On May 13, 1958, a handful of generals tried to carry out a coup d’etat from Algiers, where the French army had to face what had long been called “the events in Algeria”.
These generals are named Raoul Salan, Edmond Jouhaud, Jean Gracieux. Alongside them are Pierre Lagaillarde, lawyer and reserve officer, or even General Massu who leads the 10th parachute division. Their project: to put an end to the 4th Republic and its untraceable majorities, unable to give a clear direction to the policy of France, especially in Algeria, where the Pieds-noirs feel abandoned by the mother country.
The affair is carried out in an incredible way and will end in a joke. For the benefit of another general, who has observed all this since his retirement from Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises and who will take the bet after having proclaimed to the crowd gathered under the balcony of the general government of Algiers: “I understood you”.
To tell this episode of our contemporary history, the screenwriter Nicolas Juncker has allowed himself the register of farce.
“The situation is so ridiculous that we had to accompany the movement. But everything in this book is written under the seal of the most demanding historical reality.”
the screenwriter, Nicolas Juncker
This time, Nicolas Juncker, also a cartoonist, is looking for a partner to stage the politico-military masquerade. He needs a master of caricature and movement. François Boucq is having a field day. Salan, quickly overwhelmed, never ceases to sting anger after anger. Massu, with his cabbage leaf ears, is priceless. As for de Gaulle, his silences make him even more impressive.
There is a kind of madness that takes over Paris and Algiers for a few days. During this time, de Gaulle eats crackers, walks his dog, falls asleep with his dentures on the bedside table. He does not say anything. He bides his time. And she will come.
Screenwriter Nicolas Juncker
A General, Generals, by Boucq and Juncker, published by Lombard.