From Today I Found Out.

Head to http://squarespace.com/BRAINFOOD for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, use OFFER CODE BRAINFOOD to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

At 5:57 P.M. on July 3, 1940, the port of Mers-el-Kébir in French Algeria suddenly erupted into chaos. The deafening roar of cannons erupted outside the harbour entrance, and a rain of high-explosive shells plunged down upon the French naval fleet anchored within. Geysers of water and flame shot into the air as the deadly projectiles slammed home, and within minutes the whole anchorage was ablaze. Aboard their ships, French sailors scrambled to their battle stations and attempted to return fire, but their aim was obscured by thick clouds of black, oily smoke. When the bombardment finally ended 10 minutes later, one major warship had been sunk, five severely damaged, and 1,297 French sailors lay dead and 350 wounded. But the attacking fleet belonged neither to the German Kriegsmarine nor the Italian Regia Marina, but the British Royal Navy – the first time the two nations had fought each other since the Napoleonic Wars more than a century before. But what could possibly have caused the British to open fire on the French – by then their close ally? This is the forgotten story of Operation Catapult, one of the most controversial actions of the Second World War and one which Winston Churchill dubbed the “most hateful decision” of his career.

Author: Gilles Messier
Editor: Daven Hiskey
Host: Simon Whistler
Producer: Caden Nielsen