Feel the Bearn - A Timeline of France's Only Carrier in WWII and Beyond

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FEEL THE BEARN
A Timeline of France's Only Carrier in World War II and Beyond​

July 15, 1943 1:17PM EST

Admiral Georges Robert stood in the sweltering humidity, looking at the deteriorated hulks of Brewster Buffalo fighter planes before them. They had stood in the very field before him for three years, the effects of the tropics doing the same work to this instruments of war as to the vessel that had transported them to the Vichy Island territory of Martinique long ago. Their ship, the aircraft carrier Bearn had been and remained the nation of France's only aircraft carrier. As with other nations who were experimenting with a new class of vessel, she had proven woefully inadequate for the rapidly changing technological advances that had proceeded in the decades since her construction.

In the height of a new war, she had been acknowledged as a complete design flop by the French Navy. An unusual engine layout, casemate guns, and battleship armor conspired to limit France's first carrier to just 21 knots. A complicated elevator design made the ship prone to being unable to conduct flight operations. Indeed, a year prior to the start of the latest conflict she was to have been replaced. Two Joffre-class carriers were ordered that would help renew a naval arm for the French Navy that had grown obsolescent. The ship was to be replaced, but it not quickly enough. As the new war had broken out in September 1939 these new units were years away from completion, and the Bearn remained the only operational carrier for France.

Her inadequacies had been further exposed during an effort to locate the German Panzerschiffe. Robert shook his head as he tried to recall the details as he began to walk around the rusting planes, the tall grass occasionally ensnaring his pants. No, he thought, it was like trying to use a sailing frigate against a battleship. Instead, Bearn had been given the mission of transporting gold bullion to the United States. The Arsenal of Democracy had provided aircraft in return, and the ponderous carrier had become the world's largest aircraft ferry as it brought them back to France to bolster its war effort. In 1940 she had been dispatched against to the United States with another load of bullion. It was after receiving her load of fighters in Nova Scotia they had docked in Martinique, and while they were anchored there Captain Aubert had been notified of France's surrender.

And there she had stayed. And slowly rotted, just like the long abandoned aircraft before him. Oh, how they thought she was a threat, observed Robert. The island was Vichy, and there had been grave concerns by the British that their former allies would hand the aircraft carrier over to the British. Eventually a quiet agreement had been made that the Bearn would remain immobilized, and in exchange their former allies would not seek to sink her. And so that remained her state. The war had raged on in first the Atlantic, and then the Pacific as the Japanese Empire went to war with the Americans and the British. The years had passed, with no change on the tropical island until finally, earlier in the month, Governor Nicol had switched sides. Martinique would now be a Free French Territory and had joined the cause of the Allies.

Now it was the Vichy goverment's turn to be concerned about the old aircraft carrier. He had been ordered to sink her, but Robert had hesitated. Ultimately he had ordered her engine room partially flooded. Really, what did it matter, he questioned. The ship was covered in grime and filth, the elements and lack of care over the last three years having done the job that first the British and now the Vichy government wanted performed upon her. No, the French admiral thought, let her remain as she is. Her part in the war, if there ever was one, was over.

July 15, 1943 2:15 EST

Admiral Edward Cochrane allowed himself a grin as he read the paper in his hands again. It was a list of requests from Vice Admiral Fennard, the head of the Free French Naval Mission. And to call it a list was to do the word an injustice, he thought. He was rather a manifesto, a detailed series of requests for refurbishment and modernization of French naval equipment and vessels. At the top of the list was their aircraft carrier. As Chief of Buships he had humored the French admiral by detailing just what it would take to make the aged Bearn a vessel capable of bringing the fight back to Germany. The exercise by Buships was purely theoretical, if not fantastical. The ship would require not only new elevators and catapults to be fitted, but would need totally new engines. And bulges. And if they were going to make her form adequate to serve in anything resembling a modern navy, a hull plug would also need to added that would be at least one hundred feet in length. To call it impractical was an understatement. It would be almost as difficult to make the USS Oregon a front-line unit once more.

The phone on his desk suddenly rang. Cochrane picked it up. A familiar voice was on the other end. Instantly, although he was in his office alone he straightened his spine.

"Mr. President," he said. After a few seconds he responded to his caller. "Yes sir, we have the plans. But we feel that the most practical use for her would be as an transport. We can have her reconditioned and delivered --"

Cochrane's eyes widened. "Are you sure, sir? As head of Buships I must inform you that there are other priorities --"

The answer he received indicated the certainty.

