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The Battle of Dakar
The failed British and Free French operation to seize Dakar from Vichy French forces in 1940.
German
Germany
Germany European UnionFranceWorld War IiColonialismPolitical ConflictMilitary OperationNaval Battle
Royal Air ForceRoyal NavyFree French ForcesVichy RegimeBritish Government
Charles De GaulleWinston ChurchillAnthony EdenPhilippe PétainPierre Boisson
- What was the outcome of the Battle of Dakar?
- Operation Menace at Dakar was considered a failure for the British and Free French forces. The superior firepower of the Vichy French fleet and the strong defense of the port ultimately prevented a successful takeover. The operation's failure highlighted the difficulties of amphibious operations and also strained the already tense relationship between the British and De Gaulle.
- What was the primary objective of Operation Menace?
- The Battle of Dakar was a failed attempt by Britain and Free French forces to seize the port of Dakar in Senegal from the Vichy French in September 1940. The operation, codenamed Operation Menace, was ultimately unsuccessful due to strong resistance from Vichy forces and the superior firepower of the French battleship Richelieu.
- What were the long-term consequences of the failure at Dakar?
- The failure of Operation Menace in Dakar reinforced the Vichy regime's control over its African colonies and had lasting implications for British strategy. The operation, along with the disastrous Dieppe Raid of 1942, contributed to the perception that large-scale amphibious assaults were extremely risky.
- How did the Mers-el-Kébir incident affect de Gaulle's efforts?
- The British Navy's sinking of a portion of the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir earlier in 1940 created significant tension between Britain and the Vichy regime and further complicated De Gaulle's efforts to gain support for the Free French movement among the French population and military.
- What were Charles de Gaulle's goals in Africa during this period?
- Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, hoped to rally French colonies to his cause and sever ties with the Vichy regime. While he successfully gained control of some colonies in French Equatorial Africa, his efforts were hampered by resistance in West Africa, as seen in the failure of Operation Menace at Dakar.