Who Sank the "Surcouf"?: The Truth About the Disappearance of the Pride of the French Navy - Tapa dura

The pride of France's navy, the giant submarine "Surcouf" was in reality an expensive and inefficient vessel. Following the defeat of France in 1940 she limped to England where her crew only yielded possession of the vessel after a fierce gun battle. With a new crew she was then sent to war against the Germans, but then rumours began to circulate that she was sinking Allied ships. En route to Tahiti, the "Surcouf" mysteriously disappeared without trace. Her unexplained loss provoked a storm of suspicion by the French who believed that she had been deliberately sunk by the Americans and British to stop the submarine fleeing to the sanctuary of the Vichy-held island of Martinique. Fifty years later the "Surcouf" still generates strong emotions amongst Frenchmen. The refusal by Churchill to hold an inquiry also rekindles the anger and suspicions directed against Churchill following his order for the Royal Navy to destroy the French fleet. James Rusbridger has uncovered an exciting tale of intrigue, lies, and incompetence. He located the wreck and reveals what really happened to the "Surcouf".