Primauguet was present at Dakar during the attack on 7/8 July 1940.

Sunk in Casablanca harbour on 8 November 1942.
The ship was under refit and not fully operational, but returned the USN gunfire.
The ship was badly damaged and suffered many casualties with 45 crew dead and more than 200 of the crew wounded).
(Capitaine De Vaisseau Leon Joseph Marie Mercier) the commanding officer was killed and Contre Amiral Raymond Emile Gervais De Lafond was wounded. After burning the whole night, the wreck was abandoned and became a total loss.