Legioneers in Libya 9/16/40

[robot]

September 16, 1940
Halfaya Libya
1600 Hours

I have been given command of 3 companys of French Legioneers. Some of the roughest and toughest men I have ever seen. But these are not the veterans of many battles in the desert. These are mostly all new recruits. Most have come from other French units that were disbanded after Paris fell. And I understand a lot have come from prisons around France that collapsed as the Germans entered our country. I was given command in May and have been working hard to bring tham into fighting shape.

We have been getting ready here just outside of Halfaya Libya for the past month. We have dug in and are awaiting the Italians to begin there push through us. Visability is very good up near 1050 yards. There is a slight haze hanging around over the hills but nothing to obstruct our view. Our gunners should have a clear view as the enemy approches our front lines in plenty of time to do alot of damage before they reach us.

I have done all I can to prepare these men I just hope it is enough. For a lot of them it is the first time they have ever fired a shot in anger at another man. Only time will tell how well our men will do and if they can handle the horrors of war.

Viva La Paree Viva La france

HQ:VII Legioneers
Col: Henri DuBois Commanding

[robot]

September 16, 1940
Halfaya Libya
1630 Hours

The italians did not put up much of a fight today. They are withdrawing from the battle field in droves. Our gunners were dead on with there shooting today, And what with it being a very clear and mild day thay really went to town on the Italian armor. we took out an awful lot of Italian armor in only 30 minutes of shooting. The barrels on our guns were red hot and glowing with an erie light. The gunners were at times so busy they never had a chance to light one cigarette today. Hell of a way to cut back on smoking. Any ways we took out 115 of there tanks and sent 630 men to there maker today. Also they lost 2 artty and 7 trucks to our muderous fire.

Our losses were very minamum today only lost 29 men mostly to artty fire from there side. All in all it was a great battle for these men what with it being there very first battle. They all fought very well and we had no runners at all. Looks like we are going to have one hell of a fighting force. Viva La france.

HQ: VII Legioneers
Col: Henri DuBois Commanding