Africa
1940–1942: Fighting against Vichy France
July 1940 – November 1942 · 3 battles
After the armistice with Germany, Marshal Pétain’s government at Vichy kept the fleet and the colonial empire, while General de Gaulle called on the French to fight on at Britain’s side. This led to fighting between the French and their former allies: the British attacked the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir, the Free French took over the colonies of Equatorial Africa, and the expedition to Dakar and the fighting for Gabon, Syria, Lebanon and Madagascar showed that the Vichy administration would defend its territories by force of arms. The conflict ended after the Allied landings in North Africa in November 1942, when Germany occupied the free zone of France.
- 23–25 September 1940Battle of DakarOn 23–25 September 1940 a British fleet and de Gaulle's Free French tried to take Dakar. Vichy forces repelled them and the attempt was abandoned.
- 27 October – 12 November 1940Battle of GabonOn 27 October – 12 November 1940 Leclerc's and Kœnig's Free French took Vichy-loyal Gabon. All of French Equatorial Africa passed to de Gaulle.
- 5 May – 6 November 1942Battle of MadagascarFrom 5 May to 6 November 1942 British, African and South African troops took Vichy Madagascar, from the Diego Suarez base to the armistice at Ambalavao.