Operation Attila (World War II)

During World War II, Operation Attila was a plan for the Nazi occupation of Vichy France. This plan was drawn up in 1940 in case the French rejoined the Allies or in case of an Allied threat to the south of France.

An important aspect was the capture of the French Navy.

The original plan was never executed, but a version (Case Anton) which included Italian forces was executed on 11 November 1942 in response to the Torch landings in North Africa.

The attempt to capture the French fleet (Operation Lila) failed. Most of the French fleet at Toulon was scuttled by order of Admiral Jean de Laborde to prevent its capture. As a result of this action, the Germans and Italians failed to gain the use of three battleships, seven cruisers, twenty-eight destroyers and twenty submarines. However, the destruction of the fleet also denied it to Charles de Gaulle and the Free French Forces, explaining Hitler's satisfaction at the result.