"Yes, Mr. President. It will be done."


March 1944 - The Bearn re-enters service. Her casemate guns are gone, as is her 3inch armor belt. Two elevators of American design have been fitted, as have two H 2-1 catapults. The SNFCM reciprocating steam engines and the two original Parsons geared steam turbines have been removed with great effort and have been replaced with 4 Parsons single reduction geared steam turbines that are powered by hine Babcock & Wilcox 400 psi boilers. Speed has been improved to 29 knots. Aircraft capacity has been bolstered to 50 planes.

The ship is scheduled to take six months to train up its new crew, but the Free French insist that it be part of the D-Day landings.

June 1944 - Aircraft from the Bearn are deployed and bomb German gun emplacements on the Atlantic Wall. The sight of a French ship flying an over-sized French flag serves as an inspiration for Free French soldiers

August 1944 - The Bearn is deployed with the British carriers HMS Indefatigable and Formidable as part of Operation Goodwood. Aircraft from the three Allied carriers launch multiple attacks on the German battleship Tirpitz. On August 29th, a bomb from a plane from the Bearn penetrates the deck next to the second forward turret, causing a massive detonation that blows the dreadnought in half.

 

[Seafort]

May 1945 – Docked in Toulon, the Bearn is ringed in lights as gathered crowds cheer Charles De Gaulle’s radio announcement from Paris. Simultaneously there is a riot in French Tunisia as the Levant Crisis begins. As the nationalist uprising spreads, De Gaulle orders the Bearn immediately dispatched to the region to provide military assistance. With casualties mounting the Syrians appeal to Winston Churchill to intervene. On May 31st, Churchill instructs De Gaulle to stand down French forces, reminding him that the French soldiers in the region remain under the command of British General Bernard Paget for the duration of the war in the Pacific. De Gaulle demures, then finally says no. The Bearn has arrived and will defend France's interests.

 

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June 1, 1945 (9:00 AM EST)
Harry Truman shook his head in disbelief. "He did what?", asking with incredulity.

"President Roosevelt authorized a full rebuild of the Bearn," replied Henry Stimpson. The Secretary War smiled, dourly. "He said that it would improve French morale. We spent over fifty million dollars stripping out all of that obsolete technology and turning her into something of a semblance of a modern carrier. Even added a 148 foot hull plug to increase aircraft capacity and improve her speed."

Truman sat back in his chair. The Bearn was indeed famous for having participated in the D-Day landings, as well as sinking the battleship Tirpitz. But he had considered the latter a lucky shot, and Truman had not known the details of the modernization that his predecessor had authorized two years earlier. So this was what De Gaulle was bringing to the Levant region to maintain France's presence - a relatively capable fighting unit.

"The rebuild was given prioritization over other projects at the Brooklyn Naval Yard," continued Stimpson. "If President Roosevelt had simply said no, we might have had the battleship Missouri in the war at least a year ago."

At the mention of the battleship named after his home state, Truman's face turned red. The construction had been suspended by Roosevelt in March at a 90% state of completion, with the Missouri considered surplus to the needs of a war that was now nearing completion. He recalled the pride he had when his daughter Mary had christened the warship at her launching in January 1945. The suspension of construction had been an afternote to him when it was announced, a brief curiosity in an endless series of hectic days and nights. Now he knew why Missouri sat in a shipyard, draped in scaffolding.

"That sonofa-"

 

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June 1, 1945 (9:15 AM EST)

Under the instructions of Winston Churchill, General Bernard Paget orders the 31st Indian Armoured Division to invade Syria to prevent any further violence following the nationalist uprising. In addition, substantial forces within the French military in Syria defect to join the rebels. Remaining French military assets are employed. Casualties quickly escalated as land based aircraft were joined by bombers from the Bearn. Over 3,000 Syrians die.

June 1, 1945 (12:43 PM EST)
Transcript of conversation between Prime Minister Winston Churchill and General Charles De Gaulle, published in "Showdown 1945: The Levant Crisis" (2014) by Max Hastings

"General De Gaulle, your troops are still under the command of General Paget for the duration of the war. They have been ordered to stand down and allow Syria to be secured. And I am requesting that the Bearn be withdrawn."

"Nonsense. Our troops will stamp out this rebellion. The Bearn will remain on post until this uprising has been quelled."

"Charles, this is over. It is a humanitarian decision. We have concerns far larger than wasting precious resources to help you maintain your overseas holdings."

