On 11 November 1942 the Germans started their occupation of Vichy France. The FHM was ready to sail to North Africa to defend it from the Torch landings but was denied permission to sail. By 27 November they had reached Toulon and entered the base. The Germans were delayed from entering the naval dockyard giving the French sailors time to scuttle the fleet. "Colbert" was at Dock No. 5. Her guns were spiked with 35 kg charges that were detonated destroying the guns and the sea cocks were opened and the ship settled to the bottom. Fire took hold of the ship and she burned until 3 December. She was raised post war and scrapped between 1946 and 47.