Méhariste is a French word that roughly translates to camel cavalry . The word is most commonly used as a designation of military units .
60-565: France created a corps of méhariste camel companies ( Compagnies Méharistes Sahariennes ), as part of the Armée d'Afrique , in the Sahara in 1902. These units replaced regular units of Algerian spahis and tirailleurs earlier used to patrol the desert boundaries. The newly raised Compagnies méharistes were originally recruited mainly from the Chaamba nomadic tribe and commanded by officers of
120-533: A form fitting fez, of garnet red felt with blue bow and white "sub-tachia". The colours distinguished the Savari departments, in addition to the usual bands. The Italian officers permanently assigned to colonial units wore the issue tropical peaked cap, the coloured sash of his battalion with identical piping around his shoulder boards mounted on any issue tunic. He could wear either khaki straight trousers or breeches with high brown field boots with or without lacing at
180-716: A major role in the liberation of Corsica (September – October 1943) and the Italian Campaign (1943–44) in the French Expeditionary Corps . During the French and German campaigns of 1944–45 the Army of Africa was expanded to 260,000 men (including 50% Indigenes and 50% white French settlers in North Africa, Pied-Noir ), including the 1st Motorized Infantry Division (Zouaves and Foreign Legion),
240-653: A substantial portion of the French Army between 1945 and 1962. The Foreign Legion and volunteers from the Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian tirailleur regiments served in the Indochina War between 1946 and 1954, along with nine tabors of the Moroccan Goumiers. Four regiments of Moroccan and Algerian spahis fought as infantry or halftrack armoured units. With Moroccan and Tunisian independence in 1956,
300-571: A year later, conquered Ethiopia was added to them, as a result of which they were all named the Forze armate dell'Africa Orientale Italiana (FF.AA. "A.O.I.", or FAAOI — Armed Forces of Italian East Africa ), and remained active until 1943, when Italy was defeated in WWII. The two corps, Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, were merged into a common Libyan corps, which in 1939 was renamed the Libyan corps. After 1936,
360-424: The 1st Armoured Division ( Chasseurs d' Afrique and Foreign Legion), the 2nd and 4th Moroccan Infantry Divisions (Moroccan Tirailleurs), and the 3rd Algerian Infantry Division (Algerian and Tunisian Tirailleurs). In addition three groupes de tabors marocains of Goumiers served as independent units while artillery, engineer, commando, reconnaissance (mechanised Spahis and tank destroyer units were drawn from
420-555: The Fall of France . Officers of the African Light Infantry were seconded from other regiments as were some non-commissioned officers. Many NCOs were however former "Joyeux" who chose to remain with these unusual units and exercise authority, after they had completed their original terms of service. Camel mounted Meharistes plus Compagnies Sahariennes (desert infantry and later mechanised troops) were maintained in
480-917: The First Italo-Ethiopian War , the Italian-Turkish war , and the conquest of Ethiopia , until World War II. The colonial soldiers always showed courage and in some cases (like the Eritrean Ascari) fought with heroism. Except for the German parachute division in Italy and the Japanese in Burma no enemy with whom the British and Indian troops were matched put up a finer fight than those Savoia battalions at Keren (Eritrea). Moreover,
540-791: The French Army stationed in French North Africa ( Morocco , Algeria and Tunisia ) from 1830 until the end of the Algerian War in 1962, including units made up of indigenous recruits. The Army of Africa included indigenous Arab or Berber volunteers; ( spahis , Goumiers and tirailleurs ); regiments largely made up of pied-noir French settlers doing their military service ( zouaves and chasseurs d'Afrique ); and non-French volunteers ( Légion étrangère ). The divisions were not absolute and (for example) volunteers or conscripts from mainland France might choose to serve with
600-550: The French colonial empire . The battalions of Infanterie Légère d'Afrique (African Light Infantry) were penal units made up of convicted military criminals from all branches of the French Army, who had finished their sentences in military prisons but still had time to serve before their terms of engagement were completed. The preference was not to return them to their original units where they might undermine discipline or brutalise their fellow soldiers. The first two battalions of
