The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945
The Spanish Civil War, then the Second World War in European waters: the River Plate, Narvik, Dunkirk, the Bismarck, Taranto, Matapan, the Battle of the Atlantic, the Arctic convoys and Normandy.
This chapter of Naval Battles holds 253 battles. For each one we give when and where it was fought, who fought it, the ships that took part, what happened, how it ended and why it is remembered. See all 2,188 battles on one page.
Marea can build any of the ships that fought in these battles, as she was on the day, with the maximum detail the records permit. Many of these battles cost thousands of lives, and we build their ships with that in mind.
This database was put together by Ai Refloat™, Marea’s own artificial intelligence, from naval histories, museums, official records and encyclopaedias in many languages. Ai Refloat is still young & like any teenager, it can be a little volatile and unpredictable at times, but above all, it is learning fast. So this list may well contain mistakes and we welcome the input of everyone who knows these battles better than we do.
Have you spotted a mistake, or is a battle missing? Tell us which battle and what to correct, and we will amend it accordingly. Tell us here
The battles
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Russian Civil War
Battle of Alexander Fort Fleet battle
Also known as Battle of Alexandrovsky Fort; Battle of Tyub-Karagan
21 May 1919 · Bay of Tyub-Karagan, Fort Alexandrovsky, Caspian Sea
Fought between Britain and the White Russians against Soviet Russia
Commanders David Norris (Britain); A. V. Burov (Soviet Russia, killed)
Forces 5 auxiliary cruisers and 1 seaplane carrier, against 1 auxiliary cruiser, 1 destroyer, 1 minelayer, 1 floating battery, 2 submarines and minor units
Losses British and White Russian: 2 auxiliary cruisers damaged, 5 killed, 7 wounded. Soviet: 1 auxiliary cruiser damaged, 1 destroyer, 1 minelayer, 1 floating battery and auxiliary units lost.
Result British and White Russian victory
A British and White Russian squadron attacked the Soviet naval base at Fort Alexandrovsky on the Caspian Sea. The Soviet commander was killed and the Soviets lost a destroyer, a minelayer, a floating battery and auxiliary vessels.
Why it is remembered It was one of the naval actions fought on the Caspian Sea during the Russian Civil War.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Parnell, G L (DSO) (OBE), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Russian Civil War, British campaign in the Baltic
Raid on Kronstadt Raid
Also known as Operation RK; the Scooter Raid
18 August 1919 · Kronstadt, Russia
Fought between Britain against Soviet Russia
Commanders Claude Congreve Dobson and Grahame Donald (Britain), with Augustus Agar as guide
Forces 8 coastal motor boats and 12 aircraft, against the Bolshevik Baltic Fleet in harbour
Ships CMB-4, Pamiat Azova, Andrei Pervozvanny
Losses Britain: 3 coastal motor boats sunk, 7 to 10 killed, 9 captured. Soviet Russia: 1 submarine depot ship sunk, 1 battleship damaged; the air raid also damaged a destroyer.
Result British success
Seven coastal motor boats under Commander Dobson, guided by Augustus Agar in CMB-4, attacked the Baltic Fleet at its home base while aircraft of the Royal Air Force bombed the harbour. One boat broke down, but six got through the defences, sinking the depot ship Pamiat Azova and damaging the battleship Andrei Pervozvanny. Three British boats were lost to gunfire or collision.
Why it is remembered The Baltic Fleet was afterwards largely kept in harbour for the rest of the campaign. Of the 55 British participants, 48 received gallantry medals or were mentioned in despatches.
Sources differ British dead are given as 7 to 10.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: RAF photographer, carrying out their official duties, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Aftermath of the First World War
Scuttling of the German fleet at Scapa Flow Other action
21 June 1919 · Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands, Scotland
Fought between Britain and Germany
Commanders Sydney Fremantle (Britain); Ludwig von Reuter (Germany)
Forces The British First Battle Squadron guarding 74 interned ships of the German High Seas Fleet
Ships SMS Bayern
Losses Germany: 52 of the 74 interned ships sank, 9 killed, 16 wounded. Britain: none.
Result Most of the German fleet scuttled
The German High Seas Fleet had been interned at Scapa Flow under the Armistice while its fate was negotiated. Fearing that the British would seize the ships, or that the war would resume, Admiral Ludwig von Reuter ordered the fleet scuttled. British guard ships beached some of the ships, but 52 of the 74 sank.
Why it is remembered Many wrecks were salvaged and scrapped over the next two decades. Those that remain are popular diving sites and a source of low-background steel.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer (C. W. Burrows), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Russian Civil War
Action of 3 May 1920 Single-ship action
3 May 1920 · Off Ochakov, Black Sea
Fought between France against Soviet Russia
Forces 1 French aviso against 1 Bolshevik floating battery
Losses France: 1 aviso captured. Soviet Russia: none.
Result Soviet victory
A French Navy aviso fought a short action with a Bolshevik floating battery off Ochakov and was captured.
Why it is remembered It was one of the small actions fought by the French Navy in the Black Sea during the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War.
Sources Wikipedia
No free image of this battle has been found yet.
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Russian Civil War
Anzali Operation Landing or siege
18 May 1920 · Bandar-e Anzali, Iran, Caspian Sea
Fought between Soviet Russia and the Persian Jangalis against Britain and the White Russians
Commanders Fyodor Raskolnikov (Soviet Russia); Hugh Bateman-Champain (Britain, surrendered)
Forces Soviet Caspian Flotilla: 4 auxiliary cruisers, 4 destroyers, 1 transport, minor ships and 2,000 naval troops, against the British North Persia Force of 500 soldiers and an interned White fleet of 10 auxiliary cruisers, other auxiliary ships and 6 seaplanes
Ships Orlenok
Losses British: 2 dead, 5 wounded, the garrison and the fleet in harbour surrendered. Soviet: none.
Result Soviet victory
The Soviet Caspian Flotilla made a naval and amphibious attack on Anzali, where the White Russian Caspian Flotilla was interned under the guard of the British North Persia Force. The British troops were surrounded and forced to surrender, and the Soviets captured the flotilla, including the seaplane tender Orlenok.
Why it is remembered It led to the establishment of the Persian Socialist Soviet Republic and a decline of British influence in Persia.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Russian Civil War
Battle of Obytichnyi Spit Fleet battle
15 September 1920 · Obytichnyi Spit, Sea of Azov
Fought between White Russian navy against Soviet Russia
Forces 2 gunboats, 2 armed icebreakers, 1 patrol boat and 1 minesweeper, against 4 gunboats and 3 patrol boats
Ships Budyonny
Losses White Russians: 1 gunboat sunk, 1 gunboat damaged, 2 killed. Soviet: 1 gunboat damaged.
