The Moroccan Division (French: Division marocaine, D.M) or the 1st Moroccan Division of 1914, initially the Marching Division of Morocco (French: « Division de Marche du Maroc »D.M du Maroc) was an infantry division of France's Army of Africa (French: Armée d'Afrique) which participated in World War I.
Composed of Maghrebi (Algerian and Tunisian Tirailleurs, not Moroccans) and European soldiers (Zouaves, Legionnaires and, for a short period in 1914, of Infantry Colonial Troops of Morocco), the Moroccan Division illustrated capability in the First Battle of the Marne in September and the Battle of Artois of May 1915 where for the first time, a French division pierced the front.
The Moroccan Division was one of the most decorated units of the French Army and all its regiments were cited at the orders of the armed forces at the end of the conflict. The Moroccan Division was the only division of all French regimental colours to be decorated with the légion d’honneur throughout the course of World War I.
The four principal units which composed the division between 1914 and 1918 were the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion, the 4th Marching Tirailleurs Regiment, the 7th Marching Tirailleurs Regiment and 8th Marching Zouaves Regiment, all awarded the French fourragere with colours of the légion d’honneur at the end of the conflict.
Creation and different nominations
On the eve of mobilisation on August 2, 1914, the troops which were at the disposition of the French Army in Morocco constituted:
1st Colonial Infantry Battalion (French: 1er Bataillon d'Infanterie Colonial, 1er B.I.C. du Maroc) of Morocco at Fez
6 Mixed Colonial Infantry Regiments of Morocco composed each of 1 colonial battalion (French: « marsouins ») and 2 Senegalese Tirailleurs (French: « Tirailleurs Sénégalais ») at Rabat, La-Chaouïa, Meknés, Fez et Marrakech.
2 Mixed Artillery Colonial Groups (one group of 3 (French: « Batteries Montées de 75 de Campagne ») and the other of 4 (French: « Batteries de 65 de Montagne »))
6 companies of conducteurs Senegalese
13 battalions of Algerian Tirailleurs
9 battalions of Tunisian Tirailleurs
9 battalions of Zouaves
5 battalions of Moroccan Trailleurs
1 squadron of Senegalese Saphi
While at disposition, these part forces where made immediately available to Général Lyautey who created since moblisation in Morocco, the Marching Division of Morocco (French: « Division de Marche du Maroc » ) (future Moroccan Division, « Division Marocaine » ), with mainly 3 battalions (6th, 7th, 9th Colonial Infantry Battalions of Morocco) regrouped at Bled-el-Makhzen which formed the Colonial Infantry Marching Regiment of Morocco ( future « R.I.C.M » in 1956) of the 1st Marching Brigade of Morocco (French: « 1re Brigade de Marche du Maroc ») belonging to this division.
Under orders of G.al Humbert, the units constituting the Marching Division of Morocco (French: « Division de Marche du Maroc » ) were regrouped at Bordeaux and positioned themselves in the region of Tournes (French Ardennes) on August 18, and that to join the Colonial Army Troop Corps (French: « Corps d’Armée des Troupes Coloniales ») of the IVth Army (French: « 4e Armée Française ») in the battle of (French: « Bataille des frontières »).
On August 20, 1914, the Marching Division of Morocco (French: « Division de Marche du Maroc ») was renamed the Moroccan Division (French: « Division du Maroc ») (another Moroccan Division « 2e Division du Maroc » was enacted on August 4, 1918) formed by principle of two Marching brigades of Morocco (French: « Brigade de Marche du Maroc »).
The Colonial Infantry Marching Regiment of Morocco (French: « Régiment de Marche d’Infanterie Colonial du Maroc ») was subsequently designated as 1st Colonial Infantry Marching Regiment of Morocco (French: « 1er Régiment de Marche d’Infanterie Colonial du Maroc » ) with regimental commander Lieutenant-Colonel Pernot leading 3 battalions:
6th Battalion of Commandant Vincent - the 7th Battalion of Commandant Coup - and 9th Battalion of Commandant Garrely.
The regiment was attached to the 1st Marching Brigade of Morocco (French: « 1re Brigade de Marche du Maroc ») of général Blondlat, along with the 1st Zouaves Regiment (French: « 1er Régiment de Zouaves ») of Lieutenant-Colonel Leveque leading also 3 battalions of Commandants Lagure, Randier and Burkart.
The 2nd Marching Brigade of Morocco (French: « 2e Brigade de Marche du Maroc ») of Colonel Cros regrouped:
1 Regiment of Moroccan Tirailleurs constituted of 3 battalions formed based on Tirailleurs Regiments of Occidental Morocco.
