Attack on Gibraltar by three Italian human torpedoes launched from the Italian submarine SCIRE (Cdr Count Borghese) at 0100 21 September. Searched for submarines with HEYTHROP. One source has this as 20 August 1941.

According to Sea War 1939 – 1945 page 168 they sunk the British tanker FIONA 2,444 gross tons, the DENBYDAE 8,145 gross tons and caused considerable damage to the motor ship DURHAM 10,893 gross tons. The three torpedoed crews succeeding in reaching Spanish territory.

Admiralty Communiqué issued 23 September 1941: During an attack on the harbour at Gibraltar last Saturday an old ship’s hull was sunk. Any further claims by the Italians must be regarded as incorrect.

Joined WS 11X (GM2 on passing Europa Point). Operation Halberd at 0800 in company with FARNDALE and HEYTHORPE. Convoy consisted of nine freighters carrying 81,000 tons of military equipment and supplies.

CLAN MACDONALD 9,653grt, CLAN FERGUSON 7,347grt, AJAX 7,539grt, IMPERIAL STAR 10,733 grt, CITY OF LINCOLN 8,039grt, ROWALLAN CASTLE 7,798grt, DUNEDIN STAR 11,168grt, CITY OF CALCUTTA 8,063grt and HM supply ship BRECONSHIRE and HM troopships PRINCESS BEATRIX, QUEEN EMMA, ROYAL SCOTSMAN, ULSTER MONARCH and LEINSTER. As the convoy passed through the Straits of Gibraltar, HM troopships PRINCESS BEATRIX, QUEEN EMMA, ROYAL SCOTSMAN, ULSTER MONARCH and LEINSTER detached to Gibraltar.

Group II: PRINCE OF WALES, RODNEY, KENYA, EDINBURGH, SHEFFIELD, EURYALUS and destroyers DUNCAN, GURKA, LEGION, LANCE, LIVELY, ORIBI, ISAAC SWEERS (Dutch), PIORUN (Polish), GARLAND (Polish) FURY, FARNDALE and HEYTHROP.

Covering Group I: of Force H. NELSON, ARK ROYAL, HERMIONE, COSSACK, ZULU, FORESIGHT, FORESTER, LAFOREY and LIGHTNING.

Nine submarines were deployed to ambush any Italian warships: UNBEATEN and URSULA were south of the Straits of Messina. UTMOST and UPRIGHT were to the north. URGE, TRUSTY, UPHOLDER and the Polish SOKOL were off the NW coast of Sicily and the Dutch 0-21 was stationed near Cape Carbonara in the Gulf of Cagliari

(24/9/41 late in the evening the Italian battleships LITTORIO flag Admiral Iachino and VITTORIO VENETO with destroyers GRANATIERE, FUCLIERE, BERSAGLIERE, and GIOBERTI of the 13th Destroyer Division and DA RECCO, PESSAGNO, and FOLGORE of the 16th Destroyer Division sailed from Naples and steered south westward to intercept the RODNEY force.

26/9/41 the heavy cruisers TRENTO, TRIESTE, and GORIZIA with destroyers CORAZZIERE, CARABINIERE, ASCARI, and LANCIERE of the 12th Destroyer Division sailed from Messina and steered north, then westward to RV with the light cruisers ABRUZZI and ATTENDOLO with destroyers MAESTRALE, GRECALE, and SCIROCCO of the 10th Destroyer Division who sailed from Palermo to intercept the convoy.

The two battleships and seven destroyers operated as one group. The five cruisers and seven destroyers operated as the second group. The remainder of the Italian Fleet could not sail due to fuel shortages)

0130 passed Europa Point. Weather clear and fine. In the afternoon the convoy was spotted by an Italian air reconnaissance and the distant escort closed to provide more protection.  The Italians had submarines  AXUM, SERPENTE, ARADAM  and DISPRO east of the Balearics and SQUALO, BANDIERA and DELFINO SW of Sardinia. Another three – DANDOLO, ADUA and TURCHESE were SSW of Ibiza and the NAVALO was off Cape St Bon.

0800 hours in approximate position 36-08N, 3-20W RODNEY, and destroyers DUNCAN, GURKHA, LEGION and LANCE joined battleship PRINCE OF WALES flag of CinC 2BS and 2IC Home Fleet, Vice Admiral Alban Thomas Buckley Curteis, light cruisers KENYA flag CS10 Rear Admiral Harold Martin Burrough, CinC close escort, EDINBURGH flag CS2 Rear Admiral Edward Neville Syfret, SHEFFIELD and EURYALUS and destroyers LIVELY, ORIBI, ISAAC SWEERS, PIORUN, GARLAND, FURY, FARNDALE and HEYTHROP as the close escort, Group 2, for convoy GM2 (Operation HALBARD).
Force H, Group 1, comprising battleship NELSON flag Vice Admiral Sir James Fownes Somerville, ARK ROYAL, HERMIONE and destroyers COSSACK D4, ZULU, FORESIGHT, LAFOREY D19 and LIGHTNING, preceded ahead of convoy GM2; steering a course to the south of the convoy.

At 1000 hours clocks were advance by one hour.

