The Defence and Evacuation of Sidi Dris, Morocco, June – July 1921

The Defence and Evacuation of Sidi Dris

Morocco, June – July 1921

 History

The position of Sidi Dris, established on the coast of the Rif as part of Spanish military operations in their Moroccan protectorate. Initially occupied on March 12, 1921 by a column of two thousand men commanded by Colonel Gabriel Morales y Mendigutia that was landed from the merchant ships Reina Victoria and Gandía with the support of the gunboat Lauria and a squadron of airplanes. 

Sidi Dris was located near the mouth of the Amekran River, it had a strategic purpose to serve as both a support point for future operations towards Alhucemas and to act as a coastal defence point, since both Alfrau & Sidi Dris were the only maritime access points for the Riffi rebels through which they could receive shipments of weapons by sea.

However, its exposed location and immediate hostility from local tribes made it a constant target and was under siege practically from the moment it was installed. The siege culminated in the destruction of the camp on 25 July 1921, this coming after the widespread collapse of the positions around Annual which resulted in Sidi Dris becoming totally isolated and exposed to an all-out attack.

Initially the garrison was commanded by Major D. Julio Benítez, of the Ceriñola Infantry Regiment No. 42, who had a force composed of 190 men (Benitez would be killed heroically at Igueriben a month and a half later).

The garrison featured an artillery battery equipped with 75mm Saint-Chamond mountain guns commanded by Lieutenant Galán, though these had limited ammunition and the close terrain limited their effectiveness. In addition, they had a radio and optical station, essential for maintaining communications with other positions and Melilla and there was also a contingent of indigenous police.

 The position faced its first significant test on June 2, 1921, just one day after the fall of the nearby position of Abarrán, a setback that demonstrated the fragility of the Spanish deployment on the Rif. That day, the Rifeños, emboldened by their success at  Abarran, launched a coordinated attack against Sidi Dris. The garrison, led by Benítez, resisted tenaciously, enduring a siege that tested its resources and its ability to respond.

Gunboat Laya

 They called for support which arrived in the form of the gunboat Laya, who, taking advantage of its manoeuvrability, managed to land a small reinforcement detachment of sixteen ratings under the command of Pedro Pérez de Guzmán. This group, equipped with two machine guns, manages to strengthen defences and counteract the enemy's numerical superiority. De Guzman also took over the command of the mountain guns when Lt. Galán was wounded and directed the gunners with great skill and personal bravery which turned back the enemies attack. The airforce also contributed to the defence by dropping around 50 bombs, the Laya also added her gun fire to the defence.

Pedro Pérez de Guzmán

 Due to his actions de Guzmán was promoted to second Lieutenant and awarded the military medal and two (2) naval medals!

 However this partial victory did not change the positions overall vulnerability and throughout June and July, pressure across the Spanish lines intensified and their defences began to crumble!

The fall of Annual on July 22 and the subsequent collapse of key positions like Igueriben left Sidi Dris isolated, with no possibility of receiving significant supplies or reinforcements.

 By July 21 the Sidi Dris garrison had 265 men, of whom 205 were Spanish and 60 were indigenous personnel, commanded by Commander Juan Velázquez Gil de Arana second in command of the II Battalion of the Infantry Regiment "Melilla" 59.

The garrison was made up of:

·         4th Company, 1st Battalion, Ceriñola Regiment 42: under the command of Lieutenant Julio Borondo Sánchez and Second Lieutenant José Quintero Ramos, with a total of 93 troops. They were accompanied by the medical lieutenant of the regiment's 2nd Battalion, Luis Hermida Pérez.

·         Section of the 3rd Company, 1st Battalion, Melilla Regiment 59: under the command of Lieutenant Ramón González Robles, with a total of 32 troops.

·         Machine Gun Company, 2nd Battalion, Melilla Regiment 59: under the command of Captain Sebastián Moreno Zumel and Lieutenant Felipe Acuña Díaz, with a total of 30 troops.

·         Detachment of the 7th Battery of the Artillery Command: under the command of Lieutenant Joaquín Fontán Lobé, with four 7.5 Saint-Chamond pieces.

·         Detachment of the Melilla Sea Company.

·         Detachment of the 15th Indigenous Police: under the command of Lieutenant Antonio Gómez Maristani.

·         A quartermaster detachment under the command of Lieutenant Rojo.

On July 22 the survivors of the Talilit position (about 85 men), under the command of Captain Benigno Ferrer, managed to reach and take refuge in Sidi Dris adding to the garrison.

