Vichy French Moroccan Spahis

[Arlequín]

I have to agree, Msr Guédras has been an absolute star! 

[Tannenberg]

Jim...yes, he most definitely has! Having the Mle 1916 37mm model 1934 in the North African area of operations does make alot of sense, especially in respect of it being so easy to be moved about the place (manhandled, wheeled or on packs). Plus, as you had previously said, "Given the Spahis' likely opponents pre-WW2....a 37mm light gun would've been ideal as a support weapon to dislodge tribesman from a rocky hillside strong point or a building..."
I did find another piece of interesting information which stated there was an anti-aircraft model in use (model 1936) which was fully automatic, fed through a box magazine which was mounted over the breach.  The magazine held 12 cartridges.  Interesting to say the least.  So far, that's all I know with regards to it....however, I diverse....

[Tannenberg]

Here are a few images of the Mle 1916 37mm which I have managed to find.  On the third photo down, there is an infantryman standing to the left....can anyone tell if that's a crescent emblem on the front of his Adrian helmet (?), as this was worn by all Mohammedan troops.

[Calimero]

It look like it’s an horn like the ones wear on the beret of the Chasseur Alpin at the beginning of the war

[Tannenberg]

It look like it’s an horn like the ones wear on the beret of the Chasseur Alpin at the beginning of the war

Calimero, thanks for the pointer After further investigation, I can confirm you're right....and there was I hoping it was a Spahis

I actually found the following site of some interest:

http://bleuhorizon.canalblog.com/archives/2007/05/18/4997837.html

[Tannenberg]

I thought this may be of interest to any of you who would like to know a bit more about the unit structure for a Spahis platoon...I received the following update in an email from Daniel Guédras from the Musée des Spahis de Senlis, France.  As Daniel had quite rightly pointed out to me, it's a theoretical composition for a squadron of Spahis, and that this composition was rarely observed, with each regiment having it's own characteristics.   
However, it does give alot of great little bits of information here and, although it's in French, I can get more than a gist of it.  However, if there are any budding translators out there.....    
Once again, Monsieur Guédras has provided us with some very wonderful and useful information and guidance on this subject


"... Dans chaque escadron, les pelotons étaient divisés en groupe de combat, eux-mêmes articulés en escouades où chacun conservait sa spécialité d'éclaireur, de tireur, de grenadier et de garde-chevaux.
   Un groupe d'appui de mortiers, comprenant généralement un mortier de 81 et deux mortiers de 60, complétait la puissance de feu de l'escadron.

Schéma de l'Escadron de combat:
- Capitaine commandant
  - sous-officier radio
  - officier médecin
  - Lieutenant-adjoint
      - lieutenant 1° peloton
      - lieutenant 2° peloton
      - lieutenant 3° peloton
      - lieutenant 4° peloton
      - sous-officier appui mortier
      - adjudant d'escadron PHR (Peloton Hors Rang)
        ( subsistances, forge, vétérinaire,..)

Schéma du peloton de combat
- Lieutenant chef de peloton
    - MDLC adjoint
      - MDL 1° groupe
            - Brigadier escouade éclaireur
            - Brigadier escouade FM
      - MDL 2° groupe
            - Brigadier escouade éclaireur
            - Brigadier escouade FM

Escouade éclaireur
                                   * Eclaireur de pointe
           * Eclaireur aile gauche     * Eclaireur aile droite
* Flanc garde gauche   * brigadier chef d'escouade  * Flanc garde droit
    * garde-chevaux ( 4 chevaux)  * garde chevaux ( 4 chevaux)

 Escouade FM
                                   * tireur
* chargeur                            * chef de pièce
* pouvoyeur                         * pourvoyeur
* garde- chevaux (4)             * garde-chevaux (4)


  En progression à cheval, le tireur montait son cheval de selle et tenait en main le cheval de bât FM. Les autre cavaliers de l'escouade se relayaient en serre-file derrière le cheval de bât.
.......... "

[Arlequín]

I'll offer...


In each squadron, the platoons were divided in groups of combat, which themselves were divided into squads where everyone kept his specialty as a scout, a marksman, grenadier and horse holders.

A support group of mortars, usually including an 81mm mortar and two 60mm mortars, completed the firepower of the squadron.

Squadron Schematic:
- Captain
  - NCO radio
  - Medical Officer
  - Deputy Lieutenant
      - Lt. 1st Platoon
      - Lt. 2nd Platoon
      - Lt. 3rd Platoon
      - Lt. 4th Platoon
      - NCO Support Platoon (possibly with the rank of adjutant = staff sergeant?)
      - Warrant Officer (possibly Adjutant-chef = Sergeant-Major?) Squadron PHR (Headquarters Platoon)
        (Supply, blacksmith, veterinarian, etc.)

Combat Platoon Schematic
- Lieutenant platoon leader
    - Deputy MDLC (Maréchal des logis-chef = Platoon Sergeant)
      - MDL (Maréchal des logis = Sergeant, or Corporal in British terms) 1st group
            - Brigadier (Lance-Corporal in British terms, or Corporal equivalent in other armies) scout squad
            - Brigadier MG squad
      - MDL 2nd group
            - Brigadier scout squad
            - Brigadier MG squad

Scout squad
 Advanced Scout
 Scout left wing, Scout right wing
Flank left guard, Brigadier (squad leader) Flank right guard
 2 Horse holder – i.e. one for each flank (4 horses)

MG Squad

Brigadier (squad leader)
MG Gunner
Gun No.2
2 Ammo carriers
2 Horse holders, each with 4 horses.

When mounted, the gunner rode his saddle horse and was holding the MG pack horse. The other horsemen of the squad took turns in single file (serre = string?) behind the pack horse.

peut-être?

[Tannenberg]

Je vous remercie encore une fois Monsieur Hale pour votre aide plus appréciés

[Arlequín]

A votre service 

I should point out that I forgot to mention that the 'MG' should be LMG and not a tripod mounted weapon. The 'FM' in the French version stands for fusil mitrailleur (lit. 'automatic rifle'), while a machine gun like the Hotchkiss M.1914 would be just mitrailleuse ... I must have been slacking again. 

[Tannenberg]

A votre service 

I should point out that I forgot to mention that the 'MG' should be LMG and not a tripod mounted weapon. The 'FM' in the French version stands for fusil mitrailleur (lit. 'automatic rifle'), while a machine gun like the Hotchkiss M.1914 would be just mitrailleuse ... I must have been slacking again. 

Jim, thanks again