This Day in the War in Europe: The Beginning

[parsifal]

2 March 1940
Known Reinforcements
Neutral
USN DD O'BRIEN (i) (Sims Class DD 415)

DD HAMMAN (DD 412) SIMS Class, same profile as the OBrien, lost in the Pacific on 1942
SD MTB T3 and T4 (commissioning dates uncertain (purchased Feb 1940)

Known Losses
MV RIJNSTROOM (Ne 695 grt): Crew: 12 (12 dead - no survivors) : Cargo: General cargo : Route: London (2 Mar) - Amsterdam: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Zeebrugge, West Flanders, Belgium by U-17. U-17 reported that she had torpedoed a 9000 ton tanker, however no other ships other than the RIJNSTROOM were lost in this area at the time. Details of this loss remain sketchy however.

MV LAGAHOLM (Sd 2818 grt): Crew: 28 (1 dead and 27 survivors): cargo: general cargo, including aluminium, copper, brass, engines, chemicals and mail : Route: Baltimore - New York - Kirkwall - Gothenburg - Malmo: The LAGAHOLM and BELPAMELA had been ordered to Kirkwall for contraband inspection. U-32 had detected these ships and had initially targetted the BELPAMELA, firing three torpedoes, all detonated prematurely. The exasperated commander decided to stop the other ship with gunfire. U-32 did stop the vessel and ordered all the crew into lifeboats. They also gave the crew course and distance information to the nearest land. The cargo ship was then shelled and sunk 80 nautical miles west of the Kirkwall. Survivors were rescued by BELPAMELA (Nor).

Steamer ALBANO (UK 1176 grt) was sunk on a mine 7.6 miles 128.5° from Coquet Light, ; nine crew out of 29 were lost. The survivors were picked up by escort vessel WALLACE and armed trawler STELLA CARINO (440grt).

Rescue tug FAIRPLAY II (RN 282 grt), was wrecked on the Yorkshire coast after she ran aground.

CL DUNEDIN intercepted MV HEIDELBERG (Ger 6530 grt) 60 miles WSW of the Windward Passage in the Caribbean. She had departed Aruba the day before with German steamer TROJA, which had also scuttled herself to avoid capture.

From left to right ANTILLA, TROJA HEIDLBERG anchored at Malmok

MV HEIDELBERG ablaze; HEIDELBERG crew being rescued by picked up by HMS DUNEDIN

Steamer WOLFSBURG (Ger 6201 grt) had departed Pernambuco on 5 February. Disguised as MV AUST (Nor), she scuttled herself north of Iceland when intercepted by CA BERWICK on Northern Patrol. BERWICK picked up the German crew of 11 officers and 43 men and sank the wrecked steamer with gunfire.
Gutted Arcades of the Past: May 2012

Air Attacks By FliegerKorps X
Steamer ELZIENA (Ne 176 grt) was bombed and sunk by He111's of German KG26 (X Air Corps) five miles east of Coquet Island; 2 of the 5 crew were killed.

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

Operation "Weseruebung" is thoroughly discussed..... Naval Staff is well aware of the difficulties of carrying out "Weseruebung", involving as it does all-out operations by the whole Navy...

It is no longer solely a case of improving Germany's strategic position and gaining isolated military advantages or of weighing the pros and cons of the possibility of executing "Weserubung" and of asserting military scruples, but for the Armed Forces it is a matter of accommodation at lightning speed to political conditions and necessities.

Naval Staff is therefore of the opinion that the Fuehrers demands that the Armed Forces should solve this problem by using all the means in their power, must be fulfilled. The date for the execution of "Weseruebung" is still unknown, but it may be very soon If the weather is suitable. In these circumstances the Navy Is resolved to abandon all scruples and to sweep aside the difficulties that arise by using all its forces. The Fuehrer will, of course, be clearly informed of the difficulties standing In the way of the execution of "Weseruebung".

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

U 50 entered port. She sank 36,000 tons (total). Excellent work for this boat's first patrol.

Countermeasures are being prepared against an expected English operation extending into the Bight. U 52, who is to sail today for her operations area, will be kept back in a waiting position west of the declared area. For details see F.O. U/B West's War Log.

Departures
Wilhelmshaven: U-13

At Sea 2 March 1940
U-17, U-20, U-28, U-29, U-32, U-38, U-49, U-50, U-52, U-62.
10 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
Northern Patrol
CL MANCHESTER departed Scapa on Northern Patrol duties. AMC CARINTHIA arrived in the Clyde from Northern Patrol.

North Sea
Cargo Liner DOMALA (UK 8441 grt) was bombed and set on fire by He111's of German KG26 (X Air Corps), off the coast of Belgium. Dutch steamer JONGE WILLEM (1632 grt) assisted and was machine gunned and bombed, also by He111's of German KG26. Four to five bombs were dropped, but no damage was done. At 1245, DDs VISCOUNT, which was en route to pick up convoy OA.102, VENOMOUS and tug STALWART were standing by. DD ANTHONY arrived from Portsmouth shortly after to assist in driving off further air attacks. DD ACHATES, tug REVUE and ASW trawler KINGSTON AGATE (464grt) arrived. VISCOUNT picked up 120 survivors, but sustained some damage to her hull while alongside. JONGE WILLEM picked up 51 crew and three dead from lifeboats and took them to Newhaven. In total, 108 of the 291 people on board were killed. DOMALA was towed to the Solent and beached. She was requisitioned by the Ministry of War Transport, converted to a cargo ship and entered service as EMPIRE ATTENDANT (lost July 1942).
mv DOMALA built by Barclay Curle Company Glasgow Clydebuilt Ships Database

OA.102 departed Southend, escort DD CAMPBELL. FN.109 departed Southend, escort DDs VALOROUS, JERVIS and sloop HASTINGS, and arrived in the Tyne on the 4th. FS.110 departed the Tyne escort DDs WHITLEY, BOREAS and sloop EGRET. ML PRINCESS VICTORIA travelled in the convoy. Cable ship ROYAL SCOT with DDs BRAZEN and WOLSEY was involved in mending cables in Largo Bay. HN.16 28 ships departed Bergen escort DDs ESCAPADE, ENCOUNTER, ELECTRA and ESCORT.

Northern Waters
DDs KHARTOUM, KELLY and SIKH arrived at Greenock from Scapa. A TG centred around BB VALIANT, BC HOOD , and DDs KELLY, SIKH and KANDAHAR departed Greenock at 1600, joined shortly after by DDs FAULKNOR (D.8), FORESTER, FAME from the Clyde to patrol and cover the progress of the ON/HN convoys at sea.

Liner QUEEN ELIZABETH (UK 83,673 grt) departed the Clyde at 0800 escort DDs MOHAWK, PUNJABI, FORTUNE and FOXHOUND. As she was getting underway, MOHAWK was damaged in collision with steamer GARTBRATTAN (UK 1811 grt) off Greenock. However, this did not prevent her from joining the escort. DD TARTAR was just arriving from Greenock in the Clyde for boiler cleaning when she received orders to join the outbound force - the lone QUEEN ELIZABETH. TARTAR relieved MOHAWK, which returned to the Clyde, TARTAR's commanding officer becoming the senior officer of the escort. The DDs escorted the liner to 200 miles northwest of Rathlin Island before being detached. FOXHOUND and FORTUNE proceeded to Belfast to escort dummy aircraft carrier HERMES (decoy ship MAMARI) on the 3rd. All three left there on the 4th and arrived in the Clyde on the 5th. TARTAR and PUNJABI arrived back at the Clyde on the 4th. MOHAWK entered the Ailsa Shipyard at Troon on the 5th and was repairing until 19 March. QUEEN ELIZABETH arrived safely at New York on the 7th completing her maiden voyage.

West Coast UK
DDs FURY and KINGSTON proceeded to patrol off Pladda Island in case a U-boat sighted earlier that day was intending to mine the Clyde. OB.102 departed Liverpool escort DDs WALPOLE and VANOC, until they detached on the 5th to HX.22. The convoy dispersed on the 6th.

Channel
CL ENTERPRISE arrived at Portsmouth from Halifax convoy escort to refit completing on 11 April. CL GALATEA departed Portsmouth to join the Home Flt at Scapa, and arrived on the 4th. BC REPULSE with DDs HARDY, HOSTILE and VIMY departed Portsmouth for the Clyde. The ships arrived during the afternoon of 3 March and VIMY immediately returned to Plymouth, via Liverpool. DD BEAGLE went alongside DD depot ship SANDHURST in the Sub Basin at Dover for boiler cleaning and degaussing, returning to service on the 7th. DD KEITH arrived at Dover from Sheerness after repairs. After a report of a Uboat sighting off the Dutch coast, 2 Fr DDs departed Dunkirk that evening to sweep up the Belgian and Dutch coast during the night.

UK - France
BC.27 of steamers BALTRAFFIC, BARON GRAHAM, BOTHNIA, BRITISH COAST and MARSLEW (Commodore) departed Loire escort DD VIVACIOUS, and arrived safely in the Bristol Channel on the 4th.

