Constituted in the form of a regiment of dragoons (mounted cavalry) during the Ancien Regime by the Marquis de Barbezières in Languedoc in 1676, this cavalry regiment, one of the oldest, adopted the appellation of 13e Régiment de dragons (English: 13th Dragoon Regiment) during the reorganization of the French cavalry units in 1791. The regiment was transformed into an armoured corps in 1936, then an airborne-capable reconnaissance unit in 1952.
The 13e RDP was transformed into a long-range recon unit. During the Cold War, the main mission of the 13e RDP was to provide intelligence for the 1st Army, while each company of the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment 1er RPIMa would provide intelligence for one Army Corps.
The 13e RDP took part in the Gulf War. This was highlighted when three operators were captured by the Iraqis in late 1990. The 13e RDP was, along with other French units, heavily involved in the Kosovo War and used tactics and technology to force Serbian armour to attempt to engage Kosovo Liberation Army and other Allied forces in the open, which enabled them to be destroyed by Allied bombing, particularly by the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force. The 13e RDP also contributed to the capture of Momčilo Krajišnik in 2001 by close range recons.
Mission
The mission for the regiment is to acquire human intelligence at any time and in any hostile environments (aquatic, cold mountain, equatorial forest, desert), behind enemy lines, using small autonomous and discreet units, able to position itself closer to acquire intelligence, and transmit. For this kind of mission, units of the 13th practice what they call "hideout", that is to say, operations camouflage living areas for observation and transmission, but also evolved into more modern and urban modes of action (installation of cameras / sensors and remote viewing). The regiment is officially in charge of the research of strategic intelligence.
The high skill level of 13e RDP operatives in special reconnaissance means that they are often requested by other forces. The Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale keeps a close relationship with the 13e RDP to train its gendarmes in forward recon for hostage rescue operations in hostile environments. The Équipes d'Observation en Profondeur (EOP, forward control teams) of French artillery regiments use the standard operating procedures of the 13e RDP. 13e RDP operators are also reported to be highly requested to join the Service Action of the Direction générale de la sécurité extérieure (D.G.S.E, French Intelligence Service).
13e RDP and Intelligence role
13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment Scouts
In April 1960, the French Army in Germany decided to form an experimental long range intelligence company, the 7th company of Commandos, based on earlier work in Indochina and Algeria. The 7th company developed survival and reconnaissance procedures for operating behind enemy lines. These methods and procedures and personnel are absorbed by the 13e RDP. This led to the 13e RDP from 1963 being formally tasked with its current 'Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol' missions.
Finally in 1968, the French Army laid out a plan for conversion of the regiment completely to its new task. Pending the creation of the new 1st Army in 1972, EMA decided to implement this plan, restructuring the regiment. The 13e RDP is then made available to the Army to be used in Germany in a stay-behind role in case of war.[1]
The Regiment was initially subordinate to the BRGE (French Army's military intelligence and electronic warfare Brigade). Nowadays, the 13e RDP is part of the French Special Operations Command[2]
Organization
The Regiment is currently composed of seven squadrons:
Four "search", or intelligence, squadrons. They provide the Regiment's recon teams.
One long-range communications squadron. They provide a secure communications link between deployed recon teams and higher headquarters.
One exploitation squadron.
One training squadron. They are responsible for providing in-house training courses and certifying new unit members.
Equipment
13e RDP is equipped with standard French Army material, but has access to specialized weapons and equipment when needed. In the event that a "silenced" weapon is required teams can be equipped with MP5SD submachine guns. When heavy fire power is considered necessary, recon teams are known to carry the M-203 40 mm grenade launcher, and the 5.56mm Minimi LMG. Vehicle mounted teams may arm their vehicles with a variety of heavy weapons including Browning .50 cal heavy machine guns, US MK-19 40 mm automatic grenade launchers, and light machine guns.
The vehicle-mounted teams are equipped with Panhard VPSs, heavily armed P-4 Jeeps and Peugeot motorcycles.
Training
Each member of the 13e RDP are trained in the hand-to-hand combat system of Techniques of Close Operational Interventions (French: Technique d'intervention opérationnelle rapprochée, TIOR) which is a mix of Krav Maga & boxing[citation needed]
Traditions
Motto
The motto of the 13e RDP, is Au-delà du possible ("Beyond the possible").
