FS Bearn

FS Bear Story

The French aircraft carrier Bearn, based on the hull of the French Normandy-class battleships, was designed from the outset as an experimental aircraft carrier. Emerging during the relatively peaceful interwar period, the vehicle operated under such guise until it was pressed into full operational service as a combat aircraft carrier when Germany invaded France. To deter the invasion at all costs, the French government looked for ways to reach French fortifications, even if it meant manning this outdated and outdated system with personnel without aircraft or tactics to meet demand.

In any case, the ship was in service with little offensive action and was mainly used for aircraft transport.

Bearn's layout was a bit traditional at the time. The island is located in the forward starboard position and smoke funnels, cargo cranes and main communication masts were incorporated into the design. The flight deck occupies nearly all of the available upper space and features at least three hangar elevators at the bow, stern and amidships.

Power is provided by a Parsons gearbox with 2 x shaft and 2 x shaft reciprocating triple expansion turbines (originally used in the Normandy stage), delivering approximately 36,200 shaft horsepower and a maximum achievable speed of 21.5 knots. Her crew consists of 865 to 875 people, and she has access to 35 to 40 different makes and types of aircraft, depending on needs.

Armament is both offensive and defensive, starting with her initial loadout of 8 x 155/50mm guns, 6 x 75/50mm anti-aircraft guns, and 4 x 550mm naval torpedo tubes. In 1935, her armament was upgraded to 8 x 37mm anti-aircraft guns and 16 x 13.2mm anti-aircraft machine guns.

In 1944, her core armament was reorganized through another major overhaul, becoming a 4 x 5" DP (dual-purpose) main gun, a 24 x 40mm anti-aircraft gun, and a 26 x 20mm anti-aircraft gun.

During World War II, Berne did relatively little in direct confrontation with the Germans. Her most high-profile operation was with the British Navy in pursuit of the Admiral Graf Spee outside of Brest. Instead, the ship was downgraded to an aircraft carrier (her slow overall speed almost necessitated such a supporting role) and naval pilot training as needed. In one such example, the Bern traveled to the United States to receive a shipment of American-made fighter jets in service with France. By this time, France had surrendered to the German invasion, and Bern was almost in trouble.

With U.S. support, the Bern was placed in the Caribbean island of Martinique to prevent her from being harmed, or under German control when she returned home.

Despite her carrier pedigree, Birn was completely overtaken by the time the Allies were fully involved in World War II. She retained her transport duties and has never been fully used as an offensive weapons platform as the U.S. and Japanese navies have in the carrier system in the Pacific.

Regardless, the Bane still played a useful and important role - albeit more behind the scenes - in securing Allied victory in Europe. As is the case with most WWII-related ships, the Bern was primarily used as a training platform and offshore warehouse in the short period after the war and during the period during which French Indochina was involved.

Bearn began construction in 1914 under La Seyne and was launched in 1920. The Bearn officially entered service in 1927 and was not demolished and scrapped until 1967. That same year, her name was removed from the register.

Specification

Basic

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Performance

Performance

Armor

Wing