Difference between revisions of "La Combattante"

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== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
La Combattante, despite its classification, is closer to a corvette or escort-destroyer than a proper destroyer. This ship is meant to be played as a support vessel, engaging and easily destroying enemy Coastal Vessels. With its four 4 inch guns firing every 3.6 seconds, you can one-shot many Coastal Vessels using its potent SAP shell. To make this easier, make sure to turn off "Turret Ranging Shot" in your Options menu and single fire your main guns to make adjustments after each shot. This will increase your chances of dispatching an enemy torpedo boat. Here are the Key Points to remember that will guarantee better performance in battle using La Combattante:
 +
 
 +
'''Key Point 1: Prioritise Coastal Vessel'''
 +
 
 +
This vessel's bread-and-butter is blowing enemy speed boats out of the water. Your rapid-firing 4-inch guns will do quick work of most opponents, while your powerful secondary armaments will give you cover against air targets and other Coastal Vessels while you focus on your main target. Your 40mm Bofors, Pom-Pom, and 20mm Oerlikons will save you from unexpected threats. However, your slow speed, lack of armour, and all around low-survivability makes you a very easy target for regular Destroyers and Light Cruisers which sport heavy guns and ticker armour.
 +
 
 +
'''Key Point 2: Attack Capture Zones Closer to the Coastal Spawns'''
 +
 
 +
Once you handled the initial wave of Coastal Vessels, move into the capture and secure it. This is an easy way to gain SL and RP. Your firepower will also allow you to fend off successive waves of enemy torpedo boats after you captured the point. Your secondaries will also blast away any aeroplanes looking to attack your teammates.
 +
 
 +
'''Key Point 3: Lay in Ambush Using Cover to Strike Unsuspecting Destroyers'''
 +
 
 +
Needless to say, your slow speed and lack of armour puts you at a great disadvantage against regular Destroyers. Avoid engaging those, especially if they are of a higher BR, and stick to small islands to hide yourself. Once you spot an enemy vessel already engaging a friendly, this is your time to pounce and strike. Use your quick rate of fire to hit your enemy's ammunition magazine or, if you can't penetrate its armour, to disable modules such as the Battle Bridge, Main Guns, or Engine/Funnel. While in theory you should avoid brawls, however, if this is part of an ambush, don't hesitate to go flank ahead and use your four torpedoes to swiftly destroy your prey. Remember, if you want to win in this ship against better opponents, surprise is the key.
 +
 
 +
'''Key Point 4: Avoid Open Waters'''
 +
 
 +
Following from Key Point 3, your ship is NOT survivable, and as such, you need to have islands and cover in case an engagement goes poorly so you may retreat and repair in a safe spot. Avoid Capture Points in open waters and areas with no cover. When you spawn, sail at best speed to the area of the map that is populated by islands. This is your ideal hunting ground, where you can lay in wait for an unsuspecting enemy.
 +
 
 +
'''''Conclusion:''''' ''Use La Combattante as a predatory animal; prey on small Coastal Vessels and ambush larger Destroyers''. Beware of the dead zone for your main guns when aiming straight on.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===

Revision as of 11:27, 8 November 2024

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
This page is about the French bluewater destroyer La Combattante. For coastal Motor Gun Boat, see La Combattante P730.
La Combattante
fr_destroyer_hunt_3series.png
GarageImage La Combattante.jpg
La Combattante
AB RB SB
4.0 4.0 4.0
Class:
Research:5 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:6 300 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

La Combattante was originally a British Hunt-class destroyer, HMS Haldon, laid down in January 1941. While still in the shipyard, her hull was damaged during a German air raid in March 1941. In 1942, after the ship's construction was completed, she was transferred to the Free French Navy and renamed La Combattante. On her first combat duty, a convoy escort through the English Channel, she rescued the crew of a Liberty ship that had struck a mine. In 1944, she and the frigate HMS Rowley engaged German torpedo boats, leading to the sinking of S-147. About three weeks later, she had a similar encounter, sinking S-141. In the summer of 1944, the destroyer participated in Operation Neptune, during which she destroyed several coastal batteries with artillery fire. Her fate was sealed on 23 February 1945, when she struck a mine while patrolling the English Channel, sinking shortly thereafter with the loss of 117 crew members.

Introduced in Update "Kings of Battle", Hunt-class, La Combattante, 1944 is a slow destroyer with a low crew count and no hull armour. Consequently, she is unable to exchange fire with other destroyers or move quickly enough to avoid danger. The key to using this vessel effectively is to be on the offensive, landing the first shots in order to win exchanges with her superior armament before the enemy can respond. La Combattante is most effective when staying near the coast and engaging enemy boats attempting to capture objectives. If an enemy destroyer is approaching, it is advisable to form a group with friendly vessels before deciding to engage.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Main fire tower3 / 3 / 0 mm
Hull16 mm (steel)
Superstructure4 mm (steel)
Number of section7
Displacement1 490 t
Crew168 people

Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armaments separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips on preserving survivability for the "Usage in battles" section. If necessary, use a graphical template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB61 / 31 km/h
RB50 / 25 km/h

Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.

Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode Upgrade Status Maximum Speed (km/h) Turn Time (s) Turn Radius (m)
Forward Reverse
AB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 61 31
RB/SB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 50 25

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB631 → 820 Sl icon.png
RB1 003 → 1 304 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications5 970 Rp icon.png
4 530 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost410 Ge icon.png
Crew training1 800 Sl icon.png
Experts6 300 Sl icon.png
Aces80 Ge icon.png
Research Aces135 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
60 / 130 / 100 % Sl icon.png
106 / 106 / 106 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Seakeeping Unsinkability Firepower
Mods new ship hull.png
Dry-Docking
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship rudder.png
Rudder Replacement
Research:
220 Rp icon.png
Cost:
165 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship screw.png
Propeller Replacement
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
190 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship engine.png
Engine Maintenance
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods ship damage control crew.png
Damage Control Division
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods ship fire control crew.png
Fire Division
Research:
220 Rp icon.png
Cost:
165 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods engine smoke screen system.png
Smokescreen
Research:
220 Rp icon.png
Cost:
165 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods ship anti fragmentation protection.png
Shrapnel Protection
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
190 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods ship venting.png
Ventilation
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
190 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship pumps.png
New Pumps
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods ship ammo wetting.png
Ammo Wetting
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
102mm_uk_mkxvi_navy_SAP_ammo_pack
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
40mm_qf_mkxv_he_ammo_pack
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods new aa caliber turrets.png
Anti-Air Armament Targeting
Research:
240 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods he frag dist fuse ship.png
102mm_uk_mkxvi_navy_he_dist_fuse_ammo_pack
Research:
220 Rp icon.png
Cost:
165 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
40mm_qf_mkxv_ap_ammo_pack
Research:
220 Rp icon.png
Cost:
165 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods new aux caliber turrets.png
Auxiliary Armament Targeting
Research:
220 Rp icon.png
Cost:
165 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods he frag dist fuse ship.png
102mm_uk_mkxvi_navy_he_radio_fuse_ammo_pack
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
190 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods ship rangefinder.png
Improved Rangefinder
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
190 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods new main caliber turrets.png
Primary Armament Targeting
Research:
250 Rp icon.png
Cost:
190 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods torpedo.png
Torpedo Mode
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods ship mortar.png
Bomb mortar
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png

Armament

Primary armament

2 х Turret2 x 4 inch/45 Mark XVI cannon
Ammunition400 rounds
Vertical guidance-10° / 80°

Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: {{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
1,000 m 2,500 m 5,000 m 7,500 m 10,000 m 15,000 m
4 inch HE HE 20 20 20 20 20 20
4 inch SAP SAP 102 85 64 48 38 30
4 inch HE-TF HE-TF 20 20 20 20 20 20
4 inch HE-VT HE-VT 20 20 20 20 20 20
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(s)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
4 inch HE HE 811 15.88 0 0.1 1,550 79° 80° 81°
4 inch SAP SAP 811 17.35 0.015 5 600 47° 60° 65°
4 inch HE-TF HE-TF 811 15.88 0 0.1 1,550 79° 80° 81°
Proximity-fused shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Arming
distance (m)
Trigger
radius (m)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
4 inch HE-VT HE-VT 811 15.88 0 0.1 274 18 1,550 79° 80° 81°

Secondary armament

Turret40 mm 2pdr QF Mk.VIII automatic cannon
Ammunition2240 rounds
Belt capacity56 rounds
Fire rate200 shots/min
Turret4 x 40 mm 2pdr QF Mk.VIII automatic cannon
Ammunition8960 rounds
Belt capacity56 rounds
Fire rate200 shots/min

Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control Select secondary weapon. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.

  • Universal: HEF · AP-T · HEF · AP-T
  • 40 mm HE: HEF · HEF · HEF · AP-T
  • 40 mm AP: AP-T · AP-T · AP-T · HEF

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
HEF 3 3 3 3 3 3
AP-T 60 57 48 39 32 26
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
HEF 701 0.82 0 0.1 71 79° 80° 81°
AP-T 701 0.91 - - - 47° 60° 65°

Anti-aircraft armament

3 х Turret20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.II autocannon
Ammunition1800 rounds
Belt capacity60 rounds
Fire rate450 shots/min

An important part of the ship's armament responsible for air defence. Anti-aircraft armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control Select anti-aircraft weapons. Talk about the ship's anti-air cannons and machine guns, the number of guns and their positions, their effective range, and about their overall effectiveness – including against surface targets. If there are no anti-aircraft armaments, remove this section.

