Allies Withdraw From Dakar

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 229, 27 September 1940, Page 8

Allies Withdraw From Dakar

French Unwilling to Fight Compatriots

Two French Submarines Sunk During Operation

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

LONDON, September 25. It is authoritatively stated that General de Gaulle, leader of the free French forces, has decided to abandon his operations for the occupation of Dakar, French West Africa. It is understood that the decision was made because the operations threatened to develop in a di’-im-tion not envisaged when the expedition was launched.

The British Ministry of Information states that to pursue the action would lead to a major operation of war. It was not the intention of the British Government or of General de Gaulle to cause bloodshed among the French forces.

It was learned to-night (says British Official Wireless message) that the British force which accompanied General de Gaulle to Dakar to lend him support is now being withdrawn from that region following the general's own withdrawal, of troops end ships. This fact was revealed by a Ministry of Information statement detailing the circumstances leading to the Dakar expedition. The statement says: ‘‘General de Gaulle had good reason to believe, from information which had reached him. that a large proportion of the French population of Senegal supported the Free French Movement and would welcome his arrival, and a aimilar situation might be established there to that which exists in French Equatorial Africa. He therefore proposed to Britain that he should proceed there with some of the troops at his disposal, with the goodwill and support of Britain. Britain was all the more ready to afford General de Gaulle this support as information had reached the Government that German influence v. as spreading to Dakar. . French Naval Movements "Meanwhile, while the expedition Was on itr, passage, the Vichy Government dispatched three cruisers from Toulon, which passed through the Straits of Gibraltar and eventually arrived at Dakar. It is no part of the Government's policy to interfere with the movements of French men-of-war as long as they are not destined for any ports under German control. “For this reason, no hindrance was put in the way of the vessels in question passing through the Straits of Gibraltar.

like operations against Frenchmen who felt it their duty to obey tlie commands of the Vichy Government. General de Gaulle himself was most anxious that he should not cause bloodshed to his fellow-countrymen. “The forces concerned therefore are now being withdrawn from the region of Dakar,” the statement concludes. Vichy’s Version. It was officially stated at Vichy early to-day that Dakar was still holding out. The British warships continued their bombardment during the night, and fighting continued at daybreak. A French air squadron, it is claimed, attacked the warships yesterday morning, directly hitting a cruiser. The French losses uj> to noon were 120 members of the services and 05 civilians killed, and 138 men of the services and 225 civilians wounded. There were further heavy casualties this afternoon. Three British planes and one French were destroyed. The disabled battleship Richelieu is beached, but nevertheless used her guns.

Vichy says there were three major operations on Tuesday, apart from six unsuccessful British attempts to land troops 80 miles on either side of Dakar. British planes operated from an air-craft-carrier and also from Bathurst, Gambia. The bombing attacks were centred on the port, but the native and European towns are so close that the bombs caused widespread casualties. The British United - ress correspondent at Vichy says it is stated that the casualties at Dakar exceed 600. It is claimed that neither the Richelieu nor the shore batteries were damaged France and Germany are discussing the incident, which may speed up the return of the French Government to Paris.

“When, having done so, they pursued a southerly course, they were permitted to proceed. They therefore reached Dakar without interference. "When they later put to sea again, ateering south, it was thought that they might be intending to interfere with the situation existing in French Equatorial Africa, which had already declared for General de Gaulle. Ships of The Royal Navy intercepted their passage and insisted on their reversing their course, which they eventually did, two of them returning to Dakar and the third, which was suffering from engine trouble, being escorted by cne of his Majesty's ships towards Casablanca. Fire Opened at Dakar. "On the morning of September 23,’’ the statement adds, "emissaries of General de Gaulle, flying the Tricolour and the white flag, attempted to land at Dakar and met with a hostile reception. They were fired on and •criously wounded. The port batteries opened fire on one of General de Gaulle's warships, and subsequently on his Majesty’s ships, which were standing by in order to render General de Gaulle support and assistance if needed. I “Before returning the French lire, the admiral commanding made the fallowing signal in plain language: •Will be compelled to return fire unless your fire ceases.’ As the fire of the chore batteries did not cease, it was returned, and both his Majesty’s ships and the shore batteries scored hits and incurred casualties. “Fire from the French battleship Richelieu was joined to that of the chore batteries. Consequently, her fire had to be returned. French Submarines Sunk. "The British naval commander warned the French authorities that the French submarines would be engaged if they left harbour. In spite of this warning three submarines made attacks on our ships, and active measures had to be taken against them, ■with the result that two were sunk. But the entire crew of one were fortunately saved, and they will be repatriated at the first opportunity.

The French bombers which attacked the British warships operated from the base at Wakam.

“The forces of General de Gaulle attempted to make a landing, wh.cb was not successful, and, when it became plain that only a major operation of ■war could secure all of Dakar, it was decided to discontinue hostilities, as it had never been the intention of the Government to enter into serious war-