This Day in the War in Europe: The Beginning

[parsifal]

6 October 1940
Known Reinforcements
Losses
Tkr NINA BORTHEN (Nor 6123 grt) Sunk by U-103 (Viktor Schütze) Crew: 35 (35 dead - no survivors) Cargo: Empty Route Southampton - Abadan . Convoy OB-222 (dispersed); Sunk in the Nth Atlantic. At 2204 hrs the NINA BORTHEN , dispersed from convoy OB-222 the day before, was hit by one torpedo from U-103 and developed a list, but this was corrected by the crew. The ship was then hit by two coups de grace at 2214 and 2238 hrs and began to list to port, when she was hit by a fourth torpedo at 2330 hrs, broke in two and sank. The tkr was reported missing after the convoy in which she left Britain was dispersed during a gale on 5 October. Only an empty lifeboat drifted ashore near Dunmore, Ireland on 19 December was ever found of her.

MV BENLAWERS (UK 5943 grt) Sunk by U-123 (Karl-Heinz Moehle) Crew: 51 (24 dead and 27 survivors) Cargo: Army stores, including lorries Route:Swansea - Durban - Port Said . OB-221 (straggler); Sunk in the Nth Atlantic . At 1304 hrs the BENLAWERS , a straggler from convoy OB-221 , was torpedoed and sunk by U-123 NE of St.Johns. 23 crew members and one gunner were lost. The master, nine crew members and one gunner were picked up by the British merchant FOREST and landed at Bermuda. The second officer, 14 crew members and one gunner were rescued by the BENGORA HEAD.

Tkr BRITISH GENERAL (UK 6989 grt) Sunk by U-37 (Victor Oehrn) Crew: 47 (47 dead - no survivors) Cargo: Empty Route: Tyne - Abadan; OA-222 (dispersed); Sunk In the Nth Atlantic. At 1855 hrs the unescorted BRITISH GENERAL, from dispersed convoy OA-222, was hit underneath the bridge by one torpedo from U-37 about 550 miles west of Valentia Island. The hit had not much effect but the tkr stopped after being hit aft by a second torpedo at 2310 hrs. The U-boat stayed nearby during the night to wait for the ship to sink, but the disabled BRITISH GENERAL remained afloat. U-37 could not finish her off with the deck gun because she was armed. The tkr finally sank at 20.00 hours on 7 October, after being hit by two coups de grace.

Drifter SCOTCH THISTLE (UK 84 grt) was lost after stranding in the Thames Estuary.

RM sub TRICHECO sank in error Perla Class sub GEMMA (RM 657 grt) in the Aegean Sea near Leros. The loss was due to a failed communications message from Supermarina which was supposed to have informed each submarine of the others presence.

Steamer VIDO (Yug 1919 grt) was sunk on a mine 18 kilometres east of Sulina (in the Black Sea off the coast of Romania).

UBOATS
Arrivals
Lorient: U-32
St. Nazaire: U-28

At Sea 6 October 1940
U-31, U-37, U-38, U-43, U-48, U-61, U-101, U-103, U-123, U-124.
10 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
North Sea
DD FAME completed her repairs at Rosyth and joined DesFlot 4 at Rosyth. OA.225 departed Methil escort sloop WESTON and corvette GARDENIA from 6 to 11 October. FN.301 departed Southend, escort DD VERDUN and sloop LOWESTOFT. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 8th. FS.302 departed Methil and arrived at Southend on the 9th.

Northern Waters
AA ship ALYNBANK departed Scapa to meet convoy OA.225 before dusk and escort it towards Pentland Firth.

West Coast UK
OL.6 departed Liverpool with no listed escorts.

Channel
Steamer HULL TRADER was damaged by the LW in the London Docks. Steamer FIRECRESTwas damaged by the LW 2.5 miles SW of Sunk Light Vessel, Thames Estuary

Med- Biscay
DD VIDETTE departed Gib escorting storeship CITY OF AUCKLAND for Alexandria, via Durban. The DD detached at dark on the 7th.

Malta

ASW Trawler CORAL on patrol off Malta today picked up the deceased RA airman from the sea. The senior officer of HMS CORAL contacted the Air Commodore, RAF Malta with details of the incident. He reported that evidently the body had been in the water for some time. The trawler's crew collected as much evidence from the sea as possible in order to identify the deceased man. From correspondence and identification tags he was identified as Antonio Girandola of 235 Squadron, R Aeropuerto, Reggio Emilia. All the personal effects which have been salvaged will be carefully dried before being forwarded to Air HQ in Malta and from there handed to the Red Cross.

AIR RAIDS DAWN 6 OCTOBER TO DAWN 7 OCTOBER 1940

 

[Njaco]

October 6 Sunday
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/ww2-general/day-battle-britain-25360-post724378.html#post724378

Hauptmann Helmut Wick, the Gruppenkommandeur of 1./JG 2, was awarded Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross, making him only the third German fighter pilot (after Mölders and Galland) to be so honored.

UNITED KINGDOM: A Spitfire from RAF No. 64 Squadron based at Leconfield near Beverley in Yorkshire, crashed into the sea during a routine section patrol at 1420 hours. The 24-year-old pilot, Sergeant Frederick Fenton Vinyard was listed as missing. His name is commemorated at Runnymede. The aircraft was lost.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-123 sank British ship "Benlawers" 400 miles west of Ireland at 1304 hours. She was carrying military supplies from Britain to Egypt, including trucks. 23 crew members and 1 Royal Navy gunner were killed, and 27 were rescued by British ships "Bengore Head" and "Forest". German submarine U-103 sank Norwegian tanker "Nina Borthen" west of Ireland at 2204 hours, killing the entire crew of 35. German submarine U-37 damaged British tanker "British General" with a torpedo west of Ireland at 1855 and then again at 2310 hours. U-37 could not surface to finish off the tanker with the deck gun because the British ship was armed.

MEDITERRANEAN: Italian submarine "Tricheco" sank its sister ship, Italian submarine "Gemma" 5 miles south of the Greek island of Karpathos in a case of mis-identification. "Tricheco" was later sunk also by a submarine - the British HMS "Upholder" - on March 18, 1942 near Brindisi, Italy.

EASTERN EUROPE: In Romania, Antonescu assumes command of the Iron Guard, adding further strength to his position.

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[parsifal]

7 October 1940
Known Reinforcements
Neutral
Benson Class DD USS LIVERMORE (DD 429)

Allied
Fairmile "B" Motor Launch ML 118 ;

Dance Class ASW Trawler MORRIS DANCE
(New image Source: 28)A/T MORRIS DANCE T 117 - ROYAL NAVY SHIPS (133 Pages / 150 Images) - THE ROYAL NAVY IN SOUTH ATLANTIC - Articles - Sixtant - War II in the South Atlantic

Losses
MV TOURAINE (Nor 5811 grt) Sunk by U-59 (Joachim Matz) Crew: 35 (1 dead and 34 survivors) Cargo: Empty Route: Glasgow - Sydney (Canada) Convoy OB 225 (Straggler); Sunk in the Western Approaches; At 1601 hrs the unescorted TOURAINE , a straggler from convoy OB-225 since the previous night, was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-59 west of Bloody Foreland, Ireland. The crew abandoned ship in three lifeboats as the ship rapidly settled by the stern and they feared more attacks. Because the ship remained afloat, the U-boat attacked again but the two torpedoes fired at 1925 and 1932 respectively missed. . A coup de grace was finally fired at 2043 and the ship sank at 2139 hrs. All boats remained near the ship, but they lost each others in rough seas, bad weather and the darkness in the following night. 12 survivors in one boat were picked up in the evening of the next day by the British steam merchant DERBYSHIRE and landed at Greenock on 9 October. On 10 October, the boat of the master made landfall at Arranmore Island, Donegal and were later taken to Glasgow. The last lifeboat landed at Tory Island on the morning of 10 October. The cook was admitted to a hospital, but died of his injuries on 11 October.

DKM Raider PINGUIN captured Tkr STORSTAD (Nor 8998 grt) in the Indian Ocean. 30 of the crew were repatriated to Norway. STORSTAD was renamed PASSAT for German use as an auxiliary to PINGUIN, and arrived in Gironde on 4 February 1941 with some of the crew from steamers AUTOMEDON and MAIMOA.

UBOATS
Arrivals
Kristiansand: U-93

At Sea 7 October 1940
U-31, U-37, U-38, U-43, U-48, U-61, U-101, U-103, U-123, U-124.
10 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
North Sea
DD BEDOUIN departed Rosyth for Portsmouth to deammunition. She then proceeded to Southampton to refit. FN.302 departed Southend, escort DD VIVIEN and sloop LONDONDERRY. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 9th. FS.303 departed Methil, escort DD WINCHESTER and sloop EGRET. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 9th.

Northern Waters
AA ship ALYNBANK joined convoy HX.75 A on meeting in Pentland Firth at 1100. She remained with the convoy until midnight, then proceeded to Scapa Flow.

West Coast UK
OB.225 departed Liverpool with DD SHIKARI and corvettes CLARKIA and PERWINKLE. The escort was detached on the 10th

Western Approaches
Lt M. C. Hoskin and Temporary Lt (A) T. E. Rose-Richards were killed when their Walrus of 765 Sqn was shot down seven to eight miles south of Anvil Point (in County Donegal).

SW Approaches
The Liverpool section of Convoy WS 3 departed Liverpool with troopships ORONTES, DUCHESS OF YORK , MONARCH OF BERMUDA local escort DDs ARROW, ACHATES and WHITEHALL which had departed Londonderry on the 7th. The Clyde section of WS 3 departed the Clyde with troopships GEORGIC, CAPETOWN CASTLE, WINCHESTER CASTLE, ORONSAY, local escort RCN DDs OTTAWA ST LAURENT and RN ACTIVE and DOUGLAS which had difficulty meeting the convoy in heavy weather but finally joined.

On 7 October, CL KENYA departed Scapa Flow to also provide escort for WS 3 (fast division). ST LAURENT and DOUGLAS departed Liverpool at 1510 to join the escort of this component. CLA CAIRO was with the convoys for AA protection. The two sections joined on the 12th and arrived at Freetown on the 18th. They departed Freetown on the 20th and arrived at Capetown on the 28th.

