ABSTRACT
Two encouraging signals reached the Admiralty from British Naval Liaison Officers during the night of 17/18 June. The first, from Captain Bissett at Brest, reported that all shipping, except French, had been cleared out of the harbour and that at least part of the French naval force would have sailed in time to avoid capture. He intended to remain as long as there was any chance of French warships, particularly the Richelieu (estimated as being a month short of completion), being brought out.1
