The Richelieu Class, French battleships. Richelieu, Jean Bart,
Clemenceau, were the three battleships of the Richelieu Battleship
Class. Only Richelieu saw action during world war two. Jean Bart was
commissioned after World war two and Clemenceau was laid down on the 17th
March 1939, and the project was scrapped after the Invasion of France.
Displacement 37,960 tons to 40,900 tons. Compliment
1670. Speed 30 knots, for maximum range of 8,500 miles a speed of
14knots. ARMAMENT: weight 380mm Guns in two turrets of
Four. Nine x 152mm Guns in three turrets.
Anti Aircraft guns. (Final arrangement) 57 x 40mm and 50 x
20mm.
Richelieu. Built by Arsenal de Brest and laid down on the 22nd October
1935, launched 17th January 1939 .Not fully Commissioned, she left her Building
bay on the 15th June 1940. Due to the Invasion and eventual overrun
of France by the German forces. Richelieu was forced to evacuate to Dakar on
the18th June 1940. But not fully commissioned. The Richelieu was at Dakar
during the British Naval attacks during July and September 1940. at the end of
1942 she sailed to the US for refitting in January 1943. amongst her
upgrading, was the radar systems, and anti aircraft armament removing the
37mm and replacing them with Fifty seven 40mm Bofors and a total of fifty
20mm Oerlikons. The Richelieu spent six months on operations in
South-eats Asia, returning to Toulon on October 1st 1944. and again refitted at
Casablanca until January 1945. Afterwards joined the British East Indies Fleet,
taking part in various operations including Bombardment of main land
Japan. returning to Europe in 1946. Placed in reserve until 1956.
and Scrapped in Italy 1968.
