The Régiment de Marche du Tchad (RMTS) stands as one of the most legendary units of the Forces Françaises Libres (Free French Forces) and embodies the spirit of resistance of Free France during World War II. The history of this regiment is inseparably linked to General Charles de Gaulle and the liberation of France from Nazi occupation.

Following France's capitulation in June 1940 and the establishment of the Vichy Regime under Marshal Pétain, a significant portion of the French colonial empire in Equatorial Africa chose to join de Gaulle's cause. Chad was among the first colonies to rally to the Free French Forces on August 26, 1940, under Governor Félix Éboué. This decision was strategically crucial, providing de Gaulle with a territorial base and access to military resources.

The Régiment de Marche du Tchad was formed in December 1940 from various units primarily originating from Chad and other parts of French Equatorial Africa. The designation “Marche” (March) was traditionally reserved for French expeditionary units and indicated the mobile, combative nature of the formation.

Under the command of Colonel Jacques Leclerc de Hauteclocque (later known as Marshal Leclerc), the regiment participated in decisive North African campaigns. The unit particularly distinguished itself in the conquest of the Italian fortress of Kufra in Libya in March 1941. After this victory, the soldiers took the famous Oath of Kufra, vowing not to rest until the French flag flew again over Strasbourg Cathedral.

The RMTS fought in the Battle of Bir Hakeim (May-June 1942), one of Free France's most heroic moments, where French troops under General Marie-Pierre Kœnig held out for 16 days against German and Italian assaults. The regiment also participated in fighting in Tunisia (1942-1943) and later in the Italian Campaign.

In 1943, the regiment was integrated into the 2e Division Blindée (2nd Armored Division) under Leclerc and took part in the Liberation of France. The unit was among the first Allied troops to enter Paris in August 1944, and finally fulfilled the Oath of Kufra with the entry into Strasbourg in November 1944.

The regimental insignia of the French armed forces have a long tradition, serving identification purposes and fostering esprit de corps. The badge of the Régiment de Marche du Tchad was manufactured by the renowned Parisian firm Drago Paris, one of France's most distinguished manufacturers of military decorations and insignia. The Drago company, founded in the 19th century, supplied the French army with high-quality metalwork and produced countless regimental badges, medals, and military insignia.

The badges were typically made of metal and featured symbolic elements referencing the history, deployment location, or traditions of the respective unit. In the case of the RMTS, motifs frequently included elements from the African landscape, desert symbols, or the Cross of Lorraine (Croix de Lorraine) – the emblem of Free France.

Soldiers wore these badges with great pride on their uniforms as a sign of belonging to an elite unit with a heroic combat history. After the war, these badges became sought-after collectors' items, preserving the memory of resistance against Nazism and the role of French colonies in the liberation.

The legacy of the Régiment de Marche du Tchad lives on in French military history. The unit received numerous awards, including several Citations à l'ordre de l'Armée and the right to wear the Fourragère. The traditions of the RMTS have been adopted and continued by successor units of the French Army.

For collectors of military antiques, badges like this represent not merely material objects but testimonies of a decisive period in history. They connect us with the men who fought under the most adverse conditions in the desert and on European battlefields for liberation. The craftsmanship of Drago manufacturing and the historical significance make these pieces important documents of 20th-century military history.