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Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today, I am presenting a new class of ship used by French naval forces during the Second World War and the early Cold War: the Cannon-class destroyer escort. To begin, let me introduce the Tunisien (F706).
The Cannon class was a series of destroyer escorts developed in the United States during the Second World War. A total of 72 vessels were built, primarily for escorting convoys and protecting larger ships against submarine and air attacks. To fulfill these roles, the ships were equipped with a combination of anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons, as well as detection equipment designed to improve their ability to locate and engage enemy forces.
During the Second World War, the Free French Naval Forces, or FNFL (Forces Navales Françaises Libres), were formed from French sailors who had chosen to continue the fight alongside the Allies after the fall of France. As the FNFL had no access to French shipyards or the resources required to build new warships, they relied heavily on the Allies for equipment and vessels.
Among the ships provided to the FNFL was the Crosley, formerly USS Crosley (DE-108). The vessel was laid down in 1943 and entered service in early 1944. She was transferred to the FNFL shortly afterwards and immediately renamed Tunisien, initially receiving the designation T23.
Assigned to French forces operating in the Mediterranean, Tunisien took part in several Allied operations during the final stages of the war. Among her most notable missions was her participation in the Allied landings in Provence in August 1944, where she supported the massive amphibious operation that opened a new front in southern France.
Following the end of the Second World War, Tunisien remained in French service. She was redesignated F706 as part of the post-war reorganization of the French fleet and continued to serve throughout the early Cold War.
The ship later participated in the Algerian War. By this stage, however, her role was considerably less intensive than during the Second World War, with her primarily carrying out patrol and surveillance missions in the Mediterranean.
After nearly two decades of service, Tunisien was finally decommissioned in the early 1960s. She was subsequently returned to the United States, where the veteran destroyer escort was eventually scrapped, bringing an end to her career under both the American and French flags.
Characteristics
Length : 93.30 m
Width : 11.00 m
Draught : 3.50 m
Mass : 1,620 tons
The ship is powered by four General Motors engines delivering a total of 6,000 hp, allowing it to reach a top speed of 21 knots. It has a range of 10,800 nautical miles at 12 knots.
Its crew consists of 216 sailors.
Weapons
The ship’s armament is comprehensive, to say the least; it features a solid primary armament capable of both anti-ship and anti-aircraft roles, alongside numerous secondary anti-aircraft guns and additional anti-submarine weapons.
Guns:
- 3 x 3-inch/50 (76mm) guns in mounts (2 forward, 1 aft)
- 1 x twin 40mm Bofors gun (aft)
- 8 x 20mm Oerlikon guns
Other:
- 1 x Hedgehog mortar
- 8 x depth charge projectors (on the sides)
- 2 x stern depth charge racks
The torpedo tubes found on the American versions of the class are not present on the French ships.
In-game, this ship would be an interesting addition, offering a low-BR vessel with strong combat capabilities, whether in anti-aircraft or anti-ship roles.
