The 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (French: 1er Régiment Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine, 1er RPIMa) is one of two regiments in the Army Special Forces Brigade. Based in Bayonne in the local Citadel.
History
Origins
The regiment was first formed as the 1ère Compagnie d’Infanterie de l’Air in Britain, redesigned 1ère Compagnie de Chasseurs Parachutistes (1e CCP) under Captain Bergé. It consisted of around 50 paratroopers when they were transferred to David Stirling's SAS.
French SAS
After completing the SAS training course they were called French Squadron SAS. The regiment is the heir to the two Free French Special Air Service (SAS): 3 SAS (2e RCP) and 4 SAS (3e RCP).
Post-World War II
The 3 and 4 SAS was handed over to the French Army on 1 October 1945.
The regiment was restructured after returning from Indochina and acted as training depot for the colonial parachute force during the Algerian War. It remained in this role until 1974 when it became a Special forces regiment. Elements of the regiment participated in the Gulf War.
Parent unit
Composition
- Command and Logistic Company
- Training Company
- Three Combat Companies RAPAS
- 1st Company
- 2nd Company
- 3rd Company
Motto
Qui Ose Gagne (Who Dares Wins)
Lineage
- May, 1941: 1st Air Infantry Company
- June, 1943: 1st Air Infantry Battalion
Honours
Battle Honours
Decorations
Notes
References
- Shortt, James G. The Special Air Service. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 1981. ISBN 0-85045-396-8
External links
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