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French Text Released from the Navy in 1913, after a distinguished career, Paul Marzin commanded Richelieu in 1940, two months after the case of Mers-el-Kebir, where Dakar rejected the attempted landing of British troops and the Free French Forces. Called to Vichy by Darlan, he participated minimally in negotiations with the Germans. "Admiral Marzin was deeply opposed to the collaborationist trend that was developing in Vichy .... He put all his intelligence and negotiating skills to defeat the German projects. He succeeded in curbing the military collaboration to that the Allied landings in North Africa which did not completely change the data of the war. His account of negotiations in which he took part reflects the high value of his stock at a crucial moment in French politics. This was probably his greatest achievement as the task was difficult and dangerous, "wrote Admiral Lanxade in his preface. Calling for the departure of the Toulon fleet, he was deeply scarred by her scuttling in November 1942. In total disagreement with the policy of Laval, he asked to be placed on armistice leave and made contact with the Resistance, wishing to reach North Africa. But he would meet with the tacit veto of London who had not forgiven Dakar.... This book is an exceptional testimony to the choices presented to the officers of the French army at this sad time.