Nth Atlantic
HX.24 departed Halifax escort RCN DDs SAGUENAY, SKEENA and ST LAURENT, the latter returning to Halifax after dark. SAGUENAY and SKEENA turned over the convoy to BB REVENGE on the 3rd, and they arrived back at Halifax mid-morning on the 4th. REVENGE detached on the 11th. DDs VERSATILE, WAKEFUL, WALPOLE and WOLVERINE escorted the convoy in Home waters from the 14th to 17th, when it arrived at Liverpool.

 

[Njaco]

March 2 Saturday
ATLANTIC OCEAN: German bombers sink the HMS "Eliziena" about five miles east of Coquet Island. The cargo-liner SS "Domala" carrying mainly British Indian subjects repatriated from Germany was bombed and machine gunned off the Isle of Wight by a German He 111 aircraft with the loss of 108 lives. Dutch ship "Jong Willem", which rescued 48 of the 183 survivors, was also strafed. Beached and later repaired, she went back into service under the name "Empire Attendant" only to be torpedoed and sunk south of the Canary Islands in Jul 1945 with the loss of all 59 hands.

British cruiser HMS "Berwick" stopped German steamer "Wolfsburg", which was disguised as Norwegian ship "Aust", north of Iceland. "Wolfsburg" was scuttled by her crew of 54, who were all subsequently rescued by "Berwick". "Berwick" sank "Wolfsburg" by gunfire before departure.

British cruiser HMS "Dunedin" stopped German steamer "Heidelberg" 60 miles west of Aruba in the Caribbean Sea. "Heidelberg" was scuttled by her crew of 25, who were all subsequently rescued by "Dunedin" and later delivered to Jamaica.

WESTERN FRONT: Shortly after noon, a flight from III./JG 53 intercepts a formation of British and French planes south east of Diedenhofen. Hptm. Werner Mölders of III./JG 53 scores his fourth victory, a Hurricane of RAF No. 73 Squadron flown by F/O Edgar James 'Cobber' Kain. Hptm. Mölders wingman, Uffz. Hermann Neuhoff claims a Hurricane in this action for his first victory and Uffz. Ernst Reckers of 8./JG 53 gets his first kill, a French Mureaux. Oblt. Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke of 7./JG 53 also claims a Hurricane south of Bitsch, but is denied the claim.

Three Hurricanes of Belgium 2/I/2Ae Squadron intercept an intruding German Do 17 over their border. After the Belgium fighters try an initial attempt to divert the bomber to the nearest airfield, the Do 17 opens up with its full arsenal on the warplanes, hitting all three intercepting fighters at once. The leading Hurricane crashes near Bastogne killing the pilot, P/O Xavier Henrard. The second Hurricane makes an unsuccessful crash landing near Chiney and the third Hurricane manages to return to its airbase.

In France Army intelligence reveals German preparations for an attack on Scandinavia.

NORTHERN EUROPE: The United Kingdom and France once again requested Sweden and Norway to allow passage of Allied troops through their borders in order to aid Finland, should Finland formally requested such aid from the Allies. Units are intended to begin arriving by March 20th. Daladier has plans for a force of 50,000 French "volunteers" and 150 aircraft. The British force is planned to reach a level of 100,000 men eventually.

The Soviet forces begin major attacks on the new Finnish defense line under the direction of General Timoshenko. Pressure is exerted against all points but is strongest at the north and south ends. Vuosalmi in the north is attacked by Soviet 13th Army forces while the reserve corps of Soviet 7th Army is advancing over the sea ice toward the west side of Viipuri Bay. Soviet troops attempted to establish a beachhead west of the Finnish city of Viipuri across the frozen Viipuri Bay, while pressure was asserted on the city from its south and east. However, they are slaughtered by shelling until the coastal batteries at Tuppuransaari run out of ammunition. An attempt was orchestrated on 29 Feb 1940 without success; likewise, this newly dispatched unit failed to establish a beachhead, however, the Soviet troops were able to capture the coastal battery on the island of Tuppuransaari, which had caused high casualties on both attempts. Finns allowed further short retreats in Karelian Isthmus to regions of Sainio, 5 miles south of Viipuri of coast, and of Heinjoki 27 miles east of the town. Russian attacks repulsed at Taipale.

After traveling 3 weeks by train officially classified as "tourists going to ski-camp", Hungarian Volunteer Detached Battalion arrives in Finland at a training center in Lapua. They immediately began training with the Finnish Army, but they would not complete the training before the end of the Winter War.

GERMANY: Adolf Hitler met with US Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles in Berlin, Germany.

Air Ministry announced that aircraft of RAF Bomber Command flew over Berlin during night of March 1-2. Leaflets and parachute flares were dropped. Ground batteries came into action, but fire went wide of mark. A high-flying RAF Spitfire photographs the entire Ruhr industrial region in one sortie.

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[parsifal]

3 March 1940
Known Losses
MV CATO (UK 819 grt) Crew: 15 (13 dead and 2 survivors): cargo: General Cargo: Route: Dublin (2 Mar) - Bristol : The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Bristol Channel south of Nash Point, Glamorgan. The survivors were rescued by ASW Trawler AKITA ( Royal Navy).

The last German ship of the February Vigo group, steamer ARUCAS (Ger 3359 grt), scuttled herself in in the Atlantic Ocean east of Iceland when she was intercepted by CA YORK. The crew were rescued, but three died. YORK arrived at Kirkwall to land the 39 survivors on the 10th.

MV CARRON (UK 1017 grt): The cargo ship was scuttled as a blockship in Scapa.

MV TIMBER RUSH ( US 6281 grt): The cargo ship ran aground 85 nautical miles south of Acapulco, Mexico and was wrecked

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

OKW half-yearly report for the first six months of the war contains, in addition to the great successes achieved by German naval
warfare, the first naval losses so far, which are given as 1 pocket battleship, 2 destroyers, 6 minesweepers and patrol vessels and 11 submarines.

(Note, this is an underestimate of actual Uboat losses. Losses were closer to 19 Boats lost by this stage. The Uboat Arm was inflicting heavy losses, but also suffering havy casualties itself)

Italian note to Great Britain protesting against obstacles put in the way of Italian shipping and the cutting-off of
German deliveries of coal by sea.

Wave of propaganda in the British press in favor of extending the conflict to other theaters of war. Varanger Fjord, Narvik and Batum, as specially important points, must come under British control.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary
In a radio message U 33 reported, among other things, 3 premature detonations. This type of torpedo failure became less frequent for a while, but increased again after the torpedoes had been demagnetized. It is notable that premature detonations are far more numerous with some boats than with others. U 50 had only one during her whole patrol out of 12 torpedoes fired, while U 32 had 50% prematures, barely 8 days after leaving port, with a total of 6 torpedoes. U 52 has been ordered to continue on her passage.

Arrivals
Kiel, Germany: U-13

Departures
Wilhelmshaven: U-7, U-14

At Sea 3 March 1940
U-7, U-14, U-17, U-20, U-28, U-29, U-32, U-38, U-49, U-50, U-52, U-62.
12 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
Northern Patrol
AMC CIRCASSIA departed the Clyde on Northern Patrol.

North Sea
ML TEVIOTBANK and DDs ESK, EXPRESS, ICARUS and IMPULSIVE of DesFlot 20 laid mines in Operation IE-1 in the channels through to the German mine fields in the Heligoland Bight. The ships arrived back in the Humber on the 3rd. Operation IE 2 was postponed.

ON.17 of 40 merchant vessels departed Methil at 1700 escort DDs NUBIAN, DELIGHT (SO), DIANA, ILEX and GURKHA, with AA support provided by CLA CALCUTTA. DD COSSACK was assigned to the convoy, but was held back as unseaworthy for repairs to leaking seams. GURKHA arrived at Scapa from Rosyth on the 2nd as her replacement. On the 4th abreast of Scapa, DIANA and submarine NARWHAL escorting RFA GREENAWN (RN 784 grt) were detached, with DIANA and GREENAWN arriving at Scapa on the 5th and NARWHAL on the 6th after being delayed by gales. CLs EDINBURGH and ARETHUSA, which departed Rosyth on the 3rd, gave this convoy, as well as ON.17 A and HN.17, close support. ON.17 arrived at Bergen on the 7th without event. MT.22 departed Methil, escort trawlers of the 1st Anti-submarine Gp and sloops BLACK SWAN and GRIMSBY. DD IMPERIAL travelled in the convoy en route to the Tyne for repairs. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day. FN.110 departed Southend, escort DD VIVIEN and sloops PELICAN and FLEETWOOD, as far as the Tyne, and arrived in the Tyne on the 5th. DD JAVELIN carried on to Methil. FS.111 departed the Tyne escort sloops BLACK SWAN, GRIMSBY and DD JERVIS, and arrived at Southend on the 5th. DDs BRAZEN and WOLSEY with cable ship ROYAL SCOT departed Rosyth for operations east of May Island. ROYAL SCOT then proceeded to Leith and BRAZEN to Rosyth, arriving on the 5th.

DDs JERVIS, JUNO and JUPITER arrived at Rosyth for escort duty with ON.17 A. Submarine TRUANT arrived at Rosyth after patrol. U.29 laid mines off Newport. Two merchant ships were lost on this minefield, starting with steamer CATO

West Coast UK
AMC MALOJA departed Liverpool for the Clyde. DDs KHARTOUM and KINGSTON departed Greenock for repairs to weather damage to their hulls and refitting at Falmouth. During the evening of the 4th at 1903, WSW of Trevose Head, they attacked a submarine contact, assessed later as probably a wreck. After searching for another U-boat reported late on the 4th, KHARTOUM and KINGSTON arrived at Falmouth. Submarine URSULA arrived at Blyth after patrol.

