Combat estimate French Morocco Army May 1 1942. pt3

8/7/2019 Combat estimate French Morocco Army May 1 1942. pt3

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b

FRENCH MOROCCO

Combat

3U

The central area north of Marrakech and extending from the

Atlas mountains to the coastal area, is flat and well- supplied withroads. It is excellent country for mechanized warfare.

f. Climate. As most of French Morocco faces 'the.. Atlantic-, its

climate is conditioned "by 'the Atlantic "breezes and cool Canaries cur

rent. The cool, damp, south and southwest breezes from the Atlantic

counterbalance the extreme heat that comes from the Sahara..

The majority of the country is protected by the Atlas moun

tains against the summer heat but the summer wind from the desert"the Siroco" passes the mountain barrier and brings great heat

with it during its season. This desert wind varies in different lo

calities. For example: at Mogador, it is felt only during two orthree months and then only blows for half a day at a time; at Safiand at Agadir, north and souijh of Mogador, the Siroco blows at times

for several weeks continuously, and results in very hot summers at

those places. Maximum day temperatures in July and August are (average)82° F. at Casablanca and 72° F, at Mogador.

Heavy dews, produced by the moisture in the Atlantic air in

contact with the cool Canaries current, are common along the west

coast of French Morocco and inland to the mountains. These dews'

render the nights excessively cool.In general, along. the coast the seasonal variations of

temperature are small and the annual average is low. At Casablanca.,the January average is 55° F. and the August average is 75° 5Vf at

Mogador the January average is 6l° F. and the August average is 71° -3?.

In the interior of the country, the conditions are quite different.

Daily variations are high> and the range between winter and summeraverages is considerable. Fes, for example, is from 50° to- 55° F.

warmer than Tangier. Marrakech, although nearly 1,500 feet above

sea level, often has a temperature in the shade in August of 10^° F.

Winter temperatures inland are lower than those on the, coast,just as summer temperatures are higher. The Siroco is felt more in

land than on the coast and its effects reach even as far north as Fes.

In the higher mountain regions, temperatures below freezing persistfor several months in the winter .

The. transition, from summer to winter is more marked in the

North than in the South, and occurs between September 15 and October 15.The change from winter to summer takes place between April 1 and May 15.

-During the winter months, atmospheric depressions moving in

an easterly and southeasterly direction from the neighborhood of the

Azores affect Morocco, causing westerly winds to disturb the normal1

northeasterly breezes. The first of these depressions is normally

felt in late September and the last in early April. Except during

the passage of these depressions, winds are normally from the North

or Northwest during the day and from Northeast or East during the\u25a0night.'-..;. . .' ' .

When weather conditions are settled, the amount of cloud over

the coast is about three-tenths in September and four-tenthsa? <d9l&

toW^ki

m^mmW^J? %T^ fry!.' l^

w&u25a0*\u25a0 ™



I

r

FRENCH MOROCCO

Combat

35

five-tenths in October; height of clouds from 2,000 to 3,000 feet.

There Is a fair amount of rain in the North in winter, rain fallingin small amounts about one day in three from the end of October to

the middle of May, and in appreciable quantity on about four days amonth.

Average Cloud Rainfall Poor

Month • Temp. F. (in tenths) (in inches) Visibility(days)

January 56 k 3 (6 days) 2April 61 lt-l/2 1 inNorth 2

0 in South

July 72 2 inNorth 0 65 in South

October 67 h 2 In North 1^(5 days)1 in South

.Fpg or poor visibility is not uncommon off the coast duringsummer and 'autumn and is usually associated with southwesterly winds.

With further regard to rainfall, the year can be divided,xfor convenience, into thirds. The first third of the year (January

to April) is the period of greatest rainfall when over \u25a0\u25a0\u25a0l9-3 A inches

are registered in certain areas. The larger of. these areas isbounded by aline following the northern foothills of the Rif(Spanish \u25a0Morocco)- but -excluding -the coast, to the eastern l imit of

the range, then south to Taza and then through Ouezzane to the coast

at Larache. The second area is the vicinity of Azrou, principally

to the southwest of that town. There is little rain (with one exception) during the second third of the year (May to August) and theaverage for the whole country for that period is less than four inches.

The exception is the high and middle Atlas ranges, with an off- shootIncluding Fes, where four to ten inches fall during these months. In

the last third of the year (September to December) the heaviest fall

isin the Culmes

area where l^-j/k to 19-3 Anches

fallduring the

period. The only rain that falls all year In the Anti-Atlas range

falls in this last third of the year and with the exception of thedesert region, the whole country has four Inches or more at this time.

