What we learned about the French Foreign Legion

In 1831, King Louis Philippe of France expanded his country’s fire power by establishing a military branch made up of mostly foreigners: the French Foreign Legion. Immediately after its creation, the Foreign Legion recruited fighters from Switzerland, Germany, and other countries to protect and expand the French colonial empire. Despite the Foreign Legion’s involvement in most of France’s wars since being created, the French don’t get too bummed about their losses. Let’s just say, their relationship is complicated. In this episode of the WATM podcast, the editorial team discusses France’s bizarre relationship with its force of foreign fighters.