Contents

 

1. FRENCH NAVY - 2. POLISH NAVY - 3. GERMAN NAVY - 4. US NAVY in EUROPE

 

 

---

 

Background Events - September 1939-March 1940
Battle of Atlantic starts, 'Phoney War' on land, Battle of River Plate

 

---

 

 

1. FRENCH NAVY

Amiral de Flotte Jean L X Francois Darlan

 

Major Squadrons - French Channel and Biscay Ports - Mediterranean Ports –

Overseas Atlantic Ports - Asia/Pacific

 

 

 

Major Squadrons

 

BREST

 

1st SQUADRON, Force de Raid (Vice Amiral Marcel B Gensoul)

1st Line Division - battlecruisers DUNKERQUE (comp 1 May 37, Flag, Gensoul, CV J L Negadelle, CV M J M Seguin from 16 Oct), STRASBOURG (Dec 1938, CV J F E Bouxin, CV D A J Collinett from 22 Dec)

Aircraft carrier - BÉARN (comp 29 Jan 26, CV M M A Lafargue, CV Y E Aubert from 7 Oct)

4th Cruiser Division (Contre Amiral C J L Bourrague) - light cruisers GEORGES LEYGUES (comp 4 Dec 37, Flag, CV R L Perot, CV Bernaud from 10 Nov), GLOIRE (4 Dec 37, CV F H R De Belot), MONTCALM (27 Oct 37, CV P J Ronarc'h, CV J L de Corbiere from 5 Jan 40)

 

2nd LIGHT SQUADRON (Contre Amiral E M Lacroix)

6th Large Destroyer Division - MOGADOR (comp 8 Apr 39, Flag, CF P Maerten), VOLTA (6 Mar 39, CF C V E Jacquinet)

8th Large Destroyer Division - LE MALIN (1 May 35, CF G E Graziani, CF L M J A Deprez from 5 Nov), LE TRIOMPHANT (1 Oct 35, CF M M P Pothau) L'INDOMPTABLE (10 Feb 35, Leader, CV P T J Barnaud, CV E G M Barthes from 9 Nov),

10th Large Destroyer Division - L'AUDACIEUX (27 Nov 35, CF L M Clatin, CF E Derrien from 5 Dec 39), LE FANTASQUE (10 Mar 35, Leader, CV P A B Still), LE TERRIBLE (1 Oct 35, CF A E R Bonneau)

 

ORAN

arrived from Toulon on 2 Sep

 

2nd SQUADRON (Vice Amiral E L H Ollive, later left Squadron to take up new post at Casablanca, Contre Amiral J F E Bouxin from 22 Dec)

Battleship - PROVENCE (comp 20 Jan 16, Flag, CV G T E Barois)

2nd Line Division (Contre Amiral P J E Vallee) - battleships BRETAGNE (comp 29 Nov 15, CV H J M Seguin, CV L R E Le Pivian from 16 Oct), LORRAINE (1 Jul 16, Flag, Vallee until 16 Oct, CV G O L Aubin, CV M L M Rey from 16 Oct)

 

1st Destroyer Flotilla (CV L M C Longaud)

1st Division - LA PALME (comp 6 Feb 28, Leader, Longaud), LE MARS (20 Jan 28, CC F R Lamorte), TEMPÊTE (28 Sep 26, CC F A M C Pellegrin)

3rd Division - LA RAILLEUSE (15 Mar 28, CC J E C Hourcade), LE FORTUNÉ (1 Jul 28, Leader, CF C M L D'Hespel), SIMOUN (29 Apr 28, CC F Hainguerlot, CC M J G Bataille from 28 Nov)

7th Division - TORNADE (10 May 28, CC R G A Labat, CC J A M F Delbeil from 1 Oct), TRAMONTANE (comp 15 Oct 27, Leader, CF R M J A Renault), TYPHON (27 Jun 28, CC Y M J Le Hagre, CC G B H Jouanin from 30 Oct)

 

TOULON

 

3rd SQUADRON (Vice Amiral E A H Duplat)

1st Cruiser Division (Vice Amiral E A H Duplat) - heavy cruisers ALGÉRIE (comp 15 Sep 34, Flag, CV L H M Nouvel de la Fleche), DUPLEIX (20 Jul 32, CV L L M Hameury), FOCH (15 Sep 31, CV J Mathieu)

