Admiral Darlan. Jean Louis Xavier Francois Darlan (7 August 1881 - 24 December 1942) was a French admiral and political figure. Darlan was Commander-in-Chief of the French Navy at the beginning of World War II. Darlan was in Algiers when the Allies invaded French North Africa in November 1942. Allied commander Dwight D. Eisenhower struck a controversial deal with Darlan, recognizing him as High Commissioner of France for North and West Africa. In return, Darlan ordered all French forces in North Africa to cease resistance and cooperate with the Allies. On 24 December, Darlan was assassinated by Fernand Bonnier de La Chapelle, a 20-year-old monarchist and anti-Vichyiste.