French Navy 1939–42

An authoritative, illustrated analysis of the official French Navy in World War II, under the command of the Third Republic and of Vichy.

At the outbreak of World War II, the Marine nationale was the most powerful navy in continental Europe, unified in its purpose of defending the nation and the colonial empire. It was the product of the unique 1920s–30s French naval doctrine and armaments development, as a continental power with worldwide interests. The fall of France shattered this unity, as the fleet split between loyalty to Vichy and Free France.

In this book, Hugues Canuel presents a sharp, focused operational study of the official French Navy in World War II, from action alongside its British allies in 1939–40 to the fiery end of the Vichy fleet in Toulon harbour in 1942. Based on a wealth of French, British, and American archive material and drawing on the author's years of research, it explores France's warships and their capabilities, the roles the fleet was structured to perform, and the combat they saw – including operations off Norway and tackling German raiders in the Atlantic, operations in Indochina, and the battle with the Allies in Operation Torch.

Illustrated throughout with rare photos, spectacular battlescenes, 3D diagrams of engagements and fleet formations, and a map of France’s naval responsibilities, this book is an essential guide to one of the least-known major navies of World War II.