British vehicles

British vehicles

Just pottering about, so decided to build a few plastic kits from my rather small stash.

First up an Airfix Jeep & trailer from gift pack set A68217 sold by Lidl in the UK last Christmas (2024), I didn`t need, so didn`t build the 75mm pack howitzer. I gave the Jeep a driver from the bits box (from the Airfix Bofors gun set) and painted both up for my Mediterranean/Middle East Brits.

Canadian Pattern Quad Tractor

A venerable Esci model 8024 that has been in the stash since before we moved my collection out here to Spain (so at least 12 yrs). Not that I need another British tow, but I was in a building mood 😁 Not a bad model, I didn`t bother with any of the internal detail, again painted up for North Africa.

M3A1 Scout Car

Another venerable Esci kit 8038 which has been in the stash for years (bought at the same time as the Quad above). I wanted a command vehicle for my British/Indian/Aussie battalions and thought this make a nice addition. A really nice kit, I added a bit of stowage, then messed about with the crew - the driver is another Airfix Bofors gunner (with an SHQ head), the seated guy in the back as a RTO is from EWM with a Britannia tanker head with headphones and the standing guy is EWM with a Raventhorpe head - sometimes I can`t help myself 😂

The Sacrifice of the Alcantara (update 14th November 2025)

 The Alcantara Cavalry Regiment and the Disaster at Annual 

Rif War, Morocco, July-August 1921 by Richard Baber

An earlier version of this article appeared in the magazine of the SOTCW - The Journal

The advance of General Manuel Fernandez Silvestre`s forces into the Spanish western zone from the old presidio Melilla towards Alhucemas Bay had started well enough.

Silvestre had around 25,000 men and was well supplied, unfortunately he was not a clever man who took little or no advice from his subordinates and even his superiors! As his columns advanced they built a large number of blockhouses plus fortified encampments and supply bases along their path; local tribes were paid off (but not disarmed). Silvestre decided to move further into the Rif than planned and, against the direct orders of General Damaso Berenguer Fuste, the Spanish High Commissioner of the protectorate, he crossed the Amekran River and built an outpost on top of Mt. Abarran, a holy site to the local Riffi.

Militarily Abd el-Krim who was trying to raise a rebellion against the Spanish must have welcomed the Spaniards advance into the Rif as it took them away from Melilla and stretching out their supply lines making them vulnerable. But then building a post isolated across the river from the bulk of the Spanish troops on top of a holy mountain which enraged the locals was a gift too good to ignore. His men acting with the aid of some native troops who betrayed their Spanish officers, attacked the outpost and nearly 200 Spaniards and loyal Regulares were killed; more importantly a battery of guns was captured along with large stocks of shells and small arms ammunition. Abd el-Krim used this success to gather more tribesmen to his banner with the promise of more victories and further loot.

What followed was a series of defeats that led one after the other, domino fashion, to one of the largest disasters to befall a European army in Africa. The next Spanish outpost to be attacked was Igueriben. Situated three miles from Annual this position was quickly surrounded and cut off from the main base. General Silvestre rapidly gathered what forces he had and rushed to Annual to rectify the situation. There followed several attempts to break the siege including two cavalry charges led by Silvestre himself, but heavy fire from Riffian artillery and machine guns drove back these brave efforts. The Riffians stormed Igueriben and in so doing managed to isolate and cut off General Silvestre and his men from Melilla, Annual being situated in a valley and Iguerben actually overlooks it and dominating its approaches.

On July 22nd, after several days with ammunition and supplies running dangerously low, General Silvestre gave the order to abandon Annual and for the Forces there in to try and fight their way back to the coast. What should have been an orderly withdrawal turned into a rout. Here accounts vary, with some stating that Silvestre was killed in combat, whilst others claim he committed suicide. Whatever the truth about the Spanish commander, his force was ill-prepared, and the Rifians fell upon the fleeing Spanish soldiers, civilians alike, slaughtering all they caught.

One of the units involved in Silvestre`s advance across the Riff was; Regimiento de Caballeria Alcantara No14 (transl: 14^th Regiment of Cavalry “Alcantara”), commanded by Colonel Mandella. A veteran of the campaign, the regiment had served in Morocco for 10 years. It was a very well respected unit with a proud combat history, made up of mostly volunteers with a high level of training and discipline. Col. Mandella was actually with Gen. Silvestre at Annual when the General decided to abandon the town, he never returned to his command and was killed during the retreat. Command of the regiment fell to Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Primo de Rivera and Orbaneja (regimental 2nd in command), cousin of Lieutenant General Miguel Primo de Rivera who would become Dictator of Spain a few years later. The regiment had six squadrons (five sabre squadrons armed with sabres and carbines and a machine gun squadron), with a compliment of 32 officers and 685 men.

