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French Navy
Tag
(04)
1939
September
13
Explosion aboard the cruiser Pluton
On 13 September 1939 the French minelaying cruiser Pluton blew up in Casablanca harbour while unloading armed mines. Some 200 people were killed.
1940
June
14
The French Navy against Italy
On 14 June 1940 French cruisers from Toulon shelled Vado, Savona and the outskirts of Genoa. Until 21 June the French fleet fought the Italians at sea.
July
03
Key event
The attack on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir
On 3 July 1940 the Royal Navy shelled the French squadron at Mers-el-Kébir near Oran. Nearly 1,300 sailors died, and Vichy broke off relations with London.
September
24
Vichy reprisal raids on Gibraltar
On 24 and 25 September 1940 Vichy aircraft bombed Gibraltar twice in reprisal for Dakar. The trawler Stella Sirius was sunk and 14 sailors were killed.