El Desembarco de Alhucemas

Did you know that in 1925, nineteen years before the Normandy invasion, Spanish and French troops successfully carried out the first major modern amphibious landing, under a single command and on a fortified beach occupied by the enemy? Have you heard of the legendary Abd el-Krim and the incredible outcome of his rebellion? How could an army forged in misfortune overcome the disaster of Annual in less than five years? Why did Alhucemas turn Spain's mourning into joy? This is undoubtedly one of the least known chapters in our recent history. More inclined to revel in defeat than to celebrate achievements, we are witnessing the centenary of a true feat that changed our fortunes without yet being given its due importance. In a nation still recovering from the debacle of 1898, the outcome of the endless war it had been embroiled in, in the name of the Sultan of Morocco, against the Riffian rebels was made possible by a fascinating operation by Primo de Rivera's Military Directorate that shocked military leaders around the world. In this rigorous and revealing essay, through a captivating narrative with a critical pulse, Juan José Primo Jurado transports us to a vibrant setting in which the Spanish soldier unwittingly faces his most crucial test: redemption or definitive decline. Discover the strategies and key factors that led to the pacification of the Protectorate, ushering in three decades of progress and intercultural peace. Meet the protagonists on both sides and learn about the disparate fates of many in the future Civil War. See for yourself the significance of this exciting episode. From the dream of D-Day to the surrender of the last cabilas of Ajmás, this is the story of an unparalleled feat.