Result Both sides claimed victory
White Russian and Soviet flotillas of gunboats fought in the Sea of Azov off Obytichnyi Spit. The White Russians lost one gunboat sunk and another damaged; the Soviets had one gunboat damaged.
Why it is remembered It was one of the naval actions on the Sea of Azov during the Russian Civil War.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Russian Civil War
Action of 9 January 1921 Single-ship action
9 January 1921 · Off Anapa, Black Sea
Fought between France against Soviet Russia
Forces 2 French destroyers and 1 aviso against 1 Soviet gunboat
Losses France: unknown. Soviet Russia: 1 gunboat lost with her cargo of 2 motor torpedo boats, 12 killed, an unknown number wounded.
Result French victory
Two French destroyers and an aviso caught a Soviet gunboat off Anapa. The gunboat was lost with the two motor torpedo boats she was carrying, and 12 of her men were killed.
Why it is remembered It was a French naval action in the Black Sea during the Russian Civil War.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Turkish War of Independence
Bombardment of Samsun Landing or siege
7 June 1922 · Samsun, Turkey
Fought between Greece against the Ankara Government
Forces 1 battleship (Kilkis), 3 cruisers, 2 destroyers (Leon and Naxos) and 4 minesweepers, against 1 artillery piece
Ships Kilkis, Leon, Naxos
Losses Greece: none. Turkey: 4 soldiers killed, 3 wounded.
Greek warships bombarded Samsun for three hours, from 15:02 to 18:00, firing 400 rounds. The single Turkish gun in the town fired back 25 rounds. The American destroyers USS Sands, USS McFarland and USS Sturtevant were present but took no part.
Why it is remembered It was a Greek naval bombardment of the Black Sea coast during the war with the Turkish nationalists.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Unknown photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Spanish Civil War
Battle of Cape Spartel Fleet battle
Also known as Battle of Cape Espartel; Cabo Espartel
29 September 1936 · Cape Spartel, near Tangier, and the western Strait of Gibraltar
Fought between Nationalist Spain against the Spanish Republic
Commanders Francisco Moreno Fernández; Fernando Navarro Capdevila (one account lists both; another account does not say which side each commanded)
Forces 2 Nationalist cruisers, Canarias and Almirante Cervera, against 2 Republican destroyers, Almirante Ferrándiz and Gravina
Ships Canarias, Almirante Cervera, Almirante Ferrándiz, Gravina
Losses Republic: Almirante Ferrándiz sunk, Gravina damaged; 31 survivors rescued by Canarias and 26 by the French liner Koutubia. Nationalists: none.
Result Nationalist victory
Early on 29 September the two Nationalist cruisers engaged the Republican destroyers blockading the Strait. Canarias hit Almirante Ferrándiz from 11 nautical miles with her second salvo and sank her after a 40 minute engagement. Almirante Cervera chased Gravina down the Atlantic coast of Morocco and hit her twice before she escaped towards Casablanca.
Why it is remembered It broke the Republican blockade of the Strait of Gibraltar and secured the Nationalist sea route from Spanish Morocco early in the war.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Spanish Civil War
Convoy de la Victoria Convoy battle
Also known as Convoy of Victory
5 August 1936 · Strait of Gibraltar, near Punta Carnero
Fought between Nationalist Spain against the Spanish Republic
Forces A Nationalist convoy escorted by 1 gunboat, 1 torpedo boat and 1 coastguard ship, against the Republican destroyer Alcalá Galiano
Ships Alcalá Galiano
Losses None recorded on either side
Result Nationalist victory
A Nationalist convoy crossed the Strait of Gibraltar under a small escort and was engaged by the Republican destroyer Alcalá Galiano. The convoy got through.
Why it is remembered It was an early naval clash of the Spanish Civil War, fought in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Upload by Basilio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Spanish Civil War
Battle of Mallorca Landing or siege
Also known as Mallorca Landings; la reconquista de Mallorca
16 August to 12 September 1936 · Mallorca, Spain
Fought between Spanish Republic and Catalonia against Nationalist Spain and Italy
Commanders Alberto Bayo, Manuel Uribarri (Republic); Arconovaldo Bonaccorsi (Italy); Luis García Ruiz (Nationalists)
Forces 8,000 Republican militia supported by 1 battleship, 1 light cruiser, 2 destroyers, 3 submarines and 10 guns, against 3,500 Nationalist regulars and militia with 3 bombers and 3 fighters
Result Nationalist victory
Republican forces under Captain Alberto Bayo landed on Mallorca to retake the island from the Nationalists. After early success they were counterattacked by ground troops and much stronger air power and driven back into the sea.
Why it is remembered The Nationalists regained full control of Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera by 20 September 1936, and Italy occupied Mallorca.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Spanish Civil War
Bombardment of Almería Landing or siege
31 May 1937 · Almería, Spain
Fought between Germany against the Spanish Republic
Forces 1 German heavy cruiser and 4 destroyers
Losses Spanish Republic: 19 to 20 civilians killed, 55 injured, 35 buildings damaged. Germany: none.
Result German victory; Almería severely damaged
A heavy cruiser and four destroyers of the Kriegsmarine shelled the city of Almería in retaliation for a Republican air attack on the German cruiser Deutschland.
Why it is remembered It was a direct German naval intervention against a Spanish city during the Civil War, and the dead were civilians.
Sources differ Civilian dead are given as 19 to 20.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Spanish Civil War
Battle of Cape Cherchell Fleet battle
7 September 1937 · Mediterranean Sea north of Cherchell, French Algeria
Fought between Nationalist Spain against the Spanish Republic
Commanders Manuel Vierna Belando (Nationalists); Miguel Buiza Fernández-Palacios (Republic)
Forces The Nationalist heavy cruiser Baleares against 2 Republican light cruisers, Libertad and Méndez Núñez, and 7 destroyers escorting 2 cargo ships
Ships Baleares, Libertad, Méndez Núñez
Losses Republic: 2 cargo ships lost (one wrecked, one interned). Nationalists: Baleares seriously damaged.
Result Nationalist victory
The Nationalist cruiser Baleares, on patrol, engaged the Republican cruisers Libertad and Méndez Núñez as they protected two merchant ships. Baleares was heavily damaged in two exchanges of fire with Libertad and did little damage in return, but the merchant ships were forced towards the Algerian coast, where one was wrecked and the other interned by the French.
Why it is remembered Republican shipping in the Mediterranean was disrupted, and Miguel Buiza was dismissed as commander of the Republican Navy because of the battle.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Spanish Civil War
Battle of Cape Machichaco Convoy battle
5 March 1937 · Bay of Biscay, off Bermeo, Spain
Fought between Nationalist Spain against the Basque Navy and the Spanish Republic
Forces The Nationalist heavy cruiser Canarias against 4 Basque armed trawlers escorting the transport Galdames
Ships Canarias, Galdames
Losses Basque and Republican: 34 killed, 12 wounded, 1 armed trawler sunk, 2 damaged, the transport captured; 4 civilians killed. Nationalists: 1 killed, 1 wounded, Canarias damaged.
