Liberation of La Réunion

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	Vichy 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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