660-788: The Infanterie Legere d'Afrique were raised in 1832 for service in Algeria. Ironically known as les Joyeux (the "merry ones") these units were generally used for road and other construction work under harsh discipline. They were however used for combat service when circumstances demanded in Africa, Indochina and in France itself during World War I . Three battalions sent to France at the outbreak of World War II to work on fortifications, were rearmed in April 1940 and saw active service prior to
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#1732772988776720-460: The Muslim rank and file of the spahis and tirailleurs, while Arab volunteers might appear amongst the ranks of the zouaves. Prior to World War I, one battalion of each of the four zouave regiments then in existence, was recruited in France. These battalions' bases were thereby providing a framework that could be expanded in the event of general mobilisation, and which were physically located closer to
780-537: The Royal Corps of Colonial Troops in the Italian North African territories of Cyrenaica and Tripolitania during the colonial period. The Italian Zaptie meharista served primarily as desert gendarmerie . Like their French and Spanish counterparts they were recruited from the indigenous desert tribes, and wore modified versions of tribal dress. Locally recruited camel corps were maintained by
840-667: The Sahara . The Foreign Legion provided mule mounted detachments for service in southern Algeria and, from 1940 to 1962, four of the Compagnies Sahariennes . In addition to the above, units or individuals from the mainland French Army were sometimes posted to service in North Africa, as were detachments of the Gendarmerie and the Tirailleurs Senegalais . At the outbreak of war in August 1914,
900-508: The Army of Africa in Algeria and Tunisia comprised nine regiments of Algerian Tirailleurs , four of zouaves, six of chasseurs d'Afrique , four of spahis and two of the Foreign Legion. In Morocco nineteen battalions of tirailleurs and nine of zouaves were on active service, along with elements of the Foreign Legion and the African Light Infantry. Large numbers of these troops were sent immediately to serve in France, mainly drawn from
960-401: The Army of Africa ranged from the spectacular "tenue orientale" of the spahis, tirailleurs and zouaves to the ordinary French military dress of the chasseurs d'Afrique, Foreign Legion, Artillerie d'Afrique and Infanterie Légère d'Afrique. Even the latter units were however distinguished by details such as sashes , white kepi covers and (for the chasseurs) fezzes which made them stand out from
1020-603: The Colonial troops, until they cracked at the very end, fought with valour and resolution, and their staunchness was a testimony to the excellence of the Italian administration and military training in Eritrea The colonial troops were commanded by Italian officers and NCOs, while soldiers were drawn from the Italian colonial territories (and to a smaller extent also from neighbouring Yemen ). In 1940, 256,000 Askaris in
1080-482: The Eritrean and AOI cavalry units, wrapped around the tarbush. As examples, the 17th Eritrean Battalion had black and white tarbush tassels and vertically striped sashes; while the 64th Eritrean Battalion wore both of these items in scarlet and purple. The same colours were reproduced in the edging thread of the shoulder straps of the Italian officers who led the units. The ascari of Eritrea, Somalia and AOI wore
1140-476: The European settler community. At the same time, additional Muslim soldiers were to be incorporated into previously mostly European units such as the zouaves, until they made up to 25% of the total. Growing tensions within mixed units as the war continued, plus the threat of rebel FLN reprisals against Muslim volunteers, largely nullified this attempted reform. Towards the end of the period of French rule in 1959
1200-565: The French Affaires Indigènes (Native Affairs Bureau). Each company of Méharistes comprised six officers, 36 French non-commissioned officers and troopers, and 300 Chaamba troopers. Their bases were at Tabelbala , Adrar , Ouargla , Fort Polignac and Tamanrasset . With their local tribal links, plus their mobility and flexible tactics, the Compagnies Méharistes provided an effective means of policing
1260-605: The French Army of the Levant . During World War II méhariste companies, organised as "nomad groups", saw service against Axis forces in the Fezzan and southern Tunisia . At the end of the war the Compagnies Sahariennes resumed their role as desert police. Operating in wide-ranging platoons of 50 to 60 men under French officers, they administered local laws, provided some basic medical assistance, inspected wells and reported on