Med- Biscay
Fr CL LA GALISSONIERE, escort DDs RAILLEUSE and FORBIN, departed Oran. The DDs were detached on the 6th at Gib and the cruiser proceeded to Brest. RAILLEUSE and FORBIN then joined CL PRIMAGUET, arriving from Brest, and escorted her to Toulon, which they reached on the 8th.

Far East
CL DAUNTLESS departed Singapore. CL DURBAN arrived at Penang.

Other
Lt B E H Stranack, Lt (A) J D Stern and Naval Airman J W White of 816 Squadron were killed at Campbeltown when their Swordfish landed and collided with two stationary aircraft, a total of five aircraft being destroyed.

Swordfish Mk III of 816 sqn late 1943, no ASV fitted (was by that time a training sqn)

 

[Njaco]

March 4 Monday
ATLANTIC OCEAN: French steamer S.N.A.1 collided with British ship "Thurston" 30 miles north of Land's End in southwestern England at about 0000 hours. S.N.A.1 sank, with 30 survivors rescued by "Thurston". At 0523 hours, however, German submarine U-29 sank "Thurston", killing 64. Only 1 French sailor survives both sinkings, rescued by a trawler after 11 hours on an overturned lifeboat.

German submarine U-29 sank British ship "Pacific Reliance" (carrying aircraft parts from USA) at 1239 hours, destroying the cargo of aircraft parts. The entire crew of 53 were rescued by British merchant ship "Macville" and delivered to Newlyn, Cornwall, England.

British trawler 'Ben Attow' sunk off the east coast of Scotland. Two more Dutch trawlers 'Sint Annaland' and 'Rijnstroom' were attacked during the weekend by Nazi bombers. Last named boat feared lost.

NORTHERN EUROPE: Soviet and Finnish troops continued to fight near Viipuri, Finland, particularly near the Vuoksi River near Äyräpää church. At noon Soviet troops and tanks reinforce the beachhead on the western shore of Viipuri Bay but Finnish artillery and planes take a heavy toll of Red Army soldiers advancing on the ice.

League of Nations mission arrived in Helsinki to inquire into Soviet methods of warfare.

GERMANY: The Chief Executive Officer of the American firm General Motors James Mooney, holder of the German Grand Cross of the German Eagle medal for his services to Germany, met with Adolf Hitler in an attempt to dissuade Hitler from escalating the war.

US Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles departed Berlin, Germany.

UNITED KINGDOM: Air Ministry announced that RAF planes bombed a U-boat, and probably destroyed it, in Schillig Roads, Cuxhaven.

Announced that in 100 days ending March 1st, £1,000,000,000 was raised in saving certificates and defence bonds.

WESTERN FRONT: Paris reported increased activity Western Front and much aerial fighting during which at least one, and probably three enemy machines were brought down.

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[Wurger]

The French soldiers working on an antitank ditch near the French-German bordeline in March 1940 ...

Gen. Maurice Gamelin inspecting a Canadian unit in March 1940 ...

 

[Njaco]

I don't know how I did it but I've lost the info for March 3, 1940! So sorry.

I do have the pics I created so......................

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[parsifal]

4 March 1940
Known Losses

Sailing Vessel DOUGLAS ROBERT (Cdn 81 grt): The sailing ship ran aground at Arnold's Point, Little Harbour, Labrador and was wrecked.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Losses for ships of the Dispersed Convoy OA 102

U-29 torpedoed MV PACIFIC RELIANCE (UK 6717 grt). All 53 crew of PACIFIC RELIANCE were rescued by steamer MACVILLE (666grt) and tkr SAN FLORENTINO (12,842grt). The ships was the Commodore ship. The Commodore and his 4 RN staff undertook an exemplary job ensuring all crew got off the stricken ship safely. U.29 also attacked SAN FLORENTINO but torpedo failures allowed her to escape.

Collier SNA1 (Fr 2679 GRT) sank after colliding with MV THURSTON. The accident occurred in the Bristol Channel off the north coast of Cornwall and sank. All 31 crew were rescued by THURSTON.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

MV THURSTON (UK 3072 grt) was then torpedoed by U-29, 32 miles west of Trevose Head, with the loss of 34 crew of her 35 crew. 30 of the survivors from S.N.A. 1 were also killed. The survivor, and a survivor from S.N.A. 1 were rescued by MOYLE (1761 grt)

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

Conference on the Situation with Chief ofNaval Staff - Special Items
Urgent verbal communication from OKW:

"The Fuehrer has ordered all preparations for "Weseruebung" to be carried out as quickly as possible . Plans for the operation are to be completed by 10 March, so that from this date the Fuehrer can order the commencement of the operation at four days notice."
The Fuehrer's demand must be complied with. The extraordinarily short space of time is caused by the present political situation, which makes imminent military intervention by the Western Powers in favor of Finland seem possible. Such British interference in the Russo-Flnnish conflict would be regarded only as a pretext towards the attainment of the true strategic aims of a British landing in Norway namely cutting Germany off from Norwegian/Swedish Iron ore imports by the occupation of the north Norwegian ore ports and of the northern Swedish ore area; great pressure on Sweden to cease all deliveries of ore to Germany; extension of hostilities
to Scandinavia; relief from German offensive pressure in the west.

The short time available makes it necessary to devote all naval forces to this one assignment. All other operations planned are canceled by Naval Staff, effective immediately ("Schleswlg" operation, destroyer minelaying operations, sailing of the cruiser LUTZOW, bringing out the auxiliary cruisers and supply ships). The submarines ready to sail will be kept back for the present.

Work Is proceeding within Naval Staff on the first operatlons directive for the Group Commands, based on OKWs first directive which was roughly drawn up on Naval Staff 1 s previous deliberations. The number of persons participating must be kept as small as possible, since the success of the operation depends to a great extent on the degree of surprise.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

Enemy news service reports an attack by a U-boat on a convoy southwest of Spain. If this report is correct, this can only be U 54. There has been no news of her since she left port.

Arrivals
Kiel,: U-50 (28 days)
Wilhelmshaven,: U-20 (7 days)

Departures
Wilhelmshaven: U-56

At Sea 4 March 1940
U-7, U-14, U-17, U-28, U-29, U-32, U-38, U-49, U-52, U-62.
10 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
Northern Patrol
CL SOUTHAMPTON arrived at Scapa after Northern Patrol. AMC PATROCLUS departed Liverpool on Northern Patrol.

North Sea
ON.17 A of 42 ships departed Methil escort DDs JERVIS, JUNO, JUPITER, JANUS and JAGUAR (some vessels departed from Kirkwall). CLA CALCUTTA departed Sullom Voe on the 5th for AA protection. On the 7th DD JERVIS attacked a submarine contact northeast of the Shetlands. The convoy arrived safely at Bergen on the 8th, while CALCUTTA arrived back at Sullom Voe on the 9th.
FN.111 departed Southend, escort DDs VEGA, GRENADE and sloop STORK, and arrived in the Tyne on the 6th. Convoy FS.112 departed the Tyne, escorted by sloop FLAMINGO and DD WALLACE, and arrived at Southend on the 6th. Convoy FS.113 was cancelled.Convoy MT.23 departed Methil, and arrived in the Tyne the next day. CLs PENELOPE and AURORA arrived at Rosyth after covering convoys ON.15 and HN.15.

Northern Waters
ASW trawler NEIL MACKAY ran aground at Scapa but was later refloated. DDs INTREPID, GALLANT and IVANHOE arrived at Aberdeen to patrol. INTREPID left to investigate a submarine reported at 0530 six miles NE of Aberdeen, and DDs JUPITER and JUNO of convoy ON.17A were detached to assist. Trawler BEN CHOURN (197grt) reported an explosion in this area. It was first thought that ON.17 was under attack. It was later ascertained that the submarine was the British NARWHAL, proceeding to Scapa, and that the explosion was a DC fired by DD NUBIAN. Submarine TRIAD carried out special trials off Inchkeith.

West Coast UK
AMC MALOJA arrived in the Clyde from Liverpool.

Channel
DD VESPER departed Greenock escorting submarine TETRARCH to Portsmouth, where they arrived on the 6th. TETRARCH carried out equipment repairs, and then sailed on 13 April for a war patrol.

SW Approaches
Sloop LEITH, escorting HG.20, attacked a submarine contact west of Scilly Isle. DD VENETIA, also of HG.20, joined her in the hunt.

Tkr CHARLES T. MEYER (10,516grt) atached to HX.20 A, escort sloop FOWEY, struck a floating mine 15 miles south of Dungeness. FOWEY continued on with the convoy. To assist the damaged tkr, DDs BRILLIANT was ordered from Dover, BOADICEA from her patrol, and KEITH from Dover when ready. Tug LADY BRASSEY and Fr TBs and trawlers proceeded to the area. BOADICEA located the damaged tkr at 0400. At 0500, BRILLIANT joined and soon after KEITH arrived. At 0600, the tkr was taken in tow escorted by BRILLIANT and KEITH. Tugs LADY BRASSEY from Dover and FOREMOST from Newhaven arrived at 0959 and took over the tow. BRILLIANT returned to her patrol at 0700, but KEITH remained as an ASW. Tug CALSHOT departed Southampton at 1100 and Admiralty Salvage Vessel RECOVERY OF LEITH departed Dover. KEITH was released when the tow reached Sandown Bay. All units involved arrived safely at Castle Point, Cowes, on the 6th.