(1st Battalion of 5th Tirailleurs of Commadant Britsch - 4th Battalion of 7th Tirailleurs of Commandant De-Ligny - and the 5th Battalion of 4th Tirailleurs of Commandant Tisseye).
1 Mixed Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Fellert, constituted of 3 battalions formed based on Tirailleurs Regiments of Oriental Morocco.
(1st Battalion of 2nd Tirailleurs of Commandant Mignerot - 4th Battalion of 2nd Tirailleurs of Commandant Sauvageot - and the 3rd Battalion of 6th Tirailleurs of Commandant Clerc), one of the battalions, also formed based on the 2nd Zouaves Regiment (French: « 2e Régiment de Zouaves ») (3rd Battalion of Commandant Modelon).
The 1st Moroccan Division (French: « 1re Division du Maroc ») was supported by:
1 Artillery unit commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Ducros compromised on one marching group under the orders of Commandant Turpin (1st and 2nd batteries of the 4th artillery group of African campaigns as well as the 2nd battery of the 8th artillery group of African campaigns - (French: 1re et 2e Batteries du 4e Groupe d'Artillerie de campagne d'Afrique ainsi que la 2e Batterie du 8e Groupe d'Artillerie de Campagne d'Afrique)) and one group of 2 artillery batteries of the 3rd Colonial Artillery Regiment 3e RAC (French: « 3e Régiment d’Artillerie Coloniale », 3e R.A.C) under the orders of Commandant Martin.
1 Engineering Divisionary Company of (French: Génie) of Morocco under the orders of Captain Quinson.
During the battle of Bataille des Ardennes on August 23, 1914, the 1st Moroccan Division (French: « 1re Division du Maroc ») was integrated in the 9th Army Corps (French: « 9e Corps d’Armée ») of the IVth Army (French: « IVe Armée ») under the orders of général Dubois. This army corps had for mission to cover the unfolding of the later while maintaining positions on the designated line Signy-l'Abbaye / La-Fosse-à-l'Eau, on which this corps had to counter a massive advancement.
1st Moroccan Brigade Formation
2nd Mixed Colonial Regiment (French: 2e Régiment Mixte Colonial) - 3 battalions from August till October 1, 1914.
Marching Zouaves Regiment (French: Régiment de Marche de Zouaves) - 3 battalions from August till October 1, 1914.
4th Marching Tirailleurs Regiment (French: 4e Régiment de Marche de Tirailleurs, 4e R.M.T) hailing from the French 38th Infantry Division (French: 38e Division d'Infanterie) - October 1, 1914 till June 30, 1918 (rejoined the 2nd Moroccan Division (French: 2e Division Marocaine, 2e DM)).
2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment (French: 2e Régiment de Marche du 1er Régiment Etranger, 2eR.M.1erR.E) - October 17, 1914 to November 11, 1915.
2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment (French: 2e Régiment de Marche du 2e Régiment Etranger, 2eR.M.2eR.E) - July 10 to November 11, 1915.
Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (French: Régiment de Marche de la Légion Etrangère, R.M.L.E), by merger of the two foreign regiments - November 11, 1915 to November 11, 1918.
12th Malagazy Tirailleurs Regiment (French: 12e Bataillon de Tirailleurs Malgaches) - July 7 till November 11, 1918.
Russian Legion Battalion (French: Le Bataillon de La Légion Russe, B.L.R) / Honorary Russian Legion (French: La Légion d’Honneur Russe, L.H.R) - beginning of 1918 till November 11, 1918.
2nd Moroccan Brigade Formation
1st Mixed Zouaves and Trailleurs Regiment (French: 1er Régiment Mixte de Zouaves et de Tirailleurs, 1er R.M.Z.T) until September 5, 1914; Zouave by designation, no Zouave Battalion was ever found in the 1st Mixed Zouaves and Tirailleurs Regiment.
2nd Mixed Zouaves and Trailleurs Regiment (French: 2e Régiment Mixte de Zouaves et de Tirailleurs, 2e R.M.Z.T) until September 5, 1914.
Marching Tirailleurs Regiment of Occidental Morocco (French: Régiment de Marche de Tirailleurs du Maroc Occidental) - 3 battalions from September 5 till October 1, 1914.
1st Battalion of 5th Algerian Tirailleurs (French: 1er Bataillon du 5e Tirailleurs Algériens).
4th Battalion of 7th Algerian Tirailleurs (French: 4e Bataillon du 7e Tirailleurs Algériens).
5th Battalion of 4th Tunisian Tirailleurs (French: 5e Bataillon du 4e Tirailleurs tunisiens).
