1893 - 1927: Campaigns in the Rif 

This section covers all three of the Rif Wars:  

• 1893-94: Rif War or First Rif War or Melilla War or Margallo War
• 1909-10: Rif War or Second Rif War
• 1920-26: Rif War or Third Rif War

Officially the Rif wars spanned the years 1893-94, 1909-10, and 1920-26, but in reality this was a period of fairly continuous conflict.  For example both Millán Astray and Francisco Franco made their names leading Regulares in the Moroccan campaigns between 1912 and 1920, i.e. in a period outside the official wars. 

I also have 

• A description of the Setting for the Campaigns in the Rif
• Suggestion of  Wargaming Rules to use to for the period
• Orders of battle for some of the forces 
• A brief biography of some of the major players

• An  Annotated Bibliography 

• Indication what the Society of Twentieth Century Wargamers (SOTCW) provides on the period 

Look else where for other Spanish-Moroccan Wars (1859-60: War of 1859, 1957-58: Ifni War and conflict in Spanish Sahara).

Chronology for the Rif Wars

 

1893-94: Rif War or First Rif War or Melilla War or the Margallo War   The First Rif War was fought in 1893-94 between Spain and 39 of the Rif tribes (kabyles) of northern Morocco, and later the Sultan of Morocco (Wikipedia: First Rif War).  Juan García y Magallo, the Spanish governor of Melilla, provoked the local tribes when he began redoubt near a Riffi saint's tomb (Furneaux, 1967).  In quite a spectacular show of discontent 6,000 Rif Warriors began the siege of Melilla on 3 Oct.  They were soon reinforced when a Spanish shell accidentally destroyed a local Mosque, changing the character of the war to a religious Jihad.  Spain also sent troops.  Governor Magallo died in a sortie on 28 Oct.   After the Sultan failed to intervene effectively Spain formally declared war on Morocco on 9 Nov.  The war was quickly wound up in Spain's favour after the army was increased to perhaps 25,000 Spanish regulars and militia under General Martínez de Campos.  The Rif themselves peaked at 40,000.  Hostilities formally ceased with the Treaty of Fez (25 Apr 1894).

Start of 1893: Margallo expands Melilla's Fortifications  

Rif raiding and piracy had been escalating over the previous years so at the started of 1893 Juan García y Magallo, the Spanish governor of Melilla, began to expand the fortifications surrounding the city (Wikipedia: First Rif War).  

Sep 1893 

In particular the Spanish built new redoubts at Peuta de Cabiza and Punta Dolossos (Wikipedia: First Rif War).  One of the redoubts was about 1,000 m from the walls, and more importantly near the tomb of a Riffi saint, Sidi Guariach (or Aguariach or Auriach) (Furneaux, 1967; Woolman, 1968).  This activity provoked the local Berber population and Rif warriors began to muster in the mountains. 

3 Oct 1893: Rif Besiege Melilla

On 3 Oct 1893 6,000 Riffi warriors attacked Melilla (Wikipedia: First Rif War).  They had Remington rifles but lacked heavy weapons.  The Riffi captured the unfinished redoubt near the saints tomb, and killed 20 men of the Spanish garrison as they retreated across the stony plain to the city (Furneaux, 1967).  Both the citizen population and the garrison retreated into the citadel.  The Spanish were heavily outnumbered with only 400 regular infantry and a rapidly formed civilian corps to defend the city, but they had the advantage of artillery.   In the absence of heavy weapons the Rif were forced to frontally assaulted the citadel, charging up the road ways and scaling the walls. Spaniards gunfire inflicted 160 casualties on the attackers and drove them back.  The Spanish lost 21 dead and 100 wounded on the first day.  Spanish artillery also began to shell Rif bands assembling in neighbouring villages.  An unlucky shot demolished a mosque outside of the city and changed the nature of the war, turning it into a religious jihad.

The Spanish government immediately put the fleet on alert, mobilized the Army of Andalusia for service abroad, and sent the ironclad Numancia and two gunboats to Melilla (Wikipedia: First Rif War). In addition about 3,000 troops were mobilised in the Spanish ports.

4 Oct 1893

The ironclad Numancia shelled several villages along the Moroccan coast (Wikipedia: First Rif War).  A Spanish artillery detachment from Málaga arrived in Melilla.

5 Oct 1893

Following the incident of the Mosque, Moroccans across the province began to joined the Rif militants (Wikipedia: First Rif War). By 5 Oct the Rif force had possibly reached as high as 20,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry.

During the next few weeks a contingent of regular Moroccan troops under Baja-el-Arbi arrived in the area, but failed to restore the situation (Wikipedia: First Rif War).  This failure soured Spanish-Moroccan relations.  Meanwhile the Rif captured and demolished the forts of Camellos and San Lorenzo.  Under cover of the Spanish batteries small parties of Spanish infantry and workmen then erected new earthworks at Cabrerizas and Rostro Gordo. 

22 Oct 1893

The gunboat Conde de Venadito steamed in the mouth of the Ouro, anchored there, shelled the Rif trenches, and then returned to Melilla's harbour without sustaining damage (Wikipedia: First Rif War).

27 Oct 1893: Rif Capture Heights of Sidi Guariach

5,000 Rif attacked the heights of Sidi Guariach (Wikipedia: First Rif War). Fire from the gunboat Venadito and the Spanish batteries could not prevent the Rif from driving General Margallo and General Ortego back into the citadel and seizing the half-finished field works.

28 Oct 1893: Margallo Dies in Counter-Attack  

2,000 Spanish under Margallo counter-attacked towards the works near Cabrerizas Altas and Rostro Gordo north of Melilla (Wikipedia: First Rif War; Woolman, 1968). The 3,000 Rif in the trenches held the Spanish as 6,000 reinforcements joined battle. The Rif attempted to outflank Margallo.  Margallo seems to had misinterpreted t his, and thought the Rif were thinning out their centre.  He immediately charged the Rif trenches but was thrown back with appalling losses. Margallo sounded the retreat but was shot dead moments later.  The Spanish detachment collapsed although General Ortega led a rearguard action which prevented a complete Spanish rout and massacre.  A young Lieutenant, Miguel Primo de Rivera, was distinguished himself in the action and earned himself the Cross of San Fernando (First Class) and a promotion to Captain (Fleming, 1991).  Actual losses were probably higher but the Spanish officially acknowledge at least 70 men killed and 122 wounded.  Ortega's telegrams to the Spanish government resulted in reinforcements of three regiments of cavalry and four battalions of infantry the same day.

[(Furneaux (1967) believes the rumour that Rivera shot Margallo for selling rifles to the Rif.  Woolman (1968) recounts this rumour but considers it unlikely.  He says Margallo died when scouting the outworks; he was shot in the head by a tribeman.] 

29 Oct 1893: Spanish Retake Cabrerizas

3,000 Spanish under Ortega drove the Rif from their trenches at Cabrerizas but the siege continued (Wikipedia: First Rif War).

Nov 1893: Bloody Stalemate

A stalemate ensued (Wikipedia: First Rif War).  General Macias replaced Margallo.  With ample building materials, engineers, and manual labourers the Spanish continued to enhance their fortifications.  Spanish guns in the fortress blocked Rif advances and kept the town clear of invaders.  The armoured cruisers Alfonso XII and Isla de Luzon also arrived, and the Spanish navy began an incessant bombardment of the Rif positions.  On the other hand Rif forces on the beaches prevented the Spanish Navy's efforts to disembark reinforcements and supplies, and Rif entrenchments and forts around the city blocked communication between the Spanish posts.  Only desperate night time sorties kept the Spanish outposts supplied.  The Spanish formed search and destroy units from convicts and penal labourers, although led by army officers, to ambush Rif patrols at night.  Their combination of brutality and courage terrified the Rif and captured the imagination of the foreign press.  During November he Spanish lost 12 officers and 100 men against Rif losses of 500 dead, mostly from bombardment.

6 Nov 1893: Failed Parley

The Rif asked to parley as a result of the Spanish naval bombardment, but refused to surrender (Wikipedia: First Rif War). 

9 Nov 1893: War Declared

Despite the fact that operations began over a month before it wasn’t until 9 Nov 1893 that war between Spain and Morocco was officially declared (Wikipedia: First Rif War). 

27 Nov 1893: General Campos and 7,000 Spanish arrive

General Martínez de Campos steamed for Melilla with 7,000 reinforcements, bringing the total Spanish presence to two Army Corps, perhaps 25,000 regulars and militia (Wikipedia: First Rif War).  The Rif forces had peaked around 40,000. Campos clear the Rif from the city surroundings and rebuilt the redoubt the sparked the whole affair.  

1894

Apr 1894: Treaty of Fez

In April General Martínez de Campos was appointed Ambassador to Morocco and negotiated peace directly with Sultan Hassan, resulting in the Treaty of Fez signed 25 Apr 1894 (Wikipedia: First Rif War).  The treaty favoured the Spanish.  Morocco agreed to pay 20 million pesetas in war reparations, pledged to pacify the Northern provinces (i.e. the Rif), and ceded the Melilla hinterlands to Spain.  The Spanish could had demanded more, but settled for less in an attempted to appease the British government, who were concerned about the security of Gibraltar. 

Sultan Mulay Hassan died and the Court Chamberlain, Ba Ahmed, seized power (Woolman, 1968). 

1898

1898: Spanish-American War 

The Spanish-American War lasted from Apr to Dec1898.  The USA conquered Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, which turned Spanish eyes to conquest in nearby Morocco. 

1900-08

1900: Sultan Abd-el-Aziz

Ba Ahmed and the 20 year old Abd-el-Aziz became Sultan of Morocco (Woolman, 1968). 

