The Normandie doesn't burn

On February 9, 1942, the Normandie, the flagship of the French Line burned at her peir, while undergoing conversion to a troopship. Given that Normandie was one of the three largest ocean liners in the world, along with the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth, how much would she have shortened the war by if she had't caught fire.
 
On February 9, 1942, the Normandie, the flagship of the French Line burned at her peir, while undergoing conversion to a troopship. Given that Normandie was one of the three largest ocean liners in the world, along with the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth, how much would she have shortened the war by if she had't caught fire.

Honestly, I dont think that it would make an incredible difference. Yes, the Normandie was big (IIRC she was to transport 10,000 troops plus equipment) and fast, but it is hard to see how any one ship is going to make a major impact on the course of the war.

Now, on the combined fleet website, there is a scenario where Normandie is converted into a large, armored aircraft carrier This would also have a limited long-term effect on the war, but an extra deck in 1942 or '43 could be useful.
 
Probably by nothing. The main effect would be on the French Line after the war, which was also allocated the Europa after the war. Europa was damaged after hitting the wrteck of the Paris. Would it have been worthwhile repairing Europa. Would the Ile De France and Liberte ex Europa have been withdrawn earlier? How long would Normandie have been kept in service after the France entered service and that's about it.
 
Honestly, I dont think that it would make an incredible difference. Yes, the Normandie was big (IIRC she was to transport 10,000 troops plus equipment) and fast, but it is hard to see how any one ship is going to make a major impact on the course of the war.

I'm not sure I agree with that, considering that the two Queens are believed to have shortened the war by as much as a year.
 
I'm not sure I agree with that, considering that the two Queens are believed to have shortened the war by as much as a year.
I'm not going to deny that the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary both proved useful during the war, nor that Normandie would make a similar contribution. But I find it hard to credit that the absence of those two ships could have had such a dramatic effect on the war, nor that Normandie's survival would be enough to end the war six months prematurely, as you seem to suggest.
 
Top