Result Nationalist victory
Four Basque Navy armed trawlers were escorting the transport Galdames, bound for Bilbao with 173 passengers, when they met the heavy cruiser Canarias off Bermeo. The trawlers fought the cruiser; one was sunk and two damaged, and Galdames was captured.
Why it is remembered Four small armed trawlers fought a heavy cruiser to protect a transport carrying 173 passengers to Bilbao.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Spanish Civil War
Capture of the Mar Cantábrico Blockade and raiding
Also known as Captura del Mar Cantábrico
8 March 1937 · Off Cabo Mayor, Cantabrian coast, Spain
Fought between Nationalist Spain against the Spanish Republic
Forces The Nationalist cruiser Canarias against the merchant ship Mar Cantábrico
Ships Canarias, Mar Cantábrico
Losses Republic: Mar Cantábrico captured with her cargo of war material.
Result Nationalist victory
The Nationalist cruiser Canarias intercepted the merchant ship Mar Cantábrico, which was carrying war material from the United States for the Republic, off Cabo Mayor. She boarded and captured her.
Why it is remembered After her capture Mar Cantábrico was converted into a Nationalist auxiliary cruiser.
Sources Wikipedia (ES)
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Spanish Civil War
Battle of Cape Palos Fleet battle
Also known as Second Battle of Cape Palos
5 to 6 March 1938 · East of Cape Palos, near Cartagena, Spain
Fought between Spanish Republic against Nationalist Spain
Commanders Luis González de Ubieta (Republic); Manuel de Vierna Belando (Nationalists, killed)
Forces Republic: 2 light cruisers, Libertad and Méndez Núñez, and 5 destroyers. Nationalists: 2 heavy cruisers, Canarias and Baleares, and the light cruiser Almirante Cervera, with 3 destroyers that returned to base during the night.
Ships Baleares, Canarias, Almirante Cervera, Libertad, Méndez Núñez, Lepanto, Almirante Antequera, Sánchez Barcáiztegui, HMS Kempenfelt, HMS Boreas
Losses Nationalists: Baleares sunk, 765 dead; 441 of her crew of 1,206 were saved. Republic: none.
Result Republican victory
The two squadrons met by chance at night while the Nationalists covered a convoy. Around 02:15, as the cruisers exchanged fire, three Republican destroyers closed to about 3,000 m and fired torpedoes; two or three struck Baleares and set off her forward magazine. The British destroyers Kempenfelt and Boreas rescued survivors, and a Republican air raid during the transfer killed one British sailor.
Why it is remembered It was the largest naval battle of the Spanish Civil War and one of the Republic's last victories. The Republican Navy did not follow it up, so it had little lasting effect.
Sources differ The sinking is generally credited to the destroyer Lepanto, but some authors credit Almirante Antequera. One account omits the three Nationalist destroyers mentioned in another account.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Upload by Basilio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Spanish Civil War
Sinking of the SS Cantabria Blockade and raiding
Also known as Hundimiento del Cantabria
2 November 1938 · Off the coast of Great Britain
Fought between Nationalist Spain against the Spanish Republic
Forces The Nationalist auxiliary cruiser Nadir against the Republican cargo ship Cantabria
Ships Nadir, Cantabria
Losses Republic: Cantabria sunk.
Result Nationalist victory
The Nationalist auxiliary cruiser Nadir attacked and sank the Republican cargo ship Cantabria off the British coast.
Why it is remembered It was a Spanish Civil War action fought off the coast of Great Britain.
Sources Wikipedia (ES)
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, invasion of Poland
Battle of Danzig Bay Air and submarine attack
Also known as Bitwa w Zatoce Gdańskiej
1 September 1939 · Danzig Bay (Gdańsk Bay), Baltic Sea
Fought between Germany against Poland
Commanders Stefan de Walden, Stefan Kwiatkowski (killed), Viktor Lomidze (Poland)
Forces 33 German Junkers Ju 87B dive bombers against the destroyer ORP Wicher, the minelayer ORP Gryf, 5 minesweepers, 2 gunboats and anti-aircraft units on the Hel Peninsula
Ships ORP Wicher, ORP Gryf
Losses Poland: 52 killed and wounded, 1 minelayer and 1 minesweeper damaged. Germany: 7 to 10 aircraft destroyed or damaged.
Result German victory; Operation Rurka cancelled
On the first day of the invasion of Poland, German dive bombers attacked Polish Navy warships in Danzig Bay. The minelayer Gryf and a minesweeper were damaged and the planned minelaying operation, Operation Rurka, was cancelled.
Why it is remembered It was the first naval and air battle of the Second World War.
Sources differ German aircraft losses are given as 7 to 10.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Italian invasion of Albania
Battle of Durrës (1939) Landing or siege
7 April 1939 · Durrës, Albania
Fought between Italy against Albania
Commanders Alfredo Guzzoni, Giovanni Messe, Ettore Sportiello, Umberto Bardelli (Italy); Abaz Kupi, Mujo Ulqinaku (killed) (Albania)
Forces 4,700 Italian troops with 4 cruisers, 4 destroyers, 4 torpedo boats and 10 transport and auxiliary ships, against 500 Albanian troops, 4 patrol boats and 1 coastal battery
Losses Italy: 25 killed and 97 wounded (400 casualties by Albanian claim). Albania: 51 killed, 4 patrol boats and the coastal battery captured.
Result Italian victory
On the first day of the Italian invasion of Albania, Italian troops landed at Durrës under cover of cruisers, destroyers and torpedo boats. The Albanian defenders resisted but the port and its surroundings were taken, along with four patrol boats and the coastal battery.
Why it is remembered It was one of the main confrontations of the Italian invasion of Albania, fought on its first day.
Sources differ Italian casualties: 25 killed and 97 wounded by the main account, 400 casualties by Albanian claim.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, invasion of Poland
Battle of Hel Landing or siege
Also known as Obrona Helu (Defence of Hel)
1 September to 2 October 1939 · Hel Peninsula, Baltic coast of Poland
Fought between Germany against Poland
Commanders Friedrich-Georg Eberhardt (Germany); Józef Unrug, Włodzimierz Steyer, Adam Mohuczy (Poland)
Forces 38,000 German infantry, 2 pre-dreadnoughts, 2 destroyers and dozens of aircraft, against 2,800 Polish infantry, 1 destroyer, 1 large minelayer and several light naval craft
Losses Poland: 50 killed, 150 wounded, the rest taken prisoner; 1 destroyer and 1 minelayer sunk, all light craft sunk, damaged or captured. Germany: 46 to 53 aircraft, several dozen soldiers killed and wounded, 1 destroyer damaged, 1 pre-dreadnought lightly damaged, 1 minesweeper sunk.
