Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry
Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry was a French military engineer known for his intense patriotism and involvement in the controversial political climate surrounding Algeria's independence in the early 1960s. Born into a family of Catholic military officers, he had a distinguished career in the French Air Force, where he contributed to the development of important missile systems. However, Bastien-Thiry's legacy is largely defined by his opposition to Algerian independence, which he equated with a significant loss for France. This led him to join the Organisation de l'Armée Secrète (OAS), a group committed to preventing Algerian self-determination through violent means.
In August 1962, he orchestrated an assassination attempt on President Charles de Gaulle, whom he viewed as a traitor for pursuing negotiations that would lead to Algeria's independence. The attempt failed, and Bastien-Thiry was arrested, later tried, and sentenced to death for his actions. He was executed by firing squad in March 1963. Despite the failure of his attempt and the subsequent independence of Algeria, Bastien-Thiry became a polarizing figure, regarded by some as a martyr for his extreme dedication to his cause and his ultimate sacrifice. His actions and their repercussions continue to evoke discussions about nationalism, colonialism, and the ethics of political violence in France's history.
Subject Terms
Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry
French would-be assassin
- Born: October 19, 1927
- Birthplace: Luneville, France
- Died: March 11, 1963
- Place of death: Fresnes Prison, Ivry-sur-seine Val-de-Marne, France
Major offense: Attempted assassination of President Charles de Gaulle
Active: August 22, 1962
Locale: Petit-Clamart, Paris, France
Sentence: Death by firing squad
Early Life
Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry (zhahn-mah-ree bah-shteen tee-ree) was born into a family of Catholic military officers. From a young age, he evidenced an intense devotion to France and an extraordinary sense of patriotism. After completing his required military service, he spent two years at the École Polytechnique (1948-1950) and then studied for two more years at the École Supérieure de l’Aéronautique. He then entered the French Air Force as a design specialist of air-to-air missiles. While visiting his parents in Morocco, he met Geneviève Lamirand, the daughter of Georges Lamirand, former Vichy minister of youth. They married in 1955 and had three daughters. Bastien-Thiry continued to work in the missile program. In 1957, he received a promotion to principal air military engineer. He was instrumental in perfecting the French SS 10 and SS 11 ballistic missiles.
Criminal Career
During the early 1950’s, Bastien-Thiry was a supporter of French president Charles de Gaulle, but he was also a staunch opponent of independence for Algeria. He believed that the loss of Algeria would be as crucial as losing Alsace-Lorraine. He was highly opposed to any discussion between the French government and the Front de Libération Nationale (FLN), the main Algerian political organization advocating independence. Bastien-Thiry considered the FLN to be little more than a terrorist group. Due to his strong opposition to Algerian independence, he joined the Organisation de l’Armée Secrète (OAS), whose membership was made up of military men and white French colonists living in Algeria. Bastien-Thiry soon became one of the principal operatives in the organization’s efforts to thwart the movement for Algerian independence.
As de Gaulle moved closer to granting Algeria independence, Bastien-Thiry came to see de Gaulle as a traitor to France and to believe that his assassination was necessary and justifiable. The OAS made its first assassination attempt on September 5, 1961, but the plan failed because the assassin lost his courage and failed to detonate the planted bomb. In May, 1962, André Canal, leader of the OAS, was arrested. The leadership passed to a group referred to as “the old General Staff” under the command of Bastien-Thiry. On July 1, 1962, de Gaulle held a referendum in Algeria. The vote was overwhelmingly for independence. On July 3, 1962, de Gaulle proclaimed Algerian independence. On August 22, 1962, the assassination attempt which would result in Bastien-Thiry’s arrest took place. Twelve men with automatic weapons opened fire on de Gaulle’s car as it passed the Café Trianon on the avenue Petit-Clamart. De Gaulle’s wife, his chauffeur, and de Gaulle himself, except for a cut on his finger, escaped without injury.
Legal Action and Outcome
Bastien-Thiry was arrested and charged with attempted assassination on September 17, 1962. His trial before a military tribunal began on January 28 and concluded on March 4, 1963. He readily admitted his role in the assassination attempt and, citing Saint Thomas Aquinas, insisted that it was a justifiable act of tyrannicide. Later, he changed his testimony, maintaining the conspirators were only trying to kidnap de Gaulle. On March 4, 1963, Bastien-Thiry received the sentence of death for the attempted assassination of de Gaulle. He was executed by a firing squad on March 11, 1963, at Ivry-sur-Seine.
Impact
Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry’s attempt to assassinate de Gaulle had no effect on the issue of Algerian independence, which had already been granted. De Gaulle remarked that by refusing clemency for Bastien-Thiry, he had given the French people a martyr. He also stated that Bastien-Thiry deserved to be one. The anti-Gaullists did view Bastien-Thiry as a martyr. His patriotism and lifelong devotion to France, the failure of the attempt, and his execution when the others were pardoned made him a martyr to others as well.
Bibliography
Daley, Robert. Portraits of France. New York: Back Bay Books, 1995. Chapter titled “Colombey les Deux Églises” presents a very detailed account of the assassination attempt.
Horn, Alistair. Seven Ages of Paris. New York: Knopf, 2002. The chapter “Age Seven, 1940-1969” places the de Gaulle period and Algerian conflict in the general course of French history and treats the assassination attempt in this light.
Williams, Charles. The Last Great Frenchman: A Life of General de Gaulle. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1997. Comprehensive biography of de Gaulle explores his handling of the Algerian War; looks at opposition to his policies and why the assassination attempt occurred.