BRITISH SHIPS SHELL DAKAR

Southland Times, Issue 24240, 25 September 1940, Page 5

BRITISH SHIPS SHELL DAKAR

VICHY GOVERNMENT ALLEGATION

AMERICAN OFFICIALS’ COMMENT (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 24, 10.30 p.m.) VICHY, September 24. British ships are reported to have shelled the European quarter of Dakar, where there are 3000 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 was 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.

Washington officials commented, anonymously, that they were pleased that Britain had attacked Dakar in an eSort to establish the de Gaulle regime, because Dakar is regarded as the most likely point from which the Nazis would invade

South America. They added that it was the tragedy of fate that Fiance was simultaneously fighting Britain in Dakar and Japan in IndoChina.