Tabor (Morocco)
Encyclopedia
A tabor is a Moroccan
military term used to describe a formation of three or four goums. A goum in this case is equivalent to a Company (military unit)
and a tabor would thereby be equivalent to a Battalion
. Groups of Tabors, equivalent to regiments or brigades, were also employed.
Tabors were created by the French
during World War II
as a display of power because the Germans
, after having overrun France, limited the size of their military forces. One way of getting around these regulations was the creation of Colonial forces (i.e. tabors). These Moroccan units would later go on to fight in North Africa
once Operation TORCH
began and in the fight for Sicily
(Operation HUSKY) and Mainland Italy
, notably at the Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino
. The 4th Tabor of Goums were used in the Fight for Troina in central Sicily.
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
military term used to describe a formation of three or four goums. A goum in this case is equivalent to a Company (military unit)
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
and a tabor would thereby be equivalent to a Battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
. Groups of Tabors, equivalent to regiments or brigades, were also employed.
Tabors were created by the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as a display of power because the Germans
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
, after having overrun France, limited the size of their military forces. One way of getting around these regulations was the creation of Colonial forces (i.e. tabors). These Moroccan units would later go on to fight in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
once Operation TORCH
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
began and in the fight for Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
(Operation HUSKY) and Mainland Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, notably at the Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino
Battle of Monte Cassino
The Battle of Monte Cassino was a costly series of four battles during World War II, fought by the Allies against Germans and Italians with the intention of breaking through the Winter Line and seizing Rome.In the beginning of 1944, the western half of the Winter Line was being anchored by Germans...
. The 4th Tabor of Goums were used in the Fight for Troina in central Sicily.