480:- were tasked with hunting down the unit and stopping it. French intelligence suggested that the unit would move west, tasked with escorting commanders of Wilya 4 to a rendezvous with other FLN forces near Médéa. Bigeard decided to ambush Commando 41 on their way and picked Agounenda on the Oued Boulbane, a known FLN route. Bigeard and the 3e RPC was transported by truck from their base at Sidi Ferruch to Hill 895, where they arrived by 01:30 on 23 May. From there Bigeard and his 700 paratroopers made a cold, 4-hour night approach march under strict noise and light discipline. Before dawn the paratroopers was in place and concealed. The Headquarters and mortars were on Hill 1298; the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Companies and the Reconnaissance Squadron on foot were spread over 10 km on four crests overlooking the enemy’s probable route. The 4th and Support Companies were in reserve, while helicopters and ground-attack aircraft were on stand-by at Médéa.
820:
489:
102:
754:
90:
431:’s Commando 41 (‘Ali Khodja’) under Si Azzedine. Bigeard and his regiment were sent to hunt down the Commando after it had carried out several successful ambushes against French units. They met at Agounennda where the French paratroopers tried to ambush the FLN force, but the FLN discovered the French and instead concentrated their force against an outlying French company.
513:
that lasted 48 hours, Commando 41 and at least two other katibas made several vigorous counterattacks which came to hand-to-hand fighting. Despite support from tactical aircraft, the paratroopers were too thinly stretched to maintain a tight cordon; around 200 FLN fighters managed to slip away through the cracks.
512:
The FLN force took the low-lying Oued
Boulbane, but was dominated from higher ground by the French paratroopers: 3rd, 4th and Support Companies from the north of it and 1st and 2nd Companies plus the Headquarters from the south. In a series of running battles over an area of some 30 square kilometres
434:
Bigeard managed to redeploy and surround the FLN force; it withdrew successfully albeit with heavy casualties. However, the French were unable to recover large caches of weapons - the FLN having taken them off the field. The battle altered FLN tactics, reminding them that they were unable to meet the
521:
The FLN left behind 96 dead and 12 prisoners, but managed to withdraw with most of their wounded, while the French paratroopers lost 8 killed and 29 wounded, they also managed to free 5 prisoners. The French were also unable to recover large caches of weapons - the FLN having taken their guns with
504:
At 10:30 the most northerly and exposed company, the 3rd “Blue” Company under
Captain Llamby, radioed in that they had sighted a large FLN force approaching his position above the north bank of the Oued Boulbane from the east; the company opened fire at 10:45. The forewarned Si Azzedine, leading a
522:
them. Despite the high FLN casualties, the French only recovered 45 weapons from the battlefield. The French was encouraged by the success air portability on the battlefield. The FLN on the other hand learned that large-scale engagements in the heart of the country had to be avoided at all costs.
508:
The helicopters in reserve at Médéa were already on their way, Bigeard ordered the
Support Company to be lifted onto the high ground north of 3rd Company. The first sticks jumped from the helicopters at 10:55 and the whole Support Company was in action by 11:30. Meanwhile, 1st and 2nd Companies
435:
French in open battle. Conversely, it gave the French renewed confidence in a military victory. However, sceptics on both sides saw it as evidence that neither faction would ever gain ascendancy in the other's arena. The FLN avoided military combat with the French, relying on guerilla warfare.
1308:
1046:
1034:
509:
force-marched on foot to support the 3rd
Company, helicopters lifted the unengaged Reconnaissance Squadron and 4th Company to a position slightly northeast of the battle between 3rd Company and the FLN force.
1022:
1313:
1041:
1029:
1090:
1017:
183:
505:
column of at least three companies, was attempting to outflank the 3rd
Company from the north. Captain Llamby and his 100 men, outnumbered three to one, came under intense pressure.
373:
742:
1262:
951:
1078:
363:
1257:
1095:
1102:
1083:
767:
383:
378:
176:
393:
1245:
388:
348:
758:
368:
358:
1250:
735:
956:
169:
451:, killing 60 men while only losing 7 men themselves. Roughly two weeks later, on 21 May, the same unit ambushed a detachment of the 5th Algerian
728:
720:
993:
1354:
1282:
1107:
916:
526:
473:
417:
665:
561:
1339:
353:
293:
444:
428:
106:
1073:
1344:
1334:
1175:
794:
709:
687:
243:
1287:
465:
were killed in the engagement, while others where persuaded to defect, the FLN only lost 1 killed and 2 wounded.