During the day six Fulmars from ARK ROYAL flew around Groups 1 & 2 for recognition purposes.

Convoy GM2 and escort proceeded north eastward.
At 0650 hours the first two destroyers were detached to refuel from BROWN RANGER. However because of BROWN RANGER’s slower than expected speed she was 22 miles to the west of her expected position. This was to cause problems throughout the day and refuelling of Group 2’s 12 destroyers was not completed until after dark.

At 0700 hours course was altered to eastward.

0932 Force H sighted by Cant Z506 of the 287^th Squadron.

At 1200 hours in position 38-31N, 2-32E course was altered to 107¼.

At 2130 hours the destroyers FURY and HEYTHROP rejoined the convoy after refuelling. The ORIBI was the last destroyer to complete refuelling and failed to locate the convoy in the dark, so until morning she joined Group 1 screen.

(During the day Group 1 was ahead to the south eastward and out of sight of the convoy. At 0932 hours lookouts on NELSON sighted a shadowing aircraft, bearing 150¼, 10 miles and flying very low, this aircraft was not detected by radar. At 1048 hours Group 1 sighted the Swiss merchant SS TUNISIAN. At 1537 hours Group 1was also sighted by two aircraft, thought to be RAF Hudson’s so they were not intercepted)

Transports separate in the Skerki Banks area and stood for Malta with Force H and Force X (Five cruisers and destroyers COSSACK, ZULU ORIBI, LAFOREY, HEYTHROP and FARNDALE.

The Italians five submarines: BEILUL, DA PROCIDA, H-1, H-4, and H-6 stood off the Ligurian coast.

117 Italian aircraft were available and operational from Sardinia; 217 available and operational from Sicily with a further 32 MC200 being flown in to Sardinia from the mainland.

At 0710 the two British Goups merged into one as shown. Speed 16 knots

At 0720 hours radar indicated that enemy reconnaissance aircraft were in the vicinity of the Force.

At 0800 hours ARK ROYAL flew off four Fulmars

(At 0810 hours an Italian Cant Z 506B reconnaissance aircraft of 287 Squadriglia sighted units of Operation HALBARD west of La Galite Island and sent off the following signal; “position 37-43N, 06-55E,course 90¼, speed 12 nm per hour; 1 battleship, 1 carrier, 4 cruiser, unspecified number of destroyers and steamboats‘)

At 1000 hours, in expectation of air attacks, Force H, less ARK ROYAL, EURYALUS and HERMIONE who manoeuvred ahead of the convoy, joined the convoy escort.

At 1158 hours radar detected an aircraft bearing 210¼, at 14 miles. LEGION reported this aircraft as an Italian Fiat BR 20. ARK ROYAL’s Fulmars failed to shoot it down and a sighting report was subsequently intercepted.

At 1255 hours radar reported two formations at 30 miles and closing, one from the north and one from the east. These were eleven Savoia-Marchetti S 84’s torpedo bombers from Decimomannu airfield, north of Cagliari. Severn attacked from the north with top cover of five Fiat CR 42 fighters and four from the east.
At 1259 hours 8 Fulmars of 808 Sqd. attacked the northern group of six S 84’s, shooting down one.

The torpedo attack was made against the port wing of the force; this was where RODNEY was stationed.

At 1302 hours an S 84 flown by Capitano Rotolo was shot down either by RODNEY and PRINCE OF WALES; the damaged aircraft collided with his right wingman, Tenente Barro and both crashed into the sea.

At 1300 hours two S 84’s targeted RODNEY one flown by Maggiore Arduino Buri of 256 Squadriglia and the other flown by Tenente Piercarlo Amante of 257 Squadriglia. As the two torpedoes were approaching RODNEY made an emergency turn of 60¼ to port and both torpedoes were avoided.

At 1303 hours two destroyers of the port screen were targeted these were the LANCE and ISAAC SWEERS, however the destroyers took evasive action and avoided the torpedoes.

At 1327 hours radar reported another wave of aircraft closing from the east. These were five S 84 torpedo bombers of 258 and 259 Squadriglia, from Decimomannu airfield and they attacked the Force from the starboard side.

At 1330 hours two aircraft flown by Colonnello Seidl and Tenente Tomasino targeted NELSON who was hit by a torpedo (probably Seidl’s) on the port bow, the second torpedo missed. As they pulled away both Seidl and Tomasino were shot down by AA fire from the PRINCE OF WALES and SHEFFIELD. The damage to NELSON caused her to immediately reduce speed to 18 knots. (15 knots according to another report)

During this action, a Fulmar was shot down by RODNEY, but luckily the crew, Sub-Lieutenant Percy Guy and Leading Airman Jones, were rescued by DUNCAN.

At 1345 hours the Force was attacked by twelve Savoia-Marchetti SM 79’s torpedo bombers of 278, 280, 282 and 283 Squadriglia, from Decimomannu airfield, escorted by twelve CR 42’s, attacked from the north, south and west. The attackers were met by the Fulmars and intense AA fire, which prevented them from attaining a dropping position.

