Béarn
Survived
French Navy, then Vichy French Navy
| Type | Aircraft carrier |
|---|---|
| War | Second World War |
| Main guns | 8 × 6.1″ guns |
Service
| to 1940 | Béarn | |
| 1940–1943 | Béarn Vichy France formed | |
| from 1943 | Béarn The French West Indies rejoined the Allies |
France's only aircraft carrier, converted from an unfinished battleship. Caught at Martinique by the armistice while bringing American aircraft, she was laid up there until 1943, then served as an aircraft transport.
Armament and specifications
Armament
- 8 × single 155 mm (6.1 in) guns
- 6 × single 75 mm (3 in) AA guns
- 8 × single 37 mm (1.5 in) AA guns
- 12 × single 8 mm (0.31 in) machine guns
- 4 × 550 mm (21.7 in) torpedo tubes
Armour
- Belt: 83 mm (3.3 in)
- Flight deck: 24 mm (0.9 in)
| Builder | Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, La Seyne-sur-Mer |
|---|---|
| Laid down | 10 January 1914 |
| Launched | 15 April 1920 |
| Commissioned | 5 December 1927 |
| Displacement | 22,146 long tons (22,501 t) (standard) |
| Length | 182.5 m (598 ft 9 in) (o/a) |
| Speed | 21.5 knots (39.8 km/h; 24.7 mph) |
| Complement | 875 |
As built, from the ship's Wikipedia article. Figures there may cover later refits too.
Career
She isn't listed in any of the fleet actions covered here.
Launched
15 April 1920
Joined the Vichy French Navy
10 July 1940 · Vichy France formed
Joined the French Navy
July 1943 · The French West Indies rejoined the Allies
Fate
Survived
Scrapped, 1967