1292:
771:
750:
809:
804:
799:
1349:
273:
1123:
847:
1190:
1116:
928:
900:
831:
308:
288:
1195:
922:
298:
910:
525:
Other observers draw more pessimistic conclusions for the French, because if an elite unit like the
1153:
1068:
981:
819:
497:
303:
223:
1158:
934:
551:
278:
228:
213:
1207:
946:
864:
333:
328:
258:
94:
1148:
218:
1212:
987:
888:
870:
858:
338:
253:
248:
852:
969:
940:
789:
533:
failed to score a total victory on their own terms, was there much hope of winning at all?
8:
1163:
975:
841:
233:
1200:
1185:
1170:
963:
421:
313:
283:
268:
238:
1230:
998:
705:
683:
661:
557:
1240:
1235:
1143:
882:
780:
208:
1059:
697:
675:
653:
530:
469:
424:
119:
1328:
876:
493:
343:
1134:
410:
193:
28:
488:
461:
1009:
456:
452:
1274:
1222:
477:
448:
101:
52:
702:
The Last Valley: Dien Bien Phu and the French Defeat in
Vietnam
496:, led his men personally on the field having returned from the
414:
161:
89:
443:
In early May 1957, Commando 41 (‘Ali Khodja’) of the
Algerian
476:(3e RPC) - recently returned from successful operations in
68:
Si
Azzedine escape French forces but with heavy casualties
1309:
List of participants in the invasion of
Algiers in 1830
1326:
630:
736:
177:
577:
575:
573:
413:fought from the 23–25 May 1957 between the
743:
729:
608:
606:
604:
602:
600:
598:
596:
594:
592:
590:
184:
170:
492:Bigeard, a popular leader and veteran of
658:A Savage War of Peace: Algeria 1954-1962
570:
487:
1283:1920 Algerian Political Rights Petition
1074:Battle of the Col des Beni Aïcha (1871)
1018:Allegiance to Mohamed ben Zamoum (1830)
994:Battle of the Col des Beni Aïcha (1846)
696:
674:
636:
618:
587:
581:
549:
1327:
1314:List of participants in Mokrani Revolt
1288:1943 Manifesto of the Algerian People
724:
652:
624:
612:
165:
71:Marcel Bigeard operation is a success
1042:Allegiance to Emir Abdelkader (1833)
1030:Allegiance to Emir Abdelkader (1832)
917:Expedition of the Col des Beni Aïcha
759:Conflicts between France and Algeria
660:, New York Review (published 2006),
13:
818:
14:
1366:
752:
550:Bigeard, Marcel-Maurice (2010).
191:
100:
88:
527:3rd Colonial Parachute Regiment
474:3rd Colonial Parachute Regiment
418:3rd Colonial Parachute Regiment
1293:Declaration of 1 November 1954
1091:Battle of Bordj Menaïel (1871)
772:Declaration of 1 November 1954
543:
1:
810:Bombardment of Algiers (1688)
805:Bombardment of Algiers (1683)
800:Bombardment of Algiers (1682)
795:French-Algerian War 1681–1688
704:, Weidenfeld & Nicolson,
646:
438:
529:with a great commander like
516:
7:
1340:Battles of the Algerian War
848:Invasion of Algiers in 1830
10:
1371:
952:Battle of Boudouaou (1840)
929:First Battle of the Issers
901:French conquest of Algeria
832:French conquest of Algeria
16:Battle of the Algerian War
1355:History of Médéa Province
1345:May 1957 events in Africa
1301:
1273:
1221:
1132:
1057:
1008:
923:First Battle of Boudouaou
898:
829:
816:
778:
765:
483:
445:National Liberation Front
409:was an engagement of the
201:
141:
128:
112:
81:
34:
26:
21:
1335:1957 in the Algerian War
1079:Battle of Naciria (1871)
982:Second Assault of Dellys
680:The Algerian War 1954-62
536:
1103:Battle of Issers (1871)
935:First Assault of Dellys
947:Battle Of Ammal (1840)
865:Second Battle of Blida
823:
768:Ministry of Mujahideen
501:
156:unknown number wounded
113:Commanders and leaders
1258:De Lamoricière Treaty
1069:Battle of Alma (1871)
988:Battle of Sidi Brahim
889:Battle of Constantine
871:Massacre of El Ouffia
859:First Battle of Blida
822:
682:, Osprey publishing,
556:(in French). Rocher.
