The Battle of the Casbah: Terrorism and Counterterrorism in Algeria 1955-1957

by Paul Aussaresses

This book is particularly relevant to the current debate on terrorism. That story constitutes the main part of this book. It details the methods used, including torture and summary executions, and the results obtained by the paratrooper commando units led

Genres: History, Military Fiction, Algeria, France, Nonfiction, Terrorism, Northern Africa

206 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

Paul Aussaresses was a French Army general, who fought during World War II, the First Indochina War and Algerian War.

Aussaresses provoked controversy in 2000 when, in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde, he admitted and defended the use of torture during the Algerian War. He repeated the defense in an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes, further arguing that torture ought to be used in the fight against Al-Qaeda, and again defended his use of torture during the Algerian War in a 2001 book; The Battle of the Casbah. In the aftermath of the controversy, he was stripped of his rank, the right to wear his army uniform and his Légion d'Honneur. A 2003 documentary revealed that, after moving to Brazil in 1973, Aussaresses had advised South American dictators on the use of torture widely used against leftist opponents to the military regimes in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Aussaresses also admitted to advising the CIA for the Americans' Vietnam era Phoenix Program, which utilized torture.

Reviews

[Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ)]

Je serais brève vu que ce sujet me touche personnellement...
Pour commencer, ce livre manque de précision, les détails y sont peu nombreux et incohérents.. Un criminel sans scrupule qui une fois sure de son impunité, raconte avec gloire ses soit-disant accomplissements en Algérie.. Le monde à l'envers, ils viennent, occupent les terres des Algériens, les dépouillent, les réduisent en esclaves en les traitant comme des moins que rien et puis s'offusquent par ce qu'ils se défendent? mais ça contredit toute logique! Et c'est les dirigeants du FLN qui sont traités de terroristes et de sanguinaires? non mais sérieux? Toutes ces tortures, ces enlevements, ces massacres en masse, les viols, les vols, l'inégalité et l'injustice et ce terroriste ose dire qu'il n'a fait que son travail et qu'il l'a fait pour sa patrie? Ce Mr. aurait du être interné au lieu d'être laché comme un chien enragé sur un peuple qui ne voulait que sa dignité et sa libérté..

[غزلان · Rating 1 out of 5]

the logic of psychopath:
the revolutionary for the freedom of his country becomes a terrorist;
the colonialist and the rapist of other country becomes a hero.
shame on you and your country;
Glory to our martyrs.

[Seth Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting insight into the mind of a psychopath.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an absolutley riveting read from beginning to end. GEN Aussaresses is completely unrepentant and that in itself is quite disturbing. However, in looking at the material as dispassionately as possible, I was very impressed by the intelligence networks created by GEN Aussaresses and his peers, an accomplishment referred to by David Galula, as well. It is also certainly true that the scientific application of torture, according to Ted Morgan in his work on the battle, was responsible for winning in Algiers. I also agree with Morgan that torture dehumanizes and corrupts the torturer and definitely turns public opinion against the conflict. Putting aside the debate over torture, I found the intelligence operations fascinating, but of limited applicability. Algeria was a department of France, with French as the lingua franca. Many of the Europeans who lived there, the pieds noirs, could also speak some Arabic. I find it hard to envision the U.S. in a similar situation, where an equally effective intelligence network could be created. Additionally, even an academic discussion on the use of torture receives universal condemnation from U.S. military officers. Other than a focus of debate in the classroom, this book has little practical use, and the casual approach to barbarity against other human beings overshadows and dominates the entire work.

[Patrick Shrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

A realistic and frank account of the Battle for Algiers during the Algerian war by the french counter-terror director in the city. What I found especially refreshing was the idea that the best way to counter-terror is being better at terror than the terrorists. He advocates a mailed fist on one hand and a silk glove on the other. The premise being that the counter-terror will stop as soon as the terror attacks do. A very apt assessment of how well true counter-terror can work in an arab society.

[Justinian]

The Battle of the Casbah : Terrorism and Counterterrorism in Algeria 1955-1957. General Paul Aussaresses (Author) 2002. 185 Pages.

Picked it up for $4 USD at Half-Price Books. Read the entire book in one sitting of about four or five hours. Excellent read. Mostly a bio of the authors experiences during this time but he makes an excellent case for his chosen methods. Once again, the main lesson is … invest in HUMMINT. It is dirty, slow etc but it totally pays off.

[Destouches · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leitura obrigatória para todos os libtardos e apologistas do Kumbaya. Os que já sacrificaram o seu cérebro a ideologias oikofóbicas irão fumegar, espernear e esbracejar em "fúria" de beatitude flácida (o que é hilariante), aqueles que ainda têm dois dedos de testa encontrarão um bom abanão, e os que já não se deixam ser comidos pelo aparelho institucional montado contra eles terão na sua posse um exemplo crasso.

