2nd Melilla Campaign 1909
Soldado in cotton 1908 campaign uniform by Jose Maria Bueno Carrera
1911 campaign uniforms by Jose Maria Bueno Carrera With
her defeat in the Spanish – American war of 1898 (El Desastre) Spain was left
with little in the way of overseas colonies. In an attempt to improve her world
position, Spain decides to extend her influence over the northern portion of
Morocco using the Declaration of London of 1904 as an excuse. After the 12 March 1908 Spanish occupation of Ras
Kebdana which caused further potential intervention in the Moulouya basin,
foreign mining companies began to enter the area. The declaration
gave Spain the task of providing aid to Morocco to carry out reforms be they military,
economic or administrative as required which were much needed in this mountainous and wild area. A Spanish company: Compañia Española de las Minas del Rif, was constituted in July 1908, with directors from the economic and political elite: Clemente Fernández, Enrique Macpherson, the Count of Romanones, the Duke of Tovar and the
son of Count of Guell - Juan Antonio Güell y Lopez, who
appointed Miguel Villanueva as chairman.
At
this time the control of Kabyle (tribal area) surrounding Melilla was in the
hands of a pretender to the throne of Morocco - Muley Mohamet, known in
history as Bu Hamara “father of the donkey”, who claimed to be the
brother of Sultan Abd al-Aziz. Muley Mohamet negotiated with Spain the mining rights to
mineral deposits in the Rif Mountains which were then sold to French and Spanish companies.
However he seriously underestimated the opinions of his allies and followers,
who rose against him for letting the infidel into the tribal lands. He was
captured and turned over to the Sultan’s authorities, later taken to Fez and
executed after a brief imprisonment.
General José Marina Vega,
Officer Commanding Melilla, requested reinforcements from the government, since
the forces he has in Melilla just are not large enough for the present task of policing the área and
protecting the continuation of mining operations.
General Marina with Alfonso XIII
The government response is tell the General to remain calm
and do nothing to aggravate the situation. He is prohibited from any military
action and on June 9, 1909 the mining companies resume their work.
The period of peace was short and at end of June various local
troublemakers start to preach Holy War and
an uprising against the Spanish. The government refuses to authorize the setting
up of defense positions to defend the workers against possible attack by the
Riffians. But a punitive expedition into the Kabyle, results in the capture of six
prisoners, these agitators who are then brought to Melilla for trial. These arrests act as
the trigger for the uprising and on July 9, a Riffian harka attacks a group of
Spanish workers building a railway bridge to a mine near Sidi Musa killing six
of them and wounding another. General Marina had foreseen the
possibility of such aggression and the Spanish garrison responded by occupying
several key locations in the vicinity of the city and the navy began bombarding
coastal villages but the Spanish government order an end to naval bombardment
due to concerns about international opinion.
Cover illustration from Le Petit Journal about the incident
Loading wounded onto open cars so they can be evacuated back to Melilla
When news reaches the government in Madrid headed by Antonio
Maura Montaner (2 May 1853 – 13 December 1925),
they order the mobilization of three mixed brigades: the
one of Madrid, Campo de Gibraltar and Catalonia comprised mostly of
reservists. These reservists were basically impressed back into service, those with wealth or influence could buy their way out (or get a less dangerous assignment) or even pay someone else to take their place!
This led to riots in Madrid and in Barcelona, what is known as the Tragic Week in Barcelona (July 26 to August 2), where anti-war protests
intertwined with outbursts of anti-clerical violence,
forcing the Maura government to suspend Constitutional guarantees in the whole
country after 28 July. Security forces brutally suppressed antiwar
protests, during the riots a number of pólice and soldiers were injured (some deaths too) and many more civilians hurt, dead or imprisoned!
In Morocco almost everyday sees
clashes with the Riffi, outlying farms and mining facilities are attacked or harassed; Spanish positions are sniped at with increased regularity. The reinforcments from Spain finally arrive on 16 July and after only a couple of
days these inexperienced soldiers are committed to the field. 20 July sees another
attack against Sidi Musa, but after a long hard fight the Spaniards under a
blazing sun with little water and food without resupply, drove back the attackers.
By 22 July Riffi attacks are getting
close to Melilla, so to stop the enemy advance the Spanish bombard villages
using long range artillery. General Marina in anticipation of a direct attack
on Melilla, organises a quarter column of six companies of infantry and a
section of howitzers in the vicinity of the city, under the command of Colonel
Alvarez Cabrera.