At 1359 hours a CR 42 flown by Sergente Maggiore Luigi Valiotti of the 354^a Squadriglia, in an attempt to divert the AA from the torpedo-bombers, began to perform aerobatic manoeuvres over the heads of the starboard wing destroyers, who after a while started to shoot at him. Valiotti avoided their shells for six minutes before being killed when his CR.42 crashed into the sea. However Valiotti’s sacrifice was in vain as after several unsuccessful attempts, to penetrate the AA barrage the remaining SM 79,s gave up and returned to base.

At 1404 hours the CinC Force H received an emergency report from aircraft B, a RAF Maryland of 69 Squadron on a reconnaissance flight from Malta, timed at 1340 hours. The signal read, 2 battleships and 8 destroyers in position 38-20N, 10-40E, steering 190¼, speed 20 knots. At the time of receipt NELSON’s position was 37-46N, 09-04E, the enemy was therefore 74 miles, bearing 076¼ from NELSON.

At 1408 hours the CinC Force H ordered ARK ROYAL to fly off two Swordfish to take over shadowing duties and to prepare an air strike force.

At 1417 hours the CinC Force H ordered RODNEY and PRINCE OF WALES to form up on NELSON ahead of the convoy.

At 1425 hours the CinC Force H received a further emergency report from aircraft B, timed at 1350 hours. The signal read 4 cruisers and 8 destroyers some 15 miles WSW of the enemy battle fleet and steering same course and speed.

At 1430 hours NELSON was forced to reduce speed to 15 knots to reduce flooding and further damage from her torpedo hit and the CinC Force H ordered Vice Admiral Curteis in PRINCE OF WALES to proceed with PRINCE OF WALES, RODNEY, EDINBURGH, SHEFFIELD and 6 destroyers at best speed to close the enemy. At the same time NELSON took station astern of the convoy.

At 1506 hours a signal was received from the RAF shadowing aircraft, timed at 1445 hours stating that the enemy had reversed course and was now steering 360¼.

The PRINCE OF WALES, RODNEY, SHEFFIELD and EDINBURGH plus six destroyers detached at 1530 to “close and drive off the enemy” to the NE but were recalled at 1700 without making contact. The surface strike force steered north at their best speed with the two cruisers ahead and working up to 30 knots and PRINCE OF WALES and RODNEY trailing behind.

At 1540 hours a strike force of 12 Swordfish of 816 and 825 Sqds, escorted by 4 Fulmars of 807 Sqd were launched from ARK ROYAL.

At 1543 hours a further signal was received from the RAF shadowing aircraft, timed at 1503 hours stating that the enemy was now steering 060¼.

At 1658 hours with no news from the Swordfish shadowing aircraft, the RAF Maryland had departed, or the strike force; the CinC Force H ordered Vice Admiral Curteis to return to the convoy.

At 1830 hours PRINCE OF WALES, RODNEY, EDINBURGH, SHEFFIELD and the 6 destroyers rejoined the convoy.

At 1855 hours in approximate position 37-30N, 10-15E, Force A comprising NELSON, PRINCE OF WALES, RODNEY, ARK ROYAL and destroyers DUNCAN, GARLAND, GURKHA, ISAAC SWEERS, LANCE, LEGION, LIVELY and PIORUN detached from the convoy and turned on to 285¼ and proceeded at 14 knots, this being NELSON’s best speed.

There were air attacks at 1300, 1337 and 1345. 28 torpedo bombers (S.79s and S84s) with an escort of 20 Cr42s.  Severn torpedo bombers and one Cr42 were lost

COSSACK evades torpedo dropped outside the screen.

COSSACK ordered out to port under the protection of FORESIGHT’s paravane together with ZULU and HEYTHROPE.

At 1915 COSSACK detects an incoming aeroplane on her port side and sights it at 2000. Torpedoes dropped by enemy aircraft.

According to Able Seaman George Gilroy of LIGHTING there were almost continuous, intense, very accurate air attacks on the ships from dawn to dusk.

The Italian fleet consisted of LITTORIO, cruisers ABRUZZI, ATTENDOLO, TRENTO, TRIESTE and GORIZIA. Destroyers CARAZZIERE, CARABINIERE, ASCARI, LANCIERE, MAESTRALE, GRECALE and SCIROCCO.

During the night Force H turned back and Force X was detached to take the convoy onwards. An attack by a number of torpedo bombers hit the IMPERIAL STAR which had to be scuttled.

Force A continued on a westerly course at 14 knots.

At 0725 hours ARK ROYAL flew off a Swordfish A/S patrol and 3 Fulmar fighters.

0958 hours the CinC Force H received a RAF reconnaissance report, timed at 0940 hours stating, 2 enemy battleships, 5 cruisers and 13 destroyers, 70 miles, 105¼ from Cagliari, steering 195¼.

The convoy arrived at Malta with 50,000 tons of supplies. COSSACK departed the same day (1830?)

At 2000 hours, it was now dark, in approximate position 37-30N, 03-14E the speed of Force A was reduced to 12 knots to reduce the strain on NELSON’s bulkheads and decks.

At 2010 hours PRINCE OF WALES, RODNEY, ARK ROYAL and destroyers GURKHA, ISAAC SWEERS, LANCE, LEGION and LIVELY detached and steered easterly to RV with Force X, the convoy escort, on their return from Malta.