"I refuse. Any attempt to intervene in France's affairs will be met with force."

"Met with force? This is madness."

"This is France."

June 1, 1945 (12:53 PM EST)
Transcript of communication between Prime Minister Winston Churchill and First Lord Brendan Bracken:

"Lord Bracken, dispatch all available forces to the Levant region."

"Prime Minister, we have limited assets left in the Mediterranean. The only carrier I can send is the Battler."

"An escort carrier? It should suffice."

"What are your orders, sir."

"You are with haste to find, engage, and sink the Bearn."

 

[Seafort]

June 1, 1945 (5:40 PM EST)

A combined force of 24 Hurricane Hawker fighter-bombers (450 Squadron) are dispatched from the Royal Air Force Base in Haifa and are joined by fighters from the escort carrier HMS Battler.

June 1, 1945 (7:12 PM EST)
The combined British force attacks the Bearn. The French carrier is hit three times by bombs. One fails to detonate and the second explodes midship, damaging the distinctive island. The third impacts the stern, creating a sizeable hole in the flightdeck and starting a large fire in the hangar deck. Excellent French AA fire downs over half of the Hurricanes. The Bearn's own fighters engage and ultimately drive off the squadron of Wildcats from the Battler, downing two of them.

June 1, 1945 (7:31 PM EST)
Transcript of conversation between Captain Philippe Auboyneau and General Charles De Gaulle, published in "Showdown 1945: The Levant Crisis" (2014) by Max Hastings

"We have been attacked by the British. The Bearn has been damaged."

"Are you still capable of combat operations?"

"Indeed. We can still launch aircraft and will have the ability to land them within the hour."


June 1, 1945 (10:48 PM EST)
Aircraft from the Bearn attack the HMS Battler. The carrier is hit with three torpedoes and five bombs. She sinks within fourteen minutes. 514 British sailors are lost.

 

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A drawing of the Bearn prior to the Levant crisis following her rebuild in the United States. The hull plug was placed forward of her island.

 

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June 2, 1945

Sneak Attack! French Sneak Attack Sinks The Battler! - Daily Mirror headline

Betrayal! Hundreds die as French sink British carrier - Daily Herald headline

French sink British carrier! Uprisings in France - Evening Standard headline


"France has put all her cards and two rusty pistols on the table. And the Bearn. They have that cursed Bearn." - Edward Atiyah

"Those French ought to be taken out and thrashed." - President Harry Truman to Syrian Prime Minister Faris al-Koury


"Never in the illustrious history of the British Empire has so dastardly a betrayal been inflicted upon our people. When we were dealing with the jackboot of Nazi tyranny and oppression we forthrightly knew of the evil that we faced. But here, this unprovoked attack upon our brave men yesterday by the government of General De Gaulle is the greatest act of treachery that our nation has ever witnessed. Our open hand of friendship, indeed our alliance has been met with contempt. Our desire for freedom met with the will to subjugate. Let me be clear. There now exists a state of conflict between Great Britain and the forces of General De Gaulle." - Winston Churchill in an address to the House of Commons

 

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June 3, 1945

"My sorrows are to the 38 brave sailors who perished in defense of our mighty Bearn, as well as their families. The nation of France was only protecting its own interests and nothing more. The British government ordered an attack on our warship, and we served merely to defend ourselves. And we will continue to defend ourselves. And to fight. Whether it is against the oppression of German, or the oppression of the British Empire, we will never surrender. To our friends, we ask that you stand by our side. To our enemies, the world will know that we are unbowed against you. Nothing great has ever been achieved without great men, and the nation of France is full of determined, great men." - General Charles De Gaulle in an address to the French Provisional Government

Transcript of communication between Prime Minister Winston Churchill and General Bernard Paget, published in "Showdown 1945: The Levant Crisis" (2014) by Max Hastings
"Do what must be done, General Paget. Do not hesitate. Show no quarter. These men are no longer our allies."


"The people of the Soviet Union steadfastly condemn the actions of the Provisional Government of France. We implore that the peoples of Syria be allowed to choose their own destiny, one free from the yoke of rule." - statement from Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov, USSR

"Be ready, men. Radar is reporting another incoming wave of British warplanes." - Bearn gunnery officer Jaucques Cousteau

 

[Seafort]

June 4, 1945 (1:03 AM EST)

British troops with the Ninth Army reach Damascus and come under fire by French forces attached to the Army of the Levant. The British lose over 300 soldiers. French losses are much heavier as they are attacked not only by the British, but by the Syrian soldiers who have defected and are fighting alongside nationalist forces. Within an hour over one thousand French soldiers are dead.