^Sinai, Tamir (8 December 2020). "Eyes on target: 'Stay-behind' forces during the Cold War". War in History. 28 (3): 681–700. doi:10.1177/0968344520914345. p.13
^. Archived from the original on 2016-11-04. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
External links
13e RDP official site (in French)
13e RDP official Facebook webpage (in French)
Official site of the 13th Regiment veterans (in French)
January 06, 2023
13th, parachute, dragoon, regiment, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, december, 2012, learn, when, remove, this,. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations December 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message The 13e Regiment de Dragons Parachutistes English 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment or 13e RDP is a special reconnaissance regiment of the French Army It is a unit of the French Army Special Forces Command the latter itself being under the Special Operations Command The regiment is based in Martignas sur Jalle 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment13e Regiment de Dragons ParachutistesActiveOctober 4 1676 presentCountry FranceBranchFrench ArmyTypeSpecial ForcesRoleSpecial ReconnaissancePart ofFrench Army Special Forces CommandGarrison HQMartignas sur JalleMotto s Au dela du possible Above and beyond the possible Abbreviation13e RDP Constituted in the form of a regiment of dragoons mounted cavalry during the Ancien Regime by the Marquis de Barbezieres in Languedoc in 1676 this cavalry regiment one of the oldest adopted the appellation of 13e Regiment de dragons English 13th Dragoon Regiment during the reorganization of the French cavalry units in 1791 The regiment was transformed into an armoured corps in 1936 then an airborne capable reconnaissance unit in 1952 Contents 1 Creation and lineage 2 Campaign history since 1792 3 History since 1945 3 1 Post World War II 4 Mission 5 13e RDP and Intelligence role 5 1 Organization 5 2 Equipment 5 3 Training 6 Traditions 6 1 Motto 6 2 Insignia 6 3 Regimental Colors 6 4 Honours 6 4 1 Battle honours 6 5 Decorations 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksCreation and lineage EditLike many regiments in European militaries of the 17th and 18th centuries the regiment often changed name to reflect its current commander or patron 1676 4 October formation of the regiment in Languedoc by the Marquis de Barbezieres as Dragoon de Barbezieres 1714 designated as Dragoon de Goesbriand 1724 12 December designated as Dragoon de Conde 1744 designated as Dragoon de Bartillat 1774 designated as Dragoon Comte de Provence then in the same year designated as Dragoon de Monsieur 1791 designated as 13e Dragoon Regiment 1815 dissolution of the regiment after the Napoleonic wars 1855 Reformation of a Dragoon regiment designated as the Dragoon Regiment of the Empress in reference to The Empress Eugenie de Montijo 1870 re designated as the 13e Dragoon Regiment 1936 Mechanized as an armoured regiment receiving Somua and Hotchkiss tanks 1940 again disbanded after losing 90 of its strength 1944 New formation 1946 Regiment disbanded post WW2 1952 reorganization and re trained as the 13e Parachute Dragoon Regiment Campaign history since 1792 Edit13th Dragoon Regiment 1792 to 1815 1792 Valmy Vouziers 1793 Armee de Belgique La Roer 1794 Armee du Nord Grave Capture of Breda 1797 Rhine Crossing Diersheim Hasslach 1799 Frauenfeld Rapperschwyl First Battle of Zurich 1800 Fregelhurts Gorges Enfer sieges of Ingolstadt and Hohenlinden 1805 Crossing the Rhine Crossing the Danube Enns Hollabrun Austerlitz 1806 Prussian and Polish Campaigns Jena Nasielsk Pultusk 1809 Peninsular War La Corogne Oporto Crossing the Tage 1811 Ciudad Real 1812 La Rosas Borodino 1813 German Campaign Leipzig 1814 French Campaign Vauchamps Mormant Saint Dizier 1815 Wavre Battle of RocquencourtDragoon Regiment of The Empress 1855 to 1870 1870 Metz13th Dragoon Regiment 1870 to 1945 1870 Siege of Paris 1914 1918 Frontiers Marne Ypres St Mihiel 1939 1940 Hannut Dunkirk France 1940 1944 45 Operations Venerable and Mousquetaire13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment 13e R D P 1952 present 1956 1961 Algeria 1977 Mauritania 1978 1980 Chad 1978 Zaire 1979 Central African Republic 1980 1986 RCA 1983 1986 Chad 1986 1992 Chad 1986 Togo 1990 1991 Kuwait 1991 Rwanda 1991 Zaire 1992 Yugoslavia 1992 1993 Somalia 1993 Cambodia 1994 Rwanda 1995 Comores 1996 1997 RCA 1997 Albania 1998 Gabon 1999 Macedonia 1999 Kosovo 2001 Afghanistan Cameroon Lebanon Mali Ivory Coast History since 1945 EditPost World War II Edit After World War II the regiment was designated as a parachute unit in 1952 and witnessed yet another transformation The regiment first integrated the 25th Parachute Division constituted in June 1956 following which the regiment was then transferred on July 1 1957 to the 10th Parachute Division during the Algerian War From May 1 1963 to July 31 1963 the regiment was part of the 11th Light Intervention Division 11e DLI The 13e RDP was transformed into a long range recon unit During the Cold War the main mission of the 13e RDP was to provide intelligence for the 1st Army while each company of the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment 1er RPIMa would provide intelligence for one Army Corps Since the end of the Cold War the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment 1e RPIMa has become a direct action unit while the 13e RDP specialized in reconnaissance surveillance operations in hostile environment