The Amiral Charner class is presented as an example of French ships whose small size, modest seventeen-knot speed, and varied armament exposed the limits of the concept. Their wartime employment was nevertheless practical: convoy escort from North Africa, support for operations in the eastern Mediterranean, evacuation of several thousand Armenians, and gunfire support around Gallipoli. Bruix also served off German Cameroon before returning to the Dardanelles, Aegean, and Greek waters. Amiral Charner's loss with only one survivor shows how vulnerable these elderly cruisers remained when operating close to hostile submarines.
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French cruisers in convoy, rescue, and shore-support work
French armoured cruisers proved more useful in escort, rescue, blockade, and gun-support duties than in their original raiding role.