Ist is a small island off the Dalmatian coast of Croatia.

[2] During the past 50 years it has witnessed a slow depopulation which has halved its number of inhabitants.

The Croatian Government is attempting to attract people to the island through its National Programme of Islands’ Development as well as economic revival (which could result in the construction of a bridge to nearby Molat).

The engagement was fought between Free French navy destroyers and a Kriegsmarine force of two corvettes, two torpedo boats and three minesweepers which were protecting a freighter.

The French managed to destroy the German freighter and a corvette without losses of their own before withdrawing.