What was the French OOB? 300,000 men?In May 1924, the French Army had established a line of posts north of the Oureghla River in disputed tribal territory. On 13 April 1925, an estimated 8,000 Rifs attacked this line and in two weeks 39 of 66 French posts had been stormed or abandoned. The French accordingly intervened on the side of Spain, employing up to 300,000 well trained and equipped troops from Metropolitan, North African, Senegalese and Foreign Legion units. French deaths in what had now become a major war are estimated at about 12,000.
French:Rif War 1925-26
French:Rif War 1925-26
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rif_War_(1920)
Re: French:Rif War 1925-26
French photos,from: http://www.abcdelacpa.com/maroc_guerre_du_rif.html
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Re: French:Rif War 1925-26
From flickr,poster Cokebuster
French 75,Rif 1925
French 75,Rif 1925
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Re: French:Rif War 1925-26
French photos 1926,ebay seller irasydor257
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- Loïc
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Re: French:Rif War 1925-26
I don't know where they have seen 300 000 men
perhaps the combined French-Spanish Army ?
in 1924 the French Army reached 677 822 men, only 165 116 for the whole North Africa AND Levant, even with colonial, north african, alpine troops sent in Morocco from Europe (128e DI and the Moroccan Division from Germany, the 11e and 35e DI from France) it is very far to a French Army of 300 000 men
Regards
Loïc
perhaps the combined French-Spanish Army ?
in 1924 the French Army reached 677 822 men, only 165 116 for the whole North Africa AND Levant, even with colonial, north african, alpine troops sent in Morocco from Europe (128e DI and the Moroccan Division from Germany, the 11e and 35e DI from France) it is very far to a French Army of 300 000 men
Regards
Loïc
Re: French:Rif War 1925-26
Hello to all ; a little complement here...............................
INSURRECTION OF ABD EL KRIM IN 1925.
The Spanish were not successful in maintaining peace in the north. French writers saw that the Spanish had made the error of permiting the growth of the authority of the delegate sultan in the Spanish zone to the detriment of that same sultan. Later the misfortune of General Navarro's troops had a fatal influence. The Riffs proposed an armistice and a free departure of the disarmed (Spanish) troops. The General accepted. In the meantime a small portion of the Spanish troops fought their way into the French zone, while the remainder who laid down their arms were massacred. This victory of the Riffs, due to the indecision of European politics and likewise the advice of certain European friends, encouraged Abd el Krim to attempt an uprising in Morocco.
At the beginning of April, 1925, 600 Riffs by a sudden attack penetrated to the south between French strongholds in the Riffian hills and persuaded subject tribes to join them in the insurrection. On a front of about 170 miles, Lyautey could place only 9 battalions. The insurrection was spreading. Reinforcements were arriving from France very slowly. The Marshal was recalled.
Toward the end of April the French created from ten battalions, three expeditionary columns with which they penetrated into the lands of the rebels, freed a portion of the besieged strongpoints, and provided detachments for the fortifications along the Ouerg River. In June General Daugand, designated commander of the operating forces, had 53 battalions, 14 squadrons (cavalry), 30 batteries, and 17 squadrons (air). After severe engagements he succeeded in stopping the spread of the insurrection, in driving the rebels north of the road from Tangiers to Rabat and to the north of the towns of Fez and Taza, and, in this way, in freeing the traffic artery in rear of the French troops.
The Riffs were sanguinary fighters. They used the advantage of their widely-flung mountains. They surprised with fire and sudden, unexpected attacks. They would not present a target. By well-directed fire they forced French battalions to deploy and launch a true attack and, in the last moment before the assault, disappeared in order to repeat the action from the next nearest ridge. Excellent marchers, abstemious, they were not dependent upon administrative services. A few figs were sufficient for them, while European soldiers needed a service of supply.
Source: MOROCCAN REMINISCENCES By Major Jerry V. Matejka, Signal Corps. Review of Military Literature. Sep 1935.
Cheers. Raúl M .
