Diary Of A Legionnaire Pdf
The French Foreign Legion–mysterious, romantic, deadly–is filled with men of dubious character, and hardly the place for a proper Englishman just nineteen years of age. Yet in 1960, Simon Murray traveled alone to Paris, Marseilles, and ultimately Algeria to fulfill the toughest contract of his life: a five-year stint in the Legion.
Jan 01, 1978 A gripping diary of an Englishman serving in North Africa with the French Foreign Legion from 1960-65. During the Algerian independence. Murray takes you from his first days of enlistment and basic training through hostile action to La Quille, his honorable discharge. Download and Read Diary Of A Legionnaire My Life In The French Foreign Legion. PDF File: Diary Of A Legionnaire My Life In The French Foreign Legion Page: 1.
Along the way, he kept a diary. Legionnair The French Foreign Legion–mysterious, romantic, deadly–is filled with men of dubious character, and hardly the place for a proper Englishman just nineteen years of age.
Yet in 1960, Simon Murray traveled alone to Paris, Marseilles, and ultimately Algeria to fulfill the toughest contract of his life: a five-year stint in the Legion. Along the way, he kept a diary. Legionnaire is a compelling, firsthand account of Murray’s experience with this legendary band of soldiers. This gripping journal offers stark evidence that the Legion’s reputation for pushing men to their breaking points and beyond is well deserved. In the fierce, sun-baked North African desert, strong men cracked under brutal officers, merciless training methods, and barbarous punishments. Yet Murray survived, even thrived.
For he shared one trait with these hard men from all nations and backgrounds: a determination never to surrender. I first became aware of Simon Murray when I watched on TV one night a special program about the French Foreign Legion in which he acted as the narrator.
I was rather impressed with him, so when I came across this book (after having read the Douglas Porch history of the Legion in the early 1990s), I was eager to read it. From the moment Murray enlists in February 1960, he is put through the rigors of training, which at times was quasi-sadistic, for the NCOs exercised considerable control over the I first became aware of Simon Murray when I watched on TV one night a special program about the French Foreign Legion in which he acted as the narrator. I was rather impressed with him, so when I came across this book (after having read the Douglas Porch history of the Legion in the early 1990s), I was eager to read it. From the moment Murray enlists in February 1960, he is put through the rigors of training, which at times was quasi-sadistic, for the NCOs exercised considerable control over their charges (delighting in giving them grief for the slightest infractions), both in France and in Algeria. Murray saw a fair amount of combat in the Algerian War, mainly in the mountains. He writes honestly of his experiences, sparing no punches, as the following will attest: From diary entry of 17 December 1960: 'DeGaulle has been in Algeria recently and he has been broadcasting speeches which many here regard as treasonous as he outlines his reasons why the Muslims of Algeria should be given the opportunity of deciding their own future.
He is desperately seeking a solution to this war, not for the sake of peace itself but because this endless fight is draining French coffers and, unless the outflow is stemmed, France will soon become an economic wreck. In 1958 when he returned to power in France, deGaulle's words to the French colonials in Algeria were 'Je vous ai compris - Algerie francaise'. It now seems as though he is changing his tune and is looking for a different solution which will give the country independence and yet keep it tied to France. 'But the Arabs are set on total independence, and the French colons are equally determined to retain all that they have here. The colons are extremists in every sense of the word; they do not understand compromise and they will go to extremes to keep what they believe to be theirs by birthright. 'There have been riots during the last few days which have resulted in some two hundred people being killed. Because of this, we are not en alerte.
At the beginning of January there is to be a referendum which will be held in France as well as Algeria. The referendum is understood to be deGaulle asking for a free hand to negotiate with the F.L.N. For the establishment of the Algeria of tomorrow, which will be the first real step to independence, but perhaps on his own terms.' Two years later, Algeria wins its independence.
Legionnaires Disease History
As part of the agreement with France, the French are allowed a limited tenure in some areas of the country (inclusive of the former naval base at Mers-el-Kebir) and oil rights in the Sahara for 5 years. The Legion has to abandon its traditional headquarters at Sidi-bel-Abbes and relocate much of its staff, equipment, and assets to the South of France. But Murray's unit and a few other units of the Legion are allowed to remain in Algeria on a temporary basis.
France was then in flux, having barely survived an attempted coup d'etat. Consequently, given that the Legion no longer had any wars to fight on behalf of la patrie, there was some uncertainty as to whether it would be allowed to remain in existence. (Some Legion officers had sided with the coup leaders who came out of the French Army.) But thankfully the Legion had some farsighted officers in its ranks who helped to secure for it a new raison d'etre and favor with Paris through developing a variety of special skills and roles for itself.
