French battleship Dunkerque left Mers-el-Kébir, French Algeria bound for Toulon, Vichy France according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 20 February 1942

Dunkerque©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Vauquelin-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

L’Adroit-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that in the early morning of 19 February the French battleship Dunkerque (1) joined by 2 destroyers and 2 submarines left Mers-el-Kébir, French Algeria with unknown destination [naval base at Toulon, Vichy France]. The French destroyers Kersaint (2), Cid (?) and Alcyon (3) already left Algiers, French Algeria. The J.I.C. commented that the departure of the Dunkerque was no surprise, she needed to be docked and her fire control equipment be repaired. However every move of a French important ship including at Martinique was to be monitored.

Notes

1. Built under the 1931 Programme 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.

2. Part of Vauquelin-class preceded by Aigle-class succeeded by Le Fanstaque-class. Laid down by Chantiers Navals Francais, Caen Ateliers et Chantiers de La Loire, Saint Nazaire, France on 19 September 1930, launched on 14 November 1931, commissioned on 20 September 1933,completed on 31 December 1933, in actual service on 14 January 1934, scuttled at Toulon, France on 27 November 1942 and broken up in 1950.

3. Part of L'Adroit-class preceded by Bourrasque-class succeeded by Le Hardi-class. Ordered on 25 November 1924, laid down by Forges et Chantiers de la Gironde, Bordeaux, France in May 1925, launched on 26 June 1926, completed on 15 July 1929 and stricken on 10 November 1952.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. MR0423. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 72 dated 20 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 cruiser Emile Bertin active in French Caribbean territory according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 8 March 1942

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the Vichy French light cruiser Emile Bertin intended to leave on 11 March Fort de France, Martinique towards Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe and would returned on 18 March.(1)

Note

1. Light cruiser. Preceded by Jeanne d’Arc, succeeded by La Gallissonière-class, laid down by Chantiers de Penhoët, France on 18 August 1931, launched on 9 May 1933, commissioned on 28 January 1935, decommissioned in October 1951, gunnery training ship, stricken on 27 October 1959 and broken up in 1961.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 88 dated 8 March 1942.

Vichy French warships in French colonies disarmed according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 12 December 1941

Émile Bertin. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Béarn. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that during a meeting between Marshal Petain and de admirals Leahy and Darlan at 6:00 P.M. 11 December the latter stated that the French ships lying in French colonial harbours in the Western Hemisphere were disarmed and no intention to depart. The J.I.C. commented that is was not proven that the ships lying at Martinique were disarmed. This were until the night of 11 December the Emile Bertin (1), Bearn (2) and Barfleur (3); the latter departed then.

Notes

1. Émile Bertin, fast light cruiser, preceded by Jeanne d’Arc succeeded by La Galissonière-class, laid down by Chantiers de Penhoët on 18 August 1931, launched on 9 May 1933, commissioned on 28 January 1935, decommissioned in October 1951, stricken on 27 October 1959 and broken up in 1961.

2. Béarn, laid down at the yard of  Société des Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterranée, La Seyne, France on 10 January 1914 as a battleship of the Normandie-class, launched in April 1920, rebuild as a carrier between 1923-1927, although already in October 1920 an airplane successfully landed, commissioned in May 1927, stricken on 21 March 1967 and finally broken up in Italy. Although she joined the Allied forces was she never used as an carrier but as an aircraft transport.

3. Armed merchant cruiser X19 Barfleur, launched by Burmeister&Wain, Copenhagen, Denmark in 1938, commissioned in November 1939, in 1944 armed transport X2.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration) mr0422a. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 2 Dated 12 December 1941.

US Navy contacted submarines off Maritinique according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 18 December 1941

An item referred to the US Navy reporting that an US warship made 2 contact with submarines east of Martinique. The second contact was attacked with depth charges, results unknown to the darkness.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration) mr0422a. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 8 dated 18 December 1941.

Vichy French warships in French West Indies according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 12 December 1941

Émile Bertin. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Béarn. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Jeanne d’Arc. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that on 11 December at Fort de France, Martinique were lying the Emile Bertin (1), Bearn (2) and Barfleur (3), the latter leaving last night under cover of the darkness. The Jeanne d’Arc (4)was lying at Guadeloupe.

Notes

1. Émile Bertin, fast light cruiser, preceded by Jeanne d’Arc succeeded by La Galissonière-class, laid down by Chantiers de Penhoët on 18 August 1931, launched on 9 May 1933, commissioned on 28 January 1935, decommissioned in October 1951, stricken on 27 October 1959 and broken up in 1961.

