Product Description
This is a very rare and fascinating account of life as a modern day Legionnaire. The author describes how, with no French language ability, he approached recruiters for the French Foreign Legion in Paris and the demanding selection process that followed. When he was accepted, he and other prospective legionnaires were sent to Southern France to begin the harsh recruit training course. The mix of different nationalities and backgrounds among his fellows was enormous. New members are traditionally allowed to change their identities - the author chose to alter his age becoming 28 not 38! Elite paratrooper training followed in Corsica before the author earned his 'wings'.
The FFL is never far from the front line and we read of challenging active service in former French colonies in Africa as well as during the First Gulf War, evicting Saddam Hussein from Kuwait and operations in Bosnia and Sarajevo.
This is a completely authentic book that lifts the veil of mystery and myth and reveals much about the realities of service in the Foreign Legion. The author is not given to exaggeration - there is no need for it. A gripping read.
From the Author
It is now just over a year since my autobiuography was first published and I am more than greatful for the all the positive comments I have received. At the begining of March(2012) it went into its 3rd re-print.
From the Inside Flap
The French Foreign Legion has long had a fascination and mystique as well as a fearsome fighting reputation. Yet there are few factual accounts of what life in the modern Legion is really like. Alex Lochrie's account is therefore most welcome and refreshing.
At the outset the odds were loaded against the Author ever becomming a Legionnaire: he spoke no French and at thirty-eight he was close to the upper age limit. Indeed rather than take a new name, as is the right of all Legionnaires, he opted to 'become' ten years younger!
Yet, possibly as a result of his maturity, he not only earned his Kepi but became a member of elite Legion Parachute Regiment. In the years that followed he saw active service in Tchad, Central Africa, Iraq and Bosnia, where, incidentally he was awarded the French Military Cross.
Reading this book is a revealing experience. Alex vividly describes the rigorous selection process and training regime,his fellow Legionnaires drawn from many countries and levels of society, and the conditions he experienced on his many and varied adventures both in conflict and relative peace. He has strong views on politicians and journalists who, in the name of a good story, manipulate events. At the same time he is aware of, and sensative to, the suffering that war brings to innocent bystanders.
Fighting for the French Foreign Legion, being a serious and worthy addition to the bibliography of the unique regiment, will be appreciated by those who seek a clearer understanding of this enigmatic fighting force.
At the outset the odds were loaded against the Author ever becomming a Legionnaire: he spoke no French and at thirty-eight he was close to the upper age limit. Indeed rather than take a new name, as is the right of all Legionnaires, he opted to 'become' ten years younger!
Yet, possibly as a result of his maturity, he not only earned his Kepi but became a member of elite Legion Parachute Regiment. In the years that followed he saw active service in Tchad, Central Africa, Iraq and Bosnia, where, incidentally he was awarded the French Military Cross.
Reading this book is a revealing experience. Alex vividly describes the rigorous selection process and training regime,his fellow Legionnaires drawn from many countries and levels of society, and the conditions he experienced on his many and varied adventures both in conflict and relative peace. He has strong views on politicians and journalists who, in the name of a good story, manipulate events. At the same time he is aware of, and sensative to, the suffering that war brings to innocent bystanders.
Fighting for the French Foreign Legion, being a serious and worthy addition to the bibliography of the unique regiment, will be appreciated by those who seek a clearer understanding of this enigmatic fighting force.
From the Back Cover
ALEX LOCHRIE has had anything but a normal career. His education was hindered by dyslexia and he left school at sixteen, to become a graphic illustrator while studying at Glasgow School of Art in the evening. After an appoiuntment as Advertising Manager at a major retail group, he changed direction and joined the Police eventually specialising in Forensic Scene of Crime Examination. In his spare time he drove rally cars, represented his country at athletics and learnt to fly.
In the early 1980's, he set off to join the French Foreign legion and his experiences during the next eleven years are the subject of this book.
He now runs a marketing company in Scotland and his wife Marian has a specialist gift shop.
In the early 1980's, he set off to join the French Foreign legion and his experiences during the next eleven years are the subject of this book.