Murray writes well and what struck me the most in reading this book was how a group of men from across the globe (who tended to stick together during basic training in rigid cliques defined by their respective nationalities) were able to be moulded into a cohesive whole, acquiring fluency in French and becoming wholly absorbed in the ethos and spirit of the Legion. Indeed, I would liken the French Foreign Legion of that time to the Jesuit Order as it was when Ignatius Loyola led it. This is an incredibly intense and enthralling story that anyone with a thirst for adventure will love. A classic military memoir. I can't help but be simultaneously struck by the youthful energy of this five-year diary and at the same time by the unusual level of insight and reflection on his own thoughts, actions, and emotions and on the events of the world around him. Murray is not only an excellent observer and storyteller, he is very tough and very talented, as shown both by his accomplishments during his five years in the Legion and by his success in the business world in the decades aft A classic military memoir. I can't help but be simultaneously struck by the youthful energy of this five-year diary and at the same time by the unusual level of insight and reflection on his own thoughts, actions, and emotions and on the events of the world around him.
Murray is not only an excellent observer and storyteller, he is very tough and very talented, as shown both by his accomplishments during his five years in the Legion and by his success in the business world in the decades afterward. I would love to have the chance to sit and talk with him.
There was only one element, albeit not a minor one though he treated it as such, that marred this story for me - a recounting of a nasty incident in which, upon learning that an officer in charge of his platoon had made a homosexual pass at another member of the unit, Murray flew into a rage and beat the officer up - the homophobia involved was considered a normal attitude in the 1960s, and especially in a military organization, but it is nonetheless very ugly. If I could talk with Mr.
Murray now, I'd also ask him how he felt about that event after decades of reflection. Still, overall this was a very well-written and remarkable story. A 5 year, 4 Star diary of a young Englishman who joins the French Foreign Legion in 1960 when he is turned down by the British Army and is stuck in an iron foundry job. He spends his tour in Algeria, the first two years during the Algerian War for independence. Plenty of patrolling the desert and occasional fighting. The second part of his tour of duty is spent in an FFL moving to a peacetime role.
Overall, an interesting picture of the famed fighting organization. Cruel training, lots of wild, A 5 year, 4 Star diary of a young Englishman who joins the French Foreign Legion in 1960 when he is turned down by the British Army and is stuck in an iron foundry job.
He spends his tour in Algeria, the first two years during the Algerian War for independence. Plenty of patrolling the desert and occasional fighting. The second part of his tour of duty is spent in an FFL moving to a peacetime role. Overall, an interesting picture of the famed fighting organization. Cruel training, lots of wild, alcohol-fueled celebrations and unique characters.
Legionnaires Definition
Timeless picture of a foot soldier and a great peek into the FFL. A good book to read when you're feeling sorry for yourself, when you're feeling that your life is just too hard.
When I read about the hardships, punishment, and outright sadism Simon Murray experienced in his five years in the French Foreign Legion, my life appears to be a mere picnic by comparison! But the experiences also seem to have resulted in a camaraderie with comrades-in-arms that lasted far beyond the five years the author signed up for. And they appeared to have well-prepared him for l A good book to read when you're feeling sorry for yourself, when you're feeling that your life is just too hard. When I read about the hardships, punishment, and outright sadism Simon Murray experienced in his five years in the French Foreign Legion, my life appears to be a mere picnic by comparison! But the experiences also seem to have resulted in a camaraderie with comrades-in-arms that lasted far beyond the five years the author signed up for. And they appeared to have well-prepared him for life as a businessman in Asia, an adventurer, and an explorer (after 5 years of hell in the Legion, everything else must seem like a piece of cake!). After working a number of years with investment houses, he several times started his own investment companies, in partnership with impressive folks like the Rothschilds and Deutsche Bank, which he then sold for enormous sums of money.
He was also instrumental in helping start the British telecom Orange, something he found amusing considering that during his five years in the Legion, he never made or received a single phone call. At 60 years of age, he completed the Marathon des Sables, a 242 km race across the Moroccan desert.
At the age of 63, Murray became the oldest man to reach the South Pole unsupported. His wife, Jennifer, was the first woman to fly around the world in a helicopter.
Or maybe he was just a tough guy to start with:). Murray has been there and done that. And with a dose of flair rarely seen these days.
Apart from a really impressive first-hand account of a turning point in the Legion, coinciding with the very end and short afterwards of the Algerian War, it is a riveting text, an open-hearted account of a young gentleman's venture through a rough, tough environment, under a humble and positive attitude. Even readers who are not that much into military history might find this book a refreshing narrative of a Mr.
