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The Suitcase or the Coffin

Episode 4 of 5

The story of how France greeted tens of thousands of French and Algerians driven into exile after the Algerian War of Independence.

Seventy years after the start of the Algerian War of Independence - and as a divided France struggles to repair its broken politics - Edward Stourton presents tales from a colonial past which still cast a shadow over the present.

This is the story of how, at the end of the war, France greeted the tens of thousands of French and Algerians who, virtually overnight, felt they had no choice but to leave Algeria. They feared for their future, and even for their lives.

But the idea that many of them were simply 'coming back' to their homeland was far from the truth.

Sound design: Peregrine Andrews
Producers: Adele Armstrong and Ellie House
Editor: Richard Vadon
Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashman

REFERENCES
"Ceasefire in Algeria announced by de Gaulle 1962鈥 British Pathe.
鈥淚n a Savage War of Peace鈥 Alastair Horne.

Available now

14 minutes

Last on

Friday 00:30

Broadcasts

  • Thu 7 Apr 2022 23:30
  • Thursday 11:45
  • Friday 00:30