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#17327729887761320-502: The French and indigenous populations of French North Africa . The Oran, Algiers and Constantine Divisions existed as divisions until at least 1955–57; General de division Raymond Delange ( fr:Raymond Delange ) commanded the Algiers Division in 1955–57, also being assistant commander of the 10th Military Region. During the Algerian War they were upgraded to corps status. The Armée d’Afrique continued to provide
1380-867: The Italian Royal Army were present in the local Italian colonies. Of these, 182,000 had been recruited in Italian East Africa (Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia) and 74,000 in Libya. In January 1941, when Allied forces invaded Italian-occupied Ethiopia in January 1941 most of the locally recruited ascaris deserted. The majority of the Eritrean Ascaris remained loyal until the Italian surrender four months later. [ which surrender? discuss here . ] There were various Royal Corps of Colonial Troops: The first two corps were united in 1935, and
1440-481: The Libyan paratroopers Ascari del Cielo and the Italian Africa Police . The uniforms differed between the various specialities and, to a lesser extent, in the different periods. The system of distinctive sashes was common to all the regular departments of all colonies. Each unit or branch was identifiable by the colours and motif of the wide woollen sash ("etagà") wrapped around the waist and, in
1500-458: The Muslim personnel of the tirailleur and spahi units recruited in both countries were incorporated into their new national armies. This reduced the Army of Africa to the all professional Foreign Legion; the colon (French settler) conscripts and reservists of the zouaves and chasseurs d'Afrique; and the career regulars and conscripts of the remaining Muslim units recruited in Algeria. In contrast to
1560-518: The Muslim population of Algeria. In theory, from this date, all young Muslim males were called to undertake three years of compulsory military service upon reaching the age of 18. However only about 2,000 conscripts a year were obtained by this method, out of approximately 45,000 possible candidates and Muslim enlistment remained predominately voluntary in peacetime. Even during World War I the majority (89,000 out of 170,000) of Muslim soldiers who served were volunteers. As in France itself, military service
1620-641: The RCTC were: All these military units underwent a reorganization in the 1930s, the Eritrean, Somali, and Ethiopian became the Armed Forces of Italian East Africa . The Royal Italian Army started to modernize the colonial units in the mid-1930s. For the Second Italo-Ethiopian War in 1935 and at the outset of World War II , it also created infantry divisions manned by colonial troops: Other units composed mainly of colonial troops were
1680-512: The Sahara but these are mechanized units. A small camel mounted corps with Tuareg personnel, modelled on the méharistes of the French era, was disbanded c1980. In 1996 the government of Mali re-established a camel corps of six companies for patrol and policing work along its Saharan border. However the Tuareg rising of 2012 and subsequent disturbances led to widespread losses and desertions amongst
1740-566: The Spanish army in their North African territory, the Spanish Sahara . Spanish Tropas Nomadas served primarily as desert gendarmerie . Like their French counterparts they were recruited from the indigenous desert tribes, and wore modified versions of tribal dress. Army of Africa (France) The Army of Africa ( French : Armée d’Afrique [aʁme d‿afʁik] ) was an unofficial but commonly used term for those portions of
1800-707: The colonial uniform in white or khaki cloth with the aforementioned distinctive sashes, felt tarbush (a high red fez ) with bow and frieze depending on the speciality. White uniforms were initially used and later were relegated to parades with khaki being worn for other duties. Askari wore three different types of four pocket tunics; the M1929 giubba with low standing collar, the pre-1940 and M1940 camicotta Sahariano per Coloniali with stand-and-fall collars. Libyans, Ethiopians, and Eritreans wore baggy trousers while Somalis wore baggy knee length shorts . Their puttees were often worn with bare feet: in fact, respecting tradition,
1860-528: The desert area, more familiar to the Tuareg tribes. With the occupation of Albania in 1939, colonial troops were created by the Italians there as well. They also consisted of local residents. Unlike Hitler's Nazis, who, moreover, did not yet have overseas colonies, the Italian fascists did not have a clear ideology of racial superiority, but were rather typical classical colonialists, so they tried not to destroy
