This Day in the War in Europe: The Beginning

[Njaco]

July 4 Thursday
UNITED KINGDOM: Churchill speaks in the House of Commons justifying the capture or sinking of French warships on July 3, to prevent them falling into German or Italian hands. He does not apologize but leaves judgment "to the world and to history". He also dispels the notion;

"...that we have the slightest intention of entering into negotiations in any form and through any channel with the German and Italian Governments. We shall, on the contrary, prosecute the war with the utmost vigour by all the means that are open to us."

Churchill receives his first standing ovation from the House as Prime Minister.

In a prelude to the first phase of the Battle of Britain, German bombers and motor torpedo boats attack Convoy OA178 in the English Channel between Cherbourg, France, and Bournemouth, England, sinking 5 merchant ships (British SS "Elmcrest" and SS "Dallas City", Dutch SS "Britsum" and SS "Deucalion", "Estonian" SS "Kolga") and damaging many more.

Thirty-three Ju 87 Stukas of III./StG 51 attack shipping and installations at Portland. They succeed in sinking British auxiliary anti-aircraft ship "Foyle Bank", killing 176, as well as tug boat "Silverdial". Because of lapses in the RAF early warning system, no RAF fighters appear to defend the harbour. The only loss is when Lt. Schwarze is shot down by anti-aircraft fire from the British ship HMS 'Foyle Bank'. A second attack on Portland by twenty Ju 88s finds two of the planes flying as far inland as Bristol with one of the German bombers being shot down by fighters from RAF No 92 Squadron. Despite having his left leg shattered by a bomb blast, British Leading Seaman Jack Mantle continued to fire his anti-aircraft guns as the merchant cruiser HMS "Foyle Bank" sank beneath him during the air raid on Portland naval base. Mantle was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross medal.

Numerous Bf 109's from III./JG 27 and 4(J)./LG 2 tangle with Hurricanes of RAF No. 32 Squadron over the Kent coastline. Lt. Geisshardt claims two of the Hurricanes while P/O Smythe of RAF No. 32 Squadron claims two Bf 109s including that of Uffz. Gustav Schiller of JG 27, who succeeds in returning to Theville. Another Bf 109 from LG 2 crashes in to the sea.

The pilots of 5./JG 51 battle Hurricanes and Spitfires from RAF No. 54 Squadron on the Kanalfront. Lt. Hermann Striebel claims a Hurricane for his second victory while Hptm. Horst Tietzen downs his fourth British aircraft, another Hurricane.

A lone He 111 of III./KG 54 attacks the Bristol Aeroplane Company at Filton and does some slight damage to the roof of the Rodney Works building. But Spitfires from RAF No. 92 Squadron shoot down the bomber and it crashes near Gillingham in Dorset.

WESTERN FRONT: French battleship "Strasbourg" and four destroyers arrived at Toulon, France after fleeing from the Battle of Mers-el-Kébir.

Vichy French government broke off all relations with the United Kingdom. A French Court Martial sentences Charles de Gaulle in absentia to four years in prison for treason.

Germans arrive on the last of the Channel Islands, Sark. They receive the island's surrender from the Dame of Sark (hereditary ruler of this island). When asked if she is afraid, the Dame replies "is there any need to be afraid of German officers?" Apart from a curfew and other restrictions, the Islanders have little cause for fear. The Channel Islands have fallen without a shot fired. Germany invests heavily in fortifying the islands, which will be completely bypassed come D-day.

A Bf 109E of I./JG 2 is damaged in a landing accident at Beaumont-le-Roger airfield. The pilot is uninjured.

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[Njaco]

July 4 1940 (continued)
MEDITERRANEAN: French bombers attacked the British fleet at Gibraltar, causing no damage.

The French Navy ordered submarines, armed merchant cruisers, and destroyers based in Dakar to sortie to attack British shipping.

Italian bombers again raided Malta.

GERMANY: Several fighter Gruppen change their designations. The fighters of I./JG 20 are renamed III./JG 51 while II./JG 54 is created from I./JG 76. Led by Hptm. Hannes Trautloft, III./JG 51 uses Bf 109Es for operations flying from the St. Omer airfield. The II Gruppe of JG 54 is commanded by Gruppenkommandeur Obstlt. Richard Kraut flying Bf 109Es from Vlissingen with a detachment of fighters based at Waalhaven.

Several high ranking Luftwaffe personnel are honored. The newly promoted Kommodore of KG 76, Generalmajor Stephan Fröhlich, is awarded the Ritterkreuz. The award is also presented to Oberst Alfred Bülowius, the Kommodore of the 1st Instruction-Squadron. And Generalluftzeugmeister Ernst Udet, the Director General of Luftwaffe Equipment is given the Ritterkreuz to compliment his Pour le mérite, earned in World War I.

NORTHERN EUROPE: The special carrier fighter unit, II./TrGr 186 is reformed as a conventional fighter Gruppe, becoming the III./JG 77. The unit - except 4./TrGr 186 which became 3./Epr.Gr 210 on 1 July 1940 - is led by Major Heinrich Seeliger and based at Trondheim flying Bf 109Es.

NORTH AFRICA: British submarine HMS "Pandora" sank French gunboat "Rigault de Genouilly" off Oran, Algeria at 1530 hours.

Italians advance from Ethiopia just over the border into Sudan and attack 2 British forts at Kassala and Gallabat, forcing British garrisons to withdraw. The Italians use more than two brigades at Kassala which is defended by only two companies of the Sudan Defense Force. The Italian forward units paused to establish anti-tank defenses.

ASIA: Japanese bombers attacked Chongqing, China in multiple waves.

EASTERN EUROPE: In Romania a new Cabinet is formed. The prime minister is Gigurtu ('a personal friend of General Göring). The New Cabinet includes two leaders of the previously outlawed Iron Guard: Manoilesca (Foreign Minister) and Sima (Minister for Arts). The policies of the new government are clearly pro-German and anti-Semitic. 22 British oil technicians are expelled.

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[parsifal]

4 July 1940
Known Reinforcements
Axis
Torpedoboote 1935 T-12

Allied
Fairmile A ML 108

Fairmile Type A operating with the RNorN out of Dover 1941

UBOATS
At Sea 4 July 1940
U-28, U-29, U-30, U-34, U-43, U-47, U-51, U-52, U-56, U-62, U-65, U-99, UA.
13 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
North Sea
FN.212 departed Southend, escort sloops BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 6th. MT.102 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 5th. FS.212 departed the Tyne, escort DD VALOROUS and sloop STORK. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 5th. Dredger COQUET MOUTH (UK 477 grt) was sunk by mine off Amble. 3 crew were lost on the dredger. FV REMEMBRANCE (UK 7 grt) was also sunk on a mine. The 2 crew were rescued.

Northern Waters
DD MASHONA was ordered from Scapa to investigate a Swedish ship in the vicinity of Clyth Ness. This steamer was found to be Danish steamer RAGNHILD under British control. MASHONA escorted the steamer to Wick and then returned to Scapa. DDs INGLEFIELD , IMOGEN, ATHERSTONE, and FERNIE on ASW exercises were ordered west of Hoy to search for a UBoat reported by a/c of 612 Sqn around midday. By midnight on that day no contact had been made and the DDs returned to Scapa. DD TARTAR, BEDOUIN, ASHANTI, and MASHONA on gunnery trials were ordered to search for another Uboat 612 Sqn. Following this sweep, they proceeded towards Fair Island Channel. Sub NARWHAL laid minefield FD.21 off Grip Holen, SW of Trondheim. Aux PV UJ.D (DKM 356 grt) was sunk on this minefield on the 6th. British minefield BS.21 was laid by ML TEVIOTBANK, escort DDs JACKAL and JAGUAR.

Channel
Convoy OA.178 was attacked by the Ju87s of StG.2 and S Boats of 2nd flotilla sth of Portland Harbour.

Kanal Kampf begins. This is a still of a BBC film taken on the 14 July

Aux AA ship FOYLE BANK (RN 5582 grt) was sunk by the LW. 177 crew were lost, and 144 rescued.

Steamer ELMCREST (UK 4343 grt) was sunk by S Boat S.19 13 miles sth of Portland. 16 crew were lost. The survivors were rescued by DD SABRE. Tkr BRITISH CORPORAL (UK 6972 grt) was damaged by DKM SBoats S.20 and S.26. Steamer HARTLEPOOL (UK 5500 grt) was damaged by S Boats S.20 and S.26 16 miles SSW of Portland. Survivors from HARTLEPOOL were rescued by DD SCIMITAR.

Steamer DALLAS CITY (UK 4952 grt) was sunk by the LW. Because of the bomb damage, DALLAS CITY collided with steamer FLIMSTONE (UK 4674 grt) before sinking. The entire crew of the DALLAS CITY was rescued by DD SHIKARI. While standing by the steamer, SHIKARI was attacked by the LW but did not sustain any damage.

Steamer DEUCALION (NL 1796 grt) was sunk by the LW 20 miles SSW of Portland. There were 27 survivors.

Steamer BRITSUM (NL 5255grt) was sunk by German bombing off Selsey, in 50-04N, 1-55W.

Steamer KOLGA (Est 3526 grt) was sunk by the LW, with 1 crewman lost. Tug SILVERDIAL (UK 55 grt) was sunk by German bombing in Portland Harbour. Br Steamers FAIRWATER, FLIMSTON, ANTONIO, EASTMOOR, ARGOS HILL, KING FREDERICK, CITY OF MELBOURNE, IRENE MARIA, BRIARWOOD, LIFLAND, EAST WALES and WILLIAM WILBERFORCE were all damaged by the LW attacks.

DDs SABRE, ACHERON, SHIKARI, and SCIMITAR were involved in rescue operations with OA.178.

Nth Atlantic
BB REVENGE departed Plymouth on the 4th with DDs HAVELOCK, HESPERUS, and WANDERER. On the 5th, REVENGE met CLA BONAVENTURE and troopships MONARCH OF BERMUDA , SOBIESKI , and BATORY . These 5 ships, carried $1,750,000,000 in gold and securities from the Bank of England for safekeeping in Canada, departed Greenock at 0545 on the 5th escort DD GARTH. The DDs detached beyond the local approaches. DD GARTH returned to the Clyde. The British ships arrived safely at Halifax on the 12th. Troopship BATORY with engine room defects was detached to St Johns escorted by CLA BONAVENTURE which then continued on to Halifax. Troopship BATORY arrived at Halifax on the 13th.