22nd July

The Lt. Col. himself led a squadron out to support an isolated post which protected a vital river crossing set in an high-sided gorge; if the position was lost, Izumar (the regiment's base camp) would be cut-off.

 Unfortunately the colonel was met with the sight of a flood of men withdrawing from Annual. An army in name alone, little command or control, units intermixed, men just looking to escape east in complete disorder. To his credit Col. Primo de Rivera did not abandon his duty, he quickly abandoned his patrol and gathered the rest of his regiment and began to organise the fleeing groups into some sort of order forcing them to move as one body with his squadrons and troops on the flanks effectively boxing them in. Once order had been regained, the regiment sent out parties to occupy strategic high ground, both on the flanks and in advance of the retreat. These parties fought short bloody actions to first clear and secure their positions; then held them until the straggling column had passed. This continued all day until, the column reached Ben Tieb, it is noted that many of the cavalrymen dismounted allowing wounded comrades from the column to be carried on their mounts.

 23rd July

At dawn the colonel began a general withdrawal towards the next major Spanish position - Dar Druis, first he sent 5th squadron with some light guns ahead of the main body to scout and drive off any Riffi already in position. He then sent a couple of troops to the River Kert to collect as much water as possible (I assume they had mules and pack horses). Finally once the main column was on the move, the colonel together with two squadrons and a battery of guns formed up as a rearguard screen. As the column straggled across the countryside, sections of riders fanned out to collect the troops from various posts: Ababda, Ain Kert, Azib o Midar, Cheif, Karra Midar and Tafersit. These fighting patrols often encountered Riffi and were forced to fight both to and from their objectives, casualties among the cavalry were high, but many Spanish troops were able to join the main column because of this sacrifice.

At the position called Cheif the column met another withdrawing column commanded by General Navarro, held up by a strong Riffi force. Col. Primo de Rivera led his men in a massed, mounted charge through rifle and machine gun fire; once through the lines; they wield around and charged back towards the enemies rear. These two ferocious charges forced the Riffi to break contact allowing the combined columns to move on and finally reach Dar Druis; but at the cost of over seventy casualties to Alcantara and many dead horses. In the same battle the Alcantara fought a proper mounted action against native Metalsa horsemen, Alcantara`s discipline and training drove the enemy cavalry from the field.

The road to Melilla was cut by the Riffi, a convoy of ambulances was shot up with many fatalities among the already wounded, drivers and medical staff. Upon getting this news, General Navarro seems to have lost his nerve and instead of digging in and trying to hold Dar Druis, he ordered the base evacuated and his command to withdraw to Mount Arruit via Batel.

Leading the withdrawal was of course Alcantara, though many men now carried wounds and almost all the horses were spent. But, the regiment (or what was left of it) continued to show great spirit and bravery, troops and sections moving out to clear Riffi from blocking positions and protect the more vulnerable column. At the Igan River (where the convoy of ambulances had been attacked earlier); the Riffi had dug in a strong blocking position. Col. Primo de Rivera called his survivors together:

 ""Soldiers, the hour of sacrifice has come. Let each one do his duty. If you do not, your mothers, your sweethearts, all Spanish women say they are cowards. We will show that we are not".

With that, supported by machine guns and a few cannon he led the remaining men (about two squadrons) in another mounted charge to clear the Riffi who were defending the ford. After a savage fight which included much hand-to-hand combat, the Alcantara broke through, drove off the Riffi and then held open the ford for the rest of the column pass through to Batel.

El Alcantara move forward protecting the flank of the straggling Spanish column 

20mm figures from the authors collection

When the Spanish finally reached Mount Arruit, Col. Primo de Rivera and the remains of his regiment continued to sally forth and harass the enemy. On July 30th, Lt. Col. Primo de Rivera`s left arm was severely lacerated by grenade fragments, but the colonel refused to abandon his command. Finally in a desperate attempt to prevent gangrene he ordered one of his officers to remove the arm and stuffed his handkerchief into his mouth to muffle his own screams whilst the operation was done without any anesthetics.

 Lt Col. Primo de Rivera died of his wounds at Monte Arruit a few days after the survivors arrived at the base, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Cross of San Fernando.

 This regiment literally fought itself to destruction as part of the rearguard, charging again and again into the teeth of the Riffian fire attempting to protect their comrades. When the retreat was over and the survivors paraded and a roll was called:

Of the four troop commanders – three were dead, the other a wounded prisoner.