Steamer AUCKLAND STAR (13,212grt) reported she had sighted a submarine (U.28) in 49‑26N, 07‑27W. Sloop LEITH nearby, escorting convoy HG.20 was detached to investigate. On the morning of the 5th, DDs WILD SWAN and VENETIA were ordered into the area to assist. Later on the 5th, another report of a submarine, led to DDs WHIRLWIND, VOLUNTEER and VETERAN being ordered into the area.

Central Atlantic
CA CORNWALL departed Freetown on patrol. CA CUMBERLAND departed Freetown. CL DUNEDIN departed Kingston on patrol.
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Med- Biscay
HG.21 of 34 ships departed Gib escort DDs VELOX, VIDETTE and ACTIVE, the latter detaching on the 6th. VELOX, which had joined from convoy HG.20F, and VIDETTE were detached on the 11th to Portsmouth and Devonport, respectively. DD VIMY escorted the convoy from the 4th to 10th, when she detached to HG.21. DD WINCHELSEA joined from the 11th to 13th in Home Waters for the Liverpool section. Merchant ships not going to Liverpool were escorted by DD WINDSOR which was with the convoy from the 11th to 13th. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on the 13th .

 

[Bernhart]

just trying to clarify in your Mar 2 nd posting the ship that survived the beaching you have sunk in July 1945? did you mean 1944?

 

[parsifal]

5 March 1940
Known Reinforcements
Allied
RN DD PATHFINDER RN ASW Trawler SARABANDE

DD PATHFINDER were a "P" Class DD, generically grouped as the O P Q R class because of the close similarities. They were designatd a "Utilty" Dd, which is code for a return to the smaller designs pre-Tribal. To save time, many were fitted with J style machinery (with the problem of non-unitised machinery spaces), as built they were all fitted with an additional 4in HA gun and most were also fitted with 4 x 4/45 HA guns as well, with half the TT shipped ashore. PATHFINDER was sunk in 1945 by a japanese suicide aircraft off Burma

Known Losses
MV GRUTTO (Ne 920 grt); Crew: 18 (18 dead - no survivors): Cargo : General Cargo : Route: Rotterdam (5 Mar) - London : Sunk in the North Sea off the Belgian Coast. The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Ostend by U-17 . Wreckage washed ashore and two bodies later identified by the famillies later confirmed this loss. The war diary for U-17 for this particualalr day has never been located, but it is my understanding that post war accounts by the DKM survivors also confirm this kill for U-17. .

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

Disposition of forces: According to radio intelligence the CA BERWICK (CruSqn 1), which is at present patrolling In the Denmark Strait, is to be relieved by an AMC on 7 March and to proceed to Scapa. The cruiser YORK is to leave her patrol area on 9 March without relief and likewise proceed to Scapa. The cruiser N0RF0LK will also leave the Clyde on 7 March for Scapa. The cruiser

DEVONSHIRE is apparently still in Rosyth, the SUFFOLK is probably still undergoing repairs in the Clyde. The CAs are thus following the movements of the BBs, some of which are already on the move. Scapa is again a main base. A fact specially worthy of notice
is the almost simultaneous withdrawal of the heavy cruisers, some of which are on patrol, without their being relieved at the same time. This completely denudes the area Scotland-Iceland-Greenland of heavy ships.

DKM were cautious and wary of RN build ups at this time, given the planned operations in Norway. Neither side were as yet fully aware of the others intentions, though Germany's intell was vastly better.

BBs REVENGE,' ROYAL SOVEREIGN and MALAYA can be assume to be on the North Atlantic route.

The Naval Attache in Madrid reports; "The Spanish Intelligence Service reports from Gibraltar; The British reckon that there are at present two German submarines off the coast of North Africa or southern Spain. Special patrol has been Instituted in the North African bays of Benzus, Cabo Negro, the Rio Martin estuary and Bahia Alhucemas. French patrol near Chafarinas

France; Radio monitoring picks up reports of convoy movements, patrol activity and air reconnaissance In the Channel area, western part of the Bay of Biscay and along the Spanish coast.

North Sea; The HOOD and VALIANT are to take on supplies in Scapa on 7 March. The task force is escorted by destroyers of the
4th, 5th and 8th Destroyer Flotillas. The fact that the heavy ships have moved to Scapa confirms the deduction already made from the refuellings by heavy cruisers in Scapa that this base is again considered safe after the last minelaying measures.

In addition, the strikingly heavy concentration of forces which will take place in Scapa around 10 March demands most serious consideration with regard to possible British action against Norway under the pretext of measures to aid Finland. The assembly of about 20 ships is reported from Bergen, This includes a 5,000 ton U.S. ship, which according to a reliable source, is said to have brought large quantities of ammunition for transhipment to British ships. It is said to be noticeable that there is an uncommonly large number of British ships in the present assembly of steamers.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

B.d.U. attended a conference at Supreme Command of the Navy, in which further instructions were given for the coming operations. U 29 reported that she had carried out her minelaying operation in the inner position. Particularly good results are expected from this.

Arrivals
Wilhelmshaven: U-47 , U-49, U-56
Group West were by this date recalling Boats in preparation for Weserubung

At Sea 5 March 1940
U-7, U-14, U-17, U-28, U-29, U-32, U-38, U-52, U-62.
9 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
Northern Patrol
AMCs SCOTSTOUN and MALOJA departed the Clyde on Northern Patrol. Both were given air escort as they departed.

North Sea
OA.104 departed Southend escorted by sloop FOWEY from the 5th to 7th. DDs JAVELIN and WOOLSTON cleared the Humber to provide escort for base ship DUNLUCE CASTLE. The group proceeded to Rosyth, arriving there on the 6th. Subs TRITON arrived at Rosyth for replenishment and re-ballasting (after depth keeping and trim issues arose in her just completed patrol) and SEALION cleared HARWICH for patrol. Sub THISTLE and the Polish ORZEL departed Rosyth for patrol in the vicinity of Devil's Hole.

MT.24 departed Methil, and arrived in the Tyne the next day. OG.21F was formed from two convoys - (1) OA.103GF, which departed Southend with sloop ENCHANTRESS, and was joined by sloop SANDWICH the next day, and (2) OB.103GF of 48 ships, which departed Liverpool escort DDs WHIRLWIND and VOLUNTEER, which remained with the combined convoy from the 5th to 6th, when they detached to HG.21F. SANDWICH and ENCHANTRESS were with OG.21F from the 5th to 11th, when they were temporarily attached to DesFlot 13 as replacements for DDs WATCHMAN and VORTIGERN which proceeded to England for leave. DD DOUGLAS joined on the 9th and remained with the convoy until its arrival at Gibraltar on the 11th. FN.112 departed Southend escort sloop EGRET and DD WHITLEY, and arrived in the Tyne on the 7th. DD TARTAR was boiler cleaning and DD KIMBERLEY was shifting her asdic dome alongside DD depot ship WOOLWICH at the Tail of the Bank.

Steamer SCALTSCAR lost her propeller and was drifting on shore 10 miles off Saltburn Pier (Middlesbrough). DD VIVIEN stood by until a tug arrived.

Northern Waters
Sub NARWHAL arrived at Scapa for direction finding trials.. DD IVANHOE arrived at Rosyth from Scapa, via Aberdeen, for refit and yard maintenanc. DDs HARDY, HOSTILE, PUNJABI, FORTUNE and FOXHOUND cleared Greenock to escort AMCs SCOTSTOUN, LETITIA and WORCESTERSHIRE for full calibre firings. SCOTSTOUN then proceeded to her patrol area, while LETITIA arrived back at 1500, WORCESTERSHIRE at 1700 (for further work), and the DDs at 2010. WORCESTERSHIRE and LETITIA were returning from Northern Patrol at the time and proceeded to port as well.

DKMs U.52 and U.38 departed Kiel on the 2nd and Wilhelmshaven on the 9th respectively for patrol, but in the Atlantic were recalled, and with U.30, U.43, U.44, U.46, U.47, U.49, U.51 were ordered to stations (or to prepre for such deployments) on both sides of the Orkneys and Shetlands to operate against British naval units. U.30, U.46, U.47, U.51 departed Wilhelmshaven on the 11th, and U.43 and U.44 on the 13th, while U.49 departed Kiel on the 16th. The Germans pinned much hope on laying a trap for the Home Flt in the authorised ops against Norway.

West Coast UK
DD WANDERER arrived at Liverpool at 1030 with defects, She was docked where the problems were repaired and she was able to sail later that day. OB.104 departed Liverpool escort DDs MACKAY and VANQUISHER from the 5th to 8th.

Channel
Owing to reports of floating mines 15 miles SW and SE of Beachy Head, sloop ABERDEEN with convoy HX.20 was ordered southward of the area.

