During the Narvik expedition, the 8th support company of the 13th demi-brigade of the Foreign Legion. from the parent company of SidiBel-Abbès, is commanded by an authentic Georgian prince, whose family fled the Bolshevik regime and Russian imperialism. This Caucasian with the stature of colossus is named Dimitri Amilakvari and he chose to serve under the grenade with seven flames of the Legion. Under his orders, Germans, Hungarians and Spaniards took part with enthusiasm in the anti-fascist struggle. Their little 57 guns did a tough job in this icy Norwegian landscape, where the Allies would claim the only victory of 1940.
Gathered in England, many legionnaires of the 2nd battalion of the 13th demi-brigade decided to continue the fight and join Free France. following leaders who, like Dimitri Amilakvari, made the decisive choice.
On July 1, 1940, 900 legionnaires gathered in London to form a new unit. These volunteers will suffer a failure in front of Dakar. but will manage to seize Libreville. Then. it will be the campaign of Eritrea against the Italians and that of Syria against the French of Vichy.
Promoted lieutenant-colonel, prince Amilakvari now commands the 13th demi-brigade of the Legion including two battalions are integrated into the 1st Free French Division of General Koenig.
In surrounded Bir Hakeim, the legionnaires will prove most resolute in battle.
This siege. which will last ten days, will make Amilakvari the hero of Bir Hakeim. He will manage to get his men out of the deadly trap and lead them to the Egyptian border. But the hour of revenge will sound alongside Montgomery's famous 7th British Armored Division. The 13th demi-brigade heads back west and takes part in the hard battle of El-Himmeimat.
On October 24, 1942, its leader was struck down by shrapnel to the temple.
Thus disappeared one of the most prestigious officers of the Foreign Legion, on the eve of the decisive battle of El -Alamein.
Companion of the Liberation, Lieutenant-Colonel Prince Amilakvari is buried in the sands of the desert, surrounded by his legionnaires, who followed him with "honor and fidelity" from the fjords of Norway.