HC Deb 09 July 1940 vol 362 cc1087-92
Mr. Ammon

(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will make a statement on the naval situation?

The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. A. V. Alexander)

Yes, Sir. The House will remember that on 4th July the Prime Minister described the painful but very necessary action which we had taken on the previous day to prevent units of the French Fleet, lying in British and North African ports, passing into enemy control. Since that date the Royal Navy have carried out two other operations designed to increase the security of this country against the use of French warships by the enemy. On 6th July a French battle-cruiser of the "Dunkerque" class, which had been damaged and driven ashore at Oran, was attacked by aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm, which obtained six hits. As a result this powerful ship will be incapable of effective use for a very long time to come. Apart from the ships thus dealt with, there lay at Dakar, in French West Africa, the 35,000-ton battleship "Richelieu," which had just been completed, and which was the most modern and formidable capital ship in the world, immediately available for active operations.

In accordance with the decision announced to the House by the Prime Minister, His Majesty's Government decided that steps must also be taken to ensure that this vessel did not fall into enemy hands in a condition in which she could be used against us. A force was accordingly despatched to Dakar with orders to present to the French Admiral there proposals similar to those offered to the French Commander at Oran. On 7th July the Flag Officer entrusted with this operation sent one of his captains ahead in a sloop in order to present the terms in person. On arrival this ship was informed by the French authorities that they would open fire if she approached close to the port, and it was only after an interval that the French consented to receive this communication by signal. In view of the statements which have been made by the French Government concerning the terms offered at Oran, I think it is desirable that I should recapitulate now those put to the Admiral at Dakar.

His Majesty's Government offered four alternatives. Firstly, that the French ships should sail with reduced crews and under escort to a British port with a guarantee that the crews would at once be repatriated, and at the end of the war the ships returned to France; secondly, that they should sail with reduced crews to a French port in the West Indies where they could be demilitarised, or perhaps be entrusted to the United States for safe keeping; thirdly, that the ships should be demilitarised in Dakar within 12 hours; or, fourthly, that they should be sunk within a time limit some hours after the receipt of the signal by the French authorities. No satisfactory reply was received within this limit. Nevertheless, the British Naval Flag Officer in charge waited longer before carrying out his orders to use force. Finally, as it became clear that the French authorities did not propose to accede to any of the British suggestions, he had no alternative but to carry out his painful duty in the early hours of 8th July.

The attack upon the "Richelieu" was twofold. A ship's boat, under the command of Lieutenant-Commander R. H. Bristowe, R.N., was sent into the harbour carrying depth charges. With great daring the boat successfully passed the boom defences and went alongside the port quarter of the "Richelieu." At the right moment depth charges were dropped close under the stern of the warship as she lay at anchor in the shallow water in order to damage her propellers and steering-gear. The motor-boat began to withdraw immediately after dropping the depth charges, but while still in the harbour broke down and lay helpless for a time. The crew, however, succeeded in getting one engine running just as they were discovered, and the boat, which was pursued, just managed to escape by crossing the harbour defence nets, which held its pursuer. I am sure that the House will join me in paying tribute to the gallantry and skill with which this operation was carried out, for it must be obvious that whoever undertook an operation like that ran the risk the whole time of blowing himself up.

The main attack was entrusted to aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm and took place after the attack by the motor-boat. These aircraft were successful with their torpedoes, a number of which hit the "Richelieu." The motor-boat, which was still in the harbour, witnessed the aircraft attack, heard five explosions and then saw smoke issuing from the battleship. Air reconnaissance since carried out has established that the "Richelieu" has a list to port and is down by the stem. A large quantity of oil fuel covers the water around the ship. All our aircraft returned safely, in spite of heavy antiaircraft fire. I would desire, and I am sure the House would desire, to pay tribute to the skill, efficiency and courage with which this action has been carried out by the officers and men concerned.

The House will appreciate the result of the painful action which we have had to take. When the armistice was signed, France had eight capital ships fit to form a line of battle under present conditions. Of these, three of the "Bretagne" and the "Courbet" classes have now passed under our control, one has been sunk, and one has been badly damaged and immobilised. That makes five of these two classes. Of two modern battle-cruisers, one has been driven ashore at Oran and, as I have already mentioned, will be out of action for a long time to come, if not permanently. The other, as the Prime Minister told the House, managed to escape and is presumed to have reached Toulon, but only after having been hit by a torpedo, which will immobilise her for some time. The state of the "Richelieu," the seventh ship, has been described already this afternoon. There remains, in addition, only the sister ship of the "Richelieu," the "Jean Bart," which will not, however, be completed for operational service for some months to come.

I need not emphasise that the transfer of this powerful modern capital fleet to the enemy might have altered the whole balance of naval strength, with incalculable results to our cause. As a result of the measures we have taken, this grave anxiety is now removed. Perhaps the House will permit me to add a word of thanks to our Naval Staff, who had to plan these recent operations immediately with and following the completion of the evacuation in face of the enemy of troops and refugees totalling not fewer than 600,000, the greatest achievement of its kind in the history of naval operations and a remarkable tribute to the value of our sea power, a power which we do not intend to lose. Rather we intend to prevent the seaborne invasion of this island or the escape of any marauders who dare to set foot here.

Mr. Ammon

I am sure the House will congratulate all those concerned on these very gallant operations. May I ask whether there are any units, other than the capital ships referred to, that can possibly be used against us, such as cruisers and other vessels?

Mr. Alexander

I have no doubt that there are still some cruisers in the control of the French authorities, and they will have to be watched, but I hope the House will not press me at this moment for further particulars.

Sir A. Southby

Can my right hon. Friend give the House the name of the flag officer in command of these operations, and say at what port the "Jean Bart" is now lying?

Mr. Alexander

I think I would prefer not to answer either of those questions, for strategical reasons. I do not wish to reveal, by the name of the officer, which was the unit of the Fleet Air Arm which took part, and I do not want to say at the moment where the other ship is.

Mr. R. C. Morrison

When the four alternative proposals were rejected, did the Admiral of the French battleship make any alternative suggestion?

Mr. Alexander

The French Admiral made no other suggestion at all.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the traditions of the French people and sailors, was it not possible to make an appeal to the French sailors to take over the ship and immobilise it?

Mr. Alexander

It was made clear by the Prime Minister that His Majesty's Government made an appeal to the people in charge of the Fleet to sail with us and fight with us.

Rear-Admiral Beamish

Could my right hon. Friend say whether there were any other ships similar to the one at Dakar, and what happened to them?

Mr. Alexander

Not at this moment.

Miss Rathbone

What steps have been taken to make known to the French people the terms, because they have been so ingeniously suppressed by the Petain Government?

Mr. Alexander

I believe steps have been taken by the Ministry of Information. Perhaps the hon. Lady will put that question down.

Mr. Hannah

Can we not express sympathy with the relatives of the French sailors?

Viscountess Astor

Is it not very difficult to get the truth to the French sailors in this country? Some of us tried very hard to let them know what was going on, but it was absolutely forbidden.

Mr. Alexander

I think that question should be put on the Paper. Of course, there is no Member of the Government, and certainly no officer or man of the British Fleet, who does not regret to the utmost that this action has been necessary. I may add that the commanding officer in charge of the operations sent a personal signal to the French Admiral after they were over expressing his regret at having to carry out these painful duties and hoping there were no casualties.