Maybe will bring back some memories to some of the anciennes that served during that time? This footage is incredibly evocative, I might have watched it 1000 times. My apologies if it's a re-post.
Hi F de G, It is a well known fact among the greens that from time to time legion basic training was carried out in Corte, Corsica. Most of us will know someone who did his basic training there. It came about when Castel was overflowing. 2 REI were based there until '83 (if I'm not mistaken).
When I was at Calvi, I actually went on a visit to the Citadel, Corte to have a look around. I also went to visit the
section d'épreuve, which is quite impressive, I'd taken quite a few photos at the time, which I no longer have. It hade the reputation of being the harshest legion prison at the time, even tougher than fort Maillebois.
T
That is Maillebois in the background, with fort de la Torretta (baptized Charlet in the 19th century). A bit of nostalgia here -as both forts have been given back to the Calvi's mayor's office.
Fort Charlet was where the military police were and Maillebois is where the legion used to keep it's surplus ammunitions. Maillebois used to have a dog handler with his dog, yes there is a section cynophile in the REP - I don't mean to get side stepped here - but they do jump with their dogs.
On the right of the two forts can be seen a square of white, which is the legion's cemetery. On the left is the town's cemetery where the legion also has a 'plot'.
The two forts, one of which was a garrison - no points for guessing which- and the other was a lookout post. Both were to protect the citadel which is out of sight in the top right left hand corner of the frame.
It did not stop Lord Nelson from taking it (hold on while I look it up)
it was taken by the English on the night of July 13 to 14, 1794, during the siege of Calvi led by Admiral Nelson.
Enter Pascal Paoli (who has a hotel named after him
among other places).