UK - France
SA.32 departed Southampton with two steamers, escort sloops FOXGLOVE and ROSEMARY, and arrived at Brest on the 7th.

Nth Atlantic
HX.25 departed Halifax at 0800 escort RCN DDs RESTIGOUCHE and ST LAURENT, which were detached on the 6th. AMC LACONIA was in the escort and detached on the 18th. On the 7th, the convoy was joined by BB ROYAL SOVEREIGN, returning to Halifax after escorting HX.22. DDs ANTELOPE, MACKAY, VANESSA and WOLVERINE escorted the convoy in Home Waters from the 18th to 20th when it arrived at Liverpool.

Central Atlantic
SL.23 departed Freetown escorted by AMC PRETORIA CASTLE. On the 19th, SL.23 and SLF.23 merged and AMC JERVIS BAY joined the escort, relieving PRETORIA CASTLE. JERVIS BAY was relieved on the 20th by DD WHITSHED for escort in Home Waters which was joined on the 22nd by AMC ESPERANCE BAY. The convoy arrived on the 22nd.

Sth Atlantic
CL HAWKINS departed Montevideo for Port Stanley. After a short refit, she departed on the 15th for the Plate area.
.
Med- Biscay
CL COLOMBO arrived at Gibraltar from England, and sailed on the 6th for Malta.

Indian Ocean
CL GLOUCESTER arrived at Colombo.

 

[parsifal]

@ berhart

From Uboat Net

At 03.30 hours on 15 July 1942 the Empire Attendant (Master Thomas Grundy), dispersed from convoy OS-33, was torpedoed and sunk by U-582 south of the Canary Islands. The master, 49 crew members and nine gunners were lost.
U-582 reported her victim under the former name Domala.

Chris has made an error in the year. easily done in this pressure cooker

 

[Njaco]

 

[parsifal]

6 March 1940
Known Reinforcements
Neutral
USN AO TIPPECANOE (AO 21)

AO TIPPECANOE was from the PATOKA Class. USN still employed Dirigibles extensively, though they tended to favour Blimps over rigid framed types.

Known Losses
Steamer URUGUAY (Ger 5846 grt), had departed Pernambuco on 11 February, was sighted and reported by trawler ST WISTAN northwest of Iceland. This enabled CA BERWICK on Northern Patrol to intercept her. Rather than be captured, URUGUAY scuttled herself; BERWICK rescued 14 officers and 40 men.

HNLMS O 11 (RNN 515 grt): The O 9 class sub collided with the tug AMSTERDAM ( RNN) at Den Helder and sank. She was refloated on 10 March. but was still under repair when Holland fell in May, effectively making her a loss for the Dutch. DKM completed repairs and then used the sub for training. She was finally scuttled late in 1944 as a blockship outside Antwerp.

Steamer LATVIS (Lat 1318 grt) was seized in the Baltic by DKM warships, and renamed EDITH FAULBAUMS for German use.

LATVIS after being renamed EDITH FALBAUMS. Im not completely sure of this photo....it might be a case of mis-identification
DKM War diary
Selected Extracts
Following the recent incident in which a DKM MSW rammed and sank four Danish fishing vessels in the Dogger Bank, DKM issued the following instruction

The declared areas announced to date in the North Sea and Baltic are merely declared mine areas of a defensive character. Since the warning of neutral shipping in accordance with Article VIII of the Hague Covenant concerns only danger from mines, immediate action by German forces against the merchant and fishing vessels encountered in these areas Is only permissible under the circumstances stated In paras. 22 and 23 of the directive on the conduct of war against merchant shipping (use of armed force, enemy escort, transmission of intelligence, forcible resistance, use of radio, enemy troop transports, sailing without lights) especially if they transmit news of military importance or carry out actions on the enemy's behalf by minesweeping or exploration of mine-free channels.

Tacitly, DKM were acknowledging Bartels had not acted in accordance with the Hague convention. Neither side was really.

Conference on the Situation with Chief, Naval Staff - Report on the "Weseruebung" directive and discussion of
various individual points.

The following subjects especially were discussed:
1. Agent from Norway (supporter of Quisling) states that Great Britain and France are demanding bases and right of way for their troops from the Norwegian Government under the pretext of taking help to Finland, It has been agreed that the Norwegian Government will officially refuse to grant the Allies bases and right of way, but will content Itself with a protest In case of an accomplished fact. Great Britain and France are now examining the landing and transport facilities in Norwegian ports with the knowledge and consent of the Norwegian Government. The Allies plan to land mechanized troops in Stavanger, Trondheim, Narvik and perhaps Kirkenes.
2. After yesterday's conversation with the Fuehrer, 10 destroyers are allotted for Narvik. The remainder, with the HIPPER, for Trondheim. The Fuehrer considers it important, in the interests of artillery support for the Army and Immediate adequate harbor defense, that after disembarkation about 2 destroyers should remain in Narvik and 1 cruiser in Trondheim. There are, however, important operational reasons against fulfillment of this request. Naval forces cannot take on the assignment of supporting troops from the rear or of exercising pressure on the population. Forces must regain their freedom of action as quickly as possible and combine for further possible operations, especially as there is every probability of an encounter with the enemy.
3. In view of Army and Air Force requirements considerably more transport space will be required than was originally scheduled. Naval Staff objects strongly to this addition since it entails a very high risk of the enemy's being prematurely warned and may even endanger the whole operation.
4. Defense of ports by submarines. Four large submarines are to operate off Narvik.
5. Skagerrak barrages are to be laid during the first night if possible.
6. Any engagement is to be avoided Convoys are not to be attacked An attack on convoys could only be considered if the battleships accidentally came upon them. On no account seek them out. Engagements are also to be avoided if possible on the return passage. If, of course, forces are so situated that joining battle is unavoidable, this is to be fought according to tactical principles while endeavoring to gain the greatest possible success.
7. Considerations are necessary for the event of the British occupying the Norwegian area. Possibilities of German counter action.
Immediate occupation of Denmark and Southern Norway necessary. Securing of the Swedish ore region, if necessary at least prevention of a British attack on the central Swedish ore regions.
8. Ice situation in the Baltic at present permits no shipping movements. Special difficulties in the Great Belt, since barrage markings have drifted.

1200 : Conference between Chief, Operations Division and the representatives of the Groups, Fleet, Commanding Admiral,
Defenses, Baltic, etc., on "Weseruebung. Adjustment of views and survey of the situation. Thorough discussion of Naval Staff's first directive, being issued today, clearing up any queries and divergent opinions. Chief, Operations Branch, Group West expresses strong objections against passing through the Great Belt on the outward trip, as this would give the enemy previous warning
through his intelligence service. Naval Staff agrees with this objection in principle. The question as to whether it is possible to embark all forces and load all steamers in the North Sea will be gone Into by Naval Staff with OKW. Execution, however, appears very doubtful

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

U 38 and U 52 will both be kept back in the areas they have now reached, so that they can, if necessary, be used in the impending operations.

Arrivals
Wilhelmshaven: U-62

At Sea 6 March 1940
U-7, U-14, U-17, U-28, U-29, U-32, U-38, U-52.
8 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
Northern Patrol
AMC CARINTHIA departed the Clyde for Northern Patrol.

North Sea
DD JUNO arrived at Rosyth from convoy duty with defects, and departed on the 9th for repairs at Hull. DD WOLSEY and cable ship ROYAL SCOT arrived back at Rosyth after cable mending all day. TM.20 escort 19th ASW Gp and DD VIVIEN departed the Tyne for Methil. FN.114 departed Southend escort sloops BLACK SWAN, GRIMSBY and DD WOOLSTON, and arrived in the Tyne on the 8th.
FS.114 departed the Tyne, escort sloops LONDONDERRY and FLEETWOOD, and arrived at Southend on the 8th. DD GURKHA attacked a submarine contact ENE of Sumburgh Head , which was later evaluated as non-submarine. ASW trawler NORTHERN WAVE (655grt) attacked a submarine contact north of Kinnaird Head. Shadowing sub UNITY reported DKM supply ship ALTMARK departing Jossing Fjord escort two Norwegian DDs, and was later ordered to take up a position ten miles north of Hantsholm. ORP Sub ORZEL was in a patrol area off Hantsholm, and both submarines were to intercept ALTMARK if she left Norwegian territorial waters. On the 7th, UNITY sighted three darkened DDrs two miles west of Hantsholm, but could not attack. Sub STERLET arrived at Lowestoft from patrol for reballasting.

Aircraft of X Air Corps (He111's of KG26 or Ju88's of KG30) attacked tkr SHELBRIT 2 (695grt) off Girdle Ness, steamer ROYSTON (2722grt) 10 miles north of Hartlepool, steamer JACOBUS (1262grt) 10 miles south of the Tyne, and convoy TM.20. No casualties and no hits were sustained.

Northern Waters
DD HOTSPUR departed Sheerness for the Clyde, arriving on the 8th. DD GALLANT arrived at Invergordon from patrol. MSWs BRAMBLE, BRITOMART, HAZARD, SPEEDY and HEBE departed Greenock for Scapa.

