Belgian Fighter
Belgian Fighter under her former name Ala
| Name | Belgian Fighter | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 5,403 tons | ||
| Completed | 1921 - Merchant Shipbuilding Corp, Harriman PA | ||
| Owner | Belgian Government | ||
| Homeport | Antwerp | ||
| Date of attack | 9 Oct 1942 | Nationality:  Belgian | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-68 (Karl-Friedrich Merten) | ||
| Position | 35.00S, 18.30E - Grid GR 5965 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 54 (5 dead and 49 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Abu Zenima - Aden - Capetown - Baltimore | ||
| Cargo | General cargo | ||
| History | Completed in February 1921 as Ala for US Shipping Board (USSB). 1931 sold to American Diamond Lines Inc. 1935 renamed Black Condor for Black Diamond Lines Inc, New York. 1941 given to Britain and renamed Empire Lapwing by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). 1941 sold to Belgium and renamed Belgian Fighter. | ||
| Notes on loss | At 04.54 hours on 9 Oct, 1942, the unescorted Belgian Fighter (Master A. Costermans) was torpedoed and sunk by U-68 80 miles south-southeast of Capetown. Five crew members were lost and two were wounded. The master, 40 crew members and six gunners were rescued. Two men were picked up by Ocean Justice and survived also the second sinking when this ship was sunk by U-505 (Zschech) on 7 November. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.