Result German victory
About 2,800 Polish soldiers under Rear Admiral Włodzimierz Steyer held the Hel Fortified Area for about 32 days while the Germans blockaded the peninsula. By late September it was the last substantial Polish pocket in northern Poland, and it saw the invasion's only naval surface engagement. The defenders surrendered on 2 October because of low supplies and morale.
Why it is remembered From 20 September it was the only substantial pocket of Polish resistance left in northern Poland, and it held out until 2 October.
Sources differ German aircraft losses are given as 46 to 53.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Battle of the River Plate Fleet battle
13 to 17 December 1939 · Off the estuary of the River Plate, South Atlantic
Fought between Britain and New Zealand against Germany
Commanders Henry Harwood (Britain); Hans Langsdorff (Germany)
Forces The heavy cruiser HMS Exeter and the light cruisers HMS Ajax and HMNZS Achilles, against the Panzerschiff Admiral Graf Spee
Ships Admiral Graf Spee, HMS Exeter, HMS Ajax, HMNZS Achilles
Losses Britain and New Zealand: 72 killed, 28 wounded; Exeter severely damaged, Ajax and Achilles moderately damaged. Germany: 36 killed, 60 wounded; Admiral Graf Spee scuttled.
Result Allied victory
Commodore Harwood's squadron found the commerce raider Admiral Graf Spee off the River Plate on 13 December. Exeter was badly damaged and forced to retire, and Graf Spee's fuel system was crippled. Ajax and Achilles shadowed her into neutral Montevideo; told she could stay no more than 72 hours, and apparently believing a superior British force waited outside, Langsdorff scuttled her on 17 December.
Why it is remembered It was the first British naval battle of the Second World War. Langsdorff took his own life two days after the scuttling.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Sinking of HMS Royal Oak Raid
Also known as Attack on Scapa Flow (1939); Ataque a Scapa Flow
14 October 1939 · Scapa Bay, Scapa Flow, Orkney, Scotland
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Günther Prien (Germany)
Forces The German submarine U-47 against the battleship HMS Royal Oak at anchor
Ships U-47, HMS Royal Oak
Losses Britain: Royal Oak sunk, 833 of her crew of 1,400 killed. Germany: none stated.
Result German victory
U-47 under Lieutenant Günther Prien slipped into the fleet anchorage at Scapa Flow and found HMS Royal Oak in Scapa Bay. Her torpedoes tore a hole of nine metres in the battleship, which soon sank.
Why it is remembered The wreck is a protected war grave. Afterwards Winston Churchill ordered a series of causeways built to close the eastern entrances to Scapa Flow.
Sources Wikipedia (ES)
Image: Alonso de Mendoza, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, invasion of Poland
Battle of Westerplatte Landing or siege
1 to 7 September 1939 · Westerplatte, harbour of the Free City of Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland)
Fought between Germany and the Free City of Danzig against Poland
Commanders F. G. Eberhardt, Gustav Kleikamp, Wilhelm Henningsen (killed) (Germany); Henryk Sucharski and Franciszek Dąbrowski (Poland, both surrendered)
Forces About 3,400 German soldiers with 1 battleship, 1 torpedo boat, 1 minesweeper, 60 Ju 87 dive bombers and heavy howitzers, against 182 to 240 Polish soldiers with 1 field gun, 2 anti-tank guns, 4 mortars and about 40 machine guns
Ships Schleswig-Holstein, T196, Von der Groben
Losses Poland: 15 killed, 40 wounded, 155 to 185 captured. Germany: 50 killed, about 150 wounded.
Result German victory
In the early morning of 1 September 1939 the old battleship Schleswig-Holstein, anchored in Danzig harbour, fired a broadside at the Polish Military Transit Depot on Westerplatte. Over seven days the small garrison repelled thirteen assaults supported by dive bombers and naval shelling, including a surprise attack on 4 September by the torpedo boat T196 and the minesweeper Von der Groben. The garrison surrendered on 7 September.
Why it is remembered It is often called the opening battle of the Second World War in Europe. The defence is regarded as a symbol of resistance in Poland, and a museum on the site is planned for 2026.
Sources differ The first shot is timed at about 04:43 to 04:48 by some sources and at 04:00 by others. Polish strength is given as 182 to 240 men.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Associated Press photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Norwegian campaign
Action in the Oslofjord Landing or siege
8 April 1940 · Oslofjord, Norway
Fought between Germany against Norway
Commanders Oskar Kummetz (Germany); Leif Welding-Olsen (Norway, killed)
Forces 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 2 torpedo boats and 8 minesweepers, against 2 forts and 1 patrol boat
Losses Norway: 1 killed, 14 captured, 1 patrol boat damaged. Germany: 1 torpedo boat damaged.
Result German victory
Late on 8 April, Kampfgruppe 5 of the German invasion force met the Norwegian outer defences of the Oslofjord. After a short exchange the German ships pushed through towards Drøbak Sound.
Why it is remembered The exchange caused the first Norwegian death of the war.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Action in the Strait of Otranto (1940) Convoy battle
Also known as Battle of the Strait of Otranto
12 November 1940 · Strait of Otranto, Adriatic Sea
Fought between Britain and Australia against Italy
Commanders Henry Pridham-Wippell (Britain); Giovanni Barbini (Italy, wounded)
Forces Force X of 3 light cruisers and 2 destroyers, against a convoy of 4 merchant ships escorted by 1 torpedo boat and 1 auxiliary cruiser
Losses Britain: none. Italy: 47 killed, 59 wounded, 4 merchant ships sunk, 1 torpedo boat damaged.
Result British victory
On the night of the Taranto raid, Force X sailed into the Adriatic and caught an Italian convoy returning from Valona to Brindisi. The British ships sank all four freighters and damaged an escort without loss, then rejoined the Mediterranean Fleet.
Why it is remembered It struck at the Italian supply route to Albania during the Italo-Greek War, on the same night as the attack on Taranto.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of France
Operation Aerial Landing or siege
15 to 25 June 1940 · French Atlantic ports, especially St Nazaire and Nantes
Fought between Britain, Canada, France, Belgium, Poland and Czechoslovakia against Germany
Commanders Alan Brooke (Allies); Gerd von Rundstedt, Helmuth Förster (Germany)
Forces British and Allied ships covered by five RAF fighter squadrons in France and aircraft from England
Ships HMT Lancastria
Losses The troopship HMT Lancastria was sunk by the Luftwaffe on 17 June; about 2,477 were saved and at least 3,500 are estimated to have died, the exact toll being unknown.
