General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
Attack on HG-73, 26th September 1941
Posted by:
Mark McShane
()
Date: May 09, 2009 03:33PM
For the attacks on HG-73 in the early morning of 26th September 1941 the ships sunk are attributed to
U-203
Varangberg
Avoceta
Cortes
U-124
Petrel
Lapwing
I have been looking into this convoy for sometime now and feel that the ships sunk are wrongly attributed. I hope that the following will be clear and that it is understood. Taking as reference for this are ktb's for U-124 & U-203. ADM 199 Survivors reports for every ship sunk in that convoy, ADM 199 files on HG-73. The times used will be as German local.
26th September
0031
U-203 fires a spread of torpedoes, hitting AVOCETA and VARANGBERG. At 0034 Dives to evade attack and to reload. U-203 comes under attack, probably HMS HIGHLANDER and LARKSPUR.
0223
U-124 fires at two ships on the extreme port column of the convoy. CORTES (pdt 12) is hit quickly followed by PETREL (pdt 11). LAPWING (pdt 13) stops to pick up survivors from both ships.
0400
U-203 has evaded the attack and surfaces, now attacks what she describes as a tanker and a destroyer. These ships were the LAPWING and HMS LARKSPUR. LAPWING was stopped still picking up survivors from PETREL & CORTES. HMS LARKSPUR had reported to SO escort that she had seen an unidentified stopped vessel when she was returning to the convoy. both attacks miss.
0634
Just as the last boat of survivors is coming towards LAPWING, U-203 hits her and she sinks quickly.
So results after this mornings attack were
U-203
Varangberg
Avoceta
Lapwing
U-124
Petrel
Cortes
Anybody with input or comments would be appreciated.
Regards,
Mark
U-203
Varangberg
Avoceta
Cortes
U-124
Petrel
Lapwing
I have been looking into this convoy for sometime now and feel that the ships sunk are wrongly attributed. I hope that the following will be clear and that it is understood. Taking as reference for this are ktb's for U-124 & U-203. ADM 199 Survivors reports for every ship sunk in that convoy, ADM 199 files on HG-73. The times used will be as German local.
26th September
0031
U-203 fires a spread of torpedoes, hitting AVOCETA and VARANGBERG. At 0034 Dives to evade attack and to reload. U-203 comes under attack, probably HMS HIGHLANDER and LARKSPUR.
0223
U-124 fires at two ships on the extreme port column of the convoy. CORTES (pdt 12) is hit quickly followed by PETREL (pdt 11). LAPWING (pdt 13) stops to pick up survivors from both ships.
0400
U-203 has evaded the attack and surfaces, now attacks what she describes as a tanker and a destroyer. These ships were the LAPWING and HMS LARKSPUR. LAPWING was stopped still picking up survivors from PETREL & CORTES. HMS LARKSPUR had reported to SO escort that she had seen an unidentified stopped vessel when she was returning to the convoy. both attacks miss.
0634
Just as the last boat of survivors is coming towards LAPWING, U-203 hits her and she sinks quickly.
So results after this mornings attack were
U-203
Varangberg
Avoceta
Lapwing
U-124
Petrel
Cortes
Anybody with input or comments would be appreciated.
Regards,
Mark