29 September 1941. At 1030 hours in approximate position 37-35N, 08-00E PRINCE OF WALES, RODNEY, ARK ROYAL and destroyers GURKHA, ISAAC SWEERS, LANCE, LEGION and LIVELY, rendezvoused with Force X returning from Malta. The combined force then steered west for Gibraltar.

At 1930 hours the PRINCE OF WALES, KENYA, SHEFFIELD and destroyers LAFOREY, LIGHTNING, ORIBI, FORESIGHT, FORESTER and FURY detached and proceeded ahead.

RODNEY, ARK ROYAL, HERMIONE, EDINBURGH, EURYALUS and destroyers FARNDALE, HEYTHROP, COSSACK, LEGION, LANCE, LIVELY, ZULU, ISAAC SWEERS and GURKHA followed astern at a slower speed.

Departed Gibraltar 1100 – speed 18knots – for Operation CALLBOY in company with ARK ROYAL, FORESIGHT, FORESTER, FURY, HERMOINE, LEGION, RODNEY, SIKH and ZULU

(Operation CALLBOY was an operation to supply Malta with a FAA strike force of Albacores and cover the passage of a surface strike force to be known as Force K. This operation came about because in the Summer of 1941 GC&CS [Bletchley Park] had broken the Italian Naval cipher C 38. Therefore full details of Axis convoys to North Africa became known and the strike forces were to be employed to take advantage of this knowledge. Force K comprising the light cruisers AURORA and PENELOPE and destroyers LANCE and LIVELY, departed Gibraltar on 19/10/41 and arrived at Malta on 21/10/41)

Sailed from Gibraltar about 1600 as escort to Convoy HG75 on passage to the UK.

Other ships in attendance: ARIGUANI, BLUEBELL, CAMPION, CARNATION, DUNCAN, HELIOTROPE, LA MALOUINE, LAMERTON, MALLOW, ROCHESTER, VIDETTE,  The Real Cruel Sea (Richard Woodman) Page 392 mentions also Free French COMMANDANT DUBOC.

Sailing had been delayed due the report presence of U-boats. Betchley Park had decoded a message that showed a pack of 6 U-boats were being assembled to attack the convoy as it passed Tarifa west bound.  U-206 (Herbert Optiz), U-563 (Klaus Bargsten), U-564 (Reinhard Suhren), U-204 (Walter Kell) sunk with all hands by depth charges from ROCHESTER and MALLOW of Tangers on 19 October 1941, U-71 (Waalter Flachsenberg), U-83 (Hans-Werner Kraus) were laying submerged at periscope depth during the day and surfaced at night, no more than 5 miles apart to form a barrier.  U-71 made the first contact – sighting the convoy when they were abeam of Espartel

CONVOY HG 75
Departed Gibraltar on 22 October1941 and arrived Liverpool on 3 November 1941.
Arnold Hague’s “The Allied Convoy System” agrees with 17 ships.

Transcribed from documents received from Tony Cooper, England – His source: Public Records Office, Kew. Information on ships sunk has been added with the help of “Lloyd’s War Losses”, Vol. I. “The World’s Merchant Fleets 1939”, R. W. Jordan “Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two”, Jürgen Rohwer.
Ship	Nationality	Cargo	Destination	Remarks
Ruth I	Norwegian	iron pyrites	Mersey	–
Blairdevon	British	iron ore	Ardrossan	From HG 74
Empire Brook	“	iron ore	Tyne	–
Wallsend	“	pyrites	Mersey	–
Cara	“	iron pyrites	London	–
Ulea	“	pyrites	Aberdeen	Sunk Oct. 28 by U-432 19† – 9 survived
Tadorna	“	general – onions	Liverpool	From HG 74
Empire Bay	“	iron ore	Barrow	–
Ariosto*	“	general	Liverpool	Commodore Sunk Oct. 24 by U-564 6† – 42 (45?) survived
Empire Snipe	“	none given	Glasgow	–
Merkland	“	none given	Liverpool	–
Como	“	none given	Belfast	–
Carsbreck*	“	iron ore	Barrow	Sunk Oct. 24 by U-564 23 (24?)† – 19 (18?) survived
Harperley	“	iron ore	Mersey	–
Alhama*	“	cork – onions	Belfast	Sunk Oct. 24 by U-564 no casualties – 33 survived
Marian	“	scrap	Belfast	–
Pacific	“	iron ore	Barrow	–
Empire Wolfe	“	iron ore	Barrow	–

Notes: * Ariosto, Carsbreck and Alhama have all been crossed out with the word “NOT” next to them, which is usually the way of indicating the ship did not sail. In this case, however, they must have sailed, since they were sunk when in HG 75.

Carsbreck, on a voyage from Almeria for Barrow with about 6000 tons iron ore, was sunk on Oct. 24 by U-564. According to “Lloyd’s War Losses”, she had a crew of 36 and 6 gunners, 19 crew and 4 gunners missing.

Alhama, on a voyage from Seville and Valencia for Belfast with a cargo of 180 tons tartaric acid, 1730 tons onions, wines and cork, and 27 tons general, was sunk at the same time by the same U-boat. She had a crew of 26 and 7 gunners, all of whom were saved. (Arnold Hague gives U-563 as the culprit in Alhama‘s case).

