DAKAR BOMBARDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24412, 25 September 1940, Page 7

DAKAR BOMBARDED

A BRITISH SQUADRON DE GAULLE FORCES ARRIVE GERMANS FORESTALLED '. (British Official Wireless) '.<?-' •;•■'-• .. r (United Press Association) ".•■,■ (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) .: ■ ■ ;>;';"•> : ■";'.;'-; ....";; ~' ': RUGBY, Sept. 23. The following statement was issued by the Ministry of Information this evening:—"Recent reports show that the Germans have been making persistent efforts % bring Dakar (French Senegal) under their control, and the movements of French warships 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 number of the population were opposed to the Vichy Government's r policy of subservience to Berlin; and had declared in favour of 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 has summoned his followers to rally to the flag of Free France. Resistance secerns 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." The Lyons radio stated that a. British squadron took the English and de Gaulle troops to Dakar and issued an ultimatum to the town i" demanding surrender. The Ffench refused, and the British squadron Dakar..;.~' ; •,/;■'. ;../,! .. latest..reports indicate that the British squadron at Dakar 'comprises two" battleships; four auxiliary cruisers and a number of destroyers. ■ WARSHIPS SHELL SEVERAL AREAS ; : : According to. messages from Vichy British ships are reported to have shelled the European quarter at Dakar, where there are 3000 inhabitants, 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, an 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 Bathurst. They left Gibraltar 10 days ago when it was learned that six French vessels were going to Dakar. The British remained at Bathurst and intervened for the first time several days ago when three French warships attempted to go to Libreville from Dakar. The British force is also reported to include an aircraft carrier and four transports. FRENCH SHIPS RETURN FIRE Another report from Vichy states that.at least 60 have so far been killed and 60 injured in the bombardment. It is reported that six French warships which the Richelieu, are returning the British fire. Reports reaching Vichy are scanty" because the Dakar radio station:, has been damaged. Cabinetf met immediately the news -was received and decided to reply 1 to'"force: with force.'' .;.= ' :"'■'"'"':'. ■;•.• '" The Vichy radio'announced that the shelling began after the ;:■ Governor-General had rejected the, ultimatum.... 0f,,. surrender by General de Gaulle, who is aboard the flagship. It was officially •stated later that the attack on Dakar was worse than the one on Oran and that there was no danger of Dakar becoming German fchd used against England. The French Government is determined to defend its colonies against all attacks, and ordered the strongest possible military action against the British Fleet in; order to preserve Senegal Dakar is an open town and.there are no important land defences, thus it is difficult to reply to the fleets guns whose shells are falling m the town and port, from, which the natives are flccinfi' •■ '*>■'-'' ■ "'"'■*■ '-'■" . , -m'Baudouih read a statement to the press in which he said, "Those Frenchmen hesitating to consider General de-Gaulle a traitor have had their eyes opened. Britain's action is not a .casus belli and Francewill not declare war against .England- Though wounded, ihe is'still:capable of defending herself, replying with- blow for. IOW ACTION PLEASES WASHINGTON ■ A Washington report says that officials commented anonymously that they were pleased that Britain had attacked Dakar in an effort to establish the General 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 tha France should simultaneously be fighting Britain in Dakar and Japan in Indo-China.