| Career (France) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Audacieux |
| Launched: | 14 March 1934 |
| Commissioned: | 8 August 1936 |
| Reclassified: | Training ship (April 1941) |
| Captured: | November 27, 1942, by Germany |
| Fate: | Sunk on May 7, 1943 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Fantasque-class destroyer |
| Displacement: | 2,570 tonnes |
| Length: | 132.40 m |
| Beam: | 11.98 m |
| Draught: | 4.30 m |
| Propulsion: | 4 Penhoët boilers 2 Parsons or Rateau engines 74,000 to 81,000 hp 2 propellers |
| Speed: | 40 |
| Range: | 1,200 km at 34 knots |
| Armament: | 5 x 138 mm (5.4-inch) guns |
The Audacieux was a large destroyer ("contre-torpilleur") of the French Navy that was used during the Second World War.
Audacieux was launched on March 14, 1934 and commissioned on August 8, 1936.
In October 1939, with her sister ships Terrible and Fantasque captured the German cargo ship Santa Fé and took part in the pursuit of the 'pocket battleship' Graf Spee. From November to December, it operated in patrols in the North Atlantic.
In March 1940, it took part in ASW patrols at Mediterranean from her base of Casablanca. In May of the same year, Audacieux had various fights with German planes, but not was hit, and the day 29, after took part in Operation Dynamo, Audacieux collided with the destroyers Frondeur and Boulonnais off Dunkerque and was send to repairs to Brest until June 13. On June 18, Audacieux with Léopard and Courbet patrolled Cherbourg. On July 3, Audacieux took part in the battle of Mers-el-Kebir, engaging British aircraft. She attempted to launch torpedo attacks on British heavy fleet units, but was retired for cover Strasbourg during her retire to Toulon. On September 23, she operated in the battle of Dakar; after being heavily damaged, Audacieux was beached. Refloated in February 1941, was towed to Toulon: too badly damaged for be repaired, was immobilized as training unit.
Audacieux was taken over by the Germans on November 27, 1942, the day that French fleet was scuttled at Toulon harbour, and was renamed as ZF-5. Towed to Bizerte, Tunisia on May 4, 1943 for repair her, she was sunk by British planes three days later.
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