Mers el-K��bir 1940

A captivating analysis of the World War II conflict between Great Britain and France to prevent French ships from falling into German hands.

After France signed an armistice with the Axis powers, Great Britain feared that if Germany or Italy gained control of the French Navy’s battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, the balance of power in the Mediterranean would shift dramatically in their favor. Winston Churchill recognized the need to secure the most powerful vessels of the Marine Nationale, either through diplomacy, coercion, or force. The French Navy’s commander-in-chief shared the desire to keep their ships out of Axis control, but he also opposed the British taking them. These tense and hostile conditions led to Operation Catapult, which began on 3 July 1940, and saw the two nations clashing over the ships.

Naval historian Ryan Noppen examines the Royal Navy’s Operation Catapult at Mers el-Kébir, the follow-up Operation Lever, and the French retaliation in the days that followed. This book delves into the rapid breakdown of Anglo-French relations and how two former allies quickly became enemies. Fully illustrated with maps, photographs, and artwork, it offers an engaging exploration of this often-overlooked chapter early in World War II.