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1920-529: The desert. A similar camel corps was subsequently raised to cover the southern Sahara, operating from French West Africa and falling within the separate Armée Coloniale . From the 1930s onwards, the Méharistes formed part of the Compagnies Sahariennes which also included motorised French and (from 1940) Foreign Legion units. Following the establishment of a French mandate over Syria in 1920, three méhariste companies were organised in that country as part of
1980-662: The fall of France, the Army of Africa was reduced to a level of 120,000 under Axis direction. General Maxime Weygand was however able to maintain and train a further 60,000 men in French North Africa disguised as auxiliary police , "provisional conscripts " and "unarmed workers". From the end of 1942, the Army of Africa was headed by French general Henri Giraud and fought in the Tunisia Campaign before its merger with General Charles de Gaulle 's Free French Forces . North African units subsequently played
2040-632: The first Eritrean battalions were raised in 1888 from Muslim and Christian volunteers, replacing an earlier Bashi-bazouk corps of irregulars . The four Indigeni battalions in existence by 1891 were incorporated into the Royal Corps of Colonial Troops that year. Expanded to eight battalions, the Eritrean Ascaris fought with distinction at Serobeti , Agordat , Kassala , Coatit and Adwa and subsequently served in Libya and Ethiopia. These troops were deployed on all fronts in Africa from
2100-490: The flag and the belief in the higher destinies of Italy in Africa, gave during the war, many proofs of the most brilliant heroism. With great generosity, and similar faithfulness, gave their blood for the consecration of the Italian Empire. Italo-Ethiopian War, October 3, 1935 - May 5, 1936. - November 19, 1936. One Gold Medal of Military Valor : [REDACTED] With the courage of their race - fueled by love for
2160-552: The foot. The zaptié of all the colonies were distinguished by the collar frogs of the carabinieri , with the flame on the headdress and the distinctive scarlet band. The irregular units such as the dubat, basci-buzuk, spahis and bande did not wear a standard uniform although the bande had a system of ranks of a sort. The Ascari had the following ranks, from simple soldier to senior non-commissioned officer: Ascari - Muntaz (corporal) - Bulukbasci (lance-sergeant) - Sciumbasci (sergeant) . The Sciumbasci-capos (staff-sergeants) were
2220-472: The formation of colonial divisions began: Italian Libya: Italian East Africa: At different times, the colonial troops of Italy consisted of irregular military units such as: bashi-buzuki, askari, savari, spahi, dubat, meharistes. Created and the so-called "gangs" (from the Italian word bande - a group), small cavalry military formations, as a rule, consisted of 100-200 people. At the same time, in North Africa, instead of horses, they used camels, more hardy to
2280-399: The geographical threat of Germany. In addition to the corps listed above, the Army of Africa included technical and support branches - notably artillery, engineers and train. Stationed permanently in North Africa these comprised a mixture of French and indigenous personnel that varied according to recruitment availability. In May 1913 a limited form of selective conscription was applied to
2340-399: The higher destinies of Italy in Africa, gave during the war, many proofs of the most brilliant heroism. With great generosity, and similar faithfulness, gave their blood for the consecration of the Italian Empire. Italo-Ethiopian War, October 3, 1935 - May 5, 1936. - November 19, 1936. One Gold Medal of Military Valor : [REDACTED] With the courage of their race - fueled by love for
2400-549: The local population, but exploited it. Therefore, not having a sufficient number of ethnic Italians in the colonies, to protect them, they willingly used the local people as soldiers. In turn, the natives went to the service of the Italians, because they had from this salary, rations, clothing and a relatively high status in their society. Since the beginning of the colonial conquest the Kingdom of Italy created military units with colonial soldiers. The main units included as parts of
2460-402: The méharistes. As of 2013 only 368 méharistes remained in service and the future of the corps was in doubt. Mauritania retains a méhariste unit for at least ceremonial purposes. The Compagnies Méharistes wore flowing coats ( gandourah ) of either white for Arab or blue for Tuareg troopers, with turbans, veils and wide black trousers ( seroual ). Two red sashes were worn – one wound around
