Hi John- I also have the book of James Rusbridger. I have no new informations on the last voyge of the Surcouf. I only say that Rusbridger makes huge assumptions on the location of Surcouf on 14 Februar considering that she was not seen, and did not contact Allies by radio, for whatever reason in that period and her speed was not known for certain.

I red the article in "Sea Classics". Rosenstiel was probably one of the very best commanders and had luxury in 1942 of being able to surface after a sinking to review the damage. He sank something and lives were definitely lost. And yet the Allies never acknowledged the loss of even a merchant ship that date and the loss could not be confirmed even after the war. I also am bothered by the type of damage of the Thomas Lykes since it could have collided with any marine hazard. But with the lack of speed and location-route info on Surcouf it is a complete guess what happened. My vote is with U-502 however. Rosenstiel is one of those commanders who should have received the Knights Cross had his verified successes been known at the time. Johann