Late 1901: El Rogui's Revolts 

El Rogui started a rebellion in the Taza region south of the Rif Mountains between Fez and the Algerian frontier (Fleming, 1991; Furneaux, 1967; Woolman, 1968).   Most of the Giata, Tsoul, Branes, Meknasa, and Howara tribes of the northeast rallied to his cause. 

1902 

Alfonso XIII became king of Spain at the age of 16 (Woolman, 1968). 

1903 

The Beni Snassen tribe on the Moroccan-Algerian border north of Ujda were causing trouble for the French (Woolman, 1968).  Abd-el-Aziz agreed to help the French subdue them, but did nothing.  Col. Hubert Lyautey, French commander in the neighbouring Oran Department in Algerian, acted independently, marched over the border and put subjugated the restive tribe.  The French didn't leave and the Sultan was powerless to do anything about it.  

1904: European Powers Divide Morocco

In April or October 1904 the French and British agreed to let the French took control of Morocco as long as the coast facing Gibraltar was in weaker Spanish hands (Fleming, 1991, says October; Woolman, 1968, says April). The French gained responsibility for Moroccan administration, economy, and security.  In November the French and Spanish governments agreed that the Mediterranean coast of Morocco was a Spanish zone of influence.  In practice this made little difference as the Spanish remained in their five fortified towns (?? list them ??).  The French continued to push westward into Morocco south of the Spanish Zone. 

1905 

Kaiser Wilhelm landed at Tangier at the end of Mar 1905 to promote German claims in Morocco (Woolman, 1968). 

1906

Representatives of Germany, Morocco, England, France, Spain, italy, the United States, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Holland, Portugal, Demark, Russian, and Luxembourg met at Algeciras in Spain (Woolman, 1968).  They agreed the Act of Algeciras which effectively confirmed France's rights in Morocco.  

In Morocco civil unrest was increasing, resulting in European deaths (Woolman, 1968). 

The real authority in the Djebala at this time was Sherif Muley Ahmed el Raisuni - a tyrant, cattle rustler, extortionist, and in the eyes of the western world, a generally bad guy (Fleming, 1991).  Many locals, however, viewed El Raisuni as a hero. In 1906 the Sultan sent an army against El Raisuni (Furneaux, 1967).  2,000 Djebelan warriors ambushed and defeated the punitive expedition.    [Furneaux (1967) calls him Raisuli.]

Note: Djebala is sometimes spelt Jibala or Yebala.  

1907

Due to Moroccan unrest and the resulting French deaths, the French occupied Uxda (May 1907) and Casablanca (Aug 1907) (Fleming, 1991).  Urban Moroccan opinion turned against Sultan Abd-el-Aziz and his brother Mulay Hafid drove the Sultan into exile (19 Aug 1907).  Mulay Hafid had a decidedly anti-European stance (Woolman, 1968). [Furneaux (1967) says the Moroccan civil war and French occupation occurred in 1908.]

In 1907 El Rogui extended his control into the Rif Mountains (Fleming, 1991; Furneaux, 1967; Woolman, 1968).  He started by giving a French company a 99 lease on a factory site in the Restinga, a long peninsular just south of Melilla; the factory promptly began making munitions for El Rogui's forces.    Sultan Abdul Aziz landed a harka in the Restinga in the summer of 1907, but despite Spanish support, the Sultan's force's were crushed and driven into Melilla.   In Jul 1907 El Rogui gave a Spanish company a 99 year lease on the iron mines at Monte Uixan and the right to build a railway from the mines to Melilla.  In Aug he did the same for the lead mines at Monte Afra.  Both mine sites were about 19 km southwest of Melilla in the hills of the Beni Bu Ifrur.  El Rogui's practice of selling mining concessions he didn't own to European companies upset the local tribes. The Elder Krim began to organise an army from the Beni Urriaguel and other central Riffi tribes to confront the interlopers.  

1908: Mayor El Raisuni 

The French and Abd-el-Aziz were fighting both local insurrections and Mulay Hafid (Woolman, 1968).  The Germans were busy selling arms to the rebels.  In Aug 1908 Abd-el-Aziz led a Moroccan force against Marrakech.  he was betrayed by a tribe he relied on and was forced to retreat.  Realising he lacked popular support  Abd-el-Aziz abdicated in favour of his brother Mulay Hafid (Nov 1908).

The Sultan wanted to co-opt El Raisuni into the establishment and in 1908 appointed him qa'id of 16 Djebalan tribes and mayor of Arcila (Fleming, 1991).   

Sep 1908: Rif defeat El Rogui 

A Rif army largely organised by the Elder Krim defeated El Rogui's men in battle and drove them south to Taza (Fleming, 1991; Furneaux, 1967).   Abd-el-Krim saw active service in this short campaign, but no fighting. 

1909

1909: El Rogui Captured and Shot

The Sultan captured El Rogui in 1909, paraded him through Fez in a cage, and then had him shot (Furneaux, 1967).  

9 Jul 1909: Six Europeans Killed

Riffi tribesmen killed six European railway workers (Fleming, 1991).  The governor of nearby Melilla, Gen. José Marina, marched out to protect the workers but suffered a repulse (Furneaux, 1967).  Marina called for reinforcements and the Spanish government activated reserve units in the peninsular.  

26 Jul 1909: Tragic Week 

Activating the reserves in Barcelona caused a strike on 26 Jul and a week of rioting which became known as the Tragic Week (la Semana Trágica) (Fleming, 1991).  [Furneaux (1967) says 21-26 Jul but both Fleming and Wikipedia: Tragic Week say the strike was 26 Jul and the rioting followed.] 

Aug - Dec 1909 

In one incident the Rif ambushed a column outside Melilla and killed a number of guards (Furneaux, 1967).  Troops under Col. Primo de Rivera counter-attacked drove off the tribesmen.  

Defeated again, Marina lost two generals (Benito and Vicario) (Furneaux, 1967).  This defeat convinced the Spanish public to allow troops to be sent to Morocco.  The Melillan garrison was increased from 5,000 men to 22,000 in preparation for an offensive (Fleming, 1991; Furneaux says 40,000).  Marina defeated the Rif in a pitched battle in the open plain near Melilla.  The massive expenditure on the war caused the Spanish government to block further advances.  

Spanish posts of the time were typically a triangle of blockhouses (blocao)  (Fleming, 1991).  Each blockhouse would have been 6 m by 4 m wooden structures, with sandbags 1.5 m  up the walls, and a corrugated iron roof (Preston, 1995).  They were surrounded by 3 or 4 strands of barbed wire.  A typical garrison for a blockhouse was 21-30 men and these had to be provisioned by armed convoys.  The posts tended to be located on hill tops for defence, but typically this meant they were without a water source.  So the convoys had to bring in water as well.  Occasionally the blockhouses communicated by heliograph and signal lamps.  

Aug 1909 

Miguel Primo de Rivera, now a Colonel, volunteered for duty in Melilla (Fleming, 1991).   He served under Gen. Salvador de Arizón and took part in the hard fought battle of Mt. Gurugú.  Rivera returned to Spain in Jun 1910. 

Jan 1910

The Spanish had subdued some of the more easterly tribes by Jan 1910 (Fleming, 1991). They had also pushed out their Melilla enclave to encompass the area from Cape Tres Forcas to the southern inlets of Mar Chica. 

1911: Regulares Formed

In 1911 Dámaso Berenguer founded the first unit of indigenous regular troops (Fuerzas Regulares Indígenas) as a result of studying native units in French employ (??).  The Regulares, as they were commonly known, had Moroccan other ranks, Spanish and Moroccan junior officers, and Spanish senior officers.   Berenguer left Morocco in 1916 (Fleming, 1991). 

21 May 1911: French Occupy Fez 

In Mar 1911 Sultan Mylay Hafid asked the French to help him maintain his empire (Woolman, 1968).  The French occupied Fez (Fleming, 1991). 

Jun 1911: Spanish seize Larache and Alcázarqivir  

In Jun 1911 Spanish forces began to venture into the hinterland to establish authority over the tribes of Djebala, Gomara, and the Rif Mountains (Scurr, 1985).  In June the Spanish also seized Larache and Alcázarqivir (Fleming, 1991).  Officially this was in the interests of the Sultan of Morocco, but it was really to establish Spanish authority.   Interestingly, El Raisuni supported the Spanish take over of Larache because "the Spanish are strong enough to help us, but not so strong that they will oppress us" (Fleming, p 40) .  

1 Jul 1911: German Gunboat at Agadir 

In an ultimately successful attempt to blackmail the French, the Germans sent the gunboat Panther to the closed port of Agadir (Fleming, 1991).  The Panther displaced 1,000 tons and was armed with two small cannon and six machine guns (Woolman, 1968).   Subsequently, in Nov, the French gave the Germans territory in the French Congo in exchange for German recognition of the 1904 Anglo-French agreement on Morocco.  France recovered this territory after World War I. 

24 Aug 1911: Rif Attack Cartographic Detachment

In the eastern sector a local sheikh, El Mizzian, had been preaching jihad against the Christians (Fleming, 1991).  As a result, on 24 August, some Riffi attacked a cartographic detachment of the General Staff under Major Molina, plunging the whole Melillan sector into war.  The Spanish public were opposed to offensive action giving  El Mizzian an opportunity to build up his forces, including volunteers from as far away as Algeria.  

Sep-Oct 1911: Kert Campaign 

The Kert Campaign was Gen. Gabriel Orozco's attempt to push the Rif back across the Kert River (Fleming, 1991).  Primo de Rivera was one of the participants.  Following renewed warfare in Morocco Rivera had volunteered for service in the Protectorate in Sep 1911.  He commanded the Regiment of San Fernando in the Kert Campaign but returned to the Peninsular following a foot wound on 7 Oct.   He was, however, promoted to Brigadier General.   

