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1st Parachute Hussar Regiment
1^e Régiment de Hussards Parachutistes
Regimental Insignia of the 1^er RHP
Active	1720 – 1815 1816 – 1928 1928 – 1940 1945 – present
Country	France
Branch	French Army
Type	Airborne Cavalry
Part of	11th Parachute Brigade 3rd Division
Garrison/HQ	Tarbes
Nickname(s)	Bercheny
Patron	St Michel, St Georges
Motto(s)	"Omnia si perdas, famam servare memento" "Si tu as tout perdu, souviens-toi qu'il reste l'honneur" (Fr) "If you lost everything, remember there is still honor" (Eng)
Colors	Red and blue
Equipment	see Equipment
Engagements	War of the Polish Succession War of the Austrian Succession Seven Years' War French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars Ten Days' Campaign Crimean War Franco-Prussian War World War I World War II Algerian War Lebanese Civil War United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Multinational Force in Lebanon Gulf War War on Terror (2001-Present) War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
Decorations	see Decorations
Battle honours	see Battle Honours
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel De Montgros
Abbreviation	1^e RHP

The 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment (French: 1^er Régiment de Hussards Parachutistes, 1^er RHP) is an airborne cavalry unit in the French Army, founded in 1720 by Hungarian noble Ladislas Ignace de Bercheny. It is stationed in Tarbes and is a part of the 11th Parachute Brigade.

Creation and different nominations

Main article: List of French paratrooper units

1719 - 1720 : The Hussars of Bercheny are raised at Constantinople, following the demand of the Regent Philippe I, Duke of Orléans by Count of Bercheny.
1791 : Units of the French Army are named after their function of arms and numbered in terms of their seniority. The Regiment of Bercheny becomes accordingly the 1st Hussar Regiment.
29 floréal an IV ( 29 - floréal: meaning the second month of spring - an IV or year IV : end of 1795 and debut of 1796 in the Gregorian calendar) : The regiment received half of the cavalry of the 13th Hussar Regiment (French: 13^e régiment de hussards).
1815 : The regiment is dissolved.
1816 : Creation of the 1st Hussar Regiment of Jura.
1824 : Redesignated as 1st Hussar Regiment of Chartres.
1940 : dissolved following the Armistice with Germany.
1945 : recreated by the political resistance during World War II and designated Reconnaissance Regiment of the 25th Division.
1946 : designated as 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment at the corps of the 25th Airborne Division 25^e D.A.P on the occasion of the regiment's voyage to Algeria.

History since 1946

Campaigns

Campaign Participation Engagement
( 1733 - 1918 )

1733 : War of the Polish Succession
1741 - 1748 : War of the Austrian Succession
1756 - 1763 : Seven Years' War
1792 - 1802 : French Revolutionary Wars
1803 - 1815 : Napoleonic Wars
1831 : Ten Days' Campaign
1854 : Crimean War
1870 - 1871 : Franco-Prussian War
1871 - 1882 : Algeria
1914 - 1918 : World War I

Campaign Participation Engagement
( 1940 - 1990 )

1940 : World War II
1946 : Algeria
1948 : First Indochina War
1956 : Morocco
1956 - 1961 : Algeria
1978 : Lebanon, UNIFIL
1979 : Chad, Opération Tacaud
1983 : Lebanon, Multinational Force in Lebanon
1984 : Chad, Operation Manta
1990 : Kuwait, Gulf War

Campaign Participation Engagement
( 1993 - 1999 )

1993 : Yugoslavia, UNPROFOR
1994 : Rwanda, Opération Turquoise
1995 : Chad
1995 : Yugoslavia, UNPROFOR
1996 : Yugoslavia, IFOR
1999 : Macedonia
1999 : Albania
1999 : French Guiana
1999 : Chad, Operation Epervier
1999 : Kosovo

Campaign Participation Engagement
( 2000 - 2003 )

2000 : Côte d'Ivoire
2001 : Kosovo, KFOR
2001 : Côte d'Ivoire
2002 : Chad, Operation Epervier
2002 : Kosovo, KFOR
2002 : Côte d'Ivoire, Opération Licorne
2003 : DR Congo, Operation Artemis
2003 : Central African Republic
2003 : Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFOR
2003 : Kosovo, KFOR

Campaign Participation Engagement
( 2003 - 2007 )

2003 : Afghanistan
2004 : Côte d'Ivoire, Opération Licorne
2004 : Haiti
2004 : Senegal
2004 : Kosovo
2005 : Côte d'Ivoire, Opération Licorne
2006 : Afghanistan
2006 : Côte d'Ivoire, Opération Licorne
2006 : Kosovo
2007 : Afghanistan

