Following her defeat in the Spanish-American War of 1898, Spain shifted her colonial focus to her Protectorate in northern Morocco. When Spanish conscripts began to fight and to die by the thousands, political fallout forced the government to create a new unit of professional soldiers. This unit would serve the dual function of providing fighting men for Moroccan service, while sparing the lives of conscripted men. Under its founder, José Millan Astray, and his deputy, Francisco Franco, the Spanish Foreign Legion would quickly become the spearhead for Spain's army in Africa. This is the story of the creation, organization, and combat role of the Legion in its formative years from 1919 to 1927.

1.Introduction -- 2. Creation of the Legion, 1919-1920 -- 3. First Operations of the Legion, 1921 -- 4. Legion Operations, 1922-1923 -- 5. Xauen, 1924 -- 6. The Alhucemas Bay Landings and Abd-el-Krim's Defeat -- 7. The Finale: Ajdir, Targuist, and Peace, 1926-1927 -- 8. Conclusion and Epilogue -- App. A. Organization of the Legion -- App. B. Table of Battle Casualties -- App. C. The Legion's Creed -- App. D. Songs of the Legion -- App. E. A Brief Biography of Jose Millan Astray y Terreros -- App. F. A Brief Biography of Francisco Franco Bahamonde -- App. G. Chart of Enlistment Bonuses -- App. H. List of All Forces at Alhucemas Bay, September 1925.