Dunkerque's history was not filled with epic victories in combat or spectacular achievements; nonetheless, she participated in two major historic events that changed the balance of power in the Mediterranean, making her an important vessel from an historical perspective, even if she did not sink any hostile vessels in anger.
Dunkerque's history began with her keel laid down on 24 December at the Arsenal de Brest. Upon her launch on 2 October , she lacked the first 17 metres of her bow, which was later completed at the Laninon graving docks. Her initial sea trials began in April , even before her superstructures were fully complete, and with some secondary and light anti-aircraft guns yet to be installed.
Dunkerque attained a speed of Fully commissioned in December , her trials extended into , marked by extensive machinery tests and gunnery evaluations, with minor modifications made throughout the testing period. Throughout and into , she conducted extensive gunnery trials and fleet exercises off the coast of Brittany and in the Morgat area. From 20 January until 6 March , she embarked on an endurance cruise, visiting the Caribbean and Senegal.
At the onset of the Second World War, Dunkerque, alongside her sister ship Strasbourg, formed the core of France's Force de Raid, an elite squadron tasked with hunting German surface raiders and protecting Allied shipping routes.
Throughout and early , she participated in several missions, including convoy escorts across the Atlantic and collaborative operations with British naval forces. In June , following France's armistice with Germany, concerns grew within the British government about the fate of the French fleet potentially falling into Axis hands.