Diseases,

JT) Malaria. Malaria is nearly universal and is the princi

pal disease. Malaria accounts for an average of j8 percent of thepatients in hospitals, government hospitals and dispensaries alonedealing with over 10,000 cases per year-. The disease has a tendency

to be more common in the South than in the North. Although it is

commonly associated with low countries there isrecord,

of indigenousmalaria (benign tertian) at an elevation of over 6,000 feet in thehigh Atlas Mountains.

g*



i\

FRENCH MOROCCO

Combat

56

The lower part of the valley of the Sebou River ishighly malarious. The Sebou and its tributaries wander through a

flat, alluvial plain with an area of 2,900 sqiiare miles. They havemany alternative channels, their mouths are blocked often "by dimes,

especially near the coast, and the vast plain is full of large marches

which furnish ideal "breeding places for malaria- carrying mosquitoes.

The reclaiming of. this great area was begun as far back as 1935 by

the French, but it is a large and difficult problem to solve and its

solution is far from achieved. A survey of cases in this area shows

many grave clinical forms of malaria, the most common being the malig

nant tertian, but there is no record of blackwater fever. Some cases\u25a0 •'\u25a0of cerebral malaria have been found among Europeans.

In the cases of southern Morocco and in the southern

frontier, districts of Kiffa and Kaedi, malaria is abundant and grave,the spleen rates being from h^> to yo percent.

The malaria season is summer and autumn. The peak ofthe benign tertian type is about midsummer; the peak of the malignant

tertian type is several months later.(2) Plague. Plague was abundant and. epidemic in Northwest

Africa unti l about 1820. Severe outbreaks had occurred at Fes,Marrakech, and elsewhere. The disease then disappeared and was notobserved again unti l 1909. Since then it has been recorded nearly

every year and from almost every part of Northwest Africa, being quite

frequent in the ports (Casablanca, Rabat, Sale, etc.). In addition,

however, there have been epidemics in country districts (plains and'hills) and in the arid south.

In the ports the brown rat and the black rat bothare.

present, and the disease is communicated there by the rat fleas. The

human flea is a real scourge inMorocco and some French authorities

believe that the plague is spread so widely over the country by this

flea, though Professor Buxton appears to attribute it to the rat flea'

carried by wild rats instead.It was reported by an American Vice-Constil on tour

through Marrakech, that there was considerable Bubonic Plague in thecity during the summer of 19^1.

(5) .Typhus

.There have been great epidemics of typhus in

all parts of the country. It is most abundant in coastal towns but

has attacked inland towns (e.g,^ Marrakech) as .well as rural populations, both villagers and nomads. The typhus season is winter andspring.

The French have given much study1

to the control of thedisease and they employ two principal methods: specially designed

motor trucks with apparatus by means of which garments are fumigated

with HCN go about the country; country- wide inoculation campaigns,

with much publicity, are: launched periodically. The French medicalauthorities are. well pleased with the results of the inoculation and

claim that it checks an epidemic. The natives appear to be veryenthusiastic about being inoculated and vaccinated against anything.



"j%

FRENCH MOROCCO

Combat

37

(^) Relapsing Fever. The two types of this fever, theepidemic, (louse-carried) and the sporadic (tick-carried) "both occur.

There have not, however, been serious' outbreaks of this disease forsome years. The sporadic type might develop, as it did in Palestineduring the war of 191^-18, if troops were to sleep in -caves or earthshelters'. .

(5) Other .Diseases. Visceral leishmaniasis is rare but it

is widely distributed. Dermal leishmaniasis is not common but is widespread. The sand, flies which carry these, diseases are numerous and.of many varieties.

There are no records of yellow fever but the yellow

fever mosquito- (Aedes aegypti) is widely spread not only in ports and

coast towns but in the interior (e.g., Marrakech).

Eruptive Fever. Common to Mediterranean countries, iscommon also inMorocco in the summer months.

Urinary schistosomiasis. Is very abundant in certainspots, usually in the vicinity of slow-moving rivers or large marshes.

There are foci of the disease at Karia ben Aouda, at Souk el Arba(Sebou Valley), and in the Kiffa district (southern frontier) .

From 500 to 600 cases of guinea worm are treated annually.

The hookworm is found only inmines and is absent in

the rest of the country.

Syphilis is fairly prevalent.

(6) Pests. The domestic mosquito, along with his more

dangerous brethren, is present in Morocco, and there are many speciesof black fly.

There are four species of scorpions: two yellow oneswhich are found away from houses and are not dangerous; two black onesfound in houses, under rocks, in cracks inmasonry walls, etc. Thesehave a venomous sting from which many children and a few adults dieeach'yisar. Persons are stung by these venomous insects while sleepingon the floor, leaning against walls, etc. The Pasteur Institute,with headquarters at Algiers, has an antidote for. the scorpion sting.

A small mite which attacks the skin and causes seriouseruptions, inhabits barleyvand straw. Men who handle forage must be

on the lookout for this pest.There is a large grayf ly which deposits maggots in

wounds and cuts on men and animals. The maggots destroy tissues with

great rapidity and cause the spread of sepsis, with resultant seriousinjury. Free irrigation with chloroform water destroys the maggots

and is far more efficacious in this instance than swabbing with

alcohol or iodine.M ilitary hospital records show the following rates of

disease among military personnel over a period of years: .

