"... The war in Yebala
Work of the Navy on the Moroccan coast
The opinion does not properly appreciate the great work of our Navy in Morocco, perhaps for what little it is spoken and limited information, not always possible due to the nature of certain services that prudence requires silence. No clutch, discreetly be disclosed in order to form some view of his commendable action in this war, as recognized importance and strangers. Three
you are assigned missions: surveillance, supply and bombing positions. Since 1921, it engages the coastal rebel, and has intensified in recent months. Naval forces in Morocco, under the command of War Admiral, who is chief of staff to Commander Boado, are well integrated: Cruises "Catalonia" and "Extremadura" gunners "Canova del Castillo "," Bonifay "," Recalde, "Laya" and "Lauria", ten Coast Guard, two destroyers and seven barges "K", of which the English used in the Dardanelles and the coast of Belgium. The transport of war and "Spain 5", also providing excellent services.
Guard Gunners and turns on surveillance, from the river Afrau Lau, remaining at sea fifty-six hours straight. It is so inhospitable the Moroccan coast, which has only two shelters, one in Gomara to west wind, and Cala Tramontana for the lifting of the others are small coves, exclusive owl. Ie there are ninety miles without shelter.
The pursuit of smuggling is continuous, tenacious and can say that thanks to the vigilance exercised, not made on a large scale. Small caches are inevitable. Deploy such resources as extraordinary daring and smugglers are rarely caught, and when our boats chasing them, find the documentation in order and nothing suspicious in the cellar. Undoubtedly shed load to be surprised. Say it
these stations in the enrollment of Gibraltar "Silvia" and "Star of the Orient" and as is fishing or steamer, filed as suspects. Those belong to the financial group he heads the master Gardinier, known for his jovial contracts with Abd-El-Krim. Periodically announces our departure and as consul engines allow a walk of eighteen miles, and the crew are thrown people very familiar with the intricacies of the coast, it is difficult to catch them.
assume will have made strong claims and guess the answer. Loading at sea. If the terms were reversed and a nation had the belief that English boats furnished the people up in arms against it, would have required the forfeiture.
In this regard we recall a case which comes in handy. Was published years ago in Algeciras "The Sentinel of the Straits", and 37 numbers were reported, and finally suspended the weekly, at the request of the Gibraltarian authorities. About
Alhucemas, seized the cruise "Extremadura" a Dutch ship, which had sent a boat ashore with three people. The requisition was always the negative. Announced later confided that, that or another vessel of the same nationality, provided the rebel guns, cartridges and hand grenades.
Coastguards support large storms at sea, as this is its main feature. Otherwise, just walk eight to nine miles and calan five meters. To finish with small caches, will shortly join the fleet of military refueling Morocco, a long walk, they can penetrate even in the creeks.
Every week would destroy some owl who venture fisheries. The traffic of goods, high value and low weight, which was performed by the Gomara coast, to the detriment of customs, is completely suspended, which is serious blow to the riverside, whose welfare should be the intermediaries being forced interior of the Kabyle.
large-scale smuggling has been done and performed by the land border, comes from another area of \u200b\u200bTangier, the support of the rebellion and one of its most powerful auxiliaries. This statement does not carry the consent of the authorities of the other Protectorate, as interested as ours in pursuing the weapons to the rebels.
The productive trade with lances Moroccan coast of Africa, Algeria and Gibraltar, is practically suspended for three years and as the harvest was poor, only sees the strength of our enemies, for the assistance in cash and in kind they receive from their partners. Other luck, misery and lack of ammunition, would have made surrender.
our seamen's work is hard, painful and requires toil and hardship than happy to support. A surveillance of the brave coast, need to add other services. Supply port and cooperation with ground operations. Try them in the next article ... "
Evacuation
positions (our director).
The Barbary coast, asylum of the first envoy of the Caliphs of the East, home of the famous rubber trees, is as inhospitable as brave and indomitable race that inhabits it. The positions we occupy. Recently-evacuated prove illusory as the solution formula coastline, radiating influence on the interior. Your link terrestrial Tetouan, would have required expensive roads, new positions and moving columns in constant motion, "the reason for the column is the position and the position of the column-dodging, they are provisioned by sea.
