ABSTRACT
If you travel from Fez to Marrakesh along the winding, mountainous inland road that crosses the Middle Atlas, you are bound to pass through the bustling town of Khenifra.1 A few kilometres south of there, you may notice an impressive, obelisk-shaped monument atop a hill on the left-hand side of the road. A steep dirt road takes you to the monument and after climbing a few yards you reach its base, which carries a small plaque in Arabic that in translation reads as follows:
In memory of the great battle of El Hri that took place on the 2nd of Dhu al-Hija 1332 (13 November 1912) between the national resistance, formed of the proud champions of the Middle Atlas tribes led by Moha ou Hammou Zaiani and the French army led by Colonel Laverdure. The battle ended with a great defeat of the French army in spite of its large numbers and its equipment. The French left on the battlefield more than 33 dead officers headed by Colonel Laverdure, more than 700 soldiers, and 176 wounded. In that battle in which the coloniser, as witnessed by its officers, experienced its greatest defeat in North Africa, 182 martyrs gave their lives among the warriors. Their names were not recognised until now. Here are their names according to tribes and communities.2
