This week, in an acknowledgement to a number of looming
deadlines, I would like to share some short and hopefully entertaining tidbits
that I uncovered while working at the National Archives last week.
Mishaps and Delays to the Anglo-Free French operations at
Dakar, September 1940:
Following the collapse of French resistance in June, there
was much anticipation whether resistance would continue in the colonies. However, while French Equatorial Africa was
more amenable to de Gaulle’s Free French forces, recruitment and general
support for the group was sadly lacking.
Nevertheless, in early August, discussions were begun regarding attempts
to capture key West African territory.
They eventually evolved into Operation Menace, a plan to install de
Gaulle at the West African port city of Dakar, Senegal. However, the plans were plagued with
uncertainties due to conflicting reports on the level of support in the region
for de Gaulle, as well as more mundane issues.
It was these less dramatic issues that served to remind me
of the potentially colourful nature that mishaps and drama can lend to
historical research. While looking at the development of the operation, I
discovered that several ships, manned with French crews, were late in sailing,
delaying the timeline by three days.
Upon closer research, the official report revealed that this delay was
due to “misbehaviour by some of the French crews.” Crews refused to sail until their arrears in
pay had been addressed, improvements to messing were made, and crucially, the
captain’s missing mistress was found.[1] In a later report, compiled by Major P.R.
Smith-Hill, he specified that the sailors had demanded improved rations on
board, consisting of champagne and fois grois.[2] It was noted that “these matters were
adjusted”, however the report sadly did not specify where the Captain’s
mistress had been found, or how and why she had gone missing.
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