French West Africa in World War II

Asia-Pacific Mediterranean and Middle East Other campaigns Coups In World War II, French West Africa (Afrique occidentale française, AOF) was not a scene of major fighting.

Unlike in metropolitan France, the French Colonial Troops in West Africa were not reduced after the 1940 armistice and the region was little interfered with by the Axis powers, providing a valuable addition to the forces of Free France after it had been liberated.

Before this happened, there was some tension between the French and the neighbouring British colonies, particularly Sierra Leone, leading to the formation of the Freetown Defence Flight in June 1941, but no military incidents took place.

He anticipated that popular support for the Free French movement would be built in a drive on Dakar.

On 18 September, three French light cruisers, the Georges Leygues, the Gloire, and the Montcalm were intercepted by Allied ships en route to Libreville.