June 4, 1945 (2:05 AM EST)

The Bearn shuddered as a 500 lb bomb exploded about a dozen meters from the midships on the port side. The blast was forceful enough to shower the flight deck with spray, drenching gun crews who were putting up antiaircraft fire. Officer Cousteau paused, seawater dripping from his chin.

"Resume fire!", he bellowed.

The attack went on for another twenty minutes and would be judged a success by the British. Two bombs scored hits on the French carrier. The first hit the elevator just aft of the two H-21 catapults, shattering it to pieces. The second hit aft, landing mere meters from the bomb that had hit in the first British strike. This time the damage was far more extensive. Bearn's engines were knocked out and the carrier began taking on water.

Smoke from the battle could be seen for miles. And it was clearly visible to the small fishing trawler that was observing in the distance.


June 4, 1945 (4:15 AM EST)

Transcript of conversation between Captain Philippe Auboyneau and General Charles De Gaulle, published in "Showdown 1945: The Levant Crisis" (2014) by Max Hastings

"General, we are dead in the water. Repair crews are estimating that it will be an hour before we can get underway again. We also are detecting a British surface group approaching from the north."

"Can you still launch aircraft?"

"Yes, at the moment that is all that we can do."

"We must not relinquish the initiative. Launch a counterstrike immediately. You know your target."


June 4, 1945 (5:33 AM EST)

A squadron of aircraft from the Bearn locates the advancing British destroyers Meteor and Lookout. Both ships put up tremendous anti-aircraft fire, but each destroyer is hit. The Lookout takes one bomb and has her steering crippled, leaving her endlessly turning in circles. The Meteor is less fortunate, taking two bombs and breaking in half.


June 4, 1945 (5:59 AM EST)

A second squadron of airplanes attacks advancing British forces in Damascus. A mixture of bombs and strafing kill over one hundred British troops, including General Bernard Paget.

 

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June 4, 1945 (6:15 AM EST)

French troops encircle the Allied base at Le Havre. The American and British soldiers are told that they are under quarantine, and while they are free to depart by sea they are not to be allowed into France.


June 4, 1945 (6:18 AM EST)
Transcript of communication between Prime Minister Winston Churchill and First Lord Brendan Bracken:

"Lord Bracken, I am instructing you to withdraw the following units from the Far East. They will be needed in the European theater."


June 4, 1945 (7:00 AM EST)

"I have learned, and it is to my utmost regret that General Bernard Paget has been killed early this afternoon by the forces of the government of General De Gaulle. He and 114 other brave soldiers were killed in a merciless attack by French fighters. I am deeply grieved by these loses, as I am sure that every citizen of the British Empire is as they hear of these cowardly strikes. Let me assure you that these attacks will not go unpunished. While we are ending a war of peoples, we now see one man who has conspired to resurrect the cause of chieftains, of dynasties, of national ambitions. His deeds will receive their recompense, and they begin immediately." - Winston Churchill, radio address on the BBC

June 4, 1945 (7:15 AM EST)
A force of 48 Lancaster bombers flies over Paris and drops their payloads. While the target is Charles De Gaulle, over 2,000 French civilians are killed in the strike. General De Gaulle escapes the attack with minor injuries, but Maurice Theroz and several other French Provisional Government officials are killed. The leader of the French Communist Party has died, and Operation Recompense has begun.

 

[Seafort]

June 4, 1945 (7:45 AM EST)

Harry Truman was furious. He angrily swept a stack of papers from his desk, his face red with frustration. The news of the British bombing of Paris had reached him only minutes earlier. The President had spoken with Churchill less than an hour ago and urged restraint. Truman was certain that he could bring the crisis to a close by the sheer weight of American diplomatic and military might, as well as the strength of what had been a growing personal friendship with the British Prime Minister. Churchill had not only rebuffed him, but informed Truman that he would be withdrawing four aircraft carriers and two battleships from the Pacific theater. De Gaulle had been a fool to unilaterally sink the HMS Battler, but now the specter of his closest ally bombing the capital of the country that thousands of Americans had died to liberate was a diplomatic and political disaster. How could the Allies govern a conquered Germany when two of them were in a practical state of war with each other? A solution had to be found, and fast.


