Paul-Frédéric Rollet

Paul-Frédéric Rollet (1875–1941) was a Général[1] who led in the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion RMLE,[2] and was the 1st Inspector of the Foreign Legion, a post which he created under his intentions.[1] Rollet accumulated 41 years of military service out of which 33 were in the Legion and also planned the 100th anniversary of the legion on Cameron day of 30 April 1931. Consequently, he was responsible for creating many of the Legion's current traditions.[3]

Paul-Frédéric Rollet
Nickname(s)Le Père Légion (Father of the Legion)
Born(1875-12-20)20 December 1875
Auxerre, France
Died16 April 1941(1941-04-16) (aged 65)
Paris, France
Buried
Aubagne, France
Allegiance France
Service French Army
Years of service1894–1935
RankGénéral
Commands held
Battles/warsWorld War I
AwardsLégion d'honneur
Croix de guerre
Other workFédération des sociétés d'anciens de la Légion étrangère, FSALE

Early life

He was born in Auxerre, France[4] and was admitted to the military school at Saint-Cyr in 1894. Upon graduation, he was initially assigned to the 91st Infantry Regiment (French: 91e régiment d'infanterie)[5] but was later transferred to the 1st Foreign Regiment 1er RE in Sidi-bel-Abbes, Algeria.

Military career

Rollet served first in Algeria from 1899 to 1902, then in Madagascar from 1902 to 1905, prior to returning to Algeria from 1905 to 1909. Promoted to captain in March 1909, he commanded the 3rd mounted combat company of the 1st marching battalion of the 2nd Foreign Regiment, 2e R.E from 1909 to 1914.

While World War I erupted, Rollet was on leave in France. Insisting to be on the front, he was assigned to the 31st Line Infantry Regiment (French: 31st Line Infantry Regiment), then to the 331 Infantry Regiment (French: 331st Infantry Regiment). Wounded twice, he was promoted by delegation to Chef de bataillon (Commandant – Major), based on the recommendation of général Henri Joseph Eugène Gouraud. Following several victories, he was confirmed as a Chef de battalion.

On 18 May 1917 he was assigned to the Foreign Legion and became the regimental commander of the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (R.M.L.E) as a lieutenant-colonel. Under his command, the regiment covered itself with excellence during combats of Hangard-en-Santerre, La Montagnde de Paris, then in piercing the Hindenburg Line, a combat battle which would later be designated as the anniversary of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment 3e REI, heir to the traditions of the R.M.L.E. The regimental colors of the R.M.L.E were subsequently decorated with four new citations (with five previous citations already) as well as the double Fourragere, with colors of the Légion d'honneur and Croix de guerre. At the end of the war of 1914–1918, he participated in campaigns in Morocco with his regiment, which would be designated as the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment 3e REI.[6]

Consequently, Rollet was promoted to colonel. In 1925, he assumed command as regimental commander of the 1st Foreign Regiment 1e RE at Sidi-Bel-Abbès. He would remain until planning the 100th anniversary (the centennial) of the French Foreign Legion on Cameron day of 30 April 1931.[7]

On 1 April 1931 Rollet assumed command tenure as the 1st Inspector of the Foreign Legion, a post which he specifically created under his intentions.[1]

Following years of service, Rollet retired on 20 December 1935, having accumulated 41 years of military service out of which 33 years were in the Legion.

Later life and death

In his final years of service, he dedicated his career to the organization of the modern French Foreign Legion and the realization of considerable social profits to active legionnaires as well as those on retirement. He would later pursue social donation actions in that respect after concluding his service.

Rollet died in Paris on 16 April 1941. He was originally buried at the French Foreign Legion's Headquarters in Sidi-bel-Abbes in Algeria. When the Legion left Algeria in 1962 his remains were one of three chosen to be reinterred at the Legion's new headquarters in Aubagne, France.

Legacy

He is surnamed Père de la Légion (Father of the Legion),[1] an honorary title.[3] This title is reflected in his organization of Legion units, as well as the brotherhood he assimilated to his men.

Rollet made major contributions to promoting and preserving the Legion's history, traditions and mystique.[8] The legion always maintained an institutional reputation of legendary and honorable values.

Recognitions and honors

Général Rollet's awards include:[9]

Grand officier de la Légion d'honneur Croix de guerre 1914–1918 Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieurs
Croix du combattant Chevalier de l'Ordre du mérite agricole Médaille coloniale Médaille commémorative de la grande guerre
Médaille interalliée Médaille commémorative de la bataille de la Somme Médaille commémorative de la bataille de Verdun Médaille commémorative du Maroc
Order of the Crown (Romania) Ordre du prince Danilo Order of Civil Merit Grand officier de l'ordre du Nichan Iftikhar
Order of the Oak Crown Order of Ouissam Alaouite Order of Saint-Charles Royal Order of Cambodia

List of decorations

Orders, decorations, and medals of France

Orde, decorations and Foreign medals

See also

References
  1. Division General Commandant of the French Foreign Legion, Les Chefs COMLE
  2. François Garijo; Jean-Marc Truchet (1 January 2003). La Légion et les Spahis dans la conquête du Maroc: 1880–1934 : la guerre du Rif, 1921–1926. La Plume du temps. p. 92. ISBN 978-2-913788-42-8.
  3. Guillaume Piketty (2009). Français en résistance: carnets de guerre, correspondances, journaux personnels. R. Laffont. p. 485. ISBN 978-2-221-10143-8.
  4. Jean-Denis G.G. Lepage (11 December 2007). The French Foreign Legion: An Illustrated History. McFarland. pp. 107–. ISBN 978-0-7864-6253-7.
  5. Eric H. Boehm (1983). Historical Abstracts: Modern history abstracts, 1775–1914. American Bibliographical Center, Clio. p. 112.
  6. Louis Saurel (1965). La Légion étrangère. Éditions Rouff. p. 125.
  7. Ces cérémonies commémoraient le centenaire de la création de la Légion étrangère, en 1831, mais furent célébrées le jour anniversaire du combat de Camerone
  8. "CÉRÉMONIE A LA MÉMOIRE DU Gl ROLLET ". AMICALE des MARINS et MARINS ANCIENS COMBATTANTS.
  9. P.-F. Rollet sur le site phaléristique
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