On 3 July 1940, soon after the collapse of the French front and France's request for an armistice, a reluctant Royal Navy commander opened fire on the French Navy squadron at Mers-el-Kebir. Some 1,300 French sailors lost their lives.The late David Brown's detailed account finally conveys an objective understanding of the course of events that led u

The late David Brown was head of the Naval Historical Branch at the Ministry of Defence, London, for over 25 years. He is author of many books on naval history.

1. Anglo-French Naval Staff Planning and Co-operation on the Eve of War2. The Phony War3. The Mediterranean, 27 March-27 May 19404. Dunkirk to Bordeaux, 1-15 June5. Political Collapse, 16 June 246. Pétain's First Day, 17 June 297. Last Meeting of the Admirals, 18 June8. Bordeaux, 19-21 June: Armistice or Africa?9. The Other Side of the Hill, 17-21 June 50 10. The Terms, 22 June11. 23 June12. 24 June13. The Armistice, 25 June14. The Cruise of the Richelieu, 25-26 June15. 27 June16. 28 June17. 29 June18. 30 June19. 1 July20. The Orders for Operation 'Catapult', 2 July21. Mers el-Kébir: The parley, 3 July22. The Bombardment of Mers el-Kebir, 3 July