Chef de guerre, the graphic novel: the daily life of a marine commando

Chef de guerre is one of the most striking testimonies published in recent years about French military operations. Louis Saillans, a former marine commando who became a group leader, recounts without grandstanding what daily life on operations is really like. The book, which has sold more than 70,000 copies, was recently adapted into a graphic novel by Mareuil BD, on a script by Benec and art by Sanchez.

Who is Louis Saillans

"Louis Saillans" is a pen name: to protect his family and his missions, the author, a former navy lieutenant, does not publish under his real identity. With a scientific background, he first served in the French Air Force, then joined the marine commandos in 2011. Holder of the green beret, he served for around ten years within this elite unit, quickly becoming one of its most seasoned group leaders. His missions took him mainly to Africa and the Middle East, where he carried out hostage rescues, hunted down jihadist leaders and intercepted armed groups.

A married father, he wrote Chef de guerre (Éditions Mareuil, 2021) from his operational notes and archive documents. The book, initially meant for a small circle, ended up selling more than 70,000 copies. In it, he tells the story of the man as much as the soldier.

Louis Saillans has since left the institution and, in 2022, founded the association Vétérans de France, dedicated to honouring military journeys and helping veterans reintegrate. In 2025, he co-founded the startup Askalon, specialised in AI-assisted acoustic detection of drones.

What Chef de guerre is about

In his book, Louis describes the daily life of a marine commando, far from the clichés: the meticulous preparation, the waiting, the engagement, the exhaustion, the fear, and the bond that unites a group where each one places their life in the hands of the others. It reveals a camaraderie forged in training and under fire, the weight of the missions, and those suspended moments where everything can tip over. An account as close as possible to the real thing, first-hand, understated and intense, that lets you feel a reality we know little about.

The graphic novel

Released in bookshops on 21 October 2026 by Mareuil BD, the adaptation makes this story more accessible still. On the script, Benec, known for the political-thriller series Sisco; on the art, Jean-Charles Sanchez, a former police officer turned illustrator. Together they turn Louis Saillans's testimony into an immersive album, faithful to the spirit of the book: the selection, the training, the preparation, the wait before action, the fighting and its human consequences, through to the loss of a brother in arms. A great way in to discover the story, to give or to keep.

Who is it for?

For anyone intrigued by the daily life of marine commandos, for lovers of first-hand accounts, human adventure and camaraderie, and for readers drawn to the sea, to commitment and to military history. The graphic-novel format makes it accessible to everyone, including younger readers or those unused to non-fiction essays. And it simply makes a fine gift.