And chances are, those French troops were La Legion Etrangere'. . . .the French Foreign Legion. Top-notch troops, and none of the politically correct baggage.
Legend has it, over the door of every Legion orderly room is the motto: "You are in the Legion in order to die, and the Legion will send you where you can die. . . "
In one of the photos I saw the individual was wearing a beret with what appeared to be the cap badge of the 2REP (Second Parachute Regiment) of the Legion. This is their toughest force, and well regarded by other special forces throughout the world.