Compagnies Saharienne Portee Africane (CSPA) circa 1960

I have a passion for all things French, particularly the colourful colonial units of Troupes de Marine (French army overseas).
Compagnies Saharienne Portee Africane (CSPA) were motorised columns used to patrol the vast territories of French sub-Saharan Africa during the post-war period - Tchad, Dahomey, Mauritania, Senegal, etc.

Developed from the experiences of the Free French desert columns of WW2 and the Saharienne (camel mounted auxillieries) of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Squadrons did see service in Algeria 1958-64, and Ivory Coast (1956-64) and in southern Morocco (1956-58)

They fought various Tuareg, Senussi, Tchadian and Eritrian rebels. Backed government forces in Ivory Coast against insurgents and communist backed rebels, fought the ALN in Algeria; the ALM (Armee Liberation Marocaine) in Southern Morocco - loads of potential opposition.

The M8 is Britannia (as it comes) the commander was a German (new arms and a Liberation head). The Jeep & crew is also Britannia (the British Airborne command one) I head-swopped the driver.

Power wagons (guntrucks)

Dodge "powerwagon" with RCL, gun and crew Liberation Miniatures (guy in peaked cap has a head-swop), Dodge - Esci


Another Esci Dodge, .50cal and figures again Liberation

Skytrex Jeep with added stowage, driver Liberation with head-swop

All figures Liberation Miniatures (mostly with head-swops) except the prone spotter (Platoon 20) and the Turaeg scouts (Elheim cultists)




My attempt at "tiger-stripe" camouflage

The recce section

All the vehicles together

1st squad

2nd squad