The success of the Sedan breakthrough on May 13th 1940 surprised the French HQ which didn't expect a major armored offensive through the Ardennes. During the following days, various reinforcements were sent to stop the German forces from plowing into France.

Early in the morning on May 15th, soldiers and panzers from the 1st Panzer Division closed in on the small village of La Horgne, 30 kilometers east of Sedan, expecting little resistance. Little did they know that the 3rd Spahi Brigade, composed of Moroccan and Algerian light cavalrymen were waiting for them. Already exhausted from previous battles, the Spahis are still determined to hold the town at all costs.

La Horgne was made by La Hire and CptBocquier.

Spahis were initially Algerian cavalrymen formed in the 16th century. They were integrated into the French Army during the conquest of Algeria, alongside similar units formed in other part of the empire. Easily identifiable with their traditional uniforms during parades, Spahis in war time wore more common looking khaki uniforms with chèche and sarouel. Despite their gear being designed for cavalrymen (gaiters, bandoleers) Spahis were expected to dismount and fight on foot.

At the beginning of World War Two, 3 brigades of Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian Spahis were stationed in France. The 3rd Spahi Brigade, composed of the 2nd Algerian and 2nd Moroccan Spahi regiments, would have its most famous fight at La Horgne, where it withstood the entire 1st Panzer Division for a full day. The unit would reorganise and keep fighting until ordered to surrender on 23rd June.

Our Spahi playermodels were made by CptBocquier from Harmonikater’s standard playermodels, with the various Arab heads modified from DICE M.E.C. models.

In January of 1822, the French Committee of Cavalry decided that a new design of curved sword should be adopted by all of the cavalry to reduce the number of models in service. There would ultimately be 3 versions of the Model 1822: one for the light cavalry, one for the heavy cavalry and one for officers. While the heavy cavalry sword was disliked, the light cavalry sabre would prove to be very popular.

By the 20th century, the sabre was carried mounted to the saddle rather than on the belt, but was otherwise largely unchanged. The Spahis would continue to carry this sword on operations through both world wars and into Algeria in the 1950's. It is still used ceremonially today. Our Model 1822 was made by Ashton.

May 15th, 1940


La Horgne
France against Germany