Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally

Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally

132 Mr A. R. Nankervis, Secretary of Department of the Navy, to Mr F. Strahan, Secretary of Prime Minister's Department

Teleprinter message D314 [MELBOURNE], [21 September 1940, 1.20 p.m.] [1]

IMPORTANT MOST SECRET

The following message, timed 2200 G.M.T. 20th September has been received from H.M.A.S. ADELAIDE- begins-

All quiet yesterday and during night. Abortive Vichy rebellion by country gendarmes during day. Denis [2] interned 60 miles inland.

British Consul [3] and DUMONT D'URVILLE contacted each other by letter only. DUMONT D'URVILLE has lodged formal protest against presence [of] [4] and assistance rendered to De Gaullists by H.M.A.S. ADELAIDE. [Am attending] conference of Sautot [5] this Saturday afternoon with view to immediate positive action being initiated against DUMONT D'URVILLE. Situation still very confused, and possibly deteriorating. ends.

1 The addressee and the time and date of dispatch have been taken from the copy on file AA:A1608, D41/1/9, ii. This teleprinter message was also addressed to the External Affairs and Defence Co- ordination Depts.

2 Governor of New Caledonia until 18 September.

3 W. A. Johnston.

4 Words in square brackets have been inserted from the copy on file AA:MP1049, Series 5, BOX 72, New Caledonia-Establishment of Free French control 1940: signals ACNB-Adelaide.

5 Free French Governor of New Caledonia from 18 September.

[AA:A981, NEW CALEDONIA 37]

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  • R.G. Casey Building
    John McEwen Crescent
    Barton ACT 0221 Australia
  • Phone: +61 2 6261 1111
  • Fax: +61 2 6261 3111
  • ABN: 47 065 634 525

Australian offices:

International offices:

Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates, Multilateral Missions and Representative Offices.

Portfolio agencies

Travel

Trade

Issues

Organisations

Foundations, Councils and Institutes

About us

Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries

Stay up to date