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2520-850: The open desert by French fighter aircraft and destroyed. During the later stages of the Algerian War, méhariste detachments did patrol the southern (Saharan) ends of the fortified Morice Line along the Tunisian border. On several occasions the ALN attempted to outflank the line by disguising commando units as méharistes. The camel-mounted units were retained in service until the end of French rule in 1962. The locally recruited méharistes (numbering about 162 in each company or goum at this date) were then disbanded while French personnel (16 per company) were transferred to other units. The modern Algerian army maintains up to twelve companies of desert troops in
2580-476: The peacetime garrisons of Algeria and Tunisia. In 1914 33,000 Muslim Algerians were already serving with the spahis, tirailleurs and other units of the Army of Africa. In the course of the war a further 137,000 enlisted either as volunteers (57,000) or as wartime conscripts (80,000). Of the total of 170,000, 36,000 were killed. On 22 April 1915 the first German use of chlorine gas on the Western Front
2640-414: The personnel breakdown of a typical regiment of tirailleurs Algerien had stabilised at about 60% Muslim and European volunteers, enlisted under contract ( engages ); plus 20% European and 20% Muslim conscripts ( appeles ). The Armée d’Afrique was formally part of the French metropolitan army comprising a separate army corps. It is noted that in 1873 the term Armée d'Afrique was used with reference to
2700-471: The proportion of officiers indigenes was fixed at nine out of a total of 67 in each of these regiments. In 1956, in the course of the Algerian War , a new policy of greater racial integration was adopted in the remaining units of the old Army of Africa. Algerian tirailleur regiments were to be made up of roughly 50% "Frenchmen of North African stock" (i.e. Arab and Berber Muslims) and an equivalent number of French volunteers and conscripts, largely drawn from
2760-580: The remainder of the French Army. Some of these features have survived as parade dress to the present day; notably the white cloaks and red sashes worn by the 1st Spahis, and the white kepis, fringed epaulettes and blue sashes of the Foreign Legion. The fanfare-nouba (regimental band) of the 1st Regiment of Tirailleurs still wears the full traditional tenue orientale ; comprising white turbans, light blue zouave style jackets braided in yellow, red sashes and wide light blue or white Moorish trousers (see colour photograph above). The adoption of khaki uniforms, unlike
2820-858: The rest of the army who wore horizon blue was decided upon early during the First World War. Royal Corps of Colonial Troops The Royal Corps of Colonial Troops ( Italian : Regio Corpo Truppe Coloniali or RCTC ) was a corps of the Royal Italian Army , in which all the Italian colonial troops were grouped until the end of World War II in North Africa campaign . Many of the Askaris in Eritrea were drawn from local Nilotic populations, including Hamid Idris Awate , who reputedly had some Nara ancestry. Of these troops,
2880-643: The senior Eritrean non-commissioned officers, chosen in part according to their performance in battle. All commissioned officers of the Eritrean Ascari were Italian. The indigenous personnel had their own hierarchy different from that of the Royal Army, which is also the same for all RCTCs. The highest rank achievable for the natives was that of a non-commissioned officer, while the corps officers were all Italians. The rank badges consisted of chevrons in red and yellow wool fabric, made at an angle, with
2940-458: The service of His Majesty the King of Italy, gave constant evidence of strong heroic military discipline, of fierce warrior spirit, of unquestioned loyalty and value, lavishing their blood with a zeal and devotion than never had limitations. Eritrea - Tripoli - Cyrenaica, from 1889 to 1929. - May 12, 1930 [REDACTED] With the courage of their race, fueled by love for the flag and the belief in
3000-425: The shoes were optional. When present they could consist of both sandals, boots, or marching boots. Khaki covers were often worn on the tachia and tarbush when on campaign. The Muslim ascari of East Africa (most of the colonials were Copts ) wore a turban as their headdress, with a battalion-coloured diagonal band on the front. Libyan ascari and savari used, instead of tarbush, the traditional Libyan tachia (ṭaqīyā),
