Convoy SC-130

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HMS Duncan in March of 1943
HMS Duncan in March of 1943

Convoy SC-130 was the 130th of the numbered series of World War II Slow Convoys of merchant ships from Sydney, Cape Breton Island to Liverpool.[1] Thirty-seven ships departed Halifax Harbour on 11 May 1943;[2] and were met by Mid-Ocean Escort Force Group B-7 consisting of the D class leader Duncan, the V and W class destroyer Vidette, the River class frigate Tay, and Flower class corvettes Snowflake, Sunflower, Pink, Loosestrife, and Kitchener[3] with the convoy rescue ship Zamalek.[4]

The convoy was found and reported by U-304 on the night of 18/19 May.[5] Gathering U-boats were attacked by convoy escorts and by No. 120 Squadron RAF B-24 Liberators before torpedo launch positions were reached.[6] U-381 was lost from unknown causes. On 19 May the convoy escort was reinforced by the 1st Support Group consisting of the Banff class sloop Sennen with River class frigates Wear, Jed and Spey.[7]

U-954 was sunk by hedgehog attacks from Sennen and Jed.[8] Admiral Karl Dönitz's son Peter Dönitz was among those lost aboard U-954.[9] No. 120 Squadron RAF B-24 Liberator J sank U-258.[10] The convoy reached Liverpool without loss on 26 May.[11]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Hague 2000 p.133
  2. ^ Hague 2000 p.135
  3. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.212
  4. ^ Blair 1998 p.333
  5. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.212
  6. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.212
  7. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.212
  8. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.212
  9. ^ Blair 1998 pp.333-334
  10. ^ Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992 p.212
  11. ^ Hague 2000 p.135

[edit] References

  • Blair, Clay (1998). Hitler's U-Boat War, The Hunted 1942-1945. Random House. ISBN 0-679-45742-9. 
  • Hague, Arnold (2000). The Allied Convoy System 1939-1945. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-019-3. 
  • Rohwer, J. and Hummelchen, G. (1992). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939-1945. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-105-X.