Jean Labayle Couhat

There were at one point two naval handbooks of the French Navy in WWII, this is the version put out by Ian Allen, and has features in common with the other one, "The French Navy" by Henri Le Masson. I don't like this one as well as the Le Masson book, but each has features that the other lacks. Couhat's book on the French Navy of WWI is quite competent but this one has some gaps. His armour details on the French Cruisers is lacking in thicknesses and areas covered. While both books have potted histories of the navy in action, the Le Masson book is more thoughtful, while Couhat seems very intent on tracking every exchange of gunfire the tragic navy engaged in. The Couhat book is a one-volume effort, and contains details of French Naval artillery that Le Masson lacks. Couhat has also the fate of each vessel neatly arranged in an appendix at the back. He also has details of the French naval mines and torpedoes for those looking for that information. But if you have the chance, go for the Le Masson book, as well as this effort.… (meer)