Murray has been there and done that. And with a dose of flair rarely seen these days. Apart from a really impressive first-hand account of a turning point in the Legion, coinciding with the very end and short afterwards of the Algerian War, it is a riveting text, an open-hearted account of a young gentleman's venture through a rough, tough environment, under a humble and positive attitude. Even readers who are not that much into military history might find this book a refreshing narrative of a boy's journey into adult life.
For literature, just as the Legion Etrangere, may have the power to bring us all together - and expertly so under the pen of Mr. Couldn't put it down, and was completely carried away by the emotion conveyed by his lines - from laughter to the verge of tears. One of the best books about the Foreing Legion out there. It explains very well the life of a Legionaire in Africa before 1964 when the Legion was stationed there.
A lot of adventures within every page of the book. The life of a Legionaire from the perspective of an Englishman. I would recommand this book to anyone who is interested of finding out more about the Legion`s history and day to day life in Africa and for anyone who loves to read army stories. Do not compare it to the modern day One of the best books about the Foreing Legion out there. It explains very well the life of a Legionaire in Africa before 1964 when the Legion was stationed there. A lot of adventures within every page of the book. The life of a Legionaire from the perspective of an Englishman.
I would recommand this book to anyone who is interested of finding out more about the Legion`s history and day to day life in Africa and for anyone who loves to read army stories. Do not compare it to the modern day Foreing Legion because they are very two different things. The best feeling I had while reading the book was, wanting it to shred it and after a few pages later wanting to get an extra copy, for me personaly was that good of a book. Great experience, had a blast reading it and will recommand it to anyone who enjoys army story books.
It is not a great work of fiction or non-fiction, it is not particularly well-known, and yet, this is one of the few books where I can honestly say, I did not want to put down and I continued reading till well past my bedtime. Simon Murray was a recruit and promoted to Corporal during a period of upheaval in the FFL. His motivations for wanting to be a Legionnaire are a little vague (besides a broken heart), but recognisable among all of us who have had the urge sometimes to test our Strange. It is not a great work of fiction or non-fiction, it is not particularly well-known, and yet, this is one of the few books where I can honestly say, I did not want to put down and I continued reading till well past my bedtime.
Simon Murray was a recruit and promoted to Corporal during a period of upheaval in the FFL. His motivations for wanting to be a Legionnaire are a little vague (besides a broken heart), but recognisable among all of us who have had the urge sometimes to test our limits and to leave everything behind and take off into the great unknown. The romance of the Legion is quickly debuffed through Murray's writing. His observations were, at times, hilarious and sometimes chilling, and he certainly makes it clear that the FFL is no place for weakness. The French Foreign Legion is tough. I had seen a passing reference to the Legion in another book - something along the lines of 'a legionnaire will drop dead before he stops marching.'
These guys were supposed to be the hardest of the hard-core. There doesn't seem to be much decent written about the Legion in English, but Simon Murray's 'Legionnaire' seemed to get reasonable reviews. And I've got to confess - I loved this book.
Murray's unflappable, deadpan commentary livens up a book whic Merde! The French Foreign Legion is tough.
I had seen a passing reference to the Legion in another book - something along the lines of 'a legionnaire will drop dead before he stops marching.' These guys were supposed to be the hardest of the hard-core. There doesn't seem to be much decent written about the Legion in English, but Simon Murray's 'Legionnaire' seemed to get reasonable reviews. And I've got to confess - I loved this book. Murray's unflappable, deadpan commentary livens up a book which would otherwise be overwhelmingly bleak. Murray's time in the Legion had its fair share of boredom, brutality and close calls with death (although fewer than I would have expected). He doesn't shy away from describing the senseless violence of the Legion, but he also always seems to find a bit of good in every bad experience.
His writing style and perspective seem to be those of a much older man. Throughout his 5 years, he portrays himself as maintaining an aloof manner and a stiff-upper-lip British sensibility that I find a bit difficult to believe. But who am I to judge? The guy ran away from home and joined the French Foreign Legion at age 19 - and thrived. But man - is the Legion rough. I hadn't realized it, but anyone can join the French Foreign Legion - you don't actually have to be French. But, given that joining the Legion is like volunteering to get a burning poker jammed into your spleen.
Recruits end up mostly being criminals fleeing from justice. They hail from all over the place - but predominantly Western Europe. But your fellow soldiers aren't the ones to worry about - it's your commanding officers who can really make your life hell.
The sadism of some of these guys is incredible. Murray spends a lot of the book detailing his adjustment to the brutality of his first year in the Legion.
