Dunkerque

0.6.9.1.1

Dunkerque

Battleship | France | Tier VI

Tech Tree Position

General

Purchase pricepromo

Hit Points52 600

Aircraft

Main Battery

330 mm/522 х 4 pcs.

Rate of Fire2.14 shots/min.

Reload Time28 sec.

Rotation Speed5 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time36 sec.

Firing Range18.21 km.

Maximum Dispersion244 m.

HE Shell330 mm HE OEA Mle 1935

Maximum HE Shell Damage4800

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell35 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity885 m./s.

HE Shell Weight552 kg.

AP Shell330 mm AP OPfK Mle 1935

Maximum AP Shell Damage9700

Initial AP Shell Velocity870 m./s.

AP Shell Weight560 kg.

Secondary Armament #1

130 mm/45 Mle 19322 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range5 km.

Rate of Fire12 shots/min.

Reload Time5 sec.

HE Shell130 mm HE OEA Mle 1934

Maximum HE Shell Damage1900

Initial HE Shell Velocity840 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel9 %

Secondary Armament #2

130 mm/45 Mle 19322 х 4 pcs.

Firing Range5 km.

Rate of Fire12 shots/min.

Reload Time5 sec.

HE Shell130 mm HE OEA Mle 1934

Maximum HE Shell Damage1900

Initial HE Shell Velocity840 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel9 %

Secondary Armament #3

130 mm/45 Mle 19321 х 4 pcs.

Firing Range5 km.

Rate of Fire12 shots/min.

Reload Time5 sec.

HE Shell130 mm HE OEA Mle 1934

Maximum HE Shell Damage1900

Initial HE Shell Velocity840 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel9 %

AA Defense

37 mm/50 Mle 19335 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second11.5

. . . Firing Range3 km.

13.2 mm/76 CAQ Mle 19298 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second40

. . . Firing Range1.2 km.

130 mm/45 Mle 19322 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second17.2

. . . Firing Range5.19 km.

130 mm/45 Mle 19322 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second24.4

. . . Firing Range5.19 km.

130 mm/45 Mle 19321 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second12.2

. . . Firing Range5.19 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed29.5 knot

Turning Circle Radius730 m.

Rudder Shift Time14 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range16.92 km.

Air Detectability Range11.97 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

0.6.9.1.1

Dunkerque

Battleship | France | Tier VI

Tech Tree Position

General

Purchase pricepromo

Hit Points52 600

Aircraft

Main Battery

330 mm/522 х 4 pcs.

Rate of Fire2.14 shots/min.

Reload Time28 sec.

Rotation Speed5 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time36 sec.

Firing Range18.21 km.

Maximum Dispersion244 m.

HE Shell330 mm HE OEA Mle 1935

Maximum HE Shell Damage4800

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell35 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity885 m./s.

HE Shell Weight552 kg.

AP Shell330 mm AP OPfK Mle 1935

Maximum AP Shell Damage9700

Initial AP Shell Velocity870 m./s.

AP Shell Weight560 kg.

Secondary Armament #1

130 mm/45 Mle 19322 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range5 km.

Rate of Fire12 shots/min.

Reload Time5 sec.

HE Shell130 mm HE OEA Mle 1934

Maximum HE Shell Damage1900

Initial HE Shell Velocity840 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel9 %

Secondary Armament #2

130 mm/45 Mle 19322 х 4 pcs.

Firing Range5 km.

Rate of Fire12 shots/min.

Reload Time5 sec.

HE Shell130 mm HE OEA Mle 1934

Maximum HE Shell Damage1900

Initial HE Shell Velocity840 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel9 %

Secondary Armament #3

130 mm/45 Mle 19321 х 4 pcs.

Firing Range5 km.

Rate of Fire12 shots/min.

Reload Time5 sec.

HE Shell130 mm HE OEA Mle 1934

Maximum HE Shell Damage1900

Initial HE Shell Velocity840 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel9 %

AA Defense

37 mm/50 Mle 19335 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second11.5

. . . Firing Range3 km.

