What is the assessment of the French battlecruiser proposals before the First World War?
Short answerThe most extreme proposal sacrificed too much, while the more balanced 340 mm Project A was a plausible production design for a French fast wing.
NotesThe Gille design pushes a Normandie-like hull toward 28 knots at the expense of protection, while Durand-Viel's alternatives aim for roughly 26-27 knots with eight main guns. Project A's existing 340 mm gun makes it the likelier near-term choice than Project B's new 370 mm armament. Several ships could follow the Normandies onto the slips and provide a French fast wing. Earlier investment in larger shipyards explains why relatively modest construction could precede a sudden expansion in capital-ship building. Once that capacity became available, France could pursue a much larger programme with government support.