Central Atlantic
CL DRAGON departed Lagos to evacuate civilians from Santa Isabel on the 5th. These subjects were removed and taken to Manoca, arriving on the 6th (these are locations in the vicinity of modern day Cameroon). The CL then proceeded to Duala (Cameroons) , arriving on the 7th, on similar duties. Despite Vichy orders, the Governor stated he would support the British and requested DRAGON to remain at Duala. There were a few other colonies in central Africa, most territory now known as Chad in the Sahara, that also decided to fight with the Free French.

SLF.38 departed Freetown escort AMC MALOJA to 17 July. The AMC arrived in the Clyde for fuel and water on the 19th. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on the 20th.

HX.55 departed Halifax local escort RCN DDs ASSINIBOINE and OTTAWA. BHX.55 departed Bermuda on the 2nd with a local escort of sloop PENZANCE and an ocean escort of AMC RANPURA. The convoy rendezvoused with HX.55 on the 7th at which time the AMC was detached. That same day, AMC MONTCLARE joined as ocean escort and at 2115 on that day, the local escort left the convoy to return to Halifax. DD WINCHELSEA joined the convoy on the 14th for the day only. Sloop FOLKESTONE joined on the 14th for the inbound run, and was detached on the 18th when the convoy arrived in Liverpool. DD SKEENA joined on the 15th for the day only. Corvette GARDENIA joined the convoy on the 15th and was detached on the 17th.

Med- Biscay
BC STRASBOURG with ContreTorpilleur DDs VOLTA, KERSAINT, TIGRE, and TERRIBLE and DDs BORDELAIS and LA POURSIUVANTE, which had escaped from Mer el Kebir for Toulon were joined at sea by the 6 CLs of CruDivs 3 and 4 , DDs L'INDOMPTABLE, LE MALI, LE FANTASQUE, and L'AUDACIEUX which had departed Algiers on the 3rd. RN carrier planes from CV ARK ROYAL attacked this force three times without success.
VOLTA and TERRIBLE fired torpedoes at long range at BC HOOD which was able to evade.

CAs ALGERIE, FOCH, and COLBERT with DDs VAUBAN, LION, AIGLE, GUEPARD, VALMY, VERDUN , TARTU, LE CHEVALIER, CASSARD , VAUTOUR, GERFAUT, and ALBATROS departed Toulon and joined the ships east of Minorca. The ships arrived safely at Toulon later on the 4th some arriving early on the 5th . Fce H arrived back at Gibraltar that evening. Also departing on the 3rd was DD TROMBE from Oran which arrived at Algiers on the 4th. On the 6th, the destroyer left and arrived at Toulon on the 7th. DDs BRESTOISE and BOULONNAIS departed Oran on the 3rd and arrived at Algiers on the 4th. On the 6th, the DDs departed and arrived at Toulon on the 7th. DDs TRAMONTANE, TORNADE, and TYPHON departed Oran on the 3rd and arrived at Algiers on the 4th. On the 11th, they departed and arrived at Bizerte on the 12th. Sloops LE CHAMOIS, L'IMPETEUSE, and LA BATAILLEUSE departed Oran on the 3rd and arrived at Bizerte on the 5th. Seaplane tender COMMANDANT TESTE departed Mers el Kebir on the 4th and arrived at Arzew on the 4th. On the 6th, she departed and arrived at Bizerte on the 8th. DDs CASQUE and CORSAIRE departed Oran on the 7th and arrived at Toulon on the 8th. Sloop L'ANNAMITE departed Algiers on the 8th and arrived at Toulon the 10th. Sloop LA GRANDIERE departed Oran on the 7th and arrived at Algiers on the 8th.

Sub PROTEUS was taken under attack by Vichy DDs TIGRE and LYNX. HM Sub PANDORA off Algiers sank sloop RIGAULt DE GENOUILLY which was en route to Bizerte. Vichy subms LE GLORIEUX and LE HEROS, the AMCs EL D'JEZAIR, EL KANTARA, EL MANSOUR, and VILLE D'ORAN, and DDs MILAN and EPERVIER at Dakar were ordered to attack British shipping as a reprisal for the Mer el Kebir action.

On the 5th, steamer ARGYLL (UK 2953 grt), MV GAMBIAN (UK 5452 grt), and MV TAKORADIAN (UK 5452 grt) and Danish ships under British flag HARALD (Den 1970 grt), TACOMA (Den 5905 grt), and ULRIK HOLM (Den 1502 grt) were seized by these forces.

The steamers were renamed for French service. Steamer ARGYLL was renamed ST HENRI, steamer GAMBIAN was renamed ST GABRIEL, steamer TAKORADIAN was renamed ST PAUL, steamer HARALD was renamed ST CLAUDE, and steamer ULRIK HOLM was renamed STE ISABELLE. Steamer TACOMA was not renamed. Steamer TEMPLE PIER (UK 4312 grt) was seized at Algiers by Vichy Forces.

Indian Ocean
Steamer CARAIBE (Vichy 4048 grt) departed Kilinini (Kenya) on the 4th. She was intercepted early on the 5th by CA KENT, which escorted her to Mombasa arriving on the 6th.

Malta
DD JERVIS attacked by a Z 506 seaplane

0555-0620 hrs Air raid alert. Three formations of enemy fighters appear over the Island. One remains at altitude while the other two carry out a low flying machine gun attack on Hal Far aerodrome and then on Kalafrana. All ground defence posts, including light machine guns of the RAF and 8th Bn Manchester Regt, return fire from the ground. No damage or casualties reported.

 

[parsifal]

5 July 1940
Known Reinforcements
Axis
Type IXB U103, S-Boat S-27 (from the S-26-29 gp)

U-124 illustrated with the early war camo pattern shown left, and S-26 type S-Boat on trials in 1940

Allied
Bar Class Boom defence vessel BANCLIFF, Fairmile A ML 106, Vosper 73' type MTB 31

sources
http://www.navyphotos.co.uk/Fishery Protection Patrol and Coastal forces/images/ml 1061b.jpg
Losses
V W Class DD WHIRLWIND (RN 1100 grt) Sunk in the SW Approaches. At 1826 hrs , DD WHIRLWIND was hit under the bridge by a G7e torpedo from U-34 about 120 miles west of Land's End. The U-boat had spotted the DD at 1530 hrs and missed her with two torps at 1713 hrs. When finally hit, the DD lost her forepart while the rest remained afloat and was later scuttled by DD WESTCOTT after picking up the survivors. 56 crew members were lost and one died of wounds the following day.

MV MAGOG (Cdn 2053 grt) Crew: 23 (0 dead and 23 survivors) Cargo: Timber Route: Halifax - Preston. Sunk in the SW Approaches. An early loss to Ace Kretschmer. At 1251 hrs the MAGOG, a straggler of HX-52, was damaged by a stern torpedo from U-99 that exploded prematurely. The U-boat surfaced after 20 mins and began to shell her until the master and 22 crew members abandoned ship in a lifeboat about 58 miles WSW of Fastnet. At 1352 hrs, a G7e torpedo was fired that hit aft of amidships and broke the ship in two. The stern sank, but the foreship remained afloat on the cargo of timber even after the U-boat fired three rounds from the deck gun into it at 1505 hours. The wreck did not finally founder until 8 July. The survivors had been questioned by the Germans and were later picked up by the Swedish merchant FIDRA and landed at Queenstown, Cork.

Special service ship EMERALD WINGS (RN 2139 grt) arrived at Scapa as a blockship and she was subsequently deployed.

UBOATS
Arrivals
Bergen: U-62
Kiel: U-51

At Sea 5 July 1940
U-28, U-29, U-30, U-34, U-43, U-47, U-52, U-56, U-65, U-99, UA.
11 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
North Sea
British minefield AW was laid in the Wash by ML PLOVER and RNN ML WILLEM VAN DER ZAAN on 5 and 6 July. OA.179 and OA.180 departed Methil escorted by RCN DD ST LAURENT from 9 to 13 July and corvette HIBISCUS from 9 to 12 July. The convoy passed through the Pentland Firth (nth of Scotland) on the 10th. FN.214 departed Southend, escort DDs VANESSA, VEGA, and WINCHESTER. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 7th. MT.103 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 6th. FS.214 departed the Tyne, escort DD WOLSEY and sloop EGRET. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 6th. FS.215 departed the Tyne, escort DD WOOLSTON and sloop FLEETWOOD. DDs JAVELIN and JUPITER joined the convoy for 6 July. Patrol sloop SHEARWATER joined on the 6th and arrived with the convoy. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 7th.

Northern Waters
DD IMOGEN damaged her propellers in contact with a submerged object in the Fair Isle Channel. 6 Swordfish of 823 Sqn and 9 Skuas of 801 Sqn departed Hatston to attack a damaged merchant ship reported by a Hudson of 269 Sqn off the Norwegian coast. No contact was made, but returning Swordfish attacked Sub TETRARCH mistaking her for a U Boat. 5 torpedoes were launched, but no damage was done to the Sub. DD GARTH departed the Clyde with ML MENESTHEUS for Loch Alsh. The DD continued on to Scapa.

West Coast UK
OB.179 departed Liverpool escorted by DD WALKER and sloop DEPTFORD from 5 to 8 July. The escorts were detached to convoy SL.37. The convoy dispersed on the 9th.

Channel
RN corvette CALENDULA was damaged by near misses by the LW off Plymouth at 1413. The corvette returned to Plymouth.

Med- Biscay
On 5 July CVL EAGLE launched devastating strikes against Italian shipping off the Cyrenaican coast. Her a/c concentrated their attacks outside Tobruk. A mere 9 swordfish were available for these strikes, a remarkably low number considering the amount of damage inflicted.

They sank the Turbine Class DD ZEFFIRO (RM 1070 grt),

the MV MANZONI (FI 3,955 grt) (No image found) and MV SERENITAS (FI 5,171 grt) (no image found). Both vessels were captured by the advncing British during the WDFs offensive in December, and used by the British. MV LIGURIA (FI 15,354 grt) and beached to prevent sinking and later scuttled.