Result About 191,870 troops evacuated after Dynamo and Cycle
After the collapse in the Battle of France, British and Allied ships lifted troops, civilians and equipment from the French Atlantic ports. On 17 June German aircraft evaded the RAF patrols and attacked ships in the Loire estuary, sinking the Cunard liner Lancastria, which was crowded with troops, airmen and civilians. Alarmist reports of the German advance ended some embarkations early and much equipment was left behind.
Why it is remembered The loss of Lancastria is the greatest loss of life in a British ship, and Churchill ordered it kept secret. In all, 558,032 people were brought back to Britain during the Battle of France.
Sources differ The Lancastria death toll is unknown; at least 3,500 is an estimate.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Press Agency photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Phoney War
Altmark incident Single-ship action
Also known as Altmark-affæren; Altmark-Zwischenfall
16 to 17 February 1940 · Jøssingfjord, Sokndal, Norway (neutral waters)
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders Philip Vian (Britain); Heinrich Dau (Germany)
Forces 3 British destroyers against the German tanker Altmark
Ships HMS Cossack, Altmark, Admiral Graf Spee
Losses Germany: 8 killed, 10 wounded. Britain: 1 wounded. 299 British prisoners freed.
Result British victory
The German tanker Altmark was carrying about 300 Allied seamen whose ships had been sunk by Admiral Graf Spee in the South Atlantic. British forces cornered her in neutral Norwegian waters, and HMS Cossack boarded her in Jøssingfjord. After hand to hand fighting the prisoners were freed and taken to Britain.
Why it is remembered Germany called the boarding a breach of international law and Norwegian neutrality and used it in the propaganda broadcasts of Lord Haw-Haw.
Sources differ One account gives 16 to 17 February; another account gives 16 February.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, German invasion of Norway
Capture of Arendal Landing or siege
9 April 1940 · Arendal, southern Norway
Fought between Germany against Norway
Commanders Wilhelm-Nikolaus Freiherr von Lyncker (German naval); Smith von Wesentahl (German land); Thore Holthe (Norway)
Forces The torpedo boat Greif with 90 soldiers and 10 signals troops, against 19 Norwegian sailors with 1 torpedo boat and 1 seaplane
Ships Greif
Losses None on either side
Result German victory
The German torpedo boat Greif landed a force of bicycle troops at Arendal to cut the undersea telegraph cable to Britain. The Norwegian torpedo boat in the town withdrew rather than fight, her commander citing the risk to civilians and his poor chances, and the Germans took the town unopposed.
Why it is remembered Five days later the Arendal Group, the first organised resistance group in Norway, was formed in the town; it was crushed by the Gestapo four months later.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: National Museum of the U.S. Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of France
Battle of Boulogne Landing or siege
22 to 25 May 1940 · Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
Fought between France, Britain and Belgium against Germany
Commanders Pierre Lanquetot, William Fox-Pitt (Allies); Heinz Guderian, Rudolf Veiel, Wolfram von Richthofen (Germany)
Forces French garrison and training units, 2 British Guards battalions and 1,500 Pioneer Corps troops, supported by French and British destroyers, against 1 panzer division
Losses Allies: about 5,000 taken prisoner.
Result German victory
The 20th Guards Brigade was sent from England to hold Boulogne against the 2nd Panzer Division. Royal Navy ships shot their way into and out of the harbour while French and British destroyers bombarded German positions and the wounded were embarked. On the evening of 23 May the Guards were taken off by destroyers under fire from German tanks and artillery; the French and remaining British troops held out until 25 May.
Why it is remembered It was fought alongside the Siege of Calais just before the Dunkirk evacuation.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer : Davies, F A (Lt), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Battle of Calabria Fleet battle
Also known as Battaglia di Punta Stilo
9 July 1940 · 30 nautical miles east of Punta Stilo, Calabria, Italy
Fought between Britain and Australia against Italy
Commanders Andrew Cunningham (Britain); Inigo Campioni (Italy)
Forces 1 aircraft carrier, 3 battleships, 5 light cruisers (1 Australian) and 16 destroyers, against 2 battleships, 6 heavy cruisers, 8 light cruisers and 16 destroyers
Ships HMS Warspite, HMS Malaya, HMS Royal Sovereign, HMS Eagle, HMS Neptune, HMS Gloucester, HMAS Sydney, Giulio Cesare, Conte di Cavour, Bolzano, Giuseppe Garibaldi
Losses Italy: Giulio Cesare, Bolzano and 1 destroyer damaged. Britain: 2 light cruisers and 2 destroyers damaged; an Italian bomb hit on Gloucester the day before killed her captain, six officers and eleven ratings.
Result Inconclusive
Both fleets were at sea covering convoys. After a long range cruiser exchange, Giulio Cesare opened fire on Warspite, and at 15:59 a 15 inch shell from Warspite struck her at more than 24,000 m, cutting her speed. The Italians laid smoke and withdrew towards Messina, and Italian aircraft then attacked both fleets, including their own ships by mistake, without effect.
Why it is remembered It was the first battleship engagement between the Italian and British fleets, and Warspite's hit is one of the longest range gunnery hits in history.
Sources differ The main account gives 8 Italian light cruisers in its strength figures but lists more in its order of battle.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: An unknown serviceman of the Regia Marina, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of France
Siege of Calais (1940) Landing or siege
22 to 26 May 1940 · Calais, France
Fought between Britain, France and Belgium against Germany
Commanders Claude Nicholson (Britain, captured); Charles de Lambertye (France, killed); Raymond Le Tellier (France, captured); Ferdinand Schaal (Germany)
Forces About 4,000 Allied troops with 40 tanks, supported by Allied warships, against the 10th Panzer Division
Losses Allies: 3,500 British and 16,000 French, Belgian and Dutch taken prisoner. Germany: by German reports about half the tanks knocked out and a third of the infantry casualties after the attacks of 24 May.
Result German victory
The British 30th Infantry Brigade and 3rd Royal Tank Regiment reinforced the French garrison of Calais and were besieged by the 10th Panzer Division from 24 May. Allied navies brought in supplies, took off wounded and bombarded German positions around the port. Ordered to hold out without evacuation, the defenders fell back to the Old Town and Citadel and collapsed on the afternoon of 26 May.
Why it is remembered It was fought at the same time as the Battle of Boulogne, just before the Dunkirk evacuation.
Sources Wikipedia
No free image of this battle has been found yet.
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Action off Cape Passero Fleet battle
Also known as Battle of Cape Passero
11 to 12 October 1940 · Off Cape Passero, south east of Sicily
Fought between Britain against Italy
Commanders Edward McCarthy (Britain); Carlo Margottini (killed), Alberto Banfi (Italy)
Forces Night action: the light cruiser HMS Ajax. Day action: 1 heavy cruiser and 2 light cruisers. Italy: 4 destroyers and 3 torpedo boats.
