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WW2 - Surcouf Submarine of the Free French Navy
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WW2 - Surcouf Submarine of the Free French Navy
WW2 - Surcouf Submarine of the Free French Navy. The largest submarine ever built until surpassed by the first Japanese I-400-class submarine in 1943. Classified as an " undersea cruiser" by sources of her time. She carried a Besson MB.411 observation floatplane in a hangar built abaft of the conning tower - photoraph taken circa 1936 (the radio masts were removed by 1938). Date: circa 1936
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Media ID 11589923
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Conning Corsair Cruiser Floatplane Francaises Free Guns Libre Masts Observation Radio Shape Submarine Submarines Unusual 1936 Besson Libres Surcouf Undersea
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This photograph showcases the Surcouf, a legendary submarine of the Free French Navy during World War II. Classified as an "undersea cruiser," the Surcouf was an unusual and innovative naval vessel, boasting an impressive size that made it the largest submarine ever built until surpassed by the first Japanese I-400-class submarines in 1943. The Surcouf's distinctive design and shape were a testament to the engineering prowess of her time. The submarine's most striking feature was its hangar, built aft of the conning tower, which housed a Besson MB.411 observation floatplane. This aircraft provided the crew with a unique capability to scout enemy waters from the air, expanding the submarine's reconnaissance capabilities far beyond the limits of traditional underwater exploration. In this photograph, taken circa 1936, the Surcouf's radio masts can be seen atop the conning tower. However, these masts were removed by 1938, likely to reduce the submarine's profile and improve its stealth capabilities. Armed with an impressive armament of torpedoes and guns, the Surcouf was a formidable weapon in the arsenal of the Free French Navy. The Surcouf's history is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the French military during World War II. Its unique design and advanced capabilities continue to fascinate historians and maritime enthusiasts alike, making it a significant chapter in the annals of naval warfare.
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