The 13e Régiment de Dragons Parachutistes (13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment or 13e RDP) is a special forces unit of the French Army. Based in Martignas-sur-Jalle it chiefly belongs to the French Army Special Forces and the Special Operations Command. Originally raised in 1676 as a dragoon (mounted cavalry) regiment, it has undergone several transitions and has settled into its current formation since 1952.
1. Motto, Symbols, Patches and History
1.1 Motto
The motto of the 13e RDP is:
“Au-delà du possible” – “Beyond the possible”
1.2 Symbols
The unit uses several notable pieces of insignia or symbols. Below is the insignia of the 13e RDP and it shows several notable features.
- Imperial eagle which stems from its original unit structures under the French Empire
- Gold Imperial crown placed at the top of the badge
- The name of the unit features at the bottom of the badge
The unit operators also use the paratrooper certificate, and badge and its operators use the amaranth beret with the beret badge of paratrooper units of the French Army (see below).
1.3 Patches
The 13e RDP unit operators generally use the Army Special Forces Command (Commandement des forces spéciales Terre – COM FST) badge as a patch. Due to its long-range mission scope, its operators seldom utilize other patches, as they typically deploy deep within enemy territory and cover vast distances.
1.4 History of the 13e RDP
The 13e RDP has gone through various changes and redesignations over the years. Like many continental European militaries of the 17th and 18th centuries, its name reflected either its at-the-time patron or its commander.
- 1676: Formed in Languedoc by the Marquis de Barbezières and known as the Dragoon de Barbezières
- 1714: Designated as the Dragoon de Goesbriand
- 1724: Designated as the Dragoon de Condé [Source]
- 1744: Designated as the Dragoon de Barillat
- 1774: Designated as the Dragoon Comte-de-Provence and later that year designated as the Dragoon de Monsieur
- 1791: Designated as the 13e Dragoon Regiment
- 1815: Dissolved after the Napoleonic wars
- 1855: Reformed and redesignated as the Dragoon Regiment of the Empress (referring to Empress Eugénie de Montijo
- 1870: Redesignated as the 13e Dragoon Regiment
- 1914-1918: took part in WW1 [Source]
- 1936: Mechanised and received Souma and Hotchkiss tanks [Source]
- 1940: Disbanded after losing 90% of its strength
- 1944: Reformed [Source]
- 1946: Disbanded following WW2
- 1952: Reorganised and retrained as the 13e Parachute Dragoon Regiment
- 1952: Took part in operations in Algeria
- 1963: The regiment moved to Dieuze
- 1990: Took part in the Gulf War where three of its operators were captured by Iraqi forces [Source]
2. Organisation
The 13e RDP is organised into seven unit ‘squadrons’ with a further unit designation which collects the administrative and logistic functions of the group.
- 1er Escadron 1er – Specialised training squadron, which is responsible for training personnel, officers and NCOs (non-commissioned officers) for airborne missions.
- 2e Escadron 2e – Squadron which focuses’ on maritime, inland water, and jungle environments
- 3e Escadron 3e – Squadron which focuses’ on mountain infiltration and is specialised in extreme cold environments
- 4e Escadron 4e – Squadron which focuses’ on reconnaissance and surveillance in desert environments
- 5e Escadron 5e – Squadron which focuses’ on HAHO/HALO (High altitude high opening/High altitude low opening) infiltrations and urban areas
- 6e Escadron 6e – Squadron which focuses’ on drone and technical support, including surveillance to the other squadrons
- 7e Escadron – Squadron which focuses on intelligence collection and analysis
- ECL – Squadron which focuses’ on command and logistics. Brings together the Operations Instruction Office (BOI), Human Resources Department (DRH), Maintenance and Logistics Office (BML) and the Administration and Budget Coordination Section (SCAB)
2.1 Place within the French Army
During the Cold War, the French Army stationed the unit as a long-range stay-behind unit which would conduct intelligence gathering and demolitions after being surpassed by Warsaw Pact Troops. [Source]
Since the end of the Cold War, the unit has taken on a specialised role focusing on reconnaissance and surveillance operations in hostile environments. Using small teams it will place their operators in positions through varying means of infiltration and gather information on opposition forces. [Source]
Initially subordinate to the BRGE (French Army military intelligence and Electronic Warfare Brigade), it is now a part of the French Special Operations Command (Commandement des Forces Spéciales Terre, COM FST). [Source]
2.2 Key Figures of 13e RDP
Because of its special forces nature, the unit conceals the identities of its current operators. However, several notable historical figures were part of the regiment under one designation or another.
