Japanese heavy cruiser Ashigara active in the Saigon area on 30 July 1941

Sister ship Myoko©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item referred to special intelligence received from Singapore reporting the presence of the Japanese heavy cruiser Ashigara (10,000 tons, 10-8”guns) in the Saigon area [French Indochina nowadays Vietnam] on 30 July. Commented was that this flagship of the Japanese South Sea Fleet recently was active in the Hainan-Formosa area.(1)

Note

1. Part of Myoko-class, preceded by Aoba-class, succeeded by Takao-class, laid down by Kawasaki Shipyards, Kobe, Japan on 11 April 1925, launched on 2 April 1928, commissioned on 20 August 1929 and sunk by the British submarine HMS Trenchant on 8 June 1945 while used to transport troops in the Bangka Strait.

Source

Website Sea Power Centre Australia. O.I.C. Daily Summary of Operational-Intelligence dated 1 August 1941

France prohibited British ships and aircraft to approach French territories within 20 miles according to the War Cabinet Weekly Résumé No. 45of the Naval, Military and Air Situation 4-12 July 1940

An item reported that the French government prohibited British ships and aircraft to approach any French territory worldwide within 20 miles risking gun fire without priory warning.(1)

Note

1. France was in 1940 invaded and occupied by Germany (in the north) and Italy (in the south) with Southern France and the French territories outside France were ruled by the Vichy Government (10 July 1940-9 August 1944). At London, England was an government-in-exile under the name Free France set up.

Source

National Archive UK. CAB-66-9-42. 

French merchant ship Bougainville 1913-1942 and Japanese Teifu or Teihu or Taihu Maru 1942-1945

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Call sign FNLR. Owner in 1939 Compagnie Maritime des Chargeurs Réunis S.A., Le Havre, France. Laid down by Forges et chantiers de la Méditerranée, Le Havre, France in 1913, launched in 1914, completed in April 1914, part of the Vichy France fleet after 25 June 1940, requisitioned by Japan on 12 April 1942, bombed by American Task Force carrier based aircraft and sunk on 21 January 1945. Gross tonnage7,110 tons, net tonnage 4,363 tons, deadweight 9,200 tons and as dimensions 414.0 x 53.8 x 34.8 x 27 (loaded) feet. Coal fuelled propulsion, horsepower 416 nhp and speed 12 (normal cruising)-13 (maximum) knots. 

French battleship Dunkerque arrived at Toulon, France according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 22 February 1942

Dunkerque©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the French battleship Dunkerque, damaged by the British Royal Navy at Mers-el-Kébir, French Algeria on 3 July 1940 arrived under her own power at the main French naval base at Toulon, Vichy-France. The J.I.C. commented that her departure from Mers-el-Kébir, French Algeria was mentioned in Summary No. 72.(1)

Note

1. Built under the 1931 Programm as an answer on the German Deutschland-class heavy cruisers, laid down by Arsenal de Brest, France on 24 December 1932, launched on 2 October 1935, in service on 1 September 1938, scuttled on 27 November 1942, stricken in 1955 and broken up in 1958. Part of Dunkerque-class preceded by planned Lyon-class and realized Bretagne-class and succeeded by Richelieu-class

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 74 dated 22 February 1942

French submarines Pégase (1) and Monge visited Sabang, Ducth East Indies in 1937

The Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeemacht 1936-1937 reported that the French Pégase and Monge visited Sabang, Dutch East Indies between 23-27 January 1937. The Dutch newspaper Deli courant dated Saturday 23 January referred to her correspondent at Sabang, who telegraphed that the same afternoon the French submarines Pégase (1) and Monge (2) were expected. They were to leave on Wednesday Poeloe Weh. For the crew members was as usual a program of activities for foreign warships arranged. Both were 1st class submarines with as dimensions 92 x 8 x 4.7 (draught) metres. Crew numbered 63 men. Armament 1-10cm gun, 3.7cm anti aircraft gun and 10-55cm torpedo tubes. Horsepower 6,000 hp, speed 18-21 (surfaced)-10 (submerged) miles and displacement 1,379 (surfaced)-1,968 (submerged) tons. The edition dated 30 January supplied more details. Both boats were berthed from Saturday 23 until Thursday 27 January alongside quay No. 4 near the office of the Stoomvaart Maatschappij “Nederland”in the Sabang Bay. They were welcomed by harbor master V.d. Burgh and head administrator of the Sabang Maatschappij L.C. Baron van Feltz. The same day paid French officers visits to the local authorities. On Tuesday was a football match with the local S.D.O. and in the evening were the etat majors invited on a dance evening in the society De Koepel. Both boats left Toulon, France on 16 December 1936 and went via Suez, Egypt, Djibouti, French Somaliland and Colombo, Ceylon to Sabang. The intention was to leave Thursday morning to Saigon, French Indochina where to be stationed for the time being.

