French destroyer Indomptable

L'Indomptable was Fantasque-class large destroyer (contre-torpilleur) of the French Navy, which served in World War II. Launched during the 1930s, the ship served in the Mediterranean, Indochina and northern Europe. Originally scuttled in 1942, she received a new lease on life from the Italian navy and finished her career after the war.

History
After being launched on 8 December 1933, L'Indomptable entered into service in Spring 1936. Shortly after serving with the Mediterranean fleet based in Casablanca, L'Indomptable was transferred to Indochina in September 1936. Based in Saigon from October 13, 1936, L'Indomptable participated in several combat demonstrations at Tianjin for Chinese forces (who were at war with Japan). When World War II began Indomptable was still based in Indochina, but returned to Europe in December 1939.

On 11 April 1940, L'Indomptable was stationed in Trondheim with orders to attack Kriegsmarine convoys; on 28 April she hit a mine, and was purposely beached to avoid her destruction. L'Indomptable returned to Brest, France on 5 May, and was in that port when France surrendered. After France's surrender, Indomptable sailed to Casablanca with a mission to neutralize the naval activity of Free France in the South Atlantic. However, in February 1941 she was attacked by aircraft from British aircraft carrier HMS Hermes and returned to Toulon for repairs. Following repairs L'Indomptable operated in the North Atlantic, attacking Russian convoys destined for Murmansk; on several occasions she attempted to attack the convoys with torpedoes, but failed. In mid-August 1941, she hit several British mines and was forced to return to Toulon for repairs. After being repaired L'Indomptable returned to service, this time in the Mediterranean escorting Italian and German convoys. After more patrol missions, she suffered a boiler accident near Crete on 17 February 1942. The ship returned to Toulon on 8 March; while still under repair, Germany invaded Vichy France and the ship was scuttled to avoid her capture. However, following the activation of demolition charges and the opening of sea valves, L'Indomptable burned for several hours before explosive charges ignited the torpedoes and caused the ship to explode.

The bow of the wreck was raised in 1945 to repair her sister ship Malin; the stern was broken up in situ in 1950.