France has fallen from her position as an ally of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity and is now rising as at least a military ally of implied Subjugation, Partiality, and Division. In doing so the status of her military forces is of great concern to the United Nations. These forces arc largely naval, and therefore a review of the French Navy, its actions and its present status, is of interest. A chronological summary of the general course of the war seems in order as a base for discussing the French actions in particular.
On the morning of September 1, 1939, the Germans attacked Poland. On the 3d France and England declared war, and hostilities began on the Western Front and at sea. There was an inappreciable French advance and a general running of German shipping from the sea, followed by the so-called “phony war.” On April 9, 1940, the invasion of Norway began, and here French naval forces saw considerable action. On May 10, 1940, the German Army launched its great attack on the Low Countries and France. The Netherlands capitulated on May 14, and King Leopold of Belgium surrendered on May 27. On June 11 Italy entered against France, and only three days later Paris fell to the German advance. Two days after this, on June 16, Reynaud was succeeded as Premier by Marshal Petain, who, one day later, asked for an armistice. Thus in 38 days Germany had conquered the Northwest of Europe and eliminated her old enemy France.
On June 21, in the famous railway car in Compiègne Forest, General Huntziger, Admiral Le Luc, Air General Bergeret, and Léon Nöel, making up the French delegation, were presented a thirty-page manuscript of the conditions for an armistice. The next day at 6:50 p.m. German summer time, after communication with the Bordeaux government, the conditions were signed.
The terms were those of only a temporary armistice, and they could be renounced by Germany at any time. In effect the chief provisions of its 24 articles were:1 (1) German occupation of territory in the north and west of France, constituting more than half of its total area and all its seacoast except that on the Mediterranean; (2) demobilization of all French fighting forces, ships included, and surrender of aircraft, tanks, and other war equipment; (3) surrender of prisoners and dispatch of orders to all French troops and nationals, wherever located, to cease further warfare; (4) payment of the cost of German occupation. The second provision was relaxed in some cases in order to deter the British and Free French from seizing French property. Article VIII, relating to the Navy, provided that all French warcraft, except a few for colonial use, should be recalled to ports designated by Germany and Italy and there demobilized and laid up; but the German Government
. . . solemnly declares that... it does not intend to use the French war fleet which is in harbors under German control for its purposes in war with the exception of units necessary for guarding the coast and sweeping mines . . . and does not intend to bring up any demands respecting the French war fleet at the conclusion of peace.
It seems important to examine the composition of this fleet. The question of its future allegiance has been of vital concern to the Allies, and its possession by either side might have a profound effect on the war’s outcome. The purpose of this paper is to follow specifically the French naval developments so far during this war.
At the beginning of the war the French Navy was a strong force which had been built up gradually over a period of years until it stood fourth among the navies of the world in tonnage and fifth in number of ships in the major classes.2 There were 7 capital ships,3 1 aircraft carrier, 7 heavy cruisers, 12 light cruisers, 71 destroyers,4 78 submarines, and many lighter vessels.5 Some 4,900 officers and 82,000 men manned the ships and shore establishments under the Ministry of Marine, at whose head was M. Cesar Campinchi;6 Darlan was then Amiral de la Flotte. The fleet was divided into two main forces and several smaller units. The Atlantic Squadron was based on Brest, Cherbourg, and Lorient and consisted mainly of the older ships least suited for action against the fast, new units of the Italian Fleet. The Mediterranean Squadron, the stronger force, consisted of the super-destroyers, most of the fast cruisers, and the two newest and best capital ships, Dunkerque and Strasbourg. This fleet operated from Toulon and the two African bases of Bizerta and Oran. There were also two main colonial bases more removed from Europe, Dakar in Senegal, and Saigon in Indo-China; at only the latter, however, was a squadron permanently stationed. The ships changed positions frequently and often used British bases for joint operations.
