Free France needed more than volunteers: it needed an economically developed centre from which to build an army and administer territory. De Gaulle also faced Vichy claims that he was merely a British puppet, so a Free French-held capital would carry political as well as military value. Dakar offered French troops, naval equipment, proximity to the action, and a territorial base from which Free France could demonstrate independent force. Algeria would have been the ideal prize, but was unavailable before Operation Torch, making Dakar the more plausible alternative in 1940.
Notable Point · 18:54-21:23
Why Dakar mattered to Free France
For de Gaulle, Dakar promised a developed base, greater military capacity, and visible proof that Free France was more than a British client.