The countryside of Gabon or battles of Libreville is a military campaign which took place with the Gabon, in November 1940, during the Second world war. It ended in the catch of Libreville (Gabon) by the Free French Forces under the orders of the general de Gaulle and the release of the French equatorial Africa of the forces of Vichy.

Context

The October 8th, the De Gaulle general arrived at Douala, before authorizing, the October 12th, the installation of plans for the invasion of Gabon. It wished to use the French equatorial Africa as base camp from where it could launch attacks against the Libya, controlled then by the forces of the Axis, but which would be also used to supervise the situation with the Chad, in north.

The October 27th, the Free French Army crossed Gabon and took the town of Mitzic. The November 5th, the Vichyist garrison of Lambaréné capitulated, whereas the large one of the Free French Army, under the orders of the generals Leclerc and Koenig left Douala, in French Cameroun, to take Libreville (Gabon).

Unfolding of the countryside

The November 8th, HMS '' Milford '' ran the submarine Poncelet pertaining to the forces of Vichy. The men of Koenig, including/understanding soldiers of the Foreign legion (with in particular the 13 {{E}} half-brigade), of the Senegalese Riflemen and Cameroun board unloaded with the Pointe Mondah.

The November 9th, of the Lysander S started from Douala bombarded the aerodrome of Libreville. Koenig met an important resistance to the approach of the city, but managed to seize the aerodrome. The naval Free French Army, aboard patrol craft Savorgnan de Brazza attacked and ran the Vichyist cruiser Bougainville .

The November 12th, the remainder of the forces of Vichy capitulated with Port-Gentil. The Masson governor, by despair, went until committing suicide.

Development later

The November 15th, the personal call of Gaulles does not convince the men of Vichy, who, with the Tetu general, were interned like Prisoner of war to the Congo during 2 years before joining itself the general Giraud for the majority

External bonds

Battle orders of the 1 {{Re}} DFL in Gabon

References