FRENCH ACCOUNTS Of FIGHTING AT DAKAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 229, 26 September 1940, Page 8

FRENCH ACCOUNTS Of FIGHTING AT DAKAR.

SHIPS IN ACTION.

Alleged Civil Anl Military

Casualties.

United Press Association.—Copyright. (ReA!, noon;) LONDON, Sept. 25. \ . According to earlier reports it was officially stated in Vichy that early to-day Dakar was still holding out, that British warships had continued their bombardment all night and fighting was continued at daybreak. A French air squadron, it was said, attacked warships yesterday morning, directly hitting a cruiser. The French losses to noon were said to be 120 men of the services and 65 civilians killed, and 138 and 225 respectively wounded. Further heavy casualties occurred in the afternoon, it was said, while three British 'planes and one French were destroyed. The French battleship Richelieu lies helpless in dry dock. There were three major operations on Tuesday, it is claimed, apart from six unsuccessful British attempts to land troops 80 miles on either side of Dakar. British 'planes operated from an aircraft carrier and also from Batlinrst. Bombing attacks centred on, the port, but natives and Europeans in the town were so close that bombs caused widespread casualties. Another Vichy message says it appeared that the battleship Richelieu lias been beached, but the guns are in use. The Government ha.s received no news from Dakar since the afternoon of Tuesday, when bombs put the local radio station out of action. It is unable to say whether the de Gaulle forces have ganied a footing. The British United Press correspondent at Vichy says the casualties at Dakar exceed 600. It is claimed that neither the Richelieu nor the shore batteries have been- damaged. France and Germany are discussing the incident, which may speed up the! return of the French Government to Paris". , French bombers which attacked British warships operated from a base at Wakam.