Stele of the Turcos

This stele reminds us that the "TURCOS", Algerian Rifle Regiments, stopped here after landing in Provence on the Dramont beaches, led by their leader, Colonel De Linares himself under the orders of General de Lattre De Tassigny.
They then left via Montrieux, the Signes plateau and Revest to go and deliver Toulon.
The first army commanded by General de Lattre De Tassigny landed in Provence to liberate the German-occupied territories and went all the way to Berlin to sign the German capitulation.
In this first army, which was called "The French Expeditionary Corps", there were regiments composed mainly of fighters of North African origin (between 230,000 and 250,000 men).
Some regiments were composed of Moroccans, who were called "Tabors" or "Goums".
Others, called "TURCOS", were of Algerian origin and were part of the 3° DIA (Algerian infantry division)
The Algerian and Tunisian Tirailleurs Regiments are, along with the Zouaves, among the most decorated in the French army.

But why the name TURCOS?
This nickname was given to the Algerian Tirailleurs by the Russian troops during the Crimean War (1853-1856). Indeed, they fought so heroically that the Russians ran away from them shouting "Turcos" because the Turks had then the reputation of being formidable warriors.