Britain completed Surcouf's refit and handed it to the Free French for convoy duties. Only one officer from the original crew stayed, while the others were repatriated. A requirement for roughly 110 to 130 crew made the submarine expensive in personnel, and British experience with large gun submarines encouraged doubts about its value. Distrust after Operation Catapult complicated cooperation further. The Free French nevertheless commissioned the boat and valued its service. More broadly, several ships in these escape stories left because they could no longer fight in their damaged or unfinished condition and needed a safe place to complete repairs.
Notable Point · 28:35-30:12
Surcouf's refit raises questions about crew cost and future use
Surcouf returns to service despite British doubts about its large crew and gun-submarine role, illustrating the value of escape to a repair base.