Esprit de corps Spanish Legion

legionaries on parade.



legionnaires effigy of christ of death, málaga.

its members, regardless of rank, titled caballero legionario ( legionary knight ). when women admitted, titled dama legionaria ( legionary lady ).
a mística legionaria (legionary spirit) (condensed in twelve-point es:credo legionario -legionary creed-)
legionaries consider novios de la muerte ( bridegrooms of death ). nickname title of 1 of 2 official hymns of spanish legion, other 1 being la cancion del legionario ( legionary s song ). nickname hails first years of corps, when admitted men during times.
when in trouble, legionary shouts ¡a mí la legión! ( me legion! ). within earshot bound him regardless of circumstances. in practice, legionaries never supposed abandon comrade on battlefield.
the legion s march step faster spanish military standard, being 160-180 steps per minute in contrast standard 90 steps per minute.
during holy week processions in málaga, legionaries carry on shoulders christ of death on holy thursday morning. later same afternoon accompany procession through streets of malaga.
under command of josé millán-astray, legion s motto ¡viva la muerte! ( long live death! ) fell disuse after death of francisco franco.


mascot of spanish legion (goat)



the legion had several mascots during history, such monkeys, chickens, capercaillies, wild boars, barbary sheep (spanish, arruis), bears or parrots. modern legion has goat mascot of unit. appears @ parades, wearing legion cap , accompanied legionary, alongside legion s marker guard (gastadores) @ parades , ceremonies, leading marching troops.
while throughout history legion has been infantry force has included armoured, artillery , engineer units. during 1920s , 1930s squadron of mounted lanceros (lancers) formed part of legion , in 1982 mounted section of policia militar de la legion formed carry traditional lances , pennants during holy week procession in malaga continue practice.
the military bands , bugle bands of legion continue musical traditions has since 1920s. bugle bands of legion, regulares, such bands in spanish armed forces never use valved bugle use plain bugle instead, , parachute light infantry brigade ones use small cornetin or piccolo bugle, used in ordering commands , leading bugle band in playing bugle calls, fanfares or marches. medium cornetin used other spanish armed forces branches.
formerly legion did unique marchpasts in same way rest of spanish armed forces, today, officers , colour guards hand salute , eyes right when marching past. when on halt , giving full salutes, hand salute.




^ [1] archived 2009-02-17 @ wayback machine.
^ special units spanish civil war . santacruzchronicles.com. archived original on 2003-05-15. retrieved 2011-11-13.