Czechoslovak Legion in France
The first Czechoslovak unit deployed on the Franco-German front was a company called "Compagnie Nazdar". It was formed on 23 August 1914 from compatriots living in France, mainly organized in Sokol and Rovnost, and consisted of 300 volunteers.
The company was assigned to Battalion C-2 of the Foreign Legion Marching Regiment. In the town of Bayone it received its battle flag with the Czech lion and went to the front.
Nazdar Company started its frontline activity in the Champagni area as
part of the Moroccan Division. After various battles in the front line, its fateful 9th May 1915 arrived. On this day, the company was given the task of capturing Hill 140 near Arras as part of Foch's offensive. The company captured 3 German lines of trenches with heavy losses - leaving only 100 of the 250 men combat-ready. Among the fallen were Josef Pultr, chief of the Prague Sokol, Josef Šíbal, chairman of the Rovnost, Lieutenant Dostál and others.
After losses during the second attack at Arassu on 16 June 1915, the C2 Battalion was disbanded and Nazdar Company ceased to exist as a Czech unit. The remaining Czech soldiers were then scattered into many units of the Foreign Legion regiments, with which they even reached the Sahara.
By a decree of 19 December 1917 the French government authorised the organisation of the autonomous Czechoslovakia. army. From volunteers, transported from Russia, Romania, USA, Italy, from the Foreign Legion and from prisoners from Serbia, the 21st Czechoslovak Rifle Regiment was formed on 12 January 1918 in the town of Cognac.
After training in the Darney area, he served at the front as part of the French 53rd Infantry Division. He achieved exemplary combat success in the fighting at Terron.
From the detached units of the 21st Regiment the 22nd Czechoslovak Rifle Regiment was formed on 20 May 1918 in Jarnak. It was included in the established Czechoslovak Brigade in France and took part in the fighting in the Vouziers area together with the French 134th Infantry Division.
On 30th June 1918 both regiments were sworn in at Darney, in the presence of the French President R. Poincaré and Dr. E. Benes.
It should be remembered that several dozen Czechoslovak legionnaires continued to fight within the Moroccan Division during this period. They fought in the Champagne area, Chemin des Dames, near Verdun and St. Mihiel. It was only in July 1918 that they were transferred to our brigade.
