Mangin's column was composed of six companies of Senegalese tirailleurs, two companies of Algerian tirrailleurs, two companies of colonial infantry, a goum of Moroccan auxiliaries, two cavalry squadrons and a mountain artillery battery.
They were the fusil Mle 1902 ("rifle, model of 1902") and the fusil Mle 1907, which were issued respectively to Indochinese and Senegalese Tirailleur troops.
In 1914, Charles took up a post in the governor's cabinet, then in 1916 enlisted in the Tirailleurs Sénégalais and fought in World War I, earning a promotion to sergeant.
On 23 December the transports Vinh Long, Européen, Comorin and Cholon left Toulon to embark the Legion, Turco and Bat' d'Af' reinforcements at Mers-el-Kebir and Oran.