Late Nov - Early Dec 1911: El Mizzian Threatens Melilla

Unchecked by Spanish offensive operations, El Mizzian was in a position to threaten Melilla (Fleming, 1991)

1912

17 Feb 1912: Franco Arrives in Morocco

2nd Lt. Franco had his request for transfer accepted 6 Feb and arrived in Morocco 17 Feb (Preston, 1995).  His first posting was at Fort Tifasor in the Melilla defences.  

30 Mar 1912: French Protectorate 

"No tribe came to us spontaneously. None gave in without fighting, 
and some of them not until they had exhausted every means of resistance."

Gen. Guillaume, 1953, cited in Woolman, 1968, p. 14

Sultan Mulay Hafid agreed to make Morocco a French Protectorate (Fleming, 1991; Woolman, 1968).  The residents of Fez went on a rampage until suppressed by French troops.  It would take until 1934 for the French to pacify the country.  

Apr 1912: French Resident-General  

Hubert Lyautey became the first French Resident-General in Morocco (Woolman, 1968). 

?? 1912: Silvestre defeats El Raisuni 

At some point in 1912 El Raisuni led his tribesmen on a looting and extortion trip through the Spanish zone (Furneaux, 1967).  Col. Manuel Fernández Silvestre, commander at Larache, sent a contingent to stop El Raisuni, which they did in a pitched battle.  Ironically Silvestre was reprimanded and told to treat El Raisuni more cordially.  

May 1912 

Primo de Rivera was assigned to Gen. Alfau's staff in Tetuán and participated in the campaign against Raisuni (Fleming, 1991).  This made him a major general.  

Late Spring 1912 

El Mizzian's died in a minor skirmish in late spring (Fleming, 1991). 

13 Jun 1912: 1st Lt. Franco 

Franco was confirmed as 1st Lt. on 13 Jun 1912 - solely due to seniority (Preston, 1995).  

Mid-Jun 1912: Eastern Tribes Sign Peace Treaties

By mid-June most of the eastern tribes had signed peace treaties (Fleming, 1991). 

17 Jul 1912

Sultan Mulay Hafid abdicated in favour of his younger brother Yussef (Woolman, 1968). 

28 Aug 1912: Franco at Uixan 

1st Lt. Franco was given command of the position of Uixan, protecting the Banu Ifrur mines (Preston, 1995).  

14 Nov 1912: Spanish Protectorate

The French recognised the Spanish Protectorate in Northern Morocco (Fleming, 1991; Scurr, 1985, says 27 Nov 1912).  With Britain a firm French ally - France got Morocco and Britain got Egypt - and Germany placated with territory in the Congo, France took the opportunity to force Spain to accept territorial losses.  Spain got 22,000 square kilometres, or about 1/20th of the French area.  The Spanish zone was basically the Rif and the Franco-Spanish border was north of the Ouarga/Wergha river (Furneaux, 1967).  The Franco-Spanish boundary arbitrarily split some tribes in two, for example the Beni Bu Yahi, Metalsa, and Geznaya in the east (Woolman, 1968).  The new Sultan, Mulay Yussef, ratified the agreement on 14 May 1913.  Meanwhile the Spanish were convinced the French were selling guns to the tribes in the Spanish protectorate. 

The Spanish set up three autonomous military commands in their zone, one in each of Ceuta (Gen. Felipe Alfau), Larache (Col. Manuel Fernández Silvestre), and Melilla (Fleming, 1991).  The western Ceuta zone corresponded to the Djebala.  Although the High Commissioner was the supreme authority in Spanish Morocco, the military commanders only referred to him in an emergency or where joint military action was called for.  The Sultan's representative in the Spanish zone was called a Caliph.    

1912 - 1920: Millán Astray and Francisco Franco with the Regulares

Both Millán Astray and Francisco Franco arrived in Melilla in 1912 (Scurr, 1985).  In the years leading up to 1920, both men made their names leading Regulares in the Moroccan campaigns.  Astray ended up as commander of the 2nd Tabor of Regulares of Larache.  Franco fought with the 1st and 2nd Tabors of Regulares of Melilla and the 1st Tabor of Tetuán.  Franco's men thought he had divine protection (baraka) (Preston, 1995). 

1913

28 Jan 1913: El Raisuni Arrested 

Col. Silvestre arrested El Raisuni and his family, seized munitions, and freed 98 prisoners from the dungeons at Arcila (Fleming, 1991).  The Spanish authorities subsequently apologised, forced Silvestre to free El Raisuni, and recalled Silvestre.   

Feb 1913: El Raisuni Takes Up Arms 

El Raisuni settled into his mountain fortress at Tazrut and called the Djebalan tribes to rise against the Spanish (Fleming, 1991).  

13 Feb 1913: Spanish Occupy Tetuán 

A Spanish force under Gen. Afrau occupied Tetuán, the capital of the Djebala and chief town in northern Morocco (Fleming, 1991; Furneaux, 1967).  Tetuán became the seat of the Spanish Protectorate and hence of the Caliph.  The Spaniards began to abuse the inhabitants.

15 Apr 1913: Franco Transfers to Regulares 

Franco transferred to the Regulares (Preston, 1995).  He arrived for duty on 21 Jun 1923 and was posted to the garrison to Tetuán.  

May 1913: Revolt in the Djebala

El Raisuni brought a strong force to the outskirts of Tetuán and, when riots broke out in the city, he attacked (Furneaux, 1967).  The rebellion quickly spread as the Djebalan tribes rose against the Spanish (Fleming, 1991).  

Aug 1913: Gen Alfau Resigns 

The pacific Gen. Alfau couldn't cope with El Raisuni's revolt and the militant attitude of the Spanish Government and either resigned (Fleming, 1991) or was recalled (Furneaux, 1967).  Gen. José Marina transferred from Melilla to replace Alfau. Silvestre was reinstated in command at Larache.  Spanish troops in the area were brought up to 40,000.  

14 Aug - 27 Sep 1913: Franco in Action 

Franco began to make a name for himself through cold-blooded bravery in several operations against El Raisuni (Preston, 1995).  Franco won the Military Merit Cross 1st Class for local victory on 22 Sep.  

1914

1 Feb 1914: Battle at Beni Salem

Battle at Beni Salem on the outskirts of Tetuán (Preston, 1995).    Franco was promoted to captain as a result. 

28 Jul 1914: War in Europe 

As the European powers engaged in war, the Spanish adopted a strategy of temporization against El Raisuni putting diplomacy before armed might (Fleming, 1991) .   Silvestre opposed this strategy and advocated total war.  

German agents were active in both the French and Spanish zones.  Abd-el-Malek, the Algerian Chief of the Sultan's police Force in Tangier, became a German agent (Furneaux, 1967).  Suspecting his dealings had been discovered he fled to the Rif mountains with an associated called Far and a sack full of German gold.   They stirred up the southern Tribes, declared a Holy War against the French, and started attacking French posts.   The Sultan, backed by French gold, responded by declaring a Holy War against the Germans.  Malek's bands dwindled and he fled to the Spanish zone.   

1915

8 May 1915: El Raisuni's Agent Strangled 

On 8 May 1915 El Raisuni's agent in Tanger, Ali Akalay, was strangled (Fleming, 1991).  A subsequent investigation found the Moorish mayor of Arcila and a number of Spanish officers were responsible.   

9 Jul 1915: High Commissioner Jordana 

Although not implicated in the Ali Akalay murder both Silvestre in Larache and Marina in Ceuta were removed from their posts (Fleming, 1991).  Gen Francisco Gómez Jordana, the commanding officer in Melilla, was promoted to High Commissioner.   

Sep 1915: Accord with El Raisuni

The industrious, capable and tactful Jordana managed to win over Raisuni and the two signed an accord in Sep 1915 (Fleming, 1991).  El Raisuni called off his men in return for regaining control of the Djebala. 

1916

29 Jun 1916: Spanish Take El Biutz

Spanish forces took the mountain top village of El Biutz 9-10 km to the west of Ceuta (Preston, 1995). The rebels had been massing in the hills, and El Biutz was their main stronghold as it dominated the road from Ceuta to Tetuán.  Although the village was defended by entrenched machine guns and riflemen, the Spanish launched a frontal assault up the hill in the early hours of 29 Jun 1916, led by the 2nd Tabor of Melilla.  As the attack progressed more Tribesmen poured down the back of the hill behind the Spanish catching them in a cross fire.  The Spanish forces took heavy casualties, including the commander of the leading company of Regulares.  Captain Francisco Franco assumed command of this company, broke through the enemy encirclement and played a significant part in taking the village.  Sometime during the action Franco was shot in the stomach, but continued to direct his men.  Franco was subsequently promoted to Major as a result of his actions (28 Feb 1917, with effective from 15 Jun 1916) and posted back to Spain .

1917

Spring 1917

In protest at their meagre wages in the context of high inflation, a number of infantry and cavalry officers established Juntas throughout peninsular Spain (Fleming, 1991). 

1918

11 Nov 1918: End of WW1 

WW1 came to and end. 

18 Nov 1918: Jordana dies

High Commissioner Jordana died of a heart attack at his desk of (Fleming, 1991). 

Dec 1918: Abd-el-Krim Returns Home

In Dec 1918 Abd-el-Krim took a leave of absence from his post in Melilla and returned to his home village (Fleming, 1991). 

1919

Jan 1919: Abd-el-Krim Forms Harka 

Abd-el-Krim recalled his brother, Mhammed Abd-el-Krim, from Madrid (Fleming, 1991).  The two brothers and their uncle, Abdselam, began to organise a war band (harka) to meet the inevitable Spanish invasion.  A harka was a group of warriors of any size.  

At some point in 1919 the Spanish Office of Native Affairs stopped paying certain notable Beni Urriaguel their pensions, including Adb-el-Krim and his brother (Fleming, 1991).  The money went instead to younger more pro-Spanish members of the tribe. 

