British Capture French Ships

The first intimation the French base at Mers-el-Kebir had of anything unusual came via the British destroyer HMS FOXHOUND, which entered the harbour at 0700 hours on July 3rd. On board was Captain Holland, who informed the French flagship that he had an important message for the Admiral. Captain Holland had formerly been British Naval Attaché at Paris and had many friends in the French Navy. Under normal circumstances, Admiral Gensoul would have received him most cordially. However, the lookouts had just reported the presence offshore of an imposing array of British battleships, cruisers and destroyers.

Not having received the customary courtesy of advance notification of their visit, Admiral Gensoul suddenly wondered whether the message Captain Holland was bringing was not some sort of ultimatum. If so, he had no intention of engaging in any discussions under such threat. He therefore refused to receive Captain Holland, but sent his Flag Lieutenant, Lt. Bernard Dufay, to represent him.

The so-called message was indeed an ultimatum from Admiral Somerville to Admiral Gensoul which stated:

‘His Majesty’s Government have commanded me to inform you as follows: They agreed to the French Government approaching the German Government only on condition that if an armistice was concluded the French Fleet should be sent to British ports to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy. the Council of Ministers declared on the 18th June that before capitulation on land, the French Fleet would join up with the British force or sink itself. Whilst the present French Government may consider that the terms of their armistice with Germany and Italy are reconcilable with these undertakings, H.M. Government finds it impossible from their previous experience to believe Germany and Italy will not at any moment that suits them, seize French warships and use them against Britain and her allies. Italian armistice prescribes that French ships should return to metropolitan ports, and under armistice, France is required to yield up units for coast defense and minesweeping. It is impossible for us, your comrades up till now, to allow your fine ships to fall into power of German or Italian enemy. We are determined to fight on until the end, and we will win. and we shall never forget that France was our ally and we solemnly declare we shall restore the greatness and territory of France. for this purpose, we must be sure that the best ships of the French Navy will also not be used against us by the common foe. In these circumstances, His Majesty’s Government have entrusted me to demand the French Fleet now at Mers-el-Kebir and Oran shall act in accordance with one of the following alternatives:

a) Sail with us and continue to fight for victory against the Germans and Italians;

b) Sail with reduced crews under our control to a British port. The reduced crews will be repatriated at the earliest moment. If either of these courses is adopted by you, we will restore your ships to France at the conclusion of the war or pay full compensation if they are damaged.

c) Alternatively, if you feel bound to stipulate that your ships not be used against Germans or Italians since this would break the armistice, then sail them with us with reduced crews to some French port in the West Indies, Martinique for instance, where they can be demilitarized to our satisfaction, or perhaps be entrusted to the United States and remain safe until the end of the war.

If you refuse these fair offers, I must with profound regret, require you to sink your ships within six hours.

Finally, failing the above, I have the orders of His Majesty’s Government to use whatever force may be necessary to prevent your ships from falling into German or Italian hands.’

There could be no thought of accepting either of the first two alternatives. Compliance with the British wishes in either case would have been a direct violation of the armistice, and Admiral Gensoul would not violate the armistice - nor would he scuttle his ships. At 1000 hours, Admiral Gensoul’s Chief of Staff went personally to confirm Admiral Gensoul’s reply, and to invite Admiral Somerville’s attention to the fact that ‘The first shot fired against us will have the practical effect of lining up the entire French Fleet against Britain.’

Admiral Somerville would not permit the French Fleet to leave port unless the terms of the ultimatum were accepted. The English ultimatum was to expire at 1400 hours. Admiral Gensoul tried hard to prolong the negotiations, stating that he was waiting for a reply from his government. Admiral Gensoul gained the impression that the ultimatum presented by the British was not arbitrary nor final. but to end the dispute without a catastrophe, more time was needed for discussion.

Unfortunately, things were taking place elsewhere that mitigated against that, for the French Admiralty was in the process of moving from Bordeaux to Vichy, with a stopover at Nerac, when news of the British ultimatum reached them whilst in London, they were becoming impatient. Churchill paced the council chamber like a caged lion and the British Admiralty radioed to Admiral Somerville: ‘Settle the affair quickly, or you will have French reinforcements to deal with.’

At 1615 hours, Admiral Somerville sent the following signal to Admiral Gensoul: ‘If none of the propositions are accepted before 1730 hours - I repeat 1730 hours - it will be necessary to sink your ships.’

All hope was now gone. The battle would take place.

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