While in Mediterrean, the Charles Martel met with the Gascogne at Casablanca. Shortly after being commissioned, the Charles Martel was deployed to the Mediterranean as an escort for the Joffre battlegroup located there. However, during the war, Heavy Cruisers in general were primarily used as escorts for capital ships. Without aviation facilities, the Charles Martel would have to hypothetically operate within the operating ranges of the limited French carrier fleets, or even more limited French land based air strips.Ĭonsidering the relatively antiquated state of French Aviation in general during the late 1930s, and the limited range of their land and naval based fighter, the Charles Martel was essentially forced into an escort or coastal role. The Saint Louis-class was specifically designed to operate outside of the main battle fleet, and as such auxiliary aircraft were considered standard affair for these ships. This was a relatively controversial decision. To make room for these, the aviation facilities were deleted, and the superstructure shiftered rear to allow for the installation of the forward gun. Built to a slightly different specification, Charles Martel was equipped with two additional 152mm turrets, with one each overlooking the rear and aft of the superstructure. Charles Martel was the second ship of the Saint Louis-class of Heavy Cruisers.
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