Feb 1919: High Commissioner Berenguer 

"No more soldiers need shed their blood"

( Berenguer quoted in Furneaux, 1967, p. 50)

Dámaso Berenguer, now a General, returned to Morocco as High Commissioner for the Protectorate and Generalissimo of the Spanish forces in Morocco (Fleming, 1991; Furneaux, 1967).  Berenguer's instructions were to stop temporizing and put El Raisuni out of business.  However, after conferring with the French to the south Berenguer adopted a policy slow conquest, hence the quote above, rather than the military approach used in the past.  He would use money and other inducements to divide and conqueror the tribes.   Where possible he would use friendly Harka against their hostile neighbours.  Berenguer drew up a three year plan for the pacification (Preston, 1995).  He would start with the Anyera to the east of Ceuta, then move on to the Djebala (including Tazarut and Xaüen) Berenguer reached Tetuán in Feb 1919 and tried to put his strategy into operation.  

Note: Xaüen is also spelt Xauen, Chaouen, Shawan, Chauen, Chefchaouence and Chechaouene (Woolman, 1968).  

?? one of my sources says Berenguer returned in Aug 1919.  Must find it. ??

21 Mar 1919: Spanish Occupy Alcazarseguir

As part of phase one of Berenguer's plan, the Spanish occupied Alcazarseguir in the Anyera territory near Ceuta (21 Mar 1919) (Preston, 1995).   El Raisuni, reacting to the new aggressive stance of the Spanish authorities, broke off communications, and occupied the hills around Tetuán recommenced guerrilla war by attacking Spanish supply convoys (Fleming, 1991).  Berenguer sent troops to dislodge him (Furneaux, 1967).  In the campaigns of 1919-1922 the Spanish troops operating in the western sector built hundred of small blockhouses and road side encampments from Tetuán to Xaüen and up the Lau River to the Mediterranean.  

Summer 1919: Spanish Campaign in Djebala 

Troops of Berenguer Tetuán and Gen. Emilio Barrera in the south launched a campaign to suppress El Raisuni and pacify the Djebala (Fleming, 1991). They pushed into  the rugged uplands south of Tetuán and drove El Raisuni back into his mountain retreat of  Tazrut . 

In the eastern sector, the Spanish under Gen. Luis Aizpuru cautiously advanced into the Central Rif (Fleming, 1991). 

End of Sep 1919: Spanish Occupy Fondak fort

The Spanish occupied Fondak fort on the Tangier-Tetuán road in the western sector (Fleming, 1991). 

7 - 27 Oct 1919: Astray Studies French Foreign Legion

Millán Astray studies the French Foreign Legion at Tlemcen and Sidi  bel Abbés with a view to creating a Spanish equivalent (Scurr, 1985). 

Winter of 1919 - 1920: Eastern Front Stabilised  

By the winter Gen. Luis Aizpuru had established a front from the mouth of the Kert River south to Zoco del Telata  (Fleming, 1991)

1920

1920: Spanish Unified Military Command 

In 1920 the three military commands of Larache, Ceuta, and Melilla were made subordinate to a single military command (Fleming, 1991).  

Jan 1920

The Spanish public reacted badly to the new bloodshed in Morocco and demanded more efficient officers (Furneaux, 1967).  The King gave Gen. Silvestre, a man known to rely more on 'cojones' ('balls') than military acumen, command of the troops although Berenguer retained his role as High Commissioner and title of Generalissimo (Fleming, 1991).  

4 Sep 1920: La Legion Created

A Royal Order authorised the formation of the Regiment of Foreigners (Tercio de Extranjeros) - known popularly as 'La Legion' (Scurr, 1985).  Millán Astray commanded and Major (Commandante) Francisco Franco Bahamonde was his second in command (from 27 Sep 1920) (Preston, 1995).  Although called a "Foreign Legion" in reality 90% of the unit were Spanish in origin.   This brought the total Spanish forces in Morocco up to 63,000 with 24,000 being in Melilla (Furneaux, 1967).

Sep 1920: Elder Krim dies 

The Elder Krim died and Abd-el-Krim's succeeded him as judge of Axdir (Furneaux, 1967).  

Oct 1920: Council of the Caids of the Rif 

Abd-el-Krim organised a great council of the Caids of the Rif at Kama, but failed to convince them of a joint policy against Spanish aggression (Furneaux, 1967).   He did manage to come to an agreement with the Temsaman, a small tribe based to the east of the Beni Urriaguel on the road from Melilla.    Although they wouldn't commit men to the conflict the Temsaman agreed to light watch-fires when the Spanish invaded. 

14 Oct 1920: Spanish Take Xaüen

Implementing phase two of Berenguer's plan, three Spanish columns took the mountain city of Xaüen with relatively little bloodshed (Fleming, 1991; Preston, 1995; Scurr, 1985).  Viewed as a holy city by the Berbers, Xaüen was also El Raisuni's major city.  Tucked into a deep gorge in the southern Djebala, the historic fortified redoubt was viewed as unconquerable.  The city was taken largely because of a military Arabist, Colonel Alberto Castro Girona.  Girona entered the city disguised as a charcoal burner, then bribed and threatened the local notables into surrender.  The Spanish then began to build small posts and blockhouses  in the surrounding countryside, and had a strong policing force to guard the Tetuán-Xaüen road.  Franco and the Legion were amongst the guards. Meanwhile the Spanish forces moved east along the Gomara coast.   

16 Oct 1920: Legion Depot at Dar Riffien 

The Legion established their depot at Dar Riffien (Scurr, 1985). 

31 Oct 1920: Legion Has Three Banderas 

By 31 Oct 1920 the Legion could parade three battalions (Banderas) (Scurr, 1985). 

1921

7 Jan 1921: First Legion Casualty

The Legion fights its first battle (??).   The 2nd company was attacked and Balthasar Queija Vega became the first Legionary to die in combat.

Preston (1995) points out that the Legion were a brutal lot, including Franco.  Prisoners were mutilated and killed.  Prisoners were often decapitated and their heads exhibited and/or given as gifts to visitors.  

16 Jan 1921: Action on Zoco el Arbaa and Xarquia Xeruta Road

The Legion experienced its first significant fight.  The 4th company of 2nd Bandera was attacked when guarding the road between Zoco el Arbaa and Xarquia Xeruta.  Captain Don Pompilio Martinez Zaldivar was killed.  In response, the 5th and 6th companies decimate the enemy and drive them off.

Feb 1921: Slowly, Slowly in the West; Charge in the East  

In the west Berenguer resumed his gradual penetration by slowly surrounding El Raisuni's stronghold at Tazarut (Preston, 1995).  His men began a ring of blockhouses surrounding Tazarut.  By 29 Jun 1921 the blockhouses formed a line between Xaüen and Uad Lau, and a line between Xaüen and Alcazarquivir.  The Legionaries were part of Colonel Castro Girona's column whose task was to establish a line of blockhouses between Xaüen and Uad Lau (Scurr, 1985). 

But in Feb 1921 the King transferred Silvestre to Melilla in the eastern sector (Furneaux, 1967), where he replaced the cautious Aizpuru (??).  Silvestre instructions from the King were to break the Moroccan deadlock.  

17 Feb 1921: Spanish Take Monte Arruit

Silvestre took Monte Arruit in preparation for advancing across the Amekran River (Preston, 1995).  Silvestre laughed in response to Abd-el-Krim's warning that if Silvestre crossed the Amekran the tribes would resist in force.   The general viewed the Riffi as "Petticoat Soldiers" (Silvestre quoted in Furneaux, 1967, p. 54).

1 Jun 1921: Rif Overrun Post at Abarrán

Major Jesús Villar set up a fortified post at Abarrán, five km west of Annual in the eastern sector (Fleming, 1991). Villar left 200 Regulares and 50 Spanish (including two captains and a lieutenant) to defend the post and withdrew with his escort.   By mid-afternoon 1,000 Riffi, in two groups, had surrounded the post.   One of the Regulares fired ten shots as a signal to the rebels within and without the fort to attack.  179 loyal troops were killed in the fighting, including the officers.  The survivors were forced to retreat to Buy Meyan. 

5 Jun 1921: Berenguer Confronts Silvestre 

Alarmed at the events at Abarrán Berenguer sailed to Sidi Dris and summoned Silvestre to a conference (Fleming, 1991). Berenguer instructed Silvestre to make no further advances, an order he complied with. over the next six weeks Abd-el-Krim built up his forces.  In contrast the only reinforcements Silvestre asked for was permission to create a new unit of Regulares.   

27 Jun 1921: Rif Attack 'Muñoz Crespo' and Buharrat

The 1st and 3rd Banderas fought off Rif bands at the hill positions of 'Muñoz Crespo' and Buharrat (Scurr, 1985).  The Legion suffered 13 dead (including one officer) and 27 wounded.  

29 Jun 1921: Spanish Surround Tazarut

The Spanish lines of blockhouses finally surrounded Tazarut in the west (Preston, 1995). 

8 - 14 July 1921

Abd-el-Krim directed Riffi insurgents to increase harassment of Silvestre's lines in the eastern sector (Fleming, 1991). 

16 July 1921: Riffi Attack Igueriben and Buy Meyan

Riffi attacked Silvestre's advanced posts at Igueriben and Buy Meyan (Fleming, 1991). Igueriben was besieged 

17 July 1921: Rif Besiege Igueriben

The Riffi attacked all along Silvestre's line - particularly at Igueriben (Fleming, 1991).  All efforts to relieve Igueriben failed.  Silvestre began to telegram Berenguer for reinforcements. 

20 Jul 1921

Silvestre mobilised all disposable forces in Melilla to send to the front (Fleming, 1991).   Essentially the entire Spanish force in the eastern sector was about to be concentrated at the front.   