2. Béarn, laid down at the yard of Société des Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterranée, La Seyne, France on 10 January 1914 as a battleship of the Normandie-class, launched in April 1920, rebuild as a carrier between 1923-1927, although already in October 1920 an airplane successfully landed, commissioned in May 1927, stricken on 21 March 1967 and finally broken up in Italy. Although she joined the Allied forces was she never used as an carrier but as an aircraft transport.

3. Armed merchant cruiser X19 Barfleur, launched by Burmeister&Wain, Copenhagen, Denmark in 1938, commissioned in November 1939, in 1944 armed transport X2.

4. Light cruiser. Preceded by Duguay Trouin-class succeeded by Émile Bertin. Designed by engineer Antoine to be used as cadet training ship, laid down in September 1928 at Saint Nazaire, launched in 1930, baptized on 14 February the same year, commissioned in October 1031, decommissioned in 1964 and finally broken up. Nicknamed the La Jeanne was her homeport Toulon.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration) mr0422a. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 2 Dated 12 December 1941.

The Roberts-Greenslade Agreement according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 19 December 1941

An item reported that the so-called Greenslade Agreement (1) was renewed and the French admiral Robert (2) was assured by the USA that certain French merchant ships were allowed to make specific voyages without being hindered. The J.I.C. commented that under the agreement Robert maintained the status quo of his warships, aircraft and the stored gold to be able importing essential supplies into Martinique.

Notes

1. Gentleman’s agreement to keep the French West Indies neutral.

2. Georges Achille Marie Joseph Robert (31 January 1875 Courseulles-2 March 1965 Paris, France), High commissioner to Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana 1939-1943. Greenslade is identical to admiral John Wills Greenslade (11 January 1880 Bellevue, Ohio, USA-6 January 1950 Bellevue, Ohio, USA), senior member of the General Board of the US Navy.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 9 dated 19 December 1941.

Enemy submarines in the Atlantic Theatre according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 19 December 1941

An item referred to OPNAV dealing with the enemy submarine estimate 18 December. It seemed that the enemy increased her submarine activities off the Atlantic East Coast and in the Straits of Florida and the Caribbean. An US destroyer reported a possible contact abour 40 miles east of Cape Henry. A second destroyer made a good sound contact 90 miles east of Martinique but the results of her attacks were unknown. Finally made an army plane a definite sight contact east of Miami, Florida. Further more were German submarines present in the eastern Atlantic between Gibraltar and the Cape Verde Islands.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 9 dated 19 December 1941.

Periscope off submarine sighted off Martinique according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 21 December 1941

An item referred to OPNAV reporting that on 17 December a periscope east of Martinique was seen although doubtful.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 11 dated 21 December 1941.

Sound contact made with enemy submarine east of Martinique according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 21 December 1941

An item referred to OPNAV reporting that east of Martinique where earlier (17 December) a periscope was seen, a good sound contact with an enemy submarine was made by sunset followed by a depth charge attack. The contact was however lost and the darkness prevented to become aware of the results.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 11 dated 21 December 1941.

US submarine attacked with unknown results enemy submarine according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 22 December 1941

An item referred to the Navy Department reporting that an American submarine attacked with depth charges the day before an enemy submarine after sharp sound contacts on the position Latitude 59.01 North and Longitude 34.02 West [Martinique vicinity]. Unknown what the results were.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 12 dated 22 December 1941.

No changes in positions of enemy submarines according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 30 April 1942

An item reported that there seemed to be no changes in the enemy submarines positions. In the vicinity of the West African cost was believed a supply vessel to be active and reliable reports pointed out that on 28 April an enemy submarine was lying in the port of Martinique.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 141 dated 30 April 1942.

Vichy French light cruiser Emile Bertin stationed at Martinique according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 10 March 1942

An item reported that the Vichy French light cruiser Emile Bertin was destined from Fort de France, Martinique for Iles des Saints. In stead she would execute exercises on 11 March in the territorial waters of Martinique. In the meantime was her commanding officer replaced.

Note

Light cruiser. Preceded by Jeanne d’Arc, succeeded by La Gallissonière-class, laid down by Chantiers de Penhoët, France on 18 August 1931, launched on 9 May 1933, commissioned on 28 January 1935, decommissioned in October 1951, gunnery training ship, stricken on 27 October 1959 and broken up in 1961.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 90 dated 10 March 1942

French cruiser Emile Bertin in worse condition according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 16 March 1942

An item referred to a reliable report reporting that the Vichy French cruiser Emile Bertin lying at Martinique was in poor condition qua personnel and material. Her deck force consisted mainly of insufficiently trained Martinique inland personnel.(1)

Note

1. Light cruiser. Preceded by Jeanne d’Arc, succeeded by La Gallissonière-class, laid down by Chantiers de Penhoët, France on 18 August 1931, launched on 9 May 1933, commissioned n 28 January 1935, decommissioned in October 1951, gunnery training ship, stricken on 27 October 1959 and broken up in 1961.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 96 dated 16 March 1942.