The Allied Naval Command was under the leadership of the British, but the consequent subordination of the French did not destroy the initiative of the fleet. Many units were engaged in dangerous action, resulting sometimes in loss. The crews were willing, but there is reason to suspect that some of the officers were at times annoyed at being subordinate to the British.7
In the Allied cause the fleet served well, but its greatest worth was in the more routine operations, such as convoying. One great contribution was its value as a containing force for the Italians. French ships and marines participated in the Norwegian campaign, and lighter forces were of great value in the Dunkirk withdrawal, where their losses were heavy.8
At the same time progress was made in the building program.9 Richelieu was commissioned in April, 1940, Jean Bart launched in March, and 5 destroyers of Le Hardi class were completed up to the time of the collapse of France.10 Many keels were laid and other ships launched as well.
Except for the Dunkirk operations, the French collapse on land had little direct effect on the fleet-in-being. A large number of ships left the Continent for England and Africa or remained overseas. During the crucial hours of defeat on land the separate units of the Navy were still in full commission, ready for action. When surrender seemed inevitable, however, organization and unity disappeared. In the yards many ships on the stocks were wrecked, as were many of the facilities for building, repair, and operation. Some ships in the water were scuttled at sea or in harbor.11
As for the position of the fleet, the accompanying table as of the latter half of the month of June, 1940, seems fairly complete.
Disposition of the French Fleet as of July 1,1940
At Oran or Mers-el-Kebir12
Capital ships: Strasbourg, Dunkerque, Provence, Bretagne
Seaplane tender: Commandant Teste
Cruisers: 5
Destroyers: 5 or 6 including Mogador
At Alexandria13
Capital ships: Lorraine
Cruisers: Sufren, Tourvillc, Duquesne, Duguay-Trouin
Destroyers: Basque, Forbin, Fortune, and one other
Submaine: Protée, and one other
English or Scottish Ports14
Capital ships: Courbet, Paris
Destroyers: 10, Triomphant, Lynx, Léopard, Mistral, La Flore, La Melpomène, L’Incomprisc, La Cordelière, Branlebas, and Bouclier
Submarines: 6, Surcouf, La Créole, Minerve, Junon, Oriòn, and Ondine.
Patrol craft: 200 including Ch 106
West Africa15
Capital ships: Richelieu at Dakar with some smaller units. Jean Bart uncompleted at Casablanca.
West Indies16
Aircraft carrier: Béarn at Martinique with 65 planes in transit to Europe.
Light cruisers: Emile Berlin at Martinique and perhaps 4 destroyers and 3 auxiliary cruisers. Jeanne d’Arc at Guadeloupe.
Indo-China17
Cruisers: Lamotte-Picquct, probably light supporting units.
Mediterranean Coast and Toulon
Most of the remaining.
As the situation began to clear, certain actions were taken by each concentration of ships. There were those ships whose crews wished to continue the war instead of going back to internment. They saw that if the fleet did not fall directly into the hands of the Germans, it would still be within reach of quick seizure. Also many wished to fight on. These latter rallied around the Provisional French National Committee under De Gaulle at London and continued to fight under the French flag. On June 28 two French units, whose names were not released, arrived at Gibraltar and were joined by Vice Admiral Emile Henri Muselier of the French Navy. He there learned that the submarines Rubis and Narval were still fighting. On July 1 Muselier issued his first order instructing all “French warships, merchant vessels, and air forces to proceed immediately to the nearest ‘Free French’ or Allied base with a view to immediate operations against the enemy.” He then flew to London where he was given command of the Free French air and naval forces.18 Over a period of some time French ships had collected in British ports, chiefly Portsmouth and Plymouth, although some later came to Sheemess and a “Scottish port.” On June 19 the first ship from France arrived at Plymouth, carrying in addition to her own crew crowds of men from other ships left behind.19 On the night of July 2-3, the British boarded all French ships which had been stationed with the Home Fleet. Only on board the Surcouf did a scuffle arise, and here a French officer was killed. All the ratings from these ships were given the choice of signing up at British pay or being repatriated. “Thousands signed up at once; many asking for British citizenship as well as service.”20
An agreement was then drawn up between the English Government and the French National Committee as follows:21
Naval vessels from the French fleet will be allocated as follows:
(а) The French force will commission and operate as many vessels as it is able to man.
(b) The allocation of the vessels to be commanded and operated by the French force under (a) will be a matter for agreement from time to time between General dc Gaulle and the British Admiralty.
(c) Vessels not all allocated under (b) to the French fleet will be available for commissioning and operation under the British Admiralty.