Malaria, 13 to 67 per 1,000,

Ameebic dysentery, 6 to 12 per 1,000,Bacillary dysentery, O.k to 0.6 per 1,000.



FRENCH MOROCCO

Combat

38

Because of lack of soap, poverty and poor sanitary

conditions in Spain, there is a great deal of typ&tas prevalent. Most

certainly this will "b e carried into the Spanish Zone of Morocco, and

some of it.wil lno doubt get over into the northern portion of theFrench Zone and may spread southward. Recently, (January 2^,19^2)a serious typhus epidemic was reported inBou Arfa in the extreme

eastern central part of French Morocco.

Mention has already been made of the epidemic of

Bubonic plague in the Tar oudant -Marrakech area.

V. CIVILIANS

16. Government of Morocco.

Allof Mo

is an absolute

rocco, of which the FrencMonarchy in .principal,

h and

under

Spanish zones are part,

the rule of the hereditary

Sultan. The Sultan resides in the French zone, normally at Rabat, "butoccasionally at one or another of his traditional capitals, Fes, Meknesor Marrakech. Under the terms of the convention of Fes of 1912 con

cluded between the French and the father of. the present Sultan, theFrench zone is a protectorate of France and the Resident General(representing France) serves as Governor of the zone and Foreign

Minister to the Sultan.The ancient administrative organization (the "Makhzen") is retained

insofar as the government of the natives is concerned. :The Sultan isrepresented at Fes, Marrakech and Tiznit by his brothers or half-brothers

who bear the title of "Khalifa" and who act as his deputies in all

religious matters. Since practically the whole of a Mussulman's life

is governed by his religion, this means that the Khalifas are, in

©ffect in their localities, the supreme rulers for all practical

purposes.

Under the Sultan there are various "Viziers", headed by the\u25a0Grand Vizier, who is Minister of the Interior. Under the "Viziers"

there are "Pashas" and "Caids" lesser local luminaries in the adminis

trative and judicial, especially the judicial, firmaments. The Sultan

holds weekly meetings of'his- "Viziers" and the Council of Viziers hasas its liaison with the Resident General (French) a French Counsellor

who is charged with Sherif ien affairs under the Resident General. Atthe present time the Resident General is under the SecretariateGeneral of French Northwest Africa in Algiers . The French Zone isdivided into administrative regions, each with its chief, who may be

a civilian or an Army officer, but is now usually the latter. Each

region is subdivided into a certain number of administrative districts

administered' by officers of the Service dcs Affaires Indigenes or

political controllers as the political situation demands.\u25a0The head of each city government is charged with the direction of

all the technical services of the city administration and is chargedalso with the supervision of the native authorities. The Pasha, or



p

...tl1

FRENCH MOROCCO

Combat

39

ancient chief of the city, representing the "Makhzen" (native govern-ment)

is aidedby one

or more Khalifas and"by

aprevost

of the merchantsand craftsmen. The Head of the city government (French) and the Pasha

are assisted "by the Municipal Council composed of French and nativeswith equal authority and responsibility.

Among the tribes, the chief of Native Affairs is represented by

the Caids, each of whom has authority in the rural districts. In each

city quarter and in each country village there is a council of nativeswhich, under the Caid, is the political agency of the tribe as well as

the source of regulations governing marriage, business transactions,repudiations, etc.

With regard to his personal status, the European is suibject to ,

the regulations laiddown

bythe

office of the Resident General andapplied by the French courts. For the acquisition of property, he

is bound by the Koranic law applied by the Caids in agreement with

regulations promulgated by the Resident General. Native affairs,

disputes, etc., are adjudged by native agencies, usually by the Caidsitting as judge. *

17. Civilian Morale and: Attitude.

a. Native.(l) Morale. Native sympathies and morale differ according

to locality. At Casablanca, they are afraid of the Germans and inclined

to bow to their will . The same seems to be true at Fedala and othernearby ports along the coast.

At Rabat, they are influenced by the deference shown theArmistice Commission by the French officers.

At Fes and Meknes, the natives are more warlike and arestill devoted to the French.

As regards the Berbers, it is important to rememberthat money will buy their loyalty. The Germans have tried to use thesepeople as sources of Information and would have been quite successful

but for the efforts of the French authorities, who impose heavy penal-

ties on natives when they .catch them associating

withGermans.

(2) Attitude. The natives (Arab and Berber) respect power

more than anything else on earth. The decisive defeat of the French

made a profound impression on them.The Germans promised the natives much and now have been

unable to fulfilltheir promises. The natives have observed this.

They have also observed Americans riding about the country with<

American flags flying on their cars. Even the small amount of supplies

we have been able to send them under the Plan for Economic Assistance

has had a very good effect.

