The First Helicopter War: Logistics and Mobility in Algeria, 1954-1962

298 Pages·1999·14.95 MB·English

by  Charles R. Shrader

The First Helicopter War
This page intentionally left blank
THE FIRST HELICOPTER WAR
Logistics and Mobility
in Algeria, 1954-1962
CHARLES R. SHRADER
QN Westport, Connecticut
PIRAE
London
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Shrader, Charles R.
The first helicopter war : logistics and mobility in Algeria,
1954-1962 / Charles R. Shrader.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-275-96388-8 (alk. paper)
1. Algeria—History—Revolution, 1954-1962. 2. Military
helicopters—Algeria—History. I. Title.
DT295.S487 1999
965'.046—dc21 98-40913
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available.
Copyright © 1999 by Charles R. Shrader
All rights reserved. No portion o\' this book may be
reproduced, by any process or technique, without the
express written consent of the publisher.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 98-40913
ISBN: 0-275-96388-8
First published in 1999
Praeger Publishers, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc.
www.praeger.com
Printed in the United States o\' America
The paper used in this book complies with the
Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National
Information Standards Organization (Z39.48-1984).
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
In memory of my parents
This page intentionally left blank
Contents
Illustrations ix
Note on Translation, Acronyms, and Measurements xiii
Preface xv
Introduction 1
CHAPTER 1. The Physical Environment 5
CHAPTER 2. The French Armed Forces in Algeria 27
CHAPTER 3. French Logistics in Algeria: Supply and Maintenance 53
CHAPTER 4. French Logistics in Algeria: Transportation 101
CHAPTER 5. The Algerian National Liberation Front and Its Army 131
CHAPTER 6. The Logistics of the Algerian Army of National
CHAPTER 6. The Logistics of the Algerian Army of National 163 163
CHAPTER 7. Mobility, Counter-Mobility, and Interdiction 199
CHAPTER 8. Logistics and Mobility in Algeria, 1954-1962 227
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A. Major French Combat Forces in Algeria in 1960 237
APPENDIX B. Characteristics of French Transport Aircraft and
Helicopters 239
APPENDIX C. Common French Map Symbols 241
viii Contents
Glossary 243
Selected Bibliography 259
Index 265
Illustrations
TABLES
1.1 Population of Major Algerian Cities, I960 14
1.2 Crop Area and Production of Selected Crops in Algeria, 1959-1960 17
1.3 Capacity of Major Algerian Ports, 1957 19
2.1 Civil Government Hierarchy in Algeria with Corresponding Military
Structure 35
2.2 Growth of French Regular Ground Forces in Algeria, 1954-1962 41
2.3 Distribution of French Ground Forces in Algeria, 1 February 1959 42
2.4 French Auxiliary Forces, 1957-1959 45
2.5 French Combat Battalions in Algeria as of 13 March 1959 46
3.1 Weight of the French Ration 64
3.2 Weapons Authorized for Various Tactical Units 70
3.3 Monthly Provisioning Rate for Ordnance Materiel (Kilograms/Man/
Day) 71
3.4 Growth in Number of Items Supported by the SM in Algeria,
1954-1956 73
3.5 Weight of Standard Units of Fire for Various Units 83
3.6 Standard Planning Factors for Monthly Ammunition Consumption
by Arm 84
3.7 Requirements for Land Mines 85
3.8 Average Monthly Consumption (in U.S. Gallons) of POL in Algeria,
November 1954-October 1955 90