This Day in the War in Europe: The Beginning

[parsifal]

British 4th Armoured Division.....

I suspect a typo....should this not read "british 7th Armoured div'. The only other divisional sized armoured unit in the MTO was the 2nd Armoured, not yet in action and soon to be lost.

Could possibly be a reference to a brigade, which I have not checked.....

 

[parsifal]

7 January 1941
Known Reinforcements
Allied
Thornycroft 55 foot type MTB 217

Losses
Steamer H. H. PETERSEN (UK 975 grt) was sunk on a mine in 52-22N, 2-05E. The crew was rescued. Some sources claim the vessel was on passage from Goole to Rochester with coal, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the DKM schnellboot S-101

UBOATS
Arrivals
Lorient: U-37

At Sea 7 January 1941
U-38, U-65, U-95, U-105, U-106, U-124.
6 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
North Sea
FS.381 departed Methil, escort DDs GARTH and VERSATILE, and arrived at Southend on the 9th. FS.382 departed Methil, DD VIMIERA and sloop WESTON, and arrived at Southend on the 9th. FS.383 departed Methil, escort DD VERDUN and sloop LONDONDERRY, and arrived at Southend on the 10th.

Northern Waters
CL MAURITIUS arrived at Scapa Flow to work up and join CruSqn 10. CLs MANCHESTER and EDINBURGH arrived at Scapa Flow from patrol. DD KELLY departed Scapa Flow and proceeded to Greenock, arriving the next day. The DD's working up was completed and she joined DDs KIPLING, KASHMIR, JERSEY in the same Flotilla. On the 18th, the four DDs arrived at Plymouth for duty in the Western Approaches. DD MEYNELL departed Scapa Flow to proceed to Aberdeen and escort steamer BEN MY CHREE to Lerwick and then back to Aberdeen. The ships arrived at Lerwick on the 8th. MEYNELL arrived back at Scapa Flow on the 9th.

Western Approaches
Marcello Class Sub NANI (RM 1043 grt) was sunk by Corvette ANEMONE, en route to join convoy HX.99, south of Iceland in 60-15N, 15-27W. FNFL corvette LA MALOUINE assisted in the attack.

DKM took over a number of italian subs when italy surrendered. This is a photo of DKM sub UIT24 at the Inland Sea, Japan August 1944 (ex - RM sub COMANDANTE CAPPELINI, later IJN sub I-503

SW Approaches
OG.49 departed Liverpool escort DD ANTHONY and sloop ROCHESTER. The convoy was join the next day by DDs ANTHONY and GEORGETOWN, armed boarding vessels CRISPIN and MANISTEE, seaplane tender PEGASUS, corvettes HEATHER and PICOTEE. On the 11th, DDs ANTELOPE, ANTHONY, GEORGETOWN, seaplane tender PEGASUS, corvettes HEATHER and PICOTEE were detached. On the 14th, the ocean boarding vessels were detached. OG.49 arrived at Gibraltar on the 21st, escorted by sloop ROCHESTER.

Channel
MTBs 32 and 34 laid minefield PW.1 in Zuydcoote Pass. DKM TBs KONDOR and WOLF laid minefield RENATE off Dover on the 7th. Returning, TB WOLF (DKM 933 grt) was mined and sunk north of Dunkirk in British minefield PW.1.

MTBs laid seven more PW minefields in January

Med- Biscay
Force H sortied from Gibraltar on the 7th to cover the EXCESS convoy. Units participating were BC RENOWN, BB MALAYA, CV ARK ROYAL, CL SHEFFIELD, DDs FAULKNOR, FORESTER, FORTUNE, FIREDRAKE, FOXHOUND, FURY, DUNCAN.

Operation MC.4, the EXCESS convoy, which arrived in convoy WS.5 A, had departed Gibraltar on the 6th, The convoy consisted of British steamers ESSEX, en route to Malta, CLAN CUMMING , CLAN MACDONALD, EMPIRE SONG , en route to Pireaus. Another merchant ship, NORTHERN PRINCE was to have participated, but she ran aground at Gibraltar. The four hundred troops on NORTHERN PRINCE were embarked in CLA BONAVENTURE.

The EXCESS convoy was escorted by CLA BONAVENTURE and DDs HEREWARD, JAGUAR, HASTY, HERO. BB MALAYA was with the EXCESS convoy until Force H returned to Gibraltar twenty five miles north of Bizerte. The British Fleet with BBs WARSPITE and VALIANT, CV ILLUSTRIOUS, DDs JERVIS, NUBIAN, MOHAWK, DAINTY, GREYHOUND, GALLANT, GRIFFIN of Force A departed Alexandria on the 7th to cover the EXCESS convoy. CA YORK and CL cruiser ORION of Force D.departed Alexandria at 0300 to cover the passage of Force C through the Kaso Strait. Force C was oiler BRAMBLELEAF and corvettes SALVIA, HYACINTH, GLOXINIA, PEONY. Force C refuelled the corvettes at Suda Bay on the 8th and proceeded independently to Malta. CLs AJAX and PERTH departed Piraeus to rendezvous CL ORION and CA YORK at Suda Bay on the 8th. Later on the 8th, CLs ORION, AJAX, RAN PERTH departed Suda Bay to cover Force C and for the EXCESS operation. CL AJAX was detached to return to Alexandria. Convoy MW.5 1/2 departed Alexandria with transport BRECONSHIRE and steamer CLAN MACAULAY for Malta, CLA CALCUTTA, DDs DEFENDER and DIAMOND. Subs TRIUMPH and UPHOLDER were at sea south of Sardinia. Sub PANDORA was at sea to the east of the other two submarines.

Some in the RN were expecting the operation to be yet another "milk run". If so, they were to be given a severe shock very soon.

Sube USK departed Gibraltar on the 7th and arrived at Malta on the 17th. Sub ROVER attacked a convoy in 32-15N, 23-36E. Italian steamer EDDA was not damaged. RM TBs CLIO and CASTORE counter-attacked and damaged the submarine. The damage required thirteen days to repair at Malta.

During the night of 7/8 January, RM DDs VIVALDI, MALOCELLO, DA NOLI, TARIGO and TBs SAGITTARIO and VEGA laid minefields X 2 (180 mines) and X 3 (180 mines) north of Cape Bon.

Malta
1455-1500 hrs Air raid alert for enemy aircraft approaching the Island. Delimara Signal Station reports aircraft approaching at 8 miles east but they turn away before crossing the coast.

 

[Njaco]

I suspect a typo....should this not read "british 7th Armoured div'. The only other divisional sized armoured unit in the MTO was the 2nd Armoured, not yet in action and soon to be lost.

Could possibly be a reference to a brigade, which I have not checked.....

Yes, should be brigade which was there until 1943. My bad!

 

[Njaco]

January 7 Tuesday
MEDITERRANEAN: The "Illustrious" Blitz: Admiral Cunningham's Mediterranean Fleet (Force A), consisting of battleship HMS "Warspite", battleship HMS "Valiant", aircraft carrier HMS "Illustrious", and 7 destroyers departed Alexandria, Egypt, to meet the Excess convoy. HMS "Illustrious" was carrying a squadron of 12 Fulmars (806 squadron), along with a detachment of three Fulmars from 805 Squadron. This was regarded as the standard fighter complement for the fleet carriers. There also was some 20 Swordfish (in 815 and 819 squadron). These stoic biplanes were running anti-submarine and spotting patrols around the convoys. Meanwhile Admiral Somerville's Force H, consisting of battlecruiser HMS "Renown", battleship HMS "Malaya", aircraft carrier HMS "Ark Royal", cruiser HMS "Sheffield", and 7 destroyers, departed Gibraltar to cover convoy MC 4 which left Gibraltar on the previous day. Force A, Force D, and convoy MW 5 with Force C sailed from Alexandria, and Force B sailed from the Aegean toward Malta. Force A was located by Italian air reconnaissance that afternoon and sighted off Bougie.

NORTH AFRICA: Australian 6th Division and British 4th Armoured Brigade have nearly surrounded Tobruk, Libya after capturing Acroma 10 miles to the west. But the British are unable to assault it immediately as supplies and reinforcements need to be brought up.

British submarine HMS "Rover" attacked an Italian convoy off the coast of Libya 25 miles west of Tobruk. Italian torpedo boats "Clio" and "Castore" counterattacked, damaging HMS "Rover", putting her out of commission for the following 13 months for repairs at Malta.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German torpedo boats "Kondor" and "Wolf" laid a minefield off Dover, England, but "Wolf" sank in a British minefield north of Dunkirk, France on the way home.

Italian submarine "Giacomo Nani" attacked Allied convoy HX.99 200 miles south of Iceland without success. British corvette HMS "Anemone" and French corvette "La Malouine" counterattacked, sinking "Nani"; all 58 Italian sailors and officers were rescued and taken prisoner.

ASIA: Chinese Nationalist forces began attacking the surrounded Chinese Communist New Fourth Army troops at Maolin, Anhui Province, China.

Japanese Admiral Yamamoto proposes Operation Z in a letter. His goal is to destroy the U.S. fleet, not invade or conquer the U.S. He will use the massed aircraft carriers idea of Genda, not oversized battleships. The Pearl Harbor raid is to be part of combined operations to defeat British strongholds at Hong Kong and Singapore, occupy Philippines, the Malay barrier, Java, Borneo, New Guinea, central Pacific islands.

