The ship was assigned convoy escort duties in the Atlantic after the start of World War II in September 1939 until she was committed to the English Channel after the Battle of France began in May 1940.

During her sea trials on 18 May 1926, Chacal's turbines provided 54,911 metric horsepower (40,387 kW; 54,160 shp) and she reached 35.3 knots (65.4 km/h; 40.6 mph) for a single hour.

Their anti-aircraft armament consisted of two Canon de 75 mm modèle 1924 guns in single mounts positioned amidships.

[6] Chacal and Tigre escorted the light cruiser Primauguet to French West Africa between 13 January and 10 April 1931.

[8] By 22 May Chacal was reassigned to the 2nd DCT when the unit was tasked to carry demolition teams to the northernmost French ports; the ship arrived at Calais that evening.

[9] Together with Léopard and eight smaller destroyers, Chacal bombarded advancing German troops as they approached the defenses of Boulogne-sur-Mer throughout the 23rd.

[10] During the night of 23–24 May, the ship was badly damaged by bombs from Heinkel He 111 bombers and shells from German artillery and had to be beached between Ambleteuse and Wimereux lest she sink.