French Ship Attacked

[genlock]

A group of Somali pirates has been captured after attacking a French navy ship by mistake, apparently thinking it was a harmless cargo vessel.

French military spokesman Admiral Christophe Prazuck said the pirates attacked in skiffs late at night some 500km (310 miles) off the Somali coast.

But the command and supply ship, the Somme, repelled the attack and chased the pirates, capturing five of them.

Dozens of international warships fight piracy in Somalia's lawless waters.


Once they realised they were facing a ship that was responding and was heading towards them, they stopped shooting and attempted to flee
Admiral Christophe Prazuck

The country has had no effective central government since 1991, leading to a complete breakdown of law and order, and pirates operate off the coast almost with impunity.

Admiral Prazuck told French TV station La Chaine Info the pirates seemed to be surprised that the navy ship fought back.

"Once they realised they were facing a ship that was responding and was heading towards them, they stopped shooting and attempted to flee," he said.


If'n I am not mistaken, this is the first open sea surface action for the French Navy since the early 1800's.

[Big Media]

France has a military?



Who knew?

[Jet Black]

"Drop that croissant, Peppy, and get on the forward pellet gun!"

[Bob Campbell]

You forgot WWI and II, though they scuttled their fleet soon after the German invasion.

[genlock]

French nave only briefly involved in Dardanelles campaign in WW1. Not a ship-to-ship action
In WW2, French Navy surrendered or scuttled itself except at Mers-el-Kebir and Dakar, where they were used as target practice while tied up at the dock.
Free French ships did work at Normandy but that was not a surface action with other ships.

Last major action was Trafalgar (ended badly).
Last victory was Battle of the Chesapeake in 1781.

[Jay Nunley]

I can't believe they didn't surrender. I would praise them for their efforts on this, but I'm afraid they would surrender to me.

[Rock]

Meh, I like to dig on the frogs as much as anyone, but I try to give 'em a pass; after all, if it weren't for the sorry-ass French king sending troops to help during the Revolution, we'd probably still be eating fish 'n chips.

[Bob Campbell]

Too right, guv'nor.

[Cameron]

Hmm....drop achor off the cost of Somalia with a boat full of Gitmo detainees armed-to-the-teeth.....hmmm.
Win-Win.