Channel
Once again, the LUCID operation was attempted with mainly the same force as was deployed on 3/4 October, but without MYTILUS. DD HAMBLEDON was mined and badly damaged near Sth Foreland. She was taken in towed by DD VESPER. The LUCID operation was again cancelled. HAMBLEDON was under repair at Chatham until 14 May 1941.

Sub TRIBUNE after returning from a patrol in Biscay with serious defects was repaired at Ardrossan from 7 October to 26 October and in the Clyde from 12 November to 26 November.

Central Atlantic
During the night of 7/8 October, NL WESTERNLAND put troops ashore off Manoko at the mouth of the Duala River. This operation was covered by CA DEVONSHIRE and CL DRAGON.

Med- Biscay
During the night of 7/8 October, RM DDs VIVALDI, DA NOLI and TARIGO laid mines off Cape Bon. DD HYPERION was later lost on this minefield.

Malta

ROYAL NAVY 0334-0550 hrs Swordfish 830 Squadron Fleet Air Arm (FAA) sighted three enemy destroyers at 0418 hrs heading for Syracuse. Wireless silence broken to report presence but message not received until too late to send striking force. 0336-0712 hrs Swordfish 830 Squadron FAA on reconnaissance; nil report. 0345-0815 hrs Glen Martin 431 Flight on reconnaissance; nil report.

KALAFRANA Operations by Sunderland aircraft of 228 and 230 squadrons.

 

[Njaco]

October 7 Monday
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/ww2-general/day-battle-britain-25360-post724721.html#post724721

UNITED KINGDOM: Operation Lucid: British tankers "War Nizam" and "War African", filled with oil and fuel and to be used as fire ships, departed for French channel ports to attack German invasion barges. The mission was once again canceled, this time after destroyer HMS "Hambledon" hit a mine off the coast near Folkestone, Kent, England.

GERMANY: In the morning, Hermann Göring presented Wolfgang Falck the Knight Cross medal, which was officially awarded to Falck six days prior; the medal was placed around Falck's neck by Major Bernd von Brauchitsch, son of the army chief of staff and Göring's adjutant. During the lunch after the award ceremony, Falck asked Erhard Milch to consider changing the Luftwaffe rule which stated that the family of servicemen who died with less than 10 years of service received no pension.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-59 sank Norwegian ship "Touraine" 50 miles northwest of Ireland at 1600 hours; 1 was killed and 34 survived in 3 lifeboats. German submarine U-37 hit British tanker "British General" with two torpedoes 400 miles west of Ireland at 2000 hours after already damaging her with two torpedoes on the previous day; "British General" sank with all 47 hands lost.

INDIAN OCEAN: German armed merchant cruiser "Pinguin" stopped Norwegian tanker "Storstad" 500 miles northwest of Australia. With 12,000 tons of diesel oil on board, "Storstad" was taken as a prize ship and sent back to Germany. She would later be commissioned into German Navy service as "Passat". 25 of "Storstad's" crew became captives aboard "Pinguin", while 5 of them chose to serve the Germans aboard "Storstad/Passat".

WESTERN FRONT: The Germans order all Jewish people in the occupied part of France to register immediately with their authorities.

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[Crimea_River]

Great work guys. Appreciate the efforts!

 

[parsifal]

8 October 1940 (Part I)
Known Reinforcements
Axis
Type IXB U-107

37 ships sunk, total tonnage 207,375 GRT
2 auxiliary warships sunk, total tonnage 10,411 GRT
3 ships damaged, total tonnage 17,392 GRT
1 auxiliary warship damaged, total tonnage 8,246 GRT
U-107 was Sunk 18 Aug 1944 in the Bay of Biscay west of La Rochelle, in position 46.46N, 03.49W, by depth charges from a British Sunderland aircraft (Sqdn 201/W). 58 dead (all hands lost).

Allied
DesDivs 68 and 71 DDs were transferred to the RN
Town Class DD HMS BUXTON

Commissioned in the RN 8 October 1940 as HMS BUXTON , the overage DD served in Canadian waters briefly as the U-boat war intensified. She was then allocated to 6th Escort Group, Western Approaches Command, for dangerous and vital duty keeping the supply line open to Britain. In October 1943, when newer escorts were available, she was lent to the RCN, and stationed at Digby, Nova Scotia, until the end of 1944. She was finally paid off on 2 June 1945. Sold for scrap on 21 March 1946 and broken up in Canada.

Town Class DD HMS BELMONT

BELMONT was built as the USS SATTERLEE (DD190) in Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co, Virginia, USA. On the 31st January 1942 in the North Atlantic SE of Halifax, Nova Scotia whilst escorting a Canadian Troop Convoy NA2 to the UK she was torpedoed and sunk by DKM U-82. All the crew perished.

Town Class DD HMS BROADWATER

On 15 October 1940 HMS BROADWATER departed Halifax for the British Isles, via St. John's, Newfoundland for service with the 11th Escort Gp, Western Approaches Command. During the early part of 1941 the DD escorted convoys, carrying troops and military supplies, around the Cape of Good Hope to the Middle East. After this service, she was assigned to the Newfoundland Escort Force in July, and the ship patrolled the North Atlantic and escorted convoys into the fall of that year. Early in the morning of 17 October she attacked a U-boat, one of a pack assaulting the convoy SC-48 some 400 miles sth of Iceland. 24 hrs later BROADWATER herself fell victim to torpedoes of U-101.

Town Class DD HMS BROADWAY

HMS BROADWAY, photographed at Sheerness 16 April 1942

Town Class DD HMS BEVERLEY

On 9 April 1943 HMS BEVERLEY had been seriously damaged in a collision with the British steam merchant CAIRNVALONA and took station in the rear of the convoy, until she was torpedoed some 30 hrs later. At 0549 hrs on 11 April 1943 U-188 fired a torpedo at the convoy ON-176 SW of Iceland and observed a hit on a tanker after 1 minute 34 seconds, which finally sank after 45 mins with a broken back. At 0550 hrs, two torpedoes were fired and after 1 min 58 secs and 2 mins 11 secs hits on two ships were heard. At 0552 hrs again two torps were fired, which hit a 4th ship after 1 min 58 secs and began to settle by the bow. However, Allied records indicate that only HMS BEVERLEY was hit and sunk at that time. There were only 4 survivors out of a crew of 155.

Town Class DD HMS BURNHAM

HMS BURNHAM tied up outboard of the RCN DD HMCS SASKATCHEWAN , alongside at either St. Johns or Halifax. Photo from Destroyer Photo Index DD-258 USS AULICK. The DD began escort duties with the RN in December 1940. In early 1941, BURNHAM began a series of escort voyages between Iceland and Newfoundland. BURNHAM was modified for trade convoy escort service by removal of three of the original 4"/50 caliber guns and three of the triple torpedo tube mounts to reduce topside weight for additional DC stowage and installation of hedgehog ahead thrower. Throughout 1942 and 1943, BURNHAM worked mainly between Newfoundland and Londonderry Port, Derry, Northern Ireland. BURNHAM was assigned to Escort Group C-2 of the Mid-Ocean Escort Force for convoys ON-113, HX-201, ON-119, SC-97, ON-129 and SC-102 and then to Escort Group C-3 for convoys ON-152, HX-221, ON-163, HX-226, ON-172, SC-124, ON-180 and HX-238 during the winter of 1942-43. BURNHAM was reduced to reserve at Milford Haven, Wales, in November 1944. She was ultimately scrapped at Pembroke, Wales, in December 1948.

Town Class DD HMS BURWELL

BURWELL was modified for trade convoy escort service by removal of 3 of the original 4"/50 caliber guns and one of the triple torpedo tube mounts to reduce topside weight for additional DC stowage and installation of Hedgehog ahead thrower. Her most notable service event was her involvement in the capture of the U-570 in August 1941.

Town Class DD HMS BRADFORD

As HMS BRADFORD she performed escort duties in the Atlantic, including convoys to Nth Africa for operation Torch, from 1941 to 1943. On 3 May 1943 she was declared no longer fit for ocean escort work and was ordered decommissioned at Devonport. There, for the remainder of the war, she served as an accommodations ship.

Losses
MV CONFIELD (UK 4956 grt) Sunk by U-58 (Heinrich Schonder) Crew: 37 (1 dead and 36 survivors) Cargo: timber, grain and lead Route: Port Alberni, BC - Liverpool HX-76 (straggler); Sunk in the Western Approaches. U.58 badly damaged steamer CONFIELD, a straggler from convoy HX.76, , and then sank her before noon on the 9th.

Steamer BELLONA II (UK 840 grt) was hit by the LW 4 miles east of Gourdon, Kincardineshire, then went ashore at Streathlethan Bay, south of Stonehaven. Six crew and three cargo workers were lost.

trawler HECHT (Ger 222 grt) was sunk by unknown causes.

UBOATS
Arrivals
Kiel: U-60
Lorient: U-31

Departures
Lorient: U-138

At Sea 8 October 1940
U-37, U-38, U-43, U-48, U-61, U-101, U-103, U-123, U-124, U-138.
10 boats at sea

Sub TRIDENT and U.31 were in a gun duel in the Bay of Biscay. TRIDENT missed U.31 with torpedoes, but hit the Uboat with gunfire, doing minor damage.

OPERATIONS
North Sea
CLA CURACOA departed Rosyth to overtake convoy OA.226 and give them AA cover until midnight. She then proceeded to Scapa arriving on the 9th. OA.226 departed Methil escort sloop ABERDEEN and corvette PRIMROSE from 8 to 11 October. The convoy rendezvoused with convoy OB.226. FN.303 departed Southend, escort DDs VEGA and VIMIERA. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 10th. FS.304 departed Methil, escort DD WOOLSTON and sloop BLACK SWAN. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 10th. MSW KELLET was damaged in a collision with the West Pier at Granton. She repaired at Rosyth in October. Gunboat LOCUST struck a mine three and a half cables nth of N. W. Shingles Beacon, and was seriously damaged. She was able to proceed under her own power until weather deteriorated when she was taken in tow. LOCUST repaired at Tilbury, completing on 7 January 1941.