[Stingray · Rating 5 out of 5]

In „The Battle of the Casbah” retired General Paul Aussaresses gives a grim and unapologetic description of his service with the French Army in Algeria between 1955 and 1957 as an intelligence officer fighting the FLN.

Starting with a description of intelligence activity, preparation of countermeasures and the fight in Philippeville in 1955 the author describes in detail the tactics of the FLN, personnel and organization of the French intelligence effort and the setting of the country he encountered. Interspersed with information on his military career up to this point, the majority of the book addresses the author’s role as the leading intelligence officer in Algiers during the Battle of the Casbah. As such he describes his tasks as organizing and supervising the intelligence gathering and analysis, the liaison with Army units, police, intelligence and judiciary organizations and the interrogation and killing of FLN suspects. The descriptions includes general comments as well as very detailed accounts of individual situations such as the execution of Larbi Ben M’Hidi by the author. The book only covers about six months of the Battle of the Casbah until the French Army gained better control over the city, as the author was then transferred to a different position and left Algeria for another position in 1957.

While every personal account of actions during wartime is biased this one appears genuine and authentic especially as Aussaresses is completely unapologetic about his own actions of torture and extrajudicial killings of French citizens recounting them in detail. This is all the more remarkable as his actions had remained secret until the day he decided to publicly describe them. He remains convinced torture was effective during the Algerian War to obtain good intelligence and even deems torture a necessary measure in such conflict. As allegations of torture are not new the author nevertheless makes several remarkable statements, namely that torture was not used by all French units indiscriminately but mainly by dedicated personnel in a selective fashion. He thus denies allegations the French Army had resorted to torture due to a lack of discipline in the ranks or due to individual officers using desperate measures, but ascertains that torture and executions were used in a deliberate fashion. He also claims the French government to have been fully aware of the measures the Army used and that there had been an understanding that these measures were necessary to get results but could never be officially sanctioned or ordered.

In summary this is a well written and remarkable account of the intelligence effort during the Battle of the Casbah, providing insights into the events as well as the organization and mindset of the French forces. It should definitely be read with other more general and balanced works on the conflict but remains a remarkable firsthand account to anyone interested into the Algerian War and counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency in general.

[Tahmin Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aussaresses is unapologetic and unashamed of his actions during the Algerian war. His cognitive dissonance is readily apparent. Interesting insight into how people justify and conduct torture. The experience of the Algerian war underscores important lessons in what not to do, applicable for the US in our own wars. Must have institutional checks to make sure the military cannot do what Aussaresses did in Algeria.

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

The message General Aussaresses conveyed in this book was "no struggle against terrorism can succeed without the willingness on the part of the potential target to use every available weapon, including torture to fight the enemy." However, with all do respect General, torture does not work; in fact it tends to strengthen the resolve of the "terrorists".

In 1955-57 perhaps torture did pave the way for the French "victory" in the Battle for Algiers. However, France lost their colonialist war in Algeria politically; Algeria would gain independence in 1962. The French actions in Algeria from 1954-1962 were a further blight on French 20th century history; a history which included a colonialist debacle in Indochina, WWII Vichy France and French complicity in Suez War.

[Mscout · Rating 4 out of 5]

You'll need a score card to keep up with characters and organizations, but over all a good read. It is an inside account of the war on terror--60 years ago in the battle to retain Algeria for the French Empire. The way Aussaresses describes the terror and the day to day torture that resulted, is pretty chilling just from the sheer "matter-of-factness". One can only wonder how things might have turned out had the US brass adhered to his training of US troops bound for Vietnam.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't call these memoires unbiased. But in order to have a more complete understanding of the Algerian War, I read this book to understand how this French officer defended his actions during the conflict. If you are curious about issues such as human rights, torture, and the realities of war; this book will intrigue you. You might be outraged, convinced or left with pleanty to ponder.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the most dramatic read, but a pretty interesting recollection of a French officer during the Algerian War. To fully appreciate the context of the story, I would recommend reading more general history about the Algerian War. However, as a specific discussion of one man's actions to serve his country, it was very telling of the author.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. History does seem to repeat itself, or threatens to do so. It's a wonder that leaders don't read up on lessons from previous situations that parallel the contemporary issues they tackle. Were there lessons that could have been translated from the French-Algerian conflict to the counterinsurgency issues the US military faces today? Makes you go "hmmmmm..."

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I write only about myself in my memoir. I don't attempt to justify my actions, but only to explain that once a country demands that its army fight an enemy who is using terror to compel an indifferent population to join its ranks and provoke a repression that will in turn outrage international public opinion, it becomes impossible for that army to avoid using extreme measures." - P. Aussaresses

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apart from describing his intelligence work in the Algerian War, Aussaresses argues that torture does yield valuable military intelligence and was an essential part of France's victory in the 'Battle of the Casbah.'

[Adel]

I've read the french version. A very good book!