In February 1931, Hauteclocque went back to Saint-Cyr as an instructor, but wanted to return to active service. During the summer break in 1933, he flew south to Africa, where he reported to "Général de brigade" Henri Giraud on 11 July. Giraud sent him into the field as a liaison officer with a "goum". He was awarded the "croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures" for leading "goumiers" in an attack on caves and ravines on Bou Amdoun on 11 August. The Commander in Chief in Morocco, "Général de division" Antoine Huré, felt that Hauteclocque should not have been there, and held the award up for three years. Others felt differently, and Hauteclocque was given early admission to the course for promotion to "capitaine". He placed fourth in the class, and was promoted on 25 December 1934. Promotion was slow in the inter-war French Army, especially in the cavalry, and he was only the second in his Saint-Cyr class to reach that rank. Most had to wait until 1936. He was also made a "Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur".