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Le Redoutable class submarine (1931)
Encyclopedia
The Redoutable class submarines were ocean-going submarines of the French Navy
during the Second World War. They were officially called "Long patrol submarines" (Fr:Sous-marins de grande patrouille), or "Type 1 submarines". They were also referred to as the 1500 Series, and regarded as being in three sub-classes..
The Redoubtable class were generally regarded as successful, being reliable and seaworthy, with a good range and armament. A total of 31 were built, the largest class of submarines built by the French Navy, and comprising one-third of its total submarine force.
They were built to conform to the interwar naval treaties arising from the 1922 Washington
and 1930 London conferences
, which placed restrictions on the number and size of warships of various types that nations could build.
The Redoutable class were designed and built as successors to the Requin class, France's first post-war Type 1 design.
Orders were placed in 1922 for the first two boats, Redoutable and Vengeur, followed by orders for seven more (1925), then five (1926), and a further five (1927).
A second series of six boats of an improved design, carrying more powerful engines was ordered in 1928, followed by a third series, again with improved engines and speed, in 1930.
just above 1500 tons. They had an endurance of 10,000 miles at 10 knots, with a maximum of 19 to 20 knots, and a submerged speed of 10 knots. Their armament was eleven torpedo tube
s (4 forward, 3 midships, and 3-4 aft) with an outfit of 13 torpedoes. As with other French submarines of this period, the 1500s had torpedo tubes fitted externally in trainable mounts; in this case they were midships and astern. The stern mount also had tubes of two different sizes, for different targets.
They had a single 3.9 inch/100mm gun, and one to two 13.2mm machine guns. and were manned by crews of 61 men.
and with Vichy
and Free French forces during World war II in a full range of front-line duties and missions. Of the 29 boats that served in World War II
(two were lost in the pre-war period) 24 were lost.
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
during the Second World War. They were officially called "Long patrol submarines" (Fr:Sous-marins de grande patrouille), or "Type 1 submarines". They were also referred to as the 1500 Series, and regarded as being in three sub-classes..
The Redoubtable class were generally regarded as successful, being reliable and seaworthy, with a good range and armament. A total of 31 were built, the largest class of submarines built by the French Navy, and comprising one-third of its total submarine force.
Development
The Redoutable class were built for service in the Atlantic, operating as scouts, or as commerce raiders, and for colonial service.They were built to conform to the interwar naval treaties arising from the 1922 Washington
Washington Naval Conference
The Washington Naval Conference also called the Washington Arms Conference, was a military conference called by President Warren G. Harding and held in Washington from 12 November 1921 to 6 February 1922. Conducted outside the auspices of the League of Nations, it was attended by nine nations...
and 1930 London conferences
London Naval Conference
There were three major international naval conferences in London, the first in 1908-09, the second in 1930 and the third in 1935. The latter two, together with the Washington Naval Conference in 1921-22 and the Geneva Conferences , resulted in agreements between the major powers on navy vessel...
, which placed restrictions on the number and size of warships of various types that nations could build.
The Redoutable class were designed and built as successors to the Requin class, France's first post-war Type 1 design.
Orders were placed in 1922 for the first two boats, Redoutable and Vengeur, followed by orders for seven more (1925), then five (1926), and a further five (1927).
A second series of six boats of an improved design, carrying more powerful engines was ordered in 1928, followed by a third series, again with improved engines and speed, in 1930.
General characteristics
The 1500s had a surface displacementDisplacement (ship)
A ship's displacement is its weight at any given time, generally expressed in metric tons or long tons. The term is often used to mean the ship's weight when it is loaded to its maximum capacity. A number of synonymous terms exist for this maximum weight, such as loaded displacement, full load...
just above 1500 tons. They had an endurance of 10,000 miles at 10 knots, with a maximum of 19 to 20 knots, and a submerged speed of 10 knots. Their armament was eleven torpedo tube
Torpedo tube
A torpedo tube is a device for launching torpedoes. There are two main types of torpedo tube: underwater tubes fitted to submarines and some surface ships, and deck-mounted units installed aboard surface vessels...
s (4 forward, 3 midships, and 3-4 aft) with an outfit of 13 torpedoes. As with other French submarines of this period, the 1500s had torpedo tubes fitted externally in trainable mounts; in this case they were midships and astern. The stern mount also had tubes of two different sizes, for different targets.
They had a single 3.9 inch/100mm gun, and one to two 13.2mm machine guns. and were manned by crews of 61 men.
War service
The Redoutable's served with the Marine NationaleFrench Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
and with Vichy
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
and Free French forces during World war II in a full range of front-line duties and missions. Of the 29 boats that served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
(two were lost in the pre-war period) 24 were lost.