Promoted to warrant officer in October 1941, he was assigned from its creation to the "" (22nd North-African company) formed from North-African riflemen who supported Free France. The company was attached to the 1st Free French Brigade of General Koenig and took part in the Libyan campaign. At the Battle of Bir Hakeim, in June 1942, Bel Hadj twice risked his own life to save that of his company commander, Captain Pierre Lequesne. On 1 July 1943, the "22e CNA" became the " (22e BMNA)".