19th Army Corps (France)

The French 19th Army Corps (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. 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 was reformed after Operation Torch in late 1942 when Vichy French forces in north-west Africa joined the Allies after 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.