3060-468: The state of pastures in the fertile oasis areas. The Sahara remained relatively quiet during the Algerian War of Independence (1954–62) but there was one instance, on 17 October 1957, where 60 méharistes of the Adrar camel company near Timimoun mutinied and killed their eight French officers and N.C.Os. According to differing reports the mutineers either were able to join the rebel ALN or were caught in
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#17327729887763120-471: The tarbush with chevrons and five-pointed stars. The grades were as follows: On the black cloth triangle of the badge were also placed the marks of seniority - according to the table below - and of merit (the Savoy crown) as a promotion badge for war merit, as well as the speciality badge (machine gunner, chosen machine gunner, musician, trumpeter, tambourine, saddler, farrier , international bracelet) and
3180-514: The tip facing the shoulder, mounted on a pentagonal blue, later black, triangle cloth brassard , in the manner of the Ottoman Army . Libyan troops wore the same insignia until 1939 when they became officially Italians, they could also wear the Star of Savoy at this point, with another change to a modified smaller version sewn directly onto the upper arm sleeve in 1941. The grades were repeated on
3240-411: The traditions of their respective branches. In addition some units of engineers ( 31e régiment du génie ), signals ( 41e régiment de transmissions ) and transport ( 511e régiment du train ) have been accorded ties of tradition with the old Armée d’Afrique . These appear however to be arbitrary linkages which do not reflect any real regimental continuity. The uniforms of the various branches making up
3300-665: The troops of the 19th Army Corps (19e Corps d'Armée). It was one of 21 army corps of the Metropolitan Army formed in 1870. It was the only corps whose military district did not cover mainland France. As such it was separate from the French Colonial Forces which came under the Ministry of Marine and comprised both French and indigenous units serving in Sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere in
3360-489: The waist and the other crossed on the chest under red-brown leather equipment of traditional Saharean pattern. A khaki field dress of similar cut was also worn. French personnel wore light-blue kepis . All ranks were normally bare-footed when in the saddle, in order not to harm the sensitive upper body of their camels. The saddlery and other leather equipment was of local design and often elaborately decorated. Locally recruited camel corps, named Meharisti , were maintained by
3420-839: The war in Indo-China, the Algerian War of 1954–62 was fought largely by conscripts and reservists from France itself. With the exception of a reduced Foreign Legion and one regiment of Spahis, all regiments of the Armée d’Afrique were disbanded or lost their former identity between 1960 and 1965. A small unit of the Infanterie Légère d'Afrique was maintained in French Somaliland until that Territory became independent in 1977. However, one regiment each of Chasseurs d'Afrique, Tirailleurs and artillery ( 68e Régiment d'Artillerie d'Afrique ) have been re-established to maintain
3480-660: The war wound badge. The following rank table is for Askari serving in the Italian Forces. The Italian colonial forces were armed with older model weapons, mainly produced in Italy itself, or captured, but by the beginning of World War II, they were clearly outdated. Since the 20s, the following armored vehicles were transferred to Libya; Colonial units were primarily equipped with light artillery and mortars The Royal Corps of Colonial Troops has been awarded 4 Gold Medals of Military Valor ("Medaglia d'oro al valor militare"): Two Gold Medal of Military Valor : [REDACTED] In one hundred and fifty battles gloriously sustained in
3540-421: Was an obligation of citizenship and all physically fit male settlers of French origin were required to undertake two years of compulsory service (three years from 1913). Officers of all branches of the Army of Africa were predominantly French Europeans, though a certain number of commissioned positions up to and including the rank of captain were reserved for Muslim personnel in the spahis and tirailleurs. In 1932
3600-500: Was directed against the French 45th Division, consisting of zouaves, Algerian tirailleurs and African Light Infantry. As had been the case in 1914, substantial numbers of the Army of Africa were moved to mainland France on the outbreak of World War II. In May 1940 14 regiments of zouaves , 42 regiments of Algerian, Tunisian and Moroccan tirailleurs , 12 regiments and demi-brigades of the Foreign Legion and 13 battalions of African Light Infantry were serving on all fronts. Following
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