Marching Tirailleurs Regiment of Oriental Morocco (French: Régiment de Marche de Tirailleurs du Maroc Oriental) - 4 battalions from September 5 till October 1, 1914.
1st Battalion of the 2nd Algerian Tirailleurs (French: 1er Bataillon du 2e Tirailleurs Algériens).
4th Battalion of the 2nd Algerian Tirailleurs (French: 4e Bataillon du 2e Tirailleurs Algériens).
3rd Battalion of the 6th Algerian Tirailleurs (French: 3e Bataillon du 6e Tirailleurs Algériens).
3rd Battalion of 2nd Zouaves (French: 3e Bataillon du 2e Zouaves).
7th Marching Tirailleurs Regiment (French: 7e Régiment de Marche de Tirailleurs, 7eR.M.T), formed by merger of the Marching Tirailleurs Regiment of Occidental Morocco (French: Régiment de Marche de Tirailleurs du Maroc Occidental) and Marching Tirailleurs Regiment of Oriental Morocco (French: Régiment de Marche de Tirailleurs du Maroc Oriental) - October 1, 1914 till November 11, 1918.
8th Marching Zouaves Regiment (French: 8e Régiment de Marche de Zouaves, 8eR.M.Z) by changing designation of 8th Marching Zouave Regiment - October 1914 till November 11, 1918.
1st Moroccan Brigade - 1914
Colonial Marching Regiment
Marching Zouave Regiment
2nd Moroccan Brigade - 1914
Marching Tirailleurs Regiment of Oriental Morocco
Marching Tirailleurs Regiment of Occidental Morocco
1st Moroccan Brigade (1914–1918)
Régiment de Marche de la Légion Étrangère, by merger of the 2nd Marching Regiment of the 1st Foreign Regiment (French: 2e Régiment de Marche du 1er Régiment Etranger) with the 2nd Marching Regiment of the 2nd Foreign Regiment (French: 2e Régiment de Marche du 2e Régiment Etranger) on November 11, 1915.
4th Marching Tirailleurs Regiment, hailing from the French 38th Infantry Division.
2nd Moroccan Brigade - (1914 - 1918)
7th Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment/Marching Tirailleurs Regiment, formed by merger of the Tirailluers Marching Regiments of Morocco.
8th Zouave Regiment/ Marching Zouave Regiment, by name change designation of 8th Marching Zouave Regiment.
1st Moroccan Brigade (1918)
Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion, R.M.L.E (French: Régiment de Marche de la Légion Étrangère)
Russian Legion Battalion (French: Le Bataillon de La Légion Russe, B.L.R) / Honorary Russian Legion (French: La Légion d’Honneur Russe, L.H.R), from the beginning of 1918 to November 1918.
12th Malagazy Tirailleurs Regiment
2nd Moroccan Brigade (1918)
7th Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment/Marching Tirailleurs Regiment
8th Zouave Regiment/ Marching Zouave Regiment
Mobilized in Morocco:
August 6–18: Constitution, then embarked, transported and disembarked at Bordeaux and Sète.
August 18–23 : transported by V.F west of Charleville-Mézières in the department of Ardennes.
August 23–6 September : movement by Mézières towards the north-east, then unfolded by Mézières and Witry-lès-Reims, towards the region of Fère-Champenoise.
September 6–14 : engaged in the first Battle of the Marne : from September 6 to 10, Battle of Marais de Saint-Gond. Combats around the castle de Mondement-Montgivroux. Since September 10, pursuit by Tours-sur-Marne and de Beaumont-sur-Vesle until Prunay and the ferme des Marquises.
September 14 - April 23, 1915: combats in the region (Bataille de l'Aisne (1914)), the stabilisation and occupation of a sector towards the ferme des Marquises and the north of Sillery, extended left on October 7 until the Fort de la Pompelle (Battle of Mines).
April 23–27 : retrieved from the front, starting April 25, transport by V.F to the region of Épernay, in Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise.
April 27 - 9 : movement towards the region Aubigny-en-Artois, then since April 29, occupation of a sector towards the farm de Berthonval and Targette.
May 9–12 : engaged in the seconde bataille de l'Artois, attack on cote 140.
May 12–26 : retrieved from the front. Rest towards Mont-Saint-Éloi, then Tincques.
May 26 - June 24 : movement towards the front and occupation of a sector towards cote 123 of the wooden forest of Carency, reduced to the left, on June 3 made way the red cabaret.
June 24 - September 14 : retrieved from the front and rested towards Wail. As of July 4, transported by V.F. in to the region of Montbéliard, since July 15, movement towards Giromagny; instruction and pause.
