In France, certain historical events remain buried in silence, forgotten even by those who lived through them. One such event is the “Night of the Paras” in Metz, a violent confrontation in 1961 between North African immigrants and former French soldiers. Through personal research, archival investigations, and literary works, a new generation is striving to reclaim this overlooked part of the past. But will Metz – and France as a whole – ever fully acknowledge this dark chapter? Our editor Naëla about the fight for remembrance and the struggle to confront the past.
A Hidden Chapter in Metz
In every history, some events remain hidden and forgotten even by the involved communities. An example is in Metz, a town in the northeast of France, on the 23rd fateful night of July 1961. As a French Algerian girl from Metz, I had the profound feeling of being denied the truth about the past and hence found a genuine interest in discovering what was not taught at school. Indeed, this certain night, known as the “Night of the Paras”, may leave scars that still resonate in the town’s memory but must be brought back to light. Highlighting such events teaches us to include little life paths into our understanding of history to understand how war finds echoes at every scale.
History Beyond Textbooks
Skyline of Metz with its amous cathedral (Photo: milpek75, Pixabay pixabay.com/de/photos/tempel-kathedrale-metz-952697/)
How history is taught in school often feels distant and impersonal to me, focusing on global events rather than the lives of individuals. As an Algerian girl, I’ve always been curious about what happened in my town during those times and how my people were treated in the very place where I now have the chance to live freely. After the loss of my father, I felt the urge to reconnect with my Algerian identity, to understand how complex it can be to share two cultures and history.
Discovery of a Forgotten Past
Thus, I started to read to learn more about the faith of Algerian immigrants living in France, which led me to read “Aux vagabonds l’immensité” (2020) by Pierre Hanot, recommended by my mother. Indeed, I consider my mother as the one guiding me during my research about my own identity. This book shed light on the complexities of colonization in Metz. This is how I learned about the “Night of the Paras,” a bloody confrontation between North African immigrants and former French soldiers. This discovery compelled me to visit my town’s local archives to delve deeper into this subject. I felt there was a hidden history that no one had told me.
Coexistence as a Challenge
The backdrop of this tragic night is deeply rooted in the tumultuous history of the Algerian War of Independence (1954-1962), which we learn about in school. Therefore, it is important to remember some elements of context that echo this event.
At the end of World War II, Metz experienced a strong Maghribi immigration wave, as the postwar industry sector needed labour forces. The minority were inhabitants of a poor neighbourhood, and their unexpected arrival provoked new tensions among the local population. At the same time, “paras”, French parachutists, arrived after the end of their mission in Algeria in the 1960s, which made the coexistence of both communities even tenser since they were known to be strongly involved in Algeria’s independence. Moreover, most radical colonial groups were created by Paras, such as the OAS and the Secret Army Organisation. Their frustration grew, seeing what they considered a part of France being lost before the lasting of the war and the possible self-determination mentioned by the French President, Charles de Gaulle, at the time.
In Pontiffroy district, the inhabitants were originally mainly of North African origin. (Photo: François Bernardin, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14673589, CC BY 3.0)
The Night
At this time, the hostilities between both communities kept growing, culminating in the pinnacle of the violence in the town. Metz became a stage of aggression that pitted former “paras” against North African immigrants. On the eve of 23rd July 1961, a “paras” accused a North African man of attacking him. At a bar named “The Trianon” that served as a meeting point for most of the “paras” in town, the “paras” claimed to recognise his aggressor. The ensuing confrontation resulted in tragedy, with the first shots costing the lives of a conscript named Henri Bernaz and Francis Soro, another conscript, along with the barman, Jean-Marie Defrannoux.
As tensions escalated, the “paras” called for reinforcements. During hours, a wave of attacks happened on anyone suspected of being North African, using both conventional and improvised weapons found in the street. Citizens’ reports even suggested some victims were drowned in the nearby river. The official sources announced a toll of 4 dead and 28 injured.
The Serret barracks, here around 1910, where the 1st Parachutist Chasseur Regiment was stationed, some of whose members perpetrated the violence (Photo: Author unknown, fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuit_des_paras#/media/Fichier:Metz_Cas_Serret.jpg, public domain)
Between Oblivion and Recognition
In the aftermath, local newspapers covered the event but failed to acknowledge the violence perpetrated by the “paras.” During my research, I discovered that the Républicain Lorrain‘s coverage was notably erased from the historical narrative in the archives. This contributes to the gradual oblivion of the “Night of the Paras” because of the shame that followed France’s defeat. Right after the war, the French government participated in erasing this part of history to appease the conflicts of memories, which led to the closing of the archives or even the censorship of artworks.
The Duty of Remembrance
Years later, in 2016, a student’s thesis of the French-German student Lucas Hardt brought the events of that night back into focus. Afterwards, journalists, writers, and a commemorative group named “Juillet 1961” or “Ne jamais fermer les yeux” (“Never close the eyes”), started to get involved in the duty of remembrance. For instance, Pierre Hanot published “Aux Vagabonds l’immensité” in 2020, a gathering of different fictional viewpoints inspired by the complex reality. He explains that what motivated him was to finally shed light on this dark chapter in Metz’s history. Therefore, he interviewed witnesses and victims, whereby especially the latter told other truths than the official sources did.
However, official recognition remained elusive, with former Mayor François Grosdidier rejecting the idea of a commemorative sign to honour the victims.
A Personal Duty
“The Night of the Paras” is a poignant reminder of France’s challenges in recognizing the violence and complexities surrounding the consequences of the Algerian War. As historical works unfold, Metz grapples with a painful chapter that refuses to be forgotten. This is why I consider sharing this story part of my duty since almost none of my peers knew about it before. In memory of the victims and their families, it is essential not to overlook it but to consider how complex and varied history is.
In today’s society, where divisions and tensions are again on the rise, this event reminds us of the importance of critically confronting our past – to prevent history from repeating itself. Acknowledging and understanding these difficult histories can help us build a more united and just future. Thus, on a personal level, I strive to amplify these stories and deepen my understanding of the struggles that have shaped my own identity’s history.