Notes

1. Q156. Part of Redoutable-class or Classe 1,500 tons, designed as 1st class submarines or large submarine cruisers.

Laid down by Ateliers et Chantiers de la Loire, Saint-Nazaire, France on 29 September 1928, launched on 28 June 1930, commissioned on 19 June 1932, laid up at Saigon on 1 January 1943, decommissioned on 1 January 1944, hulked, grounded on a shoal in the mouth of the Bassac River in or after September 1145 stricken on 10 June 1950, removed from the shoal and broken up at Saigon.

2. Q144. Part of Redoutable-class or Classe 1,500 tons, designed as 1st class submarines or large submarine cruisers. Laid down by Société Nouvelle des Forge

Large amount of ammunition shipped from French Indochina towards Burma according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 21 February 1942

An item reported that according to a Chinese source at Saigon, French Indochina 20,000 ton ammunition partly French property was shipped to be used [by the Japanese] in Burma.

Note

1. Japan invaded the northern part of French Indochina (Tonkin) between 22-26 September 1940. France was then already in German hands except for Vichy France., In July 1941 followed the southern part.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 73 dated 21 February 1942

German submarine visited Martinique shortly according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 22 February 1942

An item reported that the on 21 February a German submarine paid a short visit to Martinique for delivering a patient to the local hospital. The J.I.C. commented stated that this was allowed under international law and did not prove that enemy aircraft or submarines were stationed in the French West Indies.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 74 dated 22February 1942

French passenger steamship Lieutenant Saint Loubert Bie drifted rudderless on the Tejo in November 1940

In his letter dated Lisbon dated 3 November 1940 No. 890 to the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine wrote the German Marineattaché Portugal that according to the newspaper Diario da Manha and Seculo, Lisbon dated 31 October that the French passenger steamship Lieutenant Saint Loubert Bie lying on the Tejo drifted free when the anchor chain broke. This was possible cause while she was lying al quiet some time anchored. A tug towed her to the quay while her propulsion was inactive. For the time being would she stay there.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché Portugal. RM 11-16

Japanese cargo ship (ex-D’Artagnan 1923-1942) Teikyo Maru 1942-1944

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Name also spelled as Teiko Maru nd Teihoku Maru. Call sign Foat. Homeport Marseille, France. Laid down by Ateliers&Chantiers De La Gironde, Bordeaux, France as passenger-cargo ship for Messageries Maritimes in 1923, launched on 23 April 1924, completed in July 1925, requisitioned by French Navy as a transport on 6 September 1939, part of the Vichy Fleet since the French-German armistice of 25 June 1940 lying at Saigon, French Indochina, Japan allowed to ise Saigon at base for opeartions since 29 July 1941, requisitioned by the Japanese navy in April 1942, chartered by the government owned Teikoku Senpaky Kaisha on 6 May 1942 , damage caused by fire in October 1941 repaired and renamed Teiko Maru, used as transport, requsitioned by the army on 2 September 1942, became Army boat No. 795, torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine USS Puffer in the South China Sea 120 miles north west of Kuching, Borneo on 22 February 1944 and stricken in 1944.

Gross tonnage 15,105 tons, net tonnage 9,608 tons and as dimensions 543.5 x 65.0 x 41.4 x 27’8” (loaded) feet. Reciprocating propulsion, 2 screws, horsepower 1,244 nhp, fuel oil bunker capacity 1,437 tons and speed 14 (normal cruising)-15 (maximum) knots. 

German blockaderunner Mosel in 1941

In a letter dated 13 April 1942 No. 1329 to the O.K.M./1 Abteilung Skl. was the so-called ‘Etappen’-organisation of the navy described. In the attachment were the blockade runners decribed used for this purpose.  Mosel. Not loaded. Left Bangkok, Thailand on 8 August 1941. Arrived at Yokohama, Japan on 22 September 1941. Steamed via Saigon, French Indochina and Takao.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 7/223

The Far East French shipping according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 25 February 1942

An item reported that Vichy France intended to accept the Japanese demands for French shipping in the Far East.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 77 dated 25 February 1942

Japanese aircraft attacked US naval force near Solomon Islands according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 27 February 1942

An item reported that Japanese heavy bombers attacked on 20 February without success an US Naval force north of the Solomon Islands even loosing 16-17 aircraft. The American ships keep undamaged although 2 planes and a pilot were lost. According to the J.I.C. was this the attack reported from New Caledonia on 24 February No. 76.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 79 dated 27 February 1942