UNITED KINGDOM: During the most extensive daylight raiding of the Blitz, London was raided intermittently for three and a half hours, and bombs were dropped in fifteen districts. On the same day many incidents were reported from East Anglia and the Home Counties, and one from Coventry.
.

 

[parsifal]

its all good Chris. I hope you arent being put out when I call you out like that. No disrespect is intended.

 

[parsifal]

8 January 1941
Known Reinforcements
Allied
N Class DD HMAS NIZAM (G 38 )

NIZAM spent the early part of her service in the Atlantic, then was reassigned to the Mediterranean, where she was involved in the Crete and Syria-Lebanon Campaigns, the Tobruk Ferry Service, and the Malta Convoys. During 1942, the DD was involved in Operation Vigorous and the Madagascar Campaign. The next year saw the ship involved in patrols of the Indian and South Atlantic oceans, searching for German ships and submarines, and rescuing the survivors of U-boat attacks. After returning to Australia for a refit at the end of 1944, ten sailors were washed overboard in February 1945, with none ever seen again. The rest of World War II was spent operating in the Philippines and New Guinea regions.

After returning to Australia in late 1945, NIZAM was decommissioned and returned to the RN. The ship was not returned to active service, and was broken up for scrap in 1956.

MMS Class MSW HMS MMS 8 (J 508 )

Losses
Trinity House Tender STRATHEARN (UK 683 grt) was sunk on a mine in 51-45N, 1-10E. Fifteen crew and passengers were lost.

Steamer CLYTONEUS (UK 6278 grt) was sunk by the LW in 56-23N, 15-28W. The entire crew was rescued by AMC ESPERANCE BAY and DD WILD SWAN. The Clyde built ships website states: "One of a class of four vessels. On the date of her sinking she was attacked by a German aircraft whilst en route to Ellesmere Port with a cargo of sugar from Macassar. Two attacks were made and on the second attack her hold was hit setting the cargo alight. Her seams split and she sank stern first in posn 56,23N 15,28W. Her survivors were rescued by HMS WILD SWAN and ESPERANCE BAY. All four ships of her class were war losses, her sisters being MARON, MYRMIDON and POLYPHEMUS" (Additional data by Tom Carryette and Colin Campbell)

UBOATS
At Sea 8 January 1941
U-38, U-65, U-95, U-105, U-106, U-124.
6 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
North Sea
FN.378 departed Southend, and arrived at Methil on the 10th. ML TEVIOTBANK, escort DD INTREPID, laid minefield BS.48 off the East Coast of England.

Northern Waters
CL MANCHESTER became flagship of CruSqn 18, before she departed Scapa Flow on the 11th for refitting and stiffening in the Tyne. CL ARETHUSA arrived at Scapa Flow after guard ship duties at Oban. DDs JACKAL and BROADWAY arrived at Scapa Flow from Plymouth to carry out work up exercises. CLA CURACOA departed Scapa Flow to escort convoy WN.65 from the Pentland Firth until moonset. The cruiser arrived back at Scapa Flow on the 9th.

West Coast UK
OB.271 departed Liverpool, escort DDs VANQUISHER, VISCOUNT, WHITEHALL, WINCHELSEA and corvettes GENTIAN and RHODODENDRON. The escort was detached when the convoy dispersed on the 12th.

ML cruiser ADVENTURE laid mines in minefield ZME.12 in St Georges Channel.

SW Approaches
HG.50 departed Gibraltar escort corvettes GERANIUM and JONQUIL until 12 January. On the 12th, the corvettes were relieved by sloop SCARBOROUGH. FNFL corvette LA MALOUINE joined the conovy on the 20th. On the 21st, DDs HESPERUS, JACKAL, MALCOLM, SHIKARI, SKATE, SKEENA, corvete ARABIS, ASW trawler WELLARD joined the convoy. Corvette ARABIS was detached on the 23rd and DD SKATE on the 24th, and arrived at Liverpool on the 26th.

Med- Biscay
Force A refuelled DDs at Suda Bay, arriving at 1230. The Force departed at 1400. Force B, the force centred around CL GLOUCESTER, arrived at Malta during the morning and disembarked their troops. DD JANUS remained at Malta for docking. Force B then departed to join the EXCESS convoy.

RAN CL SYDNEY, completed of her refit, departed Valletta, escort RAN DD STUART. These ships rendezvoused with Force D. They all then joined Force A on the morning of the 9th SE of Malta. SYDNEY and STUART were detached from Force A at 1240 for Alexandria. Force D was detached from Force A to cover the convoys and provide AA support for convoy ME.6 on the 10th.

Convoy AS.10 of seven British and three other ships, escorted by five RHN DDs, departed Piraeus, and arrived at Suda Bay on the 8th and at Port Said on the 10th.

Malta
0628-1050 hrs Maryland recon Cagliari: 2 DDs, 7 MVs 1500-4000 tons, 8 unidentified seaplanes; Trapani 4 DDs, 7 MVs 2000 tons. Light AA and very inaccurate; visibility poor. 0616-1117 hrs Maryland recon Naples: one Littorio BB, two Cavour BBs, two auxiliaries and large number of merchant vessels. Mission disrupted by two MC 200 ftrs which chased at 12000 feet but failed to intercept. Messina: 3 cruisers, 5 DD, 1 MV 5000 tons heading north. 0647-1142 hrs Maryland recon Taranto for shipping: outer harbour one damaged Cavour BBp, 9 MVs 1500-4000 tons; inner harbour 4 cruisers, 2 DDs, 2+ TBs entering harbour 2 3000 ton MVs also entering harboiur. One MC 200 ftr approached at 5000 feet and followed the Maryland to the Gulf of Taranto; no combat. As a result of recon, 10 Wellington bombers despatched to attack Naples that night. 228 Sqn left for recon western Ionian Sea returned 0616 hrs with engine trouble. Naples was bombed by British Malta based Wellingtons. RM BB CESARE was damaged by three near misses, but later repaired at La Spezia. BB VENETO, escorted by RM DesDiv19, was sent to La Spezia to take her out of the reach of Malta bombers.

 

[Njaco]

No worries!! Thick hide here!

 

[Njaco]

January 8 Wednesday
GERMANY: During the night, 7 British Wellington bombers from Feltwell, Lincolnshire attacked battleship "Tirpitz" at Wilhelmshaven, which suffered light damage from near misses.

Adolf Hitler hosted a two-day military conference at his Berghof residence in southern Germany, where he stated that Germany would continue to support Italian efforts in North Africa despite it being a secondary theater, the Soviet Union must be brought down, southern France might need to be occupied, and, for the first time, told the military leaders to prepare Germany for the possibility of American entry into the war.

MEDITERRANEAN: British Wellington bombers from Malta attacked Italian battleships "Guilio Cesare" and "Vittorio Veneto" moored in Naples, Italy. "Guilio Cesare" was badly damaged by 3 near misses but "Vittorio Veneto" was hit without serious damage. Both ships would be moved to La Spezia, Italy and repaired, out of the range of the Malta bombers. This attack underlines the importance of Malta as an offensive base. Two days later, German and Italian aircraft begin a concerted air campaign against the island.

The "Illustrious" Blitz: British cruisers HMS "Gloucester" and HMS "Southampton" arrived at Malta to disembark 510 Army and RAF personnel, escorted by destroyers HMS "Ilex" and HMS "Janus". HMS "Gloucester", HMS "Southampton", and HMS "Ilex" continued west to meet the Excess convoy from Gibraltar.

Mussolini's military pretensions were revealed to be little more than a posture. His troops were retreating in Albania, reeling from their failed invasion of Greece. German military predictions that the Greeks would prevail had proved correct. Hitler had now to consider his support for his principal ally. Strategically he was uninterested in North Africa but he could not allow Mussolini's regime to fail and that meant giving him military support.

NORTH AFRICA: British Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout Movement and hero of the Boer War, died in Kenya at the age of 84.

Operation Compass was far from over and troops were needed to maintain the momentum on Tobruk. Australian 6th Division began reconnaissance patrols around Tobruk, Libya. Overnight, a patrol reached the Italian defensive perimeter. Outnumbered by their enemy during the battle, the few British troops left to guard the prisoners were now massively outnumbered. The reputation of Australian troops was in the ascendant. They had been in Egypt for over a year and had been eager for action. Wavell may even have believed that they would have caused more trouble in the base areas had they not been brought into the campaign. They had been brought into the battle late, even while they were under equipped, but their success now resounded around the world.

ASIA: Royal Thai Air Force aircraft attacked French positions at Siem Reap and Battambang in Cambodia, French Indochina.

"Zuikaku" departed Hiroshima, Japan for Truk, Caroline Islands.

Japanese Army Minister Tojo Hideki issues "Instructions For the Battlefield" commanding soldiers to die a soldier's death rather than become captives. This code, glorifying heroic death, will form the basis of Japan's wartime code.

NORTH AMERICA: US President Franklin Roosevelt requested the US Congress to pass a defense budget in the size of US$10,811,000,000 for fiscal year of 1942.

EASTERN EUROPE: The Soviet general staff conducts war games over four days, to examine the possibilities of a German attack and Russian counter-attack. Two basic scenarios are considered, one concentrating on the northwest (Lithuania and East Prussia), the other on a Southwestern Army Group attack south of Brest-Litovsk. An initial defensive stage of the war is not simulated. Both attack scenarios show overall difficulties, but the southern approach is shown to advance 55-100 miles into Poland.

