1er BEP (Bataillon Étranger de Parachutistes)
 

The 1st foreign legion parachutist battalion was formed on July 1, 1948 under the command of CNE Segrétain. In the end of 1948, after conducting parachute training, the 1^st BEP is sent to Indo-china, where it carries out its first airborne operation on March 18, 1949.
In September 1950 1st BEP was parachuted to That Khe to reinforce French units alongside the Chinese border that was under attack. Ordered to retake Dong Khe on 1st October to help French units out from Cao Bang to the south. Blocked and ambushed, taking heavy casulties the 1st BEP returns south with other units acting rearguard securaty. During the retreat the losses are so high that the 1^st BEP is dissolved on December 31 1950. Capt. Jeanpierre led in 29 survivors from 1st BEP back to That The. This is the first time the battalion is dissolved.

On March 1, 1951 the 1^st BEP is recreated with a new commander,Darmuzai. They now perform operations all over Indo-China. Larger operations was:
Op: "Tulip", 15/11-51, airdrop by 1st BEP to recapture Hoa Binh.
Battle of Na San against 3 VietMinh Divisions, Nov-Dec 1952.
Op: "Lorraine", 9/11-52, airborn assult on Viet Bac.
Op: "Brochet", Sep-Oct-53, major sweep aginst VM Rgts.42 and 50.
Op: "Castor", Nov-Dec-53.
Battle of Dien Bien Phu, March-May 1954.

Dien Bien Phu falls on May 7 1954. Of 635 men jumping, 575 were posted killed or missing during the combat, and ever fewer made it out of Viet Minh captivity. Due to its heavily decreased numbers the 1^st BEP was dissolved in 1954 (the second time the unit is dissolved).

In 1954 the 1^st BEP is reconstituted at the end of May, after receiving reinforcements and a new commander – Hélie Denoix de Saint Marc. At the beginning of 1955, the 1^st BEP leaves for Algeria and there becomes the 1^st REP. In operation after operation the reputation of the 1^st REP climbs. They participate in operations targeted to maintain law and order in Algeria twice.

In April 1961 after the drift towards an independent Algeria, four Generals – Challe, Salan, Barge and Zeller launch a coup against De Gaulle. The 1^st REP spearheads the plot, witch fails and the 1^st REP is dissolved on April 30^th 1961 (for the third and last time).

1e CEPML (1re Compagnie Étrangère Parachutiste de Mortiers Lourds)

In the 21 November 1953 the 1st CEPML (Foregion Legion Airborne Heavy Mortar Company) parashuted into Dien Bien Phu. The strength was of 71 men equiped with twelve 120mm mortars. They was grouped at "Claudine" in the center of the base, with and under the control of 1 BEP but fired also support missions to other units as necessery.

1 CEPML commander Lieutenant Jacques Molnier was seriusly wounded and evacuated on 11/3-54. Due to successive casulties, command if the unit subsequently passed to Lieutenants Paul Turcy, Erwan Bergot and finaly to Jean Singland.