13.2 mm/76 CAQ Mle 19298 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second40

. . . Firing Range1.2 km.

130 mm/45 Mle 19322 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second17.2

. . . Firing Range5.19 km.

130 mm/45 Mle 19322 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second24.4

. . . Firing Range5.19 km.

130 mm/45 Mle 19321 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second12.2

. . . Firing Range5.19 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed29.5 knot

Turning Circle Radius730 m.

Rudder Shift Time14 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range16.92 km.

Air Detectability Range11.97 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

VI

promo

Dunkerque — French promo premium Tier VI battleship.

Un crucero de batalla de gran velocidad diseñado para contener a los cruceros pesados alemanes. El barco poseía una buena protección antitorpedo, portaba numerosos cañones de propósito dual y disponía de un potente blindaje horizontal. Las torretas principales estaban colocadas al extremo de proa, por lo que disparar a popa era imposible.

Modules

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	180 Degree Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Dispersion (m)	Maximum HE Shell Damage (HP)	Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell (%)	Maximum AP Shell Damage (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
330 mm/50 Mle 1931 en una montura St.Chamond Mle 1932	2,3	36	244	4800	35	9700		0	0

	Hit Points (HP)	Armor (mm)	Armor (mm)	Main Turrets (pcs.)	Secondary Gun Turrets (pcs.)	AA Mounts (pcs.)	Torpedo Tubes (pcs.)	Hangar Capacity (pcs.)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Dunkerque	52 600	16	335	2	2/3	5/8/2/3				0	0

	Firing Range Increase (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
PCA Mle 1940	0	18,2		0	0

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsión: 107 000 CV	29,5		0	0

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM030_MainWeapon_Mod_I_bb1e79efbcc73dfa03a6dd5ae173566ee691b77e3a6587389d6f7ea07eb03588.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del armamento principal|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0armamento_principal]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM031_SecondaryWeapon_Mod_I_5369d8b071df59a515906433ea1fff10a55841495258bcd04d3365467e61e4af.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del armamento auxiliar|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0armamento_auxiliar]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM032_PowderMagazine_Mod_I_9607d8ec91ddcca4a95443845b888fbd9de4cd81df5a30a199d400657a552017.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de la santabárbara|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_la.C2.A0santab.C3.A1rbara]]
Slot 2	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM006_MainGun_Mod_II_bffc35efc4e090487fd6110a10a2be1f5d51b7918303f724194817e698055412.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 2 de la batería principal|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A02_de_la.C2.A0bater.C3.ADa_principal]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM012_SecondaryGun_Mod_II_c87da07dc4aebb94da59f3df3f8c2934279decb9677334a1a7e4b1f1c9f9ad04.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de la batería secundaria|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_la.C2.A0bater.C3.ADa_secundaria]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM018_AirDefense_Mod_III_d3f357c6dc4e5e627a86e17a16432cb38da32bb1b7999b4a7852371491511770.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de los cañones AA|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_los.C2.A0ca.C3.B1ones_AA]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM033_Guidance_Mod_I_10c7521afe2d577c42618dd04cf6834f2be78cf6b64503844cf87793a5816484.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de los sistemas de tiro|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_los.C2.A0sistemas_de_tiro]]
Slot 4	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM020_DamageControl_Mod_I_bbc708467bc8f1e6264ac88fb8999ea40660e4b0b94b59ab7b3f1a8b60539ed8.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del sistema de control de daños|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0sistema_de_control_de_da.C3.B1os]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM069_Movement_Mod_I_ca8429dcc45fdad36cdd474a13e5a289d6f7cf27ae32c9f30d42b72b9db493af.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Protección de la sala de máquinas|link=Ship:Upgrades#Protecci.C3.B3n_de_la_sala_de_m.C3.A1quinas]]
Slot 5	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM023_DamageControl_Mod_II_3c6aea0c5bccc94f1d8f1fa52662232afa007d784638ce6e981c8ad3457c63fa.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 2 del sistema de control de daños|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A02_del.C2.A0sistema_de_control_de_da.C3.B1os]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM024_Engine_Mod_II_4b4f4c217cf5cf580f47ccbbf76ecede110c5143055c55ab45a82d19e87423fb.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de la propulsión|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_la.C2.A0propulsi.C3.B3n]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM025_SteeringGear_Mod_II_523c86ce4c7d228e73ee3d2cb406f4d78a205aa2453fec45b0925dec519bf7c5.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del aparato de gobierno|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0aparato_de_gobierno]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM087_AirSupport_Mod_I_d26ea96903bf2c47669142777cfa61b0285e652ce26304ed9502bc8de35d0ded.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del ataque aéreo|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del_ataque_a.C3.A9reo]]

