July 3, 1940
The capitulation of France made enemies out of allies. On these two pages are first official (French Government) pictures of the spectacular action which sealed that enmitythe Battle of Oran Bay.
Determined not to let the French Fleet fall into Adolf Hitler's hands, the British, on the morning of July 3 handed the Commander of the French Squadron in Oran Bay ( 200 miles east of Gibraltar) an ultimatum giving him six hours to join the British, go to America to be interned or scuttle his ships. The French officers began to argue with one another. Many a sailor refused...