The Glaoui, Ruler of Marrakech, who- once was verypro-British, has lost confidence in them and inasmuch as many of his

investments are in America he feels quite friendly to the United States.He has stated that he would put 20,000 Partisan troops at our disposal

if we come to Morocco with a respectable force.



FRENCH: MOROCCO

Combatko

The general feeling is that America is their only logical

means of assistance, and. the only country they could trust to assistthem. It is thought that an American occupation of Morocco would be

welcomed "by the natives.

b. White's..

(l) Morale and Attitude The white population can "b e divided

into three groups :

(a) Those who are actively against the Germans;(t>) Those who have accepted the defeatist attitude and

through apathy are inclined to lean towards doing nothing. (This seems

to "b e

theattitude of

themajority.)

(c) Those who are all-out collaborationists and outspoken in their admiration of the Germans. (This group is largely com-posed of small and large "business operators and property owners.)

The second group are the most important as they are "by

far the majority. Their .attitude changes with the military success or

failure of the Allies. They are afraid cf the English and thede Gaullists, but if the Americans appeared on the scene with sufficient

means to defend them against the Axis, it is thought they would welcome

them.v . .•

c * Conclusion. If America were able, "by positive propaganda and

politics, to gain an appeal from Morocco for help, they might secure

an unopposed landing on arrival.If, without a prior appeal for assistance, we were to arrive

on the scene alone, without any English or de Gaullists support, with

an overwhelming supply of arms, food and men, we would it#et little

opposition and find the great majority cooperative.

18. German Armistice Commission.

a# Personnel.At

times there have "been as many as UOO

Germansattached to the Commission inMorocco. It is thought that there areabout 150 at present (January, 19^+2).

Over a.nd a"bove the Commission, there are thought to "b e many

German Foreign Legionnaires who have he en released at the request of

the Commission and are still in Morocco.

There has also "been some infiltration of German tourists

"but not. in any great numbers as yet.

"b* Organization. The German control commission in Morocco

(Kontrol Inspection Africa) has "been in existence since the end of

19^0.The headquarters for all North Africa are at Casablanca. There

are subdivisions In Fedala, 'Marrakech and Meknes. There are also'liaison commissions in Oran, Algiers, and Tunis.



. \u25a0« 1 I \u25a0\u25a0

Combatkl

The Control Commission is thought to consist of thefollowing divisions:

(l) The Army Division. This has its headquarters in Fedala

at the Hotel Minamar, and. has subdivisions inMeknes and Marrakech.

In Fedala, itself, it has two other sub-commissions, one for war

material and one for weapons and equipment.(2) The Control Division of Armaments and Mineral Oil.

This group have their headquarters in the Villa Mirador in Anfa.(3) The Air Control Commission is in Fedala.(h) The Marine Control Commission in Anfa. This consists

of ai officer and, four sailors.(5) The News Division. This is located in the Villa Dar

Beida inAnfa.

These are the various divisions in outline. , In addition,there is the motor transport service, with chauffeurs for the German

Commission and at least thirty automobiles inMorocco.

There was at one time a large amount of aviation person

nel, consisting of pilots, wireless operators, mechanics and ground

crews. However, it has been so reduced of late that there are nowfew pilots available. ,

(6.) Aside from the Control Commission there are variousdiplomatic officers belonging to the foreign office who are not sub

ordinate to theControl

Commission. They are concerned with therepatriation of the former German Foreign Legionnaires, with economicquestions, and with espionage in- every field. ,

c. Activities .(l) Army Mission. This group has been most concerned with

strengthening Morocco to resist any American or English occupation.

They are interested in airdrome sites and make inspections of thedefense set-up. On the whole they have attended to business and have

not interf erred.(2) German Foreign Office Group. This group has been the

cause of the most friction with French arid natives. They have maderepeated efforts to get to the natives and cause trouble and their

continued espionage activities, using Berbers has proved annoying to

the French. . , .(3) Attitude. They usually wear civilian clothes and

are the bovl!; of politeness. However, at one time (October 19^1)they donned their uniforms and side arms to show the French who were

the real masters .

d. Attitude of Moroccans towards Germans.(1). Native. The' Germans have failed to reach the natives

due to the efforts of the French to prevent their doing, so. Theirineptmss at dealing with colonial people and the failure of their

promises to materialize has been their undoing. It must be remembered7.

that the native is basically a materialist.



FRENCHRENCH MORCOROCCO

CombatI*2

(2) Whites. With the exception of a few ultra-collaboration

ists the white population keep clear of them. People quite often get

up and leave restaurants when they make their appearance andseveral ,

women have had ; their heads shaved and been exiled for associating with

them. The Army has threatened to discipline any officer seen with

them, and the navy., collaborationist as it tends to "be, permits no

interference "by the Commission.

c. Conclusions. Their presence inMorocco does not constituteany great danger. They are

}very strictly watched by the French

authorities arid care is taken that they do not exceed their officialfunctions.

