The Armenian Legion in the First World War

In 1916 the Armenian Legion, also known as the “Légion d’Orient”, was formed in France. It was a detachment of Armenian volunteers that was officially part of the French army. Its ranks included Armenians from the Ottoman Empire, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Europe and the USA. The legion had a twofold aim: to fight against the Ottoman Empire and to create conditions for the revival of Armenian statehood.

The legion took part in the fighting in the Middle East, in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon, supporting the British and French forces. After the war many of its fighters played an important role in forming the Armenian armed forces and in defending Armenian communities.

The photograph shows about 20 soldiers with rifles on a bushy slope. A flag is visible on the left, and one soldier is blowing a bugle.