West Coast UK
CL DUNEDIN departed Greenock after refitting there in September and October. DD MASHONA departed Greenock after completion of refit.

Western Approaches
Troopship ORONSAY of convoy WS 3 was damaged by the LW , and forced to leave the convoy, escorted by AMC CHESHIRE and DDs ARROW and OTTAWA. ORONSAY was joined by CLA CAIRO as she proceeded to Lough Foyle.
DD SABRE departed Londonderry to join the damaged troopship. CAIRO, AMC CHESHIRE, destroyers DOUGLAS, VISCOUNT and SABRE escorted the troopship to the Clyde arriving on the 9th. DD VERITY was also signalled to escort ORONSAY, but was unable to join.

Channel
During the night of 8/9 October, DKM TBs GREIF, SEEADLER, KONDOR, FALKE, WOLF and JAGUAR operated off the Isle of Wight.

Nth Atlantic
HX.79 departed Halifax escort RCN DD SAGUENAY and aux PVs FRENCH and REINDEER. FRENCH departed convoy at dusk and DD SAGUENAY departed on the 9th. Ocean escort was AMC MONTCLARE and NL sub O.14, which were detached on the 18th. AMC ALAUNIA later supplemented the escort. After the convoy duty, O.14 arrived at Rothesay on the 29th. On 19 October, DDs STURDY and WHITEHALL, escort ship JASON, corvettes ARABIS, COREOPSIS, HIBISCUS, ASW trawlers BLACKFLY and LADY ELSA joined the convoy. The escort ship and the trawlers were with the convoy only on the 19th. DD SARDONYX joined on the 20th. Corvette COREOPSIS was detached on the 22nd. The convoy arrived at Liverpool 23 October.

Sth Atlantic
DKM Raider THOR sank steamer NATIA (UK 8715 grt) in the Sth Atlantic. 2 crew were lost, 83 crew and the naval gunner were made PoWs.

 

[Njaco]

October 8 Tuesday
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/ww2-general/day-battle-britain-25360-post724982.html#post724982

UNITED KINGDOM: Czech-born fighter ace Sergeant Josef Frantisek of No. 303 "Warsaw-Kosciuszko" Squadron RAF was killed when his Hurricane crashed whilst landing at RAF Northolt at Ruislip near London. At the time of his death Frantisek had a score of 17 kills and had been awarded the British Distinguished Flying Medal. Posthumously he was commissioned lieutenant, and awarded a Bar to his DFM, the Czech Military Cross, the Polish Cross of Valour (with three bars) and the Polish Virtuti Militari.

Winston Churchill announces re-opening of the Burma Road. The Burma Road connected Lashio in Burma with Kunming in China over a distance of 1,100 km, across jungle, mountains and rivers. The road was vital for the supply of the Chinese forces.

GERMANY: During the night, 17 British aircraft from Waddington, Lincolnshire attacked German battleship "Tirpitz" to little effect.

SOUTH PACIFIC: German raider "Orion" made rendezvous with another raider "Komet" and "Komet's" supply ship "Kulmerland". "Orion" and "Komet" began operating together against Allied shipping.

NORTH AMERICA: The United States transferred 8 more old destroyers to the British Royal Navy as part of the Destroyers for Bases Agreement.

The United States Department of State released an announcement advising American citizens to leave the Far East and return to the US.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: British submarine HMS "Trident" and German submarine U-31 exchanged fire in the Bay of Biscay off France. "Trident" hit U-31 with the deck gun, causing minor damage; both torpedoes fired missed. German submarine U-58 hit British ship "Confield" 88 miles west of Barra Head, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, at 2131 hours with two torpedoes, killing 1. The ship remained afloat, allowing the remaining 36 to escape via lifeboats. Far to the south, 350 miles northeast of Natal, Brazil, German armed merchant cruiser "Thor" attacked British refrigeration ship "Natia", killing 2. After the remaining 83 crew members were captured, "Natia" was sunk by a torpedo and two more shells from "Thor's" 150-mm gun. After this attack, "Thor" now had 368 prisoners aboard, outnumbering her crew.

MEDITERRANEAN: The British Mediterranean Fleet departed Alexandria, Egypt to escort a supply convoy to Malta. The fleet consisted of battleship HMS "Warspite", battleship HMS "Valiant", battleship HMS "Malaya", battleship HMS "Ramillies", aircraft carrier HMS "Eagle", aircraft carrier HMS "Illustrious", 12 cruisers, 16 destroyers, and 6 submarines. This force escorted four British transport ships.

EAST AFRICA: General DeGaulle arrives in Cameroon to popular acclaim. He meets with LeClerc to discuss strategy for consolidation of Free French position in Equatorial Africa and using the territory as a base for attacks on Italian and German positions in Libya and to break the Vichy stranglehold on French West and North Africa. The Royal Navy supported a Free French expedition, under General Charles De Gaulle, to gain control of Duala in the Cameroon. The Free French forces succeeded in seizing control of the colony from the Vichy French authorities.

ASIA: From Saigon, Inspector General of Colonies, Cazaux, sends message to General DeGaulle conveying the sympathies of the population for Free France but noting the impossibility of Indochina acting on them.

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[parsifal]

8 October 1940 (Part II)
OPERATIONS [CONT'D]
Med- Biscay
The Med Flt with BBs WARSPITE, VALIANT, MALAYA, RAMILLIES, Carriers EAGLE and ILLUSTRIOUS, CA YORK, CLs LIVERPOOL, GLOUCESTER, ORION, AJAX, RAN SYDNEY, DDs HYPERION, HAVOCK, HERO, HEREWARD, HASTY, ILEX, IMPERIAL, RAN VAMPIRE, VENDETTA, RN DAINTY, DECOY, DEFENDER, JERVIS, NUBIAN, JUNO, JANUS departed Alexandria to cover Malta bound convoy MF 3 (Operation MB 6) of British steamers MEMNON , LANARKSHIRE , CLAN MACAULEY , CLAN FERGUSON escorted by CLAs CALCUTTA and COVENTRY and RAN DDs VOYAGER, STUART, WATERHEN, and RN WRYNECK. At 0524 on the 9th, NUBIAN reported an ASDIC contact and HYPERION reported a torpedo at the end of its run near MALAYA. On 9 October, CL LIVERPOOL and DD DIAMOND, which had been delayed in leaving Alexandria, joined the Main Fleet. Subs TRIAD, ROVER, PROTEUS, RAINBOW, REGENT and PARTHIAN were also at sea to cover the operation.

The Italian Fleet status at that time at Taranto were BBs LITTORIO, VENETO, CESARE and CAVOUR and the DUILO; CAs POLA, ZARA, GORIZIA, FIUME; CLs EUGENIO, MONTECUCCOLI, AOSTA, ATTENDOLO; ABRUZZI and GARIBALDI.
At Messina were CLs DIAZ and GIUSSANNO. Under repair were CLs BANDE NERE, CARDONA at Spezia, and DI BARBIANO at Pola. Four RM BBs put to sea during the passage of Convoy MF 3. On 10 October, DDs JERVIS, JUNO, ILEX were sent ahead of the fleet to investigate a submarine contact reported by carrier air patrols. At 1715 on the 10th, BB RAMILLIES and DDs NUBIAN, HERO, HEREWARD were detached to refuel at Malta. At 1800, DDs HYPERION, HASTY, ILEX were also detached to refuel. DD DEFENDER attacked a submarine contact at 1825.

Red Sea/Indian Ocean
CA SHROPSHIRE arrived at Aden and joined the Red Sea Force. In December, she returned to the East Indies Command.

Pacific/Far East/Australia Station
RAN CL ADELAIDE arrived back at Sydney from Noumea, having departed on the 5th.

Malta

1935-2020 hrs Air raid alert for four enemy bombers which approach Delimara from the east at 14000 feet and drop bombs in the sea off Delimara, Wied Znuber and two miles off Grand Harbour. Two turn back before crossing the coast. The remaining two are illuminated and held by searchlights, then engaged by one Malta Hurricane fighter. One Italian bomber is brought down in flames into the sea off Delimara. Another is so badly damaged that it is unlikely to return to base; it is last seen by the Hurricane pilot and coastal observers flying at 1000 feet with one engine on fire. Two men are seen baling out towards the sea and subsequently rescued and taken prisoner. The Hurricane lands safely. Searchlight crews are praised by the Air Officer Commanding for exceptionally good work.

Known Casualties Tenente Adolfo Ferrari, 257a Squadriglia, 108o Gruppo, 36o Stormo, pilot of a Savoia SM79 bomber shot down.

 

[parsifal]

9 October 1940
Known Reinforcements
Axis
DKM Raider KOMET

Allied
Fairmile B Motor Launch ML 130;

Fairmile B Motor Launch ML 157

Losses
MV DELPHIN (Gk 3816 grt) Sunk by U-103 (Viktor Schütze) Crew: Cargo:Maize and wheat Route: Montreal - Cork Convoy SC-6, Sunk in the Western Approaches. At 2211 hrs, U-103 attacked the convoy SC-6 37 miles NNW of Rockall and sank two ships, ZANNES GOUNARIS and DELPHIN. She also damaged the GRAIGWEN, which was later sunk by U-123. The DELPHIN did not sink immediately, but remained afloat until the next day.

MV GRAIGWEN ( UK 3697 grt) Sunk by U-123 (Karl-Heinz Moehle) Crew:34 (7 dead and 27 survivors) Cargo:Corn Route: Montreal - Barry Roads; Convoy SC-6 (Cripple) Sunk In the Western Approaches. After being crippled by the attack by U-103, at 2133 hrs, on 10 Oct 1940 the abandoned GRAIGWEN was sunk by a further attack by U-123. Survivors were picked up by the HMS ENCHANTRESS and landed at Londonderry.

Steamer ZANNES GOUNARIS (Gk 4407 grt) Sunk by U-103 (Viktor Schütze) Crew:Unknown (1 dead) Cargo: Phosphate Route:Tampa, Florida - Garston ; Convoy SC-6, Sunk in the Western Approaches. The first ship to be hit in U-103s attacks, recorded as being struck at 2211 hrs 37 miles NNW of Rockall. Greek ship manifests were frequently incomplete for some reason, so crew numbers are uncertain.

