Interview of French veterants that served during the Algerian conflict:
I have interviewed a Veteran that seved France during the Algerian war. He stayed a while in Algeria and fought. He is my Grandmother's sister's husband. His name is Jean Drieux .
here is the interview translated in English:
here is the interview translated in English:
- Date and place of the interview:
Saturday, December 7, at Zegerscappel.
• Name of person being interviewed:
Jean Drieux
• Name of organization:
FNAC (National Federation of former combatants in Algeria)
• Your rank:
Master Corporal
1. Have you registered or were you forced into the army?
I was forced into the army because it was the military service anyways so I did my military service and directly went to Algeria at the end of the military service.
2. Tell me about your experience at training camp
I loved it, I keep a very good memory. Sometimes it was hard, but for me it was a good experience. It was in Germany
3. In what area have you served in Algeria?
I served on the Moroccan border for several months and then we move around Beuzeville, near Oran and Marzelle Kabir.
4. What were your job / task in the army?
I was in charge of convoys that supplied our working/construction sites of the GENIE. So every day , I left with a convoy of 8 GMC (trucks) to get materials from local artisans and manufacturers , such as cinder blocks , cement and stones that I then brought to the 4 companies working on the Moroccan border were blockhouses for more supervision on the border to prevent arms trafficking etc. ..
5. Did you participate in combat?
No, as I traveled in convoy, despite being left in areas that were very curvy, on one side the ravine on the other side, the mountain, we never had any clashes, but risk was everywhere.
6. Were there casualties in your unit?
I was in the 72nd Battalion of GENIE, out of the 600 men that were included in the battalion, 78 got killed.
7. Have you been awarded medals or awards?
Yes, like any old Algerian Soldier, I was given two medals proving that I have been involved in operations in Algeria. But I have no citations.
8. Have you kept in touch with your family?
Yes, there were no problems with that.
9. Did you feel pressure or stress?
I think we were still quite unaware of the danger there was. But I’ve never really been afraid.
10. How did soldiers entertain themselves?
On the Moroccan border, I was never really bored. There was always something to do. .
11. Do you remember your last day of service?
Yes, we had a party; it was a very happy day. We really celebrated.
12. Have you been close friends during the war?
Yes, I had someone who came along with me in Algeria, named Pierrot, who unfortunately died more than five years. It was very sad because we were really close and he was the one that got me in the Veteran association of the 72nd battalion of GENIE.
13. What was your job after the war?
After the war, I was not particularly shocked or traumatized psychologically. Life has returned to normal, I returned to my home, and I resumed my activities on the farm.
14. For how long did you stay in Algeria?
In total, I stayed 9 months in Algeria.
15. You were proud of serving France during the war?
I wanted to serve my nation. I really wanted to do my military service as everyone else. It was a pride.
16. If you were given the chance, you would renew this experience?
No, of course not, this is still a war.
17. Do you think this war would have happened anyways or would it have been avoided?
I think once that France had declared that the Algerians and Europeans were equal, things could have been arranged if the OAS would not have occurred.
18. How was the food?
No, the food was pretty bad . I must confess that when I became Master Corporal, I had the opportunity to take my meals in the NCOs’ canteen. It was very different, it was much better.
For French Speaking people, here is the French version of the interview:
interview_questions.docx | |
File Size: | 20 kb |
File Type: | docx |
My Grandpa: Claude Achte
My Grandpa, Called Claude Achte, left for Algeria at age 20. He stayed in Algeria for 22 months in the region of Constantine.
Around Batna to be more accurate. He was in charge of cooking for 80 soldiers, Not only did he cook, but he also had to go
on more dangerous operations. It also happened alot that he had to stay on duty at night in case of eventual attacks from
the Rebels. Apart from that, he was relatively safe. The kitchens in which he worked were often very small and improvised.
He was not cooking in the best conditions, but he couldnt complain. Apart from cooking, he also had to go around twice a
week to local markets to get food such as meat and vegetables. Next to where he worked, there was a train rail, and any
person or animal coming closer than 40 meters from the rail would get shot straight away, as they could be carrying bombs.
They often killed animals such as goats and horses which got too close from the rail, and then ate them.
Around Batna to be more accurate. He was in charge of cooking for 80 soldiers, Not only did he cook, but he also had to go
on more dangerous operations. It also happened alot that he had to stay on duty at night in case of eventual attacks from
the Rebels. Apart from that, he was relatively safe. The kitchens in which he worked were often very small and improvised.
He was not cooking in the best conditions, but he couldnt complain. Apart from cooking, he also had to go around twice a
week to local markets to get food such as meat and vegetables. Next to where he worked, there was a train rail, and any
person or animal coming closer than 40 meters from the rail would get shot straight away, as they could be carrying bombs.
They often killed animals such as goats and horses which got too close from the rail, and then ate them.