Café Wars by David Lee Corley

Author:David Lee Corley [Corley, David Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-02T04:00:00+00:00

After a brief celebration and a patrol of the area to ensure the mujahideen were indeed gone, the individual paratrooper units combined into a battalion and moved down the hillside toward the city.

Bruno and Trinquier were leading. Trinquier said nothing about Bruno’s imposition on his command. Bruno had won another battle but Trinquier would receive the credit for the victory on the hillside. It was his command after all.

The mujahideen had dispersed and were hiding in the Muslim sections of the city when the French forces arrived.

The French paratroopers were shocked as they entered the city and saw the gore from the massacre. Veterans of World War II and Indochina became visibly sick, especially when they saw the torn and disfigured bodies of women that had been raped and the severed limbs of little children. The Muslim mob had killed one hundred and twenty French citizens and pied-noir in the most brutal manner imaginable.

Bruno wanted to turn away but knew that his composure in the face of such violence would give confidence to the men around him, something they desperately needed at that moment. They followed his example and stayed alert as they moved through the streets. The French medics moved to help any civilians still alive. There were not many.

Trinquier ordered his radioman to put in a call to headquarters and request a conversation with General Massu. It took less than a minute before Massu was on the line. Trinquier reported the victory on the hillside with over fifty-six dead and twelve captured mujahideen. Massu congratulated him. “There was an unfortunate development,” said Trinquier over the radio, “The fellagha mob that we thought would focus their attack on the garrison broke off their attack after only a few casualties. They turned around and attacked the pied-noir communities on the edge of the city. I am afraid there are quite a few casualties. Over.”

“Don’t dilly-dally, man. How many casualties?” said Massu breaking radio protocol.

“Extensive, sir. It will take time to count the limbs,” said Trinquier not wanting to reveal the entirety of the massacre over the radio where others might be listening.

“I see,” said Massu.

There was a long silence. Trinquier waited. “We cannot let this stand, Roger,” said Massu. “It will embolden them.”

“I understand, sir. I assure you, my men and I will do what is required,” said Trinquier.

“Very well. See that you do. Out,” said Massu and the signal went dead.

Trinquier handed the headset back to the radioman.

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