The scenario removes both ships from Mers-el-Kebir and places them at Gibraltar when France falls. It presents two branches: neutralization on terms resembling those imposed on the French squadron at Alexandria, or transfer to the Free French cause. Either outcome avoids the historical attack and changes the Royal Navy's shortage of fast capital ships, while leaving the operational consequences open. The crew comparison is expressly tentative: limited sources suggest Dunkerque's crew may have been more willing than Strasbourg's to act on the spirit rather than the letter of orders.
Notable Point · 1:00:38-1:02:18
What if the Dunkerques had joined the Allies?
A closing scenario moves both ships to Gibraltar at France's fall and asks how Allied strategy changes if they are neutralized like the Alexandria squadron or join the Free French.