Some of his subordinates, however, immediately placed a much less favourable view on de Gaulle's intent. At the 1st Para Regiment of the Foreign Legion, encamped next to Challe's headquarters in the Djurdjura, Captain Sergent told his commanding officer, Colonel Dufour: "For me, the F.L.N. flag is floating over Algiers from now on. Algeria will be independent." Dufour replied, "You're much too pessimistic." But at this moment Sergent says he asked himself, "What was the point any more?…on 16 September 1959 I felt myself the very old citizen of a very old country."

XREF: Connects to the broader narrative of France's withdrawal from Algeria and the sense of imperial decline among disillusioned military officers.

Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Alge…, loc. 1060