1st Spahi Regiment
| 1st Spahi Regiment | |
|---|---|
Regimental insignia of the 1st Spahi Regiment
|
|
| Active |
1914 – present
|
| Country |
France 
|
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Cavalry, Light Infantry, Armor (current) |
| Role | Armored Reconnaissance |
| Part of | 6th Light Armoured Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Valence, Drôme, France |
| Motto(s) | "Faire Face"(Fr) "Facing Forward" (Eng) |
| Mascot(s) | A Ram |
| Equipment | 48 AMX 10 RC, 90 VAB and 110 Trucks |
| Engagements |
World War I World War II French Indochina War Gulf War War on Terror (2001 - present) |
| Battle honours |
|
1914 – present
The 1st Spahi Regiment (French: 1er Régiment de Spahis) is an armored regiment of the modern French Army, previously called the 1st Moroccan Spahi Regiment (French: 1er Régiment de Spahis Marocains). It was established in 1914 as a mounted cavalry unit recruited primarily from indigenous Moroccan horsemen. The regiment saw service in both the First World War and the Second World War as part of the Forces Françaises Libres as well as post-war service in the French-Indochina War and elsewhere. The modern regiment continues the traditions of all former Spahi regiments in the French Army of Africa.
The Moroccan Spahis of the French Army were created in 1914 by Général Hubert Lyautey. The initial title of the regiment was that of the Régiment de Marche de Chasseurs Indigènes à Cheval (R.M.C.I.C). The French Army had already raised four regiments of indigenous Spahi cavalry in both Algeria and Tunisia, during the 19th century and extended this designation to the Moroccan mounted units recruited after 1908.
The first Marching Moroccan Spahi Regiment (Régiment de Marche de Spahis Marocains, R.M.S.M) participated in the First Battle of the Marne. Subsequently, sent to the Orient Front, the regiment served with distinction at Pogradec, Skumbi, Bofnia, Uskub and on the Danube. The regiment was accordingly awarded 5 citations and a fourragere with the colors of the Médaille militaire.
The regiment was redesignated as the 21st Moroccan Spahi Regiment (21e Régiment de Spahis Marocains, 21e R.S.M.) in 1921 and served in the campaigns in the Levant from 1920 to 1927. The regiment was awarded 3 additional citations plus a fourragere in the colors of the Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures. In 1929, the regiment was renamed as the 1st Moroccan Spahi Regiment (1er Régiment de Spahis Marocains, 1er R.S.M).
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