June 4, 1945 (7:48 AM EST)

The Bearn was withdrawing to west. Engines had been restored, but her speed was only 12 knots at the moment. Huge, makeshift patches covered the shredded stern flight deck and had been barely sufficient to allow her returning airplanes to land. But she was a marked target, and Captain Auboyneau knew that he needed to put distance between her and additional converging British surface units. Privately, he was certain that the next British air strike would be the one to sink France's only aircraft carrier.

He continued his tour of the flight deck, doing spot inspections and offering encouragement to his weary crew.

"Man a-port!", came a cry suddenly behind him.

Auboynea hurried over to one of the 40mm gun emplacements. Gunnery officer Cousteau saluted, then offered him his binoculars. The Captain stared through them for several moments, then lowered them and said, "Send a launch to retrieve him."


Six minutes later downed RAF pilot Dave Billington's four day ordeal in the Mediterranean was over.


June 4, 1945 (8:35 AM EST)

General Charles De Gaulle paused. Smoke from the bombing still clung to the air around him. His surviving Cabinet members had tried to dissuade him due to the danger of another British strike, but De Gaulle insisted. He paused for a moment as hundreds of shocked, grim faced Parisians continued to gather around him as he stood at the steps of the ruined Provisional government building.

"History has shown again and again the treachery of the British," he continued. "After the indignity of the surrender to the German came the attack on our naval forces at Mers-el-Kebir. Our sailors were honoring the armistice, yet 1,297 were deliberately murdered by a regime that trusted only in itself and not in the honor of the French people. And now this same regime has visited upon us the same carnage and destruction that those we have defeated await judgment for! As I have already said, we have sought merely to defend ourselves. Yet once more, we see the true face of Britain. The face of the Prefidious Albion! But to that face we say this. We may not know what tomorrow will bring, but greatness is a road leading to the unknown. France is not France without greatness, and when I see you - I see a nation that is filled to overflowing with greatness!"

The crowd cheered for over ten minutes as De Gaulle stepped down and shook hands. As he continued to receive accolades an aid approached him and saluted.

"Go on," said De Gaulle.

"Sir, it's Soviet Ambassador Bogomolov, " replied the aid. "He wishes to speak with you immediately."

 

[Seafort]

June 4, 1945 (8:41 AM EST)

The Syrian parliament building is afire. The bodies of dead soldiers - British, French, and Syrian - litter the streets. Yet still the battle goes on. The French are continuing to fight, but lacking air cover from the Bearn and being relentlessly pushed by the vengeful forces of the British Ninth Army, their resistance is wilting.


June 4, 1945 (8:44 AM EST)

An airstrike from the HMS Illustrious finds the French battleship Richelieu cruising west in the Indian Ocean. The battleship is hit by seven bombs and three torpedoes in the span of eight minutes.

June 4, 1945 (9:15 AM EST)

Winston Churchill is informed of the strike against the French battleship.

"These were unusual times, to say the least. When word reached us that the Richelieu had been struck the Prime Minister was elated. It was almost as if the war with the Japanese had ceased to exist. All that now seemed to matter was De Gaulle. I inquired of him what the next step was to be. He paused, then said that we would need to take advantage of the situation that we had found ourselves in. The next phase of Operation Recompense needed to begin as soon as possible. Phase Two he called it. Operation Choiseul.

His one concern however, above all others save De Gaulle, was that bloody carrier. He wanted the Bearn sunk. And he ordered air assets be diverted to do so."

Interview with First Lord Brendan Bracken, published in "A Lion In The Whirlwind" by Charles Edward Lysaght (1975)


June 4, 1945 (10:15 AM EST)

Captain Philippe Auboyneau looked at the radar screen with trepidation. There were several waves of aircraft incoming to the Bearn. It would not be much longer before the strike that he most feared arrived.

"Get all available fighters in the air. Prepare for action!"

The bridge crew scrambled. Auboyneau turned to an officer and said quietly, "Radio Paris. Tell them that we are dispatching the package with haste."


June 4, 1945 (10:20 AM EST)

Charles De Gaulle reviewed the papers before him, then stared back at Ambassador Alexander Bogomolov. There was an uncomfortable beat.

Finally he asked, "Are you certain that the Premier can deliver on these promises?"

"Quite certain," replied Bogomolov.

De Gaulle hesitated. What came next could change the destiny of his people. After what seemed like an eternity, he spoke.

"Then the nation of France agrees to these conditions."

Bogomolov smiled, and shook De Gaulle's hand.

