I am looking for any information in relation to the sinking of HMS BOMBALA (also known as WILLOW BRANCH) NE of the Cape Verde Islands off Cape Blanco, Mauritania on 25th April 1918. It was sunk by the German submarines U 153 and U 154. My Great-Uncle Bernhard Anderson was a lieutentant (commander?) on the Bombala and according to family records he was picked up an hour after being in the water but died a few days later. There's no reference as to where this information came from. I have found out that U 154 picked up a lieutenant who claimed to be the CO and it's said this was a man called Hugh Allan and that he died along with the rest of the crew when U 154 was sunk on May 11. Can anyone confirm if this information is correct? Were any other men taken prisoner on April 25th and if so what were their names? Some reports say there were a couple of lifeboats but that only 1 or 2 men survived to the coast, the others dying of exposure etc. I know it's unlikely but would anyone have any information about the survivors or about the other men who eventually died..would all have been buried at sea? Does anyone have any photos of the Bombala and the U-boats relating to that day?
Many Thanks
MaryAnn Uechtritz