2nd Class Submarines and Minelayers of the Marine Nationale 1922-1945

 This work is mainly devoted to the 34 2nd class submarines and the six minelayers (Saphir type) from the naval construction programs from 1922 to 1936. The post-1945 period of 2nd class Aurore type submarines, including the first was just completed in June 1940, is simply mentioned. Contemporary 1st class submarines (Requin and Redoutable type) are the subject of a specific work.

These 2nd class submarines were designated medium patrol or coastal defense submarines before the final designation of 2nd class submarines in 1924 but the name coastal submarines often remains used. The first twelve which will constitute the Sirène class are also designated the “600 tons”, the next sixteen are the 630 tons and the last six the “Admiralty” type.

The history and description of 2nd class submarines built between the two wars have not been the subject of major studies. These boats did not particularly distinguish themselves during the Second World War with the exception of the units which were difficult to rearm in Great Britain by the FNFL. The others constitute part of the submarine forces of the French State Navy and many are disarmed before the end of 1940. The rare survivors of the painful events of November 1942, after a few missions in the Mediterranean, will practically only serve for the 'training. It is the same for the six minelaying submarines with the exception of the Rubis which has become a symbol for the FNFL.
The historical part only aims to report what happened, leaving aside any interpretation which has no place in an essentially technical work. The histories of buildings, outside the war period, are not always complete, particularly for the period before 1936-1937. Sources are sometimes even contradictory.

This book is illustrated with more than 470 images all on 312 pages.