Murray was also in the Legion during a critical period of its history. During Murray's 5 years, Algeria was agitating for its independence and the Legion staged a putsch to try to prevent the French government from allowing Algeria to break away.
Although Murray wasn't actually involved in any of the violence, it's fascinating to hear his perspective on the chaos and confusion that sloshed around the Legion at that time. It's a pretty incredible story, made even more so by the fact that Murray went on to found Orange (the telecom) and became chairman of DeutscheBank Asia. His life story is nuts - although it made a bit more sense when I found out that his family was super wealthy. Amazing story. Normally I shy away from books laid out like a diary displaying dates on every page, but Legionnaire was an exception. Sometimes the training stories got so brutal I had to put it down and sweat. But you can see that after Simon Murray made it through what he made it through in the French Foreign Legion he could do anything.
Even Amway would be easy. Like George W. Bush's biography this one was written clearly and cleanly.
And not being a political biography, Mr. Murray simpl Amazing story. Normally I shy away from books laid out like a diary displaying dates on every page, but Legionnaire was an exception. Sometimes the training stories got so brutal I had to put it down and sweat. But you can see that after Simon Murray made it through what he made it through in the French Foreign Legion he could do anything. Even Amway would be easy.
Like George W. Bush's biography this one was written clearly and cleanly. And not being a political biography, Mr. Murray simply told it as he saw it. One thing that non-Baby Boomers don't realize, is that us boys growing up, when we'd have a really hard time with our parents, we would threaten to run off and 'join the French Foreign Legion.' If we'da known how tough it was we wouldn't have been saying that. Legionnaire: My Five Years in the French Foreign Legion by Simon Murray (Times Books 1978)(Biography).
This is a firsthand account of one who joined the French Foreign Legion for the minimum five-year hitch, and who not only survived but thrived. This is a brutal and fascinating account. My rating: 7.5/10, finished 1980. I first read this book in 1979 or 1980. My dear Aunt Sue Lowery and I watched a show about the Legion at her home in New Bern, and she had Hayden track it down at the Craven Cou Legionnaire: My Five Years in the French Foreign Legion by Simon Murray (Times Books 1978)(Biography). This is a firsthand account of one who joined the French Foreign Legion for the minimum five-year hitch, and who not only survived but thrived.
This is a brutal and fascinating account. My rating: 7.5/10, finished 1980. I first read this book in 1979 or 1980. My dear Aunt Sue Lowery and I watched a show about the Legion at her home in New Bern, and she had Hayden track it down at the Craven County Library for me.
I enjoyed it then, and I have just reread it 7/18/16. While the book was still entertaining, I believe that I enjoyed the memory of being with Aunt Sue more! Jesus what is it with me and the Foreign Legion? Meant to read this a while back but ended up reading another book on the FFL. This one is a better account; partly because Murray is a more insightful and better writer - he went on to be one of the founders of the Orange mobile network; and partly because he was a legionnaire at the end of the French Algerian conflict when many Legionnaires supported the 'pied-noirs' (French colonists) and at one stage planned to parachute into Paris to overthrow Jesus what is it with me and the Foreign Legion? Meant to read this a while back but ended up reading another book on the FFL.
This one is a better account; partly because Murray is a more insightful and better writer - he went on to be one of the founders of the Orange mobile network; and partly because he was a legionnaire at the end of the French Algerian conflict when many Legionnaires supported the 'pied-noirs' (French colonists) and at one stage planned to parachute into Paris to overthrow the de Gaulle regime in a military coup. It's in diary format so can be a bit episodic and is sometimes a bit too obviously written by a 19 year old but an east enough read. Adventurer and businessman Simon Murray. As a teenager, nursing a broken heart and determined to prove himself, he joined the French Foreign Legion. Fighting in the Algerian war, he risked his life many times over; combat was at close quarters and was very bloody. Next, he set his sights on business - he ran some of the most well-known companies in South East Asia and was one of Chris Patten's key Adventurer and businessman Simon Murray. As a teenager, nursing a broken heart and determined to prove himself, he joined the French Foreign Legion.
Fighting in the Algerian war, he risked his life many times over; combat was at close quarters and was very bloody. Next, he set his sights on business - he ran some of the most well-known companies in South East Asia and was one of Chris Patten's key allies during the handover of Hong Kong. Then, in his 60s and looking for a new challenge, he chanced upon the idea of polar adventure, and went on to become the oldest person to walk unsupported to the South Pole. But after all this, his greatest achievement, he says, is his marriage. Perhaps it's no surprise that his wife of 43 years, Jennifer, is the first woman to have flown a helicopter solo around the world.