RM DD EURO was badly damaged and her bow was blown off. She was later towed to Taranto and repaired. CLs CAPETOWN and CALEDON with DDs JANUS, JUNO, IMPERIAL, and ILEX, all departed Alexandria on the 5th, were at sea to recover two aircrew who had ditched at sea on the return flight from these strikes. Both crews were recovered.

Malta
2150-2155 hrs Air raid alert. An unidentified aircraft is reported approaching the south coast, showing full lights. It then signals in Morse Code before coming in to land at Kalafrana. The a/c was an FAF Latecoere 298, with teo French officers aboard wanting to defect and join the FF.

French Latecoere with Sunderland at Kalafrana

1845 hrs 9 Swordfish 830 Sqn FAA left to attack the aerodrome at Catania. Bombs dropped: 6 x 500lb, 24 x 250lb, 27 incendiary; some on the aerodrome and some on workshops. Two hangars were hit and four fires started. Several cruisers and destroyers were observed in Augusta. All aircraft returned safely.

 

[Njaco]

July 5 Friday
WESTERN FRONT: Bf 109's of I./JG 51 tangle with Spitfires of RAF No. 64 Squadron over the Pas-de-Calais. Three Spitfires are shot down with credit going to Lt. Erich Hohagen and Ofw. Johann Illner of 4./JG 51 and Ofw. Karl Schmid of 1./JG 51. One Messerschmitt is damaged during the combat. Another pilot of 4./JG 51, Fw. Willi Gasthaus, destroys a RAF Blenheim over Senden. Oblt. Von Holtey of 5./JG 26 also shoots down a Blenheim over Senden.

At Gibraltar there is an unsuccessful French torpedo bomber raid on the British naval base.

EASTERN EUROPE: Romania announced that it had joined the Axis Powers.

GERMANY: RAF launched night bombing raids on Kiel and Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

NORTH AMERICA: The United States banned the trade of strategic materials with Japan. US President Roosevelt used the power given by the Export Control Act, which was just passed into law three days prior, to restrict the export of strategic minerals, strategic chemicals, aircraft engines, aircraft engine parts, and other equipment to Japan without special license.

Admiral James O. Richardson arrived in Washington DC, United States to meet with US President Franklin Roosevelt, officials from the Department of the Navy, and the State Department regarding the retention of the US Fleet in Hawaiian waters.

NORTH AFRICA: Nine British Royal Navy Swordfish aircraft of RAF No. 813 Squadron from HMS "Eagle" flew 100 miles west from Sidi Barrani, Egypt to attack the Italian naval base at Tobruk, Libya. Destroyer "Zeffiro" was sunk, destroyer "Euro's" bow was blown off, troop transport "Liguria" was damaged and was beached to prevent sinking, merchant vessel "Manzoni" was sunk, and merchant vessel "Serenitas" was damaged.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: 50 miles southwest of Ireland, U-34 torpedoed British destroyer HMS "Whirlwind", killing 59; 51 survivors were rescued by destroyer HMS "Westcott" before "Wescott" scuttled "Whirlwind". Also off Ireland, U-99 damaged Canadian steamer "Magog", breaking her into two. The stern section sank immediately, but the remainder of the ship remained afloat largely due to the timber she was carrying; 23 survivors were rescued by Swedish merchant ship "Fidra"

German auxiliary minesweepers M1803 (trawler "Spitzbergen"), M1806 (trawler "Cuxhaven"), and M1807 (trawler "Mulsum") attacked and damaged British submarine HMS "Shark" in Boknafjord near Stavanger, Norway at 2200 hours.

UNITED KINGDOM: Operation Fish: British battleship HMS "Revenge", cruiser HMS "Bonaventure", destroyer HMS "Garth", and troop transports "Monarch of Bermuda", "Sobieski", and "Batory" departed Greenock, Scotland at 0545 hours. The cargo of US$1,750,000,000 worth of gold and securities from the Bank of England was destined for the Bank of Canada's vault in Ottawa. They would arrive at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada safely on 12 Jul.

In Britain, the south coast of England for twenty miles inland from Bexhill was declared to be a "Defence Area". Parachutists were reported as being seen between Pegswood Drift and Longhirst School. It was a drifting barrage balloon.

NORTHERN EUROPE: Swedish-German Railways Agreement: Germany obtains permission to utilize Swedish railways for the transport of war supplies and troops 'on leave' to and from Norway.

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[parsifal]

6 July 1940
Known Reinforcements
Allied
Vosper 73' type MTB 72

Losses
MV ANGELE MABRO (EG 3154 grt) Crew: Unknown no survivors Cargo: Iron ore Route: Bilbao - Cardiff Sunk in the Bay Of Biscay
The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay WSW of Brest by U-30.

Photo Source: ANGELE MABRO - egipski statek zatopiony przez U-Boot U-30

MV VAPPER (Est 4543 grt) Crew: 33 (1 dead and 32 survivors) Cargo: Coal Route: Cardiff - Buenos Aires. Sunk in the SW Approaches
At 1058 hrs the unescorted VAPPER was hit under the bridge by a single G7e torp from U-34. After the crew abandoned ship in two lifeboats, the U-boat fired at 1115 hrs a further G7a coup de grâce that hit in the engine room and caused the ship to break in two and sink in less than a minute. The next day, the master and 14 crew members were picked up by DD BROKE and landed in Falmouth. Also on 7 July, the 17 survivors in the other boat were picked up by RCN DD RESTIGOUCHE and landed at Plymouth later that day. The sinking had been observed by U-99 (Kretschmer), which had chased this ship for 90 mins and was just about to attack herself when it was torpedoed by U-34.

UBOATS
Arrivals
Kiel: U-47
Wilhelmshaven: U-28

Departures
Bergen: U-61
Kiel: U-58

At Sea 6 July 1940
U-29, U-30, U-34, U-43, U-52, U-56, U-58, U-61, U-65, U-99, UA.
11 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
North Sea
FN.215 departed Southend, escort sloops LOWESTOFT and WESTON and patrol sloop MALLARD. DDs KASHMIR and KELVIN joined the convoy for 7 July. Sloop MALLARD was detached on the 7th. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 8th

Northern Waters
DD GARTH arrived at Scapa to work up.

Sub SEALION had attacked a German convoy off Skudesnshavn in Boknafjord on the 3rd. She came under heavy DC attack for over 40 hrs but managed to evade and escape the escort. She withdrew from the patrol area.

However, HM sub SHARK (RN 670 grt) came into the same patrol area to relieve SEALION and was immediately taken under attack by a LW seaplane 5th July 1940 and repeatedly hit thereafter for nearly 30 hours. Her after action report (written 5 years later) states there was much damage to the boat. She was able to surface later but was unable to steer correctly as the rudder was jammed and one of the main engines was out of action. She was then attacked by DKM aux MSWs M.1803 , M.1806 , and M.1807, forcing the sub to surface (she could neither steer properly or dive). SHARK but was able to get off a distress message at 2250 advising her location and that she was unable to dive. CL SOUTHAMPTON, CLA COVENTRY, and DDs COSSACK , MAORI, FAME, and FORTUNE cleared Scapa at 0215 to escort submarine SHARK to Rosyth. However, SHARK surrendered and was captured and then sank in tow in unknown circumstances (although the crew claimed to have set off the scuttling charges and this does seem the most likley explanation) before the British force could arrive. 33 crewman including the skipper were captured and taken prisoner. Two crew were killed and one crewman was fatally wounded.

By 1000, the DDs had searched sub SHARK's track without success. DD FAME was damaged at 1240 aft by nine bombs dropped by the LW 28 miles west of Scotstoun Head. FAME's speed was reduced to 20 knots. 3 crew were killed in these attacks and 16 ratings were wounded. The entire British force proceeded to Rosyth, arriving at 2330. FAME began repairs at Rosyth completed 5 October.

The British force departed Rosyth on the 7th for Scapa, arriving on the 8th with SOUTHAMPTON, which had conducted firing practices, arriving at 1130.

Channel
Br steamer APRICITY was damaged by the LW sth of Portland Bill. APRICITY in convoy OA.178 had been attacked on the 4th, but not damaged.

Nth Atlantic

Central Atlantic
Convoy BC of troopships REINA DEL PACIFICO, ORION, STRATHEDEN, KENYA, KARANJA, and ASKA departed Freetown escorted by CA CORNWALL. The convoy arrived in England on the 19th

Med- Biscay
Vichy Adml Estava from Bizerte made a radio broadcast that BC DUNKERQUE was not seriously damaged in the 3 July Mer el Kebir attack and would soon be repaired. Upon receipt of this, Fce H, which was about to strike at BB RICHELIEU at Dakar, was ordered to make a second strike on DUNKERQUE. Fce H departed Gibraltar at 2000 with BC HOOD, BB VALIANT, CV ARK ROYAL, CLs ARETHUSA and ENTERPRISE, and DDs FEARLESS, FOXHOUND, FORESTER, ESCORT, WISHART, VORTIGERN, VIDETTE, ACTIVE, and VELOX on operation LEVER, the neutralization of Vichy BC DUNKERQUE.

A/C from ARK ROYAL arrived at Mer el Kebir and sank aux MSW ESTEREL V (Vichy 30 grt). 6 crew were killed . Aux PV TERRE NEUVE (Vichy 780 grt), alongside DUNKERQUE, was sunk and her DCs exploded ripping a huge gash in DUNKERQUE's side. 154 crewmen of the BC Four officers and were killed or wounded. 8 crew of the TERRE NEUVE were killed. Total French casualties for the raids of 3 and 6 July on Mer el Kebir were 1297 killed and 351 wounded.

BC DUNKERQUE was never fully repaired and did not return to service. She was repaired sufficiently to be moved in February 1942. She arrived at Toulon on 19 February, escorted by DDs FOUGUEUX, FRONDEUR, KERSAINT, TARTU, and VAUQUELIN. She remained immobilised and not fully repaired at Toulon until she was scuttled the following November. A Skua of 803 Sqn was damaged by gunfire from enemy fighters and ditched off Oran. The crew were rescued.

