Convoy SC-107

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RCAF Digby bomber about 1942
RCAF Digby bomber about 1942

Convoy SC-107 was the 107th of the numbered series of World War II Slow Convoys of merchant ships from Sydney, Cape Breton Island to Liverpool.[1] Forty-one ships departed New York City on 24 October 1942;[2] and were found and reported by U-522 on 30 October as the Western Local Escort Force[3] turned the convoy over to Mid-Ocean Escort Force Group C-4 consisting of the Canadian River class destroyer Restigouche with Flower class corvettes Amherst, Arvida, Sherbrooke, Celandine, Algoma, Moosejaw,[4] and the Convoy rescue ship Stockport.[5]

U-520 was sunk near the convoy by a No. 10 Squadron RCAF Digby bomber.[6] U-boat Ace Kapitänleutnant Siegfied Freiherr von Forstner's U-402 torpedoed the 7459-ton British freighter Empire Sunrise, the 4558-ton British freighter Dalcroy, the 4945-ton British freighter Empire Antelope, the 5676-ton British freighter Empire Leopard, and the 4649-ton Greek freighter Rinos after sunset on 1 November while U-522 torpedoed the 5496-ton British freighter Hartington, the 5804-ton British freighter Maratima, and the 5655-ton Greek freighter Mount Pelion.[7] Kapitänleutnant von Forstner would receive the Knight's Cross for U-402's work in this convoy and in Convoy SC-118 on the next patrol. U-522 torpedoed the 3189-ton Greek freighter Parthenon in a daylight attack on 2 November.[8] One-hundred-twelve merchant sailors were lost with 7410 tons of zinc concentrate, 8,000 tons of wheat and tanks, 11,809 tons of steel and timber, and 26330 tons of general cargo including trucks and explosives.[9]

The escort was reinforced by the V and W class destroyer Vanessa from convoy HX-213. U-521 torpedoed the 6855-ton American tanker Hahira on 3 November.[10] U-89 torpedoed the 5318-ton British convoy commodore's freighter Jeypore after sunset on 3 November while U-132 torpedoed the 6379-ton British freighter Empire Lynx, the 5507-ton Dutch freighter Hobbema, and the 6690-ton British freighter Hatimura.[11] U-132 is believed to have been destroyed by the kiloton-range detonation of the ammunition cargo of the latter ship.[12] Thirty-six merchant sailors were lost with 8985 tons of fuel oil and 21050 tons of explosives and general cargo.[13]

USS Schenck (DD-159)
USS Schenck (DD-159)

On 4 November Arvida and Celandine were detached to Iceland with Stockport and 2 tugs overcrowded with 240 survivors.[14] U-89 torpedoed 4640-ton British freighter Daleby carrying 8500 tons of grain[15] shortly before the convoy escort was reinforced by the USCG Treasury Class Cutter Ingham and the Wickes class destroyers Leary and Schenck from Iceland.[16] No. 120 Squadron RAF B-24 Liberators drove off the remaining U-boats,[17] and the convoy reached Liverpool on 10 November.[18]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Hague 2000 p.133
  2. ^ Hague 2000 p.135
  3. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.170
  4. ^ Milner 1985 p.290
  5. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.170
  6. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.170
  7. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.170
  8. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.170
  9. ^ Hague 2000 p.137
  10. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.170
  11. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.170
  12. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.170
  13. ^ Hague 2000 p.137
  14. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.170
  15. ^ Hague 2000 p.137
  16. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.170
  17. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.170
  18. ^ Hague 2000 p.135

[edit] References

  • Hague, Arnold (2000). The Allied Convoy System 1939-1945. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-019-3. 
  • Milner, Marc (1985). North Atlantic Run. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-450-0. 
  • Rohwer, J. and Hummelchen, G. (1992). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939-1945. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-105-X.