Tirailleur, Tirailleurs Marocains, 1914.jpg

The Moroccan Rifles were a recent addition to the Armee de’afrique, being raised in 1912 as the Troupes auxiliaires Marocaines.

Their uniform was a mix of native and French, without the flashiness of the other African rifle units. His fez is covered with a drill turban, tied in a military imitation of the local manner.

The base material of the clothing is drill, a jacket and baggy trousers being worn under the native coat here. The latter is a heavy item replacing the cloak or greatcoat in the cold of the Moroccan hinterland. The trousers are tucked into blue serge putties worn with ankle boots.

This rifleman’s equipment is the current pattern issued to the infantry, but instead of a rifle he carries a smaller 8mm Berthier M1892 carbine.

Like many other Africans, this soldier finds himself defending the motherland against German aggression in the trenches of northern France.