CLs CAPETOWN and CALEDON of CruSqn 3 and DDs JANUS, JUNO, ILEX, and IMPERIAL bombarded Bardia for 54 mins that morning. Steamer AXUM (FI 249 grt) and Sailing Vessel SANT ANTONIO (FI 500 grt (est)) were sunk and another unnamed cargo ship was damaged in this attack. At 0820, the force was attacked by RA high level bombers, but no damage was done.

An Italian convoy of steamers ESPERIA, CALITEA , MARCO FOSCARINI , and VETTOR PISANI escort RM TBs ORSA, PEGASO, PROCIONE, and ORIONE of TBDiv 4 departed Naples for Benghazi. The convoy was joined on the 7th by FI steamer FRANCESCO BARBERO and TBs ABBA and PILO from Catania.

Malta
0810-0840 hrs Air raid alert for 3 formations of RA a/c which approach to within 9 miles of the Island before turning away. No raid materialises.

1455-1540 hrs 20 bombers approach the Island and carry out a heavy bombing raid and dropping 100 bombs. HE is dropped on Kirkop, Luqa, Paola, Verdala Barracks and the Dockyard, in the sea off Benghaisa and San Rocco, and between Mosta and Naxxar. Several evacuated houses at Paola are destroyed with five minor casualties among civilians. 19 bombs land on Luqa, including 6 on the runway causing damage which is quickly repaired. One bomb lands on the corner of a hangar, destroying the building. Another just misses a slit trench occupied by personnel of 2nd Bn Royal West Kent Regt., covering them with dust but causing no casualties. Some MT at Verdala is damaged. One AA gunner at San Giacomo is slightly wounded. One enemy a/c is brought down and a second badly damaged.

2110-2140 hrs Air raid alert. 4 enemy a/c attack the Island, dropping high explosive bombs near the Dockyard and on Fort St Angelo, damaging gardens, near Tal Bajda and Tal Virtu, and in the sea off Kalafrana. A low-flying machine-gun attack is made between Madalena Tower and St Andrews Barracks. The aircraft swoops over the parade ground of Pembroke Barracks, firing its tail gun towards the ground. Two enemy a/c are shot down by small arms fire into the sea off Madalena Tower.

2335 hrs Lights are reported from the west of Verdala, believed possible signaling. A few minutes later more possible signaling lights are seen coming from Dingli.

 

[parsifal]

7 July 1940
Losses
Tkr LUCRECIA (NL 2584 grt) Crew: 32 (2 dead and 30 survivors) Cargo: Fuel Oil Route: Aruba – Avonmouth Sunk in the SW approaches
At 0714 hrs the unescorted and unarmed LUCRECIA was hit on the starboard side under the bridge by one G7e torpedo from U-34 about 70 miles west of the Isles of Scilly. The explosion broke the back of the ship, ignited a fuel tank ahead of the bridge and killed the master who was probably asleep in his cabin. The crew immediately abandoned ship in one lifeboat and some rafts, while the burning tanker settled slowly and sagged in the middle. The column of smoke attracted a patrol a/c from St. Eval which was shortly thereafter joined by 2 Sunderland flying boats from RAAF 10 sqn and the RCN DD RESTIGOUCHE with orders to investigate. In the meantime, the submerged U-boat remained in the vicinity in order to wait for the wreck to sink. At 1520 hrs, the Germans spotted another ship near the attack position but could not get closer due to the a/c and eventually left the area. They had observed how the Portuguese steam merchant ALFERRAREDE picked up the survivors and then proceeded on her voyage to Oporto, where the rescued seamen were landed on 11 July. The chief officer had died of his wounds on 8 July and was buried at sea the next day.

MV BISSEN (Sd 1514 grt) Crew: 20 (0 dead and 20 survivors) Cargo: Timber for Pulp and Mine pit props Route: St. John's - Ridham Dock Sunk in the SW Approaches. At 2312 hrs the unescorted and unarmed BISSEN was hit ahead of amidships by one torp from U-99 about 80 miles SSW of Cape Clear. The explosion threw parts of the deck cargo all over the ship, blew a raft overboard and caused the ship to settle quickly by the head. The crew immediately abandoned ship in two lifeboats and noticed too late that the second officer was still aboard. It was difficult to get back to the sinking ship as the engines were still running and the ship was steaming slowly in circles, but after several attempts the boat in charge of the master managed to rescue him. The U-boat had to leave the area shortly after the attack because a DD was sighted. The survivors were picked up about one hour later by DD BROKE and landed at Plymouth on 9 July.

MV SEA GLORY (UK 1964 grt) Crew: 29 (29 dead - no survivors) Cargo: China clay Route: Fowey, Cornwall - Philadelphia. Sunk in the SW Approaches . At 0053 hrs the unescorted SEA GLORY was hit on the port side just ahead of the bridge by one of two G7e torps from U-99 and sank by the bow within 2 mins about 110 miles SSW of Fastnet. There was no time to abandon ship[ because the ship was hit by two torpedoes. Kretschmer had not intended to fire 2 torps in this attack, a 2nd torpedo tube was only prepared to be fired as coup de grâce, but was launched too by mistake. The ship had been reported missing after leaving Fowey and was presumed lost from 11 July.
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

UBOATS
Arrivals
Lorient: U-30 (She was the first U-boat to use a French port. U-boats U.34, U.52, and U.99 followed later in the month)
Wilhelmshaven: U-65

At Sea 7 July 1940
U-29, U-34, U-43, U-52, U-56, U-58, U-61, U-99, UA.
9 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
Baltic
Eastern Baltic

Western Baltic
MV ALMORA (Ex-Nor (Ger)) hit a mine laid by the RUBIS 10 May 1940.

North Sea
British minefield BS.22 was laid by ML TEVIOTBANK and DDs ESK and INTREPID. FN.216 departed Southend, escort DD VALOROUS, sloop STORK, and patrol sloop SHELDRAKE. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 9th. MT.104 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 9th.
FS.216 departed the Tyne, escorted by sloops BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS and patrol sloop MALLARD. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 9th.

Northern Waters
8 Skuas of 801 Sqn departed Hatston to attack oil tanks at Bergen. No damage was done to intended targets and no a/c were lost. Br tkr CAIRNDALE and cable ship ARIEL departed Scapa for the Clyde, escort ASW trawlers THIRLMERE and WINDERMERE.

West Coast UK

Western Approaches
OB.180 departed Liverpool and was routed north of Ireland. The convoy was escorted by sloop SANDWICH and DD WANDERER from 7 to 10 July when they were detached to convoy HX.54. DDs HAVELOCK, HESPERUS, WOLVERINE, and WITHERINGTON joined the convoy for 9 July, with the exception of DD HESPERUS which escorted the convoy on 9 and 10 July. DD HIGHLANDER joined the convoy for 10 July.

SW Approaches
At 0054, Turkish ML sloop YUZBASI HAKKI (built in the UK and just completed) was damaged in a collision with DD BROKE, escorting convoy OA.178, at Plymouth. There was slight damage to the DD. The damage was repaired at Plymouth from 10 to 12 July. BROKE escorted the minelaying sloop to Falmouth for repairs. HG.37 of 22 ships departed Gib local escort DDs WISHART and VIDETTE on 7 and 8 July. Sloop ENCHANTRESS from convoy OG.36 escorted the convoy from 8 to 16 July when the convoy arrived at Liverpool.

Channel
Sub H.43 landed a recon party on Guernsey in Operation ANGER in preparation for operation AMBASSADOR, a commando raid to be held on the 14th. MSW MERCURY was damaged by the LW at Portland. 4 ratings were killed and 3 were wounded.

Nth Atlantic
HX.56 departed Halifax escort RCN DDs OTTAWA and SAGUENAY. The DDs turned over the convoy beyond the local approaches on the 8th to AMC COMORIN and arrived back at Halifax midmorning on the 8th. The AMC was detached on the 20th. BHX.56 departed Bermuda on the 6th escort AMC AUSONIA. The convoy rendezvoused with convoy HX.56 on the 11th when the AMC was detached. On the 19th, DD WARWICK, sloops HASTINGS, LEITH, and ROCHESTER, and corvette HEARTSEASE joined the convoy for the inbound portion . Sloop HASTINGS was detached on the 20th. The remaining escort arrived with the convoy at Liverpool on the 22nd.

Central Atlantic
The RN launched CATAPULT opns at BB RICHELIEU at Dakar. CVL HERMES, CAs DORSETSHIRE and RAN AUSTRALIA, and sloop MILFORD arrived off Dakar. Sloop MILFORD delivered an ultimatum to the French commander on RICHELIEU. The ultimatum was rejected and at 0210 on the 8th an launch from CVL HERMES dropped depth charges under the stern of RICHELIEU. The attack failed due to shallowness of the water. 3 hrs later, 6x Swordfish of 814 Sqn from HERMES attacked RICHELIEU. The battleship was hit on one of her propeller shafts which was damaged and three compartments were flooded. On the 9th, RAN CA AUSTRALIA departed the Dakar CATAPULt force and on the 11th rejoined the convoy she had escorted earlier from Capetown. The convoy and CA AUSTRALIA arrived in the Clyde on the 16th and Scapa on the 20th.

 

[Njaco]

July 6 Saturday
GERMANY: On the heels of the newly formed II./JG 54, a third Gruppe is added to JG 54. Using elements of I./JG 21 and based at Jesau flying Bf 109Es, the Gruppe is led by Hptm. Fritz Ultsch. The unit is soon moved to Soesterberg.

A third Gruppe is added to JG 27 using the personnel and fighters of I./JG 1. Led by Hptm. Johannes Schlichting, the unit is based at Careuebut. The fighters of JG 1 are left without a I Gruppe until December.

German radio stations played the song "Denn wir fahren gegen Engeland" for the first time.

MEDITERRANEAN: Operation Lever: British Royal Navy Force H under Vice Admiral James Somerville returned to Mers-el-Kébir, Algeria. At dawn, Swordfish aircraft from carrier HMS "Ark Royal" scored several torpedo hits on French battleship "Dunkerque", killing 154 and wounding 8. One torpedo hit patrol boat "Terre Neuve", detonating depth charges, killing 8; shock waves from the explosion further damaged "Dunkerque".