2nd Cruiser Division (Contre Amiral E J R M Kerdudo) - heavy cruisers COLBERT (comp 4 Mar 31, CV E H M A A Du Tour), DUQUESNE (6 Dec 28, Flag, Kerdudo, CV P S R Husson, CV G E Besineau from 20 Nov), TOURVILLE (1 Dec 28, CV A J A Marloy)

 

3rd LIGHT SQUADRON (Contre Amiral E H H N Derrien)

5th Large Destroyer Division - CHEVALIER PAUL (comp 24 Aug 34, CF J M L Bonnot), TARTU (8 Feb 33, Leader, CV J M Chomel), VAUQUELIN (29 Mar 34, CF R Jaujard)

7th Large Destroyer Division - ALBATROS (25 Jan 32, CF R G Lambert), GERFAUT (15 Mar 32, CF M J A H Penet), VAUTOUR (1 Jun 32, Leader, CV G F J M Reboul Hector-Berlioz)

9th Large Destroyer Division - CASSARD (6 Oct 33, CF R A A Braxmeyer), KERSAINT (14 Jan 34, CF G L J Rebuffel), MAILLÉ BRÉZÉ (25 Apr 33, Flag, CF H M E A Glotin)

 

 

French Channel and Biscay Ports

 

ADMIRAL NORTH

 Amiral Raoul V P Castex, Vice Amiral J J G M La Bigot from 17 Nov to 20 Dec,

Amiral J M C Abrial from 20 Dec

Headquarters at Dunkirk

 

11th Destroyer Division - torpedo boats BRANLEBAS (comp 16 Mar 38, CC H L J Nomy) at Cherbourg, LA CORDELIÈRE (1 Dec 37, Leader, CF H A J Robinet de Plas), L'INCOMPRISE (16 Mar 38, CC A A P Gras), both at Dunkirk

 

1st Sloop Squadron - AMIRAL MOUCHEZ (comp 1937, LV de Reserve Saulnier) arr Cherbourg 24 Aug from oceanographic research, old sloops ARRAS (1918, CC H F Dagorn), GASTON RIVIER (1918, no CO listed), QUENTIN ROOSEVELT (1916, LV A M J De Lesquen du Plessis-Casso), all at Cherbourg.

 

The Squadron was reinforced on 23 Sep by sloop ÉPINAL (CC Bor) and shortly after by sloop AMIENS (CC Monick). ARRAS and AMIRAL MOUCHEZ assembled at Dunkirk 20 Sep and ÉPINAL on 28 Sep. AMIENS arr Dunkirk 27 Dec

 

Sloops attached to naval aviation - BELFORT (comp 1919, LV P A Viel) at Boulogne, DILIGENTE (1917, CC P A C De Cornulier- Luciniere) at Dunkirk

 

16th Submarine Division - AMAZONE (comp Oct 1933, LV R H G Richard), ANTIOPE (Oct 1932, LV M A L Balastre), LA SYBILLE (Dec 1934, LV G L M Blaison, repairing to comp 27 Oct), ORPHÉE (Jun 1933, Leader, CC L E Y M Courson, repairing to comp 31 Jan 40), all at Cherbourg

 

Minelayer - POLLUX (CC C Blayo) depot ship for port flotilla and MTB's, at Cherbourg

 

 

ADMIRAL WEST

Vice Amiral Jean J J de Laborde

Headquarters at Brest

 

Admiral West 2nd Naval Region

Vice Amiral M E F Traub

 

3rd Line Division (Contre Amiral J H CF Moreau, CV P L Guillerm from 1 Sep) - battleships COURBET (com 19 Nov 1913, CV A M J Croiset), PARIS (1 Aug 14, Flag, CV P L Guillerm)

 

2nd Large Destroyer Division (CV de reserve Defforges) - CHACAL (com 12 Jun 26, CF R Roques) under repair at Brest until 20 Oct, JAGUAR (24 Jul 26, Leader, CF M J Adam), LÉOPARD (10 Oct 27, CF J H Duroche), PANTHÈRE (10 Oct 26, CF E J G Mando) attached provisionally pending comp of CHACAL's repairs

