Opinion – 65 years ago, the Bizerta War: The Battle of Evacuation (conclusion)

Sixty-five years ago, on July 21, 1961, French forces launched an assault on the Tunisian city of Bizerta. Around midday, troops neared the Bab Mateur cemetery, initiating attacks on the Farre and Japy barracks.

The operation was significantly aided by French air superiority. Enemy aviation, as described, held complete control of the skies. This dominance was largely attributed to the absence of effective anti-aircraft weaponry on the Tunisian side, which offered little impediment to the aerial assaults.

Despite the overwhelming air power, the French advance was met with determined and "fierce resistance" from the defending forces. The article, presented as an opinion piece reflecting on historical events, details the conclusion of the Battle of Evacuation during the broader Bizerta War.

This historical account, originally published by La Presse de Tunisie, revisits a critical moment in the conflict, highlighting the military dynamics and the human cost of the battle for control of Bizerta.