21 Jul 1921: Spanish Evacuate Igueriben

Late in the afternoon Silvestre arrived at Annual with the reinforcements from Melilla (Fleming, 1991).  Silvestre promptly organised 4,000 men into a relief column for Igueriben.  Twice Silvestre led cavalry charges toward the besieged outpost, but was driven back by Riffi artillery and machineguns, captured from the Spanish at Abarrán and now entrenched on the road to the Igueriben.  Silvestre ordered the evacuation of Igueriben, but only two of the defenders made it out. 

22 - 23 Jul 1921: Disaster of Annual

At 1000 hours on 22 Jul 1921 Silvestre ordered the retreat from Annual (Fleming, 1991).  The withdrawal soon became a rout and the Spanish army of 14,000 men was destroyed by only 3,000 Riffi under Abd-el-Krim. 

By evening of 23 Jul Abd-el-Krim's men had occupied the crests of the Gurugú Mountain overlooking Melilla (Scurr, 1985).  Behind them scattered Spanish forces made desperate stands against the victorious tribesmen.  It took 3 weeks for the Riffi to take all the isolated outposts.   There were major massacres at outposts near Melilla, Dar Drius, Monte Arruit (9 Aug) and Nador (2 Aug).  The Spanish suffered 13,192 casualties over three weeks, including 8,000 dead and hundreds captured.   Silvestre was one of the dead. 

In the western sector the planned assaulted on Tazarut was called off on 22 Jul 1921 so Legion reinforcements could be sent east (Preston, 1995; Scurr, 1985).  At 0400 on 22 Jul 1921 hours Franco force marched the 1st Bandera and 4th Company of the 2nd north towards Fondak and Tetuán, arriving at 0945 on 23 Jul. There they were joined by the rest of the 2nd Bandera and trained to Ceuta, where they boarded a ferry for Melilla. 

24 Jul 1921: Legion Arrives in Melilla

Civilian morale at Melilla was boosted when the 1st and 2nd Banderas of the Legion arrived at 1400 hours (Scurr, 1985).  The Legion occupied defensive positions in the suburbs.  

25 Jul 1921: Legion Advance Inland

Reinforced by two tabors of Regulares of Ceuta, the two Legion Banderas occupied the hills of Sidi Hamed and the Atalyón but were not allowed to advance further (Scurr, 1985).  Three Spanish Infantry Battalions took over garrison duty in Melilla. 

Over the next few weeks detachments of the Legion fought several actions against the Riffi tribesmen, either defending their sandbagged blockhouses, or escorting pack-mules to the forward positions (Preston, 1995; Scurr, 1985). 

2 Aug 1921: Rif Take Nador  

From his position in the outskirts of Melilla, Franco watched the last Spanish defenders of Nador being overcome (Preston, 1995).  The authorities denied his request to relieve the siege. 

9 Aug 1921: Rif Take Monte Arruit

Monte Arruit fell to the Riffi (Preston, 1995).  Primero de Rivera's brother, Fernando, was one of the dead (Fleming, 1991). 

8 Sep 1921: Convoy to Casabona

A large Spanish convoy was blocked trying to reach a strongpoint at Casabona (Scurr, 1985).  Franco led the escort column - 2nd Bandera, two companies of the 1st, and two tabors of Regulares of Ceuta - against the Riffi tribesmen entrenched in positions dominating the road (Preston, 1995).  Bayonet charges and close quarter fighting were the order of the day.  The Legion suffered more than 90 casualties and the Regulares about 100. 

12 Sept 1921: "Reconquista" begins 

This was the beginning of what was called the reconquest (Reconquista) (Fleming, 1991). 

14 Sep 1921: Spanish Relieve 'El Malo'

Men from an army Disciplinary Battalion relieved the defenders of the exposed blockhouse at Dar Hamed, known as "the bad one" (El Malo)  (Scurr, 1985). 

15 Sep 1921: Rif Take 'El Malo'

The Rif surrounded 'El Malo' at Dar Hamed. Riffi artillery fire wounded the Spanish officer in charge of the blockhouse, and killed several men (Scurr, 1985).  

15 volunteers (under Corporal Seceso Terroro) from the 1st Bandera on Atalayón reached the blockhouse as darkness fell (Scurr, 1985).  Two men were wounded as they crossed the wire.  The Rif attacked again, but were held by the Legionaries' rifle fire and grenades.  Toward midnight the Riffi brought up their artillery and pounded the blockhouse into rubble - there were no survivors. 

17 Sep 1921: Action at Amadi Gorge

The Spanish launched a major attacked against Nador, 16 km to the south of Melilla (Scurr, 1985).  At 0700 hours the 1st and 2nd Banderas, the Regulares of Ceuta, and three Spanish Infantry Battalions advanced from Sidi Hamed.  The Spanish suffered fire from Riffi artillery on Gurugú Mountain, but the Riffi positions were bombarded by a more impressive Spanish array including planes, artillery, and the guns of the offshore fleet.  Riffi machine gun and rifle fire halted the advance at the Amadi gorge.  Millán Astray was wounded in the chest and evacuated.  Franco led the 1st and 2nd Banderas along the heights above the gorge.  Although exposed to heavy fire the Legion cleared the gorge edge of tribesmen as far as Monte Arbós. The two Banderas suffered 33 casualties. 

18 Sep 1921: Republic of the Rif

The Confederal Republic of the Tribes of the Rif, or the Republic of the Rif in short, was created on 18 Sep 1921 (Wikipedia: Republic of the Rif).  Axdir was the capital and the Riffan was the currency.  Abd-el-Krim  became head of state (Emir of the Rif) on 1 Feb 1923.  Spanish and French forces dissolved the Republic on 27 May 1926. 

Within the Republic Abd-el-Krim maintained tight control on the various kabyles by handpicking the leaders, and putting Beni-Urriaguel in as their lieutenants ... and to keep and eye on them (Fleming, 1991).  Influence on the kabyles outside the Republic relied on Beni-Urriaguel military reputation and terror.  Feuds were outlawed and the towers near every house were demolished.  Of course not all kabyles were keen to accept Riffi overlordship and there was some inter-tribal fighting, at least in the Djebala.  

Also on 18 Sep 1921 the Legion entered Nador where mutilated Spanish corpses had littered the town since the Disaster of Annual - the smell was appalling (Scurr, 1985).  The Legionaries spent the next six days burying the dead.  

2 Oct 1921: Action at Sebt

Franco with the 1st and 2nd Banderas and the Regulares of Ceuta successfully assaulted ravines and trenches at Sebt (Scurr, 1985).  The Legion suffered 150 casualties.    Franco and his men were the vanguard of Gen. Berenguer's new westward offensive toward the River Kert; Gen Sanjurjo was the operational commander. 

5 Oct 1921: Spanish take Atlatlen

Sanjurjo's column took Atlatlen (Scurr, 1985). 

8 Oct 1921: Spanish take Segangan 

Sanjurjo's column took Segangan (Scurr, 1985). 

10 Oct 1921: Action on Gurugú Mountain

Heavy fighting on the crests of Gurugú Mountain resulted in 121 casualties for the Legion (Scurr, 1985). 

23 Oct 1921: Action at Monte Magán

In the western sector, the new 4th Bandera conducted bayonet charges against rebel 'harkas' (bands) around Monte Magán (Scurr, 1985). 

24 Oct 1921: Spanish Occupy Monte Arruit

The Legion occupied Monte Arruit in the eastern sector (Scurr, 1985).  They had to bury the corpses of the 800 Spanish that tried to make a stand here during the retreat from Annual in July.  [Preston, 1995, says 23 Oct.]

Oct 1921 also saw the expansion of the Legion (Scurr, 1985).  A 4th Bandera was raised at Dar Riffien and a third rifle company was added to each Bandera.  The 13th and 14th Companies joined the 1st and 2nd Banderas respectively on 24 Oct.  

28 Oct 1921: Action at Monte Magán

More bayonet charges by the 4th Bandera at Monte Magán (Scurr, 1985).  They suffered a total of 72 dead and 212 wounded during the fighting of 23 and 28 Oct. 

Nov 1921: 5th Bandera 

The Legion gained a 5th Bandera (Scurr, 1985).  

10 Nov 1921: Astray in

Millán Astray arrived back in Ceuta (western sector) although his chest wound hadn't fully healed (Scurr, 1985).  In conjunction with larger Spanish columns, he spent the next couple of months leading the 3rd, 4th and new 5th Banderas in operations in the Beni Arós and Djebala regions. 

18 Nov 1921: Action on Uisán Mountain

Back in the eastern sector, the 1st and 2nd Banderas, with some native police, scaled a steep ravine and took the old forts on Uisán Mountain (Scurr, 1985).  As the weather deteriorated over the next few days, operations were extended to Ras Medua, Tauriat Hamed and El Harcha. 

1922

10 Jan 1922: Spanish Capture Dar Drius

The Spanish captured Dar Drius on 10 Jan 1922, an important rail depot in the eastern sector (Scurr, 1985; Fleming, 1991, says 9 Jan 1922). Franco was prevented from wrecking vengence on the inhabitants of the village (Preston, 1995).  [Preston (1995) says 8 Jan.]

During a retreat from Dráa el Asef in the western sector on 10 Jan 1922, Millán Astray was wounded in the leg and evacuated again on 18 Jan (Scurr, 1985).  This retreat was also notable for an incident where the 8th Company of the Legion (in the 3rd Bandera) resorted to knife work when fighting off ten times their own numbers. 

Mid Jan 1922: Dar Drius Blockhouse

After an attack by Riffi, the Legionary defenders of a blockhouse near Dar Drius appeal for help to the Spanish commander of the village (Preston, 1995).   The officer ordered his entire Legionary contingent to the rescue.  Major Franco decided that 12 was enough and called for volunteers.  When the entire unit stepped forward, Franco chose 12 and they made their way to the blockhouse.  After a night of fierce fighting Franco and the 12 volunteers returned carrying the bloody heads of 12 tribesmen. 

