How Did Christopher Cunningham Lay At Godfroy

26. Accordingly, three French battleships and a seaplane carrier along with supporting six destroyers were lay at Mers-el-Kebir in Algeria. Further, one French battleship, three gun cruisers and one light cruiser were placed under the influence of guns of Cunningham’s Fleet in Alexandria, but the French Admiral Godfroy was a friend of Cunningham and he was commonly accepted as a “man of honour” . Therefore, Vice Admiral James Sommerville, flying his flag in HMS Hood was shipped with a massive force to make a successful deal with the French stayed in Mers-el-Kebir. Meanwhile, Cunningham has opened his discussion with Godfroy to come to a diplomatic solution.

27. However, initial instructions were received from London to seize the French ships available in Alexandria as a matter of priority. During this juncture, Cunningham tried to find a negotiated solution after voiced his strong worries back to London by emphasising of potential effects could create by utilising of force against the French. He has specifically highlighted the strategic disadvantage which affect the goodwill of British and French citizens via French population in the Middle East. Moreover, he explained how the far-reaching chowk point and around the Suez Canal may create a war zone which could affect the supply route of Britain to the London in return.
Giving an answer to Cunningham’s effort, he was given a deadline as 3rd July 1940 in order to come to a settlement of the matter with French. However, it was visible that the date was set based on the earliest prospect that Royal Navy could organise and mount an attack in Mers-el-Kebir. Therefore, Cunningham had a personal discussion with Godfroy in person at 7am on the day before the dead line to discuss options as to Continue the struggle alongside the Royal Navy by initial action of de-fuel and de-arm his ships, or take them to sea and sink them by Royal