553:Ma vie pour la France
491:
142:Casualties and losses
124:Commander Si Azzedine
1124:Capture of Touggourt
970:Battle of Beni Mered
941:Siege of Constantine
790:Djidjelli expedition
407:Battle of Agounennda
22:Battle of Agounennda
1350:Ambushes in Algeria
1117:Capture of Palestro
976:Battle of the Smala
842:Shipwreck of Dellys
627:, pp. 253–254.
615:, pp. 251–253.
468:Lieutenant Colonel
459:. A captain and 15
1246:De Bourmont Treaty
964:Battle of Mazagran
853:Battle of Staouéli
824:
781:Pre-1830 conflicts
502:
422:Lieutenant Colonel
374:2nd Ouled Bouachra
304:1st Ouled Bouachra
1322:
1321:
1231:Desmichels Treaty
999:Siege of Laghouat
667:978-1-59017-218-6
563:978-2-914214-84-1
500:only days before.
498:Battle of Algiers
402:
401:
160:
159:
77:
76:
1362:
1266:
1254:
1191:Bab El Bekkouche
1111:
1099:
1087:
1050:
1038:
1026:
960:
757:
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309:Ath Yahia Moussa
289:Bab El Bekkouche
196:
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105:
104:
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92:
36:
35:
19:
18:
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1359:
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1324:
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1297:
1269:
1260:
1248:
1217:
1196:May 1958 crisis
1144:Toussaint Rouge
1128:
1105:
1093:
1081:
1053:
1044:
1032:
1020:
1004:
954:
911:Raid on Reghaïa
894:
883:Battle of Macta
825:
814:
774:
761:
753:
751:
749:
712:
698:Windrow, Martin
690:
676:Windrow, Martin
668:
654:Horne, Alistair
649:
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635:
631:
623:
619:
611:
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571:
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455:Battalion near
447:(FLN) routed a
441:
403:
398:
299:May 1958 crisis
209:Toussaint Rouge
197:
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190:
155:
153:
148:
99:
95:French Republic
87:
64:French victory
55:
17:
12:
11:
5:
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1208:Algiers putsch
1205:
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1063:
1060:Mokrani Revolt
1055:
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1002:
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648:
645:
642:
641:
639:, p. 237.
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569:
562:
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535:
531:Marcel Bigeard
518:
515:
485:
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470:Marcel Bigeard
440:
437:
425:Marcel Bigeard
400:
399:
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376:
371:
366:
364:Ouled Rashache
361:
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329:Algiers putsch
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126:
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120:Marcel Bigeard
115:
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109:
97:
84:
83:
79:
78:
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69:
61:
57:
56:
50:
48:
44:
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42:23–25 May 1957
40:
32:
31:
24:
23:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1367:
1356:
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1242:
1241:Évian Accords
1239:
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1234:
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1220:
1214:
1211:
1209:
1206:
1204:
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1199:
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1189:
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1184:
1182:
1179:
1177:
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1172:
1169:
1167:
1166:
1162:
1160:
1159:Philippeville
1157:
1155:
1152:
1150:
1147:
1145:
1142:
1141:
1139:
1137:
1136:
1131:
1125:
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1114:
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1101:
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1092:
1089:
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1080:
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1062:
1061:
1056:
1048:
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1040:
1036:
1031:
1028:
1024:
1019:
1016:
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1007:
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997:
995:
992:
989:
986:
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980:
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918:
915:
912:
909:
908:
906:
904:
902:
897:
890:
887:
884:
881:
878:
877:Battle of Sig
875:
872:
869:
866:
863:
860:
857:
854:
851:
849:
846:
843:
840:
839:
837:
835:
833:
828:
821:
811:
808:
806:
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801:
798:
796:
793:
791:
788:
787:
785:
783:
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777:
773:
769:
764:
760:
746:
741:
739:
734:
732:
727:
726:
723:
719:
713:
711:0-297-84671-X
707:
703:
699:
695:
691:
689:1-85532-658-2
685:
681:
677:
673:
669:
663:
659:
655:
651:
650:
638:
633:
626:
621:
614:
609:
607:
605:
603:
601:
599:
597:
595:
593:
591:
584:, p. 35.
