Characteristics
At the start of World War II, she had completed a major refit at Toulon and had returned to the 3rd Cruiser Division, based at Bizerte. Her formation was to protect French interests in North Africa, should Italy enter the war. Until this occurred, the 3rd Cruiser Division's role was limited, the main event being a transport of gold bullion to Halifax, Nova Scotia in December 1939. After Italy's entry into the war on 10 June 1940, there was a major French sortie to prevent anticipated attempts by the Kriegsmarine to force the Straits of Gibraltar. The only sight of the enemy was a failed attack by the Italian submarine Dandolo.
Jean de Vienne was at Algiers at the time of the French surrender and avoided the destruction of the French Fleet at Mers-el-Kebir in June 1940. She subsequently covered the escape of the Strasbourg and destroyers from Mers-el-Kébir in July and escorted them to Toulon. There she remained, out of action until she joined the French High Seas Force in March 1941.
During the Scuttling of the French fleet in Toulon, the Jean de Vienne was in drydock, and her captain, Capitaine de Vaisseau Mailloux had her moved forward, to obstruct the gates. Although German commandos rushed aboard and found and disarmed the demolition charges, the ship's valves had been opened and the ship settled, blocking the gates and making the drydock useless. Her crew had also smashed every piece of equipment.
Read more about this topic: French Cruiser Jean De Vienne