Campaign Participation Engagement
( 2007 – present )

2007 : Kosovo
2007 : Chad, Operation Epervier
2008 : Afghanistan
2008 - 2009: Chad, EUFOR Tchad/RCA
2010 : Kosovo
2010 : Afghanistan
2012 : Lebanon

Composition

The 1^er RHP consists of:

Command and Logistics Squadron (ECL)
1st Squadron, Air-transportable armored (1er Escadron)
- 6 VBL
- 3 AMX 10 RC
- 6 VAB C20
2nd Squadron, Air-transportable armored (2e Escadron)
- 13 VBL
- 12 ERC 90 Sagaie
3rd Squadron, Reconnaissance and Anti-Tank (ERIAC) (only unit fully parachutable, both men and equipment) (3e Escadron)
- VBL
  - VBL reconnaissance, 7.62 mm AA-52 machine gun
  - VBL anti-tank, MILAN anti-tank missile
  - VBL support, 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun
  - VBL command
4th Squadron, Air-transportable armored (4e Escadron)
- 13 VBL
- 12 ERC 90 Sagaie
5th Squadron, operational reserve (5e Escadron)
11th Squadron, training and education (disbanded on 14 January 2011)
2 GCP Teams

Equipment

Vehicles

Weapons

MILAN anti-tank guided missile (24)

Traditions

The Archangel Michael featured in Mont Saint-Michel and the Insignia of the 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment.

Except for the Legionnaires of the 1^er REG, 2^ème REG, 2^ème REP that conserve the Green Beret; the remainder of the French army metropolitan and marine paratroopers forming the 11th Parachute Brigade wear the Red Beret.

French Commando Parachute Group Brevet of Chuteur Opérationnel
1^er Circled Winged Armed Dextrochere of French Army Metropolitan Paratroopers
French Parachute Brevet.

The Archangel Saint Michael, patron of the French paratroopers is celebrated on September 29.

The prière du Para (Prayer of the Paratrooper) was written by André Zirnheld in 1938.

Insignias

Just like the paratrooper Brevet of the French Army; the Insignia of French Paratroopers was created in 1946. The French Army Insignia of metropolitan Paratroopers represents a closed "winged armed dextrochere", meaning a "right winged arm" armed with a sword pointing upwards. The Insignia makes reference to the Patron of Paratroopers. In fact, the Insignia represents "the right Arm of Saint Michael", the Archangel which according to Liturgy^{[dubious – discuss]} is the "Armed Arm of God". This Insignia is the symbol of righteous combat and fidelity to superior missions.

Escadron de commandement et de logistique (ECL).
Servir Sans Subir
1^er Escadron.
Toujours plus Oultre
2^e Escadron.
Second de Personne
3^e Escadron (ERIAC).
Au Dela du Possible
4^e Escadron.
Sans Repit
5^e Escadron (reserve).
Toquey Si Gauses
11^e Escadron (disbanded on 14 January 2011).
Toujours Avant

Regimental Colors

Regimental Colors of the 1st Parachute Hussars Regiment with battle respective honours

Regimental Song

Based on the melody of the revolutionary Polish song Whirlwinds of Danger :

Original version

Pour libérer le pays qu'on enchaîne,
Briser ses liens, massacrer ses ennemis,
Il est des gars endurcis à la peine
Chacun pour tous et tous pour un réunis.

Voyez, bonnes gens, largués sur la plaine,
Tombant du ciel et rampant seuls dans la nuit,
Ne craignant rien, ni la peur, ni la haine,
Voyez, ce sont les hussards de Bercheny.

Autour de nous, attendant l'esclavage,
Les libéraux se vautrent dans leur veulerie.
Pour eux la paix, mais pour nous le courage
De risquer tout pour secourir la Patrie.

Ô parachutiste, voilà l'orage,
Montrons-nous fiers de nos anciens d'Algérie,
Rien n'est trop dur pour un gars de notre âge,
S'il est Para de Bercheny Cavalerie.

Actual official version

Pour libérer le pays qu'on enchaîne,
Prêts au combat pour repousser ses ennemis,
Il faut des gars endurcis à la peine,
Chacun pour tous et tous pour un réunis.

Voyez, braves gens, largués sur la plaine,
Tombant du ciel et progressant dans la nuit,
Ne craignant rien, ni la mort, ni la haine,
Voyez ce sont les hussards de Bercheny.

Autour de nous la bataille fait rage,
Si certains tombent sous les coups de l'ennemi,
Pour eux la paix et à nous le courage
De risquer tout pour secourir la Patrie.