But now the Riffi began a series of sustained attacks against the position, access to water was cut off and the only supply route – a rough, difficult track up from the beach was permanently under fire!

By July 25, the garrison was on the brink, ammunition was scarce, and morale was broken by the news of the general debacle.

In a last attempt to save the defenders, an evacuation by sea was ordered, supported by the gunboats: Laya (commanded by Capt. Don Francisco Javier de Saias) & Lauria (commanded by Frigate Captain Don Tomás Calvor Sancho) and the cruiser Princess of Asturias (commanded Capt. Don Eliseo Sánches Quesada).

Gunboat Lauria

Cruiser Princess Asturias

 The operation however turned into a chaotic mess, with the Riffi holding the dominating heights and able to fire down onto soldiers trying to reach the beach and the open sea boats from the naval vessels! A lack of coordination between the Navy and the ground troops, aggravated by panic and lack of support fire, this resulted in a large number of casualties and only a handful of survivors being rescued! So bad was the disaster that Commander de Arana decided to hold Sidi Dris until the end – he died in its defence and was awarded Laureate Cross of San Fernando for his bravery!

Commander Juan Velázquez Gil de Arana

Game

A tactical withdrawal under fire. The defenders must hold the line whilst their comrades head for the beach and hopefully safety.

 Game specific rules

It takes 4 turns to reach the beach from Sidi Dris down the winding trail. There are initially two groups of Spanish (wounded and medics plus a few soldiers), organised to leave. The first group leaves on turn 1, the second on turn 4.

Once the second unit has reached the beach, the remaining garrison will abandon their posts and withdraw randomly every 3^rd turn (selected by dice), this of course will create gaps in the defences making life more difficult for those that remain!

 The gunboat Laya sits off shore and can assist covering the withdrawal with her guns, she has two ships boats which take 2 turns to cross the stretch of water between the ship and shore, loading and unloading each take an additional turn.  

 The Riffi attackers can pop up all around the table chosen randomly by D8 every 3^rd turn. Two 10-figure harkas (warbands) are generated and attack the nearest Spanish unit, be that Sidi Dris or those men trying to escape to the beach (or on the beach itself). The harkas fight until destroyed/driven off. The Riffi also have 6 marksmen firing at the defenders every turn.

Forces

Spanish defenders

HQ - CO, 2IC, standard, bugler, signal party

1 mixed company of Spanish infantry (4 man HQ, 3 x 10 figure platoons)

MMG section (gun + crew)

75mm mountain gun section (gun + crew)

Platoon of sailors (10 figs)

Platoon of Indigenous Police (10 figs)

Column 1 – 10 figures (mix of medics, wounded and soldados)

Column 2 – 10 figures (as above)

 Gunboat Laya

6pdr gun, 2 machine guns

 Riffi harkas

10 figures (as required) rifle, sword and dagger armed

My table

The game ran over 9 turns

Turn 1 saw the first column leave the safety of Sidi Dris, two groups of Riffi arrived on the table top, one southwest of the base, the other to the northwest. The Berber marksmen pop away with little effect.

Turns 2-3 the southwest group are shot to pieces by machine gun and 75mm mountain gun fire, but the northwest group attack a more sheltered part of the base and inflict casualties and cause some concern. The column continues to move down towards the beach as yet unmolested.

 Turn 4 more Riffi arrive, unfortunately for the Spanish they each arrive north of Sidi Dris and converge on the beach! At the base the Spanish company commander gathers his 2^nd platoon to reinforce no1 platoon which is in danger of being over-run. The Berber marksmen take a few defenders this turn.

Turn 5 the 1st column is on the beach and begins loading the wounded onto the ships boats, unfortunately they are coming under intense rife fire for the two flanking groups of Berber and begin to suffer casualties! Luckily the Laya plants a shell among one of the Berber groups

Turn 6 Loading complete one boat pulls away with its precious cargo, the other has been shot to pieces and cannot sail. The Laya scores another hit with her main gun and drives off one group of Berber. More Riffi arrive on tabletop and move to attack Sidi Dris

Turn 7 The second column moves down towards the beach and finds itself attacked by a band of Riffi. Sidi Dris is under attack from four directions, none of the enemy can penetrate the defences, but casualties are growing.

 Turn 8 the Riffi fall on the column and slaughter everyone!

The ships boat brings its survivors to the Laya

Turn 9 more Riffi arrive, with no way to reach the beach and withdraw, we assume history has repeated itself.