Aerial View of the Scuttled French Fleet at Toulon, Showing Burning Cruisers and Sunk Destroyers, December 1942 (RAF Photograph No. C.3295) (back)

22 unf-26.10.1.161 BRITISH OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH.NO.C.3295.(WB)。 (Air Ministry Photograph. Crown Copyright Reserved ALPE (Picture issued Dec. 1942)。 SERVICIO DE PRENSA INTERNACIONAL THE SCUTTLED FRENCH FLEET AT TOULON: AERIAL PICTURES The day after the scuttling and firing of the ships were taken by the R.A.F. Many of the vessels were still burning so that smoke and shadow obsucre part of the scene. But the photographs show besides the burning cruisers, ship after ship of the contre- torpilleurs and destroyer classes lying capsized or sunk testifying to the thoroughness with which the French seamen carried out their bitter task. While the vast damage done is shown in these photographe no exact list of the state of the ships can be drawn up, since destruction which may have taken place in several cases within the ships themselves, cannot be seen in an aerial photograph. Thus, the upper deck of the battle cruiser STRASBOURG is not submerged; but there are signs that the vessel has settled and is grounded. The key plan C.3296 shows the whereabouts of the majority of the ships and their condition so far as it can be seen from the photographs. Picture shows:- Damaged and sunk light cruisers and destroyers can be seen through the shadow and smoke caused by the burning 8" cruiser. (See also picture No.C.3293/94 and key pin (See M.O.J.. handout No 20