Swordfish bombed Italian submarine?

[Brian]

Hi guys

I have read that a Swordfish from Ark Royal bombed an Italian submarine on 25 September 1940 off Dakar, West Africa.

Is this correct?

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

I guess not, on this date French submarines were active off Dakar against British ships involved in operation Menace. And I think your Italian submarine was a French one.

This day at around 9h, as the French fleet returned to bombar coastal guns and French ships in Dakar the French submarine Bezeviers heavily damaged the battleship HMS Resolution and then escaped depth charging by destroyer HMS Foresight. After a bried gunnery exchange, the British admiral ordered the retreat.

The French submarine Sidi-Ferruch that was escorting a cargo off Conakry had been ordered on the 23rd to sail to Dakar and attack the M Force. he was then on the way of retreat of the Allied fleet and saw two troop transports that he tried to chase. But she was seen by aircraft of Ark Royal (probably Swordfish) that bombed her. She crash dived and let her targets go.

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

You've come to my aid AGAIN! Many thanks indeed for solving this little mystery for me.

Cheers
Brian