Goumiers algériens en Belgique

Here's a short subject about the Algerian Goumiers unit fighting on the western flank of the Western Front during the First World War... sort of.

In actuality, they are units of irregular cavalry raised in Algeria. The Goumiers were troops raised in 1908 for patrol and scouting in Morocco. Although they were under the control of the the French, they were nominally in service to the Sultan of Morocco. They did not serve in Europe during the Great War. Instead, their presence allowed the French to withdraw troops from Morocco for Europe.

What we see in this short are Algerian spahis, cavalry units from that country. We watch their military evolutions, their charging at the camera and across the muddy shores. We see them at prayer.