.

 

[Njaco]

January 9 Thursday
MEDITERRANEAN: The "Illustrious" Blitz: Escort duties for the British Excess convoy was passed from Force H (from Gibraltar) to the Mediterranean Fleet (from Alexandria, Egypt); most of Force H turned back for Gibraltar at nightfall, but cruiser HMS "Bonaventure" and destroyers HMS "Hereward", HMS "Jaguar", HMS "Hasty", and HMS "Hero" would remain with the convoy. Force A was joined by Force D and HMAS "Sydney" 210 nautical miles southeast of Malta. Force B joined convoy MC 4. Convoy MC 4 and Force H were discovered by Italian aircraft and attacked unsuccessfully by ten SM.79s from Sardinia but were chased off by HMS "Ark Royal's'" Fulmars. Two SM.79s were shot down by the Fairey Fulmars. A later attack by 15 Fiat CR.42s carrying 100 kg bombs was similarly ineffective. Force H left convoy MC 4 that afternoon after "Ark Royal" launched six Swordfish for the defense of Malta. Force A joined convoy MC 4 at dusk. On the same day, 12 Italian C.200 fighter-bombers attempted to attack Malta. 4 were shot down by defending Hurricane fighters of No. 261 Squadron RAF. Nine Ju 87s from X Fliegerkorps bombed ships in Marsa Scirocco Bay, Malta.

British submarine HMS "Pandora" sank Italian ships "Palma" and "Valdivagna" off Cape Carbonara, Sardinia, Italy. British submarine HMS "Parthian" sank Italian ship "Carlo Martinolich" off Calabria, Italy.

Italian destroyers "Ascari", "Carabiniere", "Folgore", and "Fulmine" shelled Greek positions on the Albanian coast at Porto Palmermo.

Seven RAF Wellingtons, operating from Malta, attacked the harbour and marshalling yards at Messina. A Naval oil storage depot was bombed, together with the marshalling yards and oil tanks nearby. Bombs also straddled cruisers and ships in the harbour.

WESTERN FRONT: Over Nijmegen, at 2318 hours, Oblt. Reinhold Eckhardt of 6./NJG 1 destroys a British Whitley bomber.

UNITED KINGDOM: The prototype of the four engined Avro Lancaster flies for the first time. The prototype aircraft BT308 was assembled by Avro's experimental flight department at Manchester's Ringway Airport. Test pilot H.A. "Bill" Thorn took the controls for its first flight at Ringway. The aircraft proved to be a great improvement on its predecessor, being "one of the few warplanes in history to be 'right' from the start." Roy Chadwick the chief designer at Avro had designed the two engined Manchester bomber to an Air Ministry specification. It was not a success and there were particular problems with the powerful Rolls Royce Vulture engines, which were unreliable. Chadwick independently started to develop the design of the airframe to accommodate four of the tried and tested Rolls Royce Merlin engines. Its initial three-finned tail layout, a result of the design being adapted from the Manchester I, was quickly changed on the second prototype DG595 and subsequent production aircraft, to the familiar twin-finned specification also used on the later Manchesters. From this process the Lancaster bomber emerged, destined to become the principal aircraft of Bomber Command and one of the most famous aircraft ever built.

Mr. Harry Hopkins, President Roosevelt's personal envoy, arrived in England.

NORTH AFRICA: Australian 6th Division and British 7th Armoured Division completed the encirclement of Tobruk, Libya. 25,000 Italian troops were now trapped.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-105 sank British ship "Bassano" 300 miles south of Iceland at 1814 hours; 1 was killed and 56 survived.

GERMANY: Adolf Hitler and his top military leaders completed the two-day conference at Hitler's residence of Berghof in München-Oberbayern, Germany. He issues orders to discontinue preparations for Operation Felix (Gibraltar) and Sea Lion (England), to continue Attila (France) preparations, and continue undertaking Marita (Balkans).

SOUTH PACIFIC: US Navy transport William Ward Burrows arrived at Wake Island with the first group of 80 civilian workers who would start to excavate the channel between Wilkes and Wake Islands.

.

 

[parsifal]

9 January 1941
Known Reinforcements
Neutral
Gnevnyi Class DD USSR REKORDNYI

sold to China 1955 as AN'SHAN. In chinese service she was extensively modified, losing her torpedo tubes in favour of HY-2 anti-ship missiles. This picture, the only one i could find, is of the AN'SHAN as modified. After conversion, the type were redesignated as Type 6607.

After 1949 the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) negotiated with Britain through Hong Kong to buy some second-hand ships and boats but unable to do so due to the Korean War. As a result, the PLAN turned to the USSR to buy 4 wornout destroyers with 17 tons of gold.

The Anshan-class ships were withdrawn from active service by the 1990s, but retained as training and museum ships . The PLAN retains ownership through PLAN funded institutions.

Allied
Flower Class Corvette HMS PIMPERNEL (K 71)

Town Class DD HMNoS BATH (I-17)

Transferred from the RN to the RNoN on 9 January 1941. The ship was lost in August 1941. HNoMS BATH. was escorting convoy OG-71 as part of the 5th Escort Gp about 400 miles sw of Ireland. During combat, the destroyer fell behind the convoy and was sunk by two torpedoes from the DKM U-204 at 0205 hrs on 19 August 1941 in position 49º00'N, 17º00'W. The CO and 82 crew members were lost.

Losses
MV BASSANO (UK 4843 grt) Sunk by U-105 (Georg Schewe) ; Crew: 57 (1 dead and 56 survivors); Cargo: Steel Grain; Route: New York - Hull ; Convoy Independent; Sunk in the Western Approaches; At 1814 hrs on 9 Jan 1941 the unescorted BASSANO was hit just aft of amidships by one of two G7e torpedoes from U-105 and sank by the stern NW of Rockall. One crew member was lost. The master, 48 crew members, two gunners and five passengers were picked up by RN DD WILD SWAN and landed at Liverpool.

Drifter DUSKY QUEEN (UK 40 grt) was lost when she ran aground in the Dover Straits.

UBOATS
Departures
Lorient: U-94, U-96

At Sea 9 January 1941
U-38, U-65, U-94, U-95, U-96, U-105, U-106, U-124.
8 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
North Sea
FS.384 departed Methil, escort DD WOLFHOUND and sloop EGRET. Patrol sloops GUILLEMOT and SHELDRAKE were with the convoy on the 10th, which arrived at Southend on the 11th.

West Coast UK
British steamer DORSET COAST was damaged on a mine. The steamer was brought into Penarth Dock (near Cardiff) for repairs.

SW Approaches
Evidently deciding to defect to Vichy, Trawler URANIA (Vichy 500 grt (est)) departed Saint Pierre et Miquelon (in Newfoundland) for Casablanca on 28 December. The trawler was intercepted by a British ocean boarding vessel on the 9th and sent into Gibraltar arriving on the 11th. She was handed over to the Free French.

Channel
MSW SALTBURN was damaged by the near miss from a LW a/c in Portsmouth dockyard, however RN reports say she spent no time out of service.

Nth Atlantic
RM sub GLAUCO reported shelling an 8000 ton steamer in the western approaches, but there is no confirmation for the claimed two shell hits.

Med- Biscay
CV ARK ROYAL, escorted by BC RENOWN, CL SHEFFIELD, DDs FOXHOUND, FAULKNOR, FORESTER, FURY, FORTUNE, FIREDRAKE, flew five Swordfish of 821 Sqn to Malta. A Swordfish of 818 Sqn, returning from a diversionary raid on Cagliari, force landed in the sea 130 miles from the Fleet, however Lt A. H. Appleton and Sub Lt R. I. W. Goddard were rescued by DD FOXHOUND.

Two RA SM 79s were shot down by a Fulmar of 808 Sqn. One crewman from one bomber was picked up by DD FOXHOUND; two crew of the other bomber were picked up by DD FORESTER.

Force H reversed course and returned to Gibraltar after the EXCESS convoy was joined by CLs GLOUCESTER and SOUTHAMPTON and DD ILEX off Cape Bon for the run into Valletta. At that time, CLA BONAVENTURE and DD JAGUAR were detached to Malta and returned to the force shortly before dusk that evening.

RN Sub PANDORA sank steamer PALMA (FI 2715 grt)

PANDORA also sank and Steamer VALDIVAGNA (FI 5400 grt). These ships were lost off Cape Carbonara, Sardinia.

RN Sub PARTHIAN sank steamer CARLO MARTINOLICH (FI 4208 grt) off Calabria.

RN Sub ROVER unsuccessfully attacked a small steamer with gunfire in 32-23N, 23-21E. RHN sub NEREUS unsuccessfully attacked a steamer off Brindisi. Sub TRITON unsuccessfully attacked an RM sub off Otranto.

Coastal steamer GIOVANNI MARI (FI 636 grt) was sunk on a mine twelve miles from Bardia. RM DDs ASCARI, CARABINIERE, FOLGORE, FULMINE again bombarded Greek positions at Porto Palmermo, Albania.

RM sub BEILUL fired torpedoes at two ships in a convoy in 35-25N, 26-28E, with no result.

Malta
1007-1025 hrs Air raid alert for a total of 15 Macchi 200 fighters approaching the Island in three formations. While most remain at 12-14000 feet, a formation of six dive down over Luqa and launch a machine-gun attack on the aerodrome. Three Wellingtons are holed by bullets but none is badly damaged. Five raiders then cross the coast and fly in a straight line from Zonqor towards Birkirkara.