(d) Of the vessels mentioned under (c) some may be operated under direct British control and some may be operated by other allied naval forces.
(e) Vessels operated under British control will, when possible, include in their complement a proportion of French officers and men.
(f) All vessels concerned will remain French property.
It is reported that Muselier has under his command a fleet of more than 200 vessels, including the Courbet and Paris, the destroyers Le Triomphant, Lynx, and Melpomene; the submarines Surcouf and Rubis, the sloop Savorgnan de Brazza, the large mine-sweepers Chevreuil, Commandant Domine, and Commandant Duboc, the survey ship President Theodore Tissier, and many subchasers and smaller vessels. The light cruiser De Grasse, which was towed to England, is being finished and will be, it is reported, manned by Frenchmen. There were, of course, losses; those announced being the torpedo boat Branlebas, submarine Narval, the patrol vessel Poulmic, and the subchasers Ch-6 and Ch-7.22 In an action at Libreville, Free French forces sank the sloop Bougainville in November, 1940.23
At the time of the collapse Darlan had sent a code order to each commanding officer: “I am no longer free. This last order is that you shall not surrender your ships.”24 On July 2, the British asked the officers and crews of the French ships in Alexandria to vote whether they would fight on or leave their ships, immobilized, at Alexandria. There was debate, but in the middle of the discussion some Italian planes started a bombing raid that brought the return fire of both British and French vessels. When the voting came it was decided that the ships were to be demilitarized in harbor and the crews repatriated.
In the West Indies an agreement was made among the Governors of Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Trinidad and the Commander of the British Caribbean Fleet, to demilitarize the Béarn, Emile Berlin, and Jeanne d’Arc. Two of the three auxiliaries were disarmed, and the planes on board the Béarn were taken ashore and much of their equipment removed.25
In Indo-China Lamotte-Picquel was badly damaged on January 16, 1941, in the war with Thai and had to go to Osaka, Japan, for overhaul. At the end of October she suddenly left, her repairs uncompleted.
This brings us to the actions which really became front-page news. The main part of the Mediterranean heavy squadron as listed was at Oran or Mers-el- Kebir (see map). The future of these ships was undecided, and on July 2, at the same time that similar action was being taken elsewhere, the Gibraltar squadron of British ships under Vice Admiral Sir James Somerville was dispatched to settle the matter.26 This squadron consisted of the capital ships Hood, Resolution, and Valiant, and the carrier Ark Royal, 3 cruisers and “many” destroyers. At 7:00 a.m. on July 3, a launch from the destroyer Foxhound arrived, and the following ultimatum to Vice Admiral Marcel Bruno Gensoul was presented on behalf of the British government:28
It is impossible for us to allow your fine ships to fall into the power of our German or Italian enemies . . .
We solemnly declare that we shall restore her territory to France. For this purpose, we must make sure that the best ships of the French Navy are not used against us by the common foe.
In these circumstances, His Majesty’s Government have instructed me to demand that the French Fleet now at Mers-el-Kebir and Oran shall act in accordance with one of the following alternatives:
(а) Sail with us and continue to fight for victory.
(b) Sail with reduced crews under our control to a British port.
(c) If either of these courses is adopted by you we will restore your ships to France at the conclusion of the war or pay full compensation if they arc damaged meanwhile.
Alternatively if you feel bound to stipulate that your ships are not to be used against the Germans or Italians unless they break the armistice conditions, then sail with us with reduced crews to some French port in the West Indies.
If you refuse these fair offers, I must, with profound regret, require you to sink your ships within six hours. Failing the above, I have orders of the Government to use whatever force may be necessary to prevent your ships from falling into German or Italian hands.