Steamer ALDERNEY QUEEN (UK 663 grt) was sunk by the LW off Grassholm Island, North Wales. The entire crew was rescued.

MSW trawler SEA KING (RN 321 grt) was sunk by mining 28 miles 310° from Bull Sand Road, Grimsby Roads. 15 crew were lost .

RN Sub REGENT sank steamer ANTONIETTA COSTA (FI 6880 grt) off Durazzo. On 11 October, REGENT unsuccessfully attacked a tkr in the Southern Adriatic.

UBOATS
Departures
Kristiansand: U-93
Lorient: U-137

At Sea 9 October 1940
U-37, U-38, U-43, U-48, U-61, U-93, U-101, U-103, U-123, U-124, U-137, U-138.
12 boats at sea.

U-103 sighted convoy SC 6 in the morning of this day in 1940. After a successful attack at 2200 hrs the boat was depth charged by a convoy escort

OPERATIONS
North Sea
FN.304 departed Southend, escort DDs VALOROUS and WESTMINSTER. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 11th.

Northern Waters
CVL FURIOUS departed Scapa Flow with DDs ESKIMO and MATABELE to strike at Bodo. Poor weather conditions forced the operation to be cancelled and the ships arrived back at Scapa at 1630. CLA CURACOA departed Scapa at 1600 to cover convoys WN.21 S.and WN.21 F. On meeting convoy OA.227, the cruiser joined the OA convoy and escorted it to Pentland Firth. CURACOA then proceeded to Scapa. AAt ship ALYNBANK departed Scapa Flow at 0700 to escort convoy SL.48 A from Pentland Firth until dusk. She then returned to Scapa.

West Coast UK
OB.226 departed Liverpool escort DD ANTELOPE, corvettes GERANIUM and GLOXINIA, ASW trawler HUDDERSFIELD TOWN. The escort was detached on the 12th. DD VIMY departed Londonderry for Portsmouth for refitting. DD VERSATILE departed Londonderry at 0900 for Rosyth on passage to the Tyne for refitting. Defects forced her to return to Londonderry.

SW Approaches
HG.45 of 49 ships departed Gibraltar local escort DDs HOTSPUR, FIREDRAKE and WISHART. Troopship NEURALIA departed with the convoy with 1093 Gibraltar civilians. She was detached and proceeded unescorted to Kingston (Jamaica). WISHART was detached on the 10th and HOTSPUR and FIREDRAKE escorted the convoy until 15 October. Escort vessel GLEANER escorted the convoy from 9 to 27 October. On 17 October, AMC PRETORIA CASTLE from convoy SL.50 joined the convoy and remained with it until 27 October. On 20 October, sloop FLEETWOOD joined the convoy and escorted it until 27 October. DD ANTELOPE and corvette MALLOW from convoy OB.230 joined the convoy on the 21st and escorted it until 27 October. DDs HAVELOCK, HESPERUS and RCN SKEENA escorted the convoy from 22 to 27 October, which arrived at Liverpool on the 27th.

Central Atlantic
CL DRAGON arrived at Duala. SLS 51 departed Freetown on the 9th. Sloop ROCHESTER escorted the convoy on 30 and 31 October, when it arrived at Liverpool.

Sth Atlantic

Med- Biscay
During the night of 9/10 October, RM DDs VIVALDI, DA NOLI and TARIGO laid mines to the sth of Malta. RN DD IMPERIAL was lost on this minefield.

Malta

AIR HQ Arrivals 2 Sunderlands. 1137-1600 hrs On landing Glenn Martin 431 Flight reported seeing four enemy destroyers and one cruiser at 1317 hrs 10 miles west of Taranto Harbour, then two destroyers and one four-funnel ship six miles west of Taranto Harbour. Also in Taranto Harbour five battleships, two cruisers, one submarine and three fleet auxiliaries; in the inner harbour four cruisers and at least ten destroyers plus seven various identified ships; in the innter basin fifteen seaplanes and further in twelve more. In Brindisi there were two A to B class cruisers, six destroyers and one possible battleship undergoing refit, and a number of seaplanes.

0315-1606 hrs Sunderland 230 Squadron reconnaissance of Ionian Sea including Taranto harbour and gulf for enemy surface forces; nil report. 0355-0820 hrs Glenn Martin 431 Flight reconnaissance of Ionian Sea on landing reported seeing at 0616 hrs a submarine on the surface; information passed to Vice Admiral Malta.

KALAFRANA Operations by Sunderland aircraft of 228 and 230 squadrons. Two Sunderlands arrived from Middle East.

 

[Njaco]

October 9 Wednesday
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/ww2-general/day-battle-britain-25360-post725869.html#post725869

UNITED KINGDOM: Following Chamberlain's resignation Winston Churchill is chosen as the new leader of the Conservative Party. This is an impressive achievement because he was little liked by many in the party at the time of his selection as prime minister. He has succeeded in winning their loyalty despite the hard times he has presided over. His attention to party affairs illustrates his concern for the forms of parliamentary democracy.

WESTERN FRONT: Hptm. Heinz Bretnutz is made Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 53 in place of Major Freiherr von Maltzahn.

British Albacore biplanes of No. 829 Squadron from Royal Navy station HMS "Peregrine" attacked Brest, France overnight, damaging German destroyers "Eckholdt", "Lody", and "Riedel" with near misses. 1 Albacore aircraft was shot down with its three crew captured, including squadron commander Lieutenant Commander Stevinson.

The occupation government in the Netherlands banned Jews and half-Jews from public employment.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-103 attacked Allied convoy SC-6, sinking Greek ships "Zannes Gounaris" (1 killed) and "Delphin" (all survived) and damaging British ship "Graigwen" (7 killed, 27 survived). U-103 was subjected to a depth charge attack, but escaped unharmed.

MEDITERRANEAN: British submarine HMS "Regent" hit Italian merchant ship "Antonietta Costa" 20 miles west of Durrës, Albania with a torpedo. "Antonietta Costa" did not sink but went aground and was lost 10 miles off the coast near Durrës.

EASTERN EUROPE: German troops began to secure oil fields in Romania, which was vital for the German war effort. Large numbers of German troops arrived in Romania to train the Romanian army and to protect Romanian oil fields from British sabotage. The arrival of German troops effectively placed Romania under German control.

NORTH AMERICA: A British shipbuilding mission in North America places an order for 20 10,000-ton cargo vessels from Canada. The order is later increased to 26.

.

 

[parsifal]

10 October 1940
Known Reinforcements
Allied
Fairmile B Motor Launch ML 135

Losses
Aux PV GIRL MARY (RN 25 grt) was lost on lost on a mine four cables 255° from Inchcolm Monastery. .

MTB.22, MTB.31, MTB.32 attacked a German convoy off Calais. They sank trawler NORDENHAM (Ger 234 grt) and captured 34 prisoners.

UBOATS
Arrivals
Kiel: U-61

At Sea 10 October 1940
U-37, U-38, U-43, U-48, U-93, U-101, U-103, U-123, U-124, U-137, U-138.
11 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
North Sea
DD JERSEY departed the Humber after repairs, but on the 11th she was damaged off East Knob Buoy by the explosion of a mine close aboard. She went to London for repairs arriving on the 13th, was repaired in 15 days, and arrived at Plymouth on the 29th for duty with DesFlot 5.

OA.227 departed Methil escorted by sloop ROCHESTER and corvette CAMELLIA from 10 to 14 October. FN.305 departed Southend, escort DD WINCHESTER, sloop EGRET, patrol sloop GUILLEMOT. The patrol sloop was detached on the 11th. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 12th. FS.305 departed Methil, escort DDs VANITY and WOLFHOUND. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 12th.

Steamer TILL was damaged on a mine

West Coast UK
DD DOUGLAS departed Greenock at 0630 to join the Home Flt at Scapa.

Channel
Operation MEDIUM was the bombardment of Cherbourg. BB REVENGE with DDs JUPITER, KASHMIR, JAVELIN, JAGUAR, KELVIN, KIPLING, MA/SBs 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 51 departed Plymouth on the 10th. The BB gp was covered to the west by CLs NEWCASTLE and EMERALD with DDs WANDERER, BROKE, ORP DDs BURZA and GARLAND which departed Devonport on the 10th and to the east by CL CARDIFF and DDs VANOC and VOLUNTEER which departed Portsmouth on the 9th.

From 0333 to 0351 on the 11th, the REVENGE group bombarded Cherbourg. DKM TBs put to sea from Cherbourg and briefly attacked the MSW force before retiring. The RN BB force returned to Portsmouth and the cruiser force to Plymouth on the 11th. The CARDIFF group returned to Portsmouth.

The bombardment was given the objective of disrupting invasion preparations, and it was successful in this aim. The bombardment of invasion transports in Cherbourg saw a number of transports damaged. During the 18 minute bombardment, 120 15-inch shells were fired by the BB HMS REVENGE, and a total of 801 4.7-inch shells were fired by her escorting DDs. German CA Bttys replied for 30 min but were inneffective, being o9utranged by the REVENGE, and unable to preoperly fix on the fast moving DDs, which inflicted most of the damage.

HMS JUPITER fires her 4.7-inch guns during Operation Medium, the bombardment of Cherbourg on 10 October 1940

Sub H.28 on patrol in the Bay of Biscay fired torpedoes at a 1000 ton merchant ship, but missed the target.

In RAF night attacks on Brest during the night of 9/10 October, DKM Zerstorer ECKHOLDT was damaged by near misses and Zerstorers LODY and RIEDEL were splinter damaged. Pilot Lt Cdr O. S. Stevinson, Sqn Commander, Observer Lt Cdr N. R. Quill, and Petty Officer A. Brimms in an Albacore of 829 Sqn were shot down and made pows in this raid.