WESTERN FRONT: The first German U-boat base in France was opened at Lorient.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: British submarine HMS "Shark", damaged by attacks from German auxiliary minesweepers M1803 (trawler "Spitzbergen"), M1806 (trawler "Cuxhaven"), and M1807 (trawler "Mulsum") in Boknafjord near Stavanger, Norway on the previous day, became captured by the Germans. She was in the process of being towed by the German ships when she suddenly sank, killing 3. The remaining 32 crew members were rescued and became prisoners of war.

German submarine U-34 sank Estonian collier "Vapper" south of Cape Clear, Ireland; 1 was killed and 32 took to lifeboats. German submarine U-99, which had chased "Vapper" for the past 90 minutes, observed the sinking. To the south, U-30 sank Egyptian ship "Angele Mabro" west of Brest, France, killing all aboard.

NORTH AFRICA: British cruisers HMS "Capetown" and HMS "Caledon" and destroyers HMS "Janus", HMS "Juno", HMS "Ilex", and HMS "Imperial" shelled Bardia, Libya near the Egyptian border at 0537 hours, sinking Italian ship "Axum" and damaged another merchant ship. Italian bombers arrived at 0820 hours, but caused no damage against the British warships.

.

 

[parsifal]

German aircraft and minesweepers sank four British submarines ("Narwhal", "Spearfish", "Shark", and "Thames"). British submarine HMS "Shark", damaged by attacks from German auxiliary minesweepers M1803 (trawler "Spitzbergen"), M1806 (trawler "Cuxhaven"), and M1807 (trawler "Mulsum") in Boknafjord near Stavanger, Norway on the previous day, became captured by the Germans. She was in the process of being towed by the German ships when she suddenly sank, killing 3. The remaining 32 crew members were rescued and became prisoners of war

.


Sorry to be such a nark Chris because I think you are doing a marvellous job. This element of the post seems to be suggesting the loss of all four brit subs on the same day. If so, that's not correct.

In the case of NARWHAL, this is the only known case of SIGINT leading to the direct loss of a british submarine. Since April 1940, the German B-Dienst had deciphered several signals addressed to HMS NARWHAL but had mistaken her for HMS PORPOISE. The air attack was a direct result of this work as the route of the submarine was known ahead of time.

A German aircraft (Do-17, Lt.z.S, Bernhard Müller, 1/KF1Gr 606) reported attacking a submarine on the afternoon of 23rd July 1940 about 125 nautical miles east of Aberdeen, Scotland in position 56º50'N, 01º40'E, it was most likely this attack is responible for the loss off NARWHAL as she failed to return to base and was reported overdue on 1 August 1940.

In the case of SPEARFISH, she was sunk on the surface by U-34, who put a torpedo into the unsuspecting submarine in the middle of the North Sea. SPEARFISH was lost 1 August 1940 about 180 miles west-southwest of Stavanger

no argument about the SHARK. She had endured 45 hours of constant DC attack before being forced to the surface. It is unclear why the ship sank whilst under tow, but the crew was still on board, so sabotage is at least a possibility.

HM sub THAMES is believed to have struck a mine on or about the 3 August. she was reported missing, presumed lost 11 august.

 

[Njaco]

I thought something was off about that. That many subs in one day and all I could find for that day was "Shark". I will amend!

 

[Njaco]

July 7 Sunday
UNITED KINGDOM: During the day, fighters from II and III Gruppen of JG 51 clash with Spitfires over England. In one skirmish over Manston, three Spitfires are shot down from RAF No. 54 Squadron. Credited with kills are Ofw. Fritz Beeck for his first victory, Fw. Eduard Hemmerling, also his first and a Spitfire for Herbert Huppertz. All three pilots are from 6./JG 51. A second dogfight over Folkestone results in four British aircraft shot down. Oblt. Walter Oesau of 7./JG 51 gains his sixth victory, a Spitfire from RAF No. 65 Squadron. Two more Spitfires from RAF No 65 Squadron are destroyed by pilots from JG 51 while a Hurricane from RAF No. 79 Squadron is also lost.

In the evening, pilots of JG 27 shoot down three Spitfires of RAF No. 64 Squadron. The Kanalfront Geschwaders loose no fighters in these actions. A Bf 109E of III./JG 27 is damaged in a take-off accident from its airfield in France.

He 111 bombers of 4./KG 55 are attacked by British fighters during a night raid on Portland, Dorset. No bombers are shot down but some sustain damage. Another three He 111s of II./KG 55 take off from Chartres on a bombing mission to the Bristol Aeroplane Company at Filton but the mission is soon aborted.

GERMANY: The factory defense squadron at the Fiesler aircraft factory at Kassel, is disbanded.

During an RAF night raid on the Ruhr, Fw. Müller of 3./JG 26 shoots down a British Blenheim.

NORTH AFRICA: The French commander in Alexandria, Admiral Godefroy, agrees to allow his ships to be demobilized. The French force here consists of the battleship "Lorraine", three heavy cruisers, one light cruiser, three destroyers and a submarine. Godfroy secured Andrew Cunningham's pledge that the ships would remain under Godfroy's command and that the sailors would be repatriated.

Operation Catapult: British Swordfish torpedo bombers from carrier HMS "Hermes" attacked the French battleship "Richelieu" in dock at Dakar, French West Africa. A torpedo hit caused a 40-foot hole, bringing her to the bottom of the harbor (the harbor was shallow enough for her to be refloated shortly after). After dark, a boat from HMS "Hermes" attempted to drop depth charges underneath French battleship "Richelieu" but the attack was not successful.

MEDITERRANEAN: Italy granted France permission to keep her Mediterranean bases armed.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-99 sank British ship "Sea Glory" at the very start of the day, killing the entire crew of 29. Toward the end of the day, U-99 struck again, sinking Swedish ship "Bissen" 80 miles south of Cape Clear, Ireland; the entire crew of 20 survived. Also on this date, U-34 sank Dutch tanker "Lucrecia" 100 miles west of Land's End in southwestern England, United Kingdom, killing 2; 30 survivors were later rescued by Portuguese ship "Alfarrarede".

WESTERN FRONT: British submarine HMS H43 landed Lieutenant Hubert Nicolle on the Channel Island of Guernsey during the night to collect intelligence for the planned commando raid code named Operation Ambassador.

NORTH AMERICA: US President Franklin Roosevelt informed the US Congress that he intended to deploy a US Marine Corps brigade to Iceland.

.

 

[Crimea_River]

Any way to bacon a whole thread?

 

[syscom3]

Any way to bacon a whole thread?

You will have to wait until May 9th 2020 to do it.

 

[parsifal]

I think we are only doing the beginning, to December 7 1941. At least I hope so. You and Chris already did the last part of the war.

There is a standing and open invitation for any and all to contribute to this thread, either a lot or a little.

Dont suppose you are up to doing the Barbarossa campaign from June to December Sys, from the Soviet POV?

 

[parsifal]

7 July 1940 (Part II)
OPERATIONS [CONT'D]

Sth Atlantic
DKM Raider THOR sank steamer DELAMBRE (UK 7032 grt) in the Sth Atlantic. Some of the crew were made prisoners of war.

Med- Biscay
RA air recon reported that two RN cruisers at Malta that day, but in facty the ships were DDs JERVIS DIAMOND. The presence of these ships and the misreporting of them set into motion considerable support for the fuel starved RM to support an important convoy at sea. This convoy that had departed Naples the day before was being covered by RM CLs BANDE NERE and COLLEONI of the CruSqn 2 and DDs MAESTRALE, LIBECCIO, GRECALE, and SCIROCCO. The covering force was joined by the flagship of the CruSqn 2, CA POLA, departing Augusta at 1840 with DDs LANCIERI, CARABINIERI, CORAZZIERE, and ASCARI, CAs ZARA, FIUME, and GORIZIA departed Messina at 1410 with DDs ALFIERI, CARDUCCI, GIOBERTI, and ORIANI ; CAs BOLZANO and TRENTO departed Messina at 1545 with DDs ARTIGLIERE, CAMICIA NERA, AVIERE, and GENIERE; and CLs EUGENIO, D'AOSTA, ATTENDOLO, and MONTECUCCOLI departed Palermo at 1235 and DDs GRANATIERE, FUCLIERE, BERSAGLIERE, and ALPINO provided escort. RM BBs CAVOUR and CESARE with DDs FRECCIA, SAETTA, STRALE, DARDO, FOLGORE, FULMINE, BALENO, and LAMPO departed Taranto at 1410 on the 7th for distant cover for the convoy. RM CLs BARBIANO, GUISSANO, CARDONA, DIAZ, ABRUZZI and GARIBALDI departed Taranto at the same time as the BB force with DDs PIGAFETTI, ZENO, DA RECCO, PESSAGNO, and USODIMARE. RM DDcvItalian destroyers VIVALDI, DA NOLI, and PANCALDO of the 14th Destroyer Division later departed Taranto at 0618/9th to reinforce the Italian force.

CLs DIAZ and CADORNA and DDs STRALE, DARDO DA NOLI developed mechanical defects. The DD returned to Taranto, but the cruisers remained with the fleet.

The Med Flt sortied from Alexandria to cover convoys MS.1 and MF.1 coming from Malta. The Fleet was divided into 3 sections.

Force A was CLs NEPTUNE, ORION, GLOUCESTER, and RAN SYDNEY on ORION with RAN DD STUART which departed Alexandria and CL LIVERPOOL which departed Port Said and joined the Force at sea. Force B wasflagship BB WARSPITE with DDs NUBIAN, MOHAWK, HERO, HEREWARD, and DECOY. Force C was BB ROYAL SOVEREIGN and MALAYA, CVL EAGLE, and DDs HASTY, HYPERION, ILEX, VOYAGER, RAN VAMPIRE, HOSTILE, JUNO, JANUS, DEFENDER, and DAINTY. DD IMPERIAL departed with this force, but a burst steam pipe caused her return to Alexandria. Force D, which later departed Malta with the convoy, was DDs DIAMOND, JERVIS, and RAN VENDETTA. DD HASTY attacked 2 RM subs soon after the Fleet departure Alexandria. Later that night, RM sub BEILUL sighted and attacked the Med Flt without success. Later, she was able to report her sighting to Supermarina. Sub OLYMPUS in dock at Malta was bombed and badly damaged by the RA. The sub was slightly damaged in another air raid on 7 September. Sub OLYMPUS was repairing and refitting until 29 November.

