Construction
This class only consisted of Mogador (X61) and Volta (X62). Steel was cut on both contre-torpilleurs beginning in late 1934, Mogador at the Arsenal de Lorient and Volta at At. & Ch. de Bretagne Nantes, although assembly didn't begin until the autumn of the following year. Industrial unrest disrupted their construction and it wasn't until January 1938 that Mogador was handed over to the French Navy for sea trials. Volta followed three months later. However, neither ship was formally accepted by the French Navy for another year. Mogador wasn't commissioned (clotûre d'armament) until 8 April 1939 and Volta on 6 March 1939.
Four improved Mogador-class ships were ordered in 1939 to be named Kléber, Desaix, Hoche and Marceau, but their construction was suspended due to the start of World War II. Their design was continually modified in light of wartime experience, but the original plan for dual-purpose 130 mm (5.1 in) guns had to shelved when it became apparent that they could not be developed in a timely manner, and they reverted to the main armament of the Mogadors. The anti-aircraft armament was reinforced with the substitution of four 100 mm (3.9 in) anti-aircraft guns for the single twin 37 mm mount. But these plans came to nought when France surrendered in June 1940.
Read more about this topic: Mogador Class Destroyer
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