In 1939/1940, the 1er RSM was based in Aleppo (Syria) and was a type of light cavalry regiment and an active unit. However at the time when the Armistice was signed on 22nd June 1940, a period of ambiguity took over when the regiments in the Near East were divided, not only morally, but also physically. On 28th May 1941, Vichy France signed the Paris Protocol. The consequences were dramatic in Syria where the French found themselves fighting against each other during the attacks of June 1941.
On the one side, half of the 1er RSM was led by Captain Paul Jourdier who, on 30th June 1940, had fled to Palestine to join with the Forces Françaises Libres (FFL – Free French Army) of General de Gaulle. These then later formed the 1er Régiment de Marche de Spahis Marocains (1er RMSM) who distinguished themselves during the fighting in North Africa, initially within the British 8th Army, then in 1943, within the column of General Leclerc. When it became a reconnaissance regiment of the 2nd Armoured Division, the 1er RMSM fought in France and in Germany, suffering heavy losses whilst leading the different units.
In the meantime, the other half of the 1er RSM also fought in Syria - but on the side with the Vichy, fighting with the Army of the Levant under General Dentz. Following the Saint-Jean-d’Acre agreement of 14th July 1941, the 1er RSM left the Near East; at the end of August they embarked at Beirut and were repatriated to Morocco. They fought against the American disembarkation in North Africa. Subsequently the 1er RSM was integrated in the Liberation Army and was well engaged in the liberation of France and other operations including against the Royan pocket in 1945. The 1er RSM was finally dismantled and integrated with the 8e régiment de dragons.
Uniform
The Moroccan Spahis wore a typical French uniform suited for the desert theatre of operations. Besides the standard issue French khaki uniform and helmet, the private here also wears a djellabah which is a light long coat with sleeves. He has a yellow strip that indicates his rank as a soldat de première classe – this strip would be buttoned to the front of his tunic.
The collar patches are indicative of his regiment number and would be dark blue. There may seem to be some controversy over the matter in that several photographic references are found with the number appearing above or below the star. However, the regulation of the period states that the star should be above the number. The material of the patches is a felt-type cloth with badges and numbers cut out from cloth or made of metal, painted, and stitched on the patch through holes. The pipings (passepoil) are of a woollen or rayon Russia braid, sewn at the top of the patch.
The Moroccan Spahi is wearing a standard French helmet which features the initials RF on top of a crescent, indicative of his Muslim faith.
Vichy Moroccan Spahis in 1941 were generally issued with MAS 36 rifles and 5 round "baudrier porte-cartouches" (ammunition belt), but this seems to have been the rule only in first line combat troops (squadrons); the belts could come in two models (with 3 or 5 round pouches).