West Coast UK
AMC ASTURIAS departed the Clyde for Belfast for overhaul and refit. DD FURY cleared Clyde for Milford Haven to discharge fuel prior to arriving at Newport for refitting. On the 6th, she attacked a submarine contact southwest of Chicken Rock, which was later assessed as probably a wreck. On the 7th, she attacked another submarine contact, also a wreck, and reached Milford Haven on the 9th.

Channel
DD VENOMOUS collided with tug SWARTHY at 0321 in Portsmouth Harbour, was under repair at Portsmouth until 29 April, and departed on 2 May. Sloops KINGFISHER and FOXGLOVE were searching for a submarine SSE of Portland Bill. FOXGLOVE attacked a contact in this area, and DD ANTHONY later joined the sweep.

Central Atlantic
Fr BB PROVENCE, CA DUQUESNE, and RN CVL HERMES with DDs DECOY and DEFENDER patrolled off the African coast and stopped two Portuguese ships, arresting two german nationals.

Med- Biscay
CL DRAGON departed Portland for duty with CruSqn 3 in the Med Flt. She departed Gib on the 10th, arrived at Malta on the 12th for refitting, and reached Alexandria on 3 April.

 

[Njaco]

March 5 Tuesday
EASTERN EUROPE: USSR has about 15,000 Polish officers held in 3 POW camps in western Belarus Ukraine. Soviet Politburo accepts the recommendation of the NKVD to execute without charge about 11,000 Polish prisoners, due to being anti-Soviet with little chance of successful re-education. The Polish officers at Kozelsk camp are shot and buried in a forest near the village of Katyn. The whole episode becomes known as Katyn massacre.

NORTHERN EUROPE: Despite heavy casualties delivered by the Finnish Air Force, Soviet forces captured more islands in Viipuri Bay in Finland and asserted more pressure on the city of Viipuri. Clearly with the upper hand, USSR renews its peace offer on the same harsh terms that expired March 1. Finnish Government accepts defeat, its defenses crumbing, and decides to open peace talks.

NORTH AMERICA: Canada promises to send 1000 volunteers to fight with the Finns.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-17 torpedoed and sank Dutch steamer "Grutto" 20 miles off Belgium at 2100 hours. "Grutto" sank within 6 minutes of the attack, killing all 18 aboard.

British warships detained five Italian steamers for examination in Down contraband control base.

GERMANY: Hermann Göring complained that he was not consulted for the planning of the Norwegian invasion.

ASIA: Communist Chinese troops laid siege to Yanchuan County seat, Shaanxi Province, China; the local paramilitary forces loyal to the Nationalists would quickly surrender.

WESTERN FRONT: German raid made on British outpost in Maginot Line, during which enemy captured 16 prisoners. Casualties on both sides. The post was later recaptured.

UNITED KINGDOM: The British government announces a £300,000,000 3% War Loan to aid Finland.

.

 

[Wurger]

Dudes under the sign of the outstretched hand ...

 

[Bernhart]

thought that was the case, but one never knows.....

 

[Wurger]

On the 6th March 1940 the best Finnish marksman Simo Häyhä was injured at his face seriously. A Soviet bullet mangled his jaw and tore a cheek. In spite of a such grave wound he managed to survive.

He was born in the small village of Rautjärvi in what was then part of Imperial Russia ( Finland did not become independent until 1918 ), Simo Hayha was a pretty normal man. He wasn't very tall or robust, standing just 5′ 3″. In 1925, at age 19, he did his mandatory 350 days of active service in the Finnish army but was otherwise an unremarkable soldier at the time. He remained a member of the Civil Guard (much like the US National Guard) and drilled with his reserve unit until 1939. It was in that year that the 33-year old part time soldier and full time farmer picked up his rifle and went to war to repulse a Soviet invasion of his country.

The young Simo Häyhä ....

In November 1939 over 400,000 Soviet Red Army troops invaded tiny Finland, whose own Army of some 80,000 was grossly outnumbered in what was later known as the Winter War. Hayha reported to duty and having extensive experience in hunting and target shooting was selected to be a sniper.

Simo Häyhä was nicknamed "Belaya Smert" (White Death) by the Soviet troops he stalked, and sent no less than 505 walking on their way to the light at the end of the tunnel in less than 100 days. Infantry that he was working to support verified all these kills while another 200 kills that he took with a submachine gun at shorter range remain unofficially confirmed.

Simo Häyhä in action ...

Because of merits ,on the 17th February 1940, he was given a new rifle founded by a Swedish businessman Eugen Johansson. To that day the sniper had scored 219 confirmed kills of Russian invaders. The gun with a diploma together were handed to him by the commander of the 12th Division, Colonel Antero Svensson.

The Fin used a standard bolt-action Finnish-made Sako Mosin-Nagant Model 28-30 rifle with iron sights, and standard issue ball ammunition some of which dated back to the Tsarist times. The 28-30 was a Finn redesign of the old school WWI Russian Mosin 91, made shorter and with better sights. He had been offered a Swedish Mauser with optics but turned it down, preferring the Mosin he had trained with.

Simo Häyhä's weapon ...

In all, he accounted for taking nearly a whole battalion of Red Army troops out of the fight. The only thing that prevented his number from climbing higher was the fact that the war ended in March 1940 after just 105 days. Simo spent the last week of the war in the hospital, his face nearly shot off by a Soviet counter-sniper. This Soviet sniper did not go home either—as a wounded Simo returned fire and took his would be assassin out.

After the war ... Simo Häyhä in quiet retirement with his hunting/service guns. Notice something missing on the guns? No scopes.....

 

[parsifal]

7 March 1940 (Pat I of II)
Known Losses
Steamer VECHT (Ne 1965 grt): Crew: 22 (22 dead - no survivors): Cargo: Ballast: Route: Rotterdam - Lobito : Sunk in the North sea, off the Coast of Belgium. The unescorted and neutral vessel was hit aft by one G7a torpedo from U-14, settled by the stern and sank after 20 minutes. The U-boat reported that she carried no neutrality markings, there were no crew alive to verfy this and no other witnesses.

Air Attacks By FliegerKorps X
Fishing vessel YOLANDE MARGUERITE (Be 26 grt) was bombed and sunk by He111's of German KG26 (X Air Corps) off Noord Hinder.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts
Items of Political Importance

1. For situation In the Russo-Flnnlsh conflict see Foreign Press. Russian advance on Vlborg, where the Russians have formed a bridgehead In the northwest part of Vlborg Bay. Rumors about Swedish arbitration are increasing. There is still an urgent desire within the Finnish Government to commence negotiations with Russia. According to a Havas (?) report Russia is already said to have laid down the following conditions!
1. Cession of the entire Karelian Isthmus Including Lake Ladoga.
2. Cession of the area northeast of Lake Ladoga with Sortavala.
3. Cession of Hangoe peninsula.
The Russian conditions contain no further reference to a "Kuusinen Government" and no demand for Petsamo.

2. Reports from Sweden state that there are no further disturbing signs of complications in the situation on the part of the Western Powers. Finland has not officially asked for aid and Sweden has stated to the representatives of the Western Powers that right of way through Sweden will on no account be granted to foreign troops.

3. Report from Great Britain about the withdrawal of 16,000 reservists from France to Great Britain, giving as a reason that they are required as skilled workers. (Possibly preparation of an expeditionary force for Norway/Finland.)

4. (US) Under Secretary of State Welles in Paris from 7-9 March in the course of his investigations.

5. To date the British have held 16 Italian colliers in the Downs. No British reply to the Italian note yet. Agreement is expected by Italy's stopping shipment of coal from Rotterdam.

Conference on the Situation with Chief, Naval Staff

1. Discussion on "Weseruebung "; Discussion of individual points. Chief, Naval Staff refuses to leave one cruiser in Trondhelm and destroyers in Narvik after the troops are disembarked as incompatible with operational necessities, and will confer on the question with the Fuehrer again.

Admiral Boehm will be Commanding Admiral and Deputy of Commander in Chief, Navy for Narvik.

While Commanding Admiral, Fleet is ill, Vice Admiral Luetjens will be Deputy Commanding Admiral, Fleet and Rear Admiral Schmundt Deputy Commanding Admiral, Scouting Force.

(discussion of Bartel's) action against Danish Fishing Vessels : Discussion of the the commander's report and the Group's comments; in the above case it agrees with the commander's procedure but stresses that the procedure used is not to become a rule. Chief,
Naval Staff states his agreement with the measures taken, taking into consideration the commander's actual impression at the time. No repercussions are expected from the Danish Government. Further thorough investigation is planned after (Bartel's) War Diary is submitted.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

The operations planned call for an extensive concentration of all available boats. U 38 has therefore been withdrawn to the sea area north of Scotland. Only U 28 and U 32 will remain in their old operations areas to carry out their minelaying. U 29 is on return passage.

Arrivals
Wilhelmshaven: U-17

At Sea 7 March 1940
U-7, U-14, U-28, U-29, U-32, U-38, U-52.
7 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
Northern Patrol
AMC SALOPIAN arrived at the Clyde from patrol.

