Dunkerque

The battleship Dunkerque was built in Brest between 1932 and 1937. She was floated in 1935 and commissioned for trials in 1936. After official trials, she made her first voyage in May 1937 during British naval reviews. She then continued her sea trials, undergoing repairs and adjustments until she was commissioned into active service in September 1938, becoming the flagship of the Atlantic Squadron.

During the period before the Second World War, Dunkerque carried out various escort missions, notably covering the return of the cruiser Jeanne d'Arc from the West Indies and carrying out diplomatic visits abroad. At the start of the war, she was involved in escort and patrol missions in the Atlantic.

In 1940 he was involved in the attack on Mers-el-Kébir, where the French fleet was attacked by the British to prevent it from falling into the hands of Nazi Germany. The Dunkirk suffered significant damage during this attack.

After the French defeat, Dunkerque was based at Mers-el-Kébir and continued to undergo repairs and modifications. In 1942 she was sent to Toulon for repairs but was scuttled to avoid capture by the Germans. Her wreck was partially dismantled and sold for scrap in 1958.