Apart from dramatic film backgrounds, ever wondered what it was Foreign Legionnaires were actually doing in those desert forts? Actually they were part of France's visionary North African empire intended to transform the desert with water and railways. Foucauld, (ex-soldier and visionary monk) and Lapperine (soldier and founder of the camel corps) are significant players in a doomed enterprise. 'Let the cockerel scratch in the sand' was Britain's attitude and Flemming again writes fascinating history.
(Clive Yelf - bwl 32 November 2005 ) |
