Assassination Attempt on Charles de Gaulle - August 22, 1962

On August 22, 1962, an assassination attempt was made on French President Charles de Gaulle by the Organisation de l’armée secrète (OAS), a French dissident paramilitary organization. This event is a significant moment in French history, highlighting the intense political turmoil during the Algerian War of Independence.

Background

The OAS was formed in 1961 by French military personnel and civilians who opposed Algerian independence from France. The organization was vehemently against President de Gaulle’s policy of granting Algeria self-determination, which eventually led to the Évian Accords and Algeria’s independence in March 1962.

The Assassination Attempt

• Date and Location: The attempt took place on August 22, 1962, in the Paris suburb of Petit-Clamart.
• The Plot: The OAS operatives, led by Lieutenant Colonel Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry, planned to ambush de Gaulle’s motorcade. As de Gaulle’s car passed, the assailants opened fire with automatic weapons.
• Outcome: Remarkably, de Gaulle and his wife, who were in the car, escaped unharmed. The vehicle was hit by several bullets, but the driver managed to speed away from the scene.

Aftermath

• Capture and Trial: The failed assassination attempt led to a crackdown on the OAS. Bastien-Thiry and several accomplices were captured. Bastien-Thiry was tried and executed by firing squad in March 1963, becoming the last person to be executed by firing squad in France.
• Impact on de Gaulle: The attempt reinforced de Gaulle’s resolve to pursue his policies, including the decolonization of Algeria. It also increased his popularity, as many French citizens admired his calm demeanor and resilience in the face of danger.

Historical Significance

• Political Climate: The assassination attempt underscored the deep divisions within France over the issue of Algerian independence. It highlighted the lengths to which opponents of de Gaulle’s policies were willing to go.
• Legacy: The event is often cited as a testament to de Gaulle’s leadership and his ability to navigate France through a period of significant political and social upheaval.

This assassination attempt is a poignant reminder of the volatile period in French history during the early 1960s, marked by the struggle over Algeria’s future and the broader process of decolonization.