BS.1 of 18 ships departed Suez escorted by sloops GRIMSBY and CLIVE from 7 to 10 July. The convoy was dispersed on the 10th.

Malta
0800-0840 hrs Air raid alert. Enemy aircraft are reported in the vicinity of Malta but do not cross the coast or drop any bombs.

0917-0935 hrs Air raid alert for five enemy bombers which cross the coast and drop bombs Benghaisa, then the Dockyard. Twelve bombs are dropped in the area of Tarxien and Zeitun, severely wounding one officer. Eight civilians are killed and eight wounded in Kalkara; one civilian is killed in Zeitun. One Hurricane pilot picks off an enemy bomber at the edge of the formation and attacks with machine gun fire. He is heard on his radio: "Am just giving the right hand bomber a basin full…going down, going down." The enemy aircraft is observed falling into the sea south of Filfla.

1835 hrs Air raid alerts. Enemy aircraft approach the Island. Malta fighters are scrambled; the enemy raiders turn back, without crossing the coast or dropping bombs.

 

[parsifal]

8 July 1940
Losses
MV HUMBER ARM (UK 5758 grt) Crew: 43 (0 dead and 43 survivors) Cargo: 5450 tons of newsprint, 1000 tons of steel, 450 tons of pulp and 300 tons of lumber Route: Halifax - Ellesmere Port. Sunk in the SW Approaches. The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Celtic Sea 60 nautical miles sth of the Fastnet Rock by U-99 . All 43 crew were rescued by RN vessels SCIMITAR and VANQUISHER .

After this successful attack on convoy HX 53 sth of Fastnet, escorts dropped a total of 107 DCs over 14 hrs, but U-99 escaped unscathed.

Special service ship JAMES 9 (RN 85 grt) was sunk as a blockship.

UBOATS
At Sea 8 July 1940
U-29, U-34, U-43, U-52, U-56, U-58, U-61, U-99, UA.
9 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS

North Sea
Sub SEALION attacked the wreck of sunken German steamer PALIME at Obrestad. FN.217 departed Southend, escort DD WOOLSTON and sloop EGRET. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 10th. Br steamer EASTWOOD was damaged by the LW 1 mile north of 20D Buoy, Hartlepool.

DKM CS LUTZOW while in dock at Kiel was hit by an RAF BC bomb which did not explode.

Northern Waters
CA NORFOLK departed Scapa for the Clyde. DD DIANA departed Scapa to rendezvous with FN steamer LAHTI on the 9th 3 miles from Rattray Head and escort her to Rosyth. However DIANA was unable to locate the Finnish ship. At 1234 on the 9th, the DD was ordered to search for a Blenheim in the sea in 58-14N, 1-04W. This search was also unsuccessful and DIANA arrived back at Scapa on the 10th.

West Coast UK
CA GLASGOW arrived at Scapa from Liverpool. CA DEVONSHIRE arrived at Scapa from the Clyde.

Channel
Free French (FF) Sloop SUIPPE was damaged from divebombing attacks by StG.2 at Falmouth. No crew was aboard at the time and the ship was beached as a result of her damage. She was repaired however. Br steamer CORUNDUM was damaged by the LW 7 miles SW of Folkestone.

ASW Trawler CAYTON WYKE (RN 550 grt) of ASW Gp 9 was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel south east of Dover by DKM S-36 with the loss of 17 crew
[NO IMAGE FOUND]

Med- Biscay
Fce H consisting of BC HOOD, BBs RESOLUTION and VALIANT, CV ARK ROYAL, CLs ARETHUSA, DELHI, and ENTERPRISE, and DDs FAULKNOR, FORESTER, FOXHOUND, ESCORT, FEARLESS, ACTIVE, DOUGLAS, VELOX, VORTIGERN, and WRESTLER sortied from Gib to cover the Med Flt (refer separate post). As a diversion for the convoys leaving Malta, ARK ROYAL was to launch an air raid against Cagliari, but the raid was later cancelled. ARETHUSA arrived back at Gibraltar on the 10th.

DD ESCORT (RN 1350 grt) was torpedoed by RM sub MARCONI SW of Minorca. ESCORT was taken in tow by FORESTER and screened by FAULKNOR. In addition, after safely delivering Fce H to Gibraltar on the 11th, DDs KEPPEL, FORESIGHT, and FOXHOUND returned to screen ESCORT's withdrawal. However, ESCORT was lost later that day when she foundered in tow. 2 ratings were lost and 13 other crew were wounded in ESCORT.

Malta
1420-1445 hrs Air raid alert. A formation of enemy aircraft is heard above the heavy cloud and engaged by Malta fighters and successfully turned away five miles from the Island.

1700-1715 hrs Air raid alert. One Hudson aircraft lands in Malta; no enemy raiders are seen.

AIR HQ Arrivals 3 Sunderland. 0445 hrs ASW patrol and recon by Swordfish: nothing to report. PM At the request of the CinC Chief one Hudson aircraft carried out recon to a depth of 265 miles off Malta: no enemy forces sighted.

 

[Njaco]

July 8 Monday
UNITED KINGDOM: On this day, the Allies get a close up look at a Bf 109E, intact, as it lands in England. Lt. Johann Bohm of 4./JG 51 is forced down at Bladbean Hill, Elham, Kent by a Spitfire of RAF No. 74 Squadron flown by Sgt. E.A. Mould becoming the first undamaged Messerschmitt to come down on English soil. At 1930 hours another Messerschmitt comes down when Lt. A. Striberny of 3(J) ./LG 2, flying a Bf 109E-3, is shot down over Sandwich, Kent. The Lieutenant survives and is taken prisoner. A close inspection by the British on these aircraft brings to light the increase of armour plating in the cockpit area.

A Bf 109 of III./JG 51 is shot down and another from II./JG 51 is damaged in combat with fighters from RAF No. 610 Squadron. But other pilots of JG 51 make up for the losses. Oblt. Josef Fözö of 4./JG 51 downs a Spitfire from RAF No. 65 Squadron over Dover. The 5 Staffel of JG 51 also add to their scores over Dover. Lt. Hermann Striebel and Hermann Segatz each claim a Spitfire while Hptm. Horst Tietzen downs a Hurricane of RAF No 79 Squadron. Another Hurricane from RAF No. 32 Squadron is damaged at Dungeness by a fighter from JG 51.

A formation of Bf 110s are bounced by Spitfires from RAF No. 54 Squadron as they cross the coast at Dungeness. As the Spitfires are about to intercept, they are jumped by escorting Bf 109s from above. Two Spitfires are shot down and a third badly damaged.

During the night, three He 111s from III./KG 54 attack the Grain Silo and Electricity Works at Bristol.

The British RAF Fighter Command established the 10 Group for the defense of southwestern Britain.

NORTH AFRICA: The British attack several French warships to keep them from falling into German hands. In Casablanca, the French battleship "Jean Bart" is attacked by British motor torpedo boats. British Swordfish torpedo bombers from carrier HMS "Hermes" hit French battleship "Richelieu" at Dakar for the second consecutive day, despite that "Richelieu" had already touched bottom from the attacks on the previous day. De Gaulle criticizes the British for these actions. This is the first sign that he will maintain French independence and be a stormy partner.

NORTHERN EUROPE: Expanding on their previous agreement, Sweden allowed Germany to transport war materiel across their rail lines.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-99 sank British ship "Humber Arm" of Allied convoy HX-53 60 miles south of Ireland at 0753 hours. 42 crew members and 1 passenger were later rescued by destroyer HMS "Scimitar". The submarine was attacked with 107 depth charges from various escorting vessels for the following 14 hours, but the German boat under the command of Otto Kretschmer would be able to escape harm.

MEDITERRANEAN: Italian submarine "Marconi" torpedoed and damaged destroyer HMS "Escort" southwest of Minorca, Balearic Islands, in the Mediterranean Sea, killing 2 and wounding 13. HMS "Escort" would sink later while under tow by destroyer HMS "Forester". On the same day, Italian aircraft bombed cruiser HMS "Gloucester", hitting the compass platform of the bridge, wounding 9 and killing 12. The commanding officer was among those killed.

GERMANY: British bombers attacked German heavy cruiser "Lützow" in dock at Kiel, Germany. "Lützow", under repair for extensive torpedo damage to her stern caused by HMS "Spearfish" on 11 Apr 1940, was hit by a bomb that failed to detonate.

NORTH AMERICA: The US Joint War Planning Committee completed a plan calling for an expeditionary force to be dispatched from New York, New York, United States to the French colony of Martinique. The US 1st Marine Brigade was earmarked for the initial landing force.

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[parsifal]

Battle Of Calabria - The Preliminaries 8-11 July 1940

From NAVAL STAFF HISTORY SECOND WORLD WAR SELECTED OPERATIONS (MEDITERRANEAN), 1940 BATTLE SUMMARIES
Restricted (now declassified) reports from 1957

http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Battle_Summary_Nos_2-8-9_and_10.pdf

Both fleets had planned operations at the same time. The Italian operation, known as Plan I was an important convoy operation from Naples to Benghazi. The RN operation was known as Plan MA.5 and involved two convoys for Malta.

As early as 25th June Cunningham had decided to resum e the running of convoys to and from the Aegean and Egypt and also between Malta and Alexandria .Once the the distressing question of th e French Fleet had been resolved, the Med Flt could turn their u ndivided attention to the Italians, and put Mussolini's claim of Mare Nostrum ("Our Sea") in the central basin, to the test.

The Italians were however in a good position. They had well placed bases, a completely modern or modernized fleet. They possessed in 1940 some advantages in signal intelligence. They were supported by a large air force which in the 1930s had given impressive aerobatic displays allover Euope.

Early in July Cunningham drew up plans for an operation termed M.A 5. This operation he proposed to employ practically the whole strength of his Fleet in making an extensive sweep in to the Central Mediterranean almost as far as the Italian coast, while two convoys were passing from Malta to Alexandria . It so chanced that Operation M.A.5 synchronised with that being undertaken by the RM.