Ships HMS Ajax, HMS York, Artigliere
Losses Britain: 13 killed, 22 wounded, Ajax damaged. Italy: 296 killed, 1 destroyer and 2 torpedo boats sunk, 1 destroyer damaged.
Result British victory
During Operation MB 6, Italian torpedo boats and destroyers of the Strait of Sicily Device attacked the cruiser Ajax at night. Ajax took minor damage, while two torpedo boats were sunk and several other Italian ships damaged. The next morning the damaged destroyer Artigliere was sunk by HMS York.
Why it is remembered The Italian naval command was dismayed by British superiority in night fighting against some of its best ships and crews.
Sources differ One account speaks of seven destroyers but also of three torpedo boats and four destroyers attacking Ajax; another account gives 4 destroyers and 3 torpedo boats.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Battle of Cape Spada Fleet battle
Also known as Battaglia di Capo Spada
19 July 1940 · Off Cape Spada, north western Crete
Fought between Australia and Britain against Italy
Commanders John Collins (Australia); Ferdinando Casardi (Italy)
Forces The Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and 5 British destroyers, against 2 Italian light cruisers
Ships HMAS Sydney, HMS Havock, Bartolomeo Colleoni, Giovanni delle Bande Nere
Losses Australia and Britain: 1 wounded, Sydney slightly damaged. Italy: Bartolomeo Colleoni sunk, 121 killed, 555 captured; Giovanni delle Bande Nere damaged.
Result Australian and British victory
The Italian 2nd Cruiser Division, the fast light cruisers Giovanni delle Bande Nere and Bartolomeo Colleoni, met the British 2nd Destroyer Flotilla and the independently sailing HMAS Sydney and HMS Havock off Crete. Bartolomeo Colleoni was sunk and Bande Nere damaged; Sydney took minor damage.
Why it is remembered There were 555 survivors from Bartolomeo Colleoni and 121 dead. Her captain, Umberto Novaro, was mortally wounded and died on 23 July.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Arthur Conry (digitised and edited by Wiki-Ed), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Battle of Cape Spartivento Fleet battle
Also known as Battaglia di Capo Teulada
27 November 1940 · Mediterranean Sea, south of Sardinia
Fought between Britain against Italy
Commanders James Somerville, Lancelot Holland (Britain); Inigo Campioni, Angelo Iachino (Italy)
Forces 1 carrier, 1 battleship, 1 battlecruiser, 1 heavy cruiser, 5 light cruisers, 1 anti-aircraft cruiser, 15 destroyers and 4 corvettes covering 3 freighters, against 2 battleships, 6 heavy cruisers and 14 destroyers
Ships HMS Renown, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Ramillies, HMS Berwick, HMS Manchester, HMS Southampton, HMS Glasgow, Vittorio Veneto, Giulio Cesare, Fiume, Gorizia, Pola, Bolzano, Trento, Trieste, Lanciere
Losses Britain: 7 killed, all aboard Berwick; Berwick damaged, Southampton and Manchester slightly damaged. Italy: the destroyer Lanciere seriously damaged.
Result Inconclusive
Force H was covering the Operation Collar convoy to Malta when it met the Italian fleet south of Sardinia. In a gun action of 54 minutes Berwick was hit twice by 203 mm shells, and Manchester's fire badly damaged the destroyer Lanciere. The Italians withdrew under smoke, Swordfish from Ark Royal attacked Vittorio Veneto without success, and both fleets broke off.
Why it is remembered The convoy reached Malta unharmed. Somerville faced a court of inquiry, and Campioni was replaced by Iachino.
Sources differ Most sources credit the first hit on Berwick to Fiume or Pola and the second to Trieste or Trento.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Operation Collar Convoy battle
12 to 29 November 1940 · Mediterranean Sea, from Gibraltar to Malta and Alexandria
Fought between Britain against Italy
Commanders Andrew Cunningham, James Somerville, Lancelot Holland (Britain); Inigo Campioni (Italy)
Forces 3 fast freighters and their escorts, against 4 Italian torpedo boats and about 10 MAS boats as well as the Italian battle fleet
Ships New Zealand Star, HMS Coventry, HMS Manchester, HMS Southampton, HMS Defender, HMS Hereward
Losses None on either side
Result British victory
A small fast convoy of three merchant ships sailed from Britain and passed Gibraltar on 24 November, two ships bound for Malta and one for Alexandria. The Italian fleet sailed to intercept, leading to the inconclusive Battle of Cape Spartivento on 27 November. The convoy got through, and New Zealand Star continued to Alexandria with cruisers and destroyers.
Why it is remembered A court of inquiry was sent to examine Somerville's conduct and exonerated him; in Italy Campioni was replaced by Iachino.
Sources differ The main account says the Malta ships arrived on 26 November and also that they made port on 29 November.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Leslie Cornish Priest, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Convoy FS 271 Convoy battle
3 to 5 September 1940 · North Sea, off the east coast of England
Fought between Germany against Britain
Forces 6 German E-boats against a convoy of 35 merchant ships
Losses Britain: 5 ships sunk and 1 damaged in the E-boat attack; another ship was bombed and sunk in harbour after the voyage. Germany: none.
Result German victory
Convoy FS 271 was sailing from Methil on the Firth of Forth to Southend on the Thames Estuary. On the night of 4 September German E-boats ambushed it, sinking five ships and damaging one without loss.
Why it is remembered German E-boats sank five ships of an east coast convoy in one night without loss.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Not stated, assumed Royal Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy HX 47 Convoy battle
14 to 15 June 1940 · Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); B. S. Thesiger (Britain)
Forces 2 U-boats against 58 merchant ships with 2 escorts
Losses Britain: 3 ships sunk.
Result German tactical victory
The 47th HX convoy from Halifax to Liverpool was attacked by two U-boats and lost three of its 58 ships.
Why it is remembered It was one of the HX convoys of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy HX 49 Convoy battle
21 to 22 June 1940 · Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); L. D. Mackinnon (Britain)
Forces 3 U-boats against 50 merchant ships with 2 escorts
Losses Britain: 3 ships sunk, and 1 more after the convoy dispersed. Germany: none.
Result German tactical victory
The 49th HX convoy from Halifax to Liverpool was attacked by U-boats and lost three of its 50 ships; another was sunk after the convoy dispersed.
Why it is remembered It was one of the HX convoys of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy HX 65 Convoy battle
24 to 27 August 1940 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); B. G. Washington (convoy commodore)
Forces 5 U-boats and aircraft, against 51 merchant ships with 7 escorts
Losses Allies: 8 ships sunk, 3 damaged, 197 killed. Germany: 1 U-boat damaged.