Ariosto was also sunk by U-564 at the same time. She was on a voyage from Lisbon to Liverpool with 495 tons cork, 51 tons ore, 26 tons diatonite and 10 tons general, and a crew of 37 plus 4 gunners, 4 Commodore’s staff and 3 passengers. 5 crew and 1 gunner were lost.

Ulea, voyaging from Huelva, cargo of 2393 tons copper pyrites, was sunk on Oct. 28 by U-432. She had a crew of 21, as well as 4 gunners and 3 passengers on board – 13 crew, 3 gunners and all the passengers were lost.

In addition to the 4 merchant ships, HMS Cossack (U-563 – Oct. 24) and HMS Ariguani were also torpedoed (damaged by U-83 – Oct. 26). Commodore’s notes are not available.

 

 

 

At about 2250 VIDETTE, which was stationed about 4 miles ahead on the port bow of the convoy, got an RDF contact ahead, range 7,000 yards.  Speed was increased to 24 knots and course was altered to keep the contact ahead.  When the range had had decreased to 3,000 yards a U-boat was sighted 10° on the starboard bow.  An alarm report was made to Captain (D) IV in COSSACK and starshell fired. As soon as fire was opened the U-boat submerged, altering course to port as she did so. VIDETTE altered course and when slightly ahead of the U-boats diving position the Commanding Officer ordered a 14-charge pattern, set to shallow, to be fired. Unfortunately only six charges were dropped.  This was caused by the fact that when U-boat Action Stations were ordered the Officer of the Watch had pressed the bell to the Captain’s Cabin instead of the alarm bell.  The Bo’sun’s mate, thinking the alarm bells were not working piped “Action Stations”; consequently the full crew were not closed up at the depth charges and only six charges could be fired.

It is believed that at 2315 the convoy altered course from 254° to 262°

0040 ROCHESTER on H/F D/F detected a U-boat making a first sighting report of the convoy bearing 061° or 241°. She presumed that this was the same U-boat which had previously been sighted by the VIDETTE.

0540 LAMERTON heard noises which were exactly like an echo-sounder working; these continued for an hour.  A report was made to COSSACK at dawn and the two ships swept back six miles and then re-joined the convoy without contact.

Weather

Wind               NE Force 2

Weather          Clear

Sea                  Slight sea and swell

Visibility         3-5 miles

2210 Hands at Action Stations.  Speed 13 knots. Alarm Green 30 was passed.  Depth Charge Party closed up and stood by to prepare a pattern.  Defence Stations was ordered (2230). 2300 went to action stations to search for a reported submarine. Nothing was found so she returned to her position in the convoy. Ray Davies reports that they were warned of going to Action Stations at 2359 so went for a wash (in a bucket). He noticed Jack Heather’s identity disc on the deck. He called too him but Jack told him to keep it until after action stations.  Jack was killed on ‘A’ gun.

2306 Whilst stationed on the starboard bow of the convoy CARNATION sighted a U-boat on her starboard quarter at a distance of 1000 yards.  CARNATION altered course towards and increased to full speed with the intention of ramming.  An R/T message was immediately transmitted and this was answered by COSSACK.

2308 The U-boat dived but A/S contact had been gained and two minutes later CARNATION dropped a five-charge pattern set to 50 feet.  After this attack contact was lost and a hunt was commenced. Meanwhile BLUEBELL who was stationed on the starboard beam had received the R/T report and altered course to close the position.  No contact could be obtained so at 2316 a pattern of five charges, set to 50 feet, was dropped some 500 yards from the position of CARNATIONS attack, which had been marked by a calcium flare.  An A/S sweep was then commenced down the starboard side of the convoy.  All other escorts appear to have carried an ASDIC and starshell search in accordance with Captain (D)’s orders.  “If at night the side of attack is indicated the corvettes on that side will turn outwards and sweep for two miles using starshell and snowflakes and if nothing is sighted will then re-join the screen.  Destroyers in the positions on the bow and quarter of the convoy will search inwards and then outwards in their respective sectors using starshell”

Torpedoed by U563 (Lt Klaus Bargsten) 35.36 N 10.04 W at 2337 whilst stationed astern of the convoy and proceeding at 13 knots.

Extract from some information concerning the rescue of the survivors of HMS Cossack, from French official maritime history.

 

Extracts translated from : CRAS Hervé, MANGIN D’OUINCE Xavier, MASSON Philippe : Les bâtiments de surface des F .N.F.L.. Marine Nationale, Service Historique, Paris, 1968, pp. 122 – 125.

     They report that, from Gibraltar, the 22nd of October 1941, the convoy had to take a route of 262° from Spartel Cap, south of Tanger. [Cap Spartel is a promontory in Morocco about 1,000 feet above sea level at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, 12 km West of Tangier. Below the Cap are the Caves of Hercules] They had to follow this route until midnight the 23rd to join 10° West at about 190 nautical miles from the Cap.

