Why is the peace between England and France was replaced by a long war

France and the United Kingdom entered into World in the same camp. These two ambitious powers united in the face of the threat of Nazi Germany. Therefore, few could imagine that in the summer of 1940, yesterday's allies will be able to present war with each other. There have been clashes rifle, came even before the aircraft and involving heavy battleships. Largest naval battle of the British and the French claimed the lives of more than 1,200 sailors and led to the rupture of diplomatic relations.

There is no reason to believe

June 22, 1940 the first recorded capitulation of France, became the outcome of the defeat of the Franco-British troops during the offensive of German troops "Gelb". At that time, France could boast of the fourth power of the navy in the world. The Franco-German Treaty of expected arrival of French warships in the Nazi ports for further disarmament. Commander of the Navy ensured that French ships will not be in Germany, ensuring neutrality in relation to the former allies. But the British refused to rely on trust.

The Soviet Union and the United States had not yet entered the war with the Nazis, only France withdrew from the alliance, and the Italians were against the British. London did not try to stand alone against the Nazis, rightly unwilling to allow amplification of the enemy fleet at the expense of the French. For this reason, and strategic operation has been developed under the name "Catapult", designed to neutralize the Navy so-called "Republic of Vichy." British, above all, interested in the French ships in the harbors of Africa. Mattered and other ports, for example, the main Mediterranean base of the French Navy in Toulon azure.

The British ultimatum to

3 July 1940 the first British successfully captured all the French ships are in UK ports. Crews interned, without armed clashes has not done that at the start caused casualties. In the ultimatum addressed to capitulate to Nazi party were clearly identified requirements. France offered either to join the British navy, or flooded. In case of disagreement the British openly threatened the use of any measures to prevent the transfer of ships in German hands. The French considered the proposal inappropriate, as its own fleet appeared to have a trump card in its relations with Britain and Germany, giving the opportunity to bargain. France is simply caught in the middle, but a more dangerous enemy she saw all the same Hitler.

"Catapult" without warning

After the rejection of the French ultimatum to the British unilaterally interrupted the ongoing negotiations. To exclude the transfer of the threat of the French fleet under German control of the British implemented a synchronous operation "Catapult" in the range from Guadeloupe to Alexandria.

In the afternoon, a squadron of British opened fire without warning. English played on surprise by joining with the French in the battle for the first time since 1815 th at Waterloo. Coming from the sea, the British had a uniquely strategic advantage - the French, though ready to fight probable, too densely located to the harbor. As a result, the British could only shoot when you try to exit the French raid. Several battleships were blown up or seriously damaged, but one managed to escape into the open sea, together with 5 destroyers. A little later, we hit torpedo dobivshie remaining battleships in the harbor. Attack and underwent a powerful new line "Richelieu". And only the power phase "Catapult", estimated in Guadeloupe and in Alexandria, was canceled after successful negotiations and US intervention. Sailors voluntarily disarmed, promising neutrality.

The deplorable results of

The result of the firing "Operation Catapult" was the death of nearly 1,300 French sailors. Immediately after the incident the Petain government had severed all ties with Britain. Navy and all other armed forces, sworn Vichy regime, must now be considered as enemies of the British. This position subsequently developed into a two-year string of armed conflicts in Indochina, Madagascar, the Middle East. But in the British military have achieved little - not turned out to be sunk by any one of contemporary French battleships or cruisers. Seized and destroyed were only obsolete dreadnoughts and destroyers. The rest of the efficient part of the Navy was able to leave the harbor and the African focus in Toulon. There are remnants of the fleet and stayed until the actual occupation of the rest of the French territory of Hitler. However, true to the oath and the promises of England in 1940, French sailors killed its own fleet, without allowing capture by the Germans.

Oddly enough, the greatest benefit of the "Catapult" Germany has learned. UK Union and France was torn, the French naval ministry gave the go-ahead to attack any British ship, regardless of the deployment. The truth is already a few days later Petain's collaborationist government edited a decree allowing the attack only in the 20-mile zone in relation to the French coast. And later there was a transition to a purely defensive action.

Researchers estimate

"Catapult" remains one of the most paradoxical operations during the Second World War. In a difficult situation, the United Kingdom has taken too extreme measures, so there was a deep split even among its political and military elite. Already in 1954, 9 years after the end of the war, held a meeting devoted to the events. British admirals North and Somerville have shown a negative attitude towards the orders of their own government in 1940. Military leaders agreed that there was an opportunity to come to a peaceful outcome of the case, provided that the negotiators would have remained a little longer.