WAK EXTRA01-2009 Francuski niszczyciel Kersaint

Kersaint was a French destroyer (another classification: destroyer) from the interwar period and World War II. The vessel was launched in November 1931, and in 1934 the vessel was accepted into service with the French Marine Nationale. Its length at the time of launching was 129.3 meters and a width of 11.8 meters. Full displacement reached about 3,100 tons, and maximum speed - to about 36 knots. The armament included: 5 138.6 mm cannons, 4 37 mm cannons and 7 533 mm torpedo tubes.

Kersaint was one of the so-called large destroyers belonging to the Vauquelin class (also known as the 2400-ton destroyer class). Units of this type were designed and built as an intermediate class between light cruisers and conventional destroyers. Their main task was to combat the enemy's light surface forces. Thus, the Italian destroyers became a natural opponent for the Vauquelin type units. When designing units of this type, the emphasis was placed on relatively strong artillery armament and high maximum speed. One of the representatives of this class - the destroyer Kersaint - was built at the Saint Nazaire Shipyard. Shortly after entering service, he was directed to the Mediterranean Sea. After the outbreak of World War II, the unit escorted British convoys on cruises on the Egypt-Gibraltar route. In July 1940, he is at the base in Mers el-Kebir, where he is fired upon by British units as part of Operation Catapult. However, he manages to get out of the port and make his way to Toulon. In the period 1940-1942, operating mainly from this port, it participates in exercises and carries out minor missions in the Mediterranean Sea. The destroyer was sunk by its own crew on November 27, 1942.