Result German victory
The 65th HX convoy from Halifax to Liverpool was attacked by U-boats and aircraft, losing eight of its 51 ships and having three more damaged.
Why it is remembered It was one of the HX convoys that carried supplies from North America to Britain during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy HX 72 Convoy battle
20 to 22 September 1940 · Western Approaches, North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); H. H. Rogers (convoy commodore) and A. M. Knapp (escort) (Britain)
Forces 8 U-boats against 43 ships with 5 escorts
Losses Britain: 11 ships sunk (72,727 GRT), 2 damaged (18,178 GRT), 113 killed. Germany: none.
Result German victory
U-boats attacked the 43 ships of Convoy HX 72 in the Western Approaches, sinking 11 and damaging others without loss to themselves.
Why it is remembered It was one of the HX convoys of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Sources differ One account says one ship was damaged; another account says two.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Photo by JF Aylard, survivor., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy HX 79 Convoy battle
19 to 20 October 1940 · Western Approaches, North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 5 U-boats against 49 merchant ships with 17 escorts, 11 of them present during the attack
Losses Britain: 12 ships sunk, 1 damaged. Germany: none.
Result German victory
After its ocean escort left, Convoy HX 79 was reinforced by the escorts of Convoy OB 229, but these were inexperienced and untrained in common anti-submarine tactics. On the night of 19 to 20 October, U-boats sank twelve ships. The escorting submarine got in the way and was attacked twice by her own side.
Why it is remembered Together with Convoy SC 7 the night before, it pushed the British to create permanent escort groups and hurry new equipment such as radio telephones for escorts and aircraft.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy HX 84 Convoy battle
5 November 1940 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Theodor Krancke (Germany); E. S. F. Fegen (Britain, killed)
Forces The heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer against 38 merchant ships escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay
Ships Admiral Scheer, HMS Jervis Bay, San Demetrio, Beaverford, Mopan
Losses Britain: Jervis Bay sunk with 190 of her crew; Maidan, Trewellard, Kenbane Head, Fresno City and Beaverford sunk; San Demetrio damaged; Vingaland sunk later by aircraft; the independent ship Mopan sunk before the attack. Germany: none.
Result German victory; most of the convoy escaped
A seaplane from Admiral Scheer found the convoy, and at dusk the raider closed in. Captain Fegen took Jervis Bay out to engage her so the convoy could scatter; she was sunk after about 20 minutes. Admiral Scheer sank five merchant ships and set San Demetrio on fire, but failing light let the rest escape. San Demetrio was later reboarded and brought into port.
Why it is remembered Jervis Bay was sunk engaging the raider so that the convoy could scatter, and most of the ships escaped in the failing light. The burning San Demetrio was later reboarded and brought into port.
Sources differ The popular account of Beaverford fighting a long gun duel is contradicted by Krancke's postwar account, which says she was torpedoed after a brief engagement.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Photo by JF Aylard, survivor., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy HX 90 Convoy battle
1 to 3 December 1940 · Western Approaches, North Atlantic
Fought between Germany and Italy against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); M. S. Townsend (escort) and V. P. Alleyne (convoy commodore)
Forces 7 U-boats and 3 Italian submarines, against 41 ships with 5 escorts
Losses Allies: 11 ships sunk (73,495 GRT), 174 killed. Axis: none.
Result Axis victory
German U-boats and Italian submarines attacked Convoy HX 90 in the Western Approaches and sank eleven of its 41 ships.
Why it is remembered It was one of the convoy battles in which Italian submarines took part alongside the U-boats.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy SC 2 Convoy battle
6 to 9 September 1940 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); E. K. Boddam-Whitham (convoy commodore)
Forces 3 U-boats against 54 ships with 7 escorts
Losses Allies: 5 ships sunk, 110 killed. Germany: none.
Result German tactical victory
A wolfpack of U-boats attacked Convoy SC 2 in the North Atlantic and sank five merchant ships.
Why it is remembered It was attacked by a wolfpack of U-boats in September 1940.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy SC 7 Convoy battle
16 to 19 October 1940 · Western Approaches, North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); Lachlan Mackinnon (Britain)
Forces 8 U-boats against 35 merchant ships with 5 or 6 escorts
Losses Britain: 20 merchant ships sunk and 2 damaged (79,592 GRT), 141 or 142 killed. Germany: none.
Result German victory
Convoy SC 7 sailed from Sydney, Nova Scotia, for Liverpool on 5 October 1940. In the Western Approaches it was attacked by one of the first U-boat wolfpacks; the escorts were overwhelmed, and twenty of the 35 cargo ships were sunk.
Why it is remembered The disaster showed the power of wolfpack attacks and the weakness of British anti-submarine methods at the time.
Sources differ One account gives six escorts and 141 dead; another account gives five escorts and 142 dead.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of France
Operation Cycle Landing or siege
10 to 13 June 1940 · Le Havre and St Valery-en-Caux, Normandy, France
Fought between Britain and France against Germany
Commanders Victor Fortune (51st Highland Division); Erwin Rommel (7th Panzer Division)
Forces Royal Navy, French Navy and other Allied vessels
Losses Over 6,000 Highlanders and other troops left behind at St Valery were taken prisoner on 12 June.
Result Allied success in the evacuation from Le Havre
With German tanks in Rouen, the 51st Highland Division and the French IX Corps were cut off from the Seine. Rommel's 7th Panzer Division blocked their retreat to Le Havre, so the Navy took off 2,137 British and 1,184 French soldiers from St Valery-en-Caux on 10 and 11 June, while the rest were captured. From Le Havre, 11,059 British and other Allied troops were evacuated between 10 and 13 June.
Why it is remembered It followed the larger Dunkirk evacuation and was followed by Operation Aerial, which took off another 191,870 soldiers from western French ports.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: The History Department of the United States Military Academy., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Battle of Dakar Landing or siege
Also known as Operation Menace
23 to 25 September 1940 · Off Dakar, French West Africa (now Senegal)
Fought between Britain, Free France and Australia against Vichy France
Commanders John Cunningham (Britain); Charles de Gaulle (Free France); Pierre Boisson (Vichy France)
Forces 1 aircraft carrier, 2 battleships, 5 cruisers (1 Australian), 10 destroyers, over 22 aircraft and troops, against 1 battleship, 2 cruisers, 4 destroyers, 3 submarines, coastal batteries and at least 6 aircraft
Ships HMS Ark Royal, HMS Barham, HMS Resolution, HMAS Australia, HMS Cumberland, HMS Devonshire, Richelieu, Georges Leygues, Montcalm, L'Audacieux, Bévéziers, Persée, Ajax
Losses Allies: Resolution and Barham damaged, Australia and Cumberland damaged, 6 torpedo aircraft lost. Vichy France: submarines Persée and Ajax sunk, the destroyer L'Audacieux beached, Richelieu damaged, the Danish freighter Tacoma sunk, 100 dead and 182 wounded; 84 civilians dead and 197 wounded.
