Fernando Primo de Rivera y Orbaneja facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fernando Primo de Rivera y Orbaneja
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| Born | 30 July 1879 Jeréz de la Frontera, Spain |
| Died | 5 August 1921 (aged 42) Monte Arruit, Morocco |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | Spain |
| Service/ |
Cavalry |
| Years of service | 1898-1921 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Rif War |
| Awards |
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| Spouse(s) | María Cobo de Guzmán |
| Relations |
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Fernando Primo de Rivera y Orbaneja (born July 30, 1879 – died August 5, 1921) was a brave Spanish soldier. He was the brother of Miguel Primo de Rivera, who later became a leader in Spain. Fernando was also the uncle of José Antonio Primo de Rivera, who started a political group called the Falange.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Fernando Primo de Rivera y Orbaneja was born in Jeréz de la Frontera, Spain, on July 30, 1879. He began his military training at the Cavalry School in Valladolid in 1898. He was very good at both horse riding and fencing. To improve his skills even more, he continued his training at the French Cavalry School in Saumur. In 1909, he married María Cobo de Guzmán.
Serving in Morocco
After working in different places in Spain and becoming a Captain, Fernando was sent to Melilla. There, he led the 2nd Taxdirt hunters squadron. He was praised for his actions in battle and received the Cross of Military Merit. In the same year, after helping to capture the village of Ulad Garen, he was promoted to Commander. He also received the Cross of María Cristina. Like his brother Miguel, Fernando believed that Spain should not be involved in the war in Morocco.
The Disaster of Annual
In 1920, Fernando Primo de Rivera became a Lieutenant Colonel. He was sent to the Cavalry Hunter Regiment of Alcántara nº 14 as the second-in-command. This was during a very difficult time known as the Disaster of Annual.
On July 22, 1921, Fernando had placed his regiment's four sabre squadrons and its machine gun squadron behind Izumar. This was a total of 461 men, including 22 officers and 439 soldiers. The regiment's main commander had moved to Annual a few days earlier.
The next day, Fernando followed orders and led his soldiers to help Spanish forces retreat. His group included 192 riders. They helped cover the retreat from Chaif towards Dar Drius and then towards Batel. During this retreat, his regiment bravely charged many times against the Riffian fighters. They suffered many losses. When crossing the river Ighane, most of their horses were lost. The soldiers then had to continue fighting on foot. In the end, the Cavalry Hunter Regiment of Alcántara lost many of its men. Out of 32 officers, 28 were lost, and out of 685 soldiers, 523 were lost.
His Final Battle
Fernando Primo de Rivera was killed during the siege of Monte-Arruit on August 6, 1921. He was hurt by an enemy grenade while watching the fighting from a protective wall called a parapet. His arm was badly injured and had to be removed without pain medicine because there were very few supplies. He sadly passed away soon after due to a severe infection. For his brave actions in battle, Fernando Primo de Rivera was given the Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand in 1923, after his death.
See also
In Spanish: Fernando Primo de Rivera y Orbaneja para niños
