A.Mookerjee
Banned Member
I was reading an excellent book called, "On Seas Contested" which was about the major navies of World War 2. I highly recommend the book, published by the Naval Institute Press.
It struck me, that the Marine Nationale had perhaps, as a priority, to defend her sea routes for merchant shipping, before other priorities should have been considered. The Marine Nationale had been indecisive about the role of her Navy, on the high seas, and as a result, the designs of her various naval vessels suffered, after the first great war.
When one compares the historical role of the Marine Nationale, and the Royal British Navy, then many ideas may surface. The Royal British Navy, was made a conception because Great Britain is an island, and the sea's surrounding Britain are the first front in an armed struggle with nations outside Great Britain. Britain developed her Navy, initially because of this reason, and then because she required the raw materials to maintain a Navy. Britain had not abundant resources in Britain, to manufacture, a Navy, and needed resources from outside Britain for the reason. There may be many reasons for the concept of 'Empire' in Britain, in her past, and this was perhaps, one reason for the concept to develop.
So, the reason for Britain to develop her Navy became the reason for her holdings in other nations, in Asia, and the America's, amidist other reasons.
However, France had other priorities, accruing to her land armed forces, apart from her having to compete with Britain overseas for resources in industrialisation. Before the Industrial Revolution, how much of a priority was it for France, to have a Navy? And if there was a priority seen, then was the priority misplaced in it's understanding, and scope?
The Marine Nationale in the Second World War, was one of the most effective Navies, even if one takes into account the various problems with the designs of the ships, along with the armaments and ammunitions, and compares them with their stated requirements.
But, how important was the Marine Nationale, compared to the threat posed by Hitler? Did the Marine Nationale engage with Italian Naval Forces, in the Mediterranean, or with the Kriegsmarine, before she capitulated?
If one takes into account the various challenges perceived by the Marine Nationale, then one may see, that the challenges were numerous, as they were perceived. Does this point to the fact, that the Marine Nationale was a concept flawed? Were there deficiencies and/or over development when one compared the objectives, and execution of her intentions? There may be aspirations for navies to acquire, but if navies over-reach their expectations, in some areas of operations, and remain deficient in others, then it shows that the navy has been flawed in concept.
It struck me, that the Marine Nationale had perhaps, as a priority, to defend her sea routes for merchant shipping, before other priorities should have been considered. The Marine Nationale had been indecisive about the role of her Navy, on the high seas, and as a result, the designs of her various naval vessels suffered, after the first great war.
When one compares the historical role of the Marine Nationale, and the Royal British Navy, then many ideas may surface. The Royal British Navy, was made a conception because Great Britain is an island, and the sea's surrounding Britain are the first front in an armed struggle with nations outside Great Britain. Britain developed her Navy, initially because of this reason, and then because she required the raw materials to maintain a Navy. Britain had not abundant resources in Britain, to manufacture, a Navy, and needed resources from outside Britain for the reason. There may be many reasons for the concept of 'Empire' in Britain, in her past, and this was perhaps, one reason for the concept to develop.
So, the reason for Britain to develop her Navy became the reason for her holdings in other nations, in Asia, and the America's, amidist other reasons.
However, France had other priorities, accruing to her land armed forces, apart from her having to compete with Britain overseas for resources in industrialisation. Before the Industrial Revolution, how much of a priority was it for France, to have a Navy? And if there was a priority seen, then was the priority misplaced in it's understanding, and scope?
The Marine Nationale in the Second World War, was one of the most effective Navies, even if one takes into account the various problems with the designs of the ships, along with the armaments and ammunitions, and compares them with their stated requirements.
But, how important was the Marine Nationale, compared to the threat posed by Hitler? Did the Marine Nationale engage with Italian Naval Forces, in the Mediterranean, or with the Kriegsmarine, before she capitulated?
If one takes into account the various challenges perceived by the Marine Nationale, then one may see, that the challenges were numerous, as they were perceived. Does this point to the fact, that the Marine Nationale was a concept flawed? Were there deficiencies and/or over development when one compared the objectives, and execution of her intentions? There may be aspirations for navies to acquire, but if navies over-reach their expectations, in some areas of operations, and remain deficient in others, then it shows that the navy has been flawed in concept.