 

[Seafort]

June 4, 1945 (11:05 AM EST)

The British had found the Bearn. A force of 58 British aircraft began their descent on the French carrier. But they were not alone. All available aircraft had been dispatched by Captain Auboyneau, even torpedo planes. The last had taken off only two minutes before the first British bomber appeared in the sky. The battle was joined in the sky as the French fought to save their ship.

Many miles away a lone Cessna JRC-1 headed west. It had taken off 15 minutes earlier, flying in the opposite direction from the massing French air defense. The British made no notice of the lone aircraft as it left the raging battle behind.

 

[Seafort]

June 4, 1945 (11:22 AM EST)

Transcript of conversation between President Harry Truman and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, published in "Showdown 1945: The Levant Crisis" (2014) by Max Hastings

"Mr. Prime Minister, this has to end. This has to end now."

"End? Mr. President, it has only begun. It is the requisite duty of the British people to see that the rogue elements of General De Gaulle are brought down."

"Damn it, you bombed Paris! Do you understand what you have done? Thousands of soldiers from both of our nations have died in defense of that nation! You are serving to nullify everything that we have fought and bled for!"

"Preposterous, Mr. President. We seek to save France. We fought and bled to stop Hitler, and now we fight to make certain that another does not arise in his place."

"De Gaulle may be many things, but he is no Hitler. The United States demands that you cease this action against France immediately."

[break of 15 seconds]

"Do you hear me Winston?"

"Of course, Mr. President. My answer remains unchanged. De Gaulle acted first, and the British Empire will facilitate his removal."


June 4, 1945 (11:25 AM EST)

Transcript of communication between Prime Minister Winston Churchill and First Lord Brendan Bracken:

"It is done, Prime Minister. We have engaged and sunk the Bearn."

 

[Seafort]

June 4, 1945 (11:30 AM EST)

Harry Truman sat back in his chair, looking at the telephone that he had used to speak with Churchill only minutes earlier. He had beckoned his advisors to leave the room. He wanted time to think on his next step. Indeed, it was the next step for the United States and for the ordering of the post-war world. He laughed inwardly for a moment after that thought came to mind. What post-war world? The impending invasion of Japan loomed ever present in his mind, as was the work being done on the project that he had been informed of just scant weeks ago. Yet now, when the world's collective efforts should have been focused on concluding the war with the world's remaining Axis nation he had the Levant Crisis to deal with.

All because of two men. Yes, Churchill was clearly enraged over the sinking of the Battler and the death of General Paget. But to now bomb France? Britain was already withdrawing most of her naval assets from the Pacific. The Prime Minister seemed hell-bent on removing De Gaulle, and intelligence believed that this included launching an outright invasion of France. Such an act would clearly put American forces in harms way and jeopardize plans for Europe as a whole. But if Churchill refused, if the British government acquiesced to his wishes and refused to say no, what was the recourse? For America to come to the aid of a man who had callously led to the deaths of hundreds of British soldiers to defend a French colony, a man whose ego was great enough that President Roosevelt had called him "a dictator in training"?

And all because of a single ship. After the crisis began Truman had spoken with Henry Stimpson on just how this all came to be. And while Roosevelt had said no when De Gaulle had requested that the United States rebuild the Bearn into an aircraft carrier capable of modern offensive operations, he had later agreed when Henri Giraud had made the same plea. Clearly Roosevelt - and indeed Truman - would have preferred Giraud as the leader of the Free French, and the former President had hoped that this would elevate him in the eyes of French. Alas, Giraud had eventually retired and it was all for naught. But at least the thorn of the carrier had been removed. Perhaps now, finally, Churchill could see reason. But the options that presented themselves to Truman were bleak and getting worse by the moment.

June 4, 1945 (11:58 AM EST)

A stench of death clung to the air as the gunnery officer carefully made his way through clouds of billowing smoke. Four bombs had struck the ship. One had directly hit the island of the Bearn, killing Captain Auboyneau and the entire bridge crew. The flight deck itself was in shambles and was no longer usable for operations. Not that it mattered, as only four French fighter planes remained aloft after the battle with the British. They would have to ditch after their fuel ran out, and he had already given orders that launches be dispatched to rescue the pilots. Within the ship hundreds were dead or dying, and due to fire fighting efforts the carrier now had a seven degree list to the starboard. The next few hours would be critical to the ship's survival. And the efforts during this time would be led by that gunnery officer.

