Hi Martin,

I have the war diary of U 32 and that what is written there differs in some points from your post.

Here is the translation of the entries:

"6:30 a.m. - torpedo shot from tube No.2 (G/6 D torpedo), hit under aft mast after 1 Minute and 5 seconds, range 1,200 metres, steamer went only a little deeper.

6:51 a.m. - surfaced, opened fire at 4,000 metres, when the boats hat left the ship far enought slowly closed by and finished her off. It was the armed English steamer "KILDALE" (3,830 t) with a Cargo of coal (apprx. 5,000 t).
While heading for the boats two trawlers approaching out of the mist and open fire upon the boat at a very long range accompanied by signalling. Cleared off at high speed."

What if the boats were hit by friendly fire? It's possible that the boats were between the approaching trawlers and U 32. At a long range the small boats would have been hardly visible to the trawlers and hence one was hit by chance.



Best wishes

Simon S.