French Carrier Béarn joins the Free French Early

Japhy

Banned
During the Course of the Second World War France operated only a single Aircraft Carrier, a 1920's Battleship converted in construction, the Béarn In 1940 she was used by the French Goverment to transport their Gold Reserves to Canada and was loaded up with French and Belgian ordered Aircraft before the Armistice. Then, siding with Vichy France she would spend the next two years in Martinique. After Vichy France was conquered by the Germans in late 1942 she would join the Free French but considered obsolete she would serve as an Aircraft Transport until the end of the war.

What would happen though had her skipper decided to keep fighting? Besides adding a shipment of P-36's, Helldivers and Brewster Buffalos to the Allies (I guess Buffalos are better then nothing? Maybe...) She offers even in her outdated condition an extra flattop. Would her inclusion in the Anglo-Free French Navies be able to change the situation in the Med or Atlantic? Or would she be relegated to the same roll she provided IOTL post Case Anton?
 
She'd probably have to stick to the Med in one of the Free French ports. Maybe her planes could do some aerial photography of Italy and occupied France in preparation for planned invasion. However, that role would be kind of redundant once the Allies seize good airfields in North Africa.

Also, wouldn't a ship like that be easy pickings for the wolf packs roaming the North Atlantic? I suppose they could scrounge up a convoy or something, but that seems like a waste of resources better allocated to defending allied shipping routes.
 
I had pondered the same scenario myself a few years back.

Keep in mind that the BEARN is pretty much obsolete by 1940, not to mention horrifically slow. Furthermore she lacks any kind of Carrier Aircraft Group as by 1940 she's basically an aircraft transport.

That being said, the BEARN would be the largest vessel in the Free French Navy and thus merit some degree of "respect" though her lack of combat capability and poor speed means that she's not going to be put into action any time soon. However, as the war progresses the Allies are going to enter a period when they need all the carrier decks they can get which means that the BEARN is probably pressed back into active service.

This could also affect the deployment of the Free French Navy. Perhaps the destroyers initially sent to guard New Caledonia are kept as escorts for the BEARN and the vaunted submarine SURCOUF is sent to the far flung pacific colony. That would certainly make for an interesting situation.

My bet: She's regulated to the same duties as the OTL HMS ARGUS, helping to ferry planes/provide air cover for the Malta Convoys. Perhaps this leads to a slightly better result (More Air cover = fewer ships lost?) or it could lead to the BEARN being sunk. Keep in mind, with a dearth of experienced carrier pilots, the BEARN's CAG in this case would be FAA pilots and planes. Perhaps training up some Free French pilots in the meantime.

The planes onboard the BEARN could potentially provide a nucleus for the Free French Airforce, perhaps leading to a French squadron participating in the Battle of Britain (not inconceivable given a generous time frame IMO).

Now assuming the long shot possibility that the BEARN survives her operations with the Malta convoys. She's still going to be in dire need of an upgrade and her dilapidated condition is going to be cause for concern. Perhaps the BEARN is replace by an INDEPENDENCE Class carrier while she undergoes a similar refit?

Overall, I think you'd see a very minor difference if one at all.
 
Apparently the Bearn's lifts were extremely slow.

As a consequence, operating as a carrier, especially in the Med, isn't going to happen.

Only use is as an aircraft transport or for training, just like OTL, but which still is a very valuable role.

See this thread for more information:
http://warships1discussionboards.yuku.com/topic/15312/Bearn


All in all, I'd agree with Fearless Leader's conclusion:

Overall, I think you'd see a very minor difference if one at all.
 
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