In the Algiers putsch of 1961, Hélie de Saint Marc, the commander of 1e REP agreed to take part. Hunter-Choat was one of a number of troops who occupied key parts of Algiers on behalf of the putsch on the night of 21 April 1961. After Charles de Gaulle made an appeal on national television against the coup, support for it collapsed and 1e REP was subsequently disbanded. Shortly after, Hunter-Choat's term of service expired and he returned to Britain.