The FFL Celebrates The 156th Anniversary Of The Battle Of Camerone

The 30^th of April or Camerone Day is the most important day of the year for the French Foreign Legion. It is the day that the legionnaires first displayed their infamous fighting spirit at the battle of Camerone. Read on for more information about the FFL, the battle of Camerone and Camerone day.

The French Foreign Legion

The French Foreign Legion (FFL) is the military unit of the French army. France established it in 1839 to protect and expand its colonial interests around the world. It is the only section of the French Military that is open to non-French recruits.

Any soldier that has served the legion for more than 3 years can apply for French Citizenship. Additionally, any soldier that gets wounded while fighting for France can apply for automatic French citizenship. FFL soldiers are known for their strong fighting spirit as well as diversity. As of 2008, the soldiers come from over 140 countries around the world.

Battle Of Camerone

The Battle of Camerone was a fight between the FFL and the Mexican Army. It took place in Mexico, on 30^th April 1863, during the second French invasion of Mexico. A small company of FFL Legionnaires was sent to help protect a French convoy that was carrying 3 million francs in gold, siege guns and ammunition to be used in the war. Three volunteers called Danjou, Vilain and Maudet commanded the small battalion was commanded.

The Mexican Army found out about the convoy and decided to capture it. In order to prevent this, Captain Danjou tried several tactics to lead the Mexicans away from the convoy. In the end, the FFL ended up surrounded by the Mexican Army and Danjou made his men swear on his prosthetic arm that they would fight to the death rather than surrender.

What makes this battle remarkable is that the FFL battalion consisted of 62 legionnaires and 3 officers whereas the Mexican Army may have had up to 3000 personnel. On top of this, the French had no food or water, yet they were able to hold off the Mexican army for more than 10 hours.

At the end of the battle, 43 French legionnaires and 190 Mexican soldiers were killed. Over 300 Mexicans were wounded compared to 19 French soldiers many of whom died from their wounds. The French soldiers had a ‘fight to the death’ attitude which is they are celebrated to date.  

Camerone Day

The battle of Camerone was a strategic victory for the French because their expensive convoy evaded capture. It became such a defining moment in the FFL’s history that the 30^th of April is the most important date for legionnaires.

Camerone Day is celebrated by legionnaires all around the world but the main celebration takes place at the FFL headquarters in Aubagne, France. There is usually a parade and Capitaine Danjou’s prosthetic hand is displayed.