Moroccan Goumier
The Moroccan Goumiers (French: Les Goumiers Marocains) were indigenous Moroccan soldiers who served in auxiliary units attached to the French Army of Africa, between 1908 and 1956. While nominally in the service of the Sultan of Morocco, they served under French officers, including a period as part of the Free French Forces.
| Goumier Goum | |
|---|---|
The standard insignia of the "Mixed Moroccan Goumiers": a koummya (a curved Moorish dagger), inscribed in red with the letters G.M.M (Goum Mixte Marocain) and featuring gold North African decorations | |
| Active | 1908–1956 |
| Country | France |
| Type | Infantry and mounted detachments |
| Part of | French Army |
| Engagements | Moroccan colonial campaigns, World War II, Indochina 1946-54 |
Employed initially as tribal irregulars, then in regular contingents, the goumiers were employed extensively during the French occupation of Morocco from 1908 to the early 1930s. They then served in North Africa, Italy, and France during World War II between 1942 and 1945. During this period four Moroccan Tabors Groupments (GTM) were created, each comprising three Tabors (battalions), and each Tabor comprising three or four Goums (companies). Goumiers subsequently served in Indochina from 1946 to 1954.