Jacques Cousteau was now the senior surviving officer on the crippled Bearn, and had become its acting captain.

 

[Seafort]

June 4, 1945 (12:00 PM EST)

Masses of Soviet T-34s and thousands of infantry moved into position as strategic points east of the cities of Meinengen, Eisenach, and Mulhausen.

June 4, 1945 (12:10 PM EST)
Soviet Ambassador Andrei Gromyko sat quietly across from President Truman, who silently reviewed the sheet of papers before him. After a minute he put them down and focused his glaze on Gromyko.

"You cannot be serious," said Truman.

"The people of the Soviet Union are absolutely serious," replied Gromyko. "The whole of Europe stands on a tightrope over the edge of an abyss. We cannot stand by and allow all that we have fought for to be lost because of a madman."

"You are demanding that the United States give access and stand by as forty three armored divisions move through our zones of occupation."

"We are requesting it," answered Henri Bonnet. The French ambassador smiled thinly. "After all, we are all Allies and the war is not yet won. The nation of France is again requesting the assistance of the United States. Not military assistance. But to simply to allow your allies to honor the terms of pact that they have made."

Truman sighed. So this was it. The ramifications of the folly that De Gaulle and Churchill had dragged the world into. The British Prime Minister's actions had provoked a recompense of their own.

"You are right," answered Truman. "The war is not yet won. And for that reason, until Japan is defeated it is my opinion that the status quo should remain. Together, I am certain that the governments of the United States and the Soviet Union can bring pressure to bear to end this destructive conflict."

"Indeed," said Gromyko. "But before making any final decision I think it would be highly advisable for the President of the United States to be in full possession of all the facts. And until now, neither of our countries have had them. We do now. With your permission, please allow me to present them to you."

 

[Seafort]

June 4, 1945 (12:15 PM EST)

Winston Churchill sat back in his chair, taking a sip of Ararat brandy. "Preposterous," he exclaimed. "Utterly preposterous."

"That is hardly the case," replied Fedor Gusav. The Soviet ambassador to the United Kingdom was nonplussed. "The peoples of the Soviet Union have come to an agreement with the people of France. We intend to honor our agreement."

The British Prime Minister held the paper before him, perusing its contents.

"An agreement that is in paper only. This is in violation of not only the charter of the Yalta covenant, but its spirit. The Soviet Union is proposing to align itself with a man who has waged undeclared war on our people!"

"It is not a proposal," said Gusav grimly. "It is fact. And soon it will be a fact on the ground."

"Not if the Americans have anything to say about it," said Winston with a chortle. "Tell the General Secretary I will be in communications with President Truman shortly."

June 4, 1945 (12:18PM)

Transcript of communication between Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden, published in "Showdown 1945: The Levant Crisis" (2014) by Max Hastings

"This has to stop Winston."

"Stop? We will do nothing of the sort! To consider anything else would be, unthinkable."

 

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"The question to me has always been why? Why fabricate? We were clearly in the right, the Syrians were fighting for their independence against a crumbling French colonial structure. And yet he told the world that the French had struck us first. Was it because of the impending election? Was it because of some need to be the wartime leader in the midst of battle? I could never tell."

- Anthony Eden in a 1951 interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation

June 4, 1945 (12:23PM)

The recording had finished. Even over the phone, it was unmistakenly real. Churchill, flush with confidence only minutes was now shaken. Indeed, for once he was without words.

"Mr. Prime Minister, are you still there?" came the voice of President Harry Truman through the phone.

He took another sip of Ararat brandy, while at the same time motioning for his aids to leave the room. Seconds later he was alone.

"Indeed I am, Mr President," he replied. He let his anger rise. "Don't tell me that you are giving credence to a recording from the partisans of De Gaulle."

"This recording was made by the Russian government," replied Truman. "While we cannot yet verify its authenticity, we will assuredly soon enough. With that in mind - for the sake of our alliance and the work that is yet to be undertaken, let me simply ask you Winston. Is it true?"

Churchill exploded. "What is truth? The truth of an apprentice strongman who wishes to fill the shoes of Hitler? Or the truth of a nation that your country has allowed to wrest the fate of tens of millions within its iron embrace? De Gaulle sought to impose tyranny upon the Syrians. He seeks to impose that same tyranny upon his own people. He now aligns himself with those who do the same, but on an even larger scale. The British people did what must be done."

There was quiet on the line for a moment. Then finally Truman responded. "So you do not deny the French and Soviet charges?"