Malta fighters are scrambled and ground defences open fire. Four enemy aircraft are shot down by Hurricanes and one by AA fire. Three enemy aircrew are seen to bale out in different locations and one raider crashes two miles out to sea off Della Grazia. One enemy air crewman is picked up from the sea and taken to military hospital. One Hurricane lands at Hal Far during the raid.

1614 hrs Air raid alert for a formation of nine enemy dive-bombers approaching the Island from the east, three of them clearly identified as JU 87 Stukas of the LW. As they circle round to the south, a Maryland reconnaissance aircraft approaches Luqa from the South East but turns away. The Stukas dive down over Marsaxlokk and target bombs on shipping moored in the bay; no damage is reported. A trawler opens fire and reports hitting one enemy aircraft (unconfirmed). One bomb explodes on land near a gun position with no damage or casualties. Four Hurricanes are scrambled but do not intercept the bombers. They spot a further formation of 12 CR 42s but these are too high to intercept.

1635 hrs The Maryland circles Luqa again before landing safely. One of the crew is injured.

1755-1810 hrs Air raid alert for a single enemy aircraft which approaches the Island from the north east, then circles to the south. Three Hurricanes are airborne on patrol but no raid materialises.

 

[parsifal]

10 January 1941
Losses
Steamer MIDDLESEX (UK 9583 grt) was mined and sunk off South Wales. The entire crew were rescued

UBOATS
Arrivals
Lorient: U-65

At Sea 10 January 1941
U-38, U-94, U-95, U-96, U-105, U-106, U-124.
7 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
North Sea
FN.380 departed Southend, and arrived at Methil on the 12th. FS.385 departed Methil, escort DDs VESPER and WOOLSTON, and arrived at Southend on the 13th.

Northern Waters
L/R D/F readings 300 miles west of Bloody Foreland caused a sortie from Scapa Flow. BCs HOOD and REPULSE, CLs EDINBURGH and BIRMINGHAM, DDs SOMALI, BEDOUIN, TARTAR, ESKIMO, ESCAPADE and ECLIPSE departed Scapa Flow at 0101 on the 11th. When no contact was made, the ships arrived back at Scapa Flow on the 13th. Before arriving, HOOD was detached to Rosyth for refitting. She was joined by DDs ECHO, ELECTRA, KEPPEL, which departed Scapa Flow on the 12th, in Pentland Firth and arrived at Rosyth on the 13th.

DD JACKAL departed Scapa Flow for Devonport following a short series of exercises. CLA CURACOA departed Scapa Flow to escort convoy WN.66 from Pentland Firth to the latitude of Buchan Ness. The ship arrived back at Scapa Flow on the 11th.

West Coast UK
ML ADVENTURE laid mines in minefield ZME.14 in St Georges Channel during the night of 10/11 January. OB.272 departed Liverpool, escort DD WESTCOTT, ocean boarding vessel CRISPIN, sloop WELLINGTON, corvettes CANDYTUFT and HONEYSUCKLE, ASW yacht SURPRISE. The yacht was detached later that day and the corvettes on the 13th. The remainder of the escort was detached on the 14th at which time the convoy dispersed.

Channel
AA ship TYNWALD, while fitting out at Portsmouth, was damaged by the LW.

Central Atlantic
In Operation MONSOON, CVL FURIOUS departed Freetown on the 6th with CL DELHI and DDs ISIS and ENCOUNTER.
On the 10th, 39 Hurricanes and 9 Fulmars were flown off to Takoradi, the carrier and CL NEPTUNE departed Takoradi. The cruiser was detached to Lagos for fuelling on the 10th. The carrier departed Freetown on the 16th, escorted by CL NEPTUNE again and DDs ISIS and ENCOUNTER. The ships proceeded to Gibraltar due to fuel shortages. FURIOUS arrived back in the Clyde on 5 February and began refitting at Greenock.

Convoy SL.62 departed Freetown escort AMC PRETORIA CASTLE to 28 January. On the 28th, corvette MALLOW and ASW trawlers NORTHERN PRIDE and ST ELSTAN joined to 3 February. DDs JACKAL to 1 February, SALADIN, SKATE and corvette KINGCUP joined on the 30th and DDs SARDONYX and SCIMITAR and corvette ANEMONE joined on the 31st, and arrived at Liverpool on 3 February.

Convoy SLS.62 departed Freetown. The convoy was escorted by sloop FOLKESTONE from 25 January to 4 February.
On the 30th, DD VOLUNTEER and corvette TULIP joined the convoy and escorted it to 4 February. Vichy steamer CANTAL departed Fort de France for Casablanca on 28 December. The steamer was intercepted by British ocean boarding vessel MARON at 29-35N, 21-20W and sent to Gibraltar, arriving on the 14th. The steamer was sent to England in convoy HG.57 on 24 March.

Sth Atlantic
DKM AO NORDMARK replenished German supply ship EUROFELD at sea.

Med- Biscay
Dawn - EXCESS convoy escorts encountered RM TBs VEGA and CIRCE off Cape Bon. CL SOUTHAMPTON and CLA BONAVENTURE, escorted by DDs HEREWARD and JAGUAR, sank Spica Class TB VEGA (RM 795 grt), but BONAVENTURE expended 75% of her ammunition and there were no reserves in Alexandria. One rating was killed and four were wounded, with one dying of wounds on 4 April, in cruiser BONAVENTURE.

At 0815, the EXCESS convoy and its escorts, undamaged, joined Cunningham's Force A.

Right after the engagement, in which VEGA was sunk, at 0834, GHI Class DD GALLANT (RN 1378 grt) struck a mine that detonated her forward magazine, because the Italian action pushed the British convoy too much south of their pre-established route. The explosion blew the bow off the ship, killing 65 and injuring 15 more of her crew. Her sister GRIFFIN rescued most of the survivors and the DD MOHAWK towed her stern-first to Malta. The ship was slowly repaired and in October 1941 it was estimated that they would be completed in June 1942. However, on 5 April 1942, she was extensively damaged by bomb splinters by an air raid on Valletta and had to be beached at Pinto's Wharf to prevent her from sinking. She was judged to be a constructive total loss and any usable equipment was stripped from her hulk. Gallant was expended as a blockship at St Paul's Island in September 1943, with the wreck being broken up in 1953. She was effectively however, lost on 10 Jan 1941

GALLANT after she had been towed to Malta

TB CIRCE escaped with only splinter damage, but she was attacked later in the day by Malta based a/c.

A Fulmar of 806 Sqn from CV ILLUSTRIOUS was shot down sixty miles sw of Malta. Sub Lt I. L. F. Lowe was wounded, but was rescued by DD JAGUAR. Naval Airman R. D. Kensett was killed. DDs HEREWARD and JAGUAR joined Force A.

At 1000, CLs GLOUCESTER and SOUTHAMPTON were ordered to stand by DD GALLANT. Off Malta, the cruisers were detached at 0500 on the 11th. GALLANT was towed to Malta by DD GRIFFIN and escorted by CLA BONAVENTURE and DD MOHAWK. BONAVENTURE and JAGUAR remained at Malta to return to Gibraltar. However, on the 14th, they sailed with CL ORION to Alexandria. BONAVENTURE carried non essential personnel from ILLUSTRIOUS. The ships arrived at Alexandria on the 16th.

At 0800on the 10th, convoy MW.5 1/2 arrived at Malta.

On the 10th, convoy ME.6 of steamers VOLO, former Italian RODI , PONTFIELD, ULSTER PRINCE, DEVIS, Norwegian tkr HOEGH HOOD, tkr TROCAS, and AO PLUMLEAF departed Malta at 0700 escorted by corvettes PEONY, SALVIA, GLOXINIA, HYACINTH departed Malta at 0700. CLA CALCUTTA joined the convoy later in the day for AA support.

Convoy ME.5 1/2 of steamers WAIWERA and LANARKSHIRE departed Malta at 1130 escorted by DD DIAMOND. Both convoys safely arrived at Alexandria on the 13th.

DD JANUS departed Malta at 1200 to join Force A. Steamer ESSEX arrived at Malta at 2045 escort DD HERO. CA YORK was detached at 1830 to join the EXCESS convoy. At 1235 to 1245, heavy air attacks on Cunningham's force in 36-00N, 13-12E. ILLUSTRIOUS was hit by six bombs and was forced to retire to Malta for repairs escorted by HASTY and JAGUAR (see folowing entries). 83 officers and men were killed on the.

Five Swordfish aircraft were destroyed in the bombing and four others were damaged, but repairable. Five Fulmars of 806 Squadron were lost. After an epic struggle, the carrier limped into Malta at 2145. BB WARSPITE was also hit by a bomb, but it did not cause damage. BB VALIANT was near missed by several bombs. One rating was killed and two were wounded by splinters.

RM sub SETTIMO fired torpedoes at a light cruiser in 35-22N, 16-15E. SETTIMO attacked British units escorting the EXCESS convoy that night and into the morning of 12 January, without success.

Red Sea/Indian Ocean
BS.12B departed Suez, escort sloops CLIVE and GRIMSBY, and arrived at Port Sudan on the 13th.

