Massive French troop increases failed to halt the rebellion’s spread in 1955-56.

Evidence

Despite the considerable infusions of troops during Soustelle’s year, which had brought the total to nearly 200,000, the situation had steadily deteriorated. The “smallpox chart” had spread to cover most of the country; the Tunisian frontier had become a running sore, and establishment of a barrier there would take a long time to be completed. An increasing number of Tirailleurs were deserting — together with their even more valuable weapons — and now Moroccan units serving with the French had taken to refusing orders. — Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Algeria 1954-1962, 467

Categorization

• XREF: The desertion of Tirailleurs extends the reader’s interest in colonial subjects’ shift away from France — a theme the book has built on. — connects to: The French army in Algeria transformed from clumsy to effective by 1956; By late 1956 both France’s military and diplomatic options in Algeria had failed; French troops faced guerrilla warfare that negated their conventional military advantage. (+2 more)

Related

• By late 1956 both France’s military and diplomatic options in Algeria had failed (similarity 0.85)
• The French army in Algeria transformed from clumsy to effective by 1956 (similarity 0.84)
• Heavy-handed military reprisals in Algeria drove more Algerians to join the rebels. (similarity 0.84)
• French troops faced guerrilla warfare that negated their conventional military advantage. (similarity 0.83)
• France’s effective suppression of opposition guaranteed it would later be surprised by resistance. (similarity 0.82)
• Winning militarily while losing politically doomed the French army in Algeria (similarity 0.81)
• French leaders saw new arms inflows as the main threat to military victory (similarity 0.81)
• French forces reached 160,000 and intelligence on the F.L.N. improved late in 1955 (similarity 0.81)
• Guerrilla warfare made French suppression of the insurgency fail (similarity 0.81)
• By 1956 rebel bands stood and fought instead of melting into the maquis (similarity 0.81)
• French escalation was matched by rising FLN strength and expertise (similarity 0.81)
• Boumedienne abandoned frontal assault for pinprick harassment to freeze French troops (similarity 0.80)
• Aurès rebels held a decisive intelligence and mobility edge over French columns (similarity 0.80)
• Colonial military dominance ceased to be decisive in Algeria’s war. (similarity 0.80)
• Seventy-five uncoordinated sectors made French offensives ineffective (similarity 0.80)

Broader Connections

• By late 1956 both France’s military and diplomatic options in Algeria had failed #corroborates (0.80)
• Guerrilla warfare made French suppression of the insurgency fail #corroborates (0.75)
• French tactical victories could not win a prolonged elusive insurgency #corroborates (0.72)
• French troops faced guerrilla warfare that negated their conventional military advantage. #corroborates (0.70)