Renault FT-17 Tanks in the Rif War
by Jesus Dapena
My mother's cousin Cipriano Briz ("uncle Cipri") was stationed in the Spanish Protectorate in Morocco in the 1920's during the Rif War (called in Spain "La Guerra de Africa" or "La Guerra de Marruecos").
Cipri at Zoco Tzelatza, June 2, 1921.
Cipri was in an armored
unit equipped with Renault FT-17 tanks.
He sent this series of photos to Spain, presumably to his mother. The originals were printed on postcard
stock.
FT-17 tank.
The picture above is titled "My command tank". On the back, it says:
"Notice the elephant painted to the left of the machine gun: It's the mascot. This is the most difficult obstacle
that a tank can face. This tank
was almost burnt up by the Moors.
That's why it has an X (which stands for "wounded") in the white circle in
the rear. It's number 4, and
number 1 in the Seccion".
FT-17 tanks.
FT-17 tanks, including an FT-17 TSH for wireless communications. The picture above is titled "Tanks for protection of the convoy to Tizzi-Asa". On the back, it says: "My little tank is the one marked by an arrow. Its cannon (sic) was hit by five bullets, and particles from two of them penetrated like a fine powder spray. This is funny after all! This photo was taken at Tafersit."
FT-17 and FT-17 TSH tanks. I assume that the arrow in the picture above again indicates Cipri's tank.
FT-17 tanks.
FT-17 tanks. On the
back of the picture, it says:
"As you can see, it's impossible not to love these tanks (mounted
on their transport trucks), because they are so beautiful. In the background you can see the town
of Dar-Drius, a much larger camp than Riffien, and more comfortable."
FT-17 TSH tank.
FT-17 TSH tank. On
the back of the picture above, it says: "The telegraph and wireless telephone tank that I already
sent to you before, but the position is not the same. Here it's further along over the edge of the breastwork that
it's going to drop from. This was
published in "Nuevo Mundo". Where
am I? I'll tell you in my letter."
FT-17
TSH tank.
Links to other Webpages on the Renault FT-17:
http://home.comcast.net/~dapena/tanks/dominguez/dominguez.htm
http://www.panzernet.com/articulos/historia/carrossps2/gcivil_ppal.htm
http://perso.club-internet.fr/po2260/FT17/FT17.htm
http://www.tankhistory.com --Once inside, go to the page on Spanish tanks.
http://geocities.com/witekjl
Return to:
Suso's WarBirds Page
Last updated: June, 2005
URL: http://home.comcast.net/~dapena/tanks/cipri.htm
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