     The aviso Commandant Duboc (minesweeper aviso type Élan, 630 t.), from the Free French Navy, left Gibraltar the 22th of October 1941, with the escort of the convoy HG75. The 23th, at 2335 (11.35 pm), it was seen a red rocket at about 3000 m ahead on starboard and few minutes later, a ship on fire. The aviso headed for this ship at maximum speed. At 2347 (11.47 pm), the aviso arrived near a destroyer in fire (HMS Cossack) assisted by another. The aviso collected 5 men on a raft and 16 other (including Lieutenant MOTH) on another (total = 21). The shipwrecked were exhausted, paralyzed by cold, and poisoned by oil. Several Free French sailors went into the water to rescue them.

They give as position of the shipwrecked from Cossack at midnight the 23rd : 35° 23 North – 9° 48 West.

     The 24th, at 0410 (4.10 am) 22 survivors of cargo ship Carsbreck were rescued. At 0600 (6 am) 34 survivors of cargo ship Alhama were rescued. After 0700 (7 am) the Commandant Duboc transferred all these survivors either onto the passenger ship Ariguani (52) or onto sloop HMS Rochester (15).

Extract from –Boat Attack Logs Daniel Morgan & Bruce Taylor (ISBN 978-1-84832-118-2)

Kriegsmarine code (of attack) Quadrat CG 8813.  U-boat timekeeping differential +2 hours.  Sighted by U71 and U563 on 23^rd October 1941. Shortly after 2200 GMT corvette CARNATION reported a submarine sighting and the entire escort went to Action Stations. When the tentative ASDIC contact faded and nothing more was sighted COSSACK stood down to second degree readiness and took station astern of the convoy.  About 15 minutes later a torpedo was seen approaching the port side. This immediate alteration was only sufficient to avoid one of the pair of torpedoes fired by U563 and hitting COSSACK at 2238 GMT.

U563 War Diary

Commanded by Oblt.z.S Klaus Bargsten

Qu. CG 8821. Wind NNW 2. Sea 1, 5/10 overcast. 1,016mb visibility 3 nm.

0014 Four torpedo detonations heard in boat. We sight explosion clouds and shining light at bearing 285° true.  (These may have been depth charge attacks carried out by CARNATION following a contact around this time)

0018 Several steamers in sight at bearing 285° true. We alter course towards them. Precise formation cannot yet be determined but we fire a spread of two torpedoes at the largest of them, range 3500 m.  Due to a switching error we only get one torpedo away.  After 4 min. 30 sec. there is a donation together with a huge sheet of flame followed shortly after by an explosion.  Explosion cloud rises 80 – 1000 m. My impression is that this torpedo detonation occurred on the far side of the steamer and that it was not mine but another boat’s torpedo which struck. A large number of starshell and rockets are then fired towards the dark side which I have now vacated. (British records show no record of torpedo attacks at this time so it may have again been anti-submarine activity elsewhere in the convoy)

0030 Ahead of me, with an inclination of 70°, bows left, appears a destroyer about 1,000 m. She is illuminating the area on the far side with her searchlight.  Immediately behind her and overlapping is a medium sized steamer.  Destroyer alters course, now has an inclination of 90°, bows right.  (British and German sources cannot be reconciled on this point. Bargsten’s plot of the attack confirms the log data which indicates he fired when COSSACK was beam on to him on her starboard side. By contrast British records which make no reference to any starshell being fired prior to the attack on COSSACK (But see entry above at 2306 from ADM 199/1994) are unanimous that the torpedo was sighted on her port side where it struck despite the turn to starboard)

0038 Spread of two torpedoes fired. (All torpedoes during this engagement were fired by the First Officer of the Watch Oblt.z.S Klaus Peterson) After about 30 sec. she alters course once again. At first I assume this is towards us at a bearing of 0° because we can make out the white foam from her bows. It turns out that she was turning away from us and what we saw was her propeller wake.  I now find myself completely illuminated by starshell, which is being fired across the entire horizon on my side.

0039 Emergency dive.  As we are diving we hear two powerful torpedo detonations. Boat sinks to T = 45 m (185 m -607 feet) and we have difficulty bringing her back up. It becomes apparent that the flooding valve of the torpedo compartment was leaking. Running time of my torpedo 1min. = 900 m. So we evidently hit the steamer.

0110 We surface. Nothing more to be seen of the steamer. While we were submerged we heard the cracking noise typical of a sinking merchantman, as well as two explosions that sounded like they came from boilers going up.  At a bearing of 20° true we can see a burning vessel with a destroyer and another escort vessel nearby; the destroyer is illuminating the area about her as a precaution. I assume they are taking survivors on board.

0130 Single torpedo fired from Tube V at the burning ship. No success. We then head off on a north westerly course to catch up with the convoy.

0211    Incoming W/T transmission from U71: Convoy Qu.8827 heading north. Other U-boats U-206, U-564 in the vicinity.

(U563 – Built by Blohm and Voss of Hamburg  – was commissioned in March 1941 and heavily damaged by a Whitley bomber on 1 December 1941. She returned to the fray in October 1942. She was sunk 29 May 1943 in the Bay of Biscay by a Sunderland piloted by Wing Commander W.E. Oulton 58 Squadron.) Bargsten went on to command U521 which was sunk by US patrol craft PC-565. Bargsten, the only survivor, spent the rest of the war in captivity being released in 1946. He died in August 2000.