At 11:00 A.M., 5 British planes dropped mines in the openings of the submarine net, for the ultimatum was due to expire at 2:00 P.M.28 The expiration time was postponed, however, to 5:30, and Captain C. S. Holland, R. N. (previously naval attaché, Paris), went on board the flagship Dunkerque at 3:00 P.M. to see Gensoul personally. He left at 4:30, after a long interview, and at 5:58 the British ships opened fire. As the British were hidden by a smoke screen and firing from 7 miles behind Mers-el-Kebir promontory the French ships could not effectively return the British fire. It has been said that they neglected to raise steam with which to operate their turrets.29 Only Dunkerque and Provence were able to return the fire at first, and therefore the British concentrated upon them. The shore batteries on the promontory opened up and forced the British farther out to sea. They continued to fire heavily, however, concentrating on the fleet and the opening in the nets. Bretagne was hit by eight or nine 15-inch shells during the first 7 minutes, and then there was an explosion, after which she capsized in less than one minute. Thirty- nine of her officers and 1,100 of her 1,400 men were lost.30 Dunkerque, burning, got under way and ran herself ashore, Provence, after 1 ½ hours, was a smoking hulk also ashore, Strasbourg steamed to sea, firing all her guns, accompanied by the 5 cruisers and some destroyers which laid a protective smoke screen. These ships headed for Toulon or Bizerte, and all reached their destination, claiming to have shot down two of Ark Royal’s planes. These planes had carried out a torpedo attack on the escaping fleet and had hit Strasbourg at least once. The super-destroyer Mogador had to be beached because of hits received when passing the nets. Some reports also state that another super-destroyer (probably Volta), was sunk, although Sicard does not mention any additional losses. It appears that the British could have made it impossible for any ships to escape if they had been in position to the north and east of the harbor instead of away around to the west. Why they were not there has yet to be explained.
The question is now raised: what happened to the seaplane carrier Commandant Teste? Of her Sicard says, “ . . . Commandant Teste anchored about 200 yd. from the spot where Bretagne sank, was safe and did not seem to have been hit by a single shell or even a splinter.” That was after Strasbourg had left and Dunkerque had gone ashore. Later he states that “The only vessels remaining at Mers-el-Kebir [meaning the vicinity, Ed.] were: the battleships Dunkerque and Provence (beached), the destroyer Mogador (beached), and the Bretagne resting under water in her last sleep.” This all seems to indicate that Teste had left for Toulon. In all other reports that the writer has seen, the Teste was listed as sunk during the action, or, as another source says, “Next day British bombers came over, sank the Teste. . . .”31 Three days after that six bomb hits on Dunkerque were reported scored by a British squadron of planes.32 Thus ended the melancholy action at Oran. The Vichy Government immediately broke off diplomatic relations, as well it might, for it was calculated that the British had neutralized or destroyed 84 per cent of their capital ships, 48 per cent of the cruisers, the one aircraft carrier, at least 16 per cent of the destroyers, and more than 14 per cent of the submarines.33
At Dakar there were two actions—one in July and one in September. It will be remembered that Richelieu, which had been commissioned in April, had sailed for Dakar when the Atlantic coast ports were being occupied as the Germans advanced. She was ordered to return home, however, but later these orders were countermanded. Thus the most powerful ship in France’s Navy was at Dakar, the feeling and leanings of her crew unknown. Her status was, therefore, of great concern to the British. As the British acted elsewhere they also acted here. On July 8 a squadron of ships appeared over the horizon off Dakar and waited until nightfall. Then Lieutenant Commander R. H. Bristowe, R. N., took a twin-motored launch and headed toward the harbor. The expedition succeeded in crossing both of the anti-submarine booms and soon found themselves right under the stem of Richelieu. There, still undetected, they dumped overboard some depth charges which exploded with an all-awakening roar. Unfortunately one of their engines stopped and it was only with feverish action that they got it going again and left the harbor, pursued by a French launch which, fortunately, got caught in the boom.34 The next day some planes from H.M. aircraft carrier Hermes came over and launched five torpedoes at the already grounded Richelieu. A number were seen to hit and thus damaged she was left.35
