Richelieu

The battleship Richelieu, 95% complete in 1939, was on trial during the German invasion in 1940. She left Brest in June 1940 with a division of auxiliary cruisers and gold reserves from the Banque de France and other countries. Arrived in Dakar, he is immobilized by the armistice.

The British attacked the Richelieu twice in July and September 1940, damaging the ship. After a refit in New York in 1943, she took part in Allied operations against Japan. After the war, it was repaired and paid homage to the Japanese surrender in Singapore.

The Richelieu was involved in operations in Indochina and returned to France in 1946. It was used for missions and exercises until it was placed in reserve in 1956. Then used as a school in Brest, it was finally dismantled in Italy in 1969 .