Player Opinion

Performance

Dunkerque is unique from the other Tier VI battleships with her high top speed and entirely forward-facing armament. She plays extremely similar to North Carolina, Iowa, Nelson, or Izumo in that she is very durable when bow on, but has weak armor when broadside. Be careful to avoid close quarter brawl or static bow-on battle with other battleships early in the game as a well placed salvo can disable one or even both of her turrets.

Her guns have a high muzzle velocity with fast shell travel time, but dispersion can be annoying at times. She is good at killing destroyers and cruisers, but will struggle against a well-angled battleship in much the same way as Scharnhorst does. However, she can outrun equal tier battleships, so smart captains maximize her speed to decline unfavorable engagements, support their teams in killing enemy cruisers, and punish battleships who make positional mistakes.

LittleWhiteMouse's Premium Ship Review: Dunkerque from the NA forums

Pros:

• Turret layout means bow-on brings all eight guns to bear on a target.
• Armor is very likely to bounce 14-inch (and below) armor-piercing rounds, due to overmatch mechanics.
• Best-in-tier turret traverse speed.
• Good shell velocity.
• Excellent main battery range (second only to Fuso at Tier VI).
• Secondaries are concentrated in the back which can defend her from a destroyer who sneaks up from behind.
• Outstanding speed. Dunkerque is the fastest Tier VI battleship in the game.
• Rudder shift is insanely fast for a battleship, can be boosted by Steering Gears Modification 2 to be even faster.

Cons:

• Large profile ensures most incoming rounds will find something to hit.
• With only two turrets, turret incapacitation or destruction is her worst nightmare.
• Turning is rather slow, especially due to her turn radius.
• Below average torpedo protection; every torpedo that hits home will hit hard and her size means avoiding them is challenging.
• Underwhelming AA suite leaves her highly vulnerable to enemy aircraft.
• Orientation of secondary batteries limits their usefulness in close-quarters situations from the front.
• 15-inch guns (380mm) such as those on Warspite can overmatch her frontal armor, leading to possible citadel hits when bow-on to certain enemies.
• As with most battleships of her tier, fires are a serious threat to her.

Research

As a premium ship, Dunkerque doesn't have any upgrades to research.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

The recommended upgrades for Dunkerque are as follows:

• Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1 to increase turret durability.
• Slot 2: AA Guns Modification 2* will help improve her mediocre AA suite.
• Slot 4: Damage Control System Modification 1 improves Dunkerque’s survivability.
• Slot 5: Damage Control System Modification 2* will reduce the impact of damage-over-time effects.

Commander Skills

With all of her firepower in two turret modules, Level 1's Preventative Maintenance is highly recommended in order to increase the survivability of her main battery and reduce instances of potentially catastrophic turret destruction. Other key skills for Dunkerque commanders include High Alert, Basics of Survivability, and Advanced Firing Training. Fire Prevention is worth the points as well, given the size of her superstructure and how many cruisers captains at Tier VI fire nothing but high explosive rounds.

