Heir to the Compagnie Ordinaire de la Mer created in 1622 by Richelieu, the 1er RIMa was created by a Royal Decree in 1822 at the corps of the French Naval Ministry (French: Ministère de la Marine). This regiment was part of the Quatre Grands of the marine infantry which held garrison in 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 at the creation of the colonial infantry at the corps of the Ministry of War (French: Ministère de la guerre), the regiment was redesignated as RIMa in 1958, when the colonial infantry was redesignated as marine infantry.
The evolution nomination of the corps:
1822–1827: 1st Marine Infantry Regiment (French: 1er régiment d'infanterie de la Marine)
1854: 1st Marine Infantry Regiment, 2nd formation
1870: 1st Marching Marine Infantry Regiment
1900–1940: Designated as the 1st Colonial Infantry Regiment 1er RIC at the creation of colonial infantry at the corps of the Ministry of War.
1941–1945: 4th Demi-Brigade DFL
1945–1947: 1st Colonial Infantry Regiment
1947–1948: 1st Colonial Infantry Battalion
1948: 1st Colonial Infantry Regiment
1958: redesignated as RIMa, when the colonial infantry rebecame marine infantry.
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 (French: bataillon d'infanterie de marine et du Pacifique) was issued from the merger, in July 1942, of the 1st Marine Infantry Battalion (French: 1er Bataillon d'Infanterie de Marine) and the Pacific Battalion (French: Bataillon du Pacifique).
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).
With the 4th Marching Marine Infantry Regiment of colonel d'Arbaud, the 1er formed the first brigade under the orders of général Reboul. This 1re brigade, with the 2e brigade of général Martin des Pallières, three batteries of canons de 4, and one engineer company, constituted the 3rd Infantry Division commanded by division généralÉlie de Vassoigne. This infantry division evolved at the corps of 12th Army Corps with commander-in-chief Lebrun.
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 généralRaffanel.
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).
Mobilization of coloniales troupes in 1939–1940[edit]
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 (French: Marsouis) gave their part to other engagements.
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.
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).[1] In 2010 members of the regiment were deployed in Guadeloupe and Djibouti or in operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan.[1]
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.
Et au Nom de Dieu, vive la coloniale !
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.
Erwan Bergot, « La coloniale du RifauTchad 1925–1980 », imprimé en France : décembre 1982, no d'éditeur 7576, no d'imprimeur 31129, sur les presses de l'imprimerie Hérissey.
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