He now runs a marketing company in Scotland and his wife Marian has a specialist gift shop.
About the Author
Since chilhood I had been told "Don't be stupid you can't do that" because I was Dyslexic. Despite this, I was never affraid to takle a new task, even if it seemed beyond my grasp.
In the 60's I drove rally cars. In the 70's I learned to fly. In the 80's I started out on the biggest adventure of them all, joining the French Foreign Legion.
At 38, I was at the upper end of the acceptable age limit but once passing selection and basic training, I served for 11 years with the Legion's elite parachute regiment.
I saw active service in Africa, the 1st Gulf War and in Bosnia in 93 at the height of the Balkins conflict.
I hope that my story will appeal to everyone, not just those with a fasination about the military and the Legion in particular.
Since writing my autobiography I have been encouraged by many of you to keep writing. As a result I have created a fictional series about a unit called Taskforce Alpha who are a 'deniable' unit fighting terrorism. The first book is called 'Deadly Black Rain'. It is available here on Amazon as an e-book. The second in the series, 'The Real Cost of Terror' is completed and at the proof reading stage. It will also come out as an e-book. I have now started the 3rd in the series which is called 'Taskforce Alpha Fight Back'.
If there are any literary agents or publishers out there who can help me get them into traditional book form, please get in touch.
In the 60's I drove rally cars. In the 70's I learned to fly. In the 80's I started out on the biggest adventure of them all, joining the French Foreign Legion.
At 38, I was at the upper end of the acceptable age limit but once passing selection and basic training, I served for 11 years with the Legion's elite parachute regiment.
I saw active service in Africa, the 1st Gulf War and in Bosnia in 93 at the height of the Balkins conflict.
I hope that my story will appeal to everyone, not just those with a fasination about the military and the Legion in particular.
Since writing my autobiography I have been encouraged by many of you to keep writing. As a result I have created a fictional series about a unit called Taskforce Alpha who are a 'deniable' unit fighting terrorism. The first book is called 'Deadly Black Rain'. It is available here on Amazon as an e-book. The second in the series, 'The Real Cost of Terror' is completed and at the proof reading stage. It will also come out as an e-book. I have now started the 3rd in the series which is called 'Taskforce Alpha Fight Back'.
If there are any literary agents or publishers out there who can help me get them into traditional book form, please get in touch.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
SURVIVORS
Life in the French Foreign Legion can be described in one word - tough! - particularly if you happen to be part of the elite world that is the 2eme Regiment Etranger de Parachutiste (2eme REP).
At the beginning of January 1985, my company was on the move again. The 1st Company specialized in commando warfare and, like everything else in the Legion, that meant some serious training. The expression 'No pain. no gain', must have originated in the Legion. We headed off to mainland France for a training course at France's number one commando training centre, Le Centre National d'Entrainment Commando (CNEC).
Our first week was spent at the town of Collioure, on the Mediterranean coast near the frontier with Spain. It is a town that has been the subject of many paintings, with its imposing fort perched on the cliffs overlooking the port. The French Army uses the old fort as a confidence-building centre before trainees progress on to the real thing at the commando training centre high in the Pyrenees, at Mont-Louis. There were walls to climb, moats to cross and jumps from high to low walls with a 120-foot drop on to the other side to the waves crashing onto the rocks below. There were roofs to clamber over and windows to abseil into. At the beginning of the week everyone was nervous, attacking the obstacles with caution and at walking pace. Security harnesses were worn at all times and anyone taking unnecessary risks was punished. Men thought to be acting reclessly found themselves off the course and working in the kitchens. Obstacles which seemed to be high and dangerous at the beginning of the week were now being taken at the double against the clock, which was exactly what was meant to happen. But this had just been a foretaste of what was in store for us before we moved up to the No.1 Commando Training Centre at Mont louis - the real McCoy.