INSURRECTION OF ABD EL KRIM IN 1925.
The Spanish were not successful in maintaining peace in the north. French writers saw that the Spanish had made the error of permiting the growth of the authority of the delegate sultan in the Spanish zone to the detriment of that same sultan. Later the misfortune of General Navarro's troops had a fatal influence. The Riffs proposed an armistice and a free departure of the disarmed (Spanish) troops. The General accepted. In the meantime a small portion of the Spanish troops fought their way into the French zone, while the remainder who laid down their arms were massacred. This victory of the Riffs, due to the indecision of European politics and likewise the advice of certain European friends, encouraged Abd el Krim to attempt an uprising in Morocco.
At the beginning of April, 1925, 600 Riffs by a sudden attack penetrated to the south between French strongholds in the Riffian hills and persuaded subject tribes to join them in the insurrection. On a front of about 170 miles, Lyautey could place only 9 battalions. The insurrection was spreading. Reinforcements were arriving from France very slowly. The Marshal was recalled.
Toward the end of April the French created from ten battalions, three expeditionary columns with which they penetrated into the lands of the rebels, freed a portion of the besieged strongpoints, and provided detachments for the fortifications along the Ouerg River. In June General Daugand, designated commander of the operating forces, had 53 battalions, 14 squadrons (cavalry), 30 batteries, and 17 squadrons (air). After severe engagements he succeeded in stopping the spread of the insurrection, in driving the rebels north of the road from Tangiers to Rabat and to the north of the towns of Fez and Taza, and, in this way, in freeing the traffic artery in rear of the French troops.
The Riffs were sanguinary fighters. They used the advantage of their widely-flung mountains. They surprised with fire and sudden, unexpected attacks. They would not present a target. By well-directed fire they forced French battalions to deploy and launch a true attack and, in the last moment before the assault, disappeared in order to repeat the action from the next nearest ridge. Excellent marchers, abstemious, they were not dependent upon administrative services. A few figs were sufficient for them, while European soldiers needed a service of supply.
Source: MOROCCAN REMINISCENCES By Major Jerry V. Matejka, Signal Corps. Review of Military Literature. Sep 1935.
Cheers. Raúl M .
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- Tanks FT-17 by the ford of Tafrant..............
http://www.delcampe.net/page/item/id,276471234,var,MAROC-CAMPAGNE-DU-RIF-1921-1926-TANK-CHAR-RENAULT-FT17-AU-GUE-DE-TAFRANT,language,D.html - image012.jpg (51.02 KiB) Viewed 912 times
- Tanks FT-17 by the ford of Tafrant..............
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- Artillery - 155 short in action......................
http://www.delcampe.net/page/item/id,276471239,var,MAROC-CAMPAGNE-DU-RIF-1921-1926-155-COURT-EN-ACTION-ARTILLERIE,language,D.html - image014.jpg (35.11 KiB) Viewed 912 times
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- Gunners on the summit of Bab Taza watching the valley of Leben...........
http://www.delcampe.net/page/item/id,276471181,var,MAROC-CAMPAGNE-DU-RIF-1921-1926-MITRAILLEURS-AU-SOMMET-DE-BAB-TAZA,language,D.html - image016.jpg (53.5 KiB) Viewed 912 times
- Gunners on the summit of Bab Taza watching the valley of Leben...........
Re: French:Rif War 1925-26
Hello to all ; a little more...............................
INSURRECTION OF ABD EL KRIM IN 1925.
The fanatic Riffs incited the religious fervor of neighboring tribes. They took them in hand and forced them to fight against the Europeans. Abd el Krim succeeded in concentrating 85,000 men. The Riff front was exceedingly elastic, and only in a few places was it strengthened with fortifications. In other places excellent riflemen carried on the combat by delaying action, a junction of forces after counterattacks, and ambushes.
Marshal Petain flew to Morocco in June. He hastened the arrival of reserves and materiel and created six infantry divisions and 20 regiments of cavalry. He ordered a general attack.
