François Darlan
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Jean Louis Xavier François Darlan was a French admiral and political figure. Born in Nérac, Darlan graduated from the École navale in 1902 and quickly advanced through the ranks following his service
Darlan c. 1940
Darlan, Pétain and Göring in France, 1941
Attack on Mers-el-Kébir
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The attack on Mers-el-Kébir on 3 July 1940, during the Second World War, was a British naval attack on French Navy ships at the naval base at Mers El Kébir, near Oran, on the coast of French Algeria.
François Darlan
…he had 'turned crook like the rest') and believed that, even if he was sincere, he could not deliver on his promise. This belief led to the British attack on Mers-el-Kébir (Operation Catapult), where, on 3 July 1940 the Royal Navy attacked the French fleet. The plans for "Catapult" had been drawn up as early as 14–16 June…
The battleship Strasbourg under fire
Modern view of the harbour at Mers El Kébir in Algeria
French photograph of the bombardment
Bretagne on fire, still under bombardment