French submarine Ondine (Q166)

The Ondine (Q166) was a French submarine of the Sirène class, built for the French Navy in the mid-1920s. Serving during the interwar period and early years of World War II, she was scuttled at Toulon in November 1942 to prevent her capture by German forces during Operation Anton.

Ondine, named after a mythical water nymph, was laid down in 1925, launched in 1927, and commissioned in 1929. The Sirène class were designed as coastal submarines, intended for operations in the Mediterranean Sea. They were relatively small compared to ocean-going submarines of the time.

During the 1930s, Ondine participated in routine naval exercises and patrols within the French Mediterranean fleet. With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, she was involved in patrols aimed at intercepting enemy shipping.

Following the Armistice of 22 June 1940, Ondine found herself under the control of the Vichy French government. She remained based at Toulon.

On November 27, 1942, as German forces moved to seize the French fleet at Toulon, the crew of Ondine scuttled the submarine to prevent its capture and use by the Axis powers. The wreck remained on the seabed at Toulon until being salvaged and broken up after the war.