Dakar May Win War for France

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 228, 26 September 1940, Page 7

Dakar May Win War for France

VICHY’S EXTRAVAGANT CLAIM* Received Wednesday, 8.5 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 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 Britain has sent sufficient forces to ensure taking 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 at 0 a.m. to-day. M. Boisson (the Governor) declared: ; ‘We will fight to the end.” The British sank the submarine Ipcrsee which holed a British cruiser. Most of the crew were saved. The French coastal artillery shot down three British planes. A semi-official vichy announcement says the British all night were shelling Dakar and killed a hundred. M. Boisson has ample forces to repel a landing, but tho British aro immensely superior at sea, having two battleships, four cruisers, six destroyers and six troopships carrying 7000 troops. The French have tho crippled Richelieu, but consider the cruiser Georges Leyguos and three destroyers are not able to be used. Reprisal Bombing of Gibraltar. Admiral Danan (Minister for the Navy) said: “Our ships have begun reprisals. Air attacks concentrated on the reservoir were ineffective.” It is announced that 120 French planes raided Gibraltar as a reprisal and dropped a hundred bombs which caused extensive fires in petrol dumps and an arsenal.

A La Linea (Spain) message stales that thirty planes participated in the raid against Gibraltar which lasted 90 minutes. Black smoko from the fires enveloped the Rock. A Gibraltar message says it is officially stated that twenty or more planes of a French type dropped a hundrexi bombs from 20,000 feet, killing four and injuring twelve. Anti-aircraft guna from the ground and the warships shot down at least one plane. One raid lasted four hours, the longest yet. Three very small fires were started.