- Jean Larrieu – Second in command of the unit between 1961 and 1963. He took part in Operation Jedburgh (an operation aimed at coordinating the actions of French resistance and allied forces). The Soviets were suspected of assassinating him. [Source]
- Daniel Divry – He participated in the Norwegian campaign with the 342nd Autonomous Combat Tank Company. He was relocated to England following the fall of France in WW2. He joined the Free French forces and fought in many campaigns during the War. In 1954, he received an assignment to the 13th Dragoon Regiment in Castres, where he served as the Director of Instruction. [Source]
2.3 Recruitment to 13e RDP
The 13e RDP recruits from all of the French army and its military personnel. However, recruits have to volunteer to their commanding officer if they wish to be a part of the unit. Civilians are open to applying to the 13e RDP and they have to contact the closest French Army recruitment Centre. [Source]
2.4 Training
The 13e RDP offers several training courses that prospective recruits must complete before they qualify for further training and membership within the unit.
- Initial training – 11 weeks
- Initial speciality training – 17 weeks
- Paratrooper certification – 2 weeks
- Military driving training
Upon completion of this course, recruits have to undergo the following course.
- Basic speciality training – 29 weeks
- Basic general training – 8 weeks (If one wishes to become an officer or a member of the management staff)
3. Equipment of the 13e RDP
3.1 Weapons
Due to the secretive nature of the unit, many of its weapons are unknown. However, it is presumed to use the weapons which have either been confirmed to be used by or pictured with other French special forces units.
- Pistols
- HK USP Compact Tactical
- Glock 17
- Sub-machine guns (SMG)
- HK MP5 A5/SD3
- HK MP7 A1/A2
- FN P90
- Assault rifles (AR)
- HK416 F/D14.5RS/A5
- FN SCAR-L
- SIG MCX VIRTUS
- SIG SG 553
- Sniper and anti-materiel rifles
- HK 417
- PGM Ultima Ratio
- Sako TRG-42
- Cadex CDX-40 Shadow (Elsa)
- PGM Hécate II
- Barret M107
- Machine Guns (MG)
- FN Evolys
- M2 Browning
- M134 Minigun
- Shotguns
- Benelli M4 Super 90
- Mossberg 500
- Grenade Launchers
- Milkor MGL
- Heckler and Koch GMG
3.2 Vehicles
The 13e RDP is presumed to use several vehicles which are in common use with other French special forces units. This includes:
- Panhard VPS
- Quad Polaris
- Eurocopter Caracal
3.3 13e RDP Kit
The 13e RDP uses a variety of camouflage, kit and armour systems which have either been confirmed or pictured in use with the unit’s operators. These are but not limited to:
- COM FST-specific camouflage
- COM FST-specific ballistic vests
- Casque TC F NVG V2 (helmet system)
- Thales JVN Bonie HP (High Performance) (NVG)
4. Tactical-Operational Information
Before its redesignation as a long-range reconnaissance unit, the 13e RDP was initially a stay-behind unit during the Cold War. This involved the unit being deployed on the European continent and being ‘left behind’ in order to cause havoc behind enemy lines and provide intelligence to NATO forces.
In the current day, the unit functions in a long-range surveillance and intelligence-gathering role which therefore involves using small discreet units to gather information and intelligence. The regiment is officially in charge of the research of strategic intelligence.
[Source]
4.1 Operations of the 13e RDP
The 13e RDP has been involved in several operations which are known to involve the unit. These are, but not limited to:
- The 13e RDP was involved in the French forces who were fighting in Algeria from 1952-1962. Involved in heavy fighting they were pulled out in 1962 where they moved to Dieuze. [Source]
- During the Gulf War in 1990, Iraqi forces captured three parachutists from the 13e RDP while they were conducting a reconnaissance mission deep behind Iraqi lines. [Source]
- Operators from the 13e RDP are believed to have supplied intelligence crucial to the capture and consequently the arrest of Bosnian Serb war criminal Momčilo Krajišnik in 2000. [Source, source]
- 13e RDP operators were involved in French military operations in Mali. A high-ranking officer within the regiment described how the unit’s operators did not shower for several days before their missions since dogs can smell soap. [Source]
5. Conclusion
The 13e RDP is one of the most highly trained and secretive units of the French Army and its special forces. Its current role as a long-range surveillance and intelligence-gathering unit has evidently allowed the group to maintain a high level of proficiency and its operators work in some of the most hostile environments. As one of the components of the French special forces, it has played a part in several of the French Army’s most significant combat theatres and will do so for the foreseeable future.
