Le 3e escadron du 3e régiment de spahis
marocains
Marrakech, 1939
Armour
and Cavalry
The
Spahis
Background
The term ‘spahi’ is
of Turkish origin and resulted from the presence of soldiers
from the Ottoman Empire in the African army of 1830 stationed
in Algeria . Spahi means: cavalryman.
The Spahis were created in Algeria in 1834, in a bid to
constitute a native cavalry unit. Their attire used to be
a very special shimmering uniform, comprising a sarouel,
an Arab jacket, a turban, a sort of fez and a burnous. During
the decade that followed, three regiments were created in
the major cities of Algiers , Oran and Constantine . The
spahis participated enormously in all the armed and pacification
operations of Algeria .
When the 1870-1871 War broke out, the spahis were mobilized
to fight in France . They registered some success against
the Prussian cavalry composed of uhlans, cuirassiers and
dragoons considered to be the best European cavalrymen. They
equally took part in various reconnaissance operations during
which they proved to be so efficient.
Palmeraie de Bou-Saada, novembre 1941
Une patrouille du 5e escadron - 1er Spahis
Musée de l'Armée - Paris
Late 19th century and early 20th century witnessed the
creation of new spahis regiments in Tunisia , Morocco and
Senegal .
During the First World War, spahis regiments, which then
had increased in number, fought on French territory. They
also served in Morocco during the Rif War and other pacification
operations right up to 1934.
At the beginning of the 2 nd World War, during the 1939-1940
French campaign, the spahis were deployed in the north-east
of France and in Belgium to put up resistance against powerful
German armoured divisions. In fierce fighting during the
Horgne battle near Sedan , the spahis sacrificed themselves;
many of their superior officers and a bulk of their men were
either killed or injured.
The spahis also fought in the Indochina War, from 1945
to 1954, where four of their regiments constituted part of
the expeditionary corps. They were later deployed in
Algeria and Morocco to maintain order and protect the civilian
population.
The spahis were dissolved in 1962 following the Evian accord.
At the moment, there exists the 1st spahis regiment, which
is part of the 6th light armoured brigade. This regiment
which participated in overseas campaigns, notably in the
Gulf War, Kosovo and Afghanistan , is based at the Ving neighbourhood
of Valence .