In July 1940, Winston Churchill had only been Prime Minister 54 days when he gave the order to fire on the French fleet in the Algerian port of Oran. 1200 Frenchmen killed, many 17-19 years old, allies who just weeks before had helped the British evacuate from Dunkirk. Here is what happened:
The French government had quickly surrendered to the German blitzkrieg invasion, and Churchill worried Germany would use the superb French Navy to invade Britain. The French Admiral Darlan promised he would scuttle the ships rather than allow the Nazis to take them; Churchill did not dare trust that.
OUTCOME:
1. The House of Commons, who Churchill feared would censure him, instead cheered him - as did the British people.
2. FDR had been hesitating to help England because he feared Churchill would not fight; so FDR was going to let England go down and defend the US homeland instead. After Oran, FDR decided to send England battleships and other aid all-out; Churchill had shown his mettle.
3. BUT a few months later, when the Nazis approached the few remaining French ships, the French DID scuttle them...as promised. No French ships ever went to the Nazis.