Mehal-la Jalifiana - Spanish Civil War (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

I recently purchased from Mike Tarantino (ucla1967) a few of the Hiriart Spanish Civil War sets. One of these was the Meal-la Jalifiana. Pictures of the set accompany this thread.

Now, some of you may ask what was the Mehal. Mehal la Jalifiana (literally the Caliph’s regiment) was part of the Spanish Army of Africa and involved in the Spanish Civil War on the Nationalist (Francoist) side. The Mehal was created in 1913 as an honor or prize to the Sultan’s representative, the Jalifa (Caliph). Each Mehal consisted of two infantry tabores (batallions) of about 300 men each, with one or two companies and 110 askaris in each of them. They were considered native shock troops. Generally, they were feared (and hated) by the Republican populace. They were envolved in the decisive Battle of the Ebro in resisting the attacking Republican forces.

The official uniform was green-gray, black boots, leather strap and peaked cap with red and emerald green. The troops wore the typical head turban or "sheshia", a red cap without a visor on a rounded cap.

After the military revolted in July 1936, the Caliph Moulay Hassan decided to support the rebellion and provided volunteers to the Nationalist cause.

The Mehal, as well as the remainder of the Army of Africa, were flown over to Spain in October 1936 by German and Italian forces once the Nationalists were in control of Spanish Morrocco and the crossings to Spain. Initially, there were fifteen batallions consisting of approximately 5,400 troops out of approximately 34,000 in the Army of Africa.

I'm also attaching some photos of the actual troops although not necessarily in action in Spain.

 

[jazzeum]

Here are some more photos of the Hiriart set and the actual Mehal.

 

[jazzeum]

Some more photos.

 

[jazzeum]

Some of the insignia they used.

 

[ucla1967]

Brad,

This is real interesting. I must admit that I had no idea about some of the details you have brought out regarding this unit. I always wondered why set ES-03 Mehal-La Jalifiana and set ES-29 "Mehal-La" Jalifiana had the same names, yet had completely differest uniforms. Maybe the quotes differentiate something. In any case, I am attaching the Jose Bueno colour plates of both these units and a photo of the ES-03 set.

 

[jazzeum]

Mike,

Somehow I think the quotes can't make a difference but I can't be sure. Perhaps they represent different regiments of the Jalifa. I read somewhere that Franco had his own personal guard so maybe one of those sets represents his guard.

I got an email from Casa del Libro that the Bueno book shipped last week so maybe that will hold an answer.

 

[ucla1967]

Mike,

Somehow I think the quotes can't make a difference but I can't be sure. Perhaps they represent different regiments of the Jalifa. I read somewhere that Franco had his own personal guard so maybe one of those sets represents his guard.

I got an email from Casa del Libro that the Bueno book shipped last week so maybe that will hold an answer.

Brad,

It is the only Hiriart set which has quotes, which is a little odd. Did you notice that the Hiriart ES-29 set looks more like the photos you attached than does the Bueno plate. Looking forward to your receiving the book.

 

[jazzeum]

Mike,

Yes, I did. In addition, the description of their uniform in my post indicates a green not a striped uniform, as ES 29 depicts.

 

[ucla1967]

Mike,

Yes, I did. In addition, the description of their uniform in my post indicates a green not a striped uniform, as ES 29 depicts.

I wonder if the striped robes in set ES-03 are not being worn (in winter?) over the uniforms in set ES-29. Their green pants look correct. Also, Hiriart set ES-03 looks like the corresponding ES-03 Jose Bueno color plate. Maybe the book will clear this up.

 

[jazzeum]

I've been doing a little more research but nothing so far. Will try to keep digging tomorrow.

 

[jazzeum]

By coincidence, I received Jose Maria Bueno's book today, Uniformes Militares de la Guerra Civil Espanola (Military Uniforms of the Spanish Civil War), originally published in 1971, but revised in 1997. The interesting thing about the book is that the captions describing the plates (which are drawings of various units) are in both Spanish and English (although the Spanish version is more thorough. There are 106 color plates. The book is divided into the Nationalist and Republican forces.

Getting to the matter at hand, the color plates are different in this book than in the plates Mike posted. However, both do depict the Askaris (or privates) of the Mehal-la wearing a brown pinstriped chilaba over their uniforms. Apparently the chilaba was regulation. The second plate posted by Mike corresponds to the Mehal-la's green uniforms. Note: a chilaba roughly means a hijab, which corresponds to a covering that Muslim people wear.

Now, why Hiriart portrayed them in blue uniforms, I have no idea; perhaps artistic license. It doesn't seem to be accurate however.