German naval intelligence post established on Madagascar according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 27 February 1942

An item reported that according to Swiss deplomatic sources with permission of Darlan the Germans operated a naval intelligence observation post on Madagascar. The J.I.C. commented that Madagascar was of strategic importance for operating in the Indian Ocean and uncertain what Vichy France wanted.(1)

Note

1. French Admiral of the Fleet Jean Louis Xavier François Darlan (7 August 1881 Nérac-24 December 1942 Algiers, French Algeria)

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 79 dated 27 February 1942

German battleship Tirpitz seemed to be in the Baltic according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 31 December 1941

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, MH 71390, anchored in the Alta Fjord, Norway between 1943-1944

An item reported that the German battleship Tirpitz operated on 18 December in the Baltic and was there still as far a known. The Bitish Admiralty did not believe the Vichy French report claiming she was in the Atlantic.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 21 dated 31 December 1942

France building dreadnoughts according to the Dutch newspaper De Sumatra post dated 22 April 1909

Danton-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Courbet-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the French dreadnought Diderot (1) was launched, to be followed next morning by the Condorcet(2). The building of 3 other dreadnoughts was in the meantime continued.(3)

Notes

1. Part of Danton-class semi-dreadnought preceded by Liberté-class succeeded by Courbet-class. Laid down by Ateliers et Chantiers de la Loire, Saint Nazaire, France on 20 October 1907, launched on 19 April 1909, completed on 1 August 1911, training ship since 1927, stricken in 1936 and broken up in 1937.

2. Part of Danton-class semi-dreadnought preceded by Liberté-class succeeded by Courbet-class. Laid down by Ateliers et Chantiers de la Loire, Saint Nazaire, France on 23 August 1907, launched on 20 April 1909, commissioned on 25 July 1911, training ship since 1927, accommodation hulk since 1931, captured by Germany in November 1942, for sale on 14 December 1945 and nroken up in 1949.

3. Part of Danton-class semi-dreadnought preceded by Liberté-class succeeded by Courbet-class. Other ships of the same class were the Danton, Mirabeau, Voltaire and Vergniaud. 

The French warships at Casablanca, French Morocco according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee Daily summary dated 10 May 1942

Richelieu-class. Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Duguay-Trouin-class .  Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item referred to several reports reporting that the French light cruiser Primaguet (1) escorted by 4 destroyers (although one report said 3 submarines which is probably not correct] departed on 9 May Casablanca, French Morocco for executing gunnery exercises returning later that day. At seas she was sighted by British planes which incorrectly identify her as the Jean Bart. (2) Other French major warships were inactive. Sources reporting that the maximum speed of the battleship Jean Bart was 20 knots and her cruising speed much lower. Her main armament consisted of just half of her 15” guns and the state of completion of her fire control system was unknown.

Notes

1. Duguay-Trouin-class preceded by planned La Motte-Picquet-class and succeeded by Jeanne d’Arc, laid down by Arsenal de Brest, France on 16 August 1923, launched on 21 May 1924, commissioned on 1 April 1927 and destroyed by the US Navy in the Naval Battle of Casablanca on 8 November 1941 and wreck sold and broken up in 1951.

2. Of the Richelieu-class as an answer on the Italian Littorio-class, preceded by Dunkerque-class and succeeded by the planned but not realized Alsace-class. Laid down on 12 December 1936, launched on 6 March 1940, commissioned on 8 January 1949, stricken on 10 February 1970 and broken up. Main armament super firing 2x4-38cm/15" /45 Modèle 1935 guns before the bridge.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 151 dated 10 May 1942

Positions of French major warships at Dakar, Senegal unchanged according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee Daily summary dated 11 May 1942

Richelieu-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

 La Galissonnière-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that on 8 May no chances in the positions of the French major warships at Dakar, Senegal were sighted. There were lying the battleship Richelieu (1) and the two light cruisers Montcalm (2) and Georges Leygues (3).

Notes

1. Of the Richelieu-class as an answer on the Italian Littorio-class, preceded by Dunkerque-class and succeeded by the planned but not realized Alsace-class, laid down by Arsenal de Brest on 22 October 1935, launched on 17 January 1939, commissioned on 1 April 1940, decommissioned in 1967 and stricken in scrapped in 1968.

2. Laid down by Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, La Seyne-sur-Mer, France on 15 November 1933, launched on 26 October 1935, commissioned on 15 November 1937, decommmissioned on 1 May 1957, accommodation hulk since 1959, renamed Q457 on 31 December 1969 and broken up in 1970. Part of the La Galissonnière-class light cruiser preceded by Émile Bertin succeeded by planned De Grasse-class.

