General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
Re: Surcouf & Project CA.35, Part.3
Posted by:
Terry Andrews
()
Date: September 15, 2002 09:07AM
<HTML>The following Most Secret Signals, shorn of inessentials, tell the remainder of the Surcouf:
6th February 1942.
From C-in-C America and West Indies.
To Flag Officer Submarines.
Surcouf now reports defective main motor armature ... propose ship proceed to UK and Pay off.
6th February 1942.
From Flag Officer Submarines.
To Admiralty.
I adhere to my previous opinion. The C.O. of Surcouf is a seaman who knows his job and his ship well. The First Lieutenant is a good officer and experienced in submarines. The Engineer and key ratings are well experienced. The crew have suffered inaction and anti-British propaganda in Canada. To get any results fromthese Free French they must be put in the front line and kept there. I am sure Commander Cabanier at Tahiti can make use of Surcouf and in an active war area. In defence of their own soil I consider Surcouf may be of considerable use. Surcouf occupies a peculiar position in French Naval mentality and the Free French would hate to pay her off. In any case a large crew would be required for care and maintenance and she would be a nuisance in this country. I strongly recommend Surcouf proceeding as already ordered.
So we see already that Surcouf is becoming a bit of a dead weight and the British would rather be rid of here asap.
With Surcouf now reporting one of her main motors defective it is strange that the following day the next signal is sent:-
7th February 1942.
From Flag Officer Submarines.
To Admiralty.
Even if temporary repairs at Bermuda proe unsatisfactory on passage to Tahiti F.S. Surcouf can still dive using one shaft. At Tahiti her 8-inch guns would provide a valuable addition to defence of this or other islands. If it were found necessary to pay her off this should be done at Tahiti where her crew could add to strength of local defence force. A few of the better officers and key ratings being sent back to the UK to act as spares fro Free French Submarines in this country.
Surcouf sailed for Bermuda bound for the Panama Canal on the 12th February. She probably had a 130 men on board but, in view of her mission, the figure could have been higher although the Memorial at Cherbourg shows only 129 names.
With only one main motor working. The Admiralty signalled calmly that 'though she will not be fully efficient submerged'- a considerable under statement- 'she will be an asset in the defence of the Free French Pacific Islands. It is confidently anticipated that morale will improve as soon as she becomes operational.'
It is obvious that the Admiralty were anxious to be rid of this monster of a submarine, but they could not foresee the fate that awaited her, or could they?
Continued later on today!....Surcouf's Fatal Journey, Freak accident or premeditated Destruction!</HTML>
6th February 1942.
From C-in-C America and West Indies.
To Flag Officer Submarines.
Surcouf now reports defective main motor armature ... propose ship proceed to UK and Pay off.
6th February 1942.
From Flag Officer Submarines.
To Admiralty.
I adhere to my previous opinion. The C.O. of Surcouf is a seaman who knows his job and his ship well. The First Lieutenant is a good officer and experienced in submarines. The Engineer and key ratings are well experienced. The crew have suffered inaction and anti-British propaganda in Canada. To get any results fromthese Free French they must be put in the front line and kept there. I am sure Commander Cabanier at Tahiti can make use of Surcouf and in an active war area. In defence of their own soil I consider Surcouf may be of considerable use. Surcouf occupies a peculiar position in French Naval mentality and the Free French would hate to pay her off. In any case a large crew would be required for care and maintenance and she would be a nuisance in this country. I strongly recommend Surcouf proceeding as already ordered.
So we see already that Surcouf is becoming a bit of a dead weight and the British would rather be rid of here asap.
With Surcouf now reporting one of her main motors defective it is strange that the following day the next signal is sent:-
7th February 1942.
From Flag Officer Submarines.
To Admiralty.
Even if temporary repairs at Bermuda proe unsatisfactory on passage to Tahiti F.S. Surcouf can still dive using one shaft. At Tahiti her 8-inch guns would provide a valuable addition to defence of this or other islands. If it were found necessary to pay her off this should be done at Tahiti where her crew could add to strength of local defence force. A few of the better officers and key ratings being sent back to the UK to act as spares fro Free French Submarines in this country.
Surcouf sailed for Bermuda bound for the Panama Canal on the 12th February. She probably had a 130 men on board but, in view of her mission, the figure could have been higher although the Memorial at Cherbourg shows only 129 names.
With only one main motor working. The Admiralty signalled calmly that 'though she will not be fully efficient submerged'- a considerable under statement- 'she will be an asset in the defence of the Free French Pacific Islands. It is confidently anticipated that morale will improve as soon as she becomes operational.'
It is obvious that the Admiralty were anxious to be rid of this monster of a submarine, but they could not foresee the fate that awaited her, or could they?
Continued later on today!....Surcouf's Fatal Journey, Freak accident or premeditated Destruction!</HTML>
