1-343-969 - Art Media / Heritage-Images

French submarine 'Surcouf', 20th century. Launched in 1934, the 'Surcouf' was the largest submarine in the world at the outbreak of World War II. After France's defeat by Germany in 1940, she was captured by the British and transferred to the Free French Navy. The Surcouf was sunk with all hands on 18 February 1942. It was reported that she collided with an American freighter, but a later French investigation stated that she was sunk by US aircraft in a friendly fire incident.