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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
France
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

France

Artifact IDMO 1945.70.4
Object Type Model
Maker
Gifter
Dateca. 1940s
Mediumpaint on metal, metal, fabric, wood
Dimensionsobject (ship approx.) H 17 in x W 42 1/2 in x D 9 in (43.2 cm x 108 cm x 22.9 cm )
 base H x W 48 1/2 in x D 14 in (0 cm x 123.2 cm x 35.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionA scale model of the Free French submarine, FRANCE. The metal submarine has a green hull, blue upper section, and white trim. The model sits on a wooden cradle stand mounted to a wood base covered in green fabric. Also mounted to the base is a set of four torpedoes Affixed to the base is a metal and wood presentation plaque inscribed: Presented to / President Franklin D. Roosevelt / by General Charles DeGaulle / July 9, 1944
Historical NoteFree French leader General Charles DeGaulle gave President Roosevelt this working model of a submarine during a visit to Washington D.C. in July 1944. Based loosely on a French submarine called the SURCOUF, the model can submerge, fire its guns, and launch its torpedoes. The model was built by an unknown French petty officer in Bizerte, Tunisia while it was under German occupation. A delighted Roosevelt tested the model in the boat basin at the Taylor Naval Research Center near Washington D.C. He later gave it to his grandson, Curtis Roosevelt. When Eleanor Roosevelt noted that he couldn’t give away a state gift, FDR replied that DeGaulle was president of the French Committee for Liberation, not a head of state.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 7, 1945. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineGift of Curtis Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesShip Models (National Archives Identifier 782457)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Exhibitions
Not on view