Battle of Réunion

Part of the Indian Ocean theatre of World War II

Map of La Réunion. The invasion forces landed at Saint-Denis; action also took place at Le Port and Pointe des Galets.

Date	28 November 1942
Location	Saint Denis, Réunion
Result	Free French victory

Belligerents

Free France

France

Commanders and leaders

Jules Evenou

André Capagorry

Pierre Aubert

Émile Hugot (WIA)

Strength

Destroyer Léopard

One company of Fusiliers Marins
Local resistance

260 men

Casualties and losses

1+ killed

2+ killed
1+ wounded

Destroyer Léopard

The Battle of Réunion or Liberation of Réunion (French: Bataille de La Réunion or Libération de La Réunion) was an amphibious landing and uprising which brought the island of Réunion onto the Allied side during the Second World War. The invasion was performed by the Free French Naval Forces (FNFL) destroyer Léopard on 28 November 1942, which toppled the administration loyal to the Vichy French regime and replaced it with a Free French administration.

Since the Battle of France in May–June 1940, the island of La Réunion had had little strategic importance, and little defences as a consequence. The Compiègne Armistice had reduced the military on the island to three officers, one doctor, eleven non-commissioned officers and about 270 men, of which only 23 were professionals. The coastal artillery were out of order.

On 23 June 1940, Raoul Nativel, president of the conseil général, denounced the Armistice on Radio Saint-Denis. The next day, British consul Maurice Gaud met with the governor of the island, Pierre Aubert, proposing to pay the French administration on British treasure if La Réunion would fight on. The proposal became public when Radio Mauritius broadcast it. Aubert consulted with local notabilities, but faced with the choice of illegally surrendering the island to a foreign government, he decided to stay loyal to Marshal Philippe Pétain's Vichy France government. Supporters of the French exile government of Charles De Gaulle, General secretary Angelini and captain Plat were transferred, and the president of the colonial commission Adrien Lagourgue was discharged, as well as Nativel.

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Wikipedia