Work continued well into 1941, and in April she conducted stationary trials with her machinery. Her crew returned on 19 May and she was ready to return to Toulon by July, but heavy fighting during the Mediterranean Campaign forced the French to wait to avoid being caught in the cross fire. On 25 January 1942 another fire broke out from a short circuit. "Dunkerque" was finally ready to cross the Mediterranean on 19 February; she got underway at 04:00, escorted by the destroyers , , , , and . Some 65 fighters, bombers, and torpedo bombers covered the ships while they made the crossing. "Dunkerque" reached Toulon at 23:00 on 20 February; her crew was reduced to comply with the terms of the armistice on 1 March, and on 22 June, she entered the large Vauban dock for permanent repairs.