3485) The Armenian / Eastern Legion (Légion Arménienne / Légion dOrient)

Alternative Title
The Armenian Legion
Story

The Eastern / Armenian Legion (1916-1920). After negotiations in September and October 1916, between the paint Noumpar Pasha and the French authorities, the Eastern Legion (Légion d'Orient) was formally established in Cairo in November 1916 would be an auxiliary unit of the French Army, which consisted by Armenian volunteers from the Middle East, Europe and North America, whose purpose would be the release of Cilicia of the Ottoman Empire, with the aim of creating an independent Armenian state in the region. Several Armenian organizations pledged contributions to form battalions of the Legion. After negotiations with the British authorities decided that the training of volunteers will take place in Monarga in the Karpas peninsula, Cyprus. The camp was built in December 1916 by refugees from the Armenian Genocide and in January 1917 began the arrival of volunteers, which continued throughout the course of 1917 and 1918 The selection and training were quite strict. The camp consisted of the headquarters, barracks, various auxiliary facilities (including a Havouzas) and a small chapel. . . .


Overall, there were 4,124 volunteers who formed three battalions. The camp commander was Lieutenant Colonel of Infantry Louis Romieu and spiritual pastor was Archbishop Taniel Chakopian, assisted by Archimandrite Krikor Bachlavouni, which later became known as "Topal Vartampet" (Archimandrite Koutsos). The training was completed by May 1918 and then the largest member of the Legion developed in Palestine, noting the famous Battle of APAP on 19 September 1918 the 3rd Battalion left Cyprus in October 1918 In December 1918 the Legion - comprised 4 battalions, 4,368 soldiers and 66 officers - settled in the region of Cilicia as part of the French mandate, where he remained until disbanded in August 1920 the February 1919 and officially named Armenian Legion (Légion Arménienne). After the dissolution of the Legion, only a very small number of Legionnaires returned to Cyprus. It is worth mentioning that in the Armenian cemetery in Larnaca is tomb 9 Legionnaires killed in action ", which was built by the French Consulate in the late 1940s Today, very little remains of what was the camp of the Legion , now in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus. The Eastern / Armenian Legion (1916-1920). After negotiations in September and October 1916, between Boghos Noubar Pasha and the French authorities, the Eastern Legion (Légion d'Orient) was officially established in Cairo in November 1916. It was to be an auxiliary unit of the French Military, which would be composed of Armenian volunteers from the Middle East, Europe and North America, whose aim was to liberate Cilicia from the Ottoman Empire, for the purpose of creating an independent Armenian state in that region. Several Armenian organisations pledged contributions to form companies of the Legion. After negotiations with the British authorities, it was decided that the training of the volunteers would take place at Monarga, in the Carpass peninsula of Cyprus. The camp was built in December 1916 by Armenian Genocide refugees and in January 1917 the arrival of the volunteers started, which continued throughout 1917 and 1918. The selection and training were rather strict. The camp consisted of the headquarters, the barracks, various auxiliary installations (including a basin) and a small chapel. In total, there were 4.124 volunteers, who formed 3 battalions. The commander of the camp was Infantry Lieutenant Colonel Louis Romieu and the spiritual shepherd was Archbishop Taniel Hagopian, assisted by Archimandrite Krikor Bahlavouni, who later became known as "Topal Vartabed" (Lame Archimandrite). Training was completed by May 1918 and then most of the Legion was deployed in Palestine, marking the famous Battle of Arara on 19 September 1918. The 3rd battalion left Cyprus in October 1918. In December 1918 the Legion - consisting of 4 battalions, 4.386 soldiers and 66 officers - settled in the Cilicia region as part of the French mandate, where it remained until it was disbanded in August 1920. In February 1919 it was officially called Armenian Legion (Légion Arménienne). After the dissolution of the Legion, only a very small number of Legionnaires returned to Cyprus. It is worth mentioning that in the Armenian cemetery of Larnaca there is a group grave of 9 Legionnaires who were killed in action, commissioned by the French Consulate in the late 1940s. Today, very little remains in what used to be the camp of the Legion, currently located in the Turkish-occupied area of ​​Cyprus.
Contributed on behalf of
Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra / Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra
Summary description of items
Photos from the book "Տիգրան Յ. Պօյաճեան: Հայկական Լէգէոնը, Պատմական Յուշագրութիւն (Ուօթրթաուն Մէս: 1965)", http://www.armenews.com/article.php3?id_article=47820
The story begins ...
1916 - 1920
Language
English and Greek
Keywords
Remembrance and Trench Life

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