On September 11, 1940, three light cruisers, Georges Leygues, Montcalm, and Gloire, accompanied by the super-destroyers Le Fantasque, Le Malin, and L’Audacieux, passed unimpeded through the Strait of Gibraltar on their way to the rebellious French colonies in Equatorial Africa. Churchill said in his speech of October 8 that they were allowed to pass only because of a series of blunders on the part of the British Admiralty. It was reported that Le Malin had run into Casablanca because of engine trouble. She may later have continued on to Dakar. As the remainder of the fleet passed Freetown, Sierra Leone, a British squadron forced them back to Dakar.36 Early in the morning of September 23, a plane flew over Dakar and dropped leaflets urging the populace and military forces to join the Free French movement and to fight on.37 At 7:30 A.M. a launch with a white flag appeared and presented demands for surrender, which Governor General Pierre Boisson refused. At about 9:00 A.M. a British squadron arrived 5 miles off Cape Manuel, and the shore batteries were ordered to open fire. The squadron is reported to have consisted of Barham and Resolution, 4 cruisers, 6 destroyers, and 6 transports carrying about 7,000 De Gaullist troops and also some British marines. Defending Dakar were the aforementioned ships from Toulon and 3 submarines, Ajax, Persée, and Bevezieres.38 Richelieu was at anchor, and they had to use a tug to swing her so that she could train her guns, her rudder and screws still being damaged. It is stated that there were also four forts, manned with 7,000 mixed troops. The British replied to the batteries and the bombardment lasted for eight hours. The French naval vessels also took part in the battle. Persée torpedoed a cruiser (reported to have been the Kent), but was herself sunk and another British cruiser was hit and badly damaged by a 15-inch shell from the shore batteries. The defenders’ losses were listed as 166 killed and 340 wounded on the 23d alone.39 Nothing was decided that day, so the attackers tried six landings in the vicinity of Rufisque, 21 miles east, during the night. Each group of 200 or so men were, however, repulsed with losses, and the transports withdrew to Bathurst.
The British admiral then sent an ultimatum demanding the surrender of Dakar by 6:00 A.M. of the 24th and threatened that upon refusal he would shell the city. Boisson refused, and the shelling started. Richelieu fired throughout the engagement and managed to make a direct hit or hits on the Resolution which gave the latter a decided list. Resolution is said to have been further damaged by a torpedo from the Bevezieres. The Richelieu suffered only minor hits but L’Audacieux was badly damaged and beached. Le Fantasque was set on fire and may also have been beached, or sunk, as was the submarine Ajax. The firing continued on the 25th and at times was even heavier than of the day before, but on the 26th the whole British-de Gaullist force withdrew to Bathurst. Thus ended the unsuccessful attempt to take Dakar, an attempt of military significance, which resulted in the death of 1,000 of the defenders.40
This completes the main actions which have changed the status of French fleet units since the Armistice. There have been, however, some events of lesser importance which should be mentioned here. On December 19, 1940, the submarine Sfax and the naval tanker Rhône were sunk by submarine action while on their way to Dakar from Casablanca. Previously, in November, the crew of the Vichy submarine Poncelet scuttled their ship off Port Gentil, Gabon.41 During the Syrian campaign the destroyer Le Chevalier Paul and the submarine Souffleur were sunk off Beirut on June 15 and 25, respectively.
Dunkerque has been fully repaired and was reported to have left Oran for Toulon.42 It is “ . . . stated as a fact that since Reichsfiihrer Hitler’s attack upon Russia some units of the French Mediterranean fleet have mutinied and once even attempted to seize the battleship Dunkerque, pride of the French Navy.”43 This is a change from the feeling right after Oran which prompted the Germans to relax the Armistice so that two squadrons of French planes could bomb Gilbraltar in reprisal.44 At Dakar, Richelieu was still damaged in August but may have been repaired by now.45 She is less of a menace to the British than is the probable operation of Nazi planes and U-boats out of Dakar.46 Some persons who have been in Dakar speak of as many as 15 submarines coming in or leaving harbor at once—an unnecessarily large force for any such base.
This brings us up to March, 1942, and for the fifth time we have the struggle between the forces for collaboration and those against it. Weygand was forced into retirement and his position partly filled by Rear Admiral Charles Platon, Vichy Secretary for Colonies. Platon was reported to be a Darlan man, that is, a rabid collaborationist. He was previously reported to have been active in manning French ships with crews of Fascist and collaborationist feelings. There were reports of an agreement with the following terms:47
(1) The French Fleet, manned by French sailors under “certain” key German officers, will be immediately released from its present internment in French ports to take over Mediterranean convoy duty, notably between Italian and French North Mediterranean ports and the Libyan possessions, as well as French Morocco.
