Called quota in Algeria

The call under the flags during the war of Algeria

In France, in the year of their twentieth birthday, the men were classified “good for the service” by a draft board, except if they were reformed. Some could require a deferment: students, bread-winners; others to choose a preceding of call.

Since 1946, the legal duration of the military service was fixed at 12 months.
the law of November 30th, 1950 fixes the military service at 18 months.

Since this date, a three days training course in a barracks preceded incorporation. The capacities and sometimes the wishes of each one were examined there. Following tests and with a maintenance, a personal file was established.

The military service was obligatory, the conscientious objection was not then recognized. The unsubmissive people could be required and judged like deserters.

During the war of Algeria, between 1954 and 1962, after the 18 months legal duration, certain classes were recalled, others were maintained under the flags up to 30, then 28 months.

Classes in France or Algeria

Appelés like the volunteers followed a preparation of two or four months, often in metropolis, sometimes to Algeria directly. The “classes” could be followed, for some, of a specialization (for example radio telegraphist) or of a formation in a school for reserve officers (E.O.R.) or for warrant officers of reserve (E.S.O.R.). Called concerned with these two formations were often student conscripts provisionally exempted.

The large one of the troop passed by a summary preparation to the handling of the weapons for the operations of maintenance of law and order to Algeria. The enemy was designated, the fellagha.

Departure towards Algeria

Some called, necessary in the administration of the barracks, could hope to make their time, funkers in France.

The others took the direction of Marseilles in covered trucks, then, after a center of transit, the direction of Algiers or Oran: a two crossing, at the underground of the holds, in often out-of-date boats.

In Algeria

A Unit and a new parcelling were affected, the military record had followed. An individual number plate, to cut out according to the dotted line in the event of death, indicated that it was the war.

The new arrivals were quickly put at the step by the section heads which, if need be, took them along in ambush in order to wake up their combativeness.

The manpower of called in Algeria

The figures which follow relate to a.F.N. : Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.

In 1954, military manpower represent approximately 50.000 Men, 38% are called for 18 months of service.
In 1955, these manpower pass to 100.000 Men, because of war of Algeria.
In 1956, the recall to the colors assembles military manpower to 200.000 Men.
In 1957, the maintenance under the flags from 18 to 30 months allows a military manpower of 400.000 Men, 57% are called.

Between 1952 and 1962 they are 1.343.000 called or recalled and 407.000 soldiers of active (either 1.750.000 soldiers) who will take part " with the maintenance of law and order in Africa of Nord" , operations which will be recognized " War of Algérie" October 5th, 1999.

Sources: Jean-Pierre Masseret Secretary of State to defense and O.N.A.C. (National office of the war veterans)

The part played by called at the time of the putsch of the Generals

The putsh of the Generals undertaken on April 22nd, 1961 will fail thanks to the reaction of the metropolitan French civil population and to the refusal of participation of the whole of the quota which the de Gaulle general highly incited to disobey by all the means. Called quota, “ 500.000 strapping men provided with transistors ” (thus the General called them), for the first time in the military history, was individually informed by the first stations portable radios bought by the way of the newspaper " Bled".

The number of victims among called

It is more than 25.000 soldiers killed with the combat in A.F.N. (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia), that is to say 13.000 called or recalled and almost as many soldiers active; and also 70.000 wounded soldiers; without forgetting the 400.000 civilian victims of European or African origin.

Sources: Jean-Pierre Masseret, Secretary of State to defense, Marcel Lesbros rapporteur of the commission of the social affairs, on October 5th, 1999 and O.N.A.C. (National office of the War veterans).

Associations the old ones

Of return in metropolis, the majority of old of Algeria were locked up in a revealing dumbness of what they had lived. Some wrote their testimony. Many was affiliated with the associations of war veterans, attached to one or the other of the main confederations:

the FNACA (National federation of the war veterans of Algeria.)
the FNCPG-CATM (National federation of the combatants and prisoner of war - combatants Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.
the ARAC (republican Association of the war veterans).

Rights and Decorations

Called which was located in Algeria in zones or combat units were entitled to the chart and the cross of the combatant (commemorative); and also with the diploma of recognition of the Nation. From sixty-five years, they perceive a nontaxable annual retirement of approximately 450 euros (year 2006), that is to say 35 points of index.

In 2004,1.500.000 requests were honoured, that is to say 86% of the soldiers having been useful in A.F.N between 1952 and 1962. Source O.N.A.C. (National office of the war veterans)

The cross of the military value was allotted for acts of war and also, more rarely, for facts of pacification.

Internal bonds

War of Algeria

Testimony of one called of the quota: " Lattice with the djebel - Pillars of Tiahmaïne" , Etienne Maignen - ED. Yellow Concept 2004

External bonds

Testimony of Jean Chick called and teacher in Vialar Algeria, 110ème RIM and SAS of Sahari, Oranian South-east.

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