In operations involving signals intelligence, the B.E.L. seems to have reached a peak of excellence at about this time. According to Jacquin, almost simultaneously with "Tilsit" a successful coup had also been mounted against the command of Wilaya 5 (Oranie). Intercepts revealed that Boumedienne's successor, Colonel Lotfi, was on his way back from Morocco to his headquarters in western Algeria. His precise route determined, he and his escort were ambushed and wiped out. Before A.L.N. headquarters in Morocco could learn of the Wilaya commander's fate, the B.E.L. had a "false Colonel Lotfi" reporting on the air over the captured transmitter. For several months the "playback" continued, with "Colonel Lotfi" calling repeatedly for reinforcements, arms and money, all of which fell into French ambushes, until finally the ruse was tumbled to. The operation only increased the general sense of insecurity suffered by the Wilayas of the "interior", and distrust between them and the high command of the "exterior".

XREF: A classic example of signals intelligence-driven 'playback' deception, echoing similar WWII double-cross operations like Operation MINCEMEAT.

Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Alge…, loc. 1219