MN Dunkerque: Did More Than be "Destroyed" at Mers-el-Kébir

Delve into the historical intricacies of a pivotal World War II naval incident with our documentary on the Dunkerque Dilemma. This meticulously crafted exploration takes you back to the post-World War I geopolitical landscape, unraveling the challenges faced by the French Marine Nationale and the strategic choices behind the Dunkerque-class battleships.
Discover the technical marvels of the Dunkerque battleship, its impressive speed, formidable armament, and its role in navigating the complex waters of Franco-Italian rivalry and shifting global alliances. International naval treaties, notably the London Naval Treaty, further shape the narrative, shedding light on the urgency for France to modernize its fleet.
Our documentary meticulously examines the controversial events at Mers El Kebir, where British and French naval forces faced a momentous decision. Delve into the nuanced motivations behind the British Royal Navy's actions, as they grappled with the delicate balance of preventing Axis power exploitation of the French fleet.
This historical journey is brought to life through a captivating blend of archival footage, expert interviews, and insightful analysis. Our commitment to historical accuracy ensures a balanced perspective, allowing viewers to comprehend the intricate web of decisions made in the crucible of geopolitical turmoil.
Join us in this exploration of Dunkerque and Mers El Kebir, gaining a deeper understanding of the lasting impact this incident has had on naval history. Our documentary maintains a professional tone, inviting history enthusiasts to engage in a thoughtful and enlightening experience.
This documentary is more than just a historical account; it's an invitation to unravel the mysteries of the past, fostering a community of viewers passionate about understanding the complexities that have shaped our world. Subscribe, like, and join us in the ongoing journey of exploring key historical events that continue to resonate through time.
Intro 0:00
Background 0:25
Service 8:09
Mers-el-Kébir 13:34
End 23:27
Sources/Other Reading:
www.amazon.com/Mussolinis-Nav...
www.amazon.com/War-Mediterran...
www.amazon.com/French-Battles...
www.amazon.com/Naval-War-Medi...
Video Information:
Copyright fair use notice. All media used in this video is used for the purpose of education under the terms of fair use. All footage and images used belong to their copyright holders, when applicable.

[@ImportantHistory]

Thanks for watching everyone! Haven't covered a Marine Nationale ship in a long time, almost a year if memory serves. Hopefully you enjoyed it! I'd love to cover some more ships, specifically their destroyers. Also, I do use pictures of Strasbourg in the video as well, hard to come by photos!

[@hazchemel]

Fine looking ships

[@jmulnick]

Hi there! 👋🏼 This is my 1st time watching one of your vids, and I am an instant fan and subscriber. Great work, cheers!

[@ImportantHistory]

Thank you! Glad to have you on board!

[@Arthion]

Dunkerque and Strassbourg both deserved more dignified fates than what they got. Pretty nifty designs.

[@moosifer3321]

Probably the Best Explanation of an unecessary WWII Incident that I`ve heard. Bravo. Somerville did his Best.

[@jimtaylor294]

I'd argue that Drach' goes into more detail in certain areas, and that this video left out quite a bits that set the context for Gensoul's actions being especially odious; but aye some notable details were brought up here.

[@ImportantHistory]

I’d also argue Drach’s is better. But, my intentions were never to go in depth like his video.

[@jimtaylor294]

@ImportantHistory Fair enough. The video is very much appreciated 😌👍 . Had hoped though you'd mention in-video in more detail Dunkirk's self-destruction at Toulon, as from what I've read it was a large explosion that (unlike her sister which was scuttled but still salvageable after the event [until the Italians partially scrapped her & a US air raid sank her again]) was enough to rend the ship beyond any credible repair.

[@MrSEANDEERE]

Sad end to the French fleet but their was immense confusion in the days following the fall of France and saldy I'm not surprised it happened. It's still tragic and I do beleive a better outcome would have been possible.

[@warhawk4494]

Loved Drachfinel video om her from a few years ago. I sure love his Looong video format. Lol so many kids today have no attention span.

[@lyedavide]

An excellent presentation on the French battleship Dunkerque. Precious little is available in video format about French warships in general. Good job!

