The following is a memorandum received from Vice Consul King at Casablanca
to the effect that the Officers of the French Navy were spreading the rumor
that the Free French submarine NARVAL had been sunk by the British; and that
the SURCOUF was deliberately sunk by American Naval forces, because Its crew was not considered loyal and reliable by the Americans",
 Last year the widow of Commandant Drogou, the Commander of the Free
French submarine MARVAL, which was sunk in action in the Mediterranean, came
in and reported that officers of the French Navy in Morocco were spreading
the rumor that the NARVAL had not been sunk by enemy action but had been
sunk by the British because it had attempted to return to France, i.e., to
desert the British forces while at sea. Madame Drogou reported that the
following statement had been made by, the local Admiralty "That Commandant
Drogou,. finding himself to have been mistaken in his ideas of duty and misled,
attempted to return to France and was thereupon assassinated, with all his
crew, by the British, who sent two vessels after the NARVAL and sank her with
•all hands". This was communicated by the Consulate to the American Embassy'
•in London by a note dated October 1, 19U1. The reply of the American Embassy
dated November 25, 19U1, included a statement by the Chief of the Free French
Forces which praised most. highly Commandant Drogou*s courage and fidelity and
declared that the NARVAL had been sunk in the course of operations against
the Axis Powers.
Madame Drogou called again this week and reported that following the
loss of the SURCOUF, the French Navy in Casablanca had circulated the rumor
that it had been sunk by gunfire by an American cruiser while the SURCOUF
was on patrol duty in the North Atlantic. She stated that a friend-of hers
had gone to the Admiralty in Casablanca and there had been shown a paper in
which it was stated definitely that the American .Navy admitted sinking the
SURCOUF under these circumstances and had made this admission to Vichy, This
friend was informed that the SURCOUF had been resting on the surface when the
American cruiser sighted it and sank it without warning. This information has
had a disturbing affect on De Gaullist and pro-American French in Casablanca.
They state that they cannot understand either why an American warship should
be ignorant of the presence of the SURCOUF in, a given patrol section, or could
mistake its peculiar silhouette. Nor can they understand why the American
Government should communicate directly with Vichy regarding the loss of a Free
French submarine. The comments made by local naval officers naturally are
derogatory to the American Navy. The Admiral commanding the French Fleet in
Morocco, Admiral d»Harcourt, apparently is cognizant of the reports spread
concerning the SURCOUF and has not attempted to check them. It may be noted
that he adopted the same attitude in regard to the reports circulated previously
in regard to the NARVAL.                                           

Since that time the Consulate has -learned that certain officers of the
local Navy are circulating further rumors to the effect that the SURCOUF was
deliberately sunk by the American Navy, because "its crew were not considered
loyal or reliable by the Americans". It, appears needless to comment on the 
 effect that these rumors are-likely to produce.
Madame' Drogou 'is in touch with a number-of French-women in Casablanca
whose husbands are serving in the Free French Navy. These women fear that their
may have been on SURCOUF as her crew frequently was changed,
and have asked her to obtain the' casualty list. Madame Drogou also, is in
touch with two women in France, whose husbands were known by them, to have been
on  the SURCOUF These women have informed her that they made inquiries regarding
husbands at the American Consulates in Lyons and Marseille, .but were told
that no information could be' given them.
It is suggested that prompt action be taken .to dispel the rumors now being
circulated regarding the loss of the SURCOUF.
     NOTE: Astalusna Tangier, has. requested.Gibraltar for list of survivors and
Jcasulties casualties for the benefit of the relatives.

PREPARED AND FORWARDED BY _
F. P. HOLCOMB.
1st .Lt. USMCR.
Assistant Naval Attaché,

Copy to: J.I.C. Gibraltar.