This new Osprey by Philip Jowett and Martin Windrow is dangerous, given my predilection for obscure conflicts. I had thought this was a solely Spanish colonial affair without appreciating France’s role.
The Rif War (1921–1926) was a conflict between Spain (later joined by France) and the Berber tribes of the Rif region in northern Morocco, led by the revolutionary leader Abd el-Krim. Spain controlled northern Morocco as a protectorate, while France controlled the central and southern regions. The Riffians, primarily Berber tribes, resisted Spanish rule and heavy taxation, pushing back poorly trained Spanish forces in the mountainous Rif region. At the Battle of Annual (1921), the Riffians routed the Spanish army, killing 8,000 and seizing large amounts of weapons, including machine guns and artillery. It was the greatest-ever defeat of a white colonial army.
This led to the establishment of the Rif Republic (1921–1926), led by Abd el-Krim, with his younger brother commanding the army. Alarmed by Rif victories, the French joined Spain. In 1926, facing overwhelming forces, Abd el-Krim surrendered to the French.
The authors start with some historical background and a chapter on the earlier conflict, which began in 1909 and ran through the First World War. The Spanish forces started with the conscripted mainland army, but when that failed, they increasingly turned to regular troops (the Tercio) and locally recruited Regulares. These were recruited from tribes hostile to the Riffians. There are orbats for each campaign and excellent colour plates. The Spanish also used FT-17, Schneider tanks, and aircraft to drop gas shells from 1923.
Rif troop numbers are contested, probably up to 80,000, but they could never field more than 20,000 at any one time. The core was a ‘regular’ five-battalion brigade of up to 7,000 picked infantry (plus artillery). They were also used to stiffen the tribal irregulars. They captured modern rifles from the Spanish, and German gun runners smuggled in more. They had machine guns and about 80 serviceable cannon. There were a few European technical advisors who helped with training.
The French watched the conflict, taking defensive precautions. As the war spread, they initially deployed around 60,000 troops, including tanks, aircraft, and artillery. They also extensively used their own Moroccan troops. For the final offensive, they used 40,000 French and 52,000 Spanish troops. The 18 years of savage conflict killed up to 50,000 Spanish, and the French lost around 8,600. Rif casualties are unknown.
Looking at the colour plates, I see some of my Spanish Civil War figures would work for this conflict, along with WW1 French. But let’s not go there!