14 Feb 1922: Astray in

Millán Astray arrived at the Legion camp at Dar Drius (Scurr, 1985). 

Mid-March 1922: Operations Against Beni Said and Beni Ulixech

Gen. Berenguer authorised Gen. José Sanjurjo, commanding in the eastern sector, to resume operations against the Beni Said and Beni Ulixech (Fleming, 1991; Scurr, 1985). 

14 Mar 1922: Schneiders Attack

The six French 1921 Schneider CA-1 of the armoured battery were the first Spanish tanks into combat (14 Mar 1922) (Tanks: Spanish).   

18 Mar 1922: Action at Ambar

The first action of the first Spanish tank company (12 French Renault FT-17s) was against the Beni Said kabyle on 18 Mar 1922 (Tanks: Spanish).  This was a joint operation between the tank company and Legion infantry.  They were to drive the Beni Said from the towns of Tugunz and Ambar.  Rain caused leaky roofs and mechanical problems due to wet ignitions.  None the less the attack started at 0600 hours.  Advancing at 4mph the tanks soon out-distanced the legionaries.  Facing tanks was a new experience for the Beni but they learnt quickly.  When rifle fire didn't stop the FT-17s the tribesmen climbed on the tanks and stabbed and shot through the vision slits.  With no supporting infantry the tanks could do little about this.  With on-going ignition failures, gun failures, and lacking infantry support, the tanks called it a day and withdrew.  The Spanish left two FT-17s on the field.  

Millán Astray led the 1st and 2nd Banderas on an advance on Ambar (Scurr, 1985).  The Legion suffered 86 casualties during fierce but unsuccessful counter-attack by the rebels. 

12 May 1922: Spanish Take Tazarut

After months of manning outposts and escorting convoys the 3rd and 5th Banderas joined the final occupation of Tazarut - El Raisuni's stronghold, although the man himself escaped (Fleming, 1991; Scurr, 1985).  

9 Jul 1922: Berenguer out; Burguete in  

Berenguer resigned for the 4th time after the Supreme Military Court issued its indictment against him (Fleming, 1991). This time it was accepted.  His replacement was Gen. Ricardo Burguete.  

Aug - Dec 1922: Negotiations with El Raisuni 

In Aug Burguete began negotiations with El Raisuni (Fleming, 1991; Preston, 1995). These ended with the Spanish giving El Raisuni authority over the central Djebala in exchange for formal submission to the Caliph (4 Dec 1922).  Similar negotiations with Abd-el-Krim failed so Burguete recommenced operations in the eastern sector.  

Sep 1922: 6th Bandera 

A 6th Bandera joined the Legion (Scurr, 1985). 

26 Oct 1922: Spanish Take Tizzi Azza

After considerable opposition, the Spanish took Tizzi Azza (Fleming, 1991).  This was a fortified hill top position to the south of Annual in the eastern sector (Preston, 1995).  This brought the Spanish roughly back to the line held by Silvestre in Jun 1921. 

Start of Nov 1922: Siege of Tizzi Azza

The Rif pre-empted a Spanish attack from Tizzi Azza by taking the dominating heights above the town and firing down into the garrison (Preston, 1995).  They forced the Spanish to dig in for the winter and inflicted 2,000 casualties over the course of the siege. 

Nov 1922: Legion Camp at Ben Tieb

2nd Bandera started work on an advanced camp for the Legion at Ben Tieb (Scurr, 1985). 

13 Nov 1922: Astray out; Valenzuela in

Due to political considerations Lt. Col. Rafael de Valenzuela Urzais replaced Millán Astray as commander of the Legion (Scurr, 1985).  Valenzuela had founded and led the Group of Regulares of Alhucemas. 

1922-23: French Interfere in Beni Zerwal

The majority of the Riffi grain came from the fertile alluvial plain around the Uarga River on the border of the French and Spanish Protectorates (Fleming, 1991).  Most of the Beni Zerwal in the centre was allocated to the Spanish zone, but in 1922-23 the French began to interfere in the internal affairs of this kabyle.  

1923

17 Jan 1923: Franco out

At his own request Franco left the Legion for a posting back to his old regiment in Oviedo (Scurr, 1985).

Also on 17 Jan 1923 the military command of the protectorate was decentralised (again) (Fleming, 1991).

27 Jan 1923: Spanish Ransom Prisoners

Acting against the wishes of the army, the Spanish government paid Abd-el-Krim for the return of the prisoners taken at Annual in Jul-Aug 1921 (Fleming, 1921).  The 45 officers (including the second in command, General Navarro), 245 soldiers, and 40 civilians cost the Spanish people 4,270,000 pesetas.  

1 Feb 1923: 

Abd-el-Krim  became head of state of the Republic of the Rif (Emir of the Rif) on 1 Feb 1923 (Wikipedia: Republic of the Rif).  Fleming (1991) says Abd-el-Krim also announced the creation of the Republic, but according to Wikipedia: Republic of the Rif the actual creation was in 1921.  

17 Feb 1923: Burguete out; Silvela in 

Luis Silvela, a civilian, replaced Gen. Burguete as High Commissioner (Fleming, 1991). 

10 Apr 1923: Abd-el-Krim Initiates Negotiations 

Abd-el-Krim initiated negotiations with the Spanish, but they lead nowhere (Fleming, 1991) 

Late May 1923: Rif recommence military action 

With the failure of the negotiations in April, the Rif recommence aggressive action (Fleming, 1991). 

In mid-1923 Abd-el-Krim organised his pan-Riffi military force including Beni Urriaguel regulars supplemented by tribal harkas (Fleming, 1991).  

5 Jun 1923: Relief of Tizzi Asa; Valenzuela Killed

A Spanish supply convoy left Tafersit for the outpost at Tizzi Asa, besieged since November the previous year (Scurr, 1985).  Col. Gómez Morato commanded the column, while Lt. Col. Valenzuela led the vanguard (1st, 2nd and 4th Banderas, and a Tabor of Regulares).  Fire from entrenched tribesmen halted the Regulares at Iguermisen ravine.  With Legion machineguns pinning the rebel harka in place, the 1st and 2nd Banderas attacked the right flank and the 4th to the left.   Morato on the extreme right ordered a general attack.  Valenzuela sent the 1st and 2nd Banderas charging up the slope toward the enemy entrenchments.  During the grenade and bayonet work amongst the trenches, Valenzuela and his escort were shot down.  The scattered Legionaries rallied to their nearest officer and drove the Riffi from the trenches.  This allowed the convoy to reach Tizzi Asa (Preston, 1995).  Legion casualties were 186 including the dead Valenzuela.  

The Spanish tank company ( 12 French Renault FT-17s) were used to protect the convoy to Tizzi Asa (Renault FT-17 Tanks in the Rif War).  

8 Jun 1923: Franco in  

The newly promoted Lt. Col. Franco was given command of the Legion (Preston, 1995; Scurr, 1985). 

2 - 13 Jul 1923: Negotiations with Abd-el-Krim 

Another round of fruitless peace negotiations (Fleming, 1991). 

22 Aug 1923: Spanish Relieve Tifaruin Outpost

9,000 Riffi were besieging the outpost at Tifaruin outpost near the mouth of the river Kert (Scurr, 1985).  On 22 Aug 1923 the Spanish broke the siege.  The Regulares of Alhucemas and Melilla were blocked on the direct approach, so Franco led the 1st and 2nd Banderas in a wide flanking movement to the right of the enemy entrenchments.  His attack on the Riffi flank and rear allowed to the Regulares to break through to Tifaruin.

Sep 1923: Riffi Aggression

During Sep 1923 the Riffi attacked 70 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 28 of the 30 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

12 - 15 Sep 1923: Coup D'état in Spain

Gen. Miguel Primo de Rivera staged a successful coup d'état in Spain (Scurr, 1985). 

The war in Morocco had cost the Spanish 2,300,000,000 pesetas since 1909 and 23,000 casualties since 1916 (Fleming, 1991).   

By early autumn 1923 the most important tribes in the Djebala had agreed to cooperate with Abd-el-Krim (Fleming, 1991).  This was bad for El Raisuni as his supporters bailed.  One of his youngest and most able commanders, Ahmed Heriro, defected to Abd-el-Krim and became a major Rif leader in the Djebala.  

Oct 1923: Riffi Aggression

During Oct 1923 the Riffi attacked 38 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 23 of the 31 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

12 Oct 1923: Negotiations with El Raisuni 

The Spanish and El Raisuni failed to come to agreement at Sidi Musa (Fleming, 1991).  The Spanish no longer viewed El Raisuni as a force in the Djebala.  

About this time the Spanish again tried to negotiate with Abd-el-Krim (Fleming, 1991). 

7 Oct 1923: Spanish Draft Down 

In the deliberate effort to rely more on volunteer and indigenous troops, the Spanish began to send conscript units home (Fleming, 1991).  29,000 conscripts were sent home early.  Another 26,000 were to be discharged in the first three months of 1924.  Plans for the new draft were also reduced, from 92,000 in 1923 to 78,000 in 1924 (i.e. down by 20%).  

1 Nov 1923: New Reserve Units 

Rivera created two new reserve divisional brigades in the southern ports of Alicante and Almeria (Fleming, 1991).  Each included four cavalry regiments, two artillery batteries, and an infantry company.   There purpose was to provide immediate reinforcements to Africa, in the case of an emergency.  

Nov 1923: Riffi Aggression

The Riffi intensified their attacks against Tifaruin and Tizzi-Azza in early Nov 1923, however overall Riffi activity was low in November compared to the preceding and following months (Fleming, 1991). During Nov 1923 the Riffi attacked 10 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 7 of the 30 days of the month. 