The drive up through the Pyrenees was breathtaking as we passed through some of the most beautiful countryside in Europe. After the relatively mild climate of Corsica and the Mediterranean coast, we quickly found ourselves at 2,000 metres above sea level and well above the snow line. Mont louis is the highest town in France, the ancient fort dates back to the 1600's and was very impressive. All of this was set against a background of intimidating,snow-covered mountains, forests, lakes and it was very, very cold indeed. A brass monkey wouldn't have lasted five minutes.
The obstacle courses were graded into three degrees of difficulty and coded yellow, red and black. The CNEC does not expect everyone who comes here to attain the highest level, but the Legion does, and in particular the REP expects nothing less. Anyone failing to reach the highest level has no place in a commando company and would be moved to other duties within the Regiment on their return. Those who had to drop out through injury would get another chance to complete the course at a later date.
The facility is also used by foreign forces including the UK's Royal Marines, the SAS and the American Seals, and is acknowledged as being one of the best of its kind in the world. France has two other 'extreme warfare schools': the jungle warfare school in French Guyanne and a commando trining centre in Djibouti, both run by the Legion.
Physically, this was the hardest thing I have ever done. As at Collioure, instruction started at walking pace, slowly building our skills and confidence to tackle the most dangerous part of the course, the 'piste noir'.
Life in the French Foreign Legion can be described in one word - tough! - particularly if you happen to be part of the elite world that is the 2eme Regiment Etranger de Parachutiste (2eme REP).
At the beginning of January 1985, my company was on the move again. The 1st Company specialized in commando warfare and, like everything else in the Legion, that meant some serious training. The expression 'No pain. no gain', must have originated in the Legion. We headed off to mainland France for a training course at France's number one commando training centre, Le Centre National d'Entrainment Commando (CNEC).
Our first week was spent at the town of Collioure, on the Mediterranean coast near the frontier with Spain. It is a town that has been the subject of many paintings, with its imposing fort perched on the cliffs overlooking the port. The French Army uses the old fort as a confidence-building centre before trainees progress on to the real thing at the commando training centre high in the Pyrenees, at Mont-Louis. There were walls to climb, moats to cross and jumps from high to low walls with a 120-foot drop on to the other side to the waves crashing onto the rocks below. There were roofs to clamber over and windows to abseil into. At the beginning of the week everyone was nervous, attacking the obstacles with caution and at walking pace. Security harnesses were worn at all times and anyone taking unnecessary risks was punished. Men thought to be acting reclessly found themselves off the course and working in the kitchens. Obstacles which seemed to be high and dangerous at the beginning of the week were now being taken at the double against the clock, which was exactly what was meant to happen. But this had just been a foretaste of what was in store for us before we moved up to the No.1 Commando Training Centre at Mont louis - the real McCoy.
The drive up through the Pyrenees was breathtaking as we passed through some of the most beautiful countryside in Europe. After the relatively mild climate of Corsica and the Mediterranean coast, we quickly found ourselves at 2,000 metres above sea level and well above the snow line. Mont louis is the highest town in France, the ancient fort dates back to the 1600's and was very impressive. All of this was set against a background of intimidating,snow-covered mountains, forests, lakes and it was very, very cold indeed. A brass monkey wouldn't have lasted five minutes.
The obstacle courses were graded into three degrees of difficulty and coded yellow, red and black. The CNEC does not expect everyone who comes here to attain the highest level, but the Legion does, and in particular the REP expects nothing less. Anyone failing to reach the highest level has no place in a commando company and would be moved to other duties within the Regiment on their return. Those who had to drop out through injury would get another chance to complete the course at a later date.
The facility is also used by foreign forces including the UK's Royal Marines, the SAS and the American Seals, and is acknowledged as being one of the best of its kind in the world. France has two other 'extreme warfare schools': the jungle warfare school in French Guyanne and a commando trining centre in Djibouti, both run by the Legion.
Physically, this was the hardest thing I have ever done. As at Collioure, instruction started at walking pace, slowly building our skills and confidence to tackle the most dangerous part of the course, the 'piste noir'.
If you want to continue with me on my voyage of discovery you will have to buy the book. I hope you will find it both enjoyable and instructive.