 

[parsifal]

7 March (cont'd) Part II of II
North Sea
steamer CONFID (Ne 249 grt) was bombed and damaged by He111's of KG26 (X Air Corps) 6½ miles 350° from Flamborough Head.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

steamer AMELIA LAURO (Ita 5335grt) was damaged by LW A/C. Steamer TITANIA (Ita 5397 grt) rescued the 37 crew and took them to the Downs. Sloops PINTAIL and LONDONDERRY were also involved in the rescue. The steamer did not sink and was taken to Immingham, and was still there on 10 June, when she was seized and renamed EMPIRE ACTIVITY for British use.
View attachment 286588
Renamed the EMPIRE ACTIVITY this vessel was torpedoed and sunk in July 1941

From 1940 to 2005, shipping in the Downs was attacked by LW a/c. Ramsgate guardship LORMONT and steamer DOVER ABBEY (958grt) were bombed by He111's of KG26 (X Air Corps), but no hits or near misses were achieved. DKM aux ML (Estonian steamer HANONIA, which had been captured on 24 September 1939, departed Wilhelmshaven and on the 9th, disguised as a neutral ship, laid mines off North Foreland. Five ships, of 14,152 tons were lost on this minefield. DKM MLs ROLAND and COBRA laid two ASW mine barriers west of Heligoland during the 7th and 8th

DD WOLSEY, BRAZEN and cable ship ROYAL SCOT departed Rosyth to repair cables. TM.21 departed the Tyne escort the 3rd ASW Gp, and supported by sloop EGRET and destroyer WHITLEY. MT.25 departed Methil escort 19th ASW Gp, supported by sloop PELICAN and DD VIVIEN, and arrived later that day. FS.115 departed the Tyne escort sloop PELICAN and DD VIVIEN, and arrived at Southend on the 9th. DD BEAGLE completed boiler cleaning and degaussing alongside depot ship SANDHURST. DD BRILLIANT went alongside SANDHURST for similar work and repairs which were completed on the 12th. British minefield DML 9 was laid by Aux ML HAMPTON, escort ORP DDs BURZA and BLYSKAWICA, and RN DDs KEITH and BOADICEA, in the English Channel. MSW FRANKLIN had already laid the mark buoys. After the operation, the DDs returned to Harwich.

ON.18 of 43 ships departed Methil escort DDs COSSACK, ESCORT, ECLIPSE, ELECTRA and ENCOUNTER. DD KELLY departed Scapa on the 8th and KANDAHAR from Kirkwall on the 8th with a detachment of ten ships for the convoy (included in the number above). They joined the main body off Scapa, relieving COSSACK which joined convoy HN.17. On the 8th, LW a/c attacked the Kirkwall section. Two bombs were dropped, but no damage was done. Base ship DUNLUCE CASTLE and three other MVs for Scapa proceeded with the convoy. CLs EDINBURGH, ARETHUSA and CLA CAIRO provided near cover. CAIRO departed Sullom Voe on the 9th to join the convoy. DDs FAME and SIKH put out from Scapa. The DDs met four merchant ships from the convoy at 1300 and escorted them into Scapa, arriving on the 8th. The convoy arrived at Bergen without event on the 10th.

HN.17 of 29 ships departed Bergen escort DDs NUBIAN, DELIGHT, DIANA, ILEX and GURKHA. On the 9th when the convoy split, DELIGHT and DIANA were assigned the west coast section and were reinforced by DDs KIMBERLEY, from Scapa, and KELLY, detached from convoy ON.18. GURKHA obtained a submarine contact at 1412 on the 9th southwest of Fair Isle and dropped six large DC patterns. ILEX stood by the contact while the convoy continued. DD FOXHOUND arrived from Scapa at 0300/10th to relieve ILEX, which rejoined the convoy before it arrived at Rosyth. The submarine contact was later found to be sunken steamer SANTOS. At 0520/9th, KELLY reached convoy HN.17 in heavy weather ,collided with GURKHA, and GURKHA's propeller guard tore a thirty foot gash in her bow, requiring KELLY to leave the convoy for repairs. After emergency repairs at Lerwick and then from depot ship WOOLWICH at Scapa, KELLY departed Scapa on the 14th and was escorted by destroyer SIKH to Blackwall for repairs.
GURKHA was able to continue with HN.17 and was repaired at Methil in less than a week. After suspected enemy vessels were reported four miles NE of Kinnaird Head, DD COSSACK and light cruisers EDINBURGH and ARETHUSA were ordered to investigate. No contact was made and the vessels were later determined to be DDs GALLANT and GRIFFIN. On the 10th, the convoy arrived at Methil with COSSACK, NUBIAN, GURKHA and ILEX.

DDs DELIGHT and DIANA, after escorting the five ships of the west coast portion of the convoy to Cape Wrath, arrived at Scapa . On arrival, DELIGHT reported a defect in her feed tank.

The 12th ASW Striking Force, comprised of ASW trawlers, was operating in Moray Firth. At 1500/7th, NORTHERN WAVE made a contact, which NORTHERN PRIDE and NORTHERN SPRAY attacked. At 0026/8th in Moray Firth, NORTHERN DAWN made a contact which was attacked by NORTHERN SPRAY. At 1310/9th off Buchanness, NORTHERN PRIDE made a contact which was attacked by NORTHERN GEM and NORTHERN PRIDE. At 1940/9th, east of Kinnaird Head, NORTHERN DAWN made a contact which was attacked by NORTHERN SPRAY and NORTHERN DAWN. At 0955/10th, ENE of Kinnaird Head, NORTHERN PRIDE made a contact which was attacked by NORTHERN GEM and NORTHERN PRIDE. At 0100/11th, north of Kinnaird Head, NORTHERN WAVE made a contact which was attacked by NORTHERN WAVE and NORTHERN SPRAY. Patrol sloop MALLARD damaged her bows in collision with an unknown ship off Harwich, and was under repair at London from 9 March to 27 April. MSW trawler CEDAR (649grt) was damaged in collision with the dockyard wall at Leith.

Northern Waters
ML TEVIOTBANK escort DDs ICARUS and IMPULSIVE departed the Humber for Invergordon, where they arrived on the 9th. DD MASHONA departed Sheerness for the Clyde, arriving on the 8th.

BB VALIANT and BC HOOD with DDs FAULKNOR, FAME, FORESTER, KELLY, KANDAHAR and SIKH returned to Scapa in the afternoon after completion of their patrol. Prior to their entry to the harbour, dummy BBs REVENGE (decoy ship PAKEHA) and RESOLUTION (decoy ship WAIMANA) from Rosyth spent some time at Scapa testing the base's ability to resist air attacks. After VALIANT and HOOD arrived at the the anchorage, aircraft of German KG26 (X Air Corps) dropped mines in the main entrance to Scapa Flow, which ham,pered the entry of a second force from entering the habour. there was an important passenger in that second gp. .

BB RODNEY (C-in-C, Forbes) and BCs RENOWN and REPULSE with DDs HARDY, HOSTILE, INGLEFIELD , IMOGEN, FOXHOUND, FORTUNE, FIREDRAKE, PUNJABI and KIMBERLEY were just behind the Valiant force, this force was proceeding from the Clyde. This group of ships were outside the port at the time of the mine incident and were ordered to hold off entry, in a holding pattern, west west of the Orkneys for 24 hours while the channel was swept of mines. The port was declared mine free and entered port the next day. Winston Churchill was on RODNEY, and he transferred to KIMBERLEY, which carried him on to Scapa Flow, where he spent the night on HOOD. DDs FAULKNOR and FORESTER left Scapa on the 8th and joined the Commander in Chief off Cape Wrath. RODNEY, RENOWN, REPULSE with DD HARDY, HOSTILE, INGLEFIELD, IMOGEN, FOXHOUND, FORTUNE, FIREDRAKE, PUNJABI, FAULKNOR and FORESTER arrived at Scapa on the 9th.

CA NORFOLK departed the Clyde separately for Scapa. DDs INTREPID, GRIFFIN, ASW whalers BUTTERMERE and WASTWATER joined later by FAME and SIKH later) made attacks on a contact sighted by aircraft mid afternoon, ESE of Noss Head. After GRIFFIN, SIKH and FAME detached, INTREPID was left to stand by the contact, later leaving for Invergordon where she arrived on the 8th. DD GALLANT joined the search at midday on the 8th, but the search was unsuccessful.


West Coast UK
U.32 laid mines north of Liverpool Bay, on which one merchant ship was lost.

Channel
A sub contact report by ASW yacht MAID MARION (506grt) eight miles from Eddystone Light caused DDs WILD SWAN, ESKIMO and VANESSA to be dispatched from Plymouth to investigate. U.28 laid mines southeast of the Isle of Wight off Portsmouth.

UK - France
BC.29 of six steamers, including steamer BARON KINNIARD (Commodore) departed Bristol Channel escort DD VIVACIOUS, and arrived in the Loire on the 9th.

BRITISH SUBMARINE MOVEMENTS
TRIDENT arrived at Rosyth from patrol with a damaged asdic dome, and docked later that day. She undocked on the 11th. SEAL was undocked at Rosyth. SNAPPER arrived at Harwich after patrol. URSULA was docked at Blyth to make good leaking glands, and undocked on the 8th. TRUANT was undocked at Rosyth. TRITON was docked at Rosyth for reballasting, and undocked on the 9th.
SEAWOLF departed Portsmouth under escort for Harwich. SALMON departed Harwich on patrol. L.23 was undocked at Blyth.