The Italians, as previously stated had a simultaneous operation, Operation "I", which passed an important convoy from Naples (departing on the 6th) through to Benghazi. With the passage of an important Italian military convoy from Naples and Catania to Benghazi, covered by the bulk o f the Italian Fleet. This led to the first surface action between the British and Italian Fleets, an encounter which took place off the Calabrian coast on 9th July 1940.

During the night 7/8 July Cunningham, with Force " B " , set a mean line of advance 305°, 20 kts. The original plan was modified, and a rendezvous appointed for all forces at 1400, 10th July, in 36° 30' N., 170 40' E. Meanwhile, unknown to the CinC, Adm Campioni's forces were at sea, steering southerly courses in pursuance o f their plan for covering their convoy to Benghazi. The first intel of the enemy Flt being at sea was received in the WARSPITE at 0807, 8th, from the sub PHOENIX, who reported that at 0515 she had made an unsuccessful attack at extreme range on two BBs and 4 DDs steering 180° about 185 miles to the east of Malta. This report suggested the enemy was covering an important convoy, and the CinC ordered the Vice-Adm iral, M alta, to arrange for a flying boat to search for and shadow the enemy force. Pending further information, the Fleet maintained its course and speed. During the day o f 8th July, all three forces experienced heavy bombing attacks by formations of RA level bombers coming apparently from the Dodecanese bases. Between 1023 and 1837, 5 attacks were made on Force "A" , in the last of which the GLOUCESTER, seemingly singled out as a special target, was hit by a bomb on the compass platform. This unhappily caused 7 officers killed (including Captain F. R. Garside), 3 wounded; 11 ratings killed, 6 wounded. The damage to the Gloucester's bridge and DCT obliged her to steer from aft and use her after gun control. Force "B" was attacked seven times between 1205 and 1812, some 120 bombs being dropped without result. Six attacks were made on Force "C" between 0951 and 1749. No hits were made, though about 80 bombs were dropped, the EAGLE being the chief target. In these attacks, which were all delivered from levels between 10,000 and 14,000 ft., there were many near misses. Further information of the Italian fleet was received at 1557. A signal from Flying Boat L.5803, reporting two BBs, 6 cruisers and 7 DDs 60 miles north o f Benghazi steering 340° at 1500. Later, the flying boat reported that the enemy had altered course to starboard, and gave their course at 1630 as 070° 20 kts: it was obliged to return to Malta at 1715 and no relief was then available to continue shadowing the enemy fleet. Suspecting that the " BB" reported by the flying boat were probably 8-inch cruisers, the CinC was of opinion that the enemy had some special reason for wishing to keep the British Fleet away from the Central Med.. The intensive bombing already experienced strengthened his impression that the Italians might be covering the movement of an important convoy— probably one to Benghazi. Acting on this conclusion, he decided to abandon temporarily the operation in progress and to proceed at best possible speed in the direction of Taranto, in order to take up a blocking position to try and intercept the Italian fleet on its return leg. He accordingly took steps aimed at facilitating that outcome. Forces "A", "B" and "C" were all ordered to concentrate to the southward of Zante (36° 5 5 ' N., 20° 30' E.) at 0600, 9th July. .Tw o flying boat searches were ordered to commence at dawn, one between 070° and 130° from M alta, the other westward of a line 180° from Cape Matapan.. At the same time, the EAGLE was to fly off a search to a depth o f 60 miles between 180° and 300°. The subs RORQUAL and PHOENIX were ordered to positions on a line 160° from Taranto— the RORQUAL as far north as possible, the PHOENIX south of 37° 30' N. During the night 8th /9th July the CinC maintained a mean line o f advance of 310°, 20 kts, Forces "A" and "C" adjusting courses and speeds as necessary to make the rendezvous

Italian Actions 8th July
As this was happening, the Italians had carried out their convoy movements almost exactly as planned. A t 0150, 8th July, Adm Campioni received a signal from Supermarina reporting that British forces from Alexandria were estimated to be in positions 340 10' N ., 230 00' E. and 340 5 ' N., 240 00' E. at 2000, 7th July. Steps were taken to concentrate the covering forces, and just before 0500 the convoy's course was altered to 180° till the situation should be clarified. Air search at dawn to the eastward and south-eastward of the Cesare to a depth of 100 miles having proved negative, the convoy resumed its course for Benghazi during the forenoon and arrived there without incident that evening. Between 1430 and 1520, 8th the covering forces altered course to NNW to return to Italy, the BBs then being about 75 miles to the NE of Benghazi and the CAs some 30 miles NW of the BBs. It was shortly after the CAs had made this turn that they were sighted and reported by the RAF Flying Boat. Soon after this, on the strength of an air report of three enemy BBs and 8 DDs to the sth o f Crete, Campioni decided to steer to intercept them, and altered to a N.N.E .'course, the cruiser forces altering to close him; but at 1820 Supermarina intervened and cancelled this movement, pending further orders. Course NNW was therefore resumed. Supermarina had intercepted and decyphered enemy signals, which indicated that early next afternoon (9th) the British Fleet would be some 80 miles east o f Sicily. This information seemed to offer a golden opportunity of engaging the main British naval force in their own waters with shore-based a/c, subs and surface forces. T h ey accordingly directed Campioni to steer for this area (later amended to one further nth, off Calabria), at the same time ordering 5 subs to take up positions between 350 50' N. and 370 N. and 17° and 17° 40' E. The plan was a good one, but it did not quite take into account just how aggressively Cunningham intended 'to deploy his fleet, and hoiw decisively he intended to react. Cunninghams battle plan of maneuvering to interpose his fleet between the Italians and their main base unnerved Supermarina.

These intentions and the information on which Supermarinas decisions were based were communicated to Campioni during the night, who continued to steer 330°. At midnight 8th/9th July the CESARE was approximately 200 miles west o f the WARSPITE, both the opposing forces making to the NW on slightly converging courses. Soon after this Adm Paladini (in command of the RM scouting cruiser groups) , as the result o f a signal from Supermarina giving warning of the presence o f two RN subs, altered the course o f his CAs to ooo°, 20 kts, without informing Campioni, thereby getting to the eastward o f the battleships next morning. The 4 CLs of CruDiv7, which after covering the convoy to the westward were proceeding to Palermo, continued steering towards the Strait o f Messina till soon after 0600, 9th, when they were ordered to join Campioni to the east of Cape Spartivento

 

[parsifal]

9 July 1940
Known Reinforcements
Allied
Motor Anti-Submarine Boat MA/SB 42

Losses
MV TIIU (Est 1865 grt) Crew: 20 (0 dead and 20 survivors) Cargo : 2300 tons of general cargo, including food and naval stores Route: new York - Liverpool . Sunk in the SW Approaches. At 1232 hrs the unescorted and unarmed TIIU was torpedoed without warning by U-34 about 100 miles SW of Mizen Head, Ireland. The torpedo struck in the engine room and caused her to sink within 6 minutes but this was enough to allow the crew to abandon ship in two lifeboats. On 11 July, 9 survivors in one boat were picked up by the Br fishing trawler BASS ROCK about 90 miles west of St. Ann's Head and landed at Milford Haven 2 days later. The remaining survivors in the other boat were landed at Glasgow on 18 July.

MV AYLESBURY (UK 3944 grt) Crew: 35 (0 dead and 35 survivors) Cargo: General cargo and grain Route: Buenos Aires - Avonmouth. Sunk in the SW approaches . At 2119 hrs the unescorted AYLESBURY was hit aft by one G7e torpedo from U-43 and sank by the stern 15 mins after being hit in the engine room by a coup de grâce at 2135 hrs about 230 miles SW of Cape Clear. The ship had been missed by a first G7e torp at 2116 hrs. Survivors were rescued by HMS HARVESTER and HMS HAVELOCK and landed at Liverpool.

Shark Class Sub SALMON (RN 670 grt) was sunk by a sea mine off Egersund. All 35 aboard were lost.

DKM Raider THOR sank steamer BRUGES (Be 4983 grt) in the Sth Atlantic. The crew was made prisoners of war.

UBOATS
At Sea 9 July 1940
U-29, U-34, U-43, U-52, U-56, U-58, U-61, U-99, UA.
9 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
North Sea
FN.218 departed Southend, escort DD WOOLSTON, sloop FLEETWOOD, and patrol sloop PINTAIL. The convoy was joined on the 10th by DDs JAVELIN and JUPITER. The two DDs and the patrol sloop were detached later on the 10th. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 11th. MT.105 departed Methil. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 11th. FS.217 departed the Tyne, escort DD VIMIERA and sloop LONDONDERRY. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 10th.

Northern Waters
CAs SHROPSHIRE and SUSSEX and DDs FIREDRAKE and ECHO departed the Clyde to escort Br troopships ORMONDE and ULSTER PRINCE to Iceland. They convoy arrived at Reykavik on the 11th. DD ECHO took ULSTER PRINCE departed Reykavik on the 12th for Akreyri arriving on the 13th. Then they proceeded on to Seidisfjord on the 13th. ECHO and troopship ULSTER PRINCE departed Seidisfjord on the 15th and returned to Reykavik. The CAs arrived back at Scapa after the operation on the 14th. On the 16th, the DDs and troopships departed Reykavik for their return. DDs INGLEFIELD, IMOGEN, HAMBLEDON, FERNIE, and ATHERSTONE departed Scapa for Loch Alsh for escort duties with the ML sqn 1.

DKM Raider KOMET sailed from Bergen to raid in the Pacific. She reached this destination by going around the nth of Russia assisted by Soviet icebreakers. KOMET carried 24 ground mines for this operation.

West Coast UK
Br steamer SAN FELIPE was damaged by the LW at Roath Docks, Cardiff.

Channel
Sloop FOXGLOVE, (an Acacia class MSW sloop from 1915) proceeding to Portsmouth, was bombed and badly damaged off the Nab. Acting Gunner F. Brown died of wounds on the sloop. HMS FOXGLOVE was able to proceed under tow by naval trawler HOLLY, which was relieved en route by tug RESOLVE to Portsmouth, where she was under repair until July 1941.

