A French column was annihilated at El Herri, marking one of the costliest French defeats in the Zaian War and nearly destabilizing their hold on Khénifra.
Key Facts
- Date
- 13 November 1914
- French & allied killed
- 623 soldiers
- French & allied wounded
- 176 soldiers
- Zaian killed
- at least 182 men
- French commander killed
- Lt.-Col. René Laverdure
- Conflict context
- Part of the Zaian War (1914–1921)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
France had captured Khénifra and was conducting negotiations with Zaian leader Mouha ou Hammou Zayani under General Lyautey's orders to avoid offensive action. Lieutenant-Colonel Laverdure, frustrated by the stalemate, defied those orders and decided to strike the Zaian encampment at El Herri with nearly his entire garrison.
On 13 November 1914, Laverdure's column attacked and initially overran the Zaian camp, capturing livestock and two of Hammou's wives. During the withdrawal to Khénifra, a large Zaian force harassed the column; discipline collapsed as troops abandoned ranks. The rear guard and artillery were overrun at a river crossing, and the remaining troops were surrounded and killed in a last stand against several thousand Zaian warriors.
The French suffered 623 killed and 176 wounded; Khénifra was placed under siege until a relief force arrived within days. Lyautey feared the defeat might cost him the entire campaign. The Zaian War continued until 1921, when French negotiations and a military offensive finally secured the confederation's submission, pushing holdouts into the High Atlas mountains.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Hubert Lyautey, René Laverdure.
Side B
1 belligerent
Mouha ou Hammou Zayani.