The French have successfully resisted their efforts to

establish relations with the natives.America's effort in sending supplies arid . the 'frequent travel

of our officials about the country has done much to counteract their

influence. The Germans have several times protested these activities.

V I. OIL

19 • Storage Facilities Available in French Morocco.NO. OF CAPACITY

-

TOWN OWNER

TANKS U.S. BBLS REMARKS

Casablanca ShellRoches Noire

2

7

6,28598,685

White products.

Black products.

M ilitary 23,885 Benzine and aviationspirit.

Rabat Shell 6 2,90^ Benzine, kerosene, and

Safi Shell 5 9,7*42gas oil.

White products. .

Fedala Shell 7 105,600 White products.Shell

Shell

1

212,57116,971

Gas oil.

Bitumen..

SVOC-CIMAR 66,188 Benzine,

SVOC-CIMAR 18,291 KeroseneSVOC-CTMAR 18,291 Gas oil.

C.M.C lU,k^7 Benzine.C..M.C

S.F.I.SIV15?10,685

Gas oil.

Benzine.S.F.I.S Ikyk'ij Aviation spirit .S.F.I.S 5,971 Gas oil. ,

S.M.P.P.

S.M.P.P.10/559h,OQ^

Benzine.

Gas oil.

Port LyauteyShell

7 25,1^2White products.Shell 1 1,257 Gas oil-

SVOC-CIMAR 3,39^ Benzine.



FRENCH MOROCCO

Combat

hi

TOWN OWNER

Port Lyautey SVOC-CIMAR

C.M.C..C.M.C.S.P.I.S.

Mazagan Shell

Oujda Shell

Petit Jean Shell

Taza Shell

Marrakech Shell

Fes Shell

Meknes Shell

Various inlandinstallations

in French Morocco

NO. OFTAMS

5

5

1

. k

3

6

k

TOTAL FBENCH MOROCCO;

Coastal

Inland

Total French Zone

20. Oil Transportation Available

CAPACITY

U.S. BBLS.• 81721,6853*99129,19k1,571

3,356

31^

1,257

9^2

2,903

1,257

3,959

28,2852,07^3,17^

530,985

52,001

582,986

REMARKS

Ablation -spirit.

Benzine.

Kerosene.

Benzine.Benzine, kerosene, gas'oil.

Benzine, kerosene, gas

oil.

Benzine, kerosene > gas

oil.


oil.


oil.


oil.


oil.

Aviation spirit .

Benzine.

Kerosene.Gas oil.

a. Allof the oil companies in French Morocco have "been organized

in a "Group" "by the French Residency. Alloil companies "by law haveto belong to this group. The otgect is, of course, to pool all the

resources and equipment inMorocco.

The following is a list of the trucks and trailers, excluding

Army and Navy equipment, available in French Morocco.

SUMMARY

(l) Shell Oil Company of Morocco: 30 trucks (18 platformtype and 12 tank) . Total capacity ofllatformtrucks, 30,780

16,8^2 gallons.k"]}622 gallons.1941.

gallons. Total capacity tank trucksTotal all trucks Shell Company

Above was situation as of February



FRENCH MOROCCO

Combat

kk

-(2) Compagnie Morocalne dcs Car ."burants : 30 trucks inMorocco

as of February 10,19^1. Total "base capacity 3^,307gallons; total maximum capacity 36 > $37 gallons * Fiveof these are tank trucks. There are seven trailers..

(3) Soclete Francaise de Distribution dcs Petroles Au Moroc:Eight trucks (two tank trucks) with total capacity9,432 gallons as of March 31> 19^1. .

Ik) Sbc. Morocaine dcs Produits dv Petrole: Three trucks,total capacity 8,976 gallons as of July 31y 19^1.

(5) Socony-Va^uaam Oil Company:-C.I.M.A.R. Ik trucks.-S.V.O.C. 37 trucks, three tractor trucks, four

trailers, four semi -trailers. Some of thesetrucks were in bad condition when this report

(July 19^1) was written. The supply situation

"being what it is, it is doubtful whether or notthe above figures are correct. They are probably

too high.

The makes of trucks of all these companies include: Berhits,

Renault s, Fords, Internationals, Fargos, Chevrolet s, Saurers, Baldwins,General Motors, Whites, Chenard and Walkers , DeSotos> Reos, Citroens,Diamonds, Panhards, Rochets, Latils, Manchesters, Rochet-Sclineiders,and Fiats. ';\u25a0; ;" .

' :

, •u 2 5 a 0

\u25a0

\u0084

b. In addition to the motor transportation, the "Groupi". has as:of February 19^-1, 92 railroad tank cars of from hr kQS gallons to

5,280 gallons capacity each. They also control the ship TEMARE(Socony Vacuum), capacity 1,3^? tons (538 tons in bulk-,, 808 tons incontainers); and the MELUSINE (Shell Oil) capacity Uo^- tons in bulk

only. These two ships are used mainly for the coastwise delivery of

fuels from. Casablanca to the smaller shallow draft ports. .

