- Yes
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Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today, I am presenting a new type of French vessel: an auxiliary patrol boat. To begin, let me introduce the Viking (P41).
By 1939, war was looming over Europe. Germany’s intentions were becoming increasingly clear, and the Allied powers were mobilizing their forces. In France, the Navy was spread across the country’s colonies and overseas territories in an effort to protect French interests around the world.
However, this wide deployment also created a significant shortage of available naval vessels. Although the French Navy possessed a large fleet, many of its ships were already committed to overseas duties. As a result, the French merchant marine was mobilized, with dozens of ocean liners, cargo ships, trawlers, and other civilian vessels being requisitioned for military service.
These ships were assigned designations according to their roles. Auxiliary cruisers received the designation “X”, patrol vessels were designated “P”, while auxiliary minesweepers were given the designation “AD”.
The Viking was originally a civilian trawler built by a British shipyard during the 1930s for a French shipowner based in Normandy. In 1939, as the international situation deteriorated, the vessel was requisitioned by the French Navy and converted for military service, receiving armament and the designation P41.
Operating in the English Channel, Viking carried out patrol duties until the fall of France in 1940. Following the French capitulation, the vessel was seized by the British in July 1940 and taken to England. She was subsequently transferred to the newly formed Free French Naval Forces (FNFL), allowing her to continue the war under the Free French flag.
Taking advantage of her appearance and original role as a civilian trawler, Viking was later sent to the Mediterranean. She was deployed to Lebanon, which was then under French mandate, where her inconspicuous appearance could be useful for patrol and surveillance duties.
Unfortunately, her career came to an abrupt end in 1942. While operating in the region, Viking was spotted by the German submarine U-81, which was patrolling the Mediterranean. The submarine launched an attack and struck the vessel with two torpedoes.Badly damaged, Viking sank rapidly, taking the majority of her crew with her.
Characteristics
Length : 63.73 m
Width : 10.55 m
Height : 5.52 m
Mass : 1150 tons
The ship is powered by a 1,250 hp propulsion system, enabling it to reach a top speed of 10.50 knots.
Its crew consists of 44 sailors.
Weapons
It is very difficult to determine exactly what armament was actually fitted to this ship; however, a navy photographer was aboard for a time and took several photographs that give us an idea of the vessel’s minimum armament. The images are drawn from French ECPAD archives.
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1 x 100mm canon (front gun)
see main picture above -
2 x 75mm cannons (one on each side of the main deck)
- 2 x 37mm cannons (one on each side of the main deck, behind the 75mm)
- 1 x 2 8mm Hotchkiss machine guns
- 1 x Depth charge rack (at least 5 charges)
In-game, this ship would be an interesting addition to the French tech tree; as a large yet lightly armed combat vessel, it can withstand hits without sustaining excessive damage while returning fire, making it a valuable asset.
Pictures
