The Zouaves are a type of infantry unit, which existed in few armies:Ottoman Empire, France, Papal States, United States, for a short period (1830-1962). They owe their name to the Kabyle tribal confederation of Zouaouas (Igawawen in Kabyle). These provided soldiers to the Turks and after the capture of Algiers (1830), they entered the service of France. Shortly after, the creation of the Algerian Tirailleurs, the Turcos, made up entirely of natives, changed the origin of the recruitment of the Zouaves, which became a purely French corps.
Conquest of Algeria
On October 1, 1830 General Clauzel created the body of the Zouaves, made up of two battalions. Two squadrons of Zouaves on horseback were also formed, but integrated from 1831 into the Chasseurs d'Afrique. There was an attempt to incorporate the "Parisian Volunteers" into them, it was a failure and these volunteers formed the 67th Infantry Regiment.
From October 1830 to January 1831, they fought the Bey of Tittery , and occupy Blida and Médéa. Their first notable success took place on July 3, 1831 at the Col de Mouzaïa, when they covered the retreat of the garrison from Médéa.
A third battalion was created in 1837, and the first regiment, formed in 1842, was placed under the command of Lamoricière. They still distinguished themselves at the battle of Ouarensis (1842), at Isly (1844), and took Zaatcha in 1849.
Second Empire Campaigns
By decree of February 1, 1852, Napoleon III increased their numbers from three battalions to three regiments, then to four in 1854 (the fourth being assigned to the Imperial Guard). The Zouaves distinguished themselves on several occasions during the campaigns of the Second Empire.
Crimean War
The Crimean War was the Zouaves' first campaign outside of Algeria. In Crimea, at the Battle of Alma, the 3rd Regiment of Zouaves took the Russians by surprise by climbing rocky cliffs, seizing their artillery and then turning it against them. This action greatly helped to turn the battle in favor of the allies.
It is in homage to this victory that the zouave du Pont de l'Alma was created, on the Seine, in Paris. For his part, Marshal de Saint-Arnaud, who led the French forces, paid homage to them by asking one of their company to escort his remains.
They still show prowess during the battles of Balaklava and Inkerman. And three of the seven regiments that took part in the capture of the Malakoff tower were Zouave regiments.
Italian Campaign
Similarly, they distinguished themselves during the Italian campaign, notably the 3rd regiment of Zouaves at the battle of Palestro, on May 31, 1859. Following this battle, the regiment promoted the king of Piedmont Victor-Emmanuel, corporal of honor of the regiment.
Two regiments took part in the expedition to Mexico between 1862 and 1867.
War of 1870
The zouave regiments formed marching regiments, which distinguished themselves in particular at Froechwiller; a battalion of the 3rd Zouaves even escaped from Sedan.
Third Republic
After various adventures (see individual articles on each regiment), the four zouave regiments were reconstituted in 1872. They took part in law enforcement operations of varying magnitude in Algeria and Tunisia (1880s and 1890s, pacification of Morocco (early 20th century).
Zouave elements are sent to fight against the Black Flags in Tonkin (1883). The 3rd occupied Tonkin and Annam (1887).
The Zouaves also fought in the First World War. A site bears their name (the Zouaves valley) in memory of the hard fighting they fought at Souchez in 1915. Several regiments were formed in 1939, after the declaration of war. The 1940 armistice protocol provides for their dissolution.
They are colloquially called zouzous.
Currency
The motto of the French Zouaves is:“To be Zouave is an honor. To remain so is a duty. »
Uniform
The Zouaves' uniform is quite complicated and uncomfortable. The Zouaves wore a fez (or chechia) with a colored tassel (usually yellow, red, blue or green) and a turban, a short, fitted jacket without buttons, a wide, three-meter-long canvas belt wrapped around the waist, bloomers, white spats and leggings. The belt was the most difficult element to put on, the zouave often having to call for help from one of his companions. The Zouave uniform was, however, particularly suited to the hot and harsh climates of the Algerian mountains. Bloomers allowed better air circulation than trousers, and the cropped jacket was cooler than the long woolen shirts of most contemporary armies. One of the reasons for the small number of Zouave units in the armies of the time was the additional cost of this particular uniform, which was higher than the plain-cut, mass-produced uniforms of other units.
Zouave regiments of the French army
* 1st regiment of zouaves:formed in 1852, dissolved in 1949 and reformed during the period 1956-1960. Croix de guerre 1914-1918 (5 palms and a vermilion star) and Croix de guerre 1939-1945 (2 palms);
* 2nd regiment of zouaves:formed in 1852 and disbanded in 1962). Legion of Honor (obtained during the battle of Magenta), Croix de guerre 1914-1918 (5 palms and a silver star) and Croix de guerre 1939-1945 (2 palms);
* 3rd regiment of zouaves formed in 1852 and disbanded in 1962). Legion of Honor (obtained during the battle of San Lorenzo, Mexico 1863), Croix de guerre 1914-1918 (6 palms) and Croix de guerre 1939-1945 (2 palms);
* Regiment of Zouaves of the Imperial Guard:formed in 1864, became the 4th Regiment of Zouaves in 1870 and disbanded in 1962. Legion of Honor, Croix de guerre 1914-1918 (7 palms) and Croix de guerre 1939-1945 (2 palms )[1];
* 8th Zouave Regiment:formed in 1914, disbanded in 1928, reformed in 1934-1940, disbanded again, it was reformed twice first in 1946-1956 , then during the Algerian war (1959-1962). Legion of Honor and Croix de guerre 1914-1918 (7 palms and a silver star);
* 9th regiment of Zouaves:formed in 1914 and disbanded in 1940; reformed in 1943 and dissolved again in 1962. Legion of Honor, Croix de guerre 1914-1918 (6 palms and a silver star) and Croix de guerre 1939-1945 (2 palms).
* 11th Zouaves Regiment:formed in 1939 and disbanded in 1940. Its motto:"Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth";
* 12th Zouaves Regiment:formed in 1939 and disbanded in 1940;
* 13th Zouaves Regiment:formed in 1919 and disbanded in 1940. Its motto:"Always smiling";
* 14th Zouaves Regiment:formed in 1939 and disbanded in 1940;
* 21st regiment of zouaves:formed in 1939 and disbanded in 1940 (instruction regiment);
* 22nd regiment of zouaves;
* 23rd Zouaves Regiment;
* 29th Zouaves Regiment.
Zouave mixed regiments of the French army
* 2nd mixed regiment of zouaves and skirmishers
* 4th mixed regiment of zouaves and skirmishers:formed in 1915 and disbanded in 1918. Legion of Honor and Croix de guerre 1914-1918 (6 palms);