Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 10:20 am1st Light Infantry Regiment
Although many illustrious regiments have names, the majority are designated only by number. The numbering system is neither consecutive nor chronological; rather it is an eclectic system resembling a hashing function.
Thus, the 1st Light Infantry Regiment was not the first light infantry regiment to be formed in Fatatatutti, though it was an early component of our modern army. Known as the 1st Infantry Regiment for the first half of its career, it was re-organized for air-mobility in the 1950s with standard 32-person platoons and re-designated the 1st Light Infantry Regiment. By that time, it had already acquired a reputation as one of the fastest-moving and farthest-ranging units in the walking infantry and had adopted the unofficial motto, "Faster, Farther."
One of the best-known exploits of the 1st LI was the attempted crossing of the island of Fatatatutti from north to south on foot, a distance of almost two thousand kilometers across difficult and largely unknown terrain. "B" Company of the regiment's 2nd Battalion was assigned to the task, whose motivation was both exploration and public relations. They were expected to be gone for up to six months but when they were overdue by a month, the famous headline went out around the world, "2B Or Not 2B?"
Finally, after nine months in the bush, living off the land, the members of "B" Company arrived at their first sign of civilization, a tiny viilage still a hundred kilometers from the coast. It is not fully understood how the news got out. Some say it was by jungle drums but it seems more likely to have been by aircraft. In any case, when the people of Fatatatutti learned that "B" Company was safe and fit, they were eager to welcome the explorers home. The Army command made a difficult decision to cut the mission short, since its aims had already been accomplished. Accordingly, the members of "B" Company were hauled out by truck and became instant celebrities.
The crossing has since been repeated by civilian teams. In the 1960s, a road was completed so that now motorists can follow almost the same route in relative comfort.
The regimental badge of the 1st LI is a large numeral "1" and crossed rifles with the words "Light Infantry" above and the words "Faster, Farther" below.
Although many illustrious regiments have names, the majority are designated only by number. The numbering system is neither consecutive nor chronological; rather it is an eclectic system resembling a hashing function.
Thus, the 1st Light Infantry Regiment was not the first light infantry regiment to be formed in Fatatatutti, though it was an early component of our modern army. Known as the 1st Infantry Regiment for the first half of its career, it was re-organized for air-mobility in the 1950s with standard 32-person platoons and re-designated the 1st Light Infantry Regiment. By that time, it had already acquired a reputation as one of the fastest-moving and farthest-ranging units in the walking infantry and had adopted the unofficial motto, "Faster, Farther."
One of the best-known exploits of the 1st LI was the attempted crossing of the island of Fatatatutti from north to south on foot, a distance of almost two thousand kilometers across difficult and largely unknown terrain. "B" Company of the regiment's 2nd Battalion was assigned to the task, whose motivation was both exploration and public relations. They were expected to be gone for up to six months but when they were overdue by a month, the famous headline went out around the world, "2B Or Not 2B?"
Finally, after nine months in the bush, living off the land, the members of "B" Company arrived at their first sign of civilization, a tiny viilage still a hundred kilometers from the coast. It is not fully understood how the news got out. Some say it was by jungle drums but it seems more likely to have been by aircraft. In any case, when the people of Fatatatutti learned that "B" Company was safe and fit, they were eager to welcome the explorers home. The Army command made a difficult decision to cut the mission short, since its aims had already been accomplished. Accordingly, the members of "B" Company were hauled out by truck and became instant celebrities.
The crossing has since been repeated by civilian teams. In the 1960s, a road was completed so that now motorists can follow almost the same route in relative comfort.
The regimental badge of the 1st LI is a large numeral "1" and crossed rifles with the words "Light Infantry" above and the words "Faster, Farther" below.