Mostefa Ben Boulaïd
Image:Six chefs FLN - 1954.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.90|"The six group ", heads of FLN. Photo before the revolution outbreak of 1 November 1954. Standing, from left to right: Rabah Bitat, Mustapha Benboulaïd, Mourad Didouche and Mohamed Boudiaf.
Seated: Krim Belkacem, left, and Larbi Ben M'hidi, right.
Mostefa Ben-Boulaïd was an Algerian revolutionary leader.
Biography
World War II
Ben-Boulaid was born in Arris, Batna Province, Algeria. In 1939, he underwent mandatory military service and was mobilized to fight for the allies during the Second World War. In 1944, during the Italian campaign, Ben-Boulaid exhibited courage, which earned him the Military Medal and the Croix de Guerre. He was demobilised with the rank of adjutant, returned home, and joined the Algerian People's Party.Revolutionary figure
Ben-Boulaid became an important political and military figure in the Special Organization (OS). He bought weapons with his own funds, supported militants being pursued by the French authorities and distributed arms.Ben-Boulaid contested the Assembly of Algeria election of 1948 and won decisively. However, the colonial administration annulled the election.
He was a founding member of the Revolutionary Committee of Unity and Action. From 22 to 25 June 1954, he chaired a crucial meeting which aimed to unite the revolutionary forces. He became a member of the "Committee of the Six". During the Algerian war, Ben-Boulaid was responsible for Area I. He engaged heavily armed French forces and suffered heavy losses. In 1955, he traveled to Libya to purchase arms. He participated in the battle of Ifri el blah and the battle of Ahmar Khaddou near Batna.