De Gaulle And British Forces

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 227, 24 September 1940, Page 7

De Gaulle And British Forces

WEST AFRICAN PORT Firing Reported After Refusal Of Ultimatum (United Press Association.—Copyright.— Ttec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 23. Lyons radio stated that a British squadron took British and Free French troops to Dakar, in Senegal, French West Africa. An ultimatum was given the town, demanding its surrender. The French refused and the British squadron then fired on Dakar. The following statement, says a British official wireless message, was issued by the Ministry of Information this evening: Recent reports show that Germans have been making persistent efforts to bring Dakar under their control, and the movements of French ships from Toulon to Dakar, which clearly could not have been effected without German permission, gave further evidence of the attempt which is in contemplation. "In view of the fact that a considerable element of the population was opposed to the Vichy Government's policy of subservience to Berlin, and bad declared in favour of a Free France, General de Gaulle decided to proceed with a Free French force to Dakar to assist those elements which supported his cause. He arrived off Dakar this morning and summoned his followers to rally to the flag of Free France. Resistance seems to have been encountered, but the situation is not yet fully clear. General de Gaulle's Free French force was accompanied by a British force which will lend him full support."