This program investigates two of the worst maritime disasters of World War Two. The first was the single worst shipping misfortune in British history – the sinking of the Lancastria in 1940 off the coast of Brittany with the loss of around 5,000 lives. The other tragedy struck the French steamer Meknes, which sailed from Southampton in July 1940 with 1300 French seamen aboard. It was hit by a German torpedo and sank in 10 minutes. Over 400 men perished in the catastrophe.