Since the Battle of France, the island of La Réunion had had little strategic importance, and little defences as a consequence. The Armistice had reduced the military on the island to three officers, one physician, eleven non-commissioned officers, and about 270 men, of which only 23 were professionals. The coastal artillery were out of order. On 8 November, Operation Torch triggered Case Anton, the German invasion of the so-called "Free Zone", resulting in the Scuttling of the French fleet in Toulon. François Darlan emerged as a rival to De Gaulle, negotiating with General Clark.