In a few days the Riffs were driven into the mountains from the areas in which they had successfully rebelled. There began a regular advance into the Riff mountains which lasted the entire spring of 1926.
A reinforced brigade advanced on each axis of advance. The occupied ridge was immediately fortified. A row of strong points visible one from another and joined by roads were constructed. Crossings over brooks were paved with large flat stones so that wagons could cross them even in the rainy season.
When the fortification of the ridge was completed, the cavalry occupied, the next one to the north and protected the labor columns which extended the roads. Artillery was in position on the old position ready to support the cavalry and to protect the labor columns. Upon completion of the road, the brigade advanced and fortified the occupied ridge.
While the troops advanced according to the Foch method: "like a parrot who climbs with bill and claw," the roads in the rear were being finished and supply bases were being moved forward.
The methodical advance of the French troops induced Abd el Krim to negotiate. He sent his representatives to the town of Ujda and after longer negotiations surrendered himself.
Source: MOROCCAN REMINISCENCES By Major Jerry V. Matejka, Signal Corps. Review of Military Literature. Sep 1935.
Cheers. Raúl M .
INSURRECTION OF ABD EL KRIM IN 1925.
The fanatic Riffs incited the religious fervor of neighboring tribes. They took them in hand and forced them to fight against the Europeans. Abd el Krim succeeded in concentrating 85,000 men. The Riff front was exceedingly elastic, and only in a few places was it strengthened with fortifications. In other places excellent riflemen carried on the combat by delaying action, a junction of forces after counterattacks, and ambushes.
Marshal Petain flew to Morocco in June. He hastened the arrival of reserves and materiel and created six infantry divisions and 20 regiments of cavalry. He ordered a general attack.
In a few days the Riffs were driven into the mountains from the areas in which they had successfully rebelled. There began a regular advance into the Riff mountains which lasted the entire spring of 1926.
A reinforced brigade advanced on each axis of advance. The occupied ridge was immediately fortified. A row of strong points visible one from another and joined by roads were constructed. Crossings over brooks were paved with large flat stones so that wagons could cross them even in the rainy season.
When the fortification of the ridge was completed, the cavalry occupied, the next one to the north and protected the labor columns which extended the roads. Artillery was in position on the old position ready to support the cavalry and to protect the labor columns. Upon completion of the road, the brigade advanced and fortified the occupied ridge.
While the troops advanced according to the Foch method: "like a parrot who climbs with bill and claw," the roads in the rear were being finished and supply bases were being moved forward.
The methodical advance of the French troops induced Abd el Krim to negotiate. He sent his representatives to the town of Ujda and after longer negotiations surrendered himself.
Source: MOROCCAN REMINISCENCES By Major Jerry V. Matejka, Signal Corps. Review of Military Literature. Sep 1935.
Cheers. Raúl M .
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- A battery of howitzers 155 short in Kiffane .......................................... ...
http://www.delcampe.net/page/item/id,276471079,var,MAROC-CAMPAGNE-DU-RIF-1921-1926-UNE-BATTERIE-DE-155-COURT-A-KIFFANE,language,D.html - image028.jpg (39.02 KiB) Viewed 845 times
- A battery of howitzers 155 short in Kiffane .......................................... ...
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- Marshal Petain in Kiffane ............................................
http://www.delcampe.net/page/item/id,276471062,var,MAROC-CAMPAGNE-DU-RIF-1921-1926-LE-MARECHAL-PETAIN-SE-RENDANT-A-KIFFANE,language,D.html - image030.jpg (41.98 KiB) Viewed 845 times
- Marshal Petain in Kiffane ............................................
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- Cemetery d'Aïn Aïcha ............................................. .........
http://www.delcampe.net/page/item/id,276471217,var,MAROC-CAMPAGNE-DU-RIF-1921-1926-LE-CIMETIERE-D-AIN-AICHA,language,D.html - image032.jpg (45.2 KiB) Viewed 845 times
- Cemetery d'Aïn Aïcha ............................................. .........