General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
U553 vs.BLANKAHOLM, Aug.18,1942
Posted by:
ARANTALES
()
Date: May 01, 2019 07:34PM
Dear all,
Help wanted: at what time was the swedish M/S BLANKAHOLM torpedoed by U553 on August 18, 1942?
U553 attacked convoy TAW.13 that day, firing 5 torpedoes between 0559-0606 (uboat-time), and 5 more between 0913-0927. Firing reports for all torpedoes except 1 are consultable at [historisches-marinearchiv.de]
Thurmann, CO U553, assumed he sank 6 ships and damaged another. Only 3 vessels were actually torpedoed: BLANKAHOLM (sunk); EMPIRE BEDE (later sunk by HMS PIMPERNEL); JOHN HANCOCK (sunk).
The Admiralty War Diary for Aug.19,1942, notes:“JOHN HANCOCK and EMPIRE BEDE torpedoed while in convoy at 0716Z/18 and 0415Z/18”.
The same Admiralty War Diary mentions BLANKAHOLM was torpedoed while in convoy TAW.13 on the 18th, but - alas - without giving a time.
“Lloyd’s War Losses – the Second World War – Volume 1” brings the information:
EMPIRE BEDE – S - Aug.18, 4.18am GMT, remark: sunk by H.M.Ship
BLANKAHOLM – S – Aug.18, 4.5am GMT
JOHN HANCOCK – S – Aug.18 (no time given)
According to Lloyd’s, both EMPIRE BEDE and BLANKAHOLM were torpedoed around the same time, during U553’s initial attacks (around 0600).
[historisches-marinearchiv.de] and [www.uboat.net] document only EMPIRE BEDE was hit in the earlier attacks. The description of the attacks in the torpedo firing reports do not allow me to reach that same conclusion. The more so as Thurmann mis-judged the effects of the attacks.
I failed to find a 2nd ‘reliable’ source for Lloyd’s statement the BLANKAHOLM was torpedoed at 4.5 am GMT.
The National Archives (U.K.) catalogue does not refer to reports re.convoy TAW.13, nor references for a war diary or action report of HMS PIMPERNEL (corvette that sank the EMPIRE BEDE some time after U553’s attack. PIMPERNEL was escort to convoy TAW.13C acc. A.Hague).
Fold3.com was searched for U.S. reference material but no reports from the american escorts to TAW.13 could be located (USS BRECKENRIDGE, USS TOURMALINE,…), nor for USS GOFF (destroyer that reported the uboat’s attacks on TAW.13 to the commandant at Guantanamo as stated in the War Diary, COMCARIBSEAFRON, Aug.18, 1942).
Any information as to the torpedoing of the BLANKAHOLM that might help confirm/refute she was hit during the earlier attacks would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Walter
Help wanted: at what time was the swedish M/S BLANKAHOLM torpedoed by U553 on August 18, 1942?
U553 attacked convoy TAW.13 that day, firing 5 torpedoes between 0559-0606 (uboat-time), and 5 more between 0913-0927. Firing reports for all torpedoes except 1 are consultable at [historisches-marinearchiv.de]
Thurmann, CO U553, assumed he sank 6 ships and damaged another. Only 3 vessels were actually torpedoed: BLANKAHOLM (sunk); EMPIRE BEDE (later sunk by HMS PIMPERNEL); JOHN HANCOCK (sunk).
The Admiralty War Diary for Aug.19,1942, notes:“JOHN HANCOCK and EMPIRE BEDE torpedoed while in convoy at 0716Z/18 and 0415Z/18”.
The same Admiralty War Diary mentions BLANKAHOLM was torpedoed while in convoy TAW.13 on the 18th, but - alas - without giving a time.
“Lloyd’s War Losses – the Second World War – Volume 1” brings the information:
EMPIRE BEDE – S - Aug.18, 4.18am GMT, remark: sunk by H.M.Ship
BLANKAHOLM – S – Aug.18, 4.5am GMT
JOHN HANCOCK – S – Aug.18 (no time given)
According to Lloyd’s, both EMPIRE BEDE and BLANKAHOLM were torpedoed around the same time, during U553’s initial attacks (around 0600).
[historisches-marinearchiv.de] and [www.uboat.net] document only EMPIRE BEDE was hit in the earlier attacks. The description of the attacks in the torpedo firing reports do not allow me to reach that same conclusion. The more so as Thurmann mis-judged the effects of the attacks.
I failed to find a 2nd ‘reliable’ source for Lloyd’s statement the BLANKAHOLM was torpedoed at 4.5 am GMT.
The National Archives (U.K.) catalogue does not refer to reports re.convoy TAW.13, nor references for a war diary or action report of HMS PIMPERNEL (corvette that sank the EMPIRE BEDE some time after U553’s attack. PIMPERNEL was escort to convoy TAW.13C acc. A.Hague).
Fold3.com was searched for U.S. reference material but no reports from the american escorts to TAW.13 could be located (USS BRECKENRIDGE, USS TOURMALINE,…), nor for USS GOFF (destroyer that reported the uboat’s attacks on TAW.13 to the commandant at Guantanamo as stated in the War Diary, COMCARIBSEAFRON, Aug.18, 1942).
Any information as to the torpedoing of the BLANKAHOLM that might help confirm/refute she was hit during the earlier attacks would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Walter
| Subject | Written By | Posted |
|---|---|---|
U553 vs.BLANKAHOLM, Aug.18,1942
|
ARANTALES | 05/01/2019 07:34PM |
|
Re: U553 vs.BLANKAHOLM, Aug.18,1942
|
jcrt | 05/02/2019 06:06PM |
|
Re: U553 vs.BLANKAHOLM, Aug.18,1942
|
ARANTALES | 05/02/2019 08:38PM |
|
Re: U553 vs.BLANKAHOLM, Aug.18,1942
|
jcrt | 05/03/2019 12:56PM |
|
Re: U553 vs.BLANKAHOLM, Aug.18,1942
|
ARANTALES | 05/03/2019 05:56PM |
|
Re: U553 vs.BLANKAHOLM, Aug.18,1942
|
ARANTALES | 05/04/2019 03:31PM |