September 14 - October 18 : transported by V.F. into the region of Lure, in Suippes. As of September 25, engaged towards the wooden forest of Sabot in the seconde bataille de Champagne.
October 18 - December 21 : retrieved from the front towards Cuperly. As of October 20, transported by V.F. from the region of Cuperly to Pont-Sainte-Maxence; instruction and pause.
December 21, 1915 - January 16, 1916 : movement towards Cœuvres-et-Valsery, instruction.
January 16 - February 24 : movement towards Crépy-en-Valois; instruction. As of January 23, movement by stage towards the camp of Crèvecœur-le-Grand; pause instruction. As of February 13, movement towards the region of Noyers-Saint-Martin; pause.
February 24 - June 19 : movement towards Montdidier (Somme), occupation of a secotr between l'Oise and Plessis-de-Roye.
June 19 - July 6 : retrieved from the front. Transported by V.F. into the region of Amiens. In reserve at the beginning of the Battle of the Somme.
July 6–15 : movement towards front, engaged in the Battle of Somme, towards Belloy-en-Santerre and east of Flaucourt
July 15–29 : retrieved from the front. Transported by V.F. in the region of Gournay-sur-Aronde.
July 29 - October 29 : movement towards the front and occupation of a sector between Belval and la lisière south of the wooden forst of Loges.
October 29 - November 17 : retrieved from the front. Pause towards Estrées-Saint-Denis. As of November 3, movement towards the camp de Crèvecœur; instruction.
November 17 - December 28 : transported by truck into the region of Chuignolles. Occupation of a sector towards Belloy-en-Santerre and south of Barleux.
December 28, 1916 - January 25, 1917 : retrieved from the front, movement towards the camp de Crèvecœur; instruction.
January 25 February 8 : movement towards the front; occupation of a sector towards Beuvraignes and south Armancourt, Somme.
February 8 - March 14 : retrieved from the front. Element at work towards Montdidier, elements at pause towards Froissy and Crèvecœur-le-Grand.
March 14 - March 31 : movement towards Montdidier, engaged within the second frontal line during Operation Alberich.
March 31 - April 26 : transported by V.F. from Montdidier and Hargicourt towards Saint-Hilaire-au-Temple and Cuperly. As of April 3, occupation of a sector between Auberive-sur-Suippe and north of Baconnes. As of April 17, engaged in the bataille des Monts de Champagne, apprehending of Auberive-sur-Suippe.
April 26 - June 2 : retrieved from the front, pause towards Châlons-en-Champagne.
June 2 - July 4 : transported by truck towards Jonchery-sur-Vesle, then starting June 5, occupation of a sector between Miette (rivière) and Aisne.
July 4 - August 18 : retrieved from the front. As of July 10, pause towards Arcis-sur-Aube. As of August 8, transported by truck into the region Verdun; work.
August 18 - September 3 : occupation of a sector toward Chattancourt and Meuse (fleuve).
engaged in the second Battle of Verdun 1917, apprehending of the wooden forest of Corbeaux. Accordingly, organisation of positions towards Meuse and west towards Forges-sur-Meuse
September 3 - October 3 : retrieved from the front, transported by truck into the region of Vaucouleurs (Meuse), then starting September 8 at camp de Bois l'Évêque; pause and insctruction.
October 3, 1917 - January 21, 1918 : occupation of a sector between Limey-Remenauville and l'étang de Vargévaux.
On January 21 - March 31 : retrieved from the front, instruction towards Vaucouleurs and work. As of March 26, regroupment towards Vaucouleurs; pause and instruction.
March 31 - April 24 : transported by V.F. north to Beauvais; work and instruction towards Rumigny; then held ready to intervene towards Sains-en-Amiénois and Hangard.
April 24 - May 7 : movement towards the front, participated to the action of supporting Australian and British troops during the Bataille de Villers-Bretonneux 1918, south of la bourgade and towards the wooden forest (bois) of Hangard. Organization and defensive mountings, in this region with a reduced left sector, on April 29, until the northern lisière of the wooden forest of Hangard.
May 7 - May 28 : retrieved from the front, transported by trucks towards Nanteuil-le-Haudouin; paused.
May 28 - June 4 : transported by truck towards Dommiers. Engaged in the Third Battle of the Aisne towards the Montagne de Paris, Missy-aux-Bois, Chaudun, combat and retrieved, then organisation again at the front. As of June 1, regroupment in the region of Vivières, Villers-Cotterêts.
June 4 - June 20 : movement towards the front and occupation of a sector towards Ambleny and Aisne, made way right on June 14 towards Ambleny and Fosse-en-Haut.
June 20 - July 5 : retrieved from the front and paused towards Rethondes.
