Dunkerque

(Neptun 1404)

Class: Dunkerque - 2 fast battleships of 1932-34
Displacement: 26,500 tons
Dimensions: 702 (oa) x 102 x 28 ft.
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, S.H.P. 100,000 = 29.5 knots
Armor: Main belt 225mm (at waterline), 180mm (at main deck); 30mm longitudinal torpedo bulkhead; 2 protective decks: 125mm and 50mm (lower); Main turrets and Conning tower: 355mm; barbettes 310mm
Armament: 8-13in (2x4), 16-5.1in DP (3x4,2x2), 10-37mm AA (5x2) guns, 32-13.2mm MG (8x4); 2 aircraft
Complement: 1,431

Service: Dunkerque and sister Strasbourg were both present at Mers-el-Kebir on 3 Jul 1940 when a British ultimatum was refused and Adm Somerville of Force "H" fired on the French ships. Dunkerque was damaged while trying to get underway and forced to anchor; the next day she was attacked again by torpedo aircraft from HMS Ark Royal and further damaged, sinking in shallow water. Repairs took many months, interrupted by several fires. She finally was able to sail to Toulon in Feb 1942, where she entered dry dock for more permanent repairs. Strasbourg escaped the British fire and sailed into the open sea; she arrived at Toulon the next day despite attacks by carrier aircraft. Both were scuttled at Toulon 27 Nov 1942 when the Germans occupied southern France in response to the Allied invasion of French North Africa.