Malta
0845-0855 hrs Air raid alert for one Italian Breda 20 aircraft which approaches from the north, circles to the west, then flies over Valletta at 25000 feet, probably on reconnaissance. Six Hurricanes are scrambled; no raid materialises.

1145-1210 hrs Air raid alert for a formation of enemy aircraft which approaches the Island from the north east but withdrew without making an attack. Six Hurricanes are scrambled; no interception. As the Hurricanes head back to base some guns on the ground open fire before the aircraft are identified; no damage is done.

1438-1445 hrs Air raid alert for an approaching formation of six JU 87 dive bombers with fighter escort. Six Hurricanes are scrambled; one engages the enemy but no result is observed. The raiders turn north without making an attack.

1620 hrs Heavy guns are heard firing out to sea to the west of the Island. One aircraft carrier and destroyers are engaging enemy aircraft to the south west.

1815-1825 hrs Air raid alert for an approaching enemy formation spotted 17 miles west of Malta. One Hurricane is airborne and machine guns open fire from Zonqor Point. Flashes are reported in the direction of Marsascala bay; four vessels are observed three miles to the east.

1900-1020 hrs Air raid alert. Three Swordfish land at Hal Far. No enemy aircraft are seen near the Island.

OPERATIONS REPORTS FRIDAY 10 JANUARY 1941

AIR HQ 0745-1200 hrs Glen Martin photoreconnaissance Palermo prior to evening attack by 830 Squadron Fleet Air Arm. On return journey sighted two JU 87s east of Pantelleria. 0835-1325 hrs Maryland photoreconnaissance Naples and Messina. Considerable interference by enemy fighters; chased by Macchi fighter over Naples and took evasive action. 0845-1350 hrs Maryland photoreconnaissance Taranto and Syracuse. 0550-1320 hrs Sunderland recce western part of Ionian patrol.

 

[parsifal]

The Air Attack On Force A Operation Excess (Part I)

Admiral Cunningham had taken a risk to place the newest and most powerful unit in his fleet so close to the enemy in the Sicilian Narrows. But he felt HMS ILLUSTRIOUS offered vital air cover and an equally important boost in morale.

HMS ILLUSTRIOUS wore this MS4a pattern applied over the previous overall B6 at the time of the January 10 1941 attack. While the pattern was very similar on both sides, the port side appears to have incorporated more curves. The deck was 507a and the markings dull yellow. By January 10 the broken flight deck centre line had been painted into a solid stripe.

Axis Order Of Battle

Italy's 96 Gruppo

This bomber group detached some Ju87Rs to Sicily on January 8 after German and Italian intelligence operative reported the impending arrival of HMS ILLustrious in waters off Sicily. The Stukas were to be based in Comiso. On the same day, the first of Germany's powerful bomber contingent would arrive on the island to support the attack.

96 Gruppo Ju87 B2 as they appeared September 1941

Fliegerkorps X
This was Hitler's gift to the embattled Mussolini. The specialist anti-shipping unit would have as its first priority the neutralisation of Malta and the British fleet. This would secure the sea lanes to Libya which would allow the embattled Italian army to be reinforced by German troops and armour.

X Fliegerkorps was sent to Italy "for a limited period only" by Adolf Hitler to assist the struggling Italians, but it was not a half hearted effort. The unit was highly trained in anti-shipping operations, with many of its pilots originally earmarked to fly on Germany's first carrier, Graf Zeppelin. At the core of the units striking power were some 42 Ju87s of StGI, StG2 and StG3 that had been assigned to an air base at Trapani, on the north-west coast of Sicily. Their role was to attack British ships passing between Sicily and North Africa. Specifically, that shipping meant HMS Illustrious and Ark Royal.

The initial deployment of FKX to the med included 50 He 111s, 70 Ju88As, 80 Ju 87s and 26 Me110s. There were at least 20 Me 109s attached.

The order issued by Oberstleutnant Karl Christ, Kommodore of the Stukagruppen, was straight and to the point: "The Illustrious has got to be sunk!" Considerable thought had been put into how to kill a British armoured carrier, in particular by Oberst Harlinghausen and General de Flieger Geisler. It was believed four direct bomb hits would be needed to sink the ship. No other warship had ever been delivered such a blow, but, then, these armoured carriers were anticipated to be tough nuts to crack. The Stuka crews were confident they could do the job. Afterall, the 6500sq/m flight deck was an expansive target area. To make sure, the crews practiced their dive-bombing techniques over an outline of the carrier's shape marked by buoys in the sea not far from their new base.

The 43 Ju87 Stukas were made up of "B" models from II/StG 2 (led by Major Enneccerus) and "R"models from I/StG 1 (led by Hauptmann Hozzel). The "R" or long range model was capable of carrying a 1100lb (500kg) bomb - but only if it was not carrying drop tanks. If a drop tank was fitted, its bomb load was limited to a 550lb (250kg) bomb. The "B-2" could carry a 2200lb (1000kg) bomb over a very short distance - but only if the gunner was left behind. It was not capable of being fitted with drop tanks in any configuration. The attack was carefully choreographed. It was no accident that Italian torpedo-bombers attacked when they did, drawing off and down, the Fulmar CAP. And a diversionary effect of 10 Stukas attacking the battleships was expected.

When ILLUSTRIOUS was left to defend herself with her high-angle armament - and the fresh Fulmars observed to just be leaving her deck - it was the perfect outcome for a meticulously planned operation.

St.G 2 Ju 87 B as flown by Major Walter Enneccerus for the raid on the British carrier "HMS Illustrious".

 

[parsifal]

The Air Attack On Force A Operation Excess (Part II)

PRELUDE

Luck had not been with the operation from the outset.

Force A had been spotted by RA recon a/c as early as the morning of January 7. A recon bomber was sighted shortly after 0800. A section of Fulmars had been kept ready on ILLUSTRIOUS' deck for just such an eventuality. The fighters failed to intercept. It would not be the last time their low rate of climb would fail the fleet. On January 9, convoy MC4 and Force H were also spotted by RA a/c. 10 SM79s were launched from Sardinia but were chased off by CV ARK ROYALls' Fulmars. Two were claimed shot down. A second attack by 15 Fiat CR42s also proved unsuccessful. Force A had been strengthened by the four cruisers of Force D and HMAS SYDNEY. Their stay would be short: all would be detached to help cover the convoys before the attack on HMS ILLUSTRIOUS unfolded. That was the plan.

Force H handed responsibility for convoy MC4, which had been joined by Force B, to Force A at dusk. ILLUSTRIOUS was carrying a squadron of 12 Fulmars (806 squadron), along with a detachment of three Fulmars from 805 Squadron. This was regarded as the standard fighter complement for the fleet carriers. There also was some 20 Swordfish (in 815 and 819 squadron).

Early on January 10, two Italian torpedo boats and a submarine launched attacks on MC4. The CLA BONAVENTURE and two DDs which had been with the convoy gave chase – sinking the torpedo boat VEGA, but expending a large amount of ammunition. However, one of HMS ILLUSTRIOUS' escorts - the DD GALLANT - struck a mine at 0835. Another destroyer took her in tow, and a third DD was detached as escort along with BONAVENTURE.

HMS ILLUSTRIOUS astern BB WARSPITE 10 January
ILLUSTRIOUS' radar was to play a key role in the air battle as it unfolded. The Type 79Z model she was fitted with was capable of detecting aircraft at 20,000ft up to 90 miles away. The Fulmars – of which 12 were operational - were providing the combat air patrol. Three had become unserviceable through accident or mechanical fault. The air battle began at 0930 that morning when one of HMS ILLUSTRIOUS' Fulmars shot down a Z501 recon . Most of the early radar contacts turned out to be aircraft attempting to shadow the fleet.

Five Fulmars were on air patrol at 1120 (three in Red Section, two in White Section) when a single contact was detected at 12,000ft. It was found to be a SM79, which was promptly shot down. One Fulmar of Red Section lost its cockpit's sliding hood during this engagement and was forced to land on ILLUSTRIOUS at 1145. This left four fighters on the air patrol. Lt Robert Henley reported:

'An aircraft identified as a Messerschmitt 109 attempted to join the formation, but did not attack. When it broke away, the Fulmars proved too slow to pursue it'.

Early in the morning, a strike of Swordfish had been flown off from ILLUSTRIOUS to hit an Italian convoy. These had returned and had been struck below to refuel and rearm before the German attack developed. Several pairs of Swordfish were still in the air, on armed recon.

ATTACK 1
At 1220 hours Force A detected a group of unidentified aircraft on radar some six miles from the fleet. The CAP fighters were immediately directed to intercept. Two Savoia SM79 torpedo bombers came into sight two minutes later. They had approached from below the radar horizon and raced low through the fleet towards the starboard side of the carrier, met only by light AA fire. The bombers dropped their torpedoes some 2500 yards distant from Illustrious which took urgent evasive action by swinging to port. Both torpedoes passed astern, but went on to only narrowly miss the nearby BB VALIANT.

SM-79 delivering a similar low level torpedo attack during the Pedestal Convoys

Lt Henley reported:
'The S79s made a low pass over the fleet, which drew us off at low altitude and high speed to the southeast, and this in turn allowed the Germans to make their attack."

ILLUSTRIOUS ' Fulmars had dived from 14,000ft to chase the low-level Savoias. Red Section engaged as the SM79s fled the fleet, expending all their ammunition in the effort. They spent too much time chasing this now unimportant target, breaking a crucial rule in Fleet defence operations.

