At times, allies can be worse than enemies.
The fate of battleship Dunkerque is a vivid example of this.
Built in 1937, she was the world's first high-speed battleship.
With good cruising speed and powerful armament, Dunkerque could have easily hunted
and destroyed Germany's heavy raider cruisers.
But the battleship was deprived of the chance to fight against Kriegsmarine forces...
After France was defeated, the British feared that advanced French ships
would fall into the hands of Germany.
So on July 3, 1940, the French fleet,
locked in a harbor, was attacked by their former allies from the Albion.
Dunkerque suffered some heavy hits, and an air attack that followed knocked her out for a long time.
Armada 2.0 Dunkerque
The real Dunkerque was one of the best battleships of her time.
But what is she like in our game?
At first sight, this newcomer doesn't look too impressive for a Tier VI battleship.
True heavyweight fighters would be too strong for her.
But don't forget that she's quite the battlecruiser, primarily designed to hunt heavy cruisers.
Eight 330-mm main battery guns, placed in two turrets on the ship's bow...
Eight!
In a front salvo!
This means you don't have to expose your ship's side and citadel to strike with all your might.
And that's twice as many guns as half of your counterparts have at this tier!
But let's get back on topic.
Eight guns mounted in two turrets on the ship's bow feature superb ballistics
and average firing range for this tier.
The caliber is modest compared to its peers, but this makes over-penetrations less frequent.
The turret traverse speed is pretty high, similar to that of many cruisers,
so even the most maneuverable target won't escape untouched.
And there's also a pleasant bonus: your gun reload time is the shortest in Tier VI.
Armada 2.0 Dunkerque
As for tactics, like with most battleships, you should follow a few simple rules.
Firstly, your primary targets are cruisers.
Secondly, do not expose your sides; consequently,
getting caught in crossfire means a trip back to the port for you.
Thirdly, a battleship sailing alone is a lucrative target for enemy aircraft and destroyers.
So don't go it alone, unless you are looking for a heroic but early destruction.
Finally, and most importantly,
retreating with Dunkerque isn't cowardice, but cunning tactics.
As the ship's main battery is concentrated on her bow, you don't have to expose your side to enemy salvos.
Their 356-mm shells will helplessly ricochet from your graceful French bow.
Dunkerque can be knocked off her perch, but the enemy would need imposing main battery guns.
Their caliber has to be 380 mm or more.
But if you get into hot water, the French battleship has one more ace in the hole.
Cruising speed!
With almost 30 knots, the ship can quickly change flanks.
The only drawback is that your primary armament won't be able
to return fire during the retreat.
Only the secondary battery can fire towards the rear.
And the perk for its manual control doesn't provide a significant advantage at Tier VI.
So plan your avenues of retreat in advance.
And now is the time to take a look at the ship’s air defense assets.
They are not powerful enough to shoot down entire enemy squadrons, but are able to impair their aim.
Yes indeed,
Dunkerque is the only Tier VI battleship so far with a full-fledged fighter!
It can both spot enemy torpedoes and help you survive an air attack.
As a result, this ship does not require any particular combination of upgrades and commander skills.
A standard set for battleships will suit you well.
But we do recommend that you install Main Armaments Modification 1,
so that you don't lose your key strength when you need it most.
Armada 2.0 Dunkerque
So what kind of beast is this French ship?
Is it a dream come true for those who like to soak up all the damage with their bow?
Or is it fool’s gold, and only seems valuable?
Neither is correct!
Dunkerque is like a breath of fresh air for the plodding battleship gameplay!
She's just different! She's versatile!
She's both a workhorse to farm credits and an opportunity to enjoy unique gameplay.
And for collectors, she is another chance to touch history...
Dunkerque is a ship that will definitely demand your attention!