However the commander, on his own
initiative, ordered a night march towards the heights of Ait Aixa; his command
got lost during the night and morning found itself in a deep ravine where they
were surprised and was decimated by rifle fire from Berbers positioned
on the heights. This reckless mistake, cost the life of both the Colonel and 26 of
his command and left another 230 wounded!
On 26 July, General Marina learns
from spies of an impending attack on Melilla itself, so he decides to move troops
out of the city to form a defensive line. He also sends Brigadier
General Guillermo Pintos and the Cazadores de Madrid to patrol the area around
Barranco del Lobo (Wolf Ravine) located in the foothills of Mount Gurugu.
Unfortunately the Spanish made the serious error of advancing beyond their
artillery support, this combined with a total lack of local knowledge, no maps
and the complicated topology; they found themselves caught in a trap with Riffi
riflemen holding the high ground. General Marina seeing the gravity of the
situation, took personal command and organized the withdrawal of forces and
artillery support from the forward defensive line. The ambush caused 153
deaths, including the General Pintos and almost 600 wounded.
Ambulance unit bring back the dead from Barranco del Lobo
Valley of the wolf (poem)
"In the Canyon of the Wolf there is a fountain that rules
Blood of the Spanish who died for Spain. (other versions: "for the homeland")
Poor little mothers, how much will they mourn, to see that your children to war they go!
(other versions: "they won't come back anymore")
I don't wash or comb.
Nor do I put on the mantle, until my boyfriend comes from the war of Melilla.
Melilla is no longer Melilla
Melilla is a slaughterhouse
Where are the Spanish to die like lambs."
Barranco del Lobo monument
On 27 July a Riffi harka attacks the fortified island in Alhucemas Bay
Reinactors wearing 1909 era uniforms
Taken by me in Novelda, Spain October 2023
On the 30th of July, a reconnaissance operation was carried out from Zeluan to the Zoco el Jemis of the Kabila of Beni- Bu-Ifrur, in the mining area on the northern slope of the Gurugu Massif. The action was carried out by a column of troops from the 1st Division under the command of General Díaz Vicario. In a fierce engagement with the enemy, they managed to halt the advance after inflicting nearly 300 casualties, including 40 dead, among them the commanding general himself. With cavalry support, the staggered withdrawal of the forces was ordered.
During this withdrawal Captain Antonio Ripoll Sauvalle known to all as "Captain Silver Hand" due to the artificial metal hand he wore as result of an injury recieved in Cuba in 1898. Was killed leading is men (4th Company of Figueras Battalion No6), Captain Ripoll was awarded awarded the Laureate Cross of San Fernando 2nd Class and promoted postumously to the rank of Commander.
The artificial hand of Captain Ripoll
Photo taken by me at the Museo Historico Militar in Valencia, March 2026
For more information on the career of this officer please goto this post:
Sometime in early August, Abd al-Hafid, the Sultan of
Morocco, informed Spain of his willingness to send Moroccan troops into the
area to punish the Rif tribesman and establish peace; Spain refused the offer
as insufficient and proceeded with plans to pacify the Rif.
Given the gravity of events it was
decided to suspend all military operations and further strengthen the Spanish forces
in Melilla, which by mid-August rises to more than 35,000 men and a large
number of artillery pieces and ammunition. Public opinion in Spain had shifted towards support for the
war after the defeats suffered in July. The Moroccans continued their attacks and
extended their operations to attacking the fortress at Penon de la Gomera.
Interesting photo of a telegraph mule
In September, the possibility of the situation escalating to a war
between Spain and Morocco was openly being discussed. The Spanish intended to
demand an indemnity from Morocco because the sultan had failed to provide sufficient
troops to keep order and prevent the Rif attacks on Melilla. Internationally,
the great powers response to the situation seemed to assure Spain of
non-interference. With the Spanish army in North Africa now having been
reinforced to strength of nearly 60,000 troops, General Marina decided the best thing was to take control of the entire region by force. This
way he could keep the population under control and avoid revolts and, in
addition, isolate Mount Gurugú held by the Kabyle of Beni Sicar. The action
plan was simple. Two columns would be formed that should take the territory
north of Melilla. Other units were sent further south towards Zocco del Arbaa
and the Rio de Oro in the hope of drawing off enemy forces.