White Section continued the chase but was unable to catch the fleeing bombers. But, as they passed over Linosa Island, they saw an SM79 standing in a field – which they promptly strafed. Red Section reported its lack of ammunition and set course to land and re-arm on ILLUSTRIOUS. They had been scheduled to land at 1245.

 

[Njaco]

January 10 Friday
MEDITERRANEAN: The "Illustrious" Blitz: The Luftwaffe announced their arrival in the Mediterranean with a vengeance as German and Italian planes continued to attack the Allied convoy Excess in the Mediterranean. Italian ships from La Spezia searched unsuccessfully for Force H. Italian submarine "Settimo" and torpedo boats "Circe" and "Vega" launched torpedoes unsuccessfully against convoy MC 4. HMS "Bonaventure" and "Hereward" sank "Vega" six miles south of Pantellaria at 0830. "Circe" escaped undamaged. "Bonaventure" sustained some damage and two of her complement were killed. Two of "Vega 's" crew survived. At 0815 hours, the convoy made rendezvous with the Mediterranean Fleet (with two battleships, one carrier, and seven destroyers). Shortly after, destroyer HMS "Gallant" hit a mine, killing 58 and wounding 25. She was towed to Malta for repairs. The air battle began at 0930 hours that morning when one of HMS "Illustrious'" Fulmars shot down an Italian reconnaissance aircraft. Most of the early radar contacts turned out to be aircraft attempting to shadow the fleet. Five Fulmars were on air patrol at 1120 hours (three in Red Section, two in White Section) when a single contact was detected at 12,000ft. It was found to be a SM79, which was promptly shot down. One Fulmar of Red Section lost its cockpit's sliding hood during this engagement and was forced to land on "Illustrious" at 1145 hours. This left four fighters on the air patrol. "Valiant" avoided torpedoes launched by two SM.79s approaching under the radar horizon at 1230 hours. The bombers dropped their torpedoes some 2500 yards distant from "Illustrious" which took urgent evasive action by swinging to port. Both torpedoes passed astern, but went on to only narrowly miss the nearby HMS "Valiant". HMS "Illustrious'" Fulmars had dived from 14,000ft to chase the low-level Savoias. Red Section engaged as the SM79s fled the fleet, expending all their ammunition in the effort. As the combat air patrol Fulmars dropped altitude to engage the SM.79s, Force A was attacked at 1235 hours by 18 He111s of KG 26 and 43 Ju87s of StG 1 and StG 2 escorted by 10 Bf110s of ZG 26. The air patrol was out of position and low on ammunition. The enemy formation was only 28 miles away, to the north. The fleet was itself about 85 miles west of Malta. Four Fulmars and three Swordfish were already in position on HMS "Illustrious'" deck for a scheduled 1235 hours rotation in air patrol. The Fighter Direction Officer requested the relief flight be flown off as fast as possible. Several more Fulmars were rapidly hoisted onto the flight deck to supplement the defense. "Illustrious" completed launching relief Fulmar and Swordfish patrollers as the attack developed. A group of about 30 Stukas headed towards "Illustrious". Another 10 went after the battleships as a diversion to split the anti-aircraft fire. "Illustrious" was the main target and was soon enveloped in waterspouts and mist of exploding bombs. Some bombers diving from an altitude of 12,000 feet delayed bomb release until their pullout altitude was lower than the height of "Illustrious '" funnel. The five air patrol Fulmars had not returned from chasing the SM.79s which attacked "Valiant" and the four recently launched Fulmars were unable to gain altitude rapidly enough to break up the attack. Despite having no ammunition, Red Section's Fulmars made dummy attack runs in an effort to disrupt the enemy's aim. The Fulmars claimed eight enemy aircraft downed during the continuing air strikes against Force A as they shuttled to Malta airfields to refuel and re-arm. "Warspite" was lightly damaged by a single bomb. "Illustrious" was hit by five bombs, including one which failed to explode; and a near miss disabled her rudder mechanism. A bomb striking a lowered elevator caused extensive hangar damage with many casualties among aircraft maintenance personnel and destroyed nine Swordfish and five Fulmars. The fleet claimed two Stukas shot down by anti-aircraft fire. The seven remaining airborne Fulmars, without another carrier to land-on, were ordered to fly to Malta to refuel and rearm. Captain Boyd ordered the flag signal "I AM NOT UNDER CONTROL" raised as the engines were urgently altered to keep the carrier on course.

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[Njaco]

January 10 Friday continued
The bombing attacks continued. A raid by seven Italian high-altitude SM.79 bombers began at 1329 hours. The bomber formation at 14,000ft was engaged before their payloads could be released accurately. Splashes were observed scattered around the fleet. But the attack had some effect. As "Illustrious" manoeuvred to evade the bombs – some of which fell near - her steam steering gear failed. The carrier was again out of control, steaming slowly in circles to port. 11 Swordfish and five Fulmars stowed in the hangar had been destroyed. HMS "Illustrious" eventually regained steerage at 1434 hours through alternating the revolutions to her three screws. This was only possible once the rudder had been jammed into an amidships position. At 1530 hours "Illustrious" headed for Malta steering with engines. Late that afternoon, at 1604 hours, another strike was reported on radar by HMS "Valiant" – this time of about 15 Italian Ju87s from 237a Squadriglia with an escort of about five Italian single-seat fighters. Three Ju88s of LG 1 also appear to have taken part in a raid about this time, only to be chased off by Malta's Hurricanes. Fortunately the attack was nowhere near as well synchronized as the first. Only two bombs fell near the ship. A near-miss also killed one man and wounded three aboard HMS "Valiant". HMS "Valiant's" radar again demonstrated its worth at 1656 hours when enemy aircraft were detected at 52 miles. Seventeen aircraft came into view at 1710 hours and then proceeded to circle the fleet to make an approach from up-sun and astern. Several Ju88's of LG 3 reportedly took part in this raid. The combined high-level and dive-bombing attacks appear mainly to have been directed at the battleships. None came close. Fourteen German Ju87s missed "Valiant" and "Janus" and a later attack by 14 He111s was similarly ineffective. "Illustrious" reached Malta at 2130 hours with 126 dead and 91 wounded. HMS "Illustrious" being out of service meant the Axis now had air superiority in the theater. Though they succeed in severely damaging HMS 'Illustrious', they failed to seriously hinder British naval strength in the Mediterranean region. Some repairs were carried out at Malta (where there were further air attacks) before HMS "Illustrious" returned to Alexandria. There she was sufficiently patched up to make the journey, via the Suez Canal and round Africa, to U.S. shipyards in Norfolk, Virginia. She was out of the war for the remainder of the year.
HMS Illustrious: Excess, January 10, 1941 — Armoured Aircraft Carriers in World War II

Greek troops, with the recently arrived Greek 5th Cretan Division, captured Klisura Pass in Albania after 4 days of fighting.

WESTERN FRONT: The RAF begins Circus operations - co-ordinated bomber and fighter attacks on targets in France in First large-scale RAF daylight raid over France since June 1940. Six Blenheims, escorted by six/nine squadrons of Spitfires and Hurricanes attacked supply dumps south of Calais. 100 fighters escorted the Blenheim bombers in a sweep over the Pas de Calais attacking airfields and cross-Channel gun positions. The fighters of JG 3 intercepted the formation of British bombers and Hurricane fighters over Boulogne in the early afternoon. Oblt. Georg Michalek and Fw. August Dilling of the Stab flight of II./JG 3 each claim a Hurricane shot down while Hptm. Hans von Hahn of the Stab flight of I./JG 3 destroys a Blenheim north of Nieuport.

GERMANY: A new German-Soviet treaty was signed confirming spheres of influence and affirming trade agreements. Graf von Schulenburg of the German Government and V. Molotov of the USSR sign a secret protocol transferring a small piece of Lithuanian territory to the USSR for 31.5 million reichmarks (US$7.5 million).

UNITED KINGDOM: At around 1900 hours the German Luftwaffe attacked Portsmouth for the first time that night in a raid lasting two hours, only to return again a couple of hours later. Nearly 300 raiders dropped a total of 25,000 incendiaries and hundreds of high explosive bombs which damaged the city to an extent no one could have imagined. Not only did 170 people lose their lives and over 400 get injured, the city also lost six of its churches and its three major shopping centres in Kings Road, Palmerston Road and Commercial Road. The Guildhall was heavily damaged and would remain closed until 1959. The enormous amount of incendiaries and the difficulty the fire fighters experienced due to fractured water mains meant the city was a blaze. The blood-red glow could be seen from the coast of France. It not only illuminated the Isle of Wight and the pitch black Solent, but also the city itself when the German bombers returned at around 2330 hours for another two hours of intensive bombing.

British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, received confirmation from intercepts of German signals, decrypted at Bletchley Park, that the German build-up in Romania formed a grave threat to Greece. He promptly ordered draft contingency plans for the commitment of a British expeditionary force to the Greek mainland.

NORTH AMERICA: Roosevelt introduces his 'Lend Lease' bill to the House of Representatives as House Resolution 1776 (H.R. 1776), after recognizing that neither Britain nor China could continue paying indefinitely for material supplied. This allowed the fighting allies to pay the USA back in kind, but after the war. He likened this to 'lending a neighbor a garden hose to put out a fire'.

