ORDER OF BATTLE // September 20, 1955
First Battle of El Djorf
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 25,300–25,400 estimated
Armée française
25,000
Medium-confidence figure
ALN
300–400
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The First Battle of El Djorf was fought between the National Liberation Army and the French Army during the Algerian War. French casualties of 1,500 against an ALN force of only 300–400 fighters indicate a disproportionate toll on the larger French formation, which fielded approximately 25,000 troops in the engagement. That disparity underscores the effectiveness of the ALN's asymmetric approach in this period of the war. André Beaufre commanded on the French side, while FLN commanders Bachir Chihani, Lazhar Cheriet, Laghrour Abbes, and Adjel Adjoul led the nationalist forces.
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