Category: French Forces

Really an account of her wartime operational career.

BROWN, David. The Road to Oran: Anglo-French Naval Relations September 1939-July 1940 (Cass Series: Naval Policy and History, 20). xxxii, 216p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Cass, 2004. ISBN: 0714654612.

The final work of this noted naval historian is a virtually daily chronicle of the events and decisions leading to the action at Mers-el-Kebir.

JUBELIN, Andre. The Flying Sailor. 276p., illus., index. London: Hurst & Blackett, 1953.

Translated from the 1951 French original, Marin de Metier – Pilote de Fortune. The author left his ship in the Far East to join the Free French forces. He reached England in 1941 and took command of the depot ship Courbet. When she was laid up, he took command of the First French Naval Air Squadron which fitted out with Spitfires and was operational in the South of England. He moved briefly to night-fighters before taking command of the sloop Savorgnan de Brazza in late 1942. The book ends with the sloop’s first voyage to Gibraltar, but a publisher’s note describes the rest of his career

VERRIER, Anthony. Assassination in Algiers: Churchill, Roosevelt, De Gaulle, and the Murder of Admiral Darlan. 302p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Macmillan; New York: Norton, 1991. ISBN: 033341439X.

A revelatory account of strategy creation in the wake of the TORCH landings and of the murky world of politics and special operations.

JORDAN, John & MOULIN, Jean. French Destroyers, Torpilleurs  d’Escadre & Contre-Torpilleurs 1922-1956. 240p., bibliog., illus., index. Barnsley: Seaforth; Annapolis: NIP, 2015. ISBN: 1848321988.

Between the wars the French produced some of the largest, and certainly the fastest, destroyers in the world. Known as Contre-Torpilleurs, these striking and innovative super-destroyers form the core of this book, but the more conventional Torpilleurs d Escadre are also covered. This history combines the technical and service material published in French-language monographs over the past two decades with the authors own research from primary sources.

JORDAN, John & DUMAS, Robert. French Cruisers 1922-1956. 232p., bibliog., illus., index. Barnsley: Seaforth; Annapolis: NIP, 2013. ISBN: 1848321333.

The French produced some of the most striking and innovative interwar cruiser designs. This book is the first to make information accessible in English. Part I explains the design philosophy behind each of the classes built after 1922, and outlines the characteristics of each type, accompanied by detailed data tables and a comprehensive set of specially-drawn plans based on official documents.

JORDAN, John & DUMAS, Robert. French Battleships 1922-1956. 232p., bibliog., illus., index. Barnsley: Seaforth; Annapolis: NIP, 2009. ISBN: 1591144167.

A completely new study of these important and technically interesting ships. A full account of their development is followed by a detailed analysis of their design characteristics, profusely illustrated by inboard profiles and schematic drawings. The technical chapters are interspersed with operational histories of the ships, with a particular focus on the operations in which they engaged other heavy units: Mers el-Kebir, Dakar and Casablanca. These accounts include a detailed analysis of their performance in action and the damage sustained, and are supported by specially-drawn maps and by the logs of Strasbourg and Richelieu.

AUPHAN, Paul, & MORDAL, Jacques. The French Navy in World War II. xvi, 413p., illus., index. Annapolis: USNIP, 1959.

Covers Free French and Vichy forces as well as the pre-occupation Navy, in all theatres. More concerned with justifying those who stayed behind and served Vichy than in the actions of the Free French.

JORDAN, John & MOULIN, Jean. French Cruisers 1922-1956. 232p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Seaforth; Annapolis: NIP, 2013. ISBN: 9781848321335.

French cruisers were often striking and innovative designs. This volume covers design, construction and operation.

GRAINGER, John D. Traditional Enemies: Britain’s War With Vichy France 1940-1942. 272p., bibliog., illus., index. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military, 2013. ISBN:  1781591547.

A modern account of the various actions between the two states.

The mystery of Surcouf's loss is explored and many inconsistencies in the official explanation brought out. Scraps of rumour, gossip, and hearsay are then used to produce an unconvincing alternative answer. A second, slightly expanded edition was published by the author in 1991.

Mainly concerned with the fate of the French Fleet at the armistice in 1940, although a general account of its wartime exploits is given. A disappointing account of a neglected area.

A fully researched work which destroys most of the myths surrounding the fate of Surcouf, lost mysteriously in February 1942 amid suspicions of her loyalty to the Allies. The author does add some new information about her loss, but broadly concludes that the official explanation is most likely to be correct.

Mainly military, but with a useful factual naval chapter.

A strategic view of American policy in this area.

The commander of the submarine recounts its exploits from April 1942 to September 1943. In reserve in Toulon, she escaped the German coup de main of November 1942 and sailed to join the Allies. She then served in the Mediterranean until the liberation of France.

Volume 1 covers capital ships, destroyers, and submarines. Volume 2 covers sloops, corvettes, minesweepers, and small craft. Both are pocketbooks giving technical details by class.

This was a complicated and often tortuous affair.

An interesting attempt to revive the reputation of the Vichy Navy, marred by dreadful proofreading.

The author left his ship in the Far East to join the Free French forces. He reached England in 1941 and took command of the depot ship Courbet. When she was laid up, he took command of the First French Naval Air Squadron which fitted out with Spitfires and was operational in the South of England. He moved briefly to night-fighters before taking command of the sloop Savorgnan de Brazza in late 1942. The book ends with the sloop's first voyage to Gibraltar, but a publisher's note describes the rest of his career.

Not very good production values but offers insights into an odd corner of the war. The 23rd MTB Flotilla was formed at and based at Dartmouth and Free French manned. This gives odd snippets on their service.

The sorry tale of the French Fleet, written before the official records were released.

The personal story of an RNVR Officer attached to the French minesweepers as a Liaison Officer first at Cherbourg then at Brest. The book covers the critical period of May–June 1940.

Again contains interesting material on the Free French Naval Forces. The second volume contains documents. A third two-volume set of war memoirs called Salvation covers the post-liberation period of 1944–46.

Contains much concerning the formation of the Free French Naval Forces and their activities. Volume 2 contains documents.

One of the excellent series of reference books describing the ships of each of the combatant nations in detail. This volume covers both Vichy and Free French ships. A short account of their activities in the war is included.