Central Atlantic
RAN CA AUSTRALIA arrived at Gibraltar from Freetown and was temporarily assigned to Force H. However on her arrival a report was passed on that that Vichy CL PRIMAUGUET had departed Casablanca to escort a merchant ship carrying torpedoes and shells for BB RICHELIEU and other warships at Dakar. Late on the 11th, CA AUSTRALIA departed Gibraltar and proceeded towards Las Palmas. Early on the 12th, BC RENOWN and DDs WISHART, GALLANT, GRIFFIN, VIDETTE also departed Gibraltar.

Malta
KALAFRANA Operations by Sunderland aircraft of 228 and 230 sqns. 0953-1655 hrs Sunderland 230 Squadron on patrol reported seeing at 1546 hrs a submarine which submerged immediately. 1130-1620 hrs Glenn Martin 431 Flight reported disposition of Italian fleet in Taranto Harbour same as yesterday with the addition of two destroyers, one 2000 ton cargo ship at sea and in Syracuse two 2000 ton merchant ships; at Augusta three 1500 ton merchant vessels and two sloops, at Catania nil. 1215-1640 hrs French Latecoere reconnaissance reported seeing one hospital ship in harbour, along with two small cargo ships, one 3000 ton, two 1500 tons , one large tanker, two flying boats, two Cant Z506 and one 1000 ton escort vessel. Intense anti-aircraft fire prevented good photographs being taken. 0430-0905 hrs Glenn Martin 431 flight reconnaissance of Ionian Sea. 0440-1617 hrs Sunderland 228 Squadron reconnaissance of Ionian Sea reported one Greek 7000 ton merchant vessel loaded with ballast. 0515-1615 hrs Sunderland 230 Squadron reconnaissance reported three French merchant vessels Athos, Florida and Djeanne.

 

[Njaco]

October 10 Thursday
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/ww2-general/day-battle-britain-25360-post725870.html#post725870

A lone German Do 17 bomber on a reconnaissance mission was caught over RAF Tangmere by British fighters. While attempting to shoot it down, two British fighters collided, killing both pilots. Then, another fighter, piloted by Sergeant Ellis, was damaged by the German bomber's guns, and crash landed. The Do 17 bomber sustained heavy damage, but was able to make it back to France, crash landed, and saved all of its photographs.

GERMANY: During the night, 14 British aircraft from Waddington, Lincolnshire and Lindholme, Yorkshire attacked German battleship "Tirpitz" to little effect.

Adolf Hitler initiated the Führer-Sofortprogramm, an emergency program to build shelters for the urban populations of Germany.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: British ship "Graigwen", damaged on the previous day and abandoned, was sunk by German submarine U-123 at 2333 hours.

British motor torpedo boats MTB-22, MTB-31, and MTB-32 attacked a German convoy in the middle of the Dover Strait, sinking German trawler "Nordenham" and capturing 34 prisoners.

ASIA: Communist Chinese New 4th Army linked up with Communist Chinese 8th Route Army at Baiju Village, Dongtai County, Jiangsu Province, China.

WESTERN FRONT: The Germans run a plebiscite in Luxembourg. When the results are counted they find that 97 percent of the population is opposed to their occupation. The experiment is not repeated elsewhere.

British Battleship "Revenge" bombards the Cherbourg docks.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Australian 31st Battalion moved into Miowera camp near Bowen for a nine week training period. The 26th Battalion had centered its activities to the Kissing Point Fortress area, whilst the 51st Battalion moved to Parramatta Park at Cairns.

.

.

 

[parsifal]

11 October 1940
Known Reinforcements
Allied
U Class Sub HM USK

USK spent most of her short career operating in the Mediterranean. She sailed from Malta to patrol off the NW coast of Sicily on 19 April 1941. USK was later ordered to alter her position due to intense ASW activity. What happened subsequently is not known but she was most likely mined in the vicinity of Cape Bon some time after 25 April 1941. She was reported overdue on 3 May 1941

Losses
MV BRANDANGER (Nor 4624 grt) Sunk by U-48 (Heinrich Bleichrodt) Crew: 30 (6 dead and 24 survivors) Cargo: General Cargo Route: Portland - San Pedro - Cristobal - Bermuda - Liverpool Convoy HX 77; Sunk in the Western Approaches. The BRANDANGER was struck in the engine room on the port side by a torpedo from U-48. The engine stopped and the lights went out, the entire midships section was destroyed and the lifeboats on the port side were blown away. The crew launched some lifeboats with difficulty.

BRANDANGER sank about 20 minutes after being hit. Survivors were picked up early the next morning by the corvette HMS CLARKIA, as were the 14 in the 2nd mate's boat, and landed in Liverpool on Oct. 15. Other survivors had set course for Ireland, but were rescued in the afternoon of the 16th by S/S CLAN MACDONALD and landed in Liverpool on the 19th.

MV PORT GISBORNE (UK 8390 grt) Sunk by U-48 (Heinrich Bleichrodt) Crew: 64 (26 dead and 38 survivors) Cargo: Refrigerated and general cargo, including 2479 bales of wool and 20 bales of sheepskin Route: Auckland - Halifax - Belfast - Cardiff . Convoy HX 77; Sunk in the Western Approaches. At 2209 hrs the PORT GISBORNE
in convoy HX-77 was hit near the bridge by one torpedo from U-48 about 113 miles WSW of Rockall. The crew abandoned ship in three lifeboats, but one of them capsized in gale force conditions and the occupants drowned. The abandoned wreck sank later in 57°02N/17°24W. The master, 36 crew members and one gunner were rescued: The survivors in one boat were picked up on 22 October by HMS SALVONIA and the remaining survivors in another boat on 24 October by the British steam merchant ALPERA and landed at Greenock. The master Thomas Kippins was awarded the OBE and the Lloyds War Medal for bravery at sea.

DKM TBs FALKE, GREIF, KONDOR, SEEADLER and WOLF departed Cherbourg for another sortie to the area off the Isle of Wight in retaliation to the RN sortie against Cherbourg. Late on the 11th, in an engagement with ASW trawler WARWICK DEEPING (RN 445 grt) and armed trawler LISTRAC (FNFL 778 grt), , TB GREIF sank LISTRAC with a torpedo, and TBs KONDOR and FALKE sank WARWICK DEEPING with gunfire. Kirkup and eleven ratings were lost on the LISTRAC; A/S/Lt R. J. Pickford RCNVR and twenty four ratings were wounded. No crew were lost in WARWICK DEEPING.

HMT WARWICK DEEPING; NO IMAGE FOUND FOR THE LISTRAC

At 0007 on the 12th, the German force contacted and sank French submarine chasers CH.6 (Lt W. B. G. Galbraith, RN) and CH.7 (S/Lt G. A. Gabbett-Mulhallen DSC, RN). The survivors of these ships were picked up by German torpedo boat GREIF. Galbraith, Temporary Acting S/Lt D. B. Walton RNVR and seven ratings were lost on the CH.6; twelve crew were taken prisoner. Gabbett-Mulhallen and eleven ratings were killed on CH.7; Acting Lt R. V. Musman RNVR and eight ratings were taken prisoner from CH.7.

DDs JACKAL, JAGUAR, JUPITER, KELVIN, KIPLING came out from Plymouth and two DDs departed Portsmouth. At 0314 on the 12th, DD JACKAL engaged two of the German ships at 280°, 27 miles from 50N, 1W . Neither side was damaged and the German ships arrived back at Cherbourg mid-morning on the 12th.

UBOATS
At Sea 11 October 1940
U-37, U-38, U-43, U-48, U-93, U-101, U-103, U-123, U-124, U-137, U-138.
11 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
North Sea
FN.306 departed Southend, escort DD WOOLSTON and sloop BLACK SWAN. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 13th.
FS.306 departed Methil, escort DD WOLSEY and sloop LOWESTOFT. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 14th.

Northern Waters
DD ZULU, was badly damaged by an acoustic mine in the Firth of Forth. The mine exploded 40 feet off the starboard side abaft of the bridge. There were no casualties. Many minor leaks, machinery defects and distortion of the bulkheads were caused by the explosion. ZULU was under repair at at Rosyth, for 13 weeks, completing her repairs 18 January 1941. DD BEDOUIN was also damaged when she struck a submerged object (probably a mine), and was repaired at Southampton completing on 17 November. British minefield BS.40 was laid by MLs TEVIOTBANK and PLOVER and DDs IMPULSIVE and ICARUS.

AA ship ALYNBANK departed Scapa to join convoy HX.76 A. The LW soon arrived and attacked the convoy off Peterhead. Gunfire from the escorts and the merchantmen in the convoy drove off the attack. ALYNBANK sustained minor damage from near misses, and repaired at Rosyth completing on the 20th.

DDs MATABELE and PUNJABI departed Scapa escorting RFA tkr MONTENOL to Skaalefjord before proceeding to operation DH. At 1330, a German submarine was reported by a/c 5 miles nth of this force, 16 miles 020° from Sule Skerry. PUNJABI investigated the contact without locating the UBoat, and then rejoined MATABELE and the tkr. CVL FURIOUS, exercising west of Hoy, detached her screen of DDs SOMALI, ESKIMO and DUNCAN to investigate the UBoat report. The DDs made no contact and the ships returned to Scapa next morning on the 12th.

West Coast UK
CVE ARGUS departed Greenock with DD ACHATES for Iceland, arrived on the 17th and departed to return on the 20th. They arrived back at Greenock on the 25th. ACHATES was damaged by weather on the voyage and was repaired at Greenock. DD VERSATILE departed Londonderry for refitting in the Tyne. DD FEARLESS departed the Clyde after completion of her refit, and then proceeded to Rosyth for Home Flt ops in DesFlot 4. In LW air attacks on Liverpool, steamers CLAN MACTAGGART, CLAN CUMMING , HIGHLAND CHIEFTAN and tkr VIRGILIA were all damaged.

Steamer BANNTHORN was damaged by the LW in Rathlin O'Birne Sound, Eire.

Western Approaches

SW Approaches
OG.44 with 36 ships departed Liverpool, Milford Haven, Glasgow escorted by RCN DD SKEENA and corvette GLADIOLUS from 11 to 14 October. SKEENA and GLADIOLUS were detached to assist damaged AMC CHESHIRE. Sloop WELLINGTON escorted the convoy from 11 to 24 October. DD WRESTLER escorted the convoy from 22 to 24 October, which arrived at Gib on the 24th.