(2) German soldiers will be withdrawn from the South Atlantic coastal regions between the Spanish frontier and the mouth of the Gironde, the policing and “protection” of which will then devolve on the French Army officered by French commanders under certain “key” German Staff officers.
(3) Transit facilities for arms, ammunition and men will be granted Axis forces on North African bases, the protection of which will be assured by French guns and the French Air Force.
(4) With acceptance of these military clauses Germany will immediately and “unconditionally” release all French prisoners of war.
(5) Germany will also considerably lighten the present formalities required for the crossing in either direction of the demarcation line, which itself will be so adjusted as to include Paris—at least as far as concerns the left bank of the River Seine —and Versailles.
It was further reported that there was still internal resistance in the cabinet to the first and third points. But if that resistance should break down and the action outlined be taken, there will be far-reaching changes in the military situation.
In conclusion it seems of value to list the forces available, especially those within reach and control of the Vichy government.
Disposition of the French Fleet as of March 1, 1942
|
||||
|
Under English or Free French Control |
At Colonial Vichy French Bases |
Losses |
Completed since War’s Start |
Capital ships |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 +Jean Bart |
Aircraft carriers |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Heavy cruisers |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Light cruisers |
149 |
6 |
1 |
048 |
Destroyers |
12 |
2 |
1649 |
749 |
Submarines |
7 |
150 |
1551 |
7 |
Ships under Vichy Control in Mediterranean
Capital ships 2: Dunkerque and Strasbourg
Seaplane carrier 1: Commandant Teste
Heavy cruisers 4: Algèrie, Colbert, Foch, and Dupleix
Light cruisers 4: La Galissonnière, Jean de Vienne, Marseillaise, and Primauguet
Destroyers 49: Le Hardi, L’Adroit,52 Foudroyant,52 Casque, Lansquenet, Mameluck, Siroco,53 Bison,52 Volta, Le Terrible, L’Indomplable, Aigle, Albatros, Gerfaut, Vautour, Epervier, Milan, Cassard, Vauquelin, Kersaint, Tartu, Lion, Guépard, Verdun, Vauban, Valmy, Tigre, Panthère (reported lost), L’Alcyon, Le Mars, La Palme, Bordelais, Boulonnais, Brestois, Fougueux, Frondeur, Simoun, Tempéte, Tramontane, Typhon, Trombe, Tornade, Orage (reported lost), La Pomone, L’Iphigenie, La Poursuivante, La Bayonnaise, Bombarde, Baliste
Submarines 66: La Praya, 19 Redoubtable, 4(?) Aurore,54 9 Saphir, 6 Requin, 18 Diane, and 9 Sirene.
“Certainly it would appear that the French Navy is no longer to be regarded as a first-class fleet, a sad calamity when one recalls the fine spirit that appeared to animate it in the early months of the war.” It is indeed sad, and it will be hard for the French Navy to regain its former position of respect and power. But as it stands, it is still of great importance as a potential weight on either side of the scales of naval power in the present worldwide conflict."
1. U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, vol. 66, p. 1171.
2. World Almanac 1940, p. 854. Major classes: capital chips (C.S.), aircraft carriers (A.C.), heavy and light cruisers (H.C. and L.C.), destroyers (DD), and submarines (SS).
3. L'Ocean (ex-Jean Bart) was demilitarized (fighting strength reduced by disarming) in 1937.
4. Includes 12 torpedo boats of the Pomone class.
5. All figures from Jane’s Fighting Ships 1940.
6. U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings, vol. 66, p. 1040.
7. Time, July 15, 1940, p. 28.
8. French naval losses Sept. 1939-Junc 1940:1 cruiser La Tour D’Auvergne, by internal explosion at Casablanca Sept. 18, 1939.
10 destroyers, Maillé Brézé, by fire and explosion in River Clyde April 30, 1940; La Railleuse, by internal explosion, Casablanca March 27, 1940; Bison, fired by bombs off Norwegian coast and then torpedoed as being beyond salvage; Chacal, Jaguar, L’Adroit, Foudroyant, Bourrasque, Ouragan, Siroco, all lost off Dunkirk, May-June, 1940.
2 submarines, Doris, missing off Belgian coast May, 1940; Morse, mined off Sfax, May, 1940.
