EVENTS AT DAKAR

Evening Star, Issue 23691, 26 September 1940, Page 9

EVENTS AT DAKAR

THE ACTION CONTINUES SHORE GUNS STILL FIRING GENERAL DE GAULLE CONFIDENT OF OUTCOME Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 24. The action at Dakar continues. General de Gaulle’s headquarters in a statement said that Dakar’s guns have not ceased firing on the French forces and British ships since the start of the operations. General de Gaulle’s supporters are confident that the action will eventually produce a rally to General de Gaulle throughout French Equatorial Africa. The following communique was issued from General do Gaulle’s headquarters: “ Even after the armistice there were manifestations that French West Africa Favoured the continuance of the war. These have reached such proportions that the Vichy Government substituted M. Boisson for the Governor of Cayla. German and Italian officers, who have been going to Dakar since July, assumed control of the air bases. New German infiltrations have occurred since August and the Germans intended to reestablish their air line through Dakar

to South America. Dakar is the air keypolnt. It has an ultra-modern aerodrome at Orakam, an aerodrome at Hanne, and also one further inland, a military aerodrome at Thyes and two military aerodromes at St. Louis. Moreover, Dakar is the railhead for the railway to Nigeria and most important from the viewpoint of telegraph communications. French West Africa’s commerce has been'paralysed since the armistice, resulting in great suffering, particularly with regard to food. It was, therefore, necessary to aid the population by freeing the port of merchandise there and feeding the European and' native populations. General de Gaulle, therefore, with forces of every military, naval, and aerial kind, sailed in French ships under the French ensign and escorted by battleships of the Free French Navy. British naval forces attended merely to assure supplementary protection against air attack, which Germany might have inspired, and did not participate. Despite the desire of the population, the local authorities rejected General de Gaulle’s ultimatum, and opened hostilities, firing on three ships, Savorgnan de Brazza, Commandant Duboc, and Commandant Don.” _ THE BRITISH FORGES SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE TAKING TOWN LONDON, September 24. The leader of General de Gaulle’s supporters, Professor Saurat, said: “If Dakar is taken and Britain gives the necessary support, General de Gaulle will win the . war , for France. We are sure that Britain has sent sufficient forces to ensure the taking of Dakar.” A Vichy message says it is unofficially stated that the British made six attempts to land troops under General de Gaulle in West Africa, but all were repulsed. The British commander threatened to destroy the fortifications and occupy the city unless the. defenders surrendered by 6 a.m. to-day. M. Boisson declared that “ We will fight to the end.” The British sank the submarine Persee, which holed a British cruiser. Most of the crew were saved. French coastal artillery shot down three British planes. A' semi-official announcement from Vichy says that the British -shelled Dakar all night and killed 100 people. M. Boisson has ample forces to repel a landing, but the British are immensely superior at sea, having two battleships,four cruisers, sis destroyers, and sis troopships carrying 7,000 troops. The French have crippled the Richelieu, but they consider the cruiser Georges Loygues' and three destroyers are not able to be used. Admiral Darlan said: “Our ships have begun reprisals. Air attacks concentrated on the reservoir were inineffective.” STILL HOLDING OUT HEAVY CASUALTIES INFLICTED VICHY, September 25. (Received September 26, at 9.7 a.m.) It was officially stated early to-day that Dakar was still holding out. British warships continued the bombardment during the night, and the fighting was continued at daybreak. A French air squadron attacked the warships yesterday morning, scoring a direct hit on a cruiser. The French losses to noon were 120 servicemen and 65 civilians killed, KIS servicemen and 225 civilians wounded.

There were further heavy casualties in the afternoon. Three British and one French plane were destroyed. The Richelieu lies helpless in the dry dock. There were three major operations on September 24, 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 Bathurst. Bombing attacks were centred on the port, but the native and. European town is so close that the bombs caused widespread casualties. The British United Press Vichy correspondent says the casualties at Dakar exceed 600. It is claimed that neither the Richelieu nor the shore batteries were damaged. France and Germany are discussing the incident, which may speed up the return of the French Government to Paris. French bombers ate attacking British warships operating from the base at Wakam. RETALIATION ® FRENCH BOMB GIBRALTAR VICHY, September 25. (Received September 26, at* 10.40 a.m.) It is officially stated) that retaliating for Dakar, an important number of planes on September 24 dropped 45 tons of bombs on Gibraltar, hitting an arsenal, the south mole, and one big ship. Heavy smoke was observed. The bombs caused far ‘greater damage than anv past Italian or German raid, and will not be the last reprisal if the British continue to shell Dakar. GERMAN REPORT BERLIN, September 25. (Received September 26, at 10.40 a.m.) The News Agency stated that French planes continued bombing Gibraltar this morning. THE RICHELIEU BEACHES VICHY. September 25. (Received September 26. at 12.50 p.m.) It now appears that the Richelieu is beached, but is using her guns. The Government has received no news from Dakar since the afternoon of September 24, when bombs put the local radio station out of action, and is unable to say whether General do Gaulle’s forces have gained a footing.