Army of Africa (Spain) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Army of Africa
Ejército de África
Active	1912–1956
Country	Spain
Type	Army
Role	Land force
Size	35,000 personnel (1909)
Part of	Ministry of Defence of Spain (from 1937)
Garrison/HQ	Tétouan
Engagements	Second Melillan campaign Rif War Asturian miners' strike of 1934 Spanish Civil War Invasion of Val d'Aran Ifni War

The Army of Africa (Spanish: Ejército de África) was a special part of the Spanish Army. It was based in the Spanish protectorate in Morocco from 1912 until Morocco became independent in 1956. This army was very important in Spain's history, especially during the Spanish Civil War.

What was Spanish Morocco?

The Spanish protectorate in Morocco in 1936

At the start of the 1900s, Spain had several colonies in Africa. Spanish Morocco was the closest one to Spain. It was also the hardest to control.

A big revolt, called the Rif War, started in 1921. Local tribes fought against both Spanish and French rule. It took several years and many soldiers from both Spain and France to end the fighting.

How the Army of Africa Started

Spain had military bases in Moroccan cities like Melilla and Ceuta for a long time. These bases had different types of soldiers.

The Army of Africa officially began in 1893. This was when the first permanent African Infantry Regiment was created.

Moroccan Soldiers in the Army

After a conflict in Melilla in 1909–10, Spain started to expand its control inland. They created a group called the Policia Indigena, which means "Native Police." This group was made up of Moroccan people.

This police force led to the creation of the Regulares in 1911. These were Moroccan infantry (foot soldiers) and cavalry (horse soldiers) units. They were led by Spanish officers.

Another group of local soldiers was the Tiradores de Ifni. These were light infantry soldiers. They existed from 1934 to 1969. They were similar to the North African soldiers in the French Army.

The Spanish Legion

King Alfonso XIII created the Spanish Legion in 1920. It was also known as the Regiment of Foreigners. This group was like the French Foreign Legion.

Its main goal was to have professional soldiers fight in Spain's colonies in North Africa. This was because regular soldiers, who were just doing their military service, were not very effective there. The Legion started with a headquarters and three battalions, called Banderas.

The Army from 1920 to 1936

By the time of the Rif War in the 1920s, the Army of Africa was mainly made up of the Spanish Legion and the Regulares. It also included Spanish infantry, artillery, and engineers.

This army had about 30,000 soldiers. It was considered the most skilled part of the 100,000-man Spanish Army.

In 1934, the `Tiradores de Ifni` also became part of the Army of Africa. There was also a local police force called the `Mehalas de la Mehalla' Jalifiana`. This group had about 5,000 men and helped the regular army units.

After the Rif War ended, the number of soldiers in Spanish Morocco was reduced. However, units from mainland Spain would still serve there on a rotating basis.

The Spanish Legion and Moroccan forces also helped to stop a miners' strike in Asturias in 1934. The government chose them because they were professional soldiers.

The Army's Role in the Spanish Civil War

The Army of Africa played a very important role in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). In July 1936, this army, along with other Spanish military units, rose up against the government. They joined the side known as the Nacionales.

General Francisco Franco took command of this force on July 18, 1936. Spanish Morocco quickly fell under the control of the rebels.

The plan was to move the Army of Africa to mainland Spain by sea. However, most of the Spanish Navy's sailors stayed loyal to the government. So, a daring airlift was organized. Between July 29 and August 5, 1936, 1,500 soldiers were flown to Spain using planes from Nazi Germany. Planes from Italy also helped protect ships carrying more soldiers and equipment. Soon, about 8,000 Moroccan and Legionary soldiers were in Seville, Spain.

Once in Spain, the Army of Africa split into two groups. One group, led by General Juan Yagüe, moved north very quickly. The other group, led by Colonel José Enrique Varela, went into Andalusia. They took control of important cities like Seville and Granada.

Thanks to the Army of Africa's quick advances, most of western Spain was under Nationalist control by late 1936. By early 1937, the Army of Africa had grown to 60,000 men. The Legion and Regulares led many operations and were key to the Nationalist victory in the war.

After the Civil War (1940–1956)

After the Civil War ended, the Army of Africa became smaller. However, under Franco, it was given a more important role in Spain itself.

During the 1940s, soldiers from the `Tiradores de Ifni` were stationed in the Canary Islands. A special mounted guard, called the `Guardia Mora` (Moorish Guard), performed ceremonial duties in Madrid.

In 1944, the Legion and Regulares were sent to the Val d'Aran. They helped to stop an invasion by Spanish fighters coming from France.

After Morocco Became Independent

When Morocco gained independence in 1956, most of the Moroccan `Regulares` soldiers joined the new Royal Moroccan Army.

However, the cities of Melilla and Ceuta remained Spanish. Today, these cities are still guarded by units of the Legion and Regulares.

Ifni remained under Spanish control until 1969. But there were many problems and a conflict called the Ifni War in 1957-58. This caused many local `Tiradores de Ifni` soldiers to leave. Because of this, most of the soldiers in this force later came from Spain itself.

See also

In Spanish: Ejército de África (España) para niños

• Spanish Legion
• Regulares
• Tiradores de Ifni
• Colonial Guard of Spanish Guinea
• Civil Guard (Spain)
• Mohamed Meziane

External sources

• Beevor, Antony. The Spanish Civil War. New York: Penguin Books, 2001.