 

[parsifal]

March 6 Wednesday
ATLANTIC OCEAN: A British patrol ship captures the German Woermann Line ship "Wahehe".

British cruiser HMS "Berwick" intercepted German freighter "Uruguay" northeast of Iceland. Just as the boarding began, "Uruguay's" crew set the ship on fire. "Berwick" sank "Uruguay" with gunfire after withdrawing the boarding party and bringing the German crew on board.

In a propaganda disaster, Dutch submarines O9, 10 and 11 are filmed leaving Den Helder Naval Base when armored tug BV3 enters the harbor and collides with O11. A film cameraman and 26 crew escape as O11 sinks but 3 men die trapped in flooded forward torpedo room and battery room/crew's quarters. The incident is shown on newsreels.

In the North Sea, German aircraft bomb and machinegun two lightships.

NORTHERN EUROPE: Fighting continues South, East and West of Viipuri, including on frozen Viipuri Bay. Foreign Minister Tanner asks if the Allies offer of military assistance still stands. The Allies demand a formal request from Finland by March 12. In addition, Paasikivi leaves for Moscow in the evening, with the other peace delegates Prime Minister Risto Ryti, Rudolf Walden and Väinö Voionmaa, to negotiate an armistice with the Soviets.

Simo Häyhä was shot in the lower left jaw by a Soviet soldier in combat in Finland.

GERMANY: Based on a compromise of the original plan, modifications to the German invasion plan of the west were approved by Hitler.

Major General Wilhelm Süßmann stepped down as the commanding officer of the German Kampfgeschwader 55 wing.

A man from the 2(F)./122 ground personnel walked into a propeller and was injured at Münster-Loddenheide.

WESTERN FRONT: The French battleship "Jean Bart" was launched.

France and Italy conclude a trade agreement providing for an increase in the volume of trade between the two countries.


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[parsifal]

8 March 1940
Known Reinforcements
Neutral
Fleet tug USS SEMINOLE (AT 65)

Allied
RN Sub TARPON

Known Losses
MV COUNSELLOR (UK 5058 grt) Crew: 78 (0 dead and 78 survivors): Cargo: General cargo, including cotton : Route: New Orleans - Halifax - Liverpool : Convoy HX 22: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in Liverpool Bay off the Mersey Lightship in the Irish Sea. All crew were rescued by DD WALPOLE after this ships had unsuccessfully tried to take the ship in tow.

Tkr REGINA (Cuba 1155 grt): The tkr whilst under tow from Havana to New Orleans (she had been converted to a barge by this stage of her career) with a cargo of Molasses foundered in the Gulf of Mexico off Bradenton Beach, Florida United States

Steamer HANNOVER (Ger 5537 grt), had departed Curacao during the night of the 5th/6th, was captured early on the 8th by CL DUNEDIN and RCN DD ASSINIBOINE off Santa Domingo in the Mona Passage. DUNEDIN took her in tow for Kingston, and while on passage ASSINIBOINE had to fight a fire onboard after the crew attempted to scuttle her. HANNOVER arrived at Kingston on the 13th with DUNEDIN and ASSINIBOINE secured on either side. Fr CL JEANNE D' ARC had also been involved in the search for this German ship and arrived at the same time. The captured ship was renamed EMPIRE AUDACITY for British service and later became HMS AUDACITY, the Royal Navy's first escort carrier.

HANNOVER Listing and on fire as the crew attempted to scuttle her

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

BC HOOD BB VALIANT arrived in Scapa on 7 March according to plan. The heaviest concentration of forces since the war began has now been effected in Scapa through the transfer of three more BBs, together with all the CAs in operational readiness and several DesFlots. Naval Staff sees the following possibilities as a reason for the present striking concentration of the British Home Fleet:

1. Scapa has now been protected to such an extent by comprehensive defense measures against penetration by submarines and against air raids that it has become possible to move the BBs back to Scapa. Such a transfer has been urgently desired "by the
RN for a long time, since the materiel and personnel strength of the Fleet must have been greatly strained by the compulsion to make a detour to the west coast and by the necessity thus of maintaining some of the BBs constantly at sea. There are no calm anchorages in the open bays of the west Scottish coast and their safety is also greatly prejudiced by German naval measures (mines, submarines). In these circumstances Scapa must still be regarded as the best anchorage and the most favorably situated base for operations by the heavy ships against German forces.

2. Convoy traffic on the Great Britain- Norway route has assumed such proportions that, with regard to the expected operations by German forces, a close escort of cruisers and destroyers alone cannot protect it, but the use of heavy ships is necessary. Scapa is, therefore, in this connection especially favorably placed, both strategically and operationally, for Home Flt operations in the area west, north and east of the Orkneys/Shet lands.

3. The Admiralty is possibly expecting German Atlantic forces to sail during the coming new-moon period, a step which must by all means be prevented.

4. The concentration of heavy forces acquires special significance with reference to the development of the Russo-Finnish conflict. Reports about a supporting operation for Finland planned by the Western Powers and about an imminent landing in Norway are increasing to such an extent that the movement of the heavy forces to Scapa must be closely- connected with them. The Fleet's only assignment will, therefore, be to provide adequate protection for the troopships to Norway against attacks by German
battleships and cruisers from the Heligoland Bight and to render impossible any German counter-action from the sea by operating along the Norwegian coast. According to Naval Staff's opinion, therefore, it is quite possible that the direct cause of the striking
movement of all heavy forces to Scapa Is a landing operation on the Norwegian coast planned in connection
with the aid for Finland.

According to a report In the London press and foreign intelligence, the Admiralty Is said to have discovered a device to counteract the German magnetic mine. Hundreds of British ships have already been equipped with an anti- magnetic device. This is a cable loop laid around the whole ship's hull which neutralizes the magnetism of the hull so that the mine Is no longer fired. This news shows that the British counter-measures have doubtless recognized the correct way to combat the danger from these mines. Defense by cable loops corresponds to the German self-protection. It was learned from the British press that in November one of our aerial mines fell into British hands, having being salvaged very skillfully and expertly. All the particulars of the technical construction
of the magnetic mine and its workings are thus known to the British. This knowledge has rendered the development of
their counter-measures considerably easier. Even if we may doubt according to our own experience - that the enemy will thus have at his disposal an effective counter to the magnetic mine in the Immediate future, we must still assume that in a few months, six at most, the development may lead to a practical minesweeping gear and self-»protection for ships which is effective to a certain extent.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

Nothing to report.

Arrivals
Wilhelmshaven: U-7

At Sea 8 March 1940
U-14, U-28, U-29, U-32, U-38, U-52.
6 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
Northern Patrol
CAs NORFOLK from the Clyde and BERWICK from Northern Patrol arrived at Scapa.

North Sea
CLA CURACOA arrived in the Humber. DD KANDAHAR developed structural defects forcing her to dock for repairs. DD VIMIERA departed Portland for Rosyth. Sub SEAWOLF arrived at Harwich after patrol. OA.106 departed Southend escort DD VANESSA from the 8th to 9th. FN.115 departed Southend escort sloop FLAMINGO and DD WALLACE, and arrived in the Tyne on the 10th. MT.26 departed Methil escort was the 19th ASW Gp and supported by DD JAVELIN. TM.22 also departed the Tyne. When the two convoys crossed, JAVELIN detached to the north-bound TM convoy and escorted it to Rosyth. The south-bound MT convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 9th. FS.116 departed the Tyne escort DDs VEGA, WOOLSTON and sloop STORK, and arrived at Southend on the 10th.
Steamer JULIETTE (FN 1449 grt) was brought into the Downs for inspection by Fr TB L'INCOMPRISE.

Northern Waters
PVs CHILTERN (324grt) and CLOUGHTON WYKE (324grt) fishing in northwest of St Kilda were attacked by a submarine with gunfire. Trawlers were now often armed which in this case allowed them to return fire which drove off their assailant with no damage to themselves or the Uboat. Boarding vessel NORTHERN REWARD (655grt) attacked a submarine contact SE of Munken Rock, Faroes, 110 miles 348° from Cape Wrath.

West Coast UK
OB.106 departed Liverpool escort sloop ROCHESTER and DD VENETIA. On the 11th, when the convoy dispersed, they joined convoy SL.22 on the return leg.

Channel
Fr AXF 1 arrived at St Malo.

SW Approaches
DD VIVACIOUS, escorting BC.29 dropped DCs on a sub contact 15 miles from Ushant Island.

Nth Atlantic
Sloop ABERDEEN, escorting HX.20, attacked a submarine contact SW of Portland Bill.
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Med- Biscay
Fr CL PRIMAUGUET after repairs at Lorient departed Brest on the 3rd and arrived at Toulon on the 8th. She departed on the 11th, escorted by DD LYNX and arrived at Casablanca on the 13th, after passing Gib the same day. LYNX departed Casablanca on the 20th and arrived at Brest on the 25th, while PRIMAUGUET left Casablanca on 1 April and arrived at Fort de France on 10 April.
Fr sub REDOUTABLE, escort DD LA PALME, which departed Toulon on the 4th, arrived at Gib. The DD continued on to Casablanca, but the sub remained at Gib for 10 days for ASW exercises with the British Gib Force escorts, and then departed on the 18th, escorted by PV ALPHEE, flying the flag of Vice Admiral Ollive.