19th Army Corps (France)
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The French 19th Army Corps (French: 19e Corps d'Armée) was formed in 1873. Anthony Clayton writes that the title of the 19th Army Corps was given to the Army of Africa (Fr: Armée d'Afrique) in 1873.[1] Antoine Chanzy commanded the corps between 1873 and 1879, at which time the commander also held the post of Governor of Algeria.
It was in service since 1873 through to the defeat of France in 1940. It joined the Allies after in late 1942 when Vichy French forces in north-west Africa went over to the Allies after Operation Torch and the German occupation of Vichy France.
The Corps order of battle in 1942 (as far as known) during this time was:
Division de Marche d'Alger
1er Rgt Tirailleurs Algeriens
9e rgt Tirailleurs Algeriens
3e rgt de Zouaves
2e Rgt Chasseurs d'Afrique
1er rgt de Spahis Algeriens
65e rgt artillerie Algerien
410e rgt Anti Aerien
Division de Marche d¹Oran
2e Rgt Tirailleurs Algeriens
6e Rgt Tirailleurs Algeriens
15e Rgt Tirailleurs Senegalais
1er Rgt Etranger Infanterie
Artillerie : 1e et 3e batteries 62e RAA, 2e 66e RAA, 1er 68e RAA.
Batteries A/C 47mm (2 ? 3? Š)
411e rgt A/A
Division de Marche du Maroc :
Soit au 27 decembre 1942 :
7e rgt Tirailleurs Marocains
3e rgt Tirailleurs Algeriens
4e Rgt Tirailleurs Tunisiens
3e Rgt Etranger Infanterie
1er Groupe de Tabors Marocains
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (2 escadrons ? 1 groupe ?)
2 groupes de 75
1 batterie de 47mm
1 escadron d'automitrailleuses (GB)
1 company of light tanks (US)
NB sont mentionnés : Renforts d'artillerie de Montagne (2 ou 3 ou 4
batteries ?)
The 19th Corps fought as an Allied formation within the British 1st Army until the surrender of Axis forces in Tunisia.
References
- ↑ Anthony Clayton, 'France, Soldiers, and Africa', Brassey's Defence Publishers, 1988, p.66