On 6 September 1940, HMAS "Australia" was ordered to sail to Freetown, Sierra Leone to join Operation Menace, the invasion of Vichy French-controlled Dakar in French West Africa. On 19 September, "Australia" and the cruiser sighted three Vichy cruisers heading south and shadowed them. When the French cruiser "Gloire" developed engine trouble, "Australia" escorted her towards Casablanca and returned to the fleet two days later. On 23 September "Australia" came under heavy fire from shore batteries, then drove two Vichy destroyers back into port. "Australia" then engaged and sunk the destroyer "L'Audacieux" with eight salvos in sixteen minutes. Over the next two days French and Allied forces exchanged fire; "Australia" was struck twice and lost her Walrus amphibian. "Australia" and the rest of the fleet retired on 25 September the battle became known as the Battle of Dakar.