Dec 1923: Riffi Aggression

During Dec 1923 the Riffi attacked 48 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 23 of the 31 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

10 Dec 1923: Ominous Quiet 

Gen. Castro Girona wrote that the protectorate was passing through a period of ominous quiet (Fleming, 1991).  In this quiet period Abd-el-Krim was extending his control into the Uarga region and the Gomara.  El Raisuni increasingly relied on Spanish troops to control his own followers.  

1924

Jan 1924: Riffi Aggression

During Jan 1924 the Riffi attacked 37 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 22 of the 31 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

Early Jan 1924: Riffi Invade Gomara 

Riffi harkas invaded the Gomara and imposed a tribute system to support their occupation (Fleming, 1991).  The Riffi were also fighting certain Djebalan qa'ids in Jan-Feb.  

18 Jan 1924: Protectorate Reorganised  

Rivera gave the High Commissioner back overall civilian and military command of the protectorate (Fleming, 1991).  

To allow defence in depth the Melilla, or eastern, sector was subdivided into a vanguard zone (zona de vanguardia) and a rearguard zone (zona de retaguardia) (Fleming, 1991).  The former were the advanced positions on the Silvestre Line.  A Spanish column was based at each of Dar Quebdani, Dar Drius and Tafersit.  Franco's Legion was based at Ben Tieb.  In the rear zone the the Spanish concentrated troops at Tistutin, Nador, Segangen, and Melilla.   

Organisation in the western sector remained unchanged (Fleming, 1991). 

To the south the forces in the French Protectorate had been steadily declining, reaching a low of 65,258 in 1924 (Fleming, 1991). 

19 Jan 1924: Ahmed Heriro Joins Riffi 

Abd-el-Krim paid Ahmed Heriro - a key follower of El Raisuni's in the Djebala - to throw his lot in with the Riffi (Fleming, 1991). 

Feb 1924: Riffi Aggression

During Feb 1924 the Riffi attacked 48 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 20 of the 29 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

16 Feb 1924: Heriro Besieges M'Ter  

A Riffi harka under Ahmed Heriro besieged M'Ter on the Mediterranean (Fleming, 1991).   The siege lasted a month and was tight enough that the Spanish had to supply the output from the air.  The Riffi had two captured guns and shelled the outpost every day.  

Abd-el-Krim also began four months of exploratory raid, leading up to his offensive on 27 Jun 1924 (Fleming, 1991). 

22 Feb 1924: 

Spanish intelligence believed Abd-el-Krim controlled the coast to Gomara and inland as far as the boundary with the French protectorate (Fleming, 1991).  

25 Feb 1924 - Jun 1924: Legion Opens Up Supply Routes

Franco led his Banderas in numerous operations to open up the supply routes to Tizzi Asa, Sidi Mesaud, and other outposts (Scurr, 1985).  

Mar 1924: Riffi Aggression

A troublesome month for the Spanish.  During Mar 1924 the Riffi attacked 59 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 22 of the 31 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

1 Mar 1924: Riffi Attack in East 

Riffi forces attacked Tizzi Azza, Azib de Midar, and Afgrau (Fleming, 1991).  Tizzi Azza was the hardest hit of the Spanish outposts and the defenders resorted to hand-to-hand combat to drive off their attackers.  

3 Mar 1924: Cataluña at M'Ter 

The Spanish cruiser Cataluña arrived at M'Ter but two Riffi guns caused extensive damage and forced the ship to limp back to Cadiz for repairs (Fleming, 1991).  

7 Mar 1924: Spanish Relieve Tizzi Azza 

Columns under Lt. Col. Franco and Lt. Col. Llanos broke the siege of Tizzi Azza (Fleming, 1991).   The Spanish suffered 22 dead and 167 wounded against estimated Riffi losess of 120 dead and 70 wounded.  

Apr 1924: Riffi Aggression

A troublesome month for the Spanish.  During Apr 1924 the Riffi attacked 58 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 23 of the 30 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

13 Apr 1924: Terrorist Attack in Tetuán

Terrorist Attack in Tetuán (Fleming, 1991).

May 1924: French Cross the Uarga  

The French forces on the northern border occupied the area north of the Uarga river, in the area of the Beni Zerwal, to secure it against the Riffi (Fleming, 1991).  By the end of Jun 1924 the French had a 120 km long line of posts and blockhouse from Biban in the west to Kifan in the east.   Negotiations also created a pro-French camp within the Beni Zerwal.     

During May 1924 the Riffi attacked 39 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 19 of the 31 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

Sanjurjo took over command in Melilla about this time (Fleming, 1991).  

1 May 1924: Riffi Besiege Sidi Mesaud

On 1 May 1924 400 of the Beni Urriaguel regulars besieged the advanced post of Sidi Mesaud in the eastern sector (Fleming, 1991).  The garrison commander called for reinforcements and Rivera started a bombing campaign.  

6 May - 16 Sep 1924: Spanish Bombing Campaign 

The Spanish air units were concentrated in Melilla on 5 May (Fleming, 1991).  Spanish planes bombed the area between Sidi Mesaud and Axdir on 6, 8, and 9 May.   The aim was the systematic "destruction of villages and livestock, the dispersion of all manner of concentrations and markets and above all, the burning of crops" (p. 140).  The Spanish used incendiary, fragmentation, and poison gas.  None-the-less the siege of Sidi Mesaud continued.  And the air attacks also continued ... for four and half months on an almost daily basis.  

10-12 May 1924: Spanish Break Siege of Sidi Mesaud 

In three days of hand-to-hand combat columns of Legionnaires and Regulares under Lt. Col. Franco and Lt. Col. Pozas broke the siege of Sidi Mesaud (Fleming, 1991).  

Jun 1924: Riffi Aggression

During Jun 1924 the Riffi attacked 38 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 21 of the 30 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

By June Abd-el-Krim had about 80,000 men in arms due to the support of Beni Said, Beni Hassan, Beni Hozmar and many others in the western sector (Fleming, 1991; Scurr, 1985).  They were well supplied with weapons and ammunition including 100 artillery pieces.   (Scur says 200 artillery pieces, but Fleming has a convincing argument for at most 100 guns.) 

5, 9 and 25 Jun 1924: Spanish Intelligence 

The Spanish intelligence services noted Ahmed Heriro's forces had increased and that he was poised near the Uad Lau Line (Fleming, 1991).  An attack was obviously imminent. 

27 Jun 1924: Riffi Attack Uad Lau Line 

The Riffi attacked the weak Uad Lau Line in the western sector (Fleming, 1991).  The attackers were Beni Urriaguel regulars under Ahmed Heriro and harkas of the Djebalan kabyles of the Beni Said, Beni Hassan, and Beni Hozmar.  Rivera thought there were 2,000 in the Riffi force. The attack initially had two prongs.   A number of Spanish outposts along the river were quickly cut off and subjected to daily attacks.   The worst attacks were against Koba Daras and Hoj.  

Jul 1924: Riffi Aggression

During Jul 1924 the Riffi attacked 47 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 22 of the 31 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

1 Jul 1924: 

Abd-el-Krim added a third prong to the attack on the Uad Lau Line (Fleming, 1991).   

2 Jul 1924 

Gen. Luis Bermudez de Castro replaced Gen. Montero in Ceuta (Fleming, 1991).  The Spanish reinforced the western front with troops from the Peninsular and from Melilla.  

6 Jul 1924: Spanish Relieve Koba Daras and Hoj

Two columns under Gen. Julian Serrano Orive relieved the Koba Daras and Hoj outposts (Fleming, 1991). 

14 Jul 1924: 

Spanish intelligence reported that Heriro had received 1,200 reinforcements from the central Rif (Fleming, 1991). 

17 Jul 1924: Riffi Close in on Tetuán-Xaüen Road

The Riffi began to close in on the southern section of the Tetuán- Xaüen road (Fleming, 1991).

Aug 1924: Riffi Aggression

During Aug 1924 the Riffi attacked 31 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 18 of the 31 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

First Week of August 

Abd-el-Krim launched a new series of attacks on the Uad Lau Line (Fleming, 1991).  The attacks focused on Infertan, Tazza, and Solano to the southwest and west of Cobba d'Arsa, and on the Uad Lau Valley between Dar Acobba and Taguesut.  By 8 Aug the Riff had cut Spanish communications to the south and to Xaüen in particular.  

7 Aug 1924 

Sanjurjo in the eastern sector launched various reconnaissance probes to relieve pressure on the west (Fleming, 1991).  Abd-el-Malek - now a high paid supporter of the Spanish - led his harka on one such probe on 7 Aug 1924.  Despite support from the Spanish air force his band was driven back by a Riffi counter-attack and Abd-el-Malek was killed in the retreat.   

13 Aug 1924 

In the peninsular a brigade under Gen. Alberto Castro Girona was prepared for immediate assignment to Morocco (Fleming, 1991).   

In the western sector of the protectorate the Spanish organised four columns under Gen. Serrano, Gen Grund, Gen. Riquelme, and Lt. Col. Permúy (Fleming, 1991).  The columns had orders to rescue the cut off positions but the Riffi were well entrenched and most of the local kabyles were hostile, if not in open revolt, so this was easier said than done.  In the end the rescue attempt was a complete failure.  For example, Column Riquelme was held on the road north of Xaüen for three weeks. 

15 Aug 1924: Riffi attack Afrau and Tifarauin

Riffi attacked Afrau and Tifarauin and it took 2,000 Spanish and two days to break the siege (Fleming, 1991).  

20 Aug 1924: Spanish Withdrawal 

The Spanish began withdrawing from the Lau sector of the western sector (Scurr, 1985).  [Seems a bit early for the planned withdrawal, which was actually announced 10 Sep, so I suspect this is the unplanned response to Riffi atttacks.]