 

2nd Destroyer Squadron (CV Y F C A M Urvoy de Portzamparc)

2nd Division - FOUGUEUX (comp 15 Jun 30, Leader, CF C A Loisel, CF E E Y Poher from 9 Oct), FRONDEUR (28 Oct 31, CC H L Alix), L'ADROIT (1 Jul 29, CC H M A Dupin de Saint -Cyr)

4th Division - BOURRASQUE (23 Sep 26, Leader, CF R G A Fouque), ORAGE (1 Dec 26, CC R V M Viennot de Vanblanc), OURAGAN (19 Jan 27, CC J M J Tariel)

5th Division - BOULONNAIS (25 Jun 28, CC J CF Champion), BRESTOIS (15 Jun 28, Leader, CF J G Quedec), FOUDROYANT (10 Oct 30, CC P L A Fontaine)

6th Division - CYCLONE (1 Jun 28, Leader, Urvoy de Portzamparc) under repair until 4 Sep, MISTRAL (1 Jun 27, CC E P Ferrand), SIROCCO (1 Jul 27, CC J Lapebie), all at Cherbourg under repair, dep for Brest 4 Sep

 

4th Submarine Squadron (CF M A H Leportier) - SURCOUF (comp May 1934, CC P M H Martin) under direct orders of Naval Staff, en route to Fort de France, arr 6 Sep

2nd Division - ACHILLE (1932, LV P A G Terlier), CASABIANCA (1935, Leader, CC F M Carre, CC R L B Sacaze from 4 Nov), PASTEUR (1932, LV P E A E Mertz) under repair until end of first week Sep, SFAX (1935, LV M J M Groix) under repair until third week of Sep

4th Division - detached to Admiral South (qv)

6th Division - AJAX (1933, CC T F Guimont) under repair until Jan 40, ARCHIMÈDE (1932, LV R F J Attane), PERSÉE (1933, Leader, CC M J B Lapierre), PONCELET (1932, LV P H S B De Saussine du Pont de Gault)

8th Division - AGOSTA (1935, Leader, CC A E Beaussant), BÉVÉZIERS (1936, LV H Nicolau) under repair at Cherbourg until 14 Oct, OUESSANT (1937, CC C Lecreux), SIDI FERRUCH (1939, LV Y M E Lostie de Kerhor de Saint-Hippolyte) under repair at Cherbourg until 13 Sep)

 

2nd Sloop Squadron - COMMANDANT DUBOC (comp 1939, CC J M J Bluzet), COMMANDANT RIVIÈRE (1939, CC J F U M De Gantes) working up at Lorient, ÉLAN (1939, CC J M J Bluzet) working up at Brest, old sloops COUCY (1919, CC L M L Le Floch), ÉPINAL (1919, CC C R V Bor), SOMME (1917, CC R M Guillard), SUIPPE (1918, CC M R Lewden), VAUQUOIS (1919, CC R M F Villebrun)

 

 

Admiral West 5th Naval Region

 Vice Amiral H L M De Penfentyo de Kervereguin

 

14th Destroyer Division - torpedo boats BOUCLIER (comp 6 Aug 38, Leader, CC P Parion), LA FLORE (25 Nov 36, CC F M N P Madelin), LA MELPOMÈNE (20 Nov 36, CC H P M L M Lachese), all at Lorient

 

5th Sloop Squadron - CHAMOIS (comp 1939, CF M L J Moreau), COMMANDANT BORY (1939, CC R Leblanc, working up at Lorient), LE CHEVREUIL (1939, CC H M J De Veillecheze de La Mardiere), old sloops AILETTE (1918, CF A L E Barbier, CC R C A A Duval from 16 Oct), DUBOURDIEU (1918, CC J Y M M Tromeur), LURONNE (1917, LV F A G M Le Roux, at St Nazaire), all at Lorient

 

 

 

Mediterranean Ports

 

ADMIRAL SOUTH

Amiral Jean Pierre Estava

 

3rd Naval Region, Toulon

 Vice Amiral E L H Ollive

 

