French destroyer Indomptable
Encyclopedia
Indomptable was the name of a French large destroyer (contre-torpilleur) that served in World War 2.
After shortly served with Mediterranean fleet based at Casablanca
, Indomptable was transferred to Indochina
in September 1936. Based at Saigon from October 13, Indomptable realized several combat demonstrations at Tianjin
to Chinese forces, who was in war with Japan. When WW2 started, Indomptable still was at Indochina, but returned to Europe in December 1939.
In April 11, 1940, Indomptable was at Trondheim
with orders of attack Kriegsmarine convoys, and in April 28, she hit a mine and was beached for avoid her destruction. Finally, Indomptable returned to Brest
in May 5 and was in that port when France surrendered. After the armistice, Indomptable escaped to Casablanca and her mission consisted in neutralize naval activity of Free France in the South Atlantic, however in February 1941 she was attacked by aircraft of HMS Hermes
and returned to Toulon for repairs. After the repairs, Indomptable operated at the North Atlantic attacking Russian convoys with destiny to Murmansk
; in several times, Indomptable attempted attack convoys with torpedoes, but failed, and in mid-August she hit several mines put by British aircraft and returned again to Toulon for repairs. After being repaired, Indomptable returned to the service, but this time at the Mediterranean, escorting Italian and German convoys. After of more patrol missions, Indomptable suffered a boiler accident near Crete
in February 17, 1942, returning to Toulon in March 8. Still was under repair when Germany invaded Vichy France
and was scuttled
for avoid her capture; after the activation of demolition charges and opening of sea valves, Indomptable burned for several hours before the explosive charges ignited the torpedoes and subsequently caused to the ship blown up.
Refloated by the Italians in February 1943, was repaired and commissioned in the Regia Marina as FR23. Captured by allied forces in early September, was transferred to U.K and stranded at Portsmouth
as gunnery school ship. Destination to Poland in January 1944, was commissioned at the Polish navy under the name of OF2 ('OF' was the abbreviation of 'Okręt Francuski', in Polish language, 'French Ship') and was based at Murmansk. In March 27, 1945, was torpedoed by a German submarine, and although not was sunk, the damage was too bad for repair and the ship was beached in the northwest of Murmansk. Decommissioned in April 22 and stricken off the Polish navy list to the next day, was donated to Soviet government in 1956 and subsequently was fade-out and her parts was used in the construction of aircraft and another ships.
History
After being launched in December 7, 1933, Indomptable entered in service in the spring of 1936.After shortly served with Mediterranean fleet based at Casablanca
Casablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
, Indomptable was transferred to Indochina
Indochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
in September 1936. Based at Saigon from October 13, Indomptable realized several combat demonstrations at Tianjin
Tianjin
' is a metropolis in northern China and one of the five national central cities of the People's Republic of China. It is governed as a direct-controlled municipality, one of four such designations, and is, thus, under direct administration of the central government...
to Chinese forces, who was in war with Japan. When WW2 started, Indomptable still was at Indochina, but returned to Europe in December 1939.
In April 11, 1940, Indomptable was at Trondheim
Trondheim
Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...
with orders of attack Kriegsmarine convoys, and in April 28, she hit a mine and was beached for avoid her destruction. Finally, Indomptable returned to Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
in May 5 and was in that port when France surrendered. After the armistice, Indomptable escaped to Casablanca and her mission consisted in neutralize naval activity of Free France in the South Atlantic, however in February 1941 she was attacked by aircraft of HMS Hermes
HMS Hermes (95)
HMS Hermes was an aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy. The ship was begun during World War I and finished after the war ended. She was the world's first ship to be designed and built as an aircraft carrier, although the Imperial Japanese Navy's was the first to be commissioned...
and returned to Toulon for repairs. After the repairs, Indomptable operated at the North Atlantic attacking Russian convoys with destiny to Murmansk
Murmansk
Murmansk is a city and the administrative center of Murmansk Oblast, Russia. It serves as a seaport and is located in the extreme northwest part of Russia, on the Kola Bay, from the Barents Sea on the northern shore of the Kola Peninsula, not far from Russia's borders with Norway and Finland...
; in several times, Indomptable attempted attack convoys with torpedoes, but failed, and in mid-August she hit several mines put by British aircraft and returned again to Toulon for repairs. After being repaired, Indomptable returned to the service, but this time at the Mediterranean, escorting Italian and German convoys. After of more patrol missions, Indomptable suffered a boiler accident near Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
in February 17, 1942, returning to Toulon in March 8. Still was under repair when Germany invaded Vichy France
Case Anton
Operation Anton was the codename for the military occupation of Vichy France carried out by Germany and Italy in November 1942.- Background :...
and was scuttled
Scuttling of the French fleet in Toulon
The French fleet in Toulon was scuttled on 27 November 1942 on the order of the Admiralty of Vichy France to avoid capture by Nazi German forces during Operation Lila of the Case Anton takeover of Vichy France.- Context :...
for avoid her capture; after the activation of demolition charges and opening of sea valves, Indomptable burned for several hours before the explosive charges ignited the torpedoes and subsequently caused to the ship blown up.
Refloated by the Italians in February 1943, was repaired and commissioned in the Regia Marina as FR23. Captured by allied forces in early September, was transferred to U.K and stranded at Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
as gunnery school ship. Destination to Poland in January 1944, was commissioned at the Polish navy under the name of OF2 ('OF' was the abbreviation of 'Okręt Francuski', in Polish language, 'French Ship') and was based at Murmansk. In March 27, 1945, was torpedoed by a German submarine, and although not was sunk, the damage was too bad for repair and the ship was beached in the northwest of Murmansk. Decommissioned in April 22 and stricken off the Polish navy list to the next day, was donated to Soviet government in 1956 and subsequently was fade-out and her parts was used in the construction of aircraft and another ships.