The French submarine Narval was an Acciaoia class submarine operated by the Free French Navy during the Second World War.
Originally operated by the Italian Regina Marina as Bronzo, she was captured on 12th July 1943 after being engaged by HMS Seaham, HMS Boston, HMS Cromarty, and HMS Poole. Towed into to Syracuse by HMS Seaham, she was as later transferred to Malta and renamed HMS P714.
It was originally intended to transfer her to the Hellenic Navy, but was given to the Free French naval forces instead on 29 January 1944. She was renamed Narval and remained in operation until the end of the war when she was decommissioned. She was finally scrapped in 1948.
Bronzo (on the right) next to Volframio in early 1942Bronzo at her base in Cagliari, Sardinia, in early 1943Bronzo was commanded for most of her life by Tenente di Vascello Cesare BuldriniBuldrini (with binoculars around his neck) and other members of Bronzo’s crew in August 1942.On 12th July 1943, Bronzo surfaced among a group of British minesweepers, who immediately opened fire on her with their 3-inch gunsBronzo being towed towards Syracuse by HMS SeahamThe captured Italian submarine Bronzo sits in the harbor at Syracuse, Sicily The captured Italian submarine Bronzo sits in the harbor at Syracuse, SicilyThe captured Bronzo at Syracuse, with damage to the conning tower clearly visible
