World Battlefronts, WAR OF NERVES: Hump to Hump

Along Africa's western hump and inward bend ran a current of news and rumor:

> A contingent of U.S. troops arrived at Leopoldville in the Belgian Congo.

> Pierre Boisson, Vichy's territorial Governor at Dakar, flew to Vichy to see Marshal Pétain. Reported reason: the Nazis had demanded the right to base bombers at Dakar.

> Berlin inspired rumors that the Allies were about to move on Dakar.

Perhaps the Germans were merely stirring the African pot to confuse the Allies. Perhaps Berlin was justifying, in advance, a thrust into West Africa. Perhaps Berlin had realized that, with Brazil in the war, the Allies...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!