In COSSACK the Captain and 159 officers and men were killed or missing; presumed dead with 29 injured.

Jimmy Tychurst the Communications on ‘X’’ gun heard the Captain say ‘Torpedo to port.

The order ‘Hard a starboard’ was given but the ship was hit by the second torpedo just forward of the bridge between ‘A’ and ‘B’ magazine on the port side destroying the whole forward structure and setting the bridge on fire.  The ready use pom – pom ammunition on the bridge was ignited.

2300. Second Lt passed the order to abandon ship.

‘X’ gun crew slipped the Carly float and tied it to the rail.

No 1 boiler room flooded immediately but the sprayers were shut off by the Stoker Petty Officer before he came out. No 2 boiler room was evacuated before shutting off the sprayers with the forward bulkhead split and leaking.  The sprayers were turned off shortly afterwards from the upper deck by Commander (E) Halliwell who had noticed a  strong smell of  oil leaking up through the bulkhead of No 1 boiler room, and feared an oil fuel fire. There was no lighting and the order ‘Abandon Ship’ was given by Lt Moth after consulting with Cdr Halliwell and Mr Foster the Gunner (T) who came to the conclusion the forward magazine may explode.  At the time the smoke and darkness it was not possible to know the extent of the damage forward of the bridge. According to Ray Davies he and others were detailed to make safe the depth charges. Throwers and racks were primed to 50 feet and primers made safe.  He describes seeing a body wrapped around a guard-rail, one over the fore funnel and many more laying around. He and others helped as many as they could and 14 boarded a Carly float.  This included several badly burnt men including Ginger Lamb (who died onboard LEGION and was buried at sea), Raggy Marshall and the Gunnery Officer. Leading Seaman Hack was blown off ‘A’ gun and broke his leg.  He was the only survivor from ‘A’ gun.

Bill Armstrong was resting behind the gun in a corner formed by two ammunition boxes. He joined about 20 others on a Carley float that they eventually abandoned to swim to LEGION.

Ken Nicholson was leader of the of the single pom -pom situated on the flag deck. In a state of shock and confusion managed to make his way from the flag deck to the torpedo tubes and into a Carly float. He was picked up by CARNATION.

‘Monty’ Foster was on the Quarterdeck in charge of the depth charges when the ship turned hard a starboard and was struck.  He and the Chief set the charges to ‘safe’.  He missed the Carley float and was on his own in the water but managed to shine a torch that had been in his pocket.  Seen by the CARNATION he was thrown a rope and pulled onboard to be met with the welcome “The bastards still got his F***ing hat on!” He then passed out and came to in a warm bath of water.

Kenneth Rail – a Boy Seaman at the time recollected the following. Just before Midnight he and a mate were on double-banked lookout on the starboard side just aft of the bridge and at a lower level. Suddenly there was a terrific explosion forward on the port side.  He managed to scramble down three ladders and ran towards the stern.  The sea around the ship seemed to be ablaze. A Carley float was launched from aft. Ken jumped into the sea missing the part that was alight and someone pulled in to the raft.  The lower part of his legs were burnt and he had a fractured nose. He and his companions were picked up three hours later by the French ship and then transferred by cutter to the ARIGUANA which in turn had her stern blown off. He was subsequently picked up by VIDETTE.

COSSACK was subsequently re – boarded and the fire brought under control. No. 2 boiler room was half flooded but No. 3 boiler room was found to be intact.  Top weight was jettisoned. (See ADM1 11847 – Hand written notes by Commander Halliwell in Engine Room Order Book)

DUNCAN departs from Gibraltar with medical supplies and surgeon.  Tug THAMES and corvettes CARNATION and JONQUIL depart Gibraltar

HMS Carnation picked up 49 survivors whilst LEGION, ARIGUANI and COMMANDANT Le BOC picked up the others

0100 Commander Halliwell of COSSACK was picked up by LEGION and transferred at 0130 to CARNATION

0145 CARNATION passed towing line with LEGION standing by. The tow proceeded at 3 knots but was reduced because of adverse weather conditions. Cdr Halliwell took a damage control party onboard COSSACK to begin the fight to save her. (Engineering Lt McLeod, CPO Allpress, PO Beech, AB Broom, Boy Davis from COSSACK and fire party from CARNATION). Allpress discharged torpedoes with stop valves shut.  Three seriously injured were found onboard (Sub Lt Day and two ratings) and Surgeon Lt Scott of COSSACK returned on board to attend to them.

Recollection of David Broom. (Able Seaman.  P/JX 156413) About 0145 we jumped across and took a hose forward and started to put out the fire which was burning in the aft end of the bridge in the ‘Comforts Store’ where there was a large stock of soap, warm clothing and other articles.  We also put water on the coal that was burning in the messdeck coal bunker.  At 0530 the fire was out and we returned to CARNATION which cast off.  We were given hot food and drink and slept for a while.

