To answer the Anglo-American unloading on November 8, 1942 in North Africa, the German army invades the free zone and gives the attack in Toulon. In order not to fall to the hands from the Germans, the French fleet scuttles on November 27, 1942.
Le Casabianca escape under the grapeshot to continue the fight. It is the beginning of a glorious adventure, very accurately reported by the commander Herminier in homage to its crew. The secret missions on the coasts of Corsica will follow one another until the release of the island. Struck seal of the purest heroism, one of the most beautiful pages of the History of the national Navy has been just written.
Jean Herminier, born on January 25, 1902 in Extremely-of-France, between the Naval college in 1921 and is directed since 1927 towards the submarines. He is made chevalier of the Legion of Honour in exceptional circumstances in 1932 because of his beautiful control during an explosion on board of Persée. Affected on Sidi-Ferruch in November 1940, it must stop its command at the beginning of 1942 for health reasons. After a stay at the hospital, it obtains in April 1942 the command of Casabianca, submarine of 1500 tons, on board of which it will be illustrated.