I was more prepared than anyone in March 1960 when I entered the Cherchell military school located 50 km west of Alger. I say more prepared because I am a Pied-Noir, born in Alger of parents and grandparents all born in Algeria. Among the first Pied-Noir family, my maternal grandparents, Alsacians, the Schnells, arrived in 1870 and my grandmother Henriette was born in Blida in 1882. My paternal grandparents from the Pyrénées, the Laffonts, arrived 10 years later and my grandfather Amédée was born in Philippeville in 1883. When my maternal grandmother arrived in Casablanca, the port didn’t exist and a Moroccan carried her from the felucca to the beach on his shoulders. As for me, if I was raised in Morocco where my maternal grandparents had a farm between Casablanca and Rabat, I spent my time between Morocco and Algeria during the Second World War. That is why I spoke the Arab dialect and how I have harbored a deep love for both countries.
I went to the Photo School of the Arts et Métiers in Vevey (Vaud) in Switzerland. With my military service deferred, I was located close to Chambéry and was able to enjoy the Superior Military Preparation offered by the French consulate in Lausanne. I finished first of my promotion and therefore I was incorporated as midshipman. I left Marseille, and arrived at the Cherchell Military School (EMIC) on March 3, 1960. I arrived there with a Leica around my neck, but didn’t have much opportunity to use it.
Read the full version of this article on the French version of La Lettre.
JP Laffont, NYC June 21st, 2012
