The 1st Marine Infantry Regiment is a French regiment heir of the colonial infantry. The regiment is one of the quatre vieux regiments of the Troupes de Marine, with the 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment 2e RIMa, the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment 3e RIMa, as well the 4th Marine Infantry Regiment 4e RIMa (dissolved in 1998). Along with the 1st Marine Artillery Regiment 1er RAMa and the 2nd Marine Artillery Regiment 2e RAMa, the 1st Marine formed the Blue Division. The 1er RIMa is a light armoured unit, since 1986, alike with the régiment d'infanterie-chars de marine RICM.

Creation and different names

Heir to the Compagnie Ordinaire de la Mer created in 1622 by Richelieu, the regiment was created by a Royal Decree in 1822 at the corps of the French Naval Ministry. It was part of the Quatre Grands of the marine infantry which garrisoned the military ports ready to embark: the Grand Un, le Grand Deux, the Grand Trois and the Grand Quatre. Designated as the 1st Colonial Infantry Regiment (1er RIC) in 1900 whe the colonial infantry was created as part of the Ministry of War, the regiment was redesignated as a régiment d'infanterie de marine in 1958, when the colonial infantry was redesignated as marine infantry. The evolution of the unit's name: The regiment is heir to the 1st Free French Division and the battalion of the Pacific which combat engaged at Bir Hakeim. The Marine Infantry and Pacific Battalion was issued from the merger, in July 1942, of the 1st Marine Infantry Battalion and the Pacific Battalion.

History

Ancien Régime

Wars of the Revolution & Empire

1815 to 1848

In 1846, elements of the 1er RIMa were at Tahiti. The regiment was present in the battle of Fatahua (inscribed on the regimental colors of the 2e RIMa) of December 17, 1846 (3rd Company, Captain Masset).

Second Empire

On August 17, 1870, the 1st Marching Marine Infantry Regiment was part of the Armée de Châlons (1870) of Marshal de MacMahon.

1870 to 1914

During the Paris Commune in 1871, the regiment participated with the Armée Versaillaise.

World War I

Attachments

In 1914, at the eve of the great war: the 2e, 3e, 7e and 1er RIC, were part of the 1st brigade under the orders of général Montignault, the 3rd colonial infantry division under the orders of général Raffanel. The 3e DIC: Generals Raffanel, Leblond, Goulet (1914), Gadel (1915), Puypéroux (1916–1918). Engaged in the same sectors as the 2nd Colonial Infantry Division 2e DIC (4e, 8e, 24e R.I.C), to the first battle of Champagne (Ville-sur-Tourbe) and the second battle of Champaign (Ville-sur-Tourbe and Massiges).

1914

1915

1916

1917

1918

Interwar period

World War II

Mobilization of coloniales troupes in 1939–1940

On May 10, 1940, the 1st Colonial Infantry Regiment was under the command of colonel Fauchon and part of the 3rd Colonial Infantry Division which reinforced the sector of Montmédy. The 3rd Colonial Division, général Falvy, consisted of the 1st, 21e, 23e R.I.C and 3e and 203e R.A.C. The 3rd Colonial Division disappeared. The division immediately engaged the theatre, in the sector of Sun-sur-Meuse, Stenay, Martincourt, Aviot, Breux north of Verdun, at the level of cote 304 and Mort Homme, lieu of harsh combats in 1916–1917, where combats concentrated. On June 14, the 1er and 23e RIC were engaged in the ravine which separated cote 304 from Mort Homme. At 0630, the cote was crowned, despite a relentless resistance, the armoured contingents crossed the bridge of Bethoncout in direction of Esnes. The bridge was blown-up in the evening and redressed in the same night. The 1st company of the 1er RIC of captain Bertrand counter-attacked. At 17 hours, attacks were ceased. At 19 hours, the French Marines gave their part to other engagements.

Combats of free France

The regiment was made compagnon de la Libération, June 28, 1945.

1945 to present

The regiment was found in A.F.N from 1952 to 1962. Garrisoned in several places, the regiment was part of the 9th Brigade, then 9e DIMa, then 9e BLBMa. The regiment was deployed to Lebanon at the corps of the Multinational Force in Lebanon in 1983, then United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL in 1984. In 1986 the regiment transitioned to the armored role. In July 2009, the regiment joined the 3rd Mechanised Brigade which became designated in March 2014 as 3rd Light Armoured Brigade. The regiment has participated in all major operations of the French Army (Lebanon, Bosnia, Kosovo, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Central African Republic, Afghanistan). In 2010 members of the regiment were deployed in Guadeloupe and Djibouti or in operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Organisation

Traditions

The anniversary is celebrated for combats in Bazeilles, the village which was apprehended and abandoned four consecutive times under orders, respectively on August 31 and September 1, 1870. In the Name of God, vive la coloniale ! The Marsouins and the Bigors have for Saint, God. This war calling concludes intimate ceremonies which part life in the regiments. Often also at origin as an act of grace to Charles de Foucauld.

Motto

Insignia of the 1er RIMa

Regimental Colors

Decorations

The regimental colors are decorated with: Fourragère:

Honours

Battle Honours

Regimental Commanders

1er RIMa (1822–1900)

1er RIC (1900–1958)

1er RIMa (1958 – present)

Notable Officers & Marines

Sources and bibliography