Of the 29 other officers – 21 dead, 3 wounded, 2 prisoners (one wounded)

Six warrant officers – 5 dead

20 sergeants – 18 dead

63 corporals – 53 dead

13 trumpeters – all dead

14 farriers – 11 dead

17 privates 1^st class – 14 dead

524 troopers – 403 dead

 Out of the entire regiment there was less than one full troop left! 

                                                                                                                                                    Post script

On July 2nd 2012, The Spanish government issued a Royal Decree (No 132) granting Armoured Cavalry Regiment No10 "Alcántara" the Distinguished Cross of San Fernando as a Laureate Collective. The award text reads:

  "For the facts carried in the days of July 22 to August 9, 1921, in the events known as the" Disaster of Annual where the unit fought heroically protecting withdrawal Spanish troops from positions Annual, Monte Arruit".

 Recreating the action on tabletop

Now I`m not into playing elites, I tend to run history, based games, but I have wanted to do this on tabletop for ages since the first time read about it.

 Scenario 1: Convoy escort

Set your table up with a windy track with wooded hills and deep wadis. The Spanish convoy start at one end and must exit the other. Either place or randomly generate warbands (Harkas) of Riffi along the trail to ambush this convoy. The troopers of Alcantara must protect the convoy at all cost, attacking any Riffi encountered or aggressively patrolling to keep the harkas away from the vulnerable convoy.

 Set a time limit for the Spanish (if you don`t cross the table by "X" the rearguard are overwhelmed and you all die!) and a casualty limit for the Riffi (too many casualties among your warriors will lose you loyalty among the tribes).    

 Scenario 2: Blocao relief mission

A couple of platoons from Alcantara are sent to bring back the garrison of an isolated blocao. Again a simple table with the blocao set at roughly halfway across.

The patrol from Alcantara must make their way to the blocao and then escort the garrison off the table. The Riffi could appear from random directions in varying numbers to make things interesting. The cavalry should be encouraged to act aggressively, but protect their charges at all costs. Bonus points for heroic acts, saving wounded, killing Riffi.    

Scenario 3: Massed battle

The Riffi have blocked the column, General Navarro calls upon the Alcantara to save the day "for the glory of Alfonso XIII and Spain"!

Set up the table with the Riffi set to block the columns retreat with entrenchments, using any buildings, farm walls, etc. The terrain can be as open or constricted as you want, but give the cavalry some opportunity for movement and charges.

If you give the Riffi any machine guns, limit the ammunition.

You could give Alcantara some artillery support (65mm mountain guns) as well as their own machine gun squadron. If your short of cavalry, have some of the saber squadrons start on foot. 

 Painting and figures

Alcantara cavalry wore an olive green uniform and floppy sun hat (like a jungle booney hat), some illustrations I`ve seen also show them in a light blue pillbox cap. All the colour sketches I have seen show the uniform colour to be similar to GW "Castellan green", I mix this with Vallejo "Russian Uniform Green"; brown leather webbing and pouches; badges were bronze, NCO stripes and officers stars bright yellow;  horse furniture was usually brown leather.

Typical cavalry uniform of the period note the blue cap

Cavalry belt buckle

Standard of the Alcantara

Mine are converted from Warrior Miniatures SCW mounted infantry and BUM (Barcelona Universal Models) SCW cavalry with Raventhorpe or Airfix (Confederate) heads. For foot figures use Liberation or Bandera SCW figures with sun hats

Sources

El Alcantara 1921 by Julio Albi

Rebels in the Rif by David S. Woolman

The Betrothed of Death by Jose E. Alvarez

La Legion 1921 by Francisco Martinez Canales

Les Imagenes del Desastre Annual 1921 by Antonio Carrasco Garcia

Uniformes de las Unidades Militares de la Ciudad de Melilla by Jose Maria Bueno Carrera

Atlas Ilustrado de las Guerras de Marruecos 1859-1926 by Emilio Marin Ferrer 

The Rif War Vol1: From Taxdirt to the Disaster of Annual 1909-1921 by Javier Garcia de Gabiola

Desperta Ferro No30 – El Desastre de Annual

Authors conversions to create Alcantara Cavalry from various 20mm manufacturers L-R: Warrior Miniatures SCW mounted infantry; Waterloo1915 Anglo-Egyptian officer; Barcelona Universal Models SCW cavalry

Liberation Miniatures SCW foot with head-swaps to create Alcantara on foot.

Alcantara Memorial

Memorial in the Historical Hall of the 10th Alcantara Cavalry Regiment.

