by Hughes Canuel.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 96 pages. 2026.
Subtitle: The Marine Nationale in World War II
This overview covers pre-war and early-war ships of the French Navy, including how interwar naval treaties affected planning and construction. All the types are represented: specs and technology of the battleships, heavy and light cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and the sole aircraft carrier.
Combats cover U-boat sweeps, Norway campaign versus the Germans, the Mers-el-Kabir battle versus the British, and a few other spots versus the UK, like Dakar. The Vichy ships resisted the US at Casablanca during Operation Torch and in the category of obscure naval battles (at least to me), the Battle of Ko Chang: Vichy warships versus a Thai flotilla (p65).
The booklet contains 35 black and white photos, one color illustration, three color maps, four color battle diagrams, and three color two-page action illustrations.
With the formation of Vichy, the French Navy mostly kept in port, other than battling British ships and scuttling when the Germans occupied Vichy. It’s a good overview.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