[@CliveN-yr1gv]

Thanks for that. And thanks for the reminder to be respectful in comments.

[@bigsarge2085]

Entertaining AND informative. Keep up the great work!

[@maxsothcott4484]

The French Fleet under German control post June 1940 control would have been a clear and present danger to Britain! The reduction of this threat was a strategic necessity as far as British survival was concerned. Remember, this was the same time as France had surrendered to German occupation, the evacuation of British, French and Belgian forces from Dunkirk has been completed, the Battle of Britain was commencing, a German amphibious invasion of the UK was a real possibility and Britain was geographically alone in the struggle. An acceptance of the British offer made to the French fleet for demilitarisation or removal to British custody would have avoided the attack.

[@jimtaylor294]

Yup. Many also forget that the Dutch Navy & Polish Navy immediately sided with the British after their home countries were lost to invasion (as would the remains of Norway's navy, and their vast Merchant fleet), making the French actions outright shameful.

[@alexbardoux7297]

Gensoul could'nt accept any term of the ultimatum. The consequence would have been an immediate invasion of the part of France remaining in Vchy's hand . You can't await asuch a behaviour of such a high rank officer . But of course everyone would have prefer to see all these ships under free french flag.

[@exploringtheplanetsn]

Hind sight being 20/20 but sailing to a French port in the West Indies was probably the best option in terms of preserving the fleet

[@timandellenmoran1213]

Thanks, very informative!

[@raithebatou]

Well presented and interesting video on the Dunkerque and related history!

[@soldierski1669]

Can't imagine the pressures .

[@sailordude2094]

Great history to discuss the Vichy forces, thanks for the video!

[@averagewikipediaenthusiast3088]

I wonder what would've happened if the French fleet at Mers el Kebir joined the British

[@Backwardlooking]

Attractive ships though how well they would have performed in reality will never be known.

[@jimtaylor294]

Aye, though against 15" guns and torpedoes the answer is at least clear. Their successor class's armour was also suspect against USN issue 16"/45 guns, as shown by how the USN put down the Jean Bart, almost causing a major ammunition detonation in the process.

[@dennisswaim8210]

Terrible thing to have to fire on your once allies. Both the French and British were put in a bad situation. This was another of so many tragic events of that war. War sucks plain and simple.

[@eric-wb7gj]

TY🙏🙏

[@MrKawaltd750]

A very sad story for a fighting ship....

[@brandonhamilton833]

AI is going to make these black and white grainy videos look like iphone captures. I'm super excited about it!

[@RobertPaskulovich-fz1th]

France had a navy?

[@lynnwood7205]

A sad end.

[@nicholasleon7819]

My claim to fame is that I am good friends with Vincent P. O'Hara's son and I know Mr. O'Hara personally. I just like to say that in naval history videos anytime his name comes up lol.

[@hazchemel]

Her final few years must have been a grim forbearance for her.

[@annoyingbstard9407]

The British were supposed to believe assurances from both Hitler and Petain? 😂

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

There were plans to move the ship in advance, the French were not idiots but the British wanted to acquire the ship for their fleet to take charge of the Mediterranean,

[@michellepeoplelikeyoumurde8373]

Rubbish

[@user-tn5fz4kp8j]

The British were afraid the Germans would take them over

[@mbryson2899]

​@@michellepeoplelikeyoumurde8373Sources vary considerably, but I have read similar claims. Given that both (all?) sides wanted to present their version I suspect that the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

@@mbryson2899 Its called politics remember Scapa Flow Scutling and how none of the warships were given to France and even before WW I England and France were just as likely to go to war over the whole of North Afrika,

[@jimtaylor294]

^ Nope. The British position on the HSF was simple; they'd rather *nobody* got any of it, as any nation getting a bunch of German warships was an inconvenience, no matter whom it was. The German obsession with scuttling over being sunk or surrendering ironically did the UK a favour, and ensured both the Bayerns - the most potent ships in the fleet - and most of the HSF in Scapa remained with them [either afloat or on the bottom] as they were now in degraded condition and far less desirable. In the end the French *did* get ships from the former Austro-Hungarian navy (including a couple of the Battleships), which were all promptly scrapped for cash & resources. Also; nope. The UK's #1, #2 & #3 interwar war plans were focused on the USA, Japan & the USSR. France wasn't even a tertiary concern in their calculations 😂

