THE FRENCH ARMY AND ITS AFRICAN SOLDIERS FRANCE OVERSEAS: STUDIES IN EMPIRE AND DECOLONIZATION Series editors: A. J. B. Johnston, James D. Le Sueur, and Tyler Stovall T H E F R E N C H A R M Y A N D I T S A F R I C A N S O L D I E R S The Years of Decolonization RU T H G I N I O UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA PRESS | Lincoln and London © 2017 by the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska All rights reserved Manufactured in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data Names: Ginio, Ruth, 1966– , author. Title: The French army and its African soldiers: the years of decolonization / Ruth Ginio. Description: Lincoln NE: University of Nebraska Press, [2016] | Series: France overseas: studies in empire and decolonization | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2016032569 ISBN 9780803253391 (cloth: alk. paper) ISBN 9780803299498 (epub) ISBN 9780803299504 (mobi) ISBN 9780803299511 (pdf) Subjects: LCSH: France, Armée— Colonial forces— Africa— History—2 0th century. | Africa, French- speaking West— History, Military. | Blacks— France— History— 20th century. Classification: LCC UA709 .G55 2016 | DDC 355.3089/9604409045— dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016032569 Set in Lyon by Rachel Gould. Designed by N. Putens. For Eyal, Nitai, and Ophir CONTENTS List of Illustrations ix Acknowledgments xi List of Abbreviations xv Introduction xvii 1 Historical Background: The Army, the Empire, and the Decolonization of French West Africa 1 2 The Aftermath of World War II: Frustration, Protest, and Rebellion 13 3 The Military Reforms: A New Army in French West Africa? 35 4 African Troops in the Wars of Decolonization: Indochina, 1946– 1954 77 5 African Troops in the Wars of Decolonization: Algeria, 1954–1 962 105 6 Alternatives to Independence: The Army’s Colonial Vision in French West Africa 141 7 Adjusting to a New Reality: The Army and the Imminent Independence 171 Conclusion 203 Notes 211 Bibliography 231 Index 239 ILLUSTRATIONS FIGURES 1 Map of French West Africa 3 2 African paratroopers over the savanna 71 3 Map of French Indochina 85 4 Map of Algeria under French rule 107 5 Stamp issued for the celebration of the centenary of the Tirailleurs Sénégalais 156 TABLES 1 Number and percentage of African soldiers serving in Indochina 86 2 Military coups d’état in the former territories of French West Africa 199