Channel
Steamer THYRA II was damaged by the LW in the Thames Estuary. Armed yacht AISHA (RN 117 grt) was lost in mining in the Thames Estuary. Steamer INVER was damaged by German shore guns in the Straits of Dover.

Med- Biscay
At 0915, during continuing Med Flt ops for the Malta re-supply op, DD DECOY was detached to Malta to refuel and DD MOHAWK joined. At 0942, DD IMPERIAL was also detached to refuel. IMPERIAL was mined at 1105 on the 11th and badly damaged 15 miles sth of Delimara near Malta. One rating was killed in the explosion. She was towed to Malta by DECOY, and IMPERIAL was repaired at Malta, sailing after completion on 28 April 1941. RAN DD VAMPIRE was detached at 1410 to refuel at Malta. Convoy MF 3 and CL ORION arrived at Malta at 1600. RAN DDs VENDETTA and STUART arrived with the convoy to start refitting in the Malta dockyard. At 1800, DD NUBIAN, HERO and HAVOCK rejoined the Main Fleet and DDs DAINTY, DEFENDER, DIAMOND were detached to refuel.

An It civilian a/c reported the Med Flt 100 miles SE of Malta. In anticipation that these warships would pick up some merchant ships recently arrived at Malta, RM DDs ARTIGLIERE, CAMICIA NERA, AVIERE and GENIERE with TBs AIRONE, ALCIONE and ARIEL were patrolling an area east of Malta. Four MAS boats were to the nth of the RM DDs. One DD div and MAS boats were stationed to the west of Malta should the British force set out for Gibraltar.

Gunboat APHIS (after refitting), steamer VOLO and Fleet auxiliary PLUMLEAF departed Malta at 2245 on the 11th, escorted by CLAs COVENTRY and CALCUTTA and DDs WRYNECK and RAN WATERHEN. Late on the 11th, the Mediterranean Fleet began its return to Alexandria.

Red Sea/Indian Ocean
Sloop AUCKLAND in convoy BS.6 was attacked by RA bombers west of Kamaran. Convoy BS.6 A departed Port Sudan, escort by RAN sloop PARRAMATTA. DD KINGSTON joined on the 13th. The convoy was dispersed off Aden on the 15th.

Malta

RN Opn MB6. IMPERIAL was mined en route but reached harbour and was docked. . RAN STUART and VENDETTA remained for refit. 0600-0735 hrs Swordfish 830 Sqn (FAA) dropped photographs of shipping in Taranto, Tripoli and Brindisi harbours on HMS ILLUSTRIOUS. Four Swordfish 830 Sqn provided local patrol for the arrival of a convoy at Malta; nothing to report. The opn of bringing in the incoming convoy and despatching the outgoing convoy is reported as proceeding satisfactorily.

0355-1038 hrs Recon by Sunderland 230 Sqn reported at 0508 hrs having sighted two DDs, one of which was on fire and stationary. He interrupted patrol to shadow the two ships while Swordfish were despatched to attack them. Another DD VICENZO GIOBERTI class was observed proceeding at high speed. On his return the pilot reported three FIUME class cruisers and three DDs accompanied by twelve fighters. 0500-0919 hrs Glenn Martin 431 Flight on recon signalled three DDs at sea. In Taranto he reported a large fleet of naval ships and in Brindisi naval ships and seaplanes.

 

[Njaco]

October 11 Friday
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/ww2-general/day-battle-britain-25360-post726306.html#post726306

GERMANY: During the night, 4 British Hampden aircraft (out of 5 launched) from Lindholme, Yorkshire attacked German battleship "Tirpitz" to little effect.

WESTERN FRONT: Operation Medium: Between 0333 and 0351 hours, British battleship "Revenge" and destroyers "Javelin", "Jaguar", "Jupiter", "Kashmir", "Kelvin", and "Kipling" bombarded Cherbourg, France. German torpedo boats attempted to interfere, but the attack was fought off.

Charles Hunziger presented the Order of Merit and the Croix de Guerre medals to the American Hospital in Paris, France.

French Marshal Petain broadcasts to the French people, advocating that they abandon their traditional ideas on who are their friends and who are their enemies. Pétain announces his intention of collaborating with Germany.

MEDITERRANEAN: A convoy of 4 merchant ships arrived at Malta from Alexandria, Egypt. The escorting British Mediterranean Fleet began to sail back to Alexandra, but was spotted by an Italian civilian aircraft 100 miles southeast of Malta. Italian destroyers and torpedo boats were dispatched to intercept.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: British destroyer HMS "Zulu" hit an acoustic mine in the Firth of Forth, Scotland at 0920 hours, badly damaging the ship, but incurred no casualties. She would remain under repair at nearby Rosyth until Jan 1941.

German torpedo boats "Falke", "Greif", "Kondor", "Seeadler", and "Wolf" sank British anti-submarine trawler HMT "Warwick Deeping" (no deaths), French submarine chasers Ch.6 (9 killed, 12 captured) and CH.7 (12 killed, 8 captured), and French armed trawler "Listrac" (12 killed, 25 wounded) off the Isle of Wight overnight.

German submarine U-48 attacked Allied convoy HX-77 250 miles northwest of Ireland in the evening. At 2150 hours, Norwegian ship "Brandanger" was sunk (6 killed, 24 survived); at 2209 hours, British ship "Port Gisborne" was sunk (26 killed when lifeboat capsized, 38 survived).

Italian bombers attacked Allied convoy BS.6 in the Red Sea 50 miles off of Italian East Africa, damaging escorting vessel British sloop HMS "Auckland".

ASIA: Repair ship "Akashi" participated in the annual naval review in Tokyo Bay, Japan. Kawachi-class dreadnought battleship "Settsu" participated in a naval review in Yokohama Bay, Japan.

NORTHERN EUROPE: In Helsinki the demilitarization of the Aland Islands is agreed in a Finnish-Soviet convention.

.

 

[parsifal]

12 Ocxtober 1940
Known Reinforcements
Axis
Type VIIc U-98
[NO IMAGE FOUND]
10 ships sunk, total tonnage 48,878 GRT
1 auxiliary warship sunk, total tonnage 10,549 GRT
1 warship damaged, total tonnage 185 tons

Sunk on 15 November 1942 in the North Atlantic west of Gibraltar, in position 36.09N, 07.42W, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Wrestler. 46 dead (all hands lost)

Allied
Flower Class Corvette ARBUTUS

Type I Hunt Class Escort DD MENDIP

Losses
MV ST MALO (Cdn 5779 grt) Sunk by U-101 (Fritz Frauenheim) Crew: 44 (28 dead and 16 survivors). Cargo: Steel Grain and General Cargo Route: St. John, New Brunswick - Liverpool HX 77 (Straggler) Sunk in the Western Approaches. At 2325 hrs the ST MALO, a straggler from HX-77, was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-101, broke in two and sank after 30 minutes. 13 Canadian and three French crew members abandoned ship in one lifeboat and some rafts. The U-boat fished the 17 years old ship´s boy out of the water and transferred him to the boat after questioning. Two days later, the boat was taken in tow by a lifeboat from PORT GISBORNE , which had been sunk by U-48 (Bleichrodt) on 11 October. The survivors transferred into the other lifeboat on 21 October and were all rescued by HMS SALVONIA on the following day.

UBOATS

Tkr DAVANGER (Nor 7102 grt) Sunk by U-48 (Heinrich Bleichrodt) Crew: 30 (18 dead and 12 survivors) Cargo: Fully laden with fuel oil Route: Curaçao - Bermuda - Halifax - Liverpool Convoy HX-77 Sunk in the Western Approaches. In the evening of Oct. 12 DAVANGER was torpedoed by U-48 (Bleichrodt) 300 miles west of Broadhaven,. . The torpedo struck in the engine room on the starboard side and she sank by the stern within 4 minutes. The crew abandoned ship with difficulty, and suffered deaths during the process. The 12 survivors battled through that first night in heavy rain and high seas, and as the winds decreased somewhat the next morning they spotted 2 lifeboats from a British ship which they hailed. Upon being asked what they wanted to do, the survivors in the other boats replied they were going to remain in the area to wait for help, but the Norwegians set sail, heading east. In the morning of Oct. 18 they spotted land so course was altered for the nearest point, and early that afternoon some men came out to help them row. 2 hours later the 12 survivors were landed at Broadhaven, Ireland. They were all admitted to a hospital at Bellmullet, County Mayo.

MV PACIFIC RANGER (UK 6865 grt) Sunk by U-59 (Joachim Matz) Crew: 55 (0 dead and 55 survivors) Cargo: general cargo, including lumber and metals Route: Vancouver - Seattle (27 Aug) - Panama - Bermuda (28 Sep) - Manchester Convoy HX-77 Sunk in the Western Approaches. At 1803 hrs the PACIFIC RANGER in convoy HX-77 was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-59 and sank slowly 134 miles 302° from Bloody Foreland. The U-boat tried to give provisions to the survivors in the lifeboats, but due to rough seas it did not work. The master, 52 crew members and two passenger (naval ratings) were rescued: 19 crew members were picked up by a British escort, the master and twelve survivors after 9 days by the Icelandic trawler PORMODOUR and landed at Reykjavik on 21 October and the chief officer and 22 crew members made landfall at Glencolumbkille near Killybegs, Co. Donegal.

Arrivals
Bergen: U-58

Departures
Lorient: U-100
St. Nazaire: U-28

At Sea 12 October 1940
U-28, U-37, U-38, U-43, U-48, U-93, U-100, U-101, U-103, U-123, U-124, U-137, U-138.
13 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
North Sea
OA.228 departed Methil escort sloop FOWEY and corvette BLUEBELL from 12 to 16 October. OB.227 departed Liverpool escort DD ARROW and corvette CALENDULA from 12 to 15 October. FS.307 departed Methil, escort DD VIVIEN and sloop LONDONDERRY. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 14th. DD BULLDOG departed Rosyth to join sub CLYDE off Dundee at 1830, and escorted the sub to Cape Wrath. BULLDOG arrived at Scapa later the next day on the 13th. Trawler LONGSCAR was damaged by the LW off Hartlepool.