583:
578:
576:
574:
565:
559:
555:
554:
546:
542:
534:
532:
528:
523:
514:
510:
506:
499:
495:
494:Dien Bien Phu
490:
481:
479:
475:
471:
466:
464:
463:
458:
454:
450:
446:
436:
432:
430:
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423:
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257:
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245:
242:
240:
237:
235:
232:
230:
229:Philippeville
227:
225:
222:
220:
217:
215:
212:
210:
207:
206:
205:
200:
195:
187:
182:
180:
175:
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168:
167:
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151:
146:
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137:300 militants
136:
133:
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127:
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108:
103:
98:
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62:
59:
58:
54:
49:
46:
45:
41:
38:
37:
33:
30:
25:
20:
1236:Tafna Treaty
1201:
1180:
1164:
1135:Algerian War
1133:
1058:
899:
830:
779:
718:
701:
679:
657:
637:Windrow 2004
632:
620:
582:Windrow 1997
552:
545:
524:
520:
511:
507:
503:
467:
460:
449:Dragoon unit
442:
433:
411:Algerian War
406:
404:
322:
321:
263:
259:Sidi Semiane
203:
194:Algerian War
134:700 soldiers
82:Belligerents
63:
51:Agounennda,
29:Algerian War
1261: [
1249: [
1213:Bab El Oued
1106: [
1094: [
1082: [
1045: [
1033: [
1021: [
1010:Allegiances
955: [
903:: 1837-1870
834:: 1830-1836
462:tirailleurs
384:Ouled Sinan
379:Kef Lakhdar
339:Bab El Oued
318:(1959-1961)
274:El Menaouer
254:Oued Zeggar
249:Fellaoucene
154:12 captured
1329:Categories
1181:Agounennda
1154:El Djorf I
647:References
625:Horne 1977
613:Horne 1977
453:Tirailleur
439:Background
264:Agounennda
224:El Djorf I
149:29 wounded
1275:Documents
1165:Blue Bird
1149:Véronique
517:Aftermath
394:Kef Afoul
234:Blue Bird
219:Véronique
214:Boukerker
152:97 killed
1223:Treaties
1202:Jumelles
1186:Bouzegza
1171:Palestro
700:(2004),
678:(1997),
656:(1977),
472:and his
389:Guergour
354:Bouk’hil
349:Boutaleb
314:Jumelles
284:Timimoun
269:Bouzegza
239:Palestro
147:8 killed
129:Strength
118:Colonel
47:Location
27:Part of
1176:Algiers
478:Algiers
369:Flawcen
359:Nasinsa
294:Borders
244:Algiers
53:Algeria
1001:(1852)
990:(1845)
984:(1844)
978:(1843)
972:(1842)
966:(1840)
943:(1837)
937:(1837)
931:(1837)
925:(1837)
919:(1837)
913:(1837)
891:(1836)
885:(1835)
879:(1835)
873:(1832)
867:(1830)
861:(1830)
855:(1830)
844:(1830)
708:
686:
664:
560:
484:Battle
420:under
415:French
279:Essien
60:Result
1302:Lists
1265:]
1253:]
1110:]
1098:]
1086:]
1049:]
1037:]
1025:]
959:]
537:Notes
457:Médéa
334:Paris
323:1960s
204:1950s
706:ISBN
684:ISBN
662:ISBN
558:ISBN
427:and
405:The
344:Oran
39:Date
429:FLN
107:FLN
1331::
1263:ar
1251:ar
1108:ar
1096:ar
1084:ar
1047:ar
1035:ar
1023:ar
957:ar
770:-
589:^
572:^
744:e
737:t
730:v
715:;
693:;
671:;
566:.
185:e
178:t
171:v
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