Ô parachutiste, voilà l'orage,
Montrons nous fiers de nos anciens de Hongrie,
Rien n'est trop dur pour un gars de notre âge,
S'il est para de Bercheny Cavalerie

The Bercheny Song (in Hungarian)

Gyenge violának
Letörött az ága
Az én bánatomnak
Nincs vigasztalása

Refrain :
Suhog a szél
Késmárk felett
Édes rózsám
Isten veled

Nagy Bercsényi Miklós
Sirdogál magában
Elfogyott szegénynek
Minden katonája

Refrain :
Suhog a szél
Késmárk felett
Édes hazám
Isten veled

Pronunciation of the Hungarian Song

Dienne guen vi o la nack
Les teureute aze aga
Aze éne bana tome nack
Nintche vigas ta la cha

Refrain (bis) :
Chou hogue a sell
Kéchemark failette
Edeche ro jame
Ichtene velaide

Nadie Bertchényi Micloche
Chir do gal ma gabane
Elfodiote se guénie neck
Mine daine cato naya

Refrain (bis) :
Chou hogue a sell
Kéchemark failette
Edeche hazame
Ichtene velaide

French Translation of the Hungarian Song

Giroflée frêle
À cassé sa branche
Ma tristesse
Reste sans consolation

Refrain (bis) :
Hurle le vent
Au-dessus de Késmark
Ma chère amie,
Adieu, Adieu !

Nicolas de Bercheny, le Grand,
Pleure en lui-même
Il a perdu, le pauvre,
Tous ses soldats

Refrain (bis) :
Hurle le vent
Au-dessus de Késmark
Ma chère patrie,
Adieu, Adieu !

Decorations

Croix de guerre 1914-1918 with one vermeil star (Citation at the orders of the armed forces).
Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with one palm (citation at the orders of the armed forces).
Croix de la Valeur militaire with one palm in 2012 following engagement of the regiment in Afghanistan (Operation Pamir).^[1]

Honours

Battle honours

Valmy 1792
Jemmapes 1792
Castiglione 1796
Eylau 1807
Sebastopol 1855
La Mortagne 1914
La Serre 1918
AFN 1952-1962

Regimental Commanders of the 1st Hussars Regiment

Ancien Régime

Charge of the 1st Hussars during the First French Empire.

1720 : de Bercheny
1722 : de Bonnaire
1744 : de Nordmann
1749 : de Totte
1751 : de Bercheny (2), fils du précédent.
1762 : de Polleretsky
1762 : de Bercheny François Antoine Ladislas (1744-1811), son of the former.
1762 : de Sombreuil
1771 : de Humbert
1776 : de Thumery
1785 : de Pange
1789 : Henri Roland Lancelot Turpin de Crissé

French Revolution and First French Empire

1792 : Henri Christian Michel Stengel-Colonel (**)
1792 : Joseph Armand Nordman-Colonel
1793 : Philippe Glad-Chef de brigade
1795 : Louis Jean Charles Bougon-Duclos-Chef de brigade
1796 : Antoine Henri de Carowe-Chef de brigade
1797 : Joseph-Denis Picard-Chef de brigade (*)
1803 : Philippe Augustin Rouvillois-Colonel
1807 : Jacques Begougne de Juniac-Colonel
1810 : Eugène Antoine François Merlin-Colonel (*)
1813 : François Joseph Marie Clary-Colonel
1814 : Nicolas Oudinot-Colonel
1815 : François Joseph Marie Clary-Colonel

Colonels wounded and killed while commanding the 1st Hussars during that period

colonel Stengel, wounded April 21, 1796 during the battle of Mondovi, died from his wounds on April 28.
chef de brigade Bouglon-Duclos, died of fever.
chef de brigade Carrowe killed during the battle of Rovero on September 6, 1796.
colonel Rouvillois, wounded on December 19, 1806.
colonel Juniac, wounded on February 6, 1807.

Officers killed and wounded while serving in the 1st Hussars Regiment between (1805 and 1815)

Officers killed : 5
Officers dying from wounds : 6
Officers wounded : 57

First Restoration et Second Restoration

État-major du régiment nearing 1815
- colonel Auguste-Ambroise-Joselin de Verdière
- lieutenant-colonel : Armand-Louis, chavalier de l'Orme
- chefs d'escadrons : M. Vidal de Léry et Jacques-Victor de Suzainnecourt
- major : Joseph-Antoine, vicomte de Lodin du Mauvoic
- capitaines adjoint-majors : Pierre de Vigneras et Alexandre Pothée
- lieutenant-trésorier : François Vial
- capitaine d'habillement : Jean-Pierre Carmignac
- sous-lieutenant porte-étendard : Michel-Rémi Renaud
- aumônier : Jean Didier
- chirurgien major : Jean-Baptiste Hermaut
- chirurgien aide-major : Antoine-Claude Marchal, dit Lafontaine
1824–1830
- colonel : Ferdinand-Philippe d'Orléans, duc de Chartres, futur duc d'Orléans

