Secret Army Organization
Quick Summary
The Secret Army Organization (OAS) was a right-wing extremist group led by French military officer Raoul Salan. Formed in 1961–62, its primary goal was to prevent Algeria from gaining independence from France. The OAS engaged in a campaign of terror and sabotage in both France and Algeria, targeting the government of Charles de Gaulle. The organization's actions were a response to de Gaulle's move towards Algerian independence, which Salan and other military figures felt was a betrayal. The OAS was ultimately unsuccessful in its aims and was suppressed by French authorities.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
AlgeriaThe Algerian War of Independence…a body calling itself the Secret Army Organization (Organisation de l’Armée Secrète; OAS), which began to employ random acts of terror in an effort to disrupt peace negotiations.
Read More…a body calling itself the Secret Army Organization (Organisation de l’Armée Secrète; OAS), which began to employ random acts of terror in an effort to disrupt peace negotiations.
Read More
FranceThe Fifth Republic…General Raoul Salan formed the Secret Army Organization (Organisation de l’Armée Secrète; OAS) and attempted to stage a coup in Algiers. When the insurrection failed, the OAS turned to terrorism; there were several attempts on de Gaulle’s life. The president pushed ahead nevertheless with his search for a settlement with…
Read More…General Raoul Salan formed the Secret Army Organization (Organisation de l’Armée Secrète; OAS) and attempted to stage a coup in Algiers. When the insurrection failed, the OAS turned to terrorism; there were several attempts on de Gaulle’s life. The president pushed ahead nevertheless with his search for a settlement with…
Read More