The first squadron at Brest included Dunkerque, Strasbourg and Béarn alongside cruisers and large destroyers. Béarn had substantial limitations, yet could still patrol around convoys and cover the mid-Atlantic gap. The cruiser and destroyer formations added modern combat ships to the force. In 1939, Brest therefore held a combination of fast heavy ships, lighter forces and a flight deck useful for Atlantic duties.
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Dunkerque, Strasbourg and Béarn at Brest
The Brest force combined fast capital ships, cruisers, destroyers and the limited but useful carrier Béarn.