In July 1940, "Lynx" and "Tigre" were present when the British attacked the French ships at Mers-el-Kébir, but managed to escape without damage. After they reaching Toulon, the sisters were placed in reserve, together with "Panthère", as the oldest "contre-torpilleurs" in service and stripped of their light anti-aircraft armament. On 27 November 1942, "Lynx" was scuttled when the Germans attempted to capture the French ships at Toulon, but "Panthère" and "Tigre" were captured virtually intact. They were turned over to the Royal Italian Navy ("Regia Marina") who renamed them "FR 22" and "FR 23", respectively, when they recommissioned them in early 1943. They were being used as transports when Italy surrendered in September; "FR 22" ("Panthère") was scuttled by the Italians, but "FR 23" ("Tigre") managed to escape and join the Allies.