL participated in the Battle of Narvik. Excellent figures to commemorator this action.

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    1. Thank you Dean :) Yes, this is a fascinating story. There is a book by Erwan Bergot - La Légion au Combat - which describes in detail the story of the 13th DBLE brave men. Greetings :)

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  2. Très belles figurines (superbes visages) pour cette unité d'élite!

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    1. Merci mon ami :) Ils me ont fasciné, dés que je ai lu le livre de Erwan Bergot, quand je étais adolescent! Bonne Dimanche :D

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  3. Excellent work, and a very interesting piece of history there too :-)

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    1. Thank you Paul! :D These were a bunch of tough fellows! It was the only Allied land victory in the early stages of the war. But in the end, they had to retreat due to the collapse of France, and after driving the Germans towards the Swedish border, by then, only c. 20kms far.... Cheers!

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  4. They look superb, a fearless bunch of troops.

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    1. Thanks Michael, I´m so glad you liked them! They were indeed amazingly brave men! Greetings!

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  5. Com vontade (e com luz) tudo se consegue. Excelente homenagem a estes bravos homens, estão fantásticos :D

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    1. :D Obrigado Cristina. A história desta unidade é incrível, desde os fiordes da Noruega e areias do Sahara, às selvas da Indochina...! :D Beijinho.

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  6. Gosto sempre das notas históricas :D

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  7. Very cool miniatures and an interesting history lesson!

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    1. Thanks for your visit and nice comment, Rod :D Yes, this is a very interesting theme, I´m glad you liked it! Greetings!

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  8. Está fantástico!
    Os brilhos/sombras estão espétaculares e as expressões (pouco amigaveis) deles estão demais!
    Parabéns Rogério :)

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    1. Obrigado Tiago! :D Dá mais gosto publicar quando se recebem elogios assim :D Abraço!

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  9. Great tribute to this men! Excellent painted figures!

    Greetings
    Peter

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