The "Group" sometimes charters for oil shipments Frenchvessels of.the Companie Auxihare de Navigation: the S.S. SHEEEREZADE

and seagoing vessels of other lines.



FRENCH MOROCCO

Combatkk

(2) Compagnie Morocaine dcs Carburajits : 30 trucks inMorocco

as of February 10,19^1. Total "base capacity 3^,307gallons; total maxim-urn capacity 36,037 gallons. Five

of these are tank trucks. There are seven trailers.,

(3) Societe Francaise de Distribution dcs Petroles Au Moroc:Eight trucks (two" tank trucks) with total capacity

\u25a09,^32 gallons as of March 31,\ 1941.(k) Soc .Morocaine dcs Prodult s dv Petr ole : Three trucks ,

total capacity .8,976 gallons as of July 31> 19^1.(5) So cony-Vacuum Oil Qcmpaiay:-

C.I.M.A.JR. 1^- trucks.-S.V #Q.C. 37 trucks 9 three tractor trucks, four

trailers>

four semi -trailers. Some ofthese

trucks were in "bad condition when this report

(July. l9^l) was written. The supply situation

"being what it is, it is doubtful whether or notthe a"bove figures are correct. They are pro"ba"bly

too high.

The makes of trucks of all these companies include: Berhits,Renaults, Fords, Internationals, Fargos, Chevrolets, Saurers, Baldwins^General Motors, Whites, Chenard and Walkers, DeSotos, Reos, Citroens,Disjnonds, Panhards, Rochets, Latils, Manchester s, Rochet-Sclineiders, )

and Fiats . .

"b. In addition to the motor transportation, the "Group" has as

of February 19^-1, 92 railroad tank cars of from gallons to5,280 gallons capacity each. They also control the ship TEMARE(Socony Vacuum)^ capacity 1,3^7 tons (538 tons in "bulk, 808 tons in

containers); and the MELUSIKE (Shell. Oil) capacity tons in hulkonly. These two. ships are used mainly for the coastwise delivery of

fuels from CasalDlanca. to the smaller, shallow draft ports.

The "Group" sometimes charters for oil shipments French

vessels of the Companie Auxihare de Navigation: the S.S. SHEHEREZADEand seagoing vessels of other lines. ' \u25a0\u25a0\u25a0. . \u25a0\u25a0'



FRENCH MOROCCO

Combat

SOCIETE SHELL DU MABOC, S.A. ||| iff|Mftf%11*11^1%

CENTRE

Casablancan

it

n

it

tt

tt

tt

tt

tt

tt

it

«it

it

tt

tt

tt

n

Fedalatt

tt

Ra"bat

Port Lyauteytt n

PetitjeanMeknes

FesTaza

Oujdatt

Marrakeeh

Safi ..

Ateliers

Ateliers

Ateliers

MAZE

Panhardtt

Saurertt

tt

tt

it

tt

tt

ChevroletSaurer

\u25a0 Chevrolettt

In ternat ionalDiamond .

International

Berliet

International

Chevrolet .

Dodge

Saurerit

tt

Dodge

Saurer

CitroenSaurer

Internat ionaltt

Diamond

Chevroletit

Saurer

Diamond

Citroen

Saurer

Saurer

In BulkIn BulkPlatformIn BulkPlatformIn BulkPlatform

PlatformIn Bulk

In BulkIn BulkPlatformPlatformIn BulkPlatformIn

;

Btil&

In BulkPlatform

PlatformPlatform

In Bulk.In BulkPlatform

PlatformPlatformPlatform

PlatformPlatformPlatformPlatformPlatform

PlatformPlatform 1

PlatformPlatformPlatform

Total Tank 16, 842. Gallons

Total Platform-30,380 Gallons

CAPACITY

(GALLONS)

1214. k1320.01323.0

792. 01029.0

792.0V&%0

1617.0.

1320.01320.0

882.0

1320.01293.61584.02112.0

1911.0882.01U70.0

2112.0

I^7B.klVro.q

1523.01764.01323.0

1323.01323.01293.61029. 01029.01323. Q1293.61617.01029.01029.0ii-7,622 Gallons



FRENCH -MOROCCO.