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Endurance		Attack		Support		Versatility
1	Priority Target Situational Awareness indicator will show the number of opponents currently aiming at you with main battery guns. ★★	Preventative Maintenance -30% to the risk of incapacitation of modules. ★★★	Expert Loader -50% to reload time when shell type is switched. ★	Aircraft Servicing Expert +5% to HP of carrier-based aircraft. -10% to servicing time of carrier-based aircraft.	Direction Center for Catapult Aircraft +1 catapult aircraft. -20% to the speed of catapult aircraft. ★★	Dogfighting Expert +10% to average damage per second of fighter for each tier of difference between them. +10% to fighters ammunition.	Incoming Fire Alert Indicator of long-range enemy artillery fire. ★	Evasive Maneuver -20% to detectability of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier. +75% to HP of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier. -30% to airspeed of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier.
2	High Alert -10% to reload time of Damage Control Party consumable. ★★★	Jack of All Trades -5% to reload time of all consumables. ★★	Expert Marksman +2.5 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber up to 139mm. +0.7 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber above 139mm. ★★	Torpedo Acceleration +5 knots to torpedo speed. -20% to torpedo range.	Smoke Screen Expert +20% to the radius of the smoke screen.	Expert Rear Gunner +10% to average damage per second of self-defense armament for aircraft with rear gunners.	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% to reload times of all types of armament for each 1% of total health lost. ★★	Last Stand The ship remains able to move and maneuver while the engine or steering gears are incapacitated. ★
3	Basics of Survivability -15% to time of repair, fire extinguishing, and recovery from flooding. ★★★	Survivability Expert +350 HP for each ship tier.	Torpedo Armament Expertise -10% to reload time of torpedo tubes. -20% to servicing time of torpedo bombers.	Emergency Takeoff Makes it possible to launch and recover aircraft while the ship is on fire. +100% to aircraft servicing time while aircraft carrier is on fire.	Basic Firing Training -10% to reload time of main battery guns with a caliber up to and including 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +20% to average damage per second of AA defense. ★★	Superintendent +1 additional charge to all consumables mounted on a ship. ★★★	Demolition Expert +2% to chance of fire on a target caused by a main caliber shell, secondary shell, or bomb.	Vigilance +25% to detection range of enemy torpedoes. ★★
4	Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament -15% to the maximum dispersion of shells for the secondary armament of Tier I-VI ships. -60% to the maximum dispersion of shells for the secondary armament of Tier VII-X ships.	Fire Prevention -7% to the risk of fire. The maximum number of fires on a ship is reduced to three. ★★	Inertia Fuse for HE Shells +30% to the armor penetration capacity of HE shells. -3% to chance of fire on target caused by HE shells.	Air Supremacy +1 fighter per squadron. +1 bomber per squadron.	Advanced Firing Training +20% to firing range of main battery guns with a caliber up to 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +20% to AA defense firing range. ★★	Manual Fire Control for AA Armament +100% to average damage per second of AA guns with a caliber exceeding 85mm against a designated target. ★	Radio Position Finding Shows the direction to the nearest enemy ship (that isn't an aircraft carrier). The enemy player is alerted that a bearing has been taken on their ship.	Concealment Expert -10% to the detection radius of destroyers. -12% to the detection radius of cruisers. -14% to the detection radius of battleships. -16% to the detection radius of aircraft carriers. ★
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful       ★★ - Frequently Useful       ★ - Occasionally Useful      No stars - Not Useful

Camouflage

As a premium ship, Dunkerque comes included with Type 10 camouflage that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, and increases the amount of experience she earns.

Signals

Combat signals that increase her durability are must-haves for Dunkerque: India Delta (Plantilla:India Delta) and India Yankee (Plantilla:India Yankee) are highly recommended, and Juliet Yankee Bissotwo (Plantilla:Juliet Yankee Bissotwo) is not a bad idea, either. November Echo Setteseven (Plantilla:November Echo Setteseven) can help shore up her naturally weak anti-aircraft armament, especially when paired with the Basic Firing Training commander skill.

