The FS Medoc Tragedy - 39 Lives Lost November 26, 1940

November 26, 1940 - 39 crew members perished when a German Heinkel He111 torpedo struck FS Medoc off Plymouth. Despite the "Free French" designation, the 87-member crew was composed of British Royal Navy sailors and Polish officers, commanded by Polish Captain Roman Stankiewicz. The torpedo explosion triggered the ship's own depth charges, creating a catastrophic chain reaction that claimed most of the 39 lives lost. First Lieutenant William Sobey (RNVR) was the only surviving officer. HMT Lombard rescued survivors after standing off during the depth charge explosions. The ship's complex history - French-built, Polish-transferred, British-operated - reflects the international cooperation of the Allied war effort. Today, FS Medoc rests at 53 meters depth off Plymouth Sound and is a popular dive site #Shipwreck #WarGrave #WW2 #MaritimeHistory #FSMedoc #Plymouth