3. Laid down by At.&Ch. De St. Nazaire-Penhoet on 21 September 1933, launched on 24 March 1936, commissioned on 15 November 1937, decommissioned on 1 May 1957 and sold to be broken up in November 1959. Part of the La Galissonnière-class light cruiser preceded by Émile Bertin succeeded by planned De Grasse-class.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 152 dated 11 May 1942

Unchanged positions of major French warships at Casablanca, French Morocco according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee Daily summary dated 11 May 1942

Richelieu-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

La Galissonnière-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Duguay-Trouin class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that aircraft sighted during their flight on 10 May no changes in the positions of the French major warships at Casablanca, French Morocco consisting of the still uncompleted battleship Jean Bart (1) and the two light cruisers Gloire (2) and Primaguet.(3)

Notes

1. Of the Richelieu-class as an answer on the Italian Littorio-class, preceded by Dunkerque-class and succeeded by the planned but not realized Alsace-class. Laid down on 12 December 1936, launched on 6 March 1940, commissioned on 8 January 1949, stricken on 10 February 1970 and broken up. Main armament super firing 2x4-38cm/15" /45 Modèle 1935 guns before the bridge.

2. Laid down by Forges et Chantiers de la Gironde on 13 November 1933, launched on 28 September 1935, commissioned on 15 November 1937 and broken up in 1958. Part of the La Galissonnière-class light cruiser preceded by Émile Bertin succeeded by planned De Grasse-class.

3. Duguay-Trouin-class light cruisers preceded by planned La Motte-Picquet-class and succeeded by Jeanne d’Arc, laid down by Arsenal de Brest, France on 16 August 1923, launched on 21 May 1924, commissioned on 1 April 1927 and destroyed by the US Navy in the Naval Battle of Casablanca on 8 November 1941 and wreck sold and broken up in 1951.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 152 dated 11 May 1942

French warships executing gun exercisies at Dakar, Senegal according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee Daily summary dated 17 May 1942

 La Galissonnière-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the French light cruisers George Leygues (1) and Montcalm(2) and the heavy destroyers Fantasque (3) and Malin (4) executed gun exercises on 12 May of Dakar.

Notes

1. Laid down by At.&Ch. De St. Nazaire-Penhoet on 21 September 1933, launched on 24 March 1936, commissioned on 15 November 1937, decommissioned on 1 May 1957 and sold to be broken up in November 1959. Part of the La Galissonnière-class light cruiser preceded by Émile Bertin succeeded by planned De Grasse-class.

2. Laid down by Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, La Seyne-sur-Mer, France on 15 November 1933, launched on 26 October 1935, commissioned on 15 November 1937, decommmissioned on 1 May 1957, accommodation hulk since 1959, renamed Q457 on 31 December 1969 and broken up in 1970. Part of the La Galissonnière-class light cruiser preceded by Émile Bertin succeeded by planned De Grasse-class.

3. Le Fantasque-class destroyer preceded by Vauquelin-class succeeded by Mogador-class, ordered under the naval programme of 1930, laid down by Arsenal de Lorient, France on 16 November 1931, launched on 15 March 1934, completed on 10 March 1936, reclassified as light cruiser on 28 September 1943, stricken in 1953 and broken up in 1958.

4. Le Fantasque-class destroyer preceded by Vauquelin-class succeeded by Mogador-class, ordered under the naval programme of 1930, laid down by Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, La Seyne, France on 16 November 1931, launched on 17 August 1933, completed on 1 May 1936, reclassified as light cruiser on 28 September 1943, stricken on 3 February 1964 and broken up in 1977.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 158 dated 17 May 1942

French submarine Le Héros missing according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 23 May 1942

An item reported that the French Vichy Admiralty announced that there was none contact with the French 1.384 tons submarine Le Héros (1) since 5 May. Bound for operations at Madagascar where earlier also the 2.370 tons submarine Bévéziers (2), a 2.000 tons sloop and a small escort vessel were lost.

Notes

1. Q170. Redoutable-class or 1,500 ton class. Laid down by Arsenal de Brest, Brest, France on 1 August 1929, launched on 14 October 1932, commissioned on 12 September 1934 and sunk on 7 May 1942.

2. Q179. Redoutable-class or 1,500 ton class. Laid down by Arsenal de Cherbourg, Cherbourg,France on 4 April 1932, launched on 14 October 1935, commissioned on 4 June 1937, sunk on 5 May 1942, salvaged and placed in reserve in 1943 and stricken in 1946.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 164 dated 23 May 1942