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[parsifal]

The air attack on Fce A Operation Excess Part III

1225: Scramble and FK X Form up

When HMS ILLUSTRIOUS detected a second – much larger – raid at 1225, the Fighter Direction Officer (FDO) knew the fleet was in trouble. The air patrol was out of position and low on ammunition. The enemy formation was only 28 miles away, to the nth. The fleet was itself about 85 miles west of Malta. ILLUSTRIOUS recalled the four Fulmars as soon as the raid was detected. The FDO also ordered them to climb. But the fighters had a long way to fly, and a lot of height to regain. Precious time to the enemy to close the distance, get into attack position and begin the attacks. FKX were not to be the slow and flimsy Italian aircraft they had previously encountered. these attacks were to be delivered by a determined and well trained enemy, in aircraft ideal for the purpose of delivering pinpoint attacks, and well supported.

While ILLUSTRIOUS had an effective and innovative fighter direction crew, communications to the Flag Officer aboard HMS VALIANT was limited. The opportunity provided by the early warning was therefore squandered.

X Fliegerkorps had deployed a comprehensive strike force including:
•43 Ju87 B and R model Stuka dive bombers of I StG1 and II StG2 with a detachment from StG3.
•18 He111s of KG26
•10 Bf110s of ZG26 were escort
•Some sources state "a number" of Ju88s also took part.
•Some accounts also say three Italian bombers flew "as guides".

Four Fulmars and three Swordfish were already in position on ILLUSTRIOUS' deck for a scheduled 1235 rotation in air patrol. The FDO requested the relief flight be flown off as fast as possible. Several more Fulmars were rapidly hoisted onto the flight deck to supplement the defence. At, 1230 ILLUSTRIOUS' CO asked permission from the CinC to turn the fleet into the wind five minutes early. The reply was slow in coming. Four minutes, to be exact. At 1234, approval was received to alter course to launch a/c. The ready Fulmars only began rolling down the deck as the German aircraft entered visual range.

Lt Vincent-Jones, flying as Lt Bill Barnes' Tactical Air Officer (TAO), recalled:

"There was no CAP overhead and there were only six serviceable Fulmars in the hangar, two of which were brought up on the after lift. Barnes and I were leading the next section to take off and were on our way up to the bridge for briefing. I remember being told to get airborne as fast as possible as a huge formation was approaching from the northwards."

At 1235, the enemy formation came into sight at 12,000ft.

By 1237, the last aircraft left the deck even as the first bombs fell.

After action report from Commanding Officer, HMS ILLUSTRIOUS to Rear Admiral, Aircraft Carriers, Mediterranean
(26 January 1941)

Tactics of attacking aircraft.
The attacking aircraft consisted of two formations of JUNKERS 87 with German markings. It was difficult to count the numbers exactly but the first formation consisted of 15 and the second of 20 to 30 aircraft. They were in a very loose and flexible formation, constantly changing their relative positions, and split when engaged by long range fire. It is estimated that the dive was started at about 12,000 feet and checked at 6000 to 8000 feet before going into the aiming dive. Bomb release varied from about 1500 feet in the first wave to 800 feet in later ones. Most aircraft continued to dive after releasing their bombs and flattened out low over the water having crossed the flight deck. At least one aircraft machine gunned the ship. The majority of the aircraft attacked ILLUSTRIOUS.

Most of the bombs dropped were large SAP bombs of about 500kg. but some smaller bombs (either direct action or with very short delay) may have been used as the damage from certain hits was appreciably less than others.

Report on aircraft encountered
1. All those encountered bore the standard German markings.
2. Camouflage. Black and grey mottling above, half black and half white below. General camouflage similar to a Fulmar.
3. Tactics.
(i) Single JU. 87 when attacked from astern will pull the nose up in order to allow the rear gunner a good downward shot.
(ii) If attacked in formation, two of formation drop astern and use their front gun on the attacking aircraft.
4. A Fulmar should have no difficulty in catching or outmanoeuvring a JU. 87. Being of metal construction, a JU. 87 will not burn like an Italian aircraft. JU. 87 s appear to be well protected from stern attacks. Every endeavour should be made to carry out beam and quarter attacks."

 

[parsifal]

The air attack on Fce A Operation Excess Part IV

1238: Attack 2

The main assault lasted just 7 minutes, with a group of about 30 Stukas headed towards Illustrious, whilst another 10 went after the BBs as a diversion intended to to split the AA fire. Their actions demonstrated the value of experience, planning and training.

The approaching Stukas formed into three clover-leaf formations, with the planes continually changing height, speed and position to evade AA. Diving from 12,000ft to about 7000ft, the Stukas then positioned themselves for attack. Their dives ranged from 65 to 80 degrees. Despite having no ammunition, Red Section's Fulmars made dummy attack runs in an effort to disrupt the enemy's aim.

Lt Henley reported "By the time I got back, without ammunition, all I could do was to make dummy passes at them as they started their dives on the carrier." Despite these futile gestures, two Ju87s were seen to jettison their bombs early. The two remaining patrol Fulmars had been struggling to regain height and position after breaking off their chase of the Italian torpedo bombers. The four freshly launched Fulmars (two in Blue Section and two in Yellow Section) were also encumbered by their 1200ft per minute climb rate.

Denis Tribe was the observer in Fulmar Q, flown by Sub Lt Jackie Sewell.

"We were at readiness on the flight deck and took off before Illustrious was to wind. Before we were at 2000ft the first bomb from a Ju87 hit the ship. It went into the open lift well and exploded in the hangar – it was really horrific to watch as you realised how many would be blown to bits – also a very close escape. As we climbed to attack the Stukas were diving to bomb. When we reached height the air seemed full of aircraft. From the rear seat I saw one go down and another was damaged. It wasn't long before we were out of ammunition and landed at Hal Far."

The Fulmars put up a valiant – but ineffectual – fight. Captain Boyd later concluded "This attack came at a bad moment for the fighters. Those in the air had already been engaged in two combats and were low down, and with little ammunition remaining. Relief fighters were ready on deck, but as the whole fleet had to be turned by signal from the Commander-in-Chief before they could be flown off, valuable minutes were wasted. In any case the Fulmar has not sufficient climbing speed to ensure being able to counter this type of attack, particularly if a heavy attack is launched shortly after a minor or diversionary attack."

The fleet claimed two Stukas shot down by AA fire. White Section arrived as the attack ended. Despite having already expended half their ammunition, the flight claimed one Ju87 shot down and two damaged. The freshly launched Blue Section reported to have shot down one Ju87 before it had dropped its bombs. Yellow Section claimed two victims after they had bombed. The claims were ambitious: X Fliegerkorps reported losing only three Stukas in that day's fighting, though a larger number were unserviceable for the subsequent attacks.

Lt Vincent-Jones would write "Meanwhile, Barnes had no shortage of targets – he had, in fact, too many, and contented himself with pumping bursts into Stuka after Stuka as they came through his sights – and there was no question of not being able to see the whites of their eyes! I found it difficult to see what was going on up front, but I saw one Stuka go down with smoke pouring out of its engine. Despite their slow speed the Stuka did not respond easily to .303 bullets as they bounced off a sheet of armour fitted at the rear of the back seat to protect the air gunners… The next thing I remember was Bill Barnes telling me that we were out of ammunition."

During the engagement, one Fulmar of Blue Section was shot down. Crewed by Sub Lt Lowe and observer Kensett, the Fulmar had been seen to shoot down a Ju87 as another moved on to its tail. An ensuing burst of machine-gun fire killed Kensett and wounded Lowe in the shoulder. The fighter ditched near the DD HMS NUBIAN , but Lowe was not seen to get out of the cockpit. Some 30 minutes later, HMS JAGUAR spotted Lowe bobbing in the water by pure chance. A very lucky man.....

One Swordfish also ditched. The crew was picked up by a DD. This aircraft was piloted by Lt Charles Lamb of 815 Sqn. He had been in the landing circuit after completing his ASW patrol as the attack developed. After a series of desperate aerobatics to avoid being shot-down by the swooping Stukas, Lamb circled the fleet to watch developments. With a punctured fuel tank, he eventually ditched his Swordfish alongside the DD HMS JUNO. The 7 remaining airborne Fulmars, without another carrier to land-on, were ordered to fly to Malta to refuel and rearm. 9 of ILLUSTRIOUS' Swordfish also were in the air at the time of the attack and managed to get to Malta.

HMS ILLUSTRIOUS' high-angle 4.5in and pom-pom batteries were restrained for up to a minute in opening fire as the Fulmars and Swordfish got airborne. it was still an impressive achievement to get that number of a/c off the deck in such a short time. With the BBs focused on evading the diversionary strike, the carrier was left virtually unsupported. The attack that unfolded was devastating by any standard. The first Stukas dropped their bombs from about 1500ft. Later waves went so low as 800ft before releasing their weapons. 13 minutes after the initial radar contact, the first bombs began to register on the carrier. One of the last Fulmar's to leave ILLUSTRIOUS' deck was piloted by Lt Bill Barnes with Lt Vincent-Jones as his observer "When we had reached a few hundred feet we found ourselves surrounded by Ju87s as they were pulling out of their dives. Some were very close and I could clearly see the rear gunners firing at us. I looked down and saw poor ILLUSTRIOUS passing through huge columns of water, with smoke coming from the after end of the flight deck."

