SHELLING OF DAKAR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 255, 25 September 1940, Page 7

SHELLING OF DAKAR

VICHY ALLEGATIONS.

“RETURN BLOW FOR BLOW.”

VICHY, Sept. 24.

The British warships are reported to have shelled the European quarter of Dakar,, where there are 6000 inhabitants, and also the native mud-hut city behind the double breakwater. They are also reported to have shelled the radio station, the Governor-General’s house, the aerodrome at Wakam (10 miles north-west of Dakar), at which a powerful air force is concentrated, and an important railway junction outside the city. The British ships attacked from the south, coming from Bathhurst (Gambia). They, left Gibraltar 10 days ago, when they learned that the six French vessels were going to Dakar. The British remained at Bathhurst and intervened for the first time several days ago when three French warships attempted to go to Libreville (French Equatorial Africa) from Dakar. The British force is also reported to include au aircraft-carrier and four transports. At least 60 people have so far been killed and 60 injured in the bombardment of Dakar. It is reported that the six French warships and also the 35,000-ton battleship Richelieu (which was badly damaged at . Oran) are returning the British fire. Reports reaching Vicliv are scanty beca.use the Dakar radio station has been damaged. Cabinet 1 met immediately the news was received and decided to reply to “Force with force.” >'■ The Vichy radio announced that shelling began after the GovernorGeneral (M. Boisson) had rejected an ultimatum to surrender by General de Gaulle, who was aboard the British flagship. “WORSE THAN ORAN.”

It was officially stated later that the attack on Dakar was worse than the' one on Oran. There was no danger of Dakar becoming German and being used against England. The Frencti Government was determined to defeud the colonies against all attacks and had ordered the strongest possible military action against the British fleet in order to jireserve Senegal. Dakar was an open town and there were no important land defences. Thus it was difficult to reply to the fleet’s guns, whose shells were falling in the town and the port, from which the natives were fleeing. The Foreign Minister (M. Baudomn) read a statement .to the Press in which he said: “Those Frenchmen who were hesitating to consider General de Gaulle a- traitor have had their eyes opened. Britain’s action is not a casus belli and France will not declare war against England. Though wounded, she is still capable of defending herself and replying with blow for blow.” In Washington ' officials commented anonymously that they were pleased that Britain had rttackcd Dakar m an effort to establish a de Gaulle regime because Dakar was regarded as the most likely point from which the Nazis would invade South America. They added that it was a tragedy of, fate that- France should be simultaneously fighting Britain in Dakar and Japan in Indo-China.