Combat

COMPAGNIE MAROCAINE PES CARBURANTSI . .J| %^|!\u25a0. IP11rJPI"*'*wf

TKUGK..SITUATION- AS OF FEBRUARY -10, lsW"^*1 i-

'

' ."-.TYPE CAPACITY. :\

TOWN REMARKS MAKE OF WAGON BASE MAXIMUM(GALLONS) V,

Casablanca G*P.M. Rochet Petroleum ; 588 \u25a0\u25a0;.,. 6U6.8Berliet Platform ¥(6k + 1852.2 +

with trailer 882 882"\u25a0:\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0 tf

" Renault Tank . . . 1188.0 1188.0;

"Reserve Fafgo Platform 735.0 iSk.k

" In Service Chevrolet Platform 588.0 676.2Reserve Rochet Platform 126k, %

M If1176.0

Citroen Tank 660,0 660.0tt ti

Berliet Tank ISBWV 158^.1+M ||'

In ternatinal Mixed 1188.0 1188.0Mri.,o"

Not Available Rochet Platform 1176.0 126U.2 l. '»

In ternatinal Platform 1176.0 126k. 2

"t U

H «»

U

International Platform 1176.0 1523.0International Platform' Ij6k u2666. . XjSk \u25a0\u2666

with trailer 1176 1176»t

It

" H Rochet PetroleTom 588.0 6^6.8,f If

Renault Mixed 792.0 792.0- 176. k 176.il'Fedala G.P.M. Rochet Platform 1176.0 126V2

Ra"bat" In ternatinal Platform 1176.0 1323.0Reserve Rochet Tank 1056.0 1056.0

Port Lyaut ey G.P.M.," Saurer Platform 2058.0 2058.0-\u25a0'..\u25a0 Reserve In ter natinal Platform 1617.0 1705.2Meknes G.P.M. Rochet Platform 1176.0 126^.2

Reserve" Chevrolet Platform 882.0 970.2Reserve Internatinal Platform 1176.0 1264.2

Fes G.P.M. Ford" Platform 1176.0 1523.0\u 2 5 a0 Reserve Rochet Tank 1056.0 1056,0

Oujda G.P.M. Chevrolet Platform 882.0 970.2 Mazagan Rochet Platform 1176.0 1264.2"Agadir . Chevrolet Platform 882.0 970.2

TOTALS 5^,507 56,057

(The cities listed are present assignments of trucks.)



AftM^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^K^^^^gj ^tf|^^^H^u^

FRENCH MOROCCO

Combat

hi

SOCIETE mRANCAISE DE DlSTRlBUTlJr|||lf||

DES PETROLES AU.MABOC \u25a0^\u25a0"'4l| ltt^|i

LIST OF TRUCKS AS OF MARCH 31, 19^1

CAPACITY PRESENT

TOW MAKE TYPE OF WAGON (GALLONS) DISPOSITION

Casablanca Berliet Covered Platform iVfO.O Reserve

Rochet-Schneider Platform 882.0 Serviceit Saurer . Tank 1581+.0 G.P.M.tt

Manchester Tank . 792.0 Servicett Fiat Covered Platform 882.0 G.P.M.11 Renault Covered Platform 1176.0 G.P.M.

Oued-Zem Panhard Covered Platform IV/0.0 G.P.M.

Meknes International Covered Platform H76.0 G.P.M.

fQTAL $,2+32 Gallons

SOCONY -VACUUM OIL COMPANY, INCORPORATED

Direction Generalepour

leMaroc ,

TRUCK SITUATION AS OF JULY 51, 19^1

C. I.M. A. R.

MAKE YEAR BODY WORK FUEL* ASSIGNMENT

Berliet" 1927 Bulk 2,6^-0 Gals-. Gas Supplying Provost Marshal (PM)

at Fedala.

Renault 1929 Oil truck. Gas Listed for condemnation.-Renault 1929 Oil truck. Gas On "blocks "bad condition.Ford

1930Small cab. Ale. Maintenance of pumps.

-Renault 1931 Oil truck. Gas On "blocks "bad condition.International 1938 Platform "with rack. Ale. On duty for Provost Marshal, Fes-Fargo 1938938 Bulkulk 1,58^,58^ Gals.als. Gas On "blocks new.-Chevrolet 1938 Platform with rack. Gas On "blocks new.-International 1938 Platform with rack. Gas On "blocks new.

'

International 1938 Platform with rack. Gas To be repaired and put on

blocks.

Saurer 1928 Platform with rack. Ale. On duty PM , Casablanca.

Saurer 1929 Platform with rack. Gas Listed for condemnation.

International 1937 Platform with rack. Gas To be repaired" and put on

blocks.International 1937 Platform with rack. Ale. On duty PM, Meknes

-(* Ale. Alcohol.)



FRENCH MOROCCO

Combat

hQ

SOCONY-VACUUM OIL COMPANY, INCORPORATED

Direction Generale pour le Maroc §fa h^m &»

mTCK SITUATION,AS OF JULY31* AOPlflfi^,

MAKE YEAR BODY WORK FUEL ASSIGNMENT

Baldwin 1930 Tractor normal gage Gas Moving water tanks.Berliet

Saureri9sB1929

PlatformPlatform

with rack.

with rack.

Gas In reserve bad condition.$ie. On duty PM, Rabat.