The spectacle wasn't reserved for the Fulmar crews. The Swordfish also had prime seats. at least one a/c managed to take photos from the air of the unfolding drama. A crewman of one of the Swordfish bombers from the ILLUSTRIOUS recalled the event
"Suddenly there was a loud explosion on my right-hand side and I felt the whole plane shake as a shock wave buffeted me too – the twin 4.5inch gun turret a few feet away had opened fire, its barrels pointing vertically over the flight deck, and following their line, I looked up to see a mass of aircraft coming in fast immediately over the fleet, and they were not ours. We were frantically waved off and up the deck, even though the ship was still swinging rapidly to starboard to turn into the light breeze. By now all our 4.5inch guns and pom-poms were blazing away straight above my head. We rumbled off as the enemy, gracefully it seemed, wheeled over in succession and dived straight down, almost as if they wanted to look down the funnel. As we passed the island the first bomb exploded at the after end of the flight deck where we had been parked seconds before. The sea around Illustrious was boiling with falling shrapnel and I saw that another direct hit had been scored, this time plumb in the middle of the flight deck."

HMS ILLUSTRIOUS was in serious trouble. She had been hit six times. For 3 hrs her fate hung in the balance. Fires were raging out of control inside her hangar – other ships in the fleet could see the flames venting out of the aft lift well. Several other compartments were also ablaze, most notably near the forward magazine. But her crew fought back with courage, skill and determination. The damage wasn't entirely one-sided. According to "Report of Air Attacks on HMS ILLUSTRIOUS during Operation MC4, 26 January, 1941" "About twenty feet of the wing of a Ju87 fell on the after lift. Aircraft assumed to have crashed. A Ju87 was seen to fall into the sea by the Chaplain and another crashed into the sea just astern of one Swordfish on A/S patrol"

At 1255, ILLUSTRIOUS' electric steering gear failed. Her rudder was unresponsive. Captain Boyd ordered the flag signal "I AM NOT UNDER CONTROL" raised as the engines were urgently altered to keep the carrier on course. Steerage was regained by 1303 98 mins later) through use of auxiliary steam mechanisms.

An amazing sequence of photos of the German attack

 

[Lucky13]

 

[parsifal]

The air attack on Fce A Operation Excess Part V
1329: ATTACK 3 - The Italians return

The main attack had knocked out the radar on ILLUSTRIOUS, but the second wave was detected by HMS VALIANT, and the escort and fighters warned and able to take up defensive positions accordingly. Captain Boyd's report says the raid by 7 RA SM 79s began at 1329. The bomber formation at 14,000ft was engaged before their payloads could be released accurately. Splashes were observed scattered around the fleet. But the attack had some effect. Forced to manouvre hard to evade the bombs – some of which fell near - her steam steering gear failed again. The carrier was again out of control, steaming slowly in circles to port.

ILLUSTRIOUS In Mortal Danger

The flight deck was inoperable. The damage and fires around the aft and lift were not under control and simply made landing-on operations impossible – even if the carrier could turn into the wind, which it could not. The forward lift also had been displaced. According to Swordfish pilot Charles Lamb, the hangar itself was like a scene from Dante's Inferno:
"(The hangar fire screens) disintegrated at once, bursting apart in masses of red hot steel splinters about three or four feet long, which tore through every obstruction setting on fire all the aircraft that were not already burning and decapitating anyone who might be standing in the way."

A flash report from the CinC to the admiralty immediately after the attack reported 11 Swordfish and five Fulmars stowed in the hangar had been destroyed. Others sources say nine Swordfish and four Fulmars were lost. Despite the damage, the armoured box had prevented major aviation fuel lines from being ruptured. The Avgas lines were filled with CO2 and the strict policies about volatile liquids and munitions in the hangar space were paying off. The survival of the ILLUSTRIOUS was as much about the high standards of damage control in the RN as they were to do with the ship design. Reports were reaching Captain Boyd that whilst the the fires were bad they were not uncontrollable.

Other problems were presenting themselves, however. ILLUSTRIOUS' speed had dropped first to 21 knots, but by 1345 she was making only 15 knots. Work to restore the steam steering succeeded at 1348. But the success was short lived, as, at 1350, it failed again.

ILLUSTRIOUS makes for Valletta
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS eventually regained steerage at 1434 through alternating the revolutions to her three screws. This was only possible once the rudder had been jammed into an amidships position. Captain Boyd later wrote "When this very severe and brilliantly executed D/ B attack was over, the ship was on fire fore and aft, the flight deck was wrecked, and I decided to make for Malta at once, informing the Commander in Chief who detached 'Jaguar' and 'Hasty' as screen."

Malta was some 75 miles away. It was to be a six-hour trial by fire.

Men were trapped. Fires continued to rage. Shrapnel had jammed part of the fire sprinkler system on – contributing to the flooding of the ship, and it took some time to attend to this serious problem. At one point the power failed, and the fire-fighting pumps were put out of action. Stokers in the boiler room had to contend with extreme temperatures and a ventilation system full of thick smoke. Struggling with the heat and smoke, many would pass out from exhaustion.

The four aft HA 4.5in gun mounts were out of action. Their fire control circuits had been destroyed and ammunition conveyors hit. Fires raged around the forward magazines, but there was no explosion in the magazines or ready use ammunition lockers. Captain Boyd made a daring decision: He would not flood the magazines. This enabled the ship to continue defending itself. He would later write "The guns crews (with about 60% of the armament) beat off the subsequent attacks.". It was clear at this point that ILLUSTRIOUS had been hit very severely, but her engines were intact. There was still a chance to save her. At a steady 17 knots, ILLUSTRIOUS limped towards the refuge of Malta.

 

[parsifal]

The air attack on Fce A Operation Excess Part VI

1604: ATTACK 4

The LW and RA were determined to sink the carrier if they could, so several strikes were hastily organised and flung at HMS ILLUSTRIOUS. The battered carrier did get intermittent air cover from Malta as she struggled towards safety – three of her own Fulmars were now operating out of Hal Far along with with nine Hurricanes. HM Battleships VALIANT and WARSPITE were still in company along with the DDs HASTY and JAGUAR. She was still some 45 miles from Valetta harbour at this point.

Late that afternoon, at 1604, another strike was reported on radar by HMS VALIANT – this time of about 15 Italian Ju87s from 237a Squadriglia with an escort of about five Italian single-seat fighters. Three Ju88s of LGI also appear to have taken part in a raid about this time, only to be chased off by Malta's Hurricanes. ILLUSTRIOUS was unable to take effective evasive manoeuvres because of her damage. Her fires were still burning out of control.
Fortunately the attack was nowhere near as well synchronised as the first, neither were the bombers delivering the attack as capable in this sort of attack as the Ju87s. It is significant that it was the Ju87s of this strike that achieved the hits.

The first wave of six Ju87s attacked from astern shortly after coming into view at 1609. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS' forward 4.5in mounts and four remaining pom-pom mounts contributed to the defence, despite being hampered by thick haze and smoke from the hangar fire. Only two bombs fell near the ship from this wave. A second wave of three Ju87s dove in on the starboard side a minute later. A near-miss abreast the conning-tower funnel shook the ship violently. Another burst just off the quarterdeck, killing and wounding those assembled there to tend the injured. Captain Boyd's report does not state exactly when the final bomb hit the aft lift during this raid. He only reports six further Stukas retiring at height, with two being diverted from their attack run without dropping their bombs. But the damage was significant. Many of those tending wounded in the hangar and fighting the fires were killed. A near-miss also killed one man and wounded three aboard HMS VALIANT.

Admiral Cunningham later commented: "One of the staff officers who watched it hurtling over the bridge from astern told me it looked about the size of the wardroom sofa." ILLUSTRIOUS was now listing some 5 degrees to starboard. This was from the fire-fighting water trapped in the hangar and wardroom flat – the scuppers had been blocked. Somehow the ship remained upright and afloat.

1710: ATTACK 5

HMS VALIANT's radar again demonstrated its worth at 1656 when enemy aircraft were detected at 52 miles. 17 aircraft came into view at 1710 and then proceeded to circle the fleet to make an approach from up-sun and astern. The combined high-level and dive-bombing attacks appear mainly to have been directed at the BBs, but none came close. Several Ju88's of LGIII reportedly took part in this raid. After refueling and rearming at Malta, several of ILLUSTRIOUS' Fulmars returned to the scene – a little too late. A long stern chase developed. Lt Vincent-Jones described the scene: "We soon sighted ILLUSTRIOUS on her way towards the Grand Harbour with smoke pouring out of her but still making a good 20 knots. She had parted company with the rest of the fleet. We were not in time to intercept before the attack developed but we caught up with the enemy on their way back to Sicily…"

ILLUSTRIOUS had to nose her own way through the swept channel leading to the harbour entrance. The requested tugs were nowhere to be seen. Only two ASW PVs came out to assist. But the Axis air attacks were not over. An hour after sunset as HMS ILLUSTRIOUS limped within five miles of the entrance to Valetta harbour, yet another attack developed. Malta radioed an urgent air-raid warning. Two aircraft were at first heard and then briefly sighted off the starboard bow at 1922. The 4.5in and pom-poms fired a blind barrage as a deterrent. The aircraft withdrew. Alarmingly, HMS HASTY reported a sonar contact at 1930. DCs were fired but no torpedo tracks were seen. ILLUSTRIOUS limped into harbour that night a shattered ship. No other carrier of the war was to suffer the same number of hits as she, and survive.

It was just the beginning.