Today, we’ll be taking a look at the La Galissonnière, a well balanced light cruiser arriving for France in the next major update!
La Galissonnière: A Light Cruiser for France at Rank IV
At a glance:
- Good protection.
- Effective main caliber.
- One reconnaissance aircraft.
- Mediocre air defense capabilities.
Vehicle History
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In the early 1930s, the French Navy faced the need to modernize its fleet, especially its cruiser lineup. The Pact of Rome placed restrictions on the construction of heavy cruisers, forcing the French to turn their attention to light cruisers. In 1930, the Technical Department of the Navy presented a report on the development of a new series of light cruisers designed to replace obsolete ships and increase the overall tonnage of the fleet. The requirements for the new project paid special attention to armor protection, cruising range and armament. A total of six cruisers were laid down, the lead ship was named La Galissonnière. The cruiser operated in the Mediterranean Sea; after the capitulation of France and the occupation of the south of the country by German troops, La Galissonnière was scuttled by its crew in the dock in Toulon. The Italians raised the cruiser, but in 1943 after the armistice, it was captured by the Germans and returned to the Vichy Government. In 1944, La Galissonnière was sunk again, this time as a result of US air strikes. In 1954, the ship was raised and finally dismantled for scrap metal in 1956.
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Introducing La Galissonnière!
The La Galissonnière light cruiser was considered to be perhaps the best representative of this class of ships built before the war. Let’s take a look at why! Meet one of the new additions coming in the next major update, the La Galissonnière light cruiser at rank IV for France.
In terms of armament, La Galissonnière resembles the Émile Bertin light cruiser, known as the “glass cannon” of France’s Bluewater fleet tree. The La Galissonnière features three main caliber turrets with three 152 mm cannon barrels in each, a good rate of fire and excellent armor-piercing shells, where the La Galissonnière can join up with allies to hunt some battleships. The secondary caliber is also no different, being universal 90 mm guns in twin mounts. However, La Galissonnière’s air defense weapons are lacking — just a pair of 37 mm anti-aircraft guns and large-caliber machine guns. For close combat and as a weapon of last resort, this cruiser can use torpedoes, with two per side.
While the armor of the Émile Bertin was deliberately neglected in favor of speed, when designing La Galissonnière, the shipbuilders decided to return to a more traditional approach. The ship maintains a high speed of 35 knots (65 km/h), even for a light cruiser, while having excellent protection for its class. Most of the hull is covered by a wide 105 mm armor belt, there’s also anti-torpedo bulkheads inside the hull, and the armor deck is 38 mm thick. This makes La Galissonnière not inferior in protection to its counterparts from other nations!
La Galissonnière is a classic late light cruiser! That’s it for today, keep an eye on the news for more dev blogs for the next major update, releasing before the end of this year. Have fun in your battles!
Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.