French naval vessels stationed in the West Indies (Martinique) immobilized according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee Daily summary dated 14 May 1942

An item reported that admiral Robert (1) guaranteed that the French naval vessels stationed in the West Indies (Martinique) were immobilized by removing the fuel to be followed by machinery parts. The French Vichy Goverment seemed to have refused to hand over the tankers and cargo ships at Martinique to the USA.

Note

1. Admiral Georges Robert (Courseulles 31 January 1875-Paris 2 March 1965), High Commissioner for the French West Indies (Antilles and French Guiana) 14 September 1939-14 July 1943.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 155 dated 14 May 1942

Fate of French cargo ships lying at Martinique unknown according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee Daily summary dated 15 May 1942

An item reported that there was still no agreement what to do with the French cargo ships lying at Martinique. The J.I.C. commented that without any doubts the German government would prevent that the United Nations [USA?] would use the ships.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 156 dated 15 May 1942

Machinery and ordnance of French warships at Martinique removed according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 24 May 1942

Jeanne d'Arc

 Béarn

An item reported that admiral Robert agreed to sent the machinery and ordnance removed from the French warships at Martinique to Casablanca, Morocco with the first available ship. The warships were under his command.(1)

Note

1. Vice admiral Georges Robert (31 January 1875 Courseulles-2 March 1965 Paris), already retired recalled in August 1939 and since 15 September active as commander in chief of the French Atlantic forces and French High Commissioner in the West Indies, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Guayana. Among the French warships were there the aircraft carrier Béarn and the cruisers Jeanne d’Arc and the Émile Bertin.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 164 dated 24 May 1942

The British and French navies around Barbados and Martinique according to the Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 14 April 1823

London, 8 April. A tiding dated Cork 5 April reported the arrival of the brig Hawke master John Bowe that morning after a voyage of 30 days coming from Barbados. He reported that a few days for his departure a French sloop was discovered off the island coming from Martinique to investigate the British naval force at this station. Commodore Owen immediately sent the ship Force towards Martinique where nine French warships were found to be joined within short time by another 3 frigates 1st class. Their destination was thought to be towards Cuba.

The French navy in the Caribbean area according to the Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 9 September 1825

Paris, 5 September. The French minister of navy of colonies count de Chabrol reported to the French king what happened in the meantime considering the situation at Haiti/St. Domingo. It was decided to send Baron de Mackay with an ordinance dated 17 April to protect the interests of the French trade. He left 4 May with the frigate la Circé Rochefort ordered to go immediately towards Martinique to consult lieutenant general Danzelot, governor of the colony and rear admiral Jurien commanding officer of the French squadron in the Antilles. Jurien was ordered to gather all his ships to be available between 15 and 20 June off Port Royal. Rear admiral Grivel commanding the squadron off Brazil was ordered to come towards Martinique to join Jurien. The la Medéa which left mid May France arrived 17 June at Fort Royal. The French crown also ordered that the 4 frigates l’Amphitrite, l’Antigone, la Flore and la Galathée had to be fitted out completely and to be able to depart immediately if requested. Also it was ordered that 2 ships of the line, 4 frigates and several small vessels were to be provisional commissioned or fitted out. There were just a few days required to do so. The squadron commanded by rear admiral Jurrien consisted 20 June of the ships of the line 80-gun l’Eylau and 74-gun le Jean Bart, 24-gun frigates la Venus and la Clorinde, 18-gun frigates la Nymphe, la Themis, la Magicienne, la Circé, la Medée and la Salamandre and 45 brigs or goelettes armed with 16,18 and 24 guns. Baron de Mackau commanding officer of the la Circé was ordered to depart some days before the squadron which was no to appear on the waters of Port-au-Prince before ordered to do so. De Mackau departed 23 June with a division consisting of the frigate and the brigs le Rusé and la Bearnaise Martinique and the other ships 27 June.

The Colombian, French, Greek, Mexican, Spanish and Swedish navies according to the Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 7 June

London, 3 June. According to letters from Caracas was it expected that the Mexican and Colombian squadrons which arrived in March at Matanzas would meet hardly any resistance. The tidings that French and Spanish fleets were sighted off Martinique were constantly repeated.

Stockholm, 26 May. The frigate Eurydice was destined to bring the count Stredingk to Russia. The Royal family intended to visit the feast on board of the frigate before her departure.

Paris, 4 June. According to rumours left Lord Cochrane with 6 armed steamships from Torbay to aid the Greeks and they would be joined by some more frigates.