cold war French ships

Clemenceau class Aircraft Carriers (1957)

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French Navy (1957) carriers: FS Clemenceau, Foch For this 14 of july 2022, French national holiday, here is the Clemenceau class carriers: Clemenceau and Foch were the first purpose-designed aircraft carriers in France since the Joffre class in 1938. They were somewhat inspired by the modernized Essex class, and became the only CATOBAR carriers in … Read more

FS Colbert (1953)

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French Navy Cruiser (1953) rebuilt as missile cruiser, active until 1991. The last French cruiser With the start of the cold war France still possessed a number of cruisers and a modernized battleship (Jean Bart), which provided cover for its aircraft carriers. In 1946 was launched her last prewar unfinished cruiser, the De Grasse completely … Read more

De Grasse (1946)

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French Navy (1946-1976) De Grasse was the first French post-WW2 cruiser completed, with Colbert. Both their stories went back to the interwar, De grasse being the lead ship of a class of three light cruisers designed to replace the old 1922 Duguay Trouin class. Caught by the war, she was captured by the Germans that … Read more

Surcouf (T47) class destroyers (1956)

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French Navy AA destroyers (Built 1951-57, service until 1974-88): Surcouf, Kersaint, Cassard, Bouvet, Dupetit-Thouars, Chevalier Paul, Maillé-Brézé, Vauquelin, D’Estrées, Du Chayla, Casabianca, Guépratte D621-630 The first French postwar destroyers: The T 47 class or Surcouf class were the first destroyers built for the French Navy after the Second World War. Twelve ships were built between … Read more