La Combattante began as Haldon, a Type III Hunt-class destroyer. Under Free French operation she spent much of the war on convoy duties and also carried out fire-support missions. A humorous signal associated with her Normandy grounding celebrates a French ship being first to touch French soil. Under Commander André Patou, her confident crew combined convoy escort work with direct support for the land campaign.
Chapter · 55:21-56:20
La Combattante's Hunt-class service at Normandy
A British-built Hunt became a Free French convoy escort and fire-support ship, with a humorous signal after grounding during the Normandy campaign.