Gurugu (to the south of Melilla), where Riffians were supposed to be strong. The column (formed by 6 battalions) departed on 27 July; although Pinto only needed to keep the Riffians at a distance, he compromised the whole brigade for an advance into the ravine of the Barranco del Lobo. The left wing of the column was ambushed at the ravine by the enemy, who fired at them from the heights. The command underestimated the enemy and their favourable position and the Spanish soldiers repeatedly tried to clear them from their positions with no success. A disastrous retreat without artillery support was attempted later, leading to severe losses. Pintos had died before in the early stages of the operation, as having dismounted from his horse to rest, after advancing some positions with the right wing of the column near the ravine attempting to take the hill of Ait Aixa, a Riffian sniper killed him putting a bullet in his skull. The operation (that came to be known as the ) caused 750 Spanish casualties (including wounded and killed) and was the worst defeat suffered by the Spanish army during the Second Melillan campaign. References Citations Bibliography Spanish generals 1856 births 1909 deaths Spanish military personnel killed in action Spanish military personnel of the Third Carlist War (Governmental faction) Spanish military personnel of the Second Melillan campaign