On 23 September 1940, the British launched the Battle of Dakar, also known as "Operation Menace", part of the West Africa Campaign. Operation Menace was a plan to capture the strategic port of Dakar in French West Africa, which was under the control of the Vichy French. The plan called for installing Free French forces under General Charles de Gaulle in Dakar. The allies were surprised by the Vichy garrison to defense of the colony, having expected them to change side without opposition. By 25 September, the battle was over, the plan was unsuccessful, and Dakar remained under Vichy French control. During the battle for Dakar, Vichy had launched , causing fairly minor damage but killing several civilians. Vichy aircraft had already bombed Gibraltar on 18 July in retaliation for the attack at Mers-el-Kébir. The failure at Dakar hurt De'Gaulles standing with the British. Hitler was pleasantly surprised with the Vichy French defense and allowed the Vichy Armistice Army limit to be increased. The Free French instead set their sights on French Equatorial Africa, which, with the exception of French Gabon, peacefully changed sides. The refusal of Gabon to change sides led to the Battle of Gabon between Free and Vichy forces, and it was soon after also under Free French control.