Northern Waters
LW a/c again crossed Scapa Flow during the night raising fears the anchorage had been mined . All exercises were prohibited and movements were restricted during the day. The all clear was finally given later during the evening of the 12th. Carrier FURIOUS, CAs NORFOLK and BERWICK, DDs SOMALI, ESKIMO, MASHONA, DUNCAN departed Scapa Flow at 1800 for operation DH and to cover the DD sweep off Egero. DDs MATABELE and PUNJABI departed Skaalefjord at 0310/13th to join FURIOUS. At 1230/13th, ESKIMO and DUNCAN were detached to Scapa arriving at 0900/14th. SOMALI and MASHONA arrived at Scapa Flow at 1400/14th.

DD QUORN departed Scapa Flow for Aberdeen, and left there at 1500 with steamer LOCHNAGAR for Lerwick. MSW KELLET hit the pier at Leith, and had to be docked for repairs.

SW Approaches
On 11 October, steamer ORAO (Yug 5135 grt) had been intercepted by DD HOTSPUR and ordered to Gibraltar with an armed guard. Then on the 12th, RM sub TAZZOLI torpedoed ORAO , with two crew killed. DDs WISHART, GALLANT, GRIFFIN, VIDETTE were detached from BC RENOWN, with GALLANT and GRIFFIN picking up the survivors, and WISHART scuttling the Yugoslavian vessel.

The DDs were then ordered to meet arriving transports ETTRICK and KARANJA, being escorted by DD GREYHOUND. The DDs, plus DD FIREDRAKE, rejoined on 0724 on the 13th and the force met the transport convoy at 1300. VIDETTE was detached to join the transport convoy and the next day, WISHART was detached to join as well.

Channel
Monitor EREBUS, escorted by DD CATTISTOCK, bombarded German invasion barges at Dunkirk. MSW RESOLVO (RN 213 grt) struck a mine six cables 083° from Knob Bell Buoy in the Thames Estuary. Two ratings were wounded, and the survivors rescued by MSW PETER CAREY. RESOLVO was beached outside the entrance to Sheerness at the Outer Bar Buoy and abandoned on the 13th. Steamer STARLING was damaged by the LW four miles southwest of San Sebastian Light.

Schnellboote S.37 (DKM 81 grt) was sunk on a mine off Orfordness.

Nth Atlantic
HX.80 departed Halifax escorted by RCN DDs ST CROIX and NIAGARA and aux PVs HUSKY and REINDEER. The local escort was detached on the 13th. Ocean escort was AMC LACONIA, which was detached on the 22nd. On 23 October, DDs CASTLETON and WANDERER, sloop HASTINGS, corvettes FLEUR DE LYS and PICOTEE, and ASW yacht PHILANTE joined the convoy, which arrived at Liverpool on the 27th

Central Atlantic
SL.51 departed Freetown escort AMC ALCANTARA to 31 October. On 30 October, DDs ACHATES and ARROW, sloop ROCHESTER, corvette PRIMROSE, and ASW trawler ST APOLLO, all from Western Approaches Cmd joined. On 31 October, DD AMAZON joined, and the convoy arrived at Oban on the 31st.

Med- Biscay
CLA CALCUTTA was subjected to high level Italian bombing near Crete on the 12th.

RM and RN Naval forces engaged east of Malta. In the first phase of the battle between the RM TBs and radar-equipped CL AJAX which was proceeding to cover the eastbound Malta convoy, Spica Class TB ARIEL (RM 620 grt)

Ariel's Main Battery

The Italians also lost Spica Class TB AIRONE (RM 620 grt), with AJAX hit three times, twice on the bridge and once amidships starting a fire. RN casualties were at least 12 dead, and 24 wounded. RM TB ALCIONE picked up the Italian survivors in the water.

AIRONE SHOWN PREWAR

A Division of Spica Class TBs training prewar in the tactics intended to be applied to them. The Spica Class suffered heavy casualties against RN Destroyers but were very successful ASW platforms

 

[Njaco]

October 12 Saturday
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/ww2-general/day-battle-britain-25360-post726307.html#post726307

EASTERN EUROPE: A new German military mission was set up in Bucharest, Rumania to direct the training program for the Rumanian Army. In response to a request made by Rumanian President Antonescu for a German Military Mission to train Rumanian troops, Hitler sends the first of several Military Mission officials to the country under the command of Erik Hansen while the Aerian Mission or the Deutsche Luftwaffenmission in Rumänien commanded by General Withelm Speidel arrives in the country. The Mission would soon total 22,430 men of which 17,561 are from the German Army. In addition to the 13th Motorized Infantry Division, other forces will soon include the 4.Panzerregiments, engineers, signal troops and six fighter and two reconnaissance squadrons along with some Luftwaffe anti-aircraft units.

The TsKB-57 prototype aircraft of the Soviet Ilyshin Il-2 Shturmovik ground attack aircraft made its maiden flight.

German Governor-General of occupied Poland Hans Frank ordered 138,000 Jews in Warsaw to move into the city's ghetto.

GERMANY: General Keitel, on orders from Hitler, issues a Directive from the OKL;

"The Führer has decided that until next spring the preparations for 'SEELOEWE" are to be continued with the sole intention of maintaining political and military pressure on Englan . Should the projected landing be resumed in spring or early summer, orders will be given for new preparations. In the meantime, it is necessary to shape conditions in the military sphere to suit a final invasion."

Even though the current operations for the Invasion of England are halted, the aircraft companies of Messerschmitt and Junkers are given a new directive - code named 'Warschau-Sud' - to build gliders that could carry assault troops and tanks. Messerschmitt is to build one in steel tube and fabric while Junkers is to build one in wood components. Fourteen days are given to the project. After countless months Junkers comes up with the enormous Ju 322 'Mammut'. The Junkers Ju 322 'Mammut' reached prototype form, but was completely unsatisfactory and was scrapped. Uncontrollability and frequent crashes, including one when a tank crashes through the floor of the transport, finally dooms the project and in April of 1941 the remaining examples and prototypes are broken up for fuel. The Messerschmitt was originally designated the Me 261w, was then changed to Me 263, eventually becoming the Me 321. Although the Me 321 saw considerable service, it was never used for a Maltese invasion, or for any other such undertakings.

MEDITERRANEAN: Battle of Cape Passero: On the previous day, the British Mediterranean Fleet departed Malta after an escort mission, and was detected by Italian aircraft. At 0200 hours, Italian torpedo boats "Ariel", "Alcione", and "Airone" caught up with the fleet and attacked British cruiser HMS "Ajax" east of Malta. "Ariel" and "Airone" were sunk by "Ajax". At 0215 hours, "Ajax's" radar detected Italian destroyers "Artigliere" and "Aviere" and opened fire, damaging "Aviere" and rendering "Artigliere" dead in the water. "Artigliere" returned fire and hit "Ajax" four times, damaging gun turrets and disabled the radar while killing 13 and wounding 20. "Ajax" was able to retire from the battle under her own power, while "Artigliere" was towed away by destroyer "Camicia Nera". HMS "Eagle" was damaged by near misses from bombs released by Italian SM.79 bombers.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarines U-48, U-59, and U-101 attacked Allied convoy HX.77 150 miles northwest of Ireland, sinking Norwegian tanker "Davanger" just after 0000 hours (17 killed, 12 survived), British ship "Pacific Ranger" at 1800 hours (entire crew of 55 survived), and Canadian steamer "Saint Malô" at 2325 hours (28 killed, 16 survived). The ship was a former French vessel requisitioned by the Canadian government.

British minesweeping trawler HMS "Resolvo" hit a mine in the Thames estuary in southern England, wounding 2. She would be beached and abandoned the next day.

.

 

[parsifal]

12 October 1940 (Part II)

OPERATIONS [CONT'D]
In the second phase of the battle RM DDs moved forward to aid their TBs. RM Soldati Class DD AVIERE was damaged and escorted back to base by undamaged DD GENIERE. Soldati Class DD ARTIGLIERE (RM 1820 grt) was badly damaged and DD CAMICIA NERA stood by and later attempted to take her into tow. AJAX was hit four times in this phase putting out action, one four inch gun and her radar. Early on the 13th while under tow, ARTIGLIERE was subjected to fierce air attacks launched from CV ILLUSTRIOUS after being located by a Sunderland flying boat. Alerted by ILLUSTRIOUS's report, CA YORK , AJAX, and four DDs including RAN VAMPIRE and RN NUBIAN, located ARTIGLIERE. DD CAMICIA NERA was forced by the situatiuon to cast off her tow and retired, leaving ARTIGLIERE to be torpedoed and sunk by YORK, VAMPIRE and NUBIAN. Rafts were dropped and the crew was later picked up by an Italian hospital ship. AJAX and Australian cruiser SYDNEY pursued CAMICIA NERA but did not catch her.

ARTIGLIERE and CAMICIA NERA training together prewar

The RM CruDiv 3 , with CAs BOLZANO, TRENTO and TRIESTE with DDs VIVALDI, DA NOLI and TARIGO departed Messina to support destroyers ARTIGLIERE and CAMICIA NERA, but did not arrive in time and did not contact the British force. RN CLs ORION, RAN SYDNEY and AJAX rejoined the Main Flt during the morning of 12 October. At 1000hrs on the 12th, DDs DAINTY, DEFENDER, DIAMOND and BB RAMILLIES with DDs JANUS, JERVIS, HEREWARD, DECOY rejoined the Main Flt. Reports of further RM DDs in the area caused YORK and CLss LIVERPOOL, ORION, SYDNEY to return to support convoy ME 4. One hundred survivors were picked up by Italian ships from ARTIGLIERE. 84 survivors from AIRONE and 41 one from ARIEL were rescued by the Italians. Significant nhumbers were also rescued by the RN. DD KIMBERLEY on patrol outside Perim was attacked by RA bombers 3 miles from Perim. There was no damage in the attack.

Pacific/Far East/Australia Station
Gunboat CRICKET departed Hong Kong in the tow of tkr WAR SIRDAR. Owing to a typhoon, both ships were recalled. They departed again on the 18th and arrived at Singapore on the 24th. Gunboat TARANTULA departed Hong Kong on the 22nd, escorted by CL DURBAN and arrived at Singapore on the 29th.