1830-1848 : July Monarchy

1830–1832 :
- colonel Royal Prince of France, duc d'Orléans
- cieutenant-colonel Lanthonnet
- chef d'escadron de Suremain
- chef d'escadron Lestocquoy
1832–1836 : colonel Joseph Simon Pozac
1845 : colonel Berryer

Second Empire

1854 : colonel comte Lion
1856 : colonel Moucheton de Gerbrois
1864 : colonel de la Jaille
1867 : colonel prince de Bauffremont

1870-1914

1870 : colonel prince de Bauffremont
1872 : colonel d'Agoult
1884 : colonel Poulard
1889 : colonel Buffet
1892 : colonel Geslin de Bourgogne
1894 : colonel Lageon
1897 : colonel de Quinemont
1907 : colonel Simon de la Mortière
1912 : colonel Renaudeau d'Arc

World War I

1914 : colonel Leps
1914–1918 : colonel d'Amade

Interwar Period

1926 : colonel Robert
1931 : colonel Aubry de la Noé
1932 : colonel Malcor

World War II

1939 : colonel Rabany
1940 : colonel de Groulard (wounded in 1940, died from injuries sustained in 1947)

From 1945 till present

1946–19xx : colonel De Gastines
1952–1953: colonel Teyssou
1954–1956 : colonel Bertrand de Quénetain**
1956–1958 : lieutenant-colonel Hebrard
1958–1960 : lieutenant-colonel Jean Compagnon
1960–1962 : colonel Gautier
1962–1963 : lieutenant-colonel Teule
1963–1964 : colonel Donnart
1964–1966 : colonel de Boifleury**
1966–1968 : colonel Laflaquiere
1968–1970 : colonel Jean Combette***
1970–1972 : colonel Boissau
1972–1974 : colonel Delmotte**
1974–1976 : colonel Morel
1976–1978 : colonel Gouttenoire***
1978–1980 : colonel Berge
1980–1982 : colonel Varret
1982–1984 : colonel Genest
1984–1986 : colonel Gobillard****
1986–1988 : colonel d'Astorg
1988–1990 : colonel Le Mière***
1990–1992 : colonel Valentin****
1992–1994 : colonel Hubin
1994–1996 : colonel Duhesme
1996–1998 : colonel Maes*
1998–2000 : colonel Duquesne***
2000–2002 : colonel de Bavinchove*** ( CEM ISAF in Afghanistan )
2002–2004 : colonel Delort-Laval** ( Director of the War School since August 2011 )** division since 2012
2004–2006 : colonel de Marisy
2006–2008 : colonel de Lapresle*
2008–2010 : colonel Villiaumey
2010–2012 : colonel Langlade de Montgros
2012–2014 : colonel Peltier
2014-.... : colonel Aumonier

(*) Officers which subsequently were promoted to Brigade generals.
(**) Officers which subsequently were promoted to Divisional generals
(***)Officers which subsequently were promoted to Corps generals
(****)Officers which subsequently were promoted to Army Generals.

Notable Hussars

Ferdinand-Philippe d'Orléans, duc de Chartres then duc d'Orléans, Dauphin de France
César de Vachon de Belmont-Briançon then captain
Général Jean-Antoine Marbot
Général Baron Marcellin Marbot
Général comte Frédéric Henri Walther (from the rank of a regular soldier -private- to the officer rank of captain)
Général Nicolas-François Christophe (captain in 1793)
Louis Bro (1781-1844), soldier, then futur cavalry general
Colonel Nicolas Oudinot, son of Empire Marshal Nicolas-Charles Oudinot
Maurice Dupin de Francueil, first capitain on December 21, 1805, then chef d'escadron on March 21, 1807
Général Regnaud de Saint-Jean d'Angély (in 1815, to the rank of captain)
Charles-Marie-Augustin, comte de Goyon (1803-1870), division general, major at 1er hussards le on January 15, 1839
Charles Louis Schulmeister
Charles Théodore Ernest de Hédouville (1809-1890), French politician, served in the regiment after 1829.
Olivier de Germay
Gaston de Galliffet
Lieutenant Robert Chezeau

Gallery

Embarking of ERC 90 Sagaie of the 1st Parachute Hussars Regiment in a C160.
Aérolargage of a VBL of the 1st Parachute Hussars Regiment.
Parachute drop on the Ger zone by the 1^er RHP.