The commanders considered stopping, but Churchill's order to continue pushed the operation toward another attempt. A new ultimatum demanded Dakar's surrender by six in the morning, and Boisson replied that he would defend the port to the end. On 24 September, Barham and Resolution traded fire with the forts and Richelieu while French Glenn Martin bombers attacked from high altitude and British Swordfish struck at French ships. Fog and gun smoke eventually hid the targets. Roughly four hundred 15-inch rounds were fired without silencing the batteries, a poor return on the expenditure of heavy ammunition.
Notable Point · 37:21-39:19
Churchill orders the attack to continue
After the first day's setbacks, Churchill pressed for renewed action, but fog and smoke again limited the value of heavy naval gunfire.