In Honour and by Victory, twenty first episode : the 1st Regiment of Naval Fusiliers

The 1st Battalion of Naval Fusiliers (1er BFM) was formed in England in July 1940 as part of the Free French Naval Forces. This battalion participated successively in the Battle of Dakar, in September 1940, then in the Battle of Gabon, in November 1940 and the Battle of Damascus, in June 1941.

In 1942, the regiment distinguished itself during the Battles of Bir Hakeim and El Alamein. During the pursuit of the Afrika Korps, the regiment assumed anti-aircraft cover missions for the 1st Free French Division until the Liberation of Tunisia, in May 1943.

In September, it was rechristened 1st Regiment of Naval Fusiliers (1er RFM) and was assigned to the 1st Free French Division as an armoured reconnaissance regiment. Following harsh military training, the Regiment was deployed in Italy, where it distinguished itself during the Garigliano Crossing, in April 1944, before landing in Provence, in August. Following the liberation of the cities of Toulon and Hyeres, the regiment pursued its advance through the Rhône Valley and took part in the fighting in the Vosges. In January 1945, the regiment distinguished itself during the Battle for Alsace and ended the war in the Authion massif in the Alps.

31 soldiers of the 1er Battalion and the 1er Regiment of Naval Fusiliers were awarded the honour of Companion of the Liberation.

Credits : © the Musée de l’Ordre de la Liberation / All rights reserved