Saurer 1929 Platform with rack. Gas On duty PM, Pet itJean.Saurer 1929 Platform with rack. Gas Being condemned.-Renault 1929

Oiltruck. Gas On blocks bad condition.

Saurer 1929 Platform with rack. Ale .On duty PM, Rabat. -Ford 1929 Small cab. Ale. Warehouse service bad

condition.-Renault 1929 O il truck. Gas On blocks bad condition

(to be examined).

SaurerC.M.C.

Saurer*

192919291930

Platform with rack.Platform with rack.Bulk 1320 Gals.

Ale. On duty PM, Dued-Zem.Gas On duty S.V•.0.C., Tangier .Ale. On duty Bulk PM,

Casablanca.

SaurerTrailer

19301930

Platform with rack.

JPlatform with rack.

Ale. On duty PM,-On duty PM,

-

Casablanca.Casablanca.

Trailer 1930 Bulk 1320 Gals. On duty PM, Casablanca.WhiteFord

19321931*

Platform with rack.Small cab.

Ale. On duty PM,

Ges Serving theCasablanca.workshops .

Trailer

International

193^193^

Platform with rack.O il truck. Gas

On duty PM, Petit jean.

On blocks (to be repaired).International 193^ Oil truck. Gas General repair .

Ford 1954 Small cab. Ale. Lub oil (Mr. Pujol).Chevrolet 1935 Closed car. Gas Transport of night recon.

personnel.International 1936 Platform with rack. Ale. On duty PM, Mechra-Bel

Ksiri.

International 1936 Platform with rack. Gas Being inspected, to be put

on blocks.

International 1937 Platform with rack. Ale. On duty PM, Meknes .Internat ional

Semi -trailerSemi -trailer

193719371937

Tractor. .

Platform with rack.Mixed 500 liters +.

Ale. On duty PM, Casablanca.On duty PM, Casablanca.-On blocks, good condition.

International 1937 Platform with rack. Ale. On duty PM, Fes.International 1937 Platform with rack. Gas Reserve truck, good

International 1937. Tractor. Gas condition.On blocks, good condition.

Semi-trailer

1937Platform with rack, On blocks, good condition.

Renault 1930 Platform with rack. Gas On duty EM, bad condition.

Chenard & Walker 1928 . Tractor. Gas Moving water cisterns.



FBENCH MOROCCO

Combat

Ford 1938 Platform with rack. Gas On blocks, good, as newDe Soto 1938 Platform with rack. Gas On "blocks, good as new

Fargo 1938 Platform with rack. Gas On "blocks, good conditionFargo 1938 Platform with rack. Gas On "blocks, good as new

Reo 1938 Platform with rack. Ga.s On duty at Gibraltar.

Dee Sotooto . 1938 Platform with rack. Gas On duty PM , Marrakech

International 1939 Tractor. Gasas Onn "blocks,blocks, goodood condi"ondition

Semi -trailer 1959 Bulk 3960 Gals. On "blocks, good condition.;

Ford 1932 Platform with rack. Ale. Shipping and delivery of

oils S.V.OoC

Fargo 1939 Platform with rack. Gas On "blocks, good as new

De Soto 1939 Platform with rack. Gas On blocks, good as new

De Soto 1939 Platform with rack. Gas To be repaired,

"blocks.put on

Ford 1931 Platform with rack. Ale. On duty PM , SettatTrailer 1931 Bulk 1320 Gals. On "blocks, good condition

SOCIETE MAROCAIHE DES PRODUITS DU PETROLE

LIST OF TRUCKS AS OF AUGUST 31. 19^1

MAKE TYPE IOF WAGON CAPACITY

Fargo Tank 3960.0 Gallons- " " "" 3^32.0 ' "

Latil 158U.0

TOTAL 8,976 Gallons



FRENCH MOROCCO

Combat

50

VII. CONCLUSIONS.

The military force in French Morocco is so illequipped, that

Iould have small chance of standing off a German invasion from :

ianish Morocco for very long. The Army knows this and wishes to pre-

pnt trouble with Germany at all costs. The army does not want to

ight the United States or Britain "but will certainly fight the latterf they try an invasion and the French are ordered to fight "by Vichy.

2. It wil l take a strong force to occupy Morocco "by landing, forthe French wil l fight unless they are sure the occupying force is

strong enough to protect them from the Germans.

J. The great majority of the people are apathetic and those that

areri/t have no organization or leader.

k. The natives wil l he loyal to the strongest force inMorocco

5- If the United States should arrive in 'Morocco with a strong

force and mnch equipment, with no English or Free French in accompani-

ment and with food and supplies for distribution and sale to the popu-

lace, they' would, meet with less opposition than in company with those

whom the local French do not trust

.6. It is of vital importance to the Allies that this area "be, notoccupied "by German troops.

;

Combat estimate French Morocco Army May 1 1942. pt3

Documents

Transcript of Combat estimate French Morocco Army May 1 1942. pt3