9. 4 capital ships, Richelieu, Jean Bart, Clemenceau, and Gascogne; 2 aircraft carriers, Joffre and Painlevé; 3 light cruisers, De Grasse, Chateaurenault, Guichen; 29 destroyers, 11 Le Hardi, 4 Mogador, 14 L'Agile class.
10. Jane’s, 1940.
11. Of the building program, Richelieu sailed for Dakar, Jean Bart was towed uncompleted to Casablanca, and Clemenceau is reported to have been blown up on the ways. Gascogne does not appear to have been laid down. Joffre's and Painlevé's hulls arc reported to have been destroyed as were also those of over half of L’Agile class. The uncompleted hull of De Grasse was towed to England and the two others of the class seem not to have been started, as were the last four of Le Hardi class. Almost all submarines building were destroyed or scuttled, as were Achille, Agosta, and Ouessant (which were in full commission), off Brest, and Roland Morillot off Cherbourg. According to some reports these may have been raised and recommissioned by the Germans. One destroyer, Cyclone, was scuttled in the Channel in June, 1940.
12. Life Sept. 16, 1940, p. 30. Life Nov. 4, 1940, pp. 14 and 16.
13. Jane's. New York Herald Tribune, July 13, 1941.
14. Illustrated London News July 13, 1940, pp. 37-39.
15. U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings, vol. 67, pp. 440-441.
16. Time July 22,1940, p. 37.
17. New York Times Jan. 21, 1941.
18. U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings, vol. 67, p. 1664.
19. Among these were the crews of the small training schooners La Belle Poule and L’Etoile.
20. Time, July 15, 1940, p. 28.
21. U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings, vol. 66, p. 1494.
22. U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings, vol. 67, p. 731.
23. Jane’s, p. xviii.
24. Time, July 15, 1940, p. 28.
25. New York Times, Aug. 15, 1941
26. The following account is based on that of Lieutenant do Vaisscau Etienne Sicard, signal officer on the Bretagne and now Vichy French naval attaché at Tokyo.
27. New York Times, July 5, p. 4.
28. Continuation of Sicard’s account.
29. Life, Sept. 16,1940, p. 30
30. Life, Nov. 4, 1940, pp. 14-16.
31. Time, Sept. 16, p. 22.
32. Life, Sept. 16, p. 30.
33. New York Times, July 5.
34. Time, July 22, 1940, p. 37.
35. Ibid.
36. Life, July 22, 1940, p. 16.
37. Colonel Cary Ingram Crockett, U.S.A. (Retired), “Action at Dakar,” Coast Artillery Journal, p. 34.
38. Also three gunboats, names not reported.
39. U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings,vol.67, p.417
40. U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings, vol. 67, p. 418.
41. Both from Jane’s, p. xviii.
42. U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings, Aug., 1941 (Illustration). On Feb. 21 Darlan announced her arrival at Toulon and it was further reported that Teste, Provence and Mogador had been towed to Toulon for repairs earlier. New York Times, Feb. 22, 1942.
43. A.C Sedgwick, New York Times, Nov. 27, 1941.
44. New York Times, July 5, 1940.
45. U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings, vol. 67, p. 258. In a recent article (Saturday Evening Post, Jan. 10, 1942, p. 27) Mr. P. M. Atkins speaks of the Richelieu as having a badly fouled bottom and only two screws in full order. One other screw can be run at moderate speed and the fourth is out of commission.
46. See Baltimore, Sun, Sept. 28, 1941, and Philadelphia Bulletin, Sept. 14, 1941, for accounts concerning this.
47. Daniel T. Brigham, New York Times, Nov. 16,1941.
48. Plus De Grasse in England.
49. Le Fier of Agile class reported commissioned and then destroyed.
50. It is reported that a squadron (6) is in the Far East.
51. Including Surcouf, overdue and presumed lost, April, 1942. Beveziers and Le Hêros lost at Madagascar on May 4 and 5, respectively.
52. Formerly Epée, Fleuret, Corsaire, and Le Flibustier of Le Hardi class.
53. Jane’s, p. v.
54. The Germans announced on June 22,1940, that on entering Le Havre they captured four submarines on the ways. These would be La Bayadére, Artemis, Gorgone, and Hermione.