The three cruisers left Dakar on 18 September, intending to go south to Libreville, but they were intercepted by Allied forces, including the heavy cruiser . "Montcalm" and "Georges Leygues" outran the Allied ships and returned to Dakar, where they helped to defend the port against the unsuccessful British and Free French attack (Operation Menace) on 23–25 September 1940. "Georges Leygues" hit "Australia" twice and avoided Fleet Air Arm torpedo attacks. "Gloire", slowed by mechanical troubles and, unable to escape, had been ordered back to Casablanca.