A Hateful Decision: The True Story of Winston Churchill, Operation Catapult and the French Fleet in WW2
About this audiobook
Summer, 1940. Winston Churchill watches in horror as France falls to the Germans in just six weeks, completing the Nazi conquest of mainland Europe. He faces an urgent question: what will happen to the mighty French Navy? Under Hitler's control it presents a major threat, and could make the German advance unstoppable.
With the Nazis closing in, Churchill orders Operation Catapult. By the end of one of the most agonising but necessary military operations of the war, the British will have destroyed a large part of the French Navy and nearly 1,300 French sailors will be dead.
‘This was a hateful decision, the most unnatural and painful in which I have ever been concerned... But no act was ever more necessary for the life of Britain and for all that depended upon it.’
WINSTON CHURCHILL
Based on extensive new research and rediscovered eyewitness accounts, A Hateful Decision tells for the first time the full story of the British attack on the French fleet at Mers el Kébir, on 3 July 1940.
As we pass between the men on the ground and the ratcheting tension in the European corridors of power, this riveting book brings to life Churchill’s darkest hour, and the act that demonstrated to the world how far Britain would go to win the war.
'This is history as it should be written: as page-turning and compelling as the best thriller, rich in human drama yet deeply researched and authoritative... superbly told with compassion, edge-of-seat tension and the deftness of a master story-teller.'
JAMES HOLLAND
'One the toughest decisions Churchill was forced to make. Abel Smith takes us right into the heart of the drama... Minute by minute chances slip away, and pride, fate and war collide. Utterly gripping.'
AL MURRAY
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'Read this astonishing book on Churchill's darkest hour.'
JOHN SWEENEY
A Hateful Decision reads like a thriller and is based on a mass of meticulous and original research. An invaluable contribution to the history of the Second World War.’
JONATHAN DIMBLEBY
© Edward Abel Smith 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
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About the author
Edward Abel Smith is a writer, documentary filmmaker and podcaster. He is the author of three books, including Ian Fleming’s Inspiration and The British Oskar Schindler: The Life and Work of Nicholas Winton, which was the subject of a major motion picture starring Anthony Hopkins. His third book, Angels of Prague, tells the story of the evacuation of 15,000 people during WW2.
Abel Smith is the consultant producer for the forthcoming Sky documentary, ‘Post Office Murder’, and is the co-host and co-creator of ‘Lucy Letby: Was There Ever A Crime’, a podcast with close to a million downloads. His writing has appeared in numerous publications including The Telegraph, The Mail on Sunday, The Times, The Guardian and The Washington Times. He has also been a guest on BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service, as well as many history podcasts.
Edward lives near the South Coast of England with his wife, two daughters and their dog, Vesper.
www.edwardabelsmith.com
