L'action politico-militaire de l'Espagne et de la France dans le Rif, racontée par le correspondant du Times au Maroc.

L'action politico-militaire de l'Espagne et de la France dans le Rif, racontée par le correspondant du Times au Maroc.

This is a rare English account of an important but largely forgotten 20th century colonial conflict: the Rif War in which Spain, and to a lesser extent France, battled a persistent rebellion in their Moroccan colonies in the 1920s by Berber tribesmen under their charismatic leader Abdel Krim. Centred on the Rif mountains of northern Morocco, the rebellion featured ground breaking guerilla warfare in which the Rif rebels turned captured weapons on their colonial masters. As author Walter Harris observes, the war was a cruel conflict, featuring atrocities on both sides, and it prefigured many anti-colonial conflicts of the post World War Two period. The war also brought to prominence Francisco Franco, the future dictator of Spain, who became Spain's youngest General during the fighting. Krim himself after surrendering, was forcibly exiled by France and never returned to his homeland before his death in 1963. However, his rebellion influenced other 20th century guerilla leaders including Giap, Guevara and Castro.

Índice: [I Introduction ; II La chute de l'Etat marocain ; III Maroc septentrional: le protectorat espagnol, IV L'imposition du protectorat espagnol ; V La base de la résistance ; VI Victoire ; VII Consolidation ; VIII Un gouvernement dans le Rif ; IX La transformation du Rif ; X La prise de Jbala ; XI Les Rifains en pleine possession de leurs moyens ; XII Défaite ; XII Conclusion].

The gripping true story of the French Foreign Legion in the Sahara. Ever since the 1920s the popular legend of the French Foreign Legion has been formed by P.C. Wren's novel BEAU GESTE - a world of remote forts, warrior tribes, and desperate men of all nationalities enlisting under pseudonyms to fight and die under the desert sun. As with all clichés, the reality is far richer and more surprising than this. In this book Martin Windrow describes desert battles and famous last stands in gripping detail - but he also shows exactly what the Foreign Legion were doing in North Africa in the first place. He explains how French colonial methods there actually had their roots in the jungles of Vietnam, and how the political pressures that kept the empire expanding can be traced to battles on the streets of Paris itself. His description of the Berber tribesmen of Morocco also reveals some disturbing modern parallels: the formidable guerrillas of the 1920s were inspired by an Islamic fundamentalist who was adept at using the world's media to further his cause. Martin Windrow's previous book THE LAST VALLEY received fabulous reviews across the English-speaking world. This unique book, which is the first to examine the 'golden age' of the Foreign Legion has followed suit.

“The first comprehensive listing of these ships in English. . . . Profusely illustrated [and] impressively informative.” —Midwest Book Review The origins of a permanent French sailing navy can be traced to the work of Cardinal Richelieu in the 1620s, but this naval force declined rapidly in the 1650s and a virtually new Marine Royale had to be re-created by Colbert from 1661. Thereafter, Louis XIV’s navy grew rapidly to become the largest and most powerful in the world, at the same time establishing a reputation for the quality of its ship design that lasted until the end of sail. The eighteenth century was to see defeat and decline, revival and victory, but by 1786 the French Navy had emerged from its most successful naval war having frequently outfought or outmaneuvred the British Navy in battle, and in the process making a major contribution to American independence. This book provides significant technical and building data as well as highlights of the careers of each ship in every class. For the first time, it is possible to form a clear picture of the overall development of French warships throughout the whole of the sailing era. “A handy and quick reference to a variety of vessels . . . [A] top notch reference book.” —British Tars, 1740-1790