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Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today, I am presenting a new class of French naval vessels, distinctive, to say the least: the Type A river gunboats. To start things off, let me introduce the Brutale.
From the very beginning of the First World War, the conflict on the Western Front quickly settled into trench warfare. With both sides deeply entrenched, any attempt to advance became extremely difficult, and the war gradually evolved into a long and exhausting struggle that would last for years.
In this environment, artillery became one of the most important weapons available to both armies. Heavy guns were essential for destroying enemy positions and providing support to troops on the front line, but the difficult terrain of northern France and Belgium created a particular challenge: many areas were crossed by rivers and canals that could also be used as avenues for military operations.
It was in this context that France developed a series of small river gunboats specifically designed to provide artillery support from the waterways. Built in early 1915 alongside the seven other vessels of her class, the Brutale was a flat-bottomed vessel designed to operate on the rivers and canals of northern France and Belgium.
The ship was assigned to the 1st River Gunboat Battery and initially sailed to Calais before proceeding inland toward the front. From there, the Brutale and her sister ships began carrying out their primary mission: providing artillery support to French and Allied troops operating along the waterways.
Over the following three years, the Brutale took part in numerous firing missions. Her first operations were conducted in Belgium, where the river gunboats provided fire support against enemy positions. The battery was subsequently transferred back to France, where the ships continued their operations, including on the Somme.
The ability to move along the waterways and deliver artillery fire from positions that were difficult to reach by conventional land-based guns made these vessels particularly useful. The river gunboats could relocate from one sector to another and provide direct or indirect fire support wherever the infantry required it.
Throughout the war, the battery was repeatedly moved from one river or canal to another, following the shifting needs of the front. Although small compared with conventional warships, the Brutale and her sister ships played an important supporting role, providing artillery assistance to troops fighting along the waterways.
With the end of the First World War in November 1918, the river gunboat units were progressively demobilized. The Brutale, along with several other vessels of the class, was sent to Les Sables-d’Olonne to be placed in storage. However, the ship would never reach her destination. During the voyage, the convoy encountered a severe storm, and the Brutale was lost at sea.
Characteristics
Length : 28.50 m
Width : 5.00 m
Draught : 1.20 m
Mass : 110 tons
The vessel is powered by a 220 hp engine, giving it a top speed of 9 knots; while this is quite low, it is perfectly adequate for a river craft.
The crew consists of 29 sailors.
Armor
The ship features light armor, with 20mm protection for the main turret, the ammunition magazine, and the engine room, shielding the crew from return fire.
Weapons
The ship’s armament is its true asset; while the number of guns is modest, their caliber is impressive. The main armament is a 140mm Model 1893 gun mounted in a forward turret capable of 360-degree rotation and indirect fire, with a maximum rate of fire of 3 rounds per minute. This gun is supplemented by two 47mm guns mounted at the stern, capable of engaging aircraft that might threaten the vessel. In addition, two machine guns can be installed.
In-game, this ship would be a fascinating addition; its immense firepower makes it a formidable opponent, while its low top speed leaves it vulnerable to attacks from other vessels, making it a perfect fit for the French coastal tree.
Sources
- Historique des batteries de canonniers-marins et des canonnières-fluviales / Contre-Amiral Jehenne | Gallica
- Le rôle des cannonières fluviales en France pendant la guerre 1914-1918 / Lieutenant de vaisseau Rousseau | Gallica
- Histoire 14-18 : Les canonnières
- Les canonnières fluviales en métropole - Page 4 - Forum PAGES 14-18
- Les canonnières fluviales françaises
