History & Modifications
All ships:
All the class were converted to oil firing between 1927 and 1930, improving power output to 43000shp and
increasing speed to 21kts. Between 1932 and 1935 all were given a second refit. The 13.4" guns were
replaced by the models intended for the Normandies, and eight of the 5.5" guns and all the torpedo
tubes were removed. Eight 57mm guns in single mountings were added.
Bretagne:
Bretagne was sunk at Oran on 3rd July 1940 when on one her magazines exploded from British shellfire.
Of her crew, 977 were killed. The wreck was raised in 1952 and scrapped.
Lorraine:
During her second refit, Lorraine had her central turret removed and replaced by a catapult and
hangar for four Loire Nieuport 130 seaplanes. She was disarmed at Alexandria in July 1940. By May
1943 she had joined the Free French Navy in the Mediterranean. From 1945 to 1953 she was used as
a training ship and was decommissioned on 17th February 1953. Scrapping began in January 1954.
Provence:
Provence was flagship of the fleet from 1916 to 1919. She was damaged at Oran on 3rd July 1940 and
had to be beached. During November 1940 she arrived at Toulon for repairs, and was scuttled there on
27th November 1943. On 1th July 1943 she was raised by the Germans who removed her 13.4" guns and used
them ashore. In 1944 she was scuttled as a blockship, and raised in April 1949 and scrapped.