Malta

0620-0640 hrs Air raid alert for enemy aircraft approaching the Island. Three Hurricanes are scrambled and the raiders turn back while still 12 miles away, with no interceptions.

0800 hrs Convoy arrives in Grand Harbour.

1008-1013 hrs Air raid alert; no raid materialises.

Enemy casualties over the RN: Sottotenente De Giglio, shot down and died; Primo Aviere Armando Dima, shot down and died; Sergente Maggiore Firmino Donizotti, shot down and taken prisoner; Sottotenente Antonio Fanigiulo, shot down and taken prisoner; Primo Aviere Vittorio Pazut, shot down and taken prisoner; all of 145a Squadriglia, Libyan Command.

OPERATIONS REPORTS SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 1940

ROYAL NAVY 0635 hrs Six Swordfish 830 Sqn (FAA) despatched to attack two DDs reported by Sunderland recon in the early hours. They reported a large patch of oil about three miles long as well as units of the Med Flt, returning to base at 0920 hrs. 1150-1545 hrs Nine Swordfish 830 Squadron FAA despatched to attack three cruisers and three DDs reported by Sunderland; no interception and all Swordfish returned.

AIR HQ 0906-1725 hrs Sunderland 230 Sqn on recon sighted the Malta convoy which radioed that it had been attacked by a submarine but had driven it off with gunfire and DC attacks. At 1235 hrs he saw the wreck of a Cant Z501 and three men in a collapsible dinghy, and picked them up.

CANT Z501 seaplane

1200-1545 hrs Glenn Martin 431 Flight reported six DDs at sea, plus a 2000 ton MVl off the Straits of Messina and large streaks of oil 20 miles from Syracuse.

KALAFRANA Operations by Sunderland aircraft of 228 and 230 squadrons. One Sunderland on naval co-operation patrol sighted units of the enemy fleet and led Fleet Air Arm striking force from HMS ILLUSTRIOUS in the attack. One Sunderland on patrol picked up three Italian prisoners shot down in the attack.

 

[parsifal]

13 October 1940
Losses
MV NORA (Est 1186 grt) Sunk by U-103 (Viktor Schütze) Crew: Unknown (19 survivors) Cargo: Lumber Route: Pugwash, Nova Scotia - Belfast. Sailing independent. Lost in the Western Approaches. At 0846 hrs the unescorted NORA was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-103 after being missed by one torpedo each at 0446 and 0712 hrs. The explosion threw parts of the deck cargo into the air, some hitting the water near the periscope. Schütze decided not to fire at the ship with the deck gun, because he saw that the lifeboats had been destroyed and the crew waved for help, so he sent a distress message with position for the steamer and left the area. However, the survivors were not rescued until 18 October, when HMS LEITH , which was escorting convoy SC-7 spotted them and picked them up. They had been clinging to debris for several days by then.

MV STANGRANT (UK 5804 grt) Sunk by U-37 (Victor Oehrn) Crew: 38 (8 dead and 30 survivors) Cargo: Steel and scrap Route: Hampton Roads - Halifax - Belfast Convoy HX-77 (Straggler) Lost In the Western Approaches. Whilst on route from HAMPTON ROADS for BELFAST carrying a cargo of 7,715 tons steel and scrap, STANGRANT was torpedoed by U-37 and sunk. 8 crew lost from a total crew of 38.

Drifter SUMMER ROSE (UK 96 grt) was sunk on a mine off Sunderland, 4.9 cables 032° from Roker Pier. Two ratings were lost.

Tug DANUBE III (UK 234 grt) was sunk on a mine off Sheerness, 2.5 cables 305° from Outer Bar Buoy. Ten ratings and one Marine gunner were lost.

Hopper barge CARGO FLEET No. 2 (UK 1130 grt) was damaged on a mine one cable west of Datum Buoy, off Tees. There were no casualties on the barge, which was taken in tow, but went ashore at Tees entrance, a total loss.

UBOATS
Departures
Lorient: U-99
St. Nazaire: U-46

At Sea 13 October 1940
U-28, U-37, U-38, U-43, U-46, U-48, U-93, U-99, U-100, U-101, U-103, U-123, U-124, U-137, U-138.
15 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
North Sea
FN.307 departed Southend, escort DDs VANITY and WOLFHOUND. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 16th. FS.308 departed Methil, escort DDs VEGA, VIMIERIA, WALLACE. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 17th.

U.138 damaged Norwegian steamer DAGRUN off North Channel.

Northern Waters
CLA CURACOA departed Scapa Flow and met convoy WN.22 in Pentland Firth to provide AA cover for the convoy to the Firth of Firth. In Operation D.N, DDs COSSACK, ASHANTI, MAORI and SIKH departed the Firth of Forth the evening of 13 October to strike at German shipping off Egero Light. During the night of 13/14 October, the DDs attacked a convoy of three ships and two small escorts four miles off the Light. While the British ships claimed sinking at least two merchant ships, only netlayer GENUA (Ger 1949 grt) was sunk. The only British casualty was a single shell hit in the stern of COSSACK with a stoker wounded. The British force safely returned to Rosyth arriving on the 14th. COSSACK's rudder was repaired at Rosyth completing on the 25th. Scapa Flow, except for a small area northeast of the Barrell of Butter, was declared free of mines and ASW exercises were resumed.

West Coast UK
OL.7 departed Liverpool escort DDs HIGHLANDER, HURRICANE, KEPPEL, HAVELOCK. The convoy was dispersed on the 16th. OB.228 departed Liverpool escort sloops FOLKESTONE and LEITH, corvette HEARTSEASE, ASW trawler SPHENE. The escort, less FOLKESTONE, detached on the 16th and she departed on the 17th.

Med- Biscay
CL AJAX and DDs JERVIS and JUNO met convoy AS 4 of four steamers from Piraeus, which had sailed that morning. At sea, they rendezvoused with CLA COVENTRY. Convoy AS 4 joined convoy ME 4 east of Gavdo Island. Steamer VOLO of ME 4 was sent ahead of the convoy to Alexandria with AA ship WRYNECK. CLA CALCUTTA remained with the convoy. On 15 October, DD MOHAWK was detached from the Main Fleet to relieve JERVIS. Convoy AS 4 arrived at Port Said on the 16th. RAN CL SYDNEY arrived at Alexandria.

Malta
No enemy air raids.

OPERATIONS REPORTS SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER 1940

ROYAL NAVY Recon ops by Swordfish 830 Sqn Fleet Air Arm of Ionian Sea from Malta to Taranto to Corfu and return.

AIR HQ Arrivals 1 Sunderland A. 0700 hrs Recon by Glen Martin 431 Flight signalled one DD and one MV in Ionian Sea. On landing reported 15 large warships and eight cruisers plus various small craft in Taranto outer harbour and three DDs and six cruisers plus small craft in the inner harbour. In the Gulf of Taranto he spotted one DD and one MVl. 0750 hrs Glenn Martin attacked by an enemy BR20 which was quickly outmanoeuvred and fired at, probably damaged. Recon continued but the Glenn Martin was again attacked by a CR32 from below. He returned fire, severely damaging the CR32 and probably killing the rear gunner. Meanwhile the Glenn Martin's rear gunner engaged another fast twin-engined aircraft attacking from behind – no hits claimed. The rear gunner then reported five or six RO43 or 44s climbing to attack. The Glenn Martin pilot took evasive action and continued his recon. The speed of the a/c was decisive in these engagements.

KALAFRANA Operations by Sunderland aircraft of 228 and 230 squadrons. 1131-1700 hrs French Latecoere on patrol reported an Italian hospital ship at sea 1235 hrs. Sunderland A arrived from UK with important passengers. 1235 hrs A Sunderland flying boat picked up 12-15 Italian Naval airmen whose aircraft had been shot down by a Fulmar; they were based at Tobruk.

 

[Njaco]

There was sewer and water. They used those systems to attack during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 I believe. Population was over 400,000 Jews residing in an area of 3.4 km2 (1.3 sq mi).

 

[Njaco]

October 13 Sunday
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/ww2-general/day-battle-britain-25360-post726519.html#post726519

WESTERN FRONT: Bomber pilot Lt. Hajo Herrmann of KG 30 is awarded the Ritterkreuz.

MEDITERRANEAN: In response to Rumanian President Antonescu plea for help, Hitler orders the Luftwaffe's night intruder forces to move to the Mediterranean.

At dawn, a British flying boat spotted Italian destroyer "Camicia Nera" towing destroyer "Artigliere", which was damaged on the previous day during the Battle of Cape Passero east of Malta. Aircraft from HMS "Illustrious" forced "Camicia Nera" to cut the tow line, and then cruisers HMS "York" and HMS "Ajax" and four destroyers sank "Artigliere" with torpedoes. The British warships dropped rafts for the Italian survivors before departing. Many of the survivors would be rescued by an Italian hospital ship on the following day.

GERMANY: During the night, many British aircraft were launched to attack battleship "Tirpitz" in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, but in poor weather only 4 Hampden aircraft were able to locate the port. Not hits were scored on "Tirpitz".

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-103 attacked Estonian ship "Nora" 200 miles west of the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, at 0846 hours with a torpedo. As "Nora" remained afloat, Korvettenkapitän Viktor Schütze of U-103 realized "Nora's" lifeboats were all destroyed during the attack, and broadcasted a distress message with the damaged ship's position. British sloop HMS "Leith" would arrive several days later and would rescue 19 survivors. German submarine U-37 sank British ship "Stangrant" west of Scotland at 1957 hours; 8 were killed and 30 survived.

British rescue tug HMRT "Danube III" hit a mine in the mouth of the Thames Estuary and sank off Sheerness, Kent in southern England; 11 were killed.

In the Norwegian Sea, off the coast of Norway, during the night (October 13-14), British destroyers engage a German flotilla, sinking 2 German vessels.

ASIA: Nationalist Chinese artillery is secretly transported deep behind Japanese lines to shell Ichang Airfield which is a base used by for Japanese air raids on Chungking.

.