The Chacal class was an early, mildly experimental contre-torpilleur design that still produced capable ships. Léopard served with other members of the class before transferring with Chacal to the École Navale at Brest in 1935. Her 75 mm guns were replaced by four twin 13.2 mm anti-aircraft machine-gun mounts. The criticism of that change is explicitly made with hindsight: the machine guns required aircraft to come much closer. Early in 1940, Léopard received Asdic and had her previously removed depth charges restored for anti-submarine work.
Chapter · 5:01-7:28
Léopard's training service and changing weapons
Léopard's prewar training career and armament changes show a Chacal-class destroyer preparing for the anti-aircraft and anti-submarine demands of war.