4th Large Destroyer Division - LYNX (comp 10 Oct 27, CF A M De Gouyon Matignon de Pontourade), PANTHÈRE detached to 2nd Large Destroyer Division (qv), TIGRE (1 Feb 26, Leader, CV C G De Vedrines, CV M De La Forest Divonne from 2 Dec) repairing until 15 Oct

 

13th Destroyer Division - torpedo boats BALISTE (comp 24 May 38, Leader, CF J F Rue), LA BAYONNAISE (1 Apr 38, CC H P A Vaillant), LA POURSIVANTE (5 Nov 37, CC M J De Metz)

 

3rd Sloop Squadron - AMIENS (comp 1919, CC J M C De Boysson), DÉDAIGNEUSE (1916, LV (R) Coadou), LASSIGNY (1919, CC Robillard from 14 Feb 40), LES ÉPARGES (1919, LV A M G Hurault, LV A Guyot from 27 Nov)

 

1st SUBMARINE FLOTILLA (Contre Amiral G Walser)

 

3rd Submarine Squadron (CF L C Vidil)

1st Division - LE CONQUÉRANT (comp 1935, LV H M P Bazin, LV P G L Le Gall from 1 Dec), LE GLORIEUX (1933, LV J C P Champel), LE HÉROS (1934, Leader, CC R E Courson), LE TONNANT (1935, CC J M Vaillant, LV A A C H P Secondant de Montesquie from 19 Dec) repairing until Nov

3rd Division - ACHÉRON (comp 1931, LV J J M Alliou) repairing until 12 Sep, ACTEON (1931, LV L L M Boulat, LV J C G Clavieres from 15 Sep) repairing until 1 Dec, FRESNEL (1931, LV P G Daussy) repairing until 14 Sep PROTÉE (1932, Leader, CC E J J Gras) repairing until 1 Dec

5th Division - L'ESPOIR (comp 1932, LV H S A Tezenas du Montcel) under repair at Saigon until 22 Oct, proceeded to Toulon, arr in Dec, MONGE (1932, LV L A Laroze), PÉGASE (1932, LV H M E J Baudet)

 

5th Submarine Squadron (CF R E G Fitte)

13th Division - CALYPSO (comp 1929, LV J M T L Petitt) under repair at Toulon, CIRCÉ (1929, LV M A J Delort, LV A Frossard from 2 Nov) at La Ciotat repairing, DORIS (1930, Leader, LV J E M Favreul) under repair until 15 Jan 40 at La Ciotat, THÉTIS (29, LV J E L Lefevre) under repair at Toulon, on completion of repairs 13th Divisions to relieve the 17th Division at Bizerte

15th Division - CÉRÈS (1939, LV G L P Lemiere) at Oran, IRIS (Sep 1936, Leader, CC R A H J Mourral, CC R D M Antoine from 18 Nov) under repair until 10 Sep at Toulon, PALLAS (1939, LV M G R Douenel), VÉNUS (Nov 36, LV P Dartigues)

 

SUBMARINE CENTRE AT TOULON (CF R M Revel de Bretteville)

7th Division - REDOUBTABLE (comp 1931, LV C E G Barde), VENGEUR (1931, LV H J M Digard) repairing until 2 Feb 40)

19th Division - ARGONAUTE (Jun 1932, LV R G Pellotier), GALATÉE (1927, Leader, CC R Bertrand), NAIADE (1927, LV A J M Blachere), SIRÈNE (1927, LV A J M Hamon)

21st Division - LA PERLE (Mar 1937, LV A P R Bourgeois), LE DIAMANT (Jun 1934, LV P J G M Lancelot)

 

4th Naval Region, Bizerte

Vice Amiral E L Rivet

 

LIGHT ATTACK FORCE (4th SQUADRON)

Light Attack Force (3rd Cruiser Squadron, Contre Amiral Andre A A Marquis) - light cruisers ÉMILE BERTIN (comp 28 Jan 34, CV R M J Battet), JEAN DE VIENNE (15 Apr 37, CV J M Missoffe) repairing at Toulon until 12 Sep, LA GALISONNIÈRE (31 Dec 35, CV L M L Dupre), MARSEILLAISE (25 Oct 35, Flag, CV Y J E Hamon),

