Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion in Indochina

The Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion, (Demi-brigade de Légion étrangère) existed briefly in Indochina while regrouping the ensemble of the Battalion Forming Corps (« bataillon formant corps », BFC) issued from the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI. The Demi-Brigade would become on 1 September 1930 the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (5e Régiment étranger d’infanterie).

Creation and different nominations

 * 2 August 1930: formation of the Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion;
 * On 1 September 1930 : change in designation from Demi-Brigade to 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment (5e REI).

History, garrisons, campaigns and battles
On 1 September 1930 the BFC of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI and the 1st battalion of the 1er REI newly arrived in the Far East allowed the constitution of four battalions of the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment 5e REI:

Nevertheless, the BFC (Battalion Forming Corps) (« bataillon formant corps ») remained until 1 April 1931.
 * The 4e BFC became the I/5e REI : 1st battalion of the 5e REI
 * The 7e BFC became the II/5e REI: 2nd battalion of the 5e REI
 * The 9e BFC became the III/5e REI : 3rd battalion of the 5e REI
 * The 1st battalion of the 1er REI became the IIII/ 5e REI : 4th battalion of the 5e REI

Regimental Commanders

 * Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion in Indochina (2 to 31 August 1930).
 * 1930 : Lieutenant-colonel Debas Jean.
 * 9e BFC of the 1er REI
 * 1926: Chef de bataillon Prieur.
 * 1927: Chef de bataillon Maire.
 * 1929: Chef de bataillon Lorillard
 * 7e BFC of the 1er REI
 * 1927 - 1929: Chef de bataillon Boutry
 * 1929 - 1930: Chef de bataillon Kratzert
 * 4e BFC of the 1er REI
 * 1930: Chef de bataillon Lambert.