France Aniversary Combat of Camerone, Mexico. 30 April 1863 observed by the Legion

[Bernhard H.Holst]

Hello readers.

Once again the anniversary of the legendary action at the Camerone Farm , Mexico on 30 April, 1863 will be observed by all units of the French Foreign Legion wherever they may be stationed.

On that day an undersize company of the Legion under command of the one-handed Captain Danjou during the unfortunate French expedition to Mexico, took a stand in the farm buildings of Camerone against a large Mexican force. Resisting during several assaults with ever smaller numbers the surviving few legionnaires attempted a bayonet attack. They were spared certain death by the Mexican commander.

Since then this combat action is part of the Legion history and tradition. At the Legion's headquarters in Aubagne, France the artificial hand of Captain Danjou who lost his life early in the action, is presented to the assembled troops. The former legionnaire charged with carrying the small casket in which this relic is conserved, is escorted by two ex- legionnaires, all very decorated and having an exceptional career.

The account of that combat will be read to the troops assembled for the occasion where ever they are stationed.

I believe this year being also the anniversary of the fall of Dien Bien Phu which happened just a few days later in 1954, emphasis will be placed on that occurrence.

History has it that the remnants of the Legion units deployed there observed the tradition. One wonders how many survived the fighting still to come and the captivity which followed the fall. The number of survivors who returned after the cessation of hostilities was very small and practically zero for the Vietnamese comrades.

On a personal note I would like to mention my boyhood friend Kurt ( Bob ) Armbrecht, Leg.1.classe, 1. BEP, who was missing in action there and declared Mort pour la France with date of 8 May, 1954.

Bernhard H. Holst

served from 1951 to 1957

[repman13]

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