A ceremony was held on 9 December 2024 in the town of Fréland, near Colmar (Alsace, eastern France), to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the town from Nazi occupation. Tribute was paid to the Moroccan goumiers who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of France.
These fighters played a key role in the Liberation of France, making history through their commitment and heroic acts. They were mobilised to carry out difficult and risky operations, fighting often at the front line and in extremely harsh conditions.
The ceremony brought together members of the diplomatic corps, MPs, local elected representatives and several other civilian and military figures, as well as veterans, their families and representatives of remembrance associations.
At the event, Morocco’s Vice-Consul General in Strasbourg, Abdelaziz El-Alami, expressed the Kingdom’s gratitude and admiration for these heroes, pointing out that their memory must be preserved and honoured, and that their contribution to the liberation of France remains a testimony to their courage and humanity.
He added: “These brave men, these Goumiers, fought so hard for the freedom of France. They have sacrificed their lives, left behind their families and their homeland, and fought at the side of the French, for peace and the dignity of mankind’, he recalled, stressing the importance of passing on this heritage to future generations”.
The mayor of Fréland, Jean-Louis Barlier, praised the heroism and determination of the Moroccan Goumiers who fought in the thick fog of the Vosges and in the Alsace forests, adding that these brave men were known for their great camouflage tactics, which made a significant impact in defeating the enemy and reclaiming our territory.
He added that these Moroccan fighters, from Corsica to the island of Elba, in the Abruzzi, in France, via Sicily and then Provence, covered themselves in glory throughout their glorious journey before returning home, adding that when the War in Indochina broke out, they were again sent to this theatre of operations between 1948 and 1954, where they paid a heavy price in the service of France.
“Let us remember that we owe our freedom to these Moroccan warriors, whose bravery in battle aroused the admiration of the allies and the fear of the enemy”, Jean-Marie Scotton, President of the Koumia, the association of former Moroccan goumiers and Indigenous Affairs in France, told those present.
“We should remember we owe our freedom to these Moroccan warriors, who were admired for their bravery while fighting by the allies and feared by the enemy,’ said Jean-Marie Scotton, President of the Koumia, the association of former Moroccan goumiers and Indigenous Affairs in France”
He added:”They wrote a beautiful chapter in the shared history of Morocco and France. The fraternity of arms which our parents experienced at the time is part of the French-Moroccan friendship of today’, he added, stressing the need for the younger generations to “pass on this memory and perpetuate the recognition of these men who paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend our values for justice, freedom, solidarity and tolerance”.
The event was highlighted by the chanting of the ‘Chant des Tabors’, featuring the very famous “Zidou l”Goudem” (Go forward), a song uttered by Moroccan soldiers to galvanise spirits and encourage tenacity during military missions, which has been transformed into a motivational and emblematic song of the Goums.
with MAP
