The unfinshed Richelieu (Captain Marzin) left Brest for Dakar under her own power on 18 June 1940 escorted by the French destroyers Fougeaux and Frondeur, the ship arrived at Dakar on 23 June 1940.
Commissioned at Dakar on 15 July 1940 when only 95% complete.
Damaged in the British attack on Dakar on 8 July 1940.
Joined the Allies in late 1942.
Refitted in the U.S.A. at the New York Navy Yard from February until October 1943.
Rearmed with U.S. pattern Anti-Aircraft guns, 56-40 mm (14x4) and 48-20 mm (48x1).
Richelieu served with the British Home Fleet from November 1943-March 1944, then transferred to the British Eastern Fleet arriving in Ceylon on 12 April 1944, in time to participate in the attack on Sabang on April 19th.
After the war she served of Indo-China.
Decommissioned in 1956.
Stricken in 1959 and hulked as an accommodation ship in Brest.
Scrapped in 1968.