1st Large Destroyer Division - ÉPERVIER (18 May 34, CF J J G Bros) with 11th Division, provisionally attached as a replacement for AIGLE which was repairing, LION (5 Feb 31, CF Vetillard), VAUBAN (5 Feb 31, Leader, CV Chardenot)

3rd Large Destroyer Division - GUÉPARD (comp 13 Aug 29, Leader, CV R Le Chuitton, CV R E Gervais de Lafond from 18 Dec), VALMY (26 Jan 30, CF J L P Constantin), VERDUN (19 Apr 30, CF M L A Annibert, CF C E Byr from 14 Dec)

11th Large Destroyer Division - BISON (comp 24 Oct 30, CF A M Herbout, CV J A R Bouan from 13 Nov), MILAN (18 May 34, CF M A H Favier) under repair until Nov)

 

BISON collided with light cruiser GEORGES LEYGUES in heavy fog on 8 Feb 39 while on firing manoeuvres 15 miles southwest of Penmarch. Provisionally attached to Raiding Force while under repairs at Lorient, repairing until 10 Dec

 

12th Destroyer Division - torpedo boats LA BOMBARDE (comp 16 Aug 37, CC P P C A M Revoil), LA POMONE (1 Dec 36, Leader, CF H A M L Pecqueur), L' IPHIGÉNIE (1 Nov 36, CC J J L Maunier, CC J A Antras from 1 Dec)

 

4th Sloop Squadron - old sloops ENGAGEANTE (comp 1917, CC J L L Voillaume), TAPAGEUSE (1916, LV F P C Bernard de Saint Affrique), YPRES (1918, CF R L Noel, O E Normant from 23 Dec)

 

SUBMARINE CENTRE AT BIZERTE (CF J E M De Richoufftz de Manin) - Submarine Depot Ship, ex-minelayer CASTOR (LV J M A Duthu)

4th Submarine Flotilla (Contre Amiral) - large destroyer AIGLE (comp 1 Nov 32, Flag, CF P E Renon, under repair until 15 Oct, transferred to 11th Large Destroyer Division, effective 9 Oct)

6th Submarine Squadron

9th Division - CAIMAN (comp 1927, Leader, LV J B A Golse), MORSE (1927, LV J G C Paris), SOUFFLEUR (1926, LV P C Bazoche)

10th Division - DAUPHIN (1927, LV B J J Petit), ESPADON (1927, LV P E Jalabert), PHOQUE (1927, Leader, CC J F M A P Lagarrigue), all repairing into Oct

11th Division (detached to Levant Division) - MARSOUIN (1926, Leader, LV J E L A Lorthioir), REQUIN (1926, LV R B H Prevost-Sansac de Traversay), NARVAL (1927, LV J H Cloarec)

17th Division - ARÉTHUSE (Jul 1933, LV Gardair), ATALANTE (Sep 1934, LV E R Mine), LA SULTANE (Jun 1935, LV J A G Mottez), LA VESTALE (Jun 1934, Leader, LV G F A Vidal),

20th Division - NAUTILUS (Jul 1931, LV E Briand), RUBIS (Apr 1933, LV G E J Cabanier), SAPHIR (Nov 1930, LV R A M R Roumeas), TURQUOISE (Nov 1930, Leader, LV R P Wacogne),

 

Oran

Contre Amiral M L H Jarry from 6 Dec

 

6th SQUADRON (Contre Amiral Y V M Donval)

 

8th Destroyer Division - BORDELAIS (comp 8 Apr 30, Leader, CF D F M V De Bourgoing), L'ALCYON (15 Jul 29, CC V A M Albertas, CC J M Bosvieux from 1 Dec), TROMBE (27 Oct 27, CC A A M Lepotier)

 

Seaplane tender - COMMANDANT TESTE (comp 1932, CV M Petyst de Morcourt)

 

Submarine tender - JULES VERNE (Flag, CV J Tonnele, CF L Le Floch from 12 Mar)

 

2nd Submarine Flotilla (CF P J M Cadoret)

12th Division - JUNON (comp Sep 37, LV J J E Garnuchot) dep Oran on 1 Sep for Casablanca, MINERVE (Sep 1936, Leader, CC R J Cherdel, LV H M P Bazin from 7 Dec), ONDINE (1932, LV J G Hemmerich, LV M A F Bourgnine from 27 Nov) at Toulon, ORION (1932, LV J L C Vichot) at Toulon

