"Rif War: Spain's War in the Rif of Northern Morocco, " Topic

1920-1927

"One of the least cited "inter-war" conflicts which was also apart of the neo-colonialism era of the 20th century, the Rif War or Riffian Rebellion in Morocco was bloody and multi-state conflict. Fought between Spain, the Berber-Morrocan rebel tribes under Abd el-Krim (1882-1963), and later France from 1920-1927, it is a major military conflict which often foregotten by many military historians and writers.

What began in 1920 as seemingly a rebel uprising or revolt turned into one of the first modern conflicts of the 20th century, lasting seven years with bloody battles and atrocities committed by all sides. The Rif War was a revolution, it was an insurgency, and a modernist colonial venture. It ended in 1926-1927 with a victory for the Spanish military and the allied army of France who had intervened officially in 1925 helping to defeat the rebels and pacify the Rif region of North Morocco for Spanish rule.

Spain's rule in morocco dates back as far as 1497, though in the modern age their first military engagements against the Moroccans begin in 1859. Interrupted by the great catastrophe that was the Spanish-American War in 1898, the Africanismo (African imperialism) movement picks up steam in the wake of the loss of most of Spain's other overseas colonies. Historians usually typify that a new generation of Spaniard came of age after the 1899-1900, who militarily and politically would not accept compromise in regards to more liberal policies in regards to the North Africans in particular…"

Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

I wrote a wargamers guide to this conflict, still available through TooFatlardies website
link

I read about this recently. I was shocked at the level of losses suffered by the Spanish.

Seems at one battle the battalion that saved the army's line of retreat, the only batt. to stand and continue the fight was lead by Franco.

Richard, and a grand one it is too!

Agree about Richard contribution.

Amicalement
Armand

Solzhenitsyn

There were a number of heroic last stands during the retreat from Annual.

The Alcantera Cavalry Regiment as an example formed a screen and charged and counter-charged the Riffi in a vain attempt to protect the rear of the straggling columns; again and again they reformed and charged; until it had bled itself to extinction……

Franco was NOT at Annual as he was second in command of the newly formed Spanish Foreign Legion at the time taking part in an attack right the other side of the protectorate. He did command troops during the later attempts to rescue cut-off units and recapture positions lost during the retreat.

Jeez Rich 9 1/2 hours to reply to a post on the Rif War?! I was beginning to get worried. ;-)

I would also recommend Rich's Guide, even if you aren't interested in the period. Believe me you probably will be after reading it.

Fatman

Second the recommendation for Richard's Guide – excellent bit of research.

Phil

Yep, thirded. Also a thoroughly helpful gent if you have any other queries about the period.

If only someone would do it in 10mm.

Thanks for the love guys – much appreciated :-)

You deserve it my friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Is the Guide perchance available from any U.S. distributors?

Sounds like a neat era to get into…

You can get it pdf through your email through the link I pushed :-)

Richard, I went and bought the PDF, and I have to agree with the rest, excellent job of that!
I don't have any figures for the war but it certainly was a fascinating read.

mghFond

Thanks :-)

Hunting down and converting the figures was part of the fun, I really enjoy these obscure conflicts (or little gamed parts of larger wars).

Rif War, Mexican Revolution, Peru-Ecuador War 1941, Syria/Lebanon (Vichy Vs Brits in WW2), WW2 Tunisia (Yanks, 1940 era French, Brits Vs DAK, 10th panzer + Tigers and Italians); Desert Free French, 2nd Division Blinde (Free French again) in NW Europe, Spanish Blue Division in Russia, etc, etc, etc :-)

I do the Mexican Revolution with 28mm Old Glory plus I also have the Taiping Rebellion, the Finnish Civil War of 1918, War of Triple Alliance in South America, and more of those sorts of wars, so I feel the same as you.

Tempted as I am about the Rif War, I just am not prepared to start up yet another new project.

Good to see someone gaming the Free French btw!

I like "odd" :-)

Lots of photos and rubbish over on my blog – baberonwargames.blogspot.co.uk

On the painting tray at present are a units of Chasseurs d`Afrique cavalry (all unique conversions) and a unit of girl soldaderas for my Mexican foray carefully converted from those new Minairons SCW militia women