ACTION IN DAKAR

Opotiki News, Volume III, Issue 315, 25 September 1940, Page 4

ACTION IN DAKAR

DE GAULLE ARMY AID FROM BRITAIN THWARTING GERMANS. BATTLE FOR CONTROL : SITUATION NOT CLEAR (News by Cable.) RUGBY, Sept. 23. The following statement was issued by the Ministry of Information this evening:— “Recent reports show that the Germans have been making peisistent efforts to bring Dakar under their control arid the movements of French ships from Toulon to Dakar, which clearly could not have been affected without German permission, gave further evidence of an attempt which is in contemplation. “In view o£ the fact that a considerable- element of the population were opposed to the Vichy Government’s policy of subservience to Berlin and had declared in favour of Free France, General dc Gaulle decided to proceed with the Free French Force to Dakar to assist those elements which supported his cause. “He arrived off Dakar this morning and has summoned liis followers to rally to the flag of Free France. “Resistance seems 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.”