In more than four years of war, Algeria had seen no bloodier fighting. Returning to old-style guerrilla tactics (but armed with new automatic weapons), the F.L.N. rebels struck in bands of 30 or less at isolated French outposts, mined the railway line leading from the Sahara oilfields. Trying to seal off the rebels' supply lines from neighboring Tunisia, the French gave as good as they got. The week's estimated casualty toll on both sides: more than 500 men.
Some hopeful observers, far from the scene, thought that both sides were just getting in good bargaining position for peace talks, and...
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