Leaders of the Le Fantasque class were developed to counter the Italian scout cruisers—they needed to be effective over a long range and have a decent rate of fire. The new 50-caliber 138.6 mm 1929 gun model was designed according to these requirements. With the outbreak of war, Le Fantasque became part of the most modern ship task force created to resist the German raiders and blockade breakers. After her modernization in the U.S., Le Fantasque served in the Mediterranean Sea, taking part in the landing on Corsica and Operation Dragoon.