0600 COSSACK showed signs of sinking and all hands returned to CARNATION

0800 Boarding party return onboard. Steam was raise in No 3 boiler room. ‘Y’ magazine and shell room flooded to restore the freeboard forward.  By the evening the boiler room and machinery had to be shut down as the feed water was expended

Recollection of David Broom. (Able Seaman.  P/JX 156413). At 0800 on the 24^th the Carnation went back alongside the Cossack and I went back onboard her.  I put on my boots and duffle coat which were where I had left them on the Gun Deck.  Up until then I had been wearing overalls and plimsolls given to me by someone on the Carnation.  The Engineer Officer then asked Ivor Davis and myself to go into the Number 3 Boiler Room and work the oil fuel pump.   This was at the back of the boiler. We were alone and in very uneasy strange surroundings. Steam was raised and we returned on deck.

The motorboat was still in its davits when I returned to the deck and with some help I got it into the water and with Ivor as crew took it away and recovered two Carley Floats which I took to Cossack and made fast alongside the ship’s port side aft.  The motorboat was then made fast to the starboard side using a long boat rope and a breast rope

1055 Enemy plane approaches but is driven off by the guns of COSSACK and CARNATION.

Recollection of David Broom. (Able Seaman.  P/JX 156413). At 1055 the Carnation sounded ‘A’s on her siren and I saw a Focke-Wolfe Condor approaching on the starboard side

1900 Hands transferred back aboard CARNATION for the night.

Telegram from London on military situation 10/25/41

                                                            Telegram from London dated October 25th.                                        Correction to telegram dated October 24th: in second paragraph  for H.M.S. “Maori” read H.M.S. “Cossack”  and for “10 miles” read “ll0 miles.” (Latest reports state that H.M.S. Cossack is proceeding to harbour in tow).

0845 Boarding party return to COSSACK

Lt McLeod, CPO Allpress, CPO Bellinger, AB Broom, Signaller McGloskey of CARNATION and a Sick Berth Attendant from GURKA were put onboard.  Shored No 3 boiler room and jettisoned depth charges, HD Fittings, fan trunkings etc.

1130. SBA returned to CARNATION. Stokers Miller and Coggins went onboard.

1300 HM Tug THAMES escorted by JONQUIL arrived.  20 survivors transfer from CARNATION to JONQUIL

1340 COSSACK signal to JONQUIL – “Tug to come alongside Port Aft”

Towing commenced at 1500 in moderate weather. Course East. Wind NW force 2.  Onboard was Commander Halliwell, Engineering Lt McLeod, Mr Foster – Gunner (T), CPO Allpress, CPO Bellinger, AB Broom, Signaller McGlusky, Stoker Miller, Stoker Collins.

2000. Wind, Sea and swell increasing. Course East at 2 knots. Downton pump used every ½ hour.

 

0100 Wind North force 4

0800 Wind NE force 5. COSSACK slightly more down by the head.

0840 COSSACK signal to CARNATION.  Request for pump.  Not met

1200 Wind NE Force 6

1300 Tug reduced speed

1450 Trawler STELLA CARINA joined the screen

1501 COSSACK signal to JONQUIL. “Red Very light “abandon ship”.  Green Very light “man overboard”

JONQUOL signal to COSSACK “Bring over all brandy in wine stores. Key in Wardroom cigarette drawer.  Wine in cases starboard side aft. Probably 15 bottles.

COSSACK reply to JONQUIL. “Wine store locked and battened down.  Cupboards in Wardroom empty”

1600 Wind NE Force 6 Sea and Swell 6/6./ No apparent headway being made. Stern higher and bow lower.

1630. Sea racing waist high across weather deck made it too dangerous to continue pumping engine room bilges and was abandoned at 1750

1900 COSSACK is lower in the water

1930 Abandoned ship for the night

2000 The 9 officers and men were transferred to JONQUIL

Conditions prevent re boarding of COSSACK

HMS COSSACK sinks at 1043.  35.12N 08.17W

‘They will not be forgotten’

ADM1/11846 – cause of sinking

1. The fresh water ran out, thus preventing steam being kept after 1800 on 24 October.
2. The submersible pump could not be used owing to lack of suction hoses and adequate electric leads
3. The Downton Pump could not be used owing to absence of suctions
4. The Tug THAMES escorted by HMS JONQUIL arrived 10 hours late having been misdirected
5. No salvage pump was sent in THAMES
6. The heavy weather which blew up on the 26^th

Postscript

Many survivors were picked up by HMS Legion and taken to Gibraltar where those in hospital were visited by Vian. They were then discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney to Loch Ewe. From here they were transported in open Army trucks wearing only their survivor’s kit to Inverness. A good meal was made available in the hotel by the station and some survivors found partners to dance with to the music being provided

Springall, H.J. P/SS12571 Stoker 1^st Class,

Wallace, R.J.G. P/JX15366 Able Seaman

When HMS Cossack was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic in October 1941 a number of survivors were picked up by other ships.   These two were amongst them but both were severely wounded and needed urgent hospital treatment.   HMS Legion took them to Ponta Delgada, the Azores being neutral, where they were taken into hospital.   Unfortunately both died of their wounds and were buried in the British Protestant Cemetery in Ponta Delgada, St Michaels Island.