AdamC- History Jean Bart and Richelieu (22 Points)

Greetings once again Challengers and Challenge Fans I'm off to a typically slow start with kids and the Holliday madness.  I hope you all had a good Christmas here is an shot of the family for those who may wish it. The one to one miniatures are progressing admirably. 

Ok on to my small first offering. Two French Battleships.  Last year I did the USS Massachusetts this year we add her only Battleship opponent of the war the French Battleship Jean Bart from the Naval Battle of Casablanca.  

Jean Bart was not quite finished at the time of the fall of France but French Shipyard workers got her ready enough for sea to sail to Casablanca to keep her out of German (and British perhaps) hands.  

Facilities where not quite up to finishing a battleship in Casablanca so the French made do.  Plugging her unfinished gun emplacements with concrete and turning her into floating Battery. 

Photo of Jean Bart taken by an unknown American pilot from USS Ranger.   

Despite some serious handicaps (being stationary and don't believe she had all her fire control   Jean Bart did manage to land hits on the USS Massachusetts though no serious damage or casualties were caused (Massachusetts is a lucky ship).   Still it was a gallant if somewhat misguided effort.  Between Massachusetts and Ranger she was put out of action and remained out of action until after the war final coming into full commission in 1949. 

The Richelieu by comparison was completed and commissioned in the early days of World War II.  She fled to Dakar where she had to fight off (successfully) several British attempts to either disable her to keep her from joining the Germans.

After the Colonial empire of France joined the Free French Richelieu was repaired and refitted at the Brooklyn Navy yard.   She went on serve in the Free French Navy working with the Royal Navy. 

1/2400 scale ships are 1 point 2 points each with another 20 for history so 22 points and hope you have enjoyed my first entry of the 14th Challenge. 

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First, welcome back to the Challenge, Adam! That's a wonderful pic of you and your family. 

It's great to have you continuing your naval interests from previous years. Great work on these two French battlewagons, backed with interesting history of their WWII service. Well done!

- Curt