14th Submarine Division - ARIANE (comp 1928, LV N L B Piot) dep Cherbourg 1 Sep with DIANE for Casablanca, arr 9 Sep), DANAÉ (1929, LV P C Ropers) dep Oran 1 Sep for Casablanca, DIANE (Sep 1932, Leader, CC R H J L Boyer-Resses), EURYDICE (1929, LV C M L Mangin d'Ouince)

18th Division - AMPHITRITE (comp Jan 1933, LV G Saglio), LA PSYCHÉ (Dec 1933, Leader, LV J C Leroy), MÉDUSE (Sep 1932, LV J M A Chevallier), ORÉADE (Nov 1934, LV A H M Vallee), 18th Division dep Oran 1 Sep for Casablanca

 

Levant Division

Contre Amiral M F L F de Carpentier

Headquarters at Beirut

 

Sloop - D'IBERVILLE (comp 1935, CF L M E Arden)

 

11th Submarine Division (detached from 4th Submarine Flotilla) - MARSOUIN (comp 1926, Leader, LV J E L A Lorthioir), NARVAL (1927, LV J H Cloarec), REQUIN (1926, LV R B H Prevost-Sansac de Traversay)

 

Casablanca Division

Contre Amiral L M J Sable

 

Destroyers - BASQUE (comp 5 Mar 31, CC Y G M Caron), FORBIN (1 May 30, CC L S Sticca, CC R C M Chartellier from 30 Nov)

 

4th Submarine Division - ARGO (comp 1932, LV R R L J Lamaire), HENRI POINCARÉ (1931, LV A F C Parent), LE CENTAURE (1934, CC M J B Ricquebourg), PASCAL (1931, LV P J J Chuniaud)

 

 

Overseas Atlantic Ports

 (excluding Casablanca)

 

ADMIRAL AFRICA

Vice Amiral Emmanuel L H Ollive

 

Established 20 Dec 1939 with headquarters at Casablanca. The command covered the sea area from Gibraltar to Dakar, westward to include the Azores, Madeira, the Canaries and Cape Verde Islands.

 

Dakar

 

5th SQUADRON (Contre Amiral J H CF Moreau)

6th Cruiser Division (Contre Amiral J H CF Moreau) - light cruisers DUGUAY TROUIN (comp 10 Sep 26, Flag, CV J M C Trolley de Prevaux), PRIMAUGUET (1 Sep 26, CV J Constantin) en route from Capetown to arrive 8 Sep

7th Cruiser Division - training cruiser JEANNE DE ARC (14 Sep 31, CV P M A Rouyer) dep Brest 1 Sep for Fort de France, arr 15 Sep, minelaying cruiser PLUTON (comp 1 Oct 31, CV H J E Dubois) dep Brest 2 Sep for Casablanca, arr 5 Sep)

 

Submarine - SURCOUF (comp May 34, CC P M H Martin, dep Dakar 28 Aug for Fort de France, arr 6 Sep)

 

 

AMIRAL ANTILLES

 Amiral George A M J Robert from 14 Sep when the command was formally commissioned

Based at Fort de France, Martinique, Antilles/Caribbean

 

 

Asia/Pacific

 

INDO-CHINA

Amiral Jean Decoux

Headquarters at Saigon

 

5th Cruiser Division (Contre Amiral Jules E M A Terraux) - heavy cruiser SUFFREN (comp 1 Jan 30, CV R J M Dillard) en route from Singapore to Saigon, light cruiser LAMOTTE PICQUETT (1 Sep 26, Flag, Terraux, CV M D R Berenger) at Saigon

 

Sloops - AMIRAL CHARNER (comp 1933, CF F M Faye, at Saigon), RIGAULT DE GENOUILLY (1932, CF J C Plante, CF Frossard from 18 Jan) at Shanghai, SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA (1932, CF A R D De Badens) at Saigon, TAHURE (1919, CC R C R Mercadier) at Amoy

 

