Naval operation
Attack on Mers-el-Kébir
3 July 1940 · Mers-el-Kébir, Algeria
On 3 July 1940, as part of Operation Catapult, the British Force H bombarded the French fleet at anchor at Mers-el-Kébir after an ultimatum to join the Allies or scuttle was refused. The battleship Bretagne blew up and other ships were damaged; 1,297 French sailors were killed. The attack was meant to keep the fleet out of German hands but poisoned relations with Vichy France.
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- [1]Attack on Mers-el-Kébir
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