[@frankodo3251]

There wasn’t much of an alternative to this kind of action. There was no reliable guarantee that the Germans wouldn’t put the French ships in action, the reason this didn’t happen was probably due to the very limited German manpower. That would have changed the blance of power considerably in general and in the med especially. No British high command could allow that to happen. The French Admiral insisting to talk to a negotiator of equal rank made it additionally worse. As far as I know he cabled the British ultimatum to the French collaboration government but nobody felt able to make a decision (probably difficult with Germany easily able to occupie all of France at will. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jimtaylor294]

Yup. As Drach' and others have concluded; Admiral Gensoul's vanity & general lack of sense *should* be the focus, as he ensured a bloodbath, instead of working with the Navy least opposed to France's interests. (unsurprisingly; compared to the Germans & Italians, the British were only interested in either the French fleet joining them, or removing the risk of it being captured/handed over as a threat in other ways)

[@stevehollenbach4313]

Actually, Gensoul had standing orders from Darlan. Included in his options were two courses of action that closely matched the British options. Take the fleet to Martinique or Guadeloupe, or to the US to be interred until the war was over. These were predicated on the condition the fleet was under siege. Considering the British options diminished into an ultimatum, they were under siege. The best option in my opinion would have been Martinique. Still under Vichy, but far from easy take-over.

[@jimtaylor294]

@stevehollenbach4313 Well put. Gensoul's actions are poor from many angles. It's of note too that his actions are contrasted by the Dutch, Polish & Norwegian navies (and the latter's vast merchant fleet); all of which continued their countries' fight from exile, in concert with the British. The French overall failure to readily continue the fight (despite many options; such as the pre-Vichy French Government transferring to Algiers and carrying on the fight against Germany from there; a bit like how Portugal's government withdrew to Brazil [their largest colony] a century prior during the war with Napoleon) or deny their ships through self-sabotage, is objectively shameful. That said actions to prevent seizure at Toulon later in the war though count for something, albeit far too late and after nonsense such as the collaborator Vichy PM using the fleet to shell Gibraltar (his being hanged postwar as a traitor & for aiding in German genocide toward french nationals somewhat makes up for it though).

[@frankodo3251]

@@jimtaylor294 I don’t think anything done postwar bei France makes up for what they factually did after surrendering in 1940. It was the only European Nationa under German occupation that actually and actively collaborated with Germany without being a full fledged puppet state. That from the Nation that had its will at Versailles to make sure there never would be a land power to rival them in Europe again. Until they got their lazy butt kicked in 1940. French Infanterie rifle, built 1938, never fired, only dropped once. The cowardly frech surrendered so fast as so willingly during case yellow the British lost a good part of their air force there. Not accounting basically everything in terms of heavy weapons, equipment and vehicles that had to be left at Dunkirk. The biggest army in Europe? lol. Just gotten rooted by German units inferior in numbers easily. Mets-el kebir was the almost inevitable result of general megalomania the French are suffering from to this day. What a despicable action 🤢

[@jimtaylor294]

@frankodo3251 Agreed. It's ironic too. They had some good troops, vessels & industrial assets, yet their military brass, politicians and general organisation was dreadful, and they chose post 1944 to largely deny they let the side down, while lying through their teeth on various details. (such as DeGaulle's infamous speech in 1944, that shat on the vast Allied forces that'd got him there, and set the scene for postwar British & American contempt [by servicemen & politicians alike] for the French government) A few golden moments though, such as the French Submarine at Toulon that defied orders to scuttle, and instead got underway and made it out & to an allied port. Another was the head of the Peugeot munitions factory in 1940, which decided to use a lot of his own product to blow the entire facility to smithereens, before the Germans could capture it 🤔 💥