Br steamer KENNETH HAWKSFIELD was damaged by the LW in the Dover area. Br steamer POLGRANGE was damaged by the LW in this area as well. Br steamer EMPIRE DIAFFODIL was damaged by the LW 13 miles SSW of Portland. NL steamer JOLA was damaged by the LW 3 miles SW of Start Point. Gk steamer AEGEON was damaged by the LW at Weymouth.

Steamer TALVALDIS (Lat 534 grt) in convoy CW.2 was sunk by the LW 3 miles 120° from Prawle Point (Devon). One crewman was lost.

Central Atlantic
SL.39 departed Freetown escort AMC CORFU. When the cruiser was damaged in a collision the next day with CVL HERMES, AMC DUNVEGAN CASTLE joined the convoy to 25 July. The convoy merged with convoy SLF.39 on the 19th. DUNVEGAN CASTLE arrived at the Clyde for refuelling and watering on the 26th. On the 25th, DDs HESPERUS, RESTIGOUCHE, and WALKER and corvette MALLOW joined the convoy and escorted it Liverpool, arriving on the 29th.

Med- Biscay
Submarine PROTEUS arrived at Gibraltar after patrol off Mer el Kebir

BATTLE OF CALABRIA or PUNTA STILO (Short summary)
The battle took place between the Med Flt and RM units, both on convoy escort missions. CL GLOUCESTER operated with CVL EAGLE.
due to damage she had sustained from the preceding bombing efforts by the RA. During the battle, RM CA BOLZANO was hit by 3 medium caliber hits causing moderate damage. RM BB CESARE was hit by a 15" shell fired by WARSPITE. This was the longest ranged hit on a moving battleship in history. CL NEPTUNE was damaged at 1525 by a near miss which caused the ditching of her seaplane and damaged her catapult. BB WARSPITE had a fire, caused by the flash of her own guns which fired and demolished one of her seaplanes. RAN DDs STUART and VOYAGER attacked an RM sub during the engagement. DDs NUBIAN, MOHAWK, JUNO, and JANUS were formed into a gp to fend off Italian ships that might attempt to fire torpedoes at the British ships. Sub PARTHIAN was at sea in the area during the battle.

It had been planned for Fce H was to have raided Cagliari as a diversion for the convoy operation. Before the raid was launched, Force H was attacked by RA bombers sth of Minorca. BB RESOLUTION was straddled and BC HOOD was near missed. The raid was cancelled as a result of these air attacks. Not all RA attacks on ships were without result.

A convoy of merchant ships, MF.1, consisting of Egyptian steamer EL NID , Brit steamer KNIGHT OF MALTA , and Ex-Italian steamer RODI put to sea from Malta at 2300 on the 9th escorted by DDs VENDETTA (RAN) , JERVIS, and DIAMOND. CL GLOUCESTER and RAN DD STUART also arrived for refuelling. After refuelling, they joined the convoy which was also provided cover by CLs ORION and NEPTUNE.

DDs STUART (RAN), DAINTY, DEFENDER, HYPERION, HOSTILE, HASTY, ILEX, and JUNO were detached to Malta to refuel late on the 9th. They arrived at 0530 and departed at 1115 on the 10th. In turn, DDs HERO, HEREWARD, DECOY, RAN VAMPIRE, and RAN VOYAGER were sent to Malta to refuel.

A slow convoy, MS.1, of four merchant ships, British steamers KIRKLAND, TWEED, and MASIRAH , former Dutch steamer under British flag ZEELAND , and Norwegian steamer NOVASLI , departed Malta early on the 10th escorted by DDs DECOY, RAN VAMPIRE, and RAN VOYAGER.
At 2030 on the 10th, BB ROYAL SOVEREIGN with DDs NUBIAN, MOHAWK, and JANUS were to detached to refuel at Malta. This gp sailed at 0800 on the 11th with DDs HERO and HEREWARD. and HEREWARD later were transferred to convoy MF.1 and DD JANUS joined MS.1, replacing DD VAMPIRE. On the 11th, air attacks on the British ships saw Gunner (T) J. H. Endicott on RAN DD VAMPIRE badly wounded by bomb splinters. He was transferred to DD MOHAWK but died of wounds later that day. On the 12th, air attacks on the British ships saw two ratings killed in LIVERPOOL and several wounded. Both convoys were given cover by BBs ROYAL SOVEREIGN and MALAYA, CVL EAGLE, CL GLOUCESTER, and DDs HASTY, HYPERION, ILEX, HOSTILE, DEFENDER, DAINTY, HERO, and HEREWARD. BB WARSPITE, CLs LIVERPOOL and RAN SYDNEY, and DDs NUBIAN, MOHAWK, VAMPIRE, and JUNO pressed onto Alexandria arriving at 0600 on the 13th. The fast convoy MF.1 arrived safely at Alexandria at 0900 on the 13th. On the 13th, CLs CALEDON and CAPETOWN of CS3 met convoy MS.1 midway between Cape Spada and Derna. These ships were given heavy cover by BB RAMILLIES and DDs DIAMOND, HAVOCK, IMPERIAL, and VENDETTA which departed Alexandria on the 13th.
At 0900/15th, BB RAMILLIES, CS3, and the slow convoy arrived safely at Alexandria.

Malta
0800-0820 hrs Air raid alert. One SM 79 bomber crosses the coast over Valletta, followed later by a formation of 3 CR42 fighters and another of 4 CR42s. The bomber is attacked by a Hurricane before the enemy fighters can intervene. The raider's starboard engine is set on fire and it crashes into the sea in flames, off Delimara. The enemy fighters fly on towards Luqa where ground troops on the aerodrome open fire and split the formation. Malta fighters are airborne and engage the raiders in a dogfight over the Island, directly above the HQ of 3rd Bn Kings Own Malta Regiment. Two enemy a/c are hit but escape (one later a write off).

Sunderland aircraft of 228 and 230 Sqns operating 12 hr naval patrols over wide area covering Greek coast, south Italian coast and Sicily under direct instructions from Middle East and HQ.

 

[Njaco]

July 9 Tuesday
UNITED KINGDOM: German Luftwaffe aircraft attacked shipping in the English Channel and off the British coast. About sixty Bf 110s and Bf 109s provide cover for bombers bound for a convoy forming at the mouth of the Thames River. Over the Isle of Wight, the Hurricanes of RAF No. 43 Squadron are the first to intercept the formations. Three Bf 110s and two Bf 109s are shot down in the heavy air fighting with the British fighters. The pilots of II./JG 51 lose another Bf 109 to RAF fighters but not without destroying a few British aircraft of their own. Fw. Eduard Hemmerling of 6./JG 51 downs an RAF Blenheim for his second victory. Although official British records for the day find RAF No. 54 Squadron losing only four Spitfires, the Luftwaffe credits six pilots of JG 51 with kills. In the 4 Staffel, victories are credited to Lt. Erich Hohagen, Ofw. Johann Illner, Fw. Hans John and Uffz. Alfred Lenz while at the 5 Staffel, Uffz. Wolfgang Stocker and Hptm. Horst Tietzen are awarded kills – the sixth for Hptm. Tietzen.

RAF considered this date the official start of their night bombing campaign against Germany. During the night, 11 British Hampden aircraft (out of 14 dispatched) attacked battleship "Tirpitz" to little effect.

British government implemented rationing on tea: each person was allowed 2 ounces of tea per week.

Douglas Bader's No. 242 Squadron RAF, based at RAF Coltishall at Norwich, England, United Kingdom, was declared fully operational.

King George VI made a royal visit to RAF Digby during which he presented a Distinguished Flying Cross to Flying Officer Guy Gibson, the future leader of the Dambusters Squadron. F/O Gibson, who would later win the Victoria Cross for leading the daring attack on the Ruhr dams in Germany in May 1943, was awarded the DFC after completing 34 operations in five months with No. 3 Squadron RAF.

NORTHERN EUROPE: Twelve Blenheims of RAF No. 82 Squadron are sent to attack the Luftflotte 5 base at Stavanger, Norway. After dropping their loads, the bombers are met with three Bf 110s of I./ZG 76 and three Staffeln of Bf 109s from JG 77. Seven Blenheims are shot down and all the remaining bombers are damaged.

British submarine HMS "Salmon" was lost 60 miles off of Stavanger, Norway. The entire crew of 39 was never heard from again. She was presumed to have hit a naval mine.

The German raider "Komet" left Bergen, Norway for operations in the Pacific Ocean via the Northern Sea Route in the Arctic Ocean assisted by Russian icebreakers.

MEDITERRANEAN: Battle of Calabria: At 1515 hours, 50 miles south of Italy, heavily escorted Italian convoy for Benghazi, Libya ran into an equally powerful British convoy for Malta. The Royal Navy's Force H (with 3 battleships and 1 carrier), under the command of Admiral Somerville, is first attacked by high-altitude bombers without loss. Then Admiral Cunningham's Mediterranean Fleet and an Italian squadron under the command of Admiral Campioni (with 2 battleships, 8 heavy cruisers and 12 light cruisers) are involved in a brief surface action. British battleship HMS "Warspite" hit Italian battleship "Giulio Cesare" at the range of 24 kilometers, making it one of the longest naval gun hits of the war. Although Italian ships withdrew first, Italian aircraft forced the British ships back by 1700 hours.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-34 sank Estonian ship "Tiiu" southwest of Ireland at 1232 hours. The crew of 20 were rescued by a British trawler. In the same general area, at 2119 hours, German submarine U-43 sank British ship "Aylesbury". The crew of 35 were rescued by destroyers HMS "Harvester" and HMS "Havelock".

WESTERN FRONT: The warplanes of the 2 Staffel of JG 1 are taken over by JG 26 and become 8./JG 26.

NORTH AMERICA: US Coast Guard cutter "Campbell" arrived at Boston, Massachusetts, United States with US Consul to Greenland James K. Penfield, Governor of North Greenland E. Brun, and a group of Danish officials on board. They came to Boston to discuss commerce and trade of Greenland as an independent entity due to the German occupation of Denmark.

US Marine Corps Captain Kenneth W. Benner was ordered to continue the survey of Midway Atoll with another officer, 8 enlisted Marines, and 2 US Navy corpsmen. He was to relieve Captain Samuel G. Taxis who had been there since early Jun 1940 on the same mission.

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