Dunkerque's history was not filled with epic victories in combat or spectacular achievements; nonetheless, she participated in two major historic events that changed the balance of power in the Mediterranean, making her an important vessel from an historical perspective, even if she did not sink any hostile vessels in anger.
Dunkerque's history began with her keel laid down on 24 December 1932 at the Arsenal de Brest. Upon her launch on 2 October 1935, she lacked the first 17 metres of her bow, which was later completed at the Laninon graving docks. Her initial sea trials began in April 1936, even before her superstructures were fully complete, and with some secondary and light anti-aircraft guns yet to be installed. Dunkerque attained a speed of 29.43 knots during trials on 15 May.
Fully commissioned in December 1936, her trials extended into 1938, marked by extensive machinery tests and gunnery evaluations, with minor modifications made throughout the testing period. In May 1937, she represented France at the Naval Review at Portsmouth, United Kingdom, for the coronation of King George VI, which was followed by a French naval review off the Île de Sein later that month. Throughout 1937 and into 1938, she conducted extensive gunnery trials and fleet exercises off the coast of Brittany and in the Morgat area. From 20 January 1938 until 6 March 1938, she embarked on an endurance cruise, visiting the Caribbean and Senegal.
On 1 September 1938, Dunkerque officially became the flagship of the Atlantic Squadron and began exercises with the rest of the squadron, including operations with the aircraft carrier Béarn and gunnery exercises against the hulk of the Danton-class battleship Voltaire.
World War Two begins
At the onset of the Second World War, Dunkerque, alongside her sister ship Strasbourg, formed the core of France's Force de Raid, an elite squadron tasked with hunting German surface raiders and protecting Allied shipping routes. Throughout 1939 and early 1940, she participated in several missions, including convoy escorts across the Atlantic and collaborative operations with British naval forces.
British at Mers-el-Kébir
In June 1940, following France's armistice with Germany, concerns grew within the British government about the fate of the French fleet potentially falling into Axis hands. This led to Operation Catapult, aimed at neutralizing the French naval assets. On 3 July 1940, British forces arrived at Mers-el-Kébir and issued an ultimatum to the French fleet, including Dunkerque.
After negotiations failed, the British opened fire.
Dunkerque was struck by four 15-inch shells: the first ricocheted off Turret II; the second penetrated an unarmoured section of the aft hull without detonating, causing only minor damage; and the final two penetrated through the main belt into the engine and boiler rooms, killing 180 crew members and causing flooding and significant internal damage, which forced her to be beached to prevent sinking. During the action, Dunkerque opened fire at the British vessels but failed to score any hits.
Three days later, on 6 July, the British launched a second attack using Swordfish torpedo bombers. While the attack resulted in no direct hits to Dunkerque, a torpedo struck the motor torpedo boat Terre-Neuve, moored on Dunkerque’s starboard side near the superfiring main gun turret. Moments later, the depth charges stored on the MTB detonated in an enormous explosion equivalent to 1,400 kg of TNT. This caused far more damage than the earlier hits from the 15-inch guns, bending internal torpedo bulkheads, decks, and double-bottom plates, dislodging two of the main belt armour plates and two fire directors, tearing off external plating, and killing a further 30 sailors.
Despite the severe damage, her magazines remained intact, and efforts were made to repair Dunkerque. Temporary repairs allowed her to be refloated, and eventually, in February 1942, she returned to Toulon for full restoration.
The night of 27 November 1942
In November 1942, as German forces advanced to occupy Vichy France, the French Navy decided to scuttle its fleet to prevent it from falling into German hands. Dunkerque was scuttled in dry dock by her crew. As German soldiers entered the docks in Toulon, the crew began flooding the dock and detonated explosive charges set inside the vessel. German soldiers stood, watching as seawater flooded the crippled vessel. When Italian forces, who were interested in acquiring French naval assets, inspected Dunkerque after the scuttling, they found the damage too extensive to justify salvage or repair efforts. She remained in the dockyard as a wreck for the remainder of the war.
Post-war, the remains of Dunkerque were assessed and deemed beyond repair. She was officially stricken from the naval register on 15 September 1955 and sold for scrap on 30 September 1958.
Sources
- French Battleships, 1922 - 1956 by John Jordan & Robert Dumas
- Les Cuirassés : Dunkerque - Strabourg, Richelieu, Jean Bart by Robert Dumas
