The French Submarine that Found Refuge in Swansea During the Second World War Flight from a Collapsing Nation, Summer 1940 La Créole In the turbulent summer of 1940, as German forces swept relentlessly across France, an unexpected and extraordinary arrival entered Swansea Docks . The French submarine La Créole , barely launched and still far from completion, was brought across the Bay of Biscay in a dramatic attempt to prevent her falling into enemy hands. Her appearance in South Wales became one of the most unusual maritime episodes of the early war. An Unfinished Vessel on the Move La Créole was an Aurore‑class submarine under construction at Le Havre . She had only just been launched on 8 June 1940 , little more than a hull with her internal systems incomplete, when the rapid collapse of France forced naval authorities to act. Ordered first to La Pallice , she was then taken under tow on 18 June 1940 and brought to Swansea as France’s defences crumbled. Operation Catapult and Brit...
