"Dunkerque" and "Strasbourg" formed the French Navy's "1ère Division de Ligne" (1st Division of the Line) prior to the Second World War. The two ships searched for German commerce raiders in the early months of the war, and "Dunkerque" also participated in convoy escort duties. The ship was badly damaged during the British attack at Mers-el-Kébir after the Armistice that ended the first phase of France's participation in World War II, but she was refloated and partially repaired to return to Toulon for comprehensive repairs. "Dunkerque" was scuttled in November 1942 to prevent her capture by the Germans, and subsequently seized and partially scrapped by the Italians and later the Germans. Her wreck remained in Toulon until she was stricken in 1955, and scrapped three years later.