Recommended Signal Flags
Combat
November Echo Setteseven +10% average damage per second of all anti-aircraft mounts. +10% average damage per second of self-defense armament for aircraft with rear gunners. ★★★	Mike Yankee Soxisix +5% to secondary battery maximum firing range. -5% to maximum dispersion of secondary battery shells. -5% to secondary battery loading time. ★	India X-Ray +1% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm. +0.5% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber below 160mm. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating.	Juliet Whiskey Unaone +15% chance of causing flooding. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating.	Victor Lima +1% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm. +0.5% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber below 160mm. +4% chance of flooding (against your ship).	Hotel Yankee -20% to damage received when ramming the enemy. +50% to damage dealt when ramming the enemy.
November Foxtrot -5% reload time on all consumables. ★	Sierra Mike +5% to the ship's maximum speed. ★★	India Delta +20% to the amount of HP recovered when the Repair Party consumable is used. ★★★	Juliet Yankee Bissotwo -20% to flooding duration. ★★	India Yankee -20% to fire duration. ★★★	Juliet Charlie -100% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating. ★
Economic
Zulu +20% credits earned for the battle. ★★	India Bravo Terrathree -10% to the cost of the ship's post-battle repair.	Equal Speed Charlie London +50% XP earned for the battle.	Zulu Hotel +50% Commander XP earned for the battle. ★	Papa Papa +300% Free XP earned for the battle. ★★
Special
Wyvern +50% credits earned for the battle. ★★	Red Dragon +100% XP earned for the battle. +100% Commander XP earned for the battle. ★	Dragon Flag +333% Commander XP earned for the battle. ★★	Ouroboros +777% Free XP earned for the battle.	Hydra +50% XP earned for the battle. +150% Commander XP earned for the battle. +250% Free XP earned for the battle. ★
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful       ★★ - Frequently Useful       ★ - Occasionally Useful      No stars - Not Useful

Gallery

• 

  Dunkerque prepares to enter battle with the fleet.

• 

  Dunkerque opens fire upon an enemy, supported by a friendly Warspite.

• 

  Dunkerque fires its' main guns.

• 

  Dunkerque sorties to defend her home port.

• 

  An Anshan destroyer moves to support the French battleship.

• 

  A Dunkerque uses an island to help cover its maneuvers. In the background, a friendly Fuso class battleship presses the attack.

• 

  A New Mexico class battleship falls to the combined force of Dunkerque, Warspite, and Anshan.

Historical Info

Dunkerque, 1937

Construction

Arsenale de Brest; Brest, France

Laid down: 24 December 1932

Launched: 2 October 1935

Commissioned: 1 May 1937

---

Specifications

26,500 tons standard displacement

215m length

31m beam

8.7m draft

---

Machinery

Six boilers, four turbines

---

Performance

29.5 knots at 112,500 shaft horsepower

7,500nm range at 15 knots

---

Armor

Main belt: 225mm

Bulkheads: 210mm forward; 189mm aft

Decks: 115-125mm main; 40-50mm lower

Barbettes: 310mm

Turrets: 330mm face, sides; 335-345mm rear; 150mm roof

---

Armament

Main

Eight (2x4) 330mm rifles

Secondary

Sixteen (3x4, 2x2) 130mm rifles

Anti-aircraft

Ten (5x2) 37mm guns

Thirty two (8x4) 13.2mm AA guns

---

Aircraft

Four (4) Loire 130 floatplanes, one catapult

History

Design

The Dunkerque class began as an answer to the increasing gap in performance and ability of capital ships available to the French navy in the 1930s. This had come to be because French shipbuilding and war manufacturing priorities had been drastically altered during World War I. Having had to cancel the modern Lyon class before they had been laid down, even the preceding Normandie class was suspended, and in fact, construction never resumed due to wartime manufacturing needs, the enormous expense incurred by the war, and consequent reconstruction. This had left France in the possession of the aging Bretagne-class battleships as well as the entirely obsolete Danton-class ships, which were pre-dreadnoughts.