The memorial lists the regiments casualties in alphabetical order for the retreat from Annual 1921.

It's a tribute to all those riders who sacrificed their lives in defense of their comrades and for their regiment.

Comemorative buttons

Funeral of  Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Primo de Rivera

November 14, 1923, Madrid was adorned for tribute to the leader of the Alcantera in the Rif

It was eleven to a quarter in the morning, when King Alfonso XIII, dressed in his cavalry uniform, took the Laureate Cross and placed it on the coffin. Then escorted by a guard of honour made up of other survivors of his regiment; the coffin was taken from Atocha to the cemetery of San Isidro.

This photo is of the funeral procession, King Alfonso is the figure in the pickelhelm directly behind the coffin.

 

Trijueque, March 1937 (SCW)

Republican counter-attack at Trijueque

Spain, March 1937

History

For four days (8^th – 11^th March) the Italian CTV (Corpo Truppe Volontarie) under General Mario Roatta had been attacking the Republican lines in an attempt surround Madrid and finally cut the city  off from all support. Unfortunately the weather turned; rain, sleet and snow descended and the vanguard was finally halted 3km short of the town of Torija. The Republic launched a massive counter-attack, the Italians were warned that this might happen, but ignored advice from the Spanish chief of operations, Colonel Barroso! 

On March 12^th, the Republic counter-attack was launched with some success. Close to one-hundred I-15 "Chato" and I-16 "Rata" fighter planes and two squadrons of Tupolev SR-2 “Katiuska” bombers of the Spanish Republican Air Force had been made available at the Albacete airfield. While the aircraft of the Italian Legionary Air Force were grounded on water-logged airports, the Republicans did not have this problem since the Albacete airfield had a concrete strip.

The plan was to concentrate 11th Division under Líster and all armoured units on the Zaragoza road, while 14th Division under Mera crossed the Tajuña River to attack Brihuega. Mera nearly failed to cross the river, but local CNT members advised him where to place a pontoon bridge.

The battle also included one of the first (of the few) tank Vs tank engagements of the Spanish Civil War was fought near Trijueque when some Republican T-26s destroyed five Italian-made CV 3/35 tankettes and severely damaged two more.

The Battle of Guadalajara was an important strategic victory of the Republican Army and did much to lift morale. The Italian CTV lost some 3,000 men (Spanish Nationalist losses were marginal) and a considerable number of light tanks. In addition, the Republican army captured sizeable quantities of badly-needed materiel and equipment, including 35 artillery pieces, 85 machine guns and 67 vehicles. Strategically, the Republican victory prevented the encirclement of Madrid, ending the rebels hopes of crushing the Republic with a decisive strike at its capital. 

Franco decided to adopt a new strategy of chipping away at the Republican territories, starting in the north. As an aside the rebels high command were actually quietly pleased that the CTV had been stopped as they did not really want the Italians to claim credit for the capture of Madrid. I have read that Colonel Barroso and his staff upon hearing of the Republican victory actually toasted them on their success 😁

The Scenario

This is a semi fictional tabletop reconstruction based on the above history. The game is a straight attack/defence action between Republican militia supported by armour, artillery and aircraft Vs Italian CTV.

Republican Orders

You command a mixed regimental group of Mera`s 14th Division, you are attempting to outflank the Italian line near Brihuega. Your scouts report a village ahead is occupied by elements of the Italian Littorio Division (arguably the best Italian formation), they appear to be in the process of organising a withdrawal but have some defensive works in place. Your orders are to attack and drive the enemy out of the village and clear the road.

Forces

1 x Militia battalion

Assault Guard company:

Platoon in armoured truck, Bilbao armoured car

Russian Armoured company:

Fa1 armoured car, 3 x T-26

Artillery battery (horse drawn):

2 x 75mm

Air support

Every 4 turns (4, 8, 12, etc)

1 x Bi-plane fighter + 1 x I-16 “Rata”

Italian Orders

You command a rear guard from the Littorio Division part of the CTV fighting here in Spain. After several days of successful advances towards Madrid, the enemy have counter-attacked supported by overwhelming air support and tanks! Your orders are to hold this little village for as long as possible to give command a chance to solidify the lines and prevent a complete rout!