Additional armament

Setup 12 x 533 mm Mk.IX** torpedo
Setup 230 x Y-gun Mk.VII depth charge
Setup 32 x 533 mm Mk.IX** torpedo
6 x Y-gun Mk.VII depth charge

Describe the available additional armaments of the ship: depth charges, mines, torpedoes. Talk about their positions, available ammunition and launch features such as dead zones of torpedoes. If there is no additional armament, remove this section.

Usage in battles

La Combattante, despite its classification, is closer to a corvette or escort-destroyer than a proper destroyer. This ship is meant to be played as a support vessel, engaging and easily destroying enemy Coastal Vessels. With its four 4 inch guns firing every 3.6 seconds, you can one-shot many Coastal Vessels using its potent SAP shell. To make this easier, make sure to turn off "Turret Ranging Shot" in your Options menu and single fire your main guns to make adjustments after each shot. This will increase your chances of dispatching an enemy torpedo boat. Here are the Key Points to remember that will guarantee better performance in battle using La Combattante:

Key Point 1: Prioritise Coastal Vessel

This vessel's bread-and-butter is blowing enemy speed boats out of the water. Your rapid-firing 4-inch guns will do quick work of most opponents, while your powerful secondary armaments will give you cover against air targets and other Coastal Vessels while you focus on your main target. Your 40mm Bofors, Pom-Pom, and 20mm Oerlikons will save you from unexpected threats. However, your slow speed, lack of armour, and all around low-survivability makes you a very easy target for regular Destroyers and Light Cruisers which sport heavy guns and ticker armour.

Key Point 2: Attack Capture Zones Closer to the Coastal Spawns

Once you handled the initial wave of Coastal Vessels, move into the capture and secure it. This is an easy way to gain SL and RP. Your firepower will also allow you to fend off successive waves of enemy torpedo boats after you captured the point. Your secondaries will also blast away any aeroplanes looking to attack your teammates.

Key Point 3: Lay in Ambush Using Cover to Strike Unsuspecting Destroyers

Needless to say, your slow speed and lack of armour puts you at a great disadvantage against regular Destroyers. Avoid engaging those, especially if they are of a higher BR, and stick to small islands to hide yourself. Once you spot an enemy vessel already engaging a friendly, this is your time to pounce and strike. Use your quick rate of fire to hit your enemy's ammunition magazine or, if you can't penetrate its armour, to disable modules such as the Battle Bridge, Main Guns, or Engine/Funnel. While in theory you should avoid brawls, however, if this is part of an ambush, don't hesitate to go flank ahead and use your four torpedoes to swiftly destroy your prey. Remember, if you want to win in this ship against better opponents, surprise is the key.

Key Point 4: Avoid Open Waters

Following from Key Point 3, your ship is NOT survivable, and as such, you need to have islands and cover in case an engagement goes poorly so you may retreat and repair in a safe spot. Avoid Capture Points in open waters and areas with no cover. When you spawn, sail at best speed to the area of the map that is populated by islands. This is your ideal hunting ground, where you can lay in wait for an unsuspecting enemy.

Conclusion: Use La Combattante as a predatory animal; prey on small Coastal Vessels and ambush larger Destroyers. Beware of the dead zone for your main guns when aiming straight on.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Fast-firing main guns
  • Excellent firepower from secondary guns against aeroplanes and Coastal Vessels
  • Small size (harder to hit)
  • Good SAP round
  • Has access to HE-VT for main guns
  • Good manoeuvrability

Cons:

  • Slow speed for a destroyer
  • No significant armour
  • Low crew count
  • Small size (low survivability in case of hit)
  • Blind spot for main guns when aiming dead ahead

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the ship and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Ship-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the ship's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the ship;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company
Destroyers 
G-class  ORP Garland
K-class  HMS Kelvin
Battle-class  HMS Cadiz
Hunt-class  La Combattante*
Light Cruisers 
Town-class  HMS Liverpool
Heavy Cruisers 
County-class  HMS Norfolk
Battlecruisers 
Renown-class  HMS Renown
  *HMS Haldon in French service

France destroyers
Bourrasque-class  Bourrasque · Tornade
Chacal-class  Chacal · Leopard · Panthere
Aigle-class  Aigle · Vautour · Milan
Vauquelin-class  Vauquelin
Le Fantasque-class  Le Malin · Le Triomphant
Mogador-class  Mogador
Hunt-class  La Combattante
Trophies  Germany
Desaix-class¹  Kleber
Type 1936  Marceau
  Italy
Chateaurenault-class²  Guichen
  Modified: ¹Type 1934A-class destroyers · ²Capitani Romani-class cruisers