Yangtze Flotilla Gunboats - BALNY (comp 1920, LV F G P Jaubert) at Chungking, DOUDART DE LA GREE (1909, CC M J A P De Centenier de Fauque) at Hankow, to Shanghai at end of month, FRANCIS GARNIER (1931, CF A M A Robin, SO, Yangtse) at Shanghai

 

Si Kiang Station Gunboat - ARGUS (comp 1922, CC M G H Ruyneau de Saint-George, SO, Si Kiang area) at Hong Kong

 

Sloops at Saigon – LA PÉROUSE (comp 1919, CF L G E Frossard) surveying vessel employed as a sloop, MARNE (1917, CC M A M De Rodellec du Porzic)

 

Gunboats at Saigon - AVALANCHE (1920, ENS S Ouvaroff), COMMANDANT BOURDAIS (comp 1920, LV L A Martin, SO)

 

Gunboats at Haiphong - MYTHO (comp 1934, LV J P G Mienville), TOURANE (1934, LV L J P S Pinel), VIGILANTE (1922, CC M J L Leparmentier, SO)

 

Submarines - L'ESPOIR (comp 32, LV H S A Tezenas du Montecel) dep station after refitting in Nov, dep Singapore on 5 Nov, arr Toulon Dec 39

 

PHÉNIX (CC G Bouchacourt) of this station was lost in an accident on 15 Jun 1939 in Camranh Bay during manoeuvres with light cruiser LAMOTTE PICQUETT and submarine L'ESPOIR. All 71 crewmen, including CC Bouchacourt, LV A Bahezre, EV 1st A B A Lambert, EV 1st G H J Veron, Ig.M 2nd, Mousseaux, and Md 2nd Gourves, were lost

 

 

Indian Ocean Station

 

Sloop - BOUGAINVILLE (comp 32, CF L M J H Fabre) at Djibouti

 

 

Pacific Ocean Station

 

Sloop - DUMONT D'URVILLE (comp 32, CF A C M Arzur, CF P G Toussaint de Quievrecourt from 18 Nov) at Papeete

 

 

 

MAJOR UNITS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

In order Builder, Laid down, Launched, Completed

 

Battleships

CLEMENCEAU, Brest N Y, laid down 17 Jan 39, not built

JEAN BART (CV P J Ronarc'h from 15 Jan 40) Ch de la Loire & Ch de St Nazaire-Penhoet, 12 Dec 36, 6 Mar 40, 1 May 1955

RICHELIEU (CV P J Marzin from 15 Oct 39), Brest N Y, 22 Oct 35, 17 Jan 39, 15 Jun 40

 

Aircraft Carrier

JOFFRE, At & Ch de St Nazaire-Penhoet, laid down 26 Nov 39, not built

 

Light Cruiser

DE GRASSE, Lorient Naval Yard, 18 Oct 38, 11 Sep 1946, 3 Sep 1956

 

Destroyers

CASQUE (CC J G Fontaine from 15 Dec 39), Fges & Ch de la Mediterranee (La Seyne), 30 Nov 36, 2 Nov 38, 25 May 40

FLEURET (CC J M Villedieu de Torcy from 15 Oct 39), Fges & Ch de la Mediterranee (La Seyne), 18 Aug 36, 28 Jul 38, 16 Mar 40

LANSQUENET (CC P Peroux from 11 Dec 39), Fges & Ch de la Gironde (Bordeaux), 17 Dec 36, 20 May 39, 1 Jun 40

LE CORSAIRE (CF P L M Monaque from 1 May 40), Fges & Ch de la Mediterranee (La Seyne), 31 Mar 38, 14 Nov 39, 20 Jun 40

LE HARDI (CC A De Tannenberg) At & Ch de la Loire (Nantes), 20 May 36, 4 May 38, 4 Nov 39

LE FLIBUSTIER, Fges & Ch de la Mediterranee (La Seyne), 11 Mar 38, 14 Dec 39, 23 Jun 40

L'ÉPEE (CF J M A V Molas from 1 Dec 39), Fges & Ch de la Mediterranee (La Seyne), 15 Oct 36, 26 Oct 38, 1 Dec 39

MAMELUCK (CC P P L Charrasse) At & Ch de la Loire (Nantes), 1 Jan 37, 18 Feb 39, 9 May 40

