Many of us, of a certain age, have seen the movie Casablanca on TV. And, we were impressed by a tremendously romantic movie. We may have also seen many of the clearly B movies that Hollywood turned out in the 1950’s that involved the French Foreign Legion. I believe that the character of Captain Renault in the Casablanca movie was a member of the Legion. And, who can forget how the movie starts out:
With the coming of the Second World War, many eyes in imprisoned Europe turned hopefully, or desperately, toward the freedom of the Americas. Lisbon became the great embarkation point. But, not everybody could get to Lisbon directly, and so a tortuous, roundabout refugee trail sprang up – Paris to Marseilles… across the Mediterranean to Oran… then by train, or auto, or foot across the rim of Africa, to Casablanca in French Morocco. Here, the fortunate ones through money, or influence, or luck, might obtain exit visas and scurry to Lisbon; and from Lisbon, to the New World. But the others wait in Casablanca… and wait… and wait… and wait.
Well, I was thinking about the Legion, so I Google(d)â„¢ it. And, to my surprise, the French Foreign Legion still runs by some of the rules from the time of its founding. You actually MUST enlist under a “declared name.” You cannot enlist under a real name, at first. But, see some of the FAQ from their site below:
1. Am I obliged to join under a declared identity?
Yes. This provision was initiated to benefit all those who join the Legion because they want to forget their past and “turn over a new leaf”. It still exists, even if the vast majority of Legion candidates nowadays have no particular problems and our investigation techniques permit as to eliminate any “undesirable elements”. The “declared identity” exists to keep everyone on a level footing. Those who need anonymity and those who don’t.
2. Can I subsequently get back my real identity?
Yes. We have a procedure known as ” Military regularization of situation” which can be used by any legionnaire after one year’s service. It is useful for those who have no particular problems outside the Legion. Fresh identity papers must be obtained from the legionnairès original country. A legionnaire, if he so wishes, can spend his entire career under “declared identity”.
3. Can a Frenchman join the Foreign Legion?
Yes. Under “declared identity” a Frenchman’s nationality is changed to that of another French speaking country, so he becomes a foreigner. He can ask for his real identity and nationality after one year’s service.
4. Conversely, can a foreign born legionnaire become French?
Yes. A legionnaire of foreign nationality can ask for French nationality after three years service. He must have been through ‘military regularization of situation” and be serving under his real name. He must no longer have problems with the authorities, and he must have served with “honour and fidelity” for at last three years. French nationality cannot be granted under declared identity.
5.Is discipline in the Foreign Legion much harder than in the regular French Army?
No. The discipline enforced in the French foreign Legion is exactly the same as that of the French Regular Army. However, our traditions of an elite force allow us to enforce this discipline with a greater rigour. We have a tradition of excellence and selection criteria, which allow as to surpass the Regular Army.
 And, so, the tradition continues. If you have committed a crime and wish to start a new life and “expiate” your crime, the French Foreign Legion is still available to you. Rather romantic, don’t you think? “You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh. The fundamental things apply, as time goes by.” Play it again, Sam.
Interesting post. I recently re-read Bernard Fall’s classic Hell in a Very Small Place about the siege of Dien Bien Phu, and the FFL’s courageous stand there. It was, perhaps, their finest hour, as they were parachuted into a cauldron that, even early on, was simply considered a death trap. I admire them a lot. (And it’s a great book)