Admiral Darlan wanted to declare war on the British

François Darlan, a high-ranking official of the Vichy regime, wished for France to enter the war against the United Kingdom. This desire arose after the British attack on Mers el-Kébir, which led him to feel betrayed by his former allies. Philippe Pétain nevertheless managed to calm him down with the phrase "One defeat is enough," limiting the French reaction to symbolic reprisals.