I agree completely with sickness and desertion having taken its toll. After all Africa is not exactly the healthiest place to be even when there is widespread medical aid and assistance.
And use what happened to the 13th Demi Brigade as the real indication - that unit started the war in Africa as it was in Djibouti since the early 60's. If they are down that many men (300 out of 800) then clearly there has been some serious fighting with the French in Africa.
And since the RDF does clearly mention fighting with anti-Soviet guerrilas in two countries then they did take casualties.
And the FAR, at least the components as mentioned in the game, have been in Africa for quite some time.
More than enough for the French to take the losses and reduction in forces seen here.
As for transferring men - the Legionaires would stay with the Legion regiments. The airborne and marines could be transferred elsewhere but the Legion stays in their own units. Thats a very long standing tradition.
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