The Navy can testify to the difficulties of the company, even in peacetime, as this inlets open to the winds, less evil, that their large funds can come close to land. Hundred times the boats left the port of Ceuta, and few were able to supply the first exit. On February 18 it was necessary send relief to M'Ter, and up to 26 could not land the then Colonel Serrano, head of the column. Large barges
"K", are powerful auxiliaries of the service, the head masters of seamanship, have two other oil and gas and loose their ability to allow transport of 400 men. Two tugs, "The Gaditano" and "Ferrol", commanded by lieutenants of the ship, the auxiliary coast guard and escort and protect gunners. The winter and into spring, were hard for the fishermen, who weathering waiting time moments of relative calm to take on land supplies and ammunition. Who only endured so rough work, with little relief, but important, they know the effort and penalties incurred, accrued since February, when gomaris and Riffs M'Ter initiate attacks. A weather, joined the hostile enemy danger and mutual support, have established solid ties of friendship between the forces of sea and land. Intensely
cooperated Morocco's squad for the defense of coastal positions, lowering their rebel push fires, shelling Alhucemas concentrations from heading to the west and silencing the fire of the batteries deployed from Sidi Dris to Gomara. One piece was removed by seafarers, however their skillful arrangement that hidden - as if they were mounted on eclipse-assemblies as soon soar. Known
is the abundance of ammunition for the rebels, including artillery, hundreds of grenades have been fired on our ships and only two were white, one in the "Catalonia" to hit a stanchion of the sheet, another in the "Extremadura "below the castle, the sailors have paid their contribution of blood. The bomb squad cost effectively, destroyed villages and Moorish ships, inflicting harsh punishment on the stubborn to heed not the voice of harmony.
evacuation of positions has displayed courage, skill and enthusiasm. One night was enough to bring on board 700 men of the garrison of M'Ter, 25 cattle, 5 guns and 150 tons of food and ammunition. He perceived the enemy at daybreak, it was late to oppose, when he entered the camp, nothing remained profitable. The master of the barge was injured.
Tiguisas The evacuation was more rugged, so much to fly the sea Late realized the rebels, speaking effectively "Extremadura", "Catalonia" and shortstop "19." At sunrise, men were on board, cattle and baggage. The enemy occupied a small blockhouse, and had the "Laya" perishing fortunate to fly the few boldly attacked.
Targa is ideal beach, over the most praised, there are a lot of work, not leaving even a grain of rice. The evacuation of Magan, and Kaasera Messala, was done in broad daylight by combined operations, which baffled the enemy. Nor performing low cost and so brilliant and almost bloodless Directory Project to abandon the positions from M'Ter to Lau.
The coastal addicts would not be exposed to the wrath of the rebels. The bracazas "K" have led to these Kabyle Martin River, their cattle and furnishings. Today, 1,500 benisaidis gomaris and camped not far from the English town, fishermen by trade, exercise their industry when they leave protected by the Coast Guard. Gomara waters available in great quantity, squid and more varied species that refugees bring to market Tetouan, finding long compensation for their work.
War Admiral's squad, which is chief of staff of the Commander Boado, is credited with other services, that discretion muted. She cosntituye Afrau effective safeguard, Lau, Alhucemas and Penon, it prevents the rebels fisheries and trade, they got fat yield Rif and gomaras, and finally puts an end to smuggling, as far as possible, showing great spirit, courage and intelligence. The day has armed gas station, fast walking, will hunt which, under speed, fail from time to time, to avoid the vigilance and take refuge in the coves.
Sailors war are worthy companions of the ground troops are fighting bravely, and like them worthy of the gratitude of Spain.
Candido Lobera .... "
Sources:
" The telegram from the Rif, Melilla Thursday 9th and Friday October 10, 1924, p. 1, nos. 8.406 and 8407.
Introduction and compilation: Hans Nicholas i Hungerbühler