FRENCH SLOOPS FIRED ON

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21227, 25 September 1940, Page 7

FRENCH SLOOPS FIRED ON

GENERAL DE GAULLE’S MISSION ATTACKED BY AUTHORITIES AT DAKAR LANDING NOT ATTEMPTED BY BRITISH FORCE (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 25, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 24 Iliere is no truth in the report emanating from Vichy that any British landing at or near Dakar has been attempted. The course of events which occurred after the arrival of General de Gaulle is described in the following communique issued by General de Gaulle's headquarters in London: — “ Called to Dakar by numerous Frenchmen anxious to continue the fight at his side, General de Gaulle appeared with French soldiers and sailors before the fortress. The naval authorities at Dakar ordered fire to be opened on General de Gaulle’s emissaries, who had come without weapons in a motor launch flying the Tri-colour and white flag of parliamentaries. Two of these four emissaries, Captain Dargenlieu and Captain Perrin, were seriously wounded. “ Later, General de Gaulle, having attempted to land his troops peacefully, fire was opened hv the Dakar authorities on the French sloops Savargnan de Brazza, Commandant Duboc and Commandant Dom. Several men were killed and many wounded. “ General de Gaulle then withdrew his troops and ships, not wanting to be party to a fight between Frenchmen.” Regarding subsequent developments, it is stated authoritatively that operations are continuing.

ACTION AT DAKAR

LANDING ATTEMPT REPULSED BRITISH CRUISER HOLED THREAT OF REPRISALS (United Press Asn.— nlec. Tel. Copyrlglit) (Received Sept. 25, 11.30 a.m.) VICHY, Sept. 24 Admiral Darlan, in an Order of the Day to the French Navy, states: “The land, sea and air forces of Africa repulsed the landing attempts,

inflicted severe losses on aggressor warships and launched reprisals. One British cruiser is reported to have been badly ’ -d off Dakar. Marshal Petain „ent the following message to M. Boisson, GovernorGeneral of French West Africa: “France is following with emotion and confidence your resistance against mercenary treason and British aggression.”

FRENCH REPRISAL

BOMBARDMENT OF GIBRALTAR 120 WARPLANES PARTICIPATE (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 25, II a.m.) BERLIN, Sept. 24 The news agency reports that 120 French warplanes stationed in Morocco heavily bombarded Gibraltar as a reprisal for the British bombardment of Dakar. VICHY, Sept. 24 It is officially stated that the reported bombing of Gibraltar is not true. No reprisals have thus lar been taken, but French reprisals are imminent and will be vigorous.

BRITISH REPULSED

AMERICA PLEASED

HEAVY LOSSES INCURRED CLAIMS BY FRANCE ULTIMATUM BY ADMIRAL I (United Press Asn.— Elec. Tel Copyright) ; (Received Sept. 25, 11.50 a.m.) J LONDON, Sept. 24 French sources at Vichy allege that a British attempt to land at Rufisque, 25 miles from Dakar, was repulsed. The British Admiral is alleged to have issued an ultimatum a second time, demanding the right to land troops, which was refused. The British attempted to land 2000 troops and suffered heavily. j The French batteries claimed that they drove off the warships and French resistance is intact. Captain Decourt Foch. grandson of the last war’s Generalissimo, was one of General de Gaulle's emissaries at Dakar.

ATTACK BY BRITISH SHIPS REPORT FROM VICHY 60 KILLED, 60 INJURED (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. CopyrtgUt) VICHY, Sept. 24 The latest reports indicate that the British squadron at Dakar consists of two battleships, four cruisers, an aircraft-carrier, six auxiliary cruisers, four transports and a number of destroyers. The British ships are reported to have shelled the European quarter, where there are 3000 inhabitants, as well as the native mud-hut city behind the double breakwater, and also the radio station, the Governor-Gen-eral’s house, the aerodrome at Wakam, 10 miles north-east of Dakar, at which a powerful air force is concentrated, and also an important railway junction outside the city. The British ships attacked from the '■outh. coming from Bathurst. They left Gibraltar 10 davs ago when it was learned that six French xvar«hins were going to Dakar. The British vessels remained at Bathurst, but intervened for the first time several days ago, when three of the French warships attempted to go to Libreville from Dakar. At least 60 persons have so far been killed and 60 injured in the bombardment of Dakar. It is reported that the six French warships which recently arrived from Toulon, and also the battleship * Richelieu, are returning the British* fire. i Reports reaching Vichy are scanty * because the Dakar radio station has been damaged. Meet Force With Force The Cabinet met at Vichv immediately the news was received, and decided to “reply to force with force.** The Vichv radio .announced Ihat the shelling began after the GovernorGeneral. M. Boisson. reieoted ultimatum from General de Gaulle, who is on board the British flaevhir). j I It was officially stated later that the attack on Dakar was worse than that at Oran. There was no danger of Dakar becoming German and being used against England. The French Government was to defend its colonies against all attacks, and had ordered the strongest possible military action against the British fleet in order to preserve Senegal and Dakar as pn open town. “There are no important land defences, and thus it is difficult to reply to the guns of the P-itish whose shells are falling in th'* tcvm the port, from which the natives STe I fleeing,” concluded the statement. ' Foreign Minister's Statement '• The Foreign Minister. M. Baudouin, read a statement to the press as follows: “Those Frenchman who hesitate to consider Genera) de Gaulle a traitor have had their eyes opened. Britain’s action is not a casus belli, and France will not dec'are war against England. Although wounded, she is still capable of defending herself and replying blow for blow.”

DANGER TO SOUTH AMERICA TRAGEDY OF FRANCE | (United press Asn.—Elec. T»»l CopyiUrtiMl WASHINGTON, Sept 23 ' Comment by United States official! indicate that they are pleased that Britain attacked Dakar in an effort to establish the de Gaulle regime, because Dakar is regarded as th# most likely point from which Germany might invade South America. They added that it was a tragedj that it should be the late of Franc* to be simultaneously lighting Britain at Dakar and Japan in lndo-China. I , It is reported from Beirut tha 10.000 French soldiers are returnim to ?'rance from Syria this montli otter which the transfer will con . tinuc until the garrison is at its pra j war establishment of 40,000.