General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
Re: SS 'Umvuma' Sunk 7 August 1943 out of Durban, Sout
Posted by:
Karl Mülnier
()
Date: March 17, 2011 11:34AM
Mike South Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am seeking information on the loss of the SS
> 'Umvuma' (4,419 gross tons, British cargo liner),
> sunk by submarine fired torpedo at 20 degrees 18'
> South, 57 degrees 14' East on Saturday 7 August
> 1943, having sailed out of Durban, South Africa.
> I have never been able to determine the identity
> of the atacking vessel nor even under which navy's
> flag (German, Japanese, Italian) she sailed. My
> uncle, Surgeon Robert South, was lost in or after
> the sinking and there was a persistent rumour
> amongst the older generation of my family (now
> totally unverifiable, as they are all long dead)
> that initially the entire crew got away in the
> ships boats, but the submarine surfaced alongside
> them and the Captain and officers were made to
> return to the sinking vessel where - of course -
> they were drowned (sounds more in line with
> Japanese than German 'atrocity' mythology). On
> the face of it this seems highly improbable, but
> it would be most interesting to learn more about
> this 'incident'. Any and all leads or information
> gratefully received,
>
> Mike South
> Calgary, Alberta, Canada
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am seeking information on the loss of the SS
> 'Umvuma' (4,419 gross tons, British cargo liner),
> sunk by submarine fired torpedo at 20 degrees 18'
> South, 57 degrees 14' East on Saturday 7 August
> 1943, having sailed out of Durban, South Africa.
> I have never been able to determine the identity
> of the atacking vessel nor even under which navy's
> flag (German, Japanese, Italian) she sailed. My
> uncle, Surgeon Robert South, was lost in or after
> the sinking and there was a persistent rumour
> amongst the older generation of my family (now
> totally unverifiable, as they are all long dead)
> that initially the entire crew got away in the
> ships boats, but the submarine surfaced alongside
> them and the Captain and officers were made to
> return to the sinking vessel where - of course -
> they were drowned (sounds more in line with
> Japanese than German 'atrocity' mythology). On
> the face of it this seems highly improbable, but
> it would be most interesting to learn more about
> this 'incident'. Any and all leads or information
> gratefully received,
>
> Mike South
> Calgary, Alberta, Canada
