 At first light on the 8th, Col. Demas T. Craw and Maj. Pierpont M. Hamilton went by jeep from an early beach landing, to Port Lyautey to consult the French commander (Col. Charles Petit).The emissaries were to give him a diplomatic letter in the hopes of preventing any hostilities from starting.They went ashore as the fire of coastal batteries and warships and strafing French airplanes began.