La Melpomène-class Torpedo Boat

The ''La Melpomène'' class was a group of 12 French torpedo boats built from 1933 to 1935.

Ships in class

After serving with Marine Nationale, the ships of the ''La Melpomène'' class saw service in World War II with the ''Kriegsmarine'', ''Marine Nationale de l´Armistice'' (Vichy French Navy), ''Regia Marina'', Free French Navy, Royal Navy and Royal Netherlands Navy.

Service histories

*''La Melpomène'' was in a British port in June 1940. After brief service with the Royal Navy, she was transferred into FNFL (Free French) service. In 1950 was sold for scrap.
*''La Pomone'' was in Vichy service after June 1940. Seized by the Germans at Bizerte, in December 1942, she became the Italian ''FR.42'', and the German ''TA.10'' in May 1943. In action against HMS ''Eclipse'' near Rhodes, she was badly damaged, and scuttled on 27 September 1943.
*''La Flore'' on the night of 21 May 1940 at the invitation of Admiral Abrial, carried General Weygand, the recently installed supreme commander of French Forces, from Dunkirk via Dover to Cherbourg in order to reach Paris, having failed to meet up with Lord Gort, commander of the British Expeditionary Force. ''Flore'' had left Dunkirk harbour at full speed during a German air raid. She was in a British port in June 1940. She was transferred into FNFL (Free French) service. In 1950 was sold for scrap.
*''L'Iphigénie'' was in Vichy service after June 1940. Seized by the Germans at Bizerte, in December 1942, she became the Italian ''FR.43'', and the German ''TA.11'' in May 43. She was sunk by Italian MAS motor torpedo boats at Piombino, 10 September 1943.
*''La Bayonnaise'' was scuttled in Toulon on November 27, 1942, to avoid her capture. The ship was raised by the Italians and renamed ''FR.44''. She was repaired, but was taken over by the Germans after the Italian armistice and were renamed ''TA.13''. As ''TA.13'' she was scuttled on 23 August 1944.
*''Bombarde'' was in Vichy service after June 1940. She was seized by the Germans at Bizerte in December 1942, entering into Italian service as ''FR.41''. However, she was once again captured by the Germans during the Italian armistice of September 1943, and were renamed ''TA.9''. As ''TA.9'' she was sunk by US aircraft off Toulon, 23 August 1944.
*''L'Incomprise'' was seized by the British at Portsmouth after the Fall of France. She served with the Free French Forces. At the war's end she was decommissioned and sold for scrap in 1950.
*''La Poursuivante'' was in Vichy service after June 1940. She was scuttled in Toulon on November 27, 1942, to avoid her capture, leaving her a total constructive loss.
*''La Cordelière'' was seized by the British at Portsmouth on 3 July 1940; she was returned to serve with Free French Forces. At the war's end she was decommissioned and sold for scrap in 1950.
*''Branlebas'' was seized by the British at Portsmouth on 3 July 1940; The ''Branlebas'' was retained by the Royal Navy but foundered 25 miles off Eddystone on 14 December 1940.
*''Baliste'' was in Vichy service after June 1940. She was scuttled in Toulon on November 27, 1942, to avoid her capture. The ship was raised by the Italians and were renamed ''FR45''. She was taken over by the Germans after the Italian armistice and was renamed ''TA.12''. As ''TA.12'' she was sunk by Allied aircraft on 22 August 1943.Other sources give ''Baliste's'' loss date as 24.11.43
*''Bouclier'' was seized by the British at Portsmouth on 3 July 1940; She was first transferred to Royal Dutch Navy and renamed as HNLMS ''Bouclier'', but was returned to Free French forces in January 1941. At the war's end she was decommissioned and sold for scrap in 1950.

References

Bibliography

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External links

Images of the class

{{DEFAULTSORT:Melpomene-class torpedo boat

Torpedo boat classes
World War II destroyers of France
Ship classes of the French Navy