July 5 - July 22 : movement towards the front and occupation of a sector towards Fosse-en-Haut and Saint-Pierre-Aigle. As of July 18, engaged towards Laversine and Saint-Pierre-Aigle in the Battle of Soisonnais (part of Second Battle of the Marne), attack on Saint-Pierre-Aigle, Dommiers and Chaudun.
July 22 - August 27 : retrieved from the front; transported into the regions Breteuil and Crèvecœur-le-Grand; pause.
August 27 - September 17 : transported by truck to the front, preparation of offensives. Took part in the frontal line pushing towards the Hindenburg Line. Apprehending of Terny-Sorny, September 5; progression towards Vauxaillon, apprehending of positions of region of Allemant ( September 14–15, Battle of Vauxaillon )
September 17 - October 13 : retrieved from the front and paused toward Vic-sur-Aisne, then towards Meaux. As of September 24, transported by V.F. to Rosières-aux-Salines; paused.
October 13 - November 11 : movement towards the front and occupation of a sector towards Brezange-la-Grande and Brin-sur-Seille; offensive preparations.
November 17 : Liberation of Château-Salins and Moselle.
Army attachments and Army Corps detachments
Most Armed/Army Corps (French: Corps d'armée,C.A) are the subdivisions of an Army (French: Armée), which could also be the designation of an Air Army/Force (French: l'Armée de l'Air) or Naval Army/Force (French: l'Armée de Mer) contingent. However and throughout the courses of the World Wars, France centralized the vast majority of front combat theatre battles, led almost entirely by regiments of the French Army (French: L'Armée de Terre), hence the designation of "Army" (France). During World War I, the Moroccan Division being organically assigned part of the French Army included the following land "Army" (French: Armée) attachments which included various Army Corps (French: Corps d'armée,C.A) detachments:
Regimental Colors decorated with the Médaille militaire
Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (26/09/1919)
Regimental Colors decorated with the Légion d'honneur
Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (04/12/1917)
4th Marching Tirailleurs Regiment (05/07/1919)
7th Marching Tirailluers Regiment (05/07/1919)
8th Marching Zouaves Regiment (05/07/1919)
Fourragere bearing ruban colours of the Légion d’honneur and ruban of the Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 (at least 9 citations at the orders of the armed forces) (French: 9 citations à l'ordre de l'Armée)
Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion (9 citations)
Fourragere bearing ruban colours of the Légion d’honneur (6-8 citations at the orders of the armed forces) (French: 6-8 citations à l'ordre de l'Armée)
8th Zouaves Regiment (7 citations)
4th Tunisian Tirailleurs Regiment (6 citations)
7th Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment (6 citations)
Fourragere bearing ruban colours of the Croix de guerre 1914-1918 (2-3 citations at the order of the armed forces) (French: 2-3 citations à l'ordre de l'Armée)
12th Malagazy Tirailleurs Regiment (3 citations)
Russian Legion Battalion (2 citations)
Division Commanders
August 18 - October 8, 1914 : Division Général Humbert
October 8, 1914 - June 21, 1915 : Division Général Ernest Joseph Blondlat
June 21, 1915 - August 3, 1916 : Division Général Codet
August 3, 1916 - September 1, 1917 : Division Général Degoutte
September 1, 1917 - January 23, 1922 : Général Albert Joseph Marie Daugan
Brigade Commanders
1st Moroccan Brigade
2nd Moroccan Brigade
A Monument was inaugurated in June 1925 at Givenchy-en-Gohelle on the plateau de Vimy, in front of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, and renders homage to the Moroccan Division and the hundreds of thousands of Foreign soldiers engaged for France during the War.
Jean-Louis Larcade, Zouaves et tirailleurs, les régiments de marche et les régiments mixtes : 1914-1918, Argonautes, 2000
Anthony Clayton, Histoire de l'Armée française en Afrique 1830-1962, Albin Michel, 1994
Pages de gloire de la Division marocaine, 1919
AFGG, vol. 2, t. 10 : Ordres de bataille des grandes unités : divisions d'infanterie, divisions de cavalerie, 1924, 1092 p. (lire en ligne).
(fr) Ministère des Armées, État-Major de l'Armée de Terre, Service Historique, Inventaire sommaire des archives de la Guerre 1914-1918, Imprimerie « La Renaissance »
Moroccan Division, 1914-1918, Gallica
Moroccan Division in la bataille de l'Aisne (1917)
Historical Composition of the 1st Moroccan Division from 1914 to 1918
Monument aux morts de la division marocaine à Givenchy-en-Gohelle (62)
Le monument national de la Victoire de la Marne Septembre 1914 Mondement - Marais de Saint-Gond
