What problems in the Spanish colonial army contributed to the defeat at Annual?

The defeat of the Spanish colonial army at Annual in 1921 was a catastrophic military disaster rooted in systemic failures within the Spanish forces. According to the Expediente Picasso, an official investigation into the rout, the primary problems included:

• Negligible Leadership: The army suffered from poor command, exemplified by General Manuel Fernández Silvestre’s ill-considered decision to abandon the frontline post of Annual, which triggered a panicked and disorderly retreat.12
• Poor Troop Quality: The colonial force was largely composed of conscripts who lacked adequate training and suffered from low morale.12
• Logistical and Material Deficiencies: The army was hampered by problematic frontline logistics and the use of shoddy equipment.1

These factors contributed to a general state of disarray, leaving the army unable to effectively resist the guerrilla tactics employed by Abd el-Krim’s forces. The resulting collapse led to the loss of all territory Spain had occupied in the region since 1909 and resulted in thousands of Spanish casualties.12