End of Aug 1924: 

After the reinforcements of Jul-Aug the Spanish had 100,00 men in the Protectorate (Fleming, 1991).  But with the failure of the four relief columns the Riffi had cut the roads and communications, had captured a number of small positions and forced the Spanish to evacuate others.  The Ifartán encampment was abandoned after an eight day siege.   The commander of the blockhouses at Sentafa had the position burned, then committed suicide, leaving his surviving men to be slaughtered by the Riffi.  All the positions around Buharrax were out of water and under siege with no hope of rescue.  Because Column Serrano was blocked Solano had to be abandoned.  Various small Spanish detachments disappeared on the roads.    

Sep 1924: Riffi Aggression

During Jan 1924 the Riffi attacked 26 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 15 of the 30 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

4 Sep 1924: 

Eight more Peninsular battalions were sent to Morocco (Fleming, 1991). 

5 Sep 1924: Riff Surround Xaüen

By 5 Sep the Abd-el-Krim's harkas control the Gorgues Mountains to the south-east of Tetuán (Scurr, 1985).  10,000 Spanish soldiers (including the 6th Bandera) were surrounded in the Xaüen district, mainly in the city itself. 

5 - 21 Sep 1924: Spanish Open Road to Xaüen

Spanish columns including Banderas 2 through 5, spend September clearing the enemy from their positions in the Gorgues Mountains, thus opening the road to Xaüen (Scurr, 1985). 

6 Sep 1924: Queipo Rescues Riquelme 

A column under Queipo de Llano - subsequently considered battle hardened veterans - rescued Column Riquelme on the Tetuán-Xaüen road allowing both to retreat to Ben Karrich (Fleming, 1991).  

8 Sep 1924: Rivera Arrives 

Rivera arrived in the protectorate to take charge (Fleming, 1991).  

10 Sep 1924: Spanish Withdrawal

Rivera announced his play to evacuate the 400 exposed outposts in the three most threatened sectors: the Lau valley, the Tetuán-Xaüen road, and the gorges of the Beni Arós (Preston, 1995; Scurr,1985). The troops were to withdraw to the more defensible coastal fringes.  Abd-el-Krim stepped up his attacks as the Spanish withdraw.   According to Fleming (1991) about 233 posts in the western sector were actually abandoned.  

10 - 12 Sep 1924: 

Queipo de Llano veteran column and Girona's newly arrived brigade fought their way 20km down the Tetuán-Xaüen road (Fleming, 1991).  At El Fondak de Ain Yedida waited for reinforcements before the final push to Xaüen.  

13 Sep 1924: Queipo Annoys Dictator 

After a minor confrontation Rivera relieved Queipo de Llano of his command (Fleming, 1991).  Further more on 24 Sep Queipo was sentenced to a month's prison sentence.  

15 Sep 1924 

Riquelme took over command in Larache (Fleming, 1991). 

18 Sep 1924: Spanish Attack Gorgues Heights

The Riffi had artillery in the Gorgues Heights 7 km south of Tetuán and could fire into the capital (Fleming, 1991).   Two columns under Castro Girona and Frederico Berenguer (Dámaso's brother) attacked the heights on 18 Sep 1924.   It took Lt. Co. Franco's Legionnaires until 22 Sep to clear the area.  

23 Sep: Spanish Relief Columns Head for Xaüen

On 23 Sep two Spanish columns left Tetuán for Xaüen, under Serrano and Col. Enrique Ovila (Fleming, 1991; Scurr, 1985).  Column Girona joined them on the drive south.  The 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Banderas formed the vanguard of these columns.  [Preston (1995) says the legion led Column Girona alone, but this is unlikely.]

A fourth column, advancing from the west under Col. Carrasco, was forced back to Larache by Djebalan opposition (Fleming, 1991)

27 Sep 1924 

Riquelme began to abandon the advanced posts in the kabyle of Beni Aros (Fleming, 1991).  

28 Sep 1924: Serrano Reaches Zoco el Arbáa 

Gen. Serrano's column reached the small outpost of Zoco el Arbáa, halfway between Tetuán and Xaüen  (Fleming, 1991). 

The vanguard of Column Girona, under Franco, relieved the Spanish positions at Xeruta and Dar Akoba (Fleming, 1991).  

29 Sep 1924: Spanish Reach Xaüen 

An advanced Spanish force under Col. Virgilio reached Xaüen (Fleming, 1991). 

30 Sep 1924: Serrano Enters Xaüen 

Gen. Serrano's column reached Xaüen on 30 Sep after fierce fighting (Scurr, 1985).  

Oct 1924: Riffi Aggression

During Oct 1924 the Riffi attacked 39 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 20 of the 31 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

2 Oct 1924

Column Girona arrived in Xaüen on 2 Oct (Scurr, 1985).  

2 Oct - 14 Nov 1924: Spanish Evacuate Xaüen Outposts

As soon as the city was relieved parties of Legionaries and Regulares evacuated the Spanish personnel from the 100 outposts around Xaüen (Scurr, 1985).  Casualties were heavy with some of the rescue parties being almost destroyed (Fleming, 1995).  The Riffi demanded a ransom of two rifles for each man to be evacuated but rarely kept to the bargain.   All Spanish forces were concentrated in the city itself by 14 Nov.  

16 Oct 1924

General Primo de Rivera, the Spanish dictator, named himself High Commissioner of Morocco (Fleming, 1991; Scurr, 1985).  Rivera tried to initiate peace talks with Abd-el-Krim.  As a result it seems that Abd-el-Krim ordered Ahmed Heriro to reduce any offensive action, but the negotiations came to nothing.  

21 Oct 1924: Astray Loses Arm

Millán Astray, now on the staff of the High Commission, had his left arm shattered in an action near Fondak fortress (??).  The arm subsequently had to be removed. 

30 Oct 1924 

All Spanish forces had been successfully withdrawn from the Beni Arós sector (Scurr, 1985).  The 2nd Bandera were responsible for protecting the withdrawal.

Nov 1924: Riffi Aggression

During Nov 1924 the Riffi attacked 27 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 16 of the 30 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

By Nov 1924 the Spanish had some 125,000 troops in Morocco (Fleming, 1991). 

5 Nov 1924 

By 5 Nov 1924 141 Spanish advanced posts had been evacuated and the men concentrated in Xaüen (Fleming, 1991). According to Preston (1995) the Spanish had 10,000 soldiers in Xaüen, but Fleming (1991) gives this as the number in Girona's column alone when they left.  

15 Nov 1924: Column Girona Leaves Xaüen

Girona led the way with 10,000 men on the evening of 15 Nov and reached Zoco el Arbaa on 18 Nov with little trouble (Fleming, 1991).   

El Raisuni, who was in Xaüen, refused to retreat with the Spanish, and instead headed for his fortress at Tazarut (Fleming, 1991). 

17 Nov 1924: Legion Evacuates Xaüen

Just after midnight on 17 Nov Franco silently pulled his rearguard out of Xaüen, leaving straw dummies in Legionary uniforms to man the walls (Scurr, 1985).  

18 Nov 1924: Column Girona Reach Zoco el Arbáa 

Column Girona reached Zoco el Arbáa on 18 Nov with little trouble (Fleming, 1991).   

19 Nov 1924: General Serrano Killed 

Due to heavy rain and Riffi attacks 19 Nov found the Spanish spread between Dar Acobba and Zoco el Arbáa (Fleming, 1991).  Some 7,000 Riffi and Djebalis under Ahmed Heriro attacked the spread out troops.   Heriro overran the post of Dar Acobba.  Capt. Arredondo's 1st company of the 1st Bandera was completely wiped out when covering the withdrawal from Xeruta (Scurr, 1985).  Gen. Serrano and a fair number of other Spanish were also killed at Xeruta.  Despite these loses the surviving Spanish continued to fight their way up the road.   

19 Nov - 25 Nov 1924: Zoco el Arbaa Surrounded

With Gen. Serrano dead the Spanish were consolidated into one column at Zoco el Arbáa (Scurr, 1985).  It took until 25 Nov for all the survivors to reach the post (Fleming, 1991).  The Spanish remained at Zoco el Arbáa for three weeks under 24 hour a day harassment from Heriro's harkas.

Dec 1924: Riffi Aggression

During Dec 1924 the Riffi attacked 40 of the 76 front line Spanish positions in the eastern sector; Riffi attacks occurred on 21 of the 31 days of the month (Fleming, 1991). 

On the southern border the French and Spanish authorities secretly began to cooperate to stop the flow of contraband into the Rif Republic (Fleming, 1991).   French officers began to stop convoys entering the Spanish Protectorate.  These efforts we taking their toll on the Riffi by Feb-Mar 1925.  

7 Dec 1924: No More Evacuations 

Rivera ordered that no more posts would be evacuated (Fleming, 1991).  

10 Dec 1924: Zoco el Arbaa Break Out

The Spanish at Zoco el Arbaa broke out on 10 Dec and headed for Ben Karrich (Fleming, 1991; Scurr, 1985).

11 - 13 Dec 1924: Tetuán 

Still protected from heavy attack by the legionary rearguard, the Spanish column limped into Tetuán (Scurr, 1985).  The last units entered on 13 Dec 1924 (Fleming, 1991).  Legion casualties in the entire retreat were about 1,000; the rest of the column experienced a similar number of casualties.  

The retreat left Ahmed Heriro's forced only 10 km south of Tetuán (Fleming, 1991).  The northern Djebalan kabyle of Anyera took the opportunity to rise in revolt, disrupting communications between Tetuán, Ceuta and Tangier. 

16 Dec 1924: 

The Spanish began several blockhouses southwest of Tetuán to close access to the San Martín River valley  (Fleming, 1991).  

17 Dec 1924  

Gen. Saro and Lt. Col. Franco were ordered to suppress the Anyera (Fleming, 1991).&n