Battle of Sig

Battle of Sig
Part of French Conquest of Algeria
Date26-27 june 1835
LocationSig, Algeria
Result Algerian Victory
Belligerents
France France Emirate of Abdelkader
Commanders and leaders
Camille Alphonse Trézel Emir Abdelkader
Strength
at least 2500 [1](armed) 8,000 cavaliers,4 000 infantrymen[1]
Casualties and losses
52 died , 189 wounded[1] Unknown but low

The Battle of Sig took place from 26 to 27 June 1835 in the forest of Moulay Ismael near Wadi Sig and opposed French forces, assisted by the Douair and Smela tribes, to Algerian resistors led by Emir Abdelkader.

The battle June 26


The fighting lasted two days. Unable to resist the Algerian assaults, the men of General Camille Alphonse Trézel retreated. A further withdrawal was also initiated at Arzew, but Trézel's forces were swiftly overtaken. The Algerian cavalry, faster, more mobile and above all more numerous, blocked the French at the Macta. The Foreign Legion succeeded in containing their attackers and repelling them, but the Algerians continued their attacks.

The ambush June 27


The next day, they ambushed the French at the Macta marshes, formed by the confluence of the Sig and the Habra, between the river and the forest. The heavy wagons of the convoy were destroyed and the wounded from the previous night's battle slaughtered, while the troops of the escort were annihilated. The Foreign Legion again stepped in; they freed the way toward Arzew, but the attack by the Algerian horsemen cost the French forces 52 men killed and 189 wounded.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Abel Hugo, France militaire. 1838. Histoire des armées françaises, Volume 5, p.360. In French.

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