gathering intelligence for special operations In a way they re similar to the role of the U S Army Long Range Surveillance Detachment or Long Range Surveillance Company The 13e RDP took part in the Gulf War This was highlighted when three operators were captured by the Iraqis in late 1990 The 13e RDP was along with other French units heavily involved in the Kosovo War and used tactics and technology to force Serbian armour to attempt to engage Kosovo Liberation Army and other Allied forces in the open which enabled them to be destroyed by Allied bombing particularly by the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force The 13e RDP also contributed to the capture of Momcilo Krajisnik in 2001 by close range recons Mission EditThe mission for the regiment is to acquire human intelligence at any time and in any hostile environments aquatic cold mountain equatorial forest desert behind enemy lines using small autonomous and discreet units able to position itself closer to acquire intelligence and transmit For this kind of mission units of the 13th practice what they call hideout that is to say operations camouflage living areas for observation and transmission but also evolved into more modern and urban modes of action installation of cameras sensors and remote viewing The regiment is officially in charge of the research of strategic intelligence The high skill level of 13e RDP operatives in special reconnaissance means that they are often requested by other forces The Groupe d Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale keeps a close relationship with the 13e RDP to train its gendarmes in forward recon for hostage rescue operations in hostile environments The Equipes d Observation en Profondeur EOP forward control teams of French artillery regiments use the standard operating procedures of the 13e RDP 13e RDP operators are also reported to be highly requested to join the Service Action of the Direction generale de la securite exterieure D G S E French Intelligence Service 13e RDP and Intelligence role Edit 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment Scouts In April 1960 the French Army in Germany decided to form an experimental long range intelligence company the 7th company of Commandos based on earlier work in Indochina and Algeria The 7th company developed survival and reconnaissance procedures for operating behind enemy lines These methods and procedures and personnel are absorbed by the 13e RDP This led to the 13e RDP from 1963 being formally tasked with its current Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol missions Finally in 1968 the French Army laid out a plan for conversion of the regiment completely to its new task Pending the creation of the new 1st Army in 1972 EMA decided to implement this plan restructuring the regiment The 13e RDP is then made available to the Army to be used in Germany in a stay behind role in case of war 1 The Regiment was initially subordinate to the BRGE French Army s military intelligence and electronic warfare Brigade Nowadays the 13e RDP is part of the French Special Operations Command 2 Organization Edit The Regiment is currently composed of seven squadrons Four search or intelligence squadrons They provide the Regiment s recon teams One long range communications squadron They provide a secure communications link between deployed recon teams and higher headquarters One exploitation squadron One training squadron They are responsible for providing in house training courses and certifying new unit members Equipment Edit 13e RDP is equipped with standard French Army material but has access to specialized weapons and equipment when needed In the event that a silenced weapon is required teams can be equipped with MP5SD submachine guns When heavy fire power is considered necessary recon teams are known to carry the M 203 40 mm grenade launcher and the 5 56mm Minimi LMG Vehicle mounted teams may arm their vehicles with a variety of heavy weapons including Browning 50 cal heavy machine guns US MK 19 40 mm automatic grenade launchers and light machine guns The vehicle mounted teams are equipped with Panhard VPSs heavily armed P 4 Jeeps and Peugeot motorcycles Training Edit Each member of the 13e RDP are trained in the hand to hand combat system of Techniques of Close Operational Interventions French Technique d intervention operationnelle rapprochee TIOR which is a mix of Krav Maga amp boxing citation needed Traditions EditMotto Edit The motto of the 13e RDP is Au dela du possible Beyond the possible Insignia Edit 13e R D P Regimental Colors Edit Honours Edit Battle honours Edit Valmy 1792 Hohenlinden 1800 Austerlitz 1805 Iena 1806 La Moskowa 1812 Ypres 1914 Verdun 1916 AFN 1952 1962Decorations Edit The regimental colours of the 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment are decorated with Croix de guerre 1939 1945 with 1 palm Croix de la Valeur militaire with 3 palms Gold Medal of the City of MilanSee also EditList of French paratrooper unitsReferences Edit Sinai Tamir 8 December 2020 Eyes on target Stay behind forces during the Cold War War in History 28 3 681 700 doi 10 1177 0968344520914345 p 13 Le COS Presentation Archived from the original on 2016 11 04 Retrieved 2016 10 16 External links Edit13e RDP official site in French 13e RDP official Facebook webpage in French Official site of the 13th Regiment veterans in French Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment amp oldid 1121275652, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
