| Accession Number | P02018.154 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Film copy negative |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | France: Toulon |
| Date made | c November - December 1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Three sloops, identified as L'Impetueuse, La Curieuse and Chamois of the Vichy French fleet which ...
Description
Three sloops, identified as L'Impetueuse, La Curieuse and Chamois of the Vichy French fleet which were scuttled by their French crews in Toulon harbour on 27 November 1942. French Admiral Jean Darlan wanted the French fleet to leave Toulon and sail to Dakar to join the allied forces after the allied invasion of Algeria and Tunisia in November 1942 (Operation Torch). The French crews were unable to agree to this, but did not want the Germans to seize the ships either. On the night of 27 November 1942 German forces attempted to seize the fleet, but forewarned of the German plans, French crews managed to scuttle the majority of the larger vessels anchored in Toulon, some of which burned for up to three weeks.