"I deny nothing in defense of the free peoples of the world", the British Prime Minister answered.

Again, there was several moments of silence.

"Mr Prime Minister," said Truman, "This conflict is to end immediately. The French have agreed to withdraw from the Levant. You are to end your military operations against the French at once."

"Then we will go it alone, as it was in 1940," declared Churchill. "The De Gaulle regime has killed hundreds of British sailors and soldiers."

"And you have killed thousands of French civilians," said Truman angrily. "If you fail to comply the United States government will end the Lend Lease Act to Britain, and request immediate restitution on all outstanding debts."

And there it was. The elephant in the room. Or as it was, the titan. The financial state of the British Empire was precarious. The ramifications of such an act by the United States would be ruinous.

"Mr President, I cannot countenance this -"

"It ends now, Winston," came the quick reply. "If not, I will make this recording public to a worldwide audience. We'll see what the British people think of you then."

Churchill sat back. Indeed, he was taken aback.

"Do I have your agreement?"

He stared at the wall, and the window beyond.

"Mr President, I recognize that we are not in a position to wage war against you," said Churchill. "But you have betrayed the British people and you have betrayed the West. This cannot, and will never be forgotten. With that, you have my agreement."

He hung up the phone, then with a roar hurtled his glass against the window.

 

[Seafort]

June 4, 1945 (12:40PM)

It would do. The fires were largely out, although the ship's repair companies lacked the materials to patch the now gaping holes in the carrier's shattered flight deck. The immediate danger had passed, and compartments flooded in fire fighting efforts were now being pumped out. As it was, the ship's list had been reduced to 3 degrees.

Jauques Cousteau took a moment and then addressed the sailors who were gathered before him, as well as those below decks via intercom.

"Men, I praise you. We have fought a battle together, and we remain. If we were logical, the future would be bleak, indeed. But we are more than just logical. We are French, and we have faith, and we have hope, and we can work! And in a moment, I will be radioing our command. And what shall I tell them? Quite simply this! That the Bearn lives!"

The roar of response could be heard hundreds of yards away.

June 4, 1945 (1:10PM)

Harry Truman waited until the French and Soviet ambassadors had departed the Oval Office. He then turned to James Byrne. The former Supreme Court justice and erstwhile head of the Office of Economic Stabilization had become Truman's closest confident in recent months. Far moreso than the current Secretary of State, of whom Truman felt would have been pleased with the direction that matters had gone within continental Europe over the last 24 hours.

"Thoughts?" asked the President.

"It's a huge gamble," replied Byrne. "Even though they agreed to our provision that access be granted only through two narrow corridors, it is still a risk. The Russians have been driven by revenge, Mr. President. Once they cross that border there is little to prevent them from sacking each German town and village on the way to the French zones."

"Agreed," said Truman. "It's the best of a banquet of poor options. Stalin is getting everything he wanted. Heck, probably much more."

"And what of Churchill?," asked Byrne.

"What of him? He's fortunate that I did not demand reparations to France on the spot."

"He's facing a general election next month. He seems - not himself. Power tends to intoxicate men. It is almost never surrendered voluntarily. I worry for what happens next."

"I do too, James. I do too."

 

[Seafort]

June 4, 1945 (6:03PM EST)

A lone aircraft touched down on a landing strip of the Salon-de-Provence Air Base. Moments later the Cessna JRC-1 had taxied to a stop and was greeted by a phalanx of French soldiers. The last surviving aircraft of the Bearn had arrived, and so had its package.


June 4, 1945 (6:15PM EST)
Thousands of Soviet troops surged across the border of the American zone of occupation. Heading west, a seeming endless train of soldiers, tanks, and other vehicles left Eisenach behind. Frightened Germans stayed behind locked doors as the Soviet forces rumbled past. The stories of Russian vengeance over the last year remained fresh in their minds.

June 4, 1945 (6:30PM EST)

"Oh, of course I had seen Winston angry. But never like this. His face was red. He was apoplectic, raging about how the Americans had betrayed the English-speaking peoples. He stood in his office with us before him, lecturing us incessantly on the alliance between France and the Soviets. And now apparently, the Americans as well. This went on for over an hour.

But when word reached us that the Bearn had not been sunk, he was silent. He ordered us out of the room. And after a few seconds, behind closed doors he began to rage anew."

Interview with First Lord Brendan Bracken, published in "A Lion In The Whirlwind" by Charles Edward Lysaght (1975)