I will try to post a scan of the particular plate tonight.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Brad,

Very interesting little set you nabbed! I really enjoy seeing some of the odder sets from companies like Hirart. They produced a bunch. The jibahs sort of remind me of the troops working for the French in Italy in 44, Goumiers, they had 12000 of them there and one of the more famous photos of these guys was of one in a striped jibah sharpening a bayonet, they were Berbers if memory serves and a pretty nasty bunch as well.

Very cool to see some of the sets you are branching into. Thanks again for sharing the photos

Dave

 

[jazzeum]

Dave,

Thanks. I've been able to combine my interest in the Spanish Civil War with some of the Hiriart sets (I purchased two others from Mike) and I really like them. The longer you stay in this hobby, the more opportunities to get explore a lot of other areas that may be different than the ones that got you interested in collecting to begin with.

By the way, you are right, these are related to the Goumiers, just from the Spanish Morocco side.

Regards,

 

[jazzeum]

By coincidence, I received Jose Maria Bueno's book today, Uniformes Militares de la Guerra Civil Espanola (Military Uniforms of the Spanish Civil War), originally published in 1971, but revised in 1997. The interesting thing about the book is that the captions describing the plates (which are drawings of various units) are in both Spanish and English (although the Spanish version is more thorough. There are 106 color plates. The book is divided into the Nationalist and Republican forces.

Getting to the matter at hand, the color plates are different in this book than in the plates Mike posted. However, both do depict the Askaris (or privates) of the Mehal-la wearing a brown pinstriped chilaba over their uniforms. Apparently the chilaba was regulation. The second plate posted by Mike corresponds to the Mehal-la's green uniforms. Note: a chilaba roughly means a hijab, which corresponds to a covering that Muslim people wear.

Now, why Hiriart portrayed them in blue uniforms, I have no idea; perhaps artistic license. It doesn't seem to be accurate however.

I will try to post a scan of the particular plate tonight.

Here are some of the plates from the book.

First plate (from the left): Askari wearing his Chilaba; Infantry Corporal in dress uniform; and Askari in campaign uniform. Plate on the right shows a mounted Infantry Corporal in battle uniform.

Second Plate (from the left): Lieutenant in headquarters uniform; Commander in campaign uniform; and Cavalry Lieutenant in dress uniform.

Third Plate (from the left): Native Officer in dress uniform; Native Second Lieutenant in everyday uniform; and Native Officer in campaign uniform.

 

[ucla1967]

Brad,

The Jose Bueno SCW plates I have came from a Danish collector who orders Hiriart SCW and WW I (especially in Africa) sets from me. He is the webmaster for the Danish Military History Society and served as an officer in the Danish Guards Regiment. The plates are actually from another source by Jose Maria Bueno, "El Ejercito Espanol en Parada" which was published by Barreira Militaria, Madrid, 1980. These could be folders rather than a book.

The color on the "robes" on the ES-03 figures actually look black to me with brown stripes. If so, this would be the reverse of the correct colors. What ever color the robes should be, this is a very popular set that I have sold to many collectors, most of whom do not normally collect the SCW.

 

[jazzeum]

Mike,

Thanks for the info. I will see if I can track down this book. Based on my research and Bueno, the chilabas should be brownish, presumably to blend in with the sand, not black. I wonder what the Hiriart owners used as their model. It's still a nice set that I would like to order, although painted differently

 

[aujj65]

I recently purchased from Mike Tarantino (ucla1967) a few of the Hiriart Spanish Civil War sets. One of these was the Meal-la Jalifiana. Pictures of the set accompany this thread.

Now, some of you may ask what was the Mehal. Mehal la Jalifiana (literally the Caliph’s regiment) was part of the Spanish Army of Africa and involved in the Spanish Civil War on the Nationalist (Francoist) side. The Mehal was created in 1913 as an honor or prize to the Sultan’s representative, the Jalifa (Caliph). Each Mehal consisted of two infantry tabores (batallions) of about 300 men each, with one or two companies and 110 askaris in each of them. They were considered native shock troops. Generally, they were feared (and hated) by the Republican populace. They were envolved in the decisive Battle of the Ebro in resisting the attacking Republican forces.

The official uniform was green-gray, black boots, leather strap and peaked cap with red and emerald green. The troops wore the typical head turban or "sheshia", a red cap without a visor on a rounded cap.

After the military revolted in July 1936, the Caliph Moulay Hassan decided to support the rebellion and provided volunteers to the Nationalist cause.

The Mehal, as well as the remainder of the Army of Africa, were flown over to Spain in October 1936 by German and Italian forces once the Nationalists were in control of Spanish Morrocco and the crossings to Spain. Initially, there were fifteen batallions consisting of approximately 5,400 troops out of approximately 34,000 in the Army of Africa.

I'm also attaching some photos of the actual troops although not necessarily in action in Spain.

Brad, nice to have some unusual sets in your collection I'll bet!

Jeff