Tunisia gained its independence in 1956. The city was blockaded in 1961 by the Tunisian Army and Navy, and then attacked. France responded by dropping 7,000 paratroopers and sending in three warships. The three day battle resulted in 700 dead and 1,200 wounded amongst the Tunisians (who included civilian volunteers) at the cost of 24 dead and 100 wounded amongst the French forces.
The French military finally abandoned Bizerte on 15 October 1963