Forces

HQ

Rifle company

2 x MMG teams, 80mm mortar team

65mm field gun

75mm field gun

Lancia 1ZM armoured car

3 x CV33, 1 x CV33 w/flame-thrower

On turn 12 the Italian finally get air support in the form of a Heinkel He123

My table

The game

Deployment

The Italians decided to defend the edge of village with a MMG on either flank each supported by half a platoon, on the right the LMG from third platoon was also added to bulk up the defence. The 75mm was positioned far back by the church allowing its observer a good view from this highest point on the battlefield; the 65mm was concealed close to the front cottages to directly support the infantry, the mortar was also similarly positioned. One platoon was held in reserve as were the L3/CV33 tankettes and the IZM.

The Republicans committed their entire force, one company on the left, two on the right; the “Russian” tank company would head straight up the road followed two turns later by the Assault Guard. Due to it being horse drawn, their artillery couldn`t get on the table until turn 3.

Turns 1 & 2 The Republicans advance, they take some fire from the Italian `75 and mortar which cause the odd casualty.

During this time the Russian tank unit advances up the road

Turn 3 sees the Militia come within range of the Italian MMGs which cause casualties, the company on the far left also get hits from the Italian 75mm, 65mm and mortar and are forced to make a morale test due to casualties!

The Russian tank company reaches the edge of the village and the lead tank breaks off to the left to engage the Italian MMG, the Italian 65mm tries to lob a shell onto a hull-down T-26 but misses.

Both the Assault Guard and Republican artillery arrive on the tabletop

Turn 4 The Italians begin to organise a counter-attack

The lead T-26 wipes out the Italian MMG on the Republican left! But the militia on that side (who made their morale check) are still under shell and mortar fire and are now receiving rifle and LMG fire also.

On the Republican right their artillery unlimbers to support the militia

An I-16 appears over the tabletop

Turn 5 A very busy turn, The Fa-1 and 2nd T-26 spot the incoming Italian L3s!

The I-16 launches a strafing run on the L3s (totally pathetic dice).

Luckily for the Republicans the T-26 plants a 47mm round into the lead L3 with predictable results

But a brave Italian NCO makes his heroic action role and lobs a grenade onto the Fa-1 succeeding in knocking it out!

The Italian 65mm tries again to lob a shell onto a partially concealed T-26 but misses

The lead T-26 is still trying to clear the Italians on the Republican, but in doing so has exposed itself to the Italian 75mm which doesn`t waste the opportunity

On the Republican right the two militia companies are hotly engaged with the dug-in Italians

Turn 6 A Republican bi-plane fighter appears over the table.

The 3rd T-26 smashes through the field wall on its right

The Assault Guard arrives at the edge of the village and debusses.

The Italian 65mm drops a shell onto the Assault Guards armoured truck, luckily for guard they were already out.

The T-26 on the road targets and smashes another L3

On the Republican right the Italian IZM arrives to bolster the defence, the Republican artillery begins to target Italian positions.

Turn 7 The Republican bi-plane makes a futile strafing run along the road to no effect

The last L3 fails its morale check and breaks off its suicidal charge

But the L3 flame-thrower makes its heroic action check and charges the T-26! The Russian must have been surprised because he missed!!

The L3 didn`t waste the chance and burnt out its enemy.

The remaining T-26 moves into the exposed flank of the Italians blocking the Republican right, the Italian 65mm misses on its one chance to destroy this last Republican tank!

The IZM is targetted and wiped out by a republican 75mm

On the Republican left the Assault Guard with their Bilboa armoured car begin to clear the last Italian positions on that side.

Turn 8 Another I-16 appears over the table. On the Republican right the T-26 clears one Italian position and Republican artillery wipes out the other opening the way for the militia to enter the town from that side.

On the left the Assault Guard clear the way for the militia there also.

The Italian infantry need a morale check!

Turn 9 the I-16 targets the L3 flame-thrower and roles a splendid 11 for effect, I rule the fuel trailer blows up!

As the Italians morale role was shaky, I rule a general withdrawal is ordered. In this last photo you can see the 75mm limbering up and the last L3 desperately driving towards the rear.

Not a complicated scenario, but some nice, interesting kit on the table.

In the historic action I based the scenario on, the T-26s got ahead of their infantry (who simply stopped advancing). The tanks entered the village alone and encountered a large number of enemy (believed to be a cavalry unit) with wagons and transport. They shot up the town, encountering several L3 tankettes including a flame-thrower variant; which they either knocked out with their main guns or in one case rammed and over turning the smaller vehicle! But having no infantry to back them up, they couldn`t hold any ground and the enemy rallied and counter-attacked using grenades and petrol bombs, one tank lost a track; another was set alight! The rest drove through the village, but encountered more enemy troops losing another tank to a direct artillery strike! The rest of the column made its way back to Republican lines having lost three valuable tanks and trained crews for little or no tactical gain.