Front cover of The Graphic weekly illustrated newspaper (Saturday 25 September 1909) showing General Marina conferring with a Moorish ally
The Spaniards took the offensive
against the Rif tribes beginning about September 20th, but now
from a position of clear military advantage. The East-West column under the command of Generals Morales and Tovar became involved in a large battle with some 1500 Riffi near Taxdirt (sometimes called Taxdir), during this battle 4th Squadron of Cazadores de Caballería "Alfonzo XII" led by Lieutenant Colonel Don José Cavalcanti de Alburquerque y Padierna carried out three charges against a superior enemy and saved the day. Lt. Col. Cavalcanti was promoted and awarded the Laureate Cross of San Fernando for his brave leadership.
Please follow this link to my seperate article on this action.
Painting of the Taxdirt Charge by Augusto Ferrer-Dalmau Nieto
Offensive operations continued throughout
October with Spanish forces successfully occupying several key positions and villages; therefore expanding the
Melilla enclave. The cost of the war, and the willingness of Rif leaders to
accept peace now, then convinced the government to order a halt to the advance
and begin demobilizing.
By January 1910 their
overwhelming strength had enabled them to subdue most of the eastern tribes.
The Spanish continued to expand their Melilla enclave to encompass the area
from Cape Tres Forcas to the
southern inlets of Mar Chica and west as far as the Kert River. Peace was formally considered re-established on April 23,
1910, however, this was achieved at the cost of 2,517 casualties
Uniform photos taken at the Museo Historico Militar in March 2026
Wargaming the period
I`ve been giving some thought to wargaming this period, it seems to me in either 20mm or 28mm scale FFL or Troupes d`Marine figures in sun helmet would do the job (you could even get away with Zulu/Boar War British at a pinch in the smaller scales). Also figures with kepi and havelock in shirt or jacket (no frock coats) would also serve (Indian Mutiny ranges possibly?). I`m toying with the idea of converting 1898 Miniatures Spanish from the Spanish/American war range if I can find suitable kepi heads, creating a havelock out of plasterscene (very old school).
Tumbling Dice British Camel Corps painted up as 1909 era Spanish
54mm figures
Photos taken at the L'iber - Museo de los Soldaditos de plomo, Valencia in March 2026
As well as the larger battles I did come across an interesting story which would make a good 1 to 1 skirmish game:
In the early
morning of 28 September 1909, Cabo (corporal) Luis Noval Ferrao was in command
of an avenzadilla (listening patrol) outside the camp located in the Zoco el
Had in the area of the Kabyle of Beni Sacar, with four men from his section.
All the men were from 3rd Company, I Battalion, Regimiento de
Infantería del Príncipe Número 3.
Unknown to the
patrol a large harka of Riffi was about to make an assault on the camp! The
Riffi didn`t know the camp so decided to send warriors to attack and hopefully
capture members of Cabo Noval`s patrol to get this information. Using their
superior field craft, helped by the darkness and their grey Chilaba robes they
soon found the patrol and surprised them; quickly killing three and badly
wounding the fourth who was unconscious and thought dead also, so only Cabo Noval
was taken alive. A Riffi who spoke Spanish tried to negotiate with Noval to
lead them into the camp`s entrance (this took some time as by all accounts
Noval`s heavy Asturian accent proved difficult for either to understand the
other easily) and then bluff entrance for the Riffi; all this in exchange for
his life!
Noval proceeded to
guide the Riffi through the outlying trip wires to the camp entrance, but when
challenged by the sentry he called out “I`m surrounded by Moors! Open fire!
Viva Espana!” At which point a Riffi plunged a blade into the brave soldiers
back and he was hit by several rifle rounds and fell dead; several of the
attackers were also killed. At first light soldiers from 1st Company
swept the area killing fourteen more of the enemy, they also collected the
bodies of Cabo Noval and his comrades.
Because of his act
of bravery at the cost of his own life Cabo Noval was awarded the Laureate
Cross of San Fernando 2nd Class by Royal Order on 19 February 1910
Cabo Noval
News announcement of the statue to be erected yo honour Cabo Noval
The statue as it looks today in Madrid`s Palacio de Oriente
Sources
Guerras de Marruecos 1859-1926 by Emilio Marín Ferrer
ISBN 978-84-677-1896-6
El Ejército Espanol en Ultramar y Africa 1850-1925 by José Manuel Guerrero Acosta
ISBN 84-95464-31-4
Uniformes de las Unidades Militares de la Ciudad de Melilla by José María Bueno Carrera
ISBN 84-86629-26-8
The Rif War (vol 1) Taxdirt to Annual by Javíer Garcia de Gabiola
ISBN 978-1-914377-01-3
Espana en sus Heroes (magazine) Nos 1-5
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