The surviving network offered both ships and infrastructure across metropolitan France, North and West Africa, the Caribbean, Britain, Canada, and Indochina. Atlantic bases mattered as much as hulls because Germany historically used captured French facilities to extend U-boat operations. The port-by-port inventory distinguishes ships already outside France from units under construction, repair, or refit. That distribution establishes which forces could evacuate, remain with colonial bases, or reinforce Allied commands without first crossing an enemy-controlled sea.
Chapter · 21:34-28:36
French bases and fleet distribution in 1940
A world survey shows French naval forces spread across the Mediterranean, Atlantic ports, Africa, the Caribbean, Britain, and Canada.