 

None of the destroyers were ready for service when Germany invaded France, but were hurriedly placed into service in various states of completion in Jun 1940

 

---

 

 

 

2. POLISH NAVY

 (ORP - Okret Rzeczypospolites Polskies)

 

(see map 4 below)

 

Cdr-in-Chief Kontr Adm Josef Unrug, captured by German forces at Hela on 2 Oct 39,

replaced by Vice Adm J. Swirski

 

North Sea on passage to Leith, Scotland in Exercise Pekin

Cdre R Stankiewicz in BLYSKAWICA

 

Destroyers - BLYSKAWICA (comp 1 Oct 37, Cdr W Kodrebski), GROM (Mar 1937, Cdr A Hulewicz), BURZA (10 Aug 32, Cdr St Nahorski)

 

Gdynia

 

Destroyer - WICHER (comp 8 Jul 30, Cdr St de Walden)

 

Submarines - ORZEL (comp 1938, Cdr H Kloczkowski), RYS (1931, Cdr A Grochowski), SEP (1939, Cdr W Salamon), WILK (1933, Lt Cdr B Krawczyk), ZBIK (1932, Cdr M Zebrowski)

 

Minelayer - GRYF (comp Feb 1938, Cdr St Kwiatkowski)

 

Torpedo boat - MAZUR (comp 1915 as German torpedo boat V.105, Lt Cdr T Kutkowski)

 

Sloops - GENERAL HALLER (comp 1920, Lt Cdr St Mieszkowski), KOMENDANT PILSUDSKI (Jan 1921, Lt Cdr M Jacynicz)

 

Minesweepers (Cdr Z Boczkowski) - CZAJKA (comp 10 Feb 36, Lt Cdr A Czerwinski), CZAPLA (1 Sep 39, Lt Cdr E Ceceniowski), JASKOLKA (27 Aug 35, Lt Cdr T Borysewicz), MEWA (25 Oct 35, Lt Cdr W Lipkowski), RYBITWA (21 Dec 35, Lt Cdr K Miladowski), ZURAW (1 Sep 39, Lt Cdr R Kasperski). CZAPLA and ZURAW were hurriedly comp and placed in commission without trials or working up.

 

---

 

 

  

3. GERMAN NAVY

Commander-in-Chief High Seas Fleet Adm Hermann Boehm,

Adm Wilhelm Marschall from Oct

 

 

 

 

UNDER DIRECT CONTROL OF NAVAL WAR STAFF

 

Pocket battleships - ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE (comp 6 Jan 36, KptzS Hans Langsdorff), DEUTSCHLAND (1 Apr 33, KptzS Paul Wennecker)

 

Fleet Tankers operating with the Battleships - ALTMARK (blt 1939, Reserve Kptlt Heinrich Dau), WESTERWALD (1938, KKpt R Peter Grau)

 

Submarines from various Flotillas

Flotilla 2 - U.27, U.28, U.29, U.30, U.33, U.34

Flotilla 6 - U.37, U.38, U.39, U.40, U.41

Flotilla 7 - U.45, U.46, U.47, U.48, U.52

 

 

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, WESTERN AREA

 Adm Alfred Saalwachter at Wilhelmshaven

aboard fleet tender GAZELLE (ex-minesweeper M.135, comp 15 Mar 19)

 

Wilhelmshaven

 

Fleet tender - JAGD (ex-minesweeper M.82, comp 8 Nov 19, Flag, Flag Officer Commanding Pocket Battleships, Vize Adm Wilhelm Marschall)

 

Pocket battleship - ADMIRAL SCHEER (comp 12 Nov 34, KptzS Hans-Heinrich Wurmbach)

 

Light cruisers - EMDEN (comp 15 Oct 25, KptzS Werner Lange), KÖNIGSBERG (17 Apr 29, KptzS Kurt Hoffman, KptzS Heinrich Ruhfus from 15 Sep), LEIPZIG (8 Oct 31, KptzS Heinz Nordmann), NÜRNBERG (2 Nov 35, Flag, VizeAdm Hermann Densch, C-in-C Reconnaisance Forces, KptzS Otto Kluber)

 

C-in-C Tor