The London Naval Treaty made allowance for 70,000 tons of new capital ship construction by France. As expense, lack of necessary slipways, and political realities rendered construction of anything approaching 35,000 tons impossible, smaller ships had to be considered. The first discussions centered on four lighter battlecruisers to counter the new Italian treaty cruisers. As the existing French battleships were considered comparable to their Italian counterparts, the need for new, large battleships was not believed necessary. While the suitability of this proposal was eventually challenged by the construction of the Deutschland class cruisers in Germany, the preliminary proposal for an all-forward, eight-gun main armament stuck.

With the construction of the Deutschland cruisers, the proposed design shifted to three full, if small, battleships of approximately 23,000 tons. However, they were to retain the higher speed and lighter armament of the battlecruiser proposal. Further iterations on the design saw displacement rise to 26,000 tons with thicker armor, a reduced top speed of 29 knots, and an up-gunned main battery, from 305mm to 330mm. The number of proposed ships was reduced from three to two. This became the basis for the final design of Dunkerque, though the second ship of the class, Strasbourg, would receive significant modifications after the design and construction of the Italian Littorio class became known.

Service

Dunkerque began service in April 1936 while still not fully complete. Work remained to be finished on her superstructure and her light anti-aircraft complement had not been installed. She continued sea trials through 1937, and represented France during the coronation review for Britain’s George VI in May. Afterward, she embarked on a series of colonial visits, returning to France in early 1938, at which time she actively joined the fleet as the flagship of the Atlantic Squadron.

In early 1939, Dunkerque was attached to the Raiding Force, operating as part of a French neutrality patrol and observation force off the Spanish coast during the end of the Spanish Civil War. Based in Brest, Dunkerque visited Britain and was back in port at the outbreak of World War II.

Dunkerque spent most of 1939 operating in support of Atlantic convoys or attempting to intercept German raiders, ending in a joint sortie with HMS Hood at the time Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were also raiding in the North Atlantic. She sustained damage from heavy seas and returned to port for repairs. On 11 December 1939, Dunkerque sailed from Brest for Halifax, Nova Scotia, carrying gold to pay for weapons. On her return, she escorted a troop convoy to Britain. Returning to Brest in late December, she underwent refit, repairs, and trials until deployed in April to Mers-el-Kebir with the Raiding Force as a counter to the increasingly belligerent Italy.

Dunkerque stayed less than a week, redeploying back to Brest in support of operations in Norway, but was again sent back to Mers-el-Kébir before April had ended. She sortied several times in attempts to intercept Italian ships, but all proved to be failures.

Still in port at Mers-el-Kébir, Dunkerque was in port when the British launched Operation Catapult. Force H, consisting of several battleships, bombarded the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir on 22 June 1940, in the belief that crippling or sinking the French ships would keep them out of German hands. Dunkerque sustained heavy damage. The British, not believing Dunkerque to have sustained sufficient damage to prevent her use if captured, attacked again, this time with aircraft from HMS Ark Royal. Though sustaining one direct torpedo hit only, two further torpedoes struck auxiliary ships moored alongside, one carrying a load of depth charges. These were detonated by the torpedo strike, causing massive damage, and combined with the direct torpedo strike on Dunkerque herself, caused sufficient flooding to settle her in the harbor. Dunkerque was made watertight and floated off the bottom by September 1940, but repairs, several fires, and consequent delays prevented her from returning to France until January 1942. Reaching Toulon, Dunkerque went into drydock two years to the day after the initial attack in Mers-el-Kébir for full repairs.

Still in drydock in November 1942, the German militarization of Cosmopolitan Vichy France saw an attempt to seize the various ships of the French fleet in dock or at anchor in Toulon. To prevent her falling into German hands, the crew of Dunkerque scuttled her, detonating charges throughout the ship and setting her afire. She settled in dock, where she remained until 1944, when she was stripped down, her bow removed, and refloated to clear the dock.

Dunkerque was never repaired. She was sold for scrap in 1958.

Historical Gallery

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  Dunkerque in un-dated, pre-war photo.

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  Line drawing of Dunkerque.

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  Dunkerque at Spithead for the coronation of King George VI, 1937.

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  Inboard profile of Dunkerque.

Ships of France

Battleships