French Sink Their Own Fleet

On this day in 1942, French Admiral Jean de Laborde sank the French fleet off the southern coast of France. Located the Toulon harbor, Laborde made the order with purpose of preventing German capture and reuse.

The French armistice with the Germans had come with the restriction from sailing in British or neutral waters. In 1940 British encouraged the French ignore the prohibition and escape to Allied waters. The French refused and as a result of the impasse, the British began firing on the French fleet, killing 1,250 French sailors, sinking one cruiser and two battleships

Two years later the Germans had broken the Vichy armistice and were attempting to commandeer the fleet. Laborde gave the order to commence sinking of his own fleet. In the end 2 battle cruisers, 4 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, 1 aircraft transport, 30 destroyers, and 16 submarines went down.

The actions of the British navy in 1940 apparently fueled animosity between the two countries.

This is so freaking French. First they roll over like lap dogs to the Germans. Second that sign the Vichy armistice which is little more that an S&M agreement. Third, when given the opportunity to escape, they act like an ostrich and miss a chance for freedom. When faced with the failure of their choices, Laborde finally did the right thing and scuttled the fleet.

How do the French react? They are pissed at the British for it, not the Germans for invading their country, not the Vichy government for playing the submissive, but the British, who offered save haven, and then acting to prevent German capture of major tools of war.

This is so freaking French.