Result Vichy French victory
An Allied fleet arrived off Dakar hoping to bring the colony over to de Gaulle, but his envoys were fired on and the coastal batteries engaged the ships. A landing at Rufisque failed in fog under heavy fire, and de Gaulle called off the assault. For two days Barham and Resolution duelled with Richelieu and the shore guns; Resolution was torpedoed by the submarine Bévéziers and had to be towed to Cape Town, and the Allies withdrew on 25 September.
Why it is remembered The failure damaged de Gaulle's standing with the Allies, and Dakar stayed under Vichy control.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Norwegian campaign
Battle of Drøbak Sound Landing or siege
9 April 1940 · Drøbak Sound, Oslofjord, Norway
Fought between Norway against Germany
Commanders Birger Eriksen (Norway); Oskar Kummetz, Heinrich Woldag, August Thiele, Erwin Engelbrecht (Germany)
Forces Oscarsborg Fortress with 407 men, 18 coastal guns and a torpedo battery, against the heavy cruisers Blücher and Lützow, the light cruiser Emden, the torpedo boat Möwe and 2 minesweepers
Ships Blücher, Lützow, Emden, Möwe
Losses Germany: 650 to 800 killed, 1,000 captured, Blücher sunk, Lützow damaged. Norway: none among the defenders; 4 civilians killed, MS Sørland sunk and a cargo ship damaged.
Result Norwegian victory
A German squadron led by the heavy cruiser Blücher steamed up the Oslofjord to seize Oslo and capture the King and government. The old Oscarsborg Fortress, thought by the Germans to be of little value, opened fire with its guns and its hidden torpedo battery. Blücher sank in the fjord and the rest of the force withdrew.
Why it is remembered The loss of Blücher, carrying most of the troops meant to occupy Oslo, delayed the Germans long enough for King Haakon VII, the government, Parliament and the gold reserve to escape from the capital.
Sources differ German dead are given as 650 to 800.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of France
Dunkirk evacuation Landing or siege
Also known as Operation Dynamo; the Miracle of Dunkirk
26 May to 4 June 1940 · Dunkirk, northern France, and the English Channel
Fought between Britain, France, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and Poland against Germany
Commanders Lord Gort, Bertram Ramsay, Harold Alexander, William Tennant, J. M. Charles Abrial (Allies); Gerd von Rundstedt, Hermann Göring (Germany)
Forces Over 800 vessels: 861 Allied ships and craft engaged, including 39 British and 4 Canadian destroyers, at least 3 French destroyers, minesweepers, trawlers, personnel ships and hundreds of small craft
Ships HMS Grafton, HMS Grenade, HMS Wakeful, HMS Basilisk, HMS Havant, HMS Keith, Bourrasque, Siroco, Le Foudroyant
Losses Allies: 243 of 861 vessels sunk, among them the British destroyers Grafton, Grenade, Wakeful, Basilisk, Havant and Keith and the French destroyers Bourrasque, Siroco and Le Foudroyant; about 2,000 troops killed on the voyages home; 145 RAF aircraft lost. Germany: 156 aircraft lost.
Result Successful evacuation of 338,226 soldiers
With British, French and Belgian armies trapped on the Channel coast, the Royal Navy organised an evacuation from Dunkirk. Troops embarked from the harbour mole onto destroyers and merchant ships, or waded out from the beaches to be ferried by the Little Ships, hundreds of fishing boats, pleasure craft and lifeboats from Britain. Under air attack, 338,226 men were lifted off in nine days, 239,555 from the harbour and 98,671 from the beaches.
Why it is remembered Churchill called the rescue a miracle of deliverance in his speech of 4 June, while warning that wars are not won by evacuations.
Sources differ Figures for French troops left behind differ in the main account (35,000 at Lille and 40,000 surrendering on 4 June).
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Battle of the Espero Convoy Fleet battle
Also known as Battaglia del convoglio Espero
28 June 1940 · South west of Crete, Mediterranean Sea
Fought between Britain and Australia against Italy
Commanders John Tovey (Britain); Enrico Baroni (Italy, killed)
Forces 5 light cruisers of the 7th Cruiser Squadron, 4 British and 1 Australian, against 3 Italian destroyers carrying Blackshirt anti-tank units to Tobruk
Ships Espero, Zeffiro, Ostro
Losses Italy: Espero sunk, 205 killed, 44 captured. Britain and Australia: 1 light cruiser damaged.
Result British and Australian victory; two of the three Italian destroyers escaped
Three Italian destroyers were rushing anti-tank troops from Taranto to Tobruk when British aircraft from Malta spotted them and the 7th Cruiser Squadron turned to intercept. In a running fight south west of Crete the destroyers, slowed by their cargoes and a heavy sea, were chased. Espero, under Captain Enrico Baroni, was sunk covering the escape of Zeffiro and Ostro to Benghazi.
Why it is remembered It was the first surface engagement between Italian and Allied warships in the Second World War. The cruisers used so much ammunition that the Malta convoys had to be postponed until they had restocked.
Sources differ One account says 53 of 225 crew and passengers were rescued, three of whom later died; another account gives 205 killed and 44 captured.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Norwegian campaign)
First Battle of Narvik Fleet battle
Also known as Primera batalla naval de Narvik; Prima battaglia navale di Narvik
10 April 1940 · The bay off Narvik, Norway
Fought between United Kingdom against Germany
Commanders Captain Bernard Warburton-Lee, killed (United Kingdom); Commodore Friedrich Bonte, killed (Germany)
Forces Five British destroyers of the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla against ten German destroyers
Ships HMS Hardy, HMS Hunter, HMS Hotspur; Wilhelm Heidkamp, Anton Schmidt, Diether von Roeder, Georg Thiele, Erich Koellner, Rauenfels
Losses Germany: destroyers Wilhelm Heidkamp and Anton Schmidt sunk, Diether von Roeder, Georg Thiele and Erich Koellner damaged, and seven transports, including the supply ship Rauenfels, sunk. United Kingdom: HMS Hardy and HMS Hunter sunk, HMS Hotspur seriously damaged
Result Inconclusive; heavy German losses but two British destroyers sunk
On 10 April 1940 five British destroyers attacked the German force at Narvik, using surprise against a larger enemy. Two German destroyers, Wilhelm Heidkamp with Commodore Bonte aboard and Anton Schmidt, were sunk with several transports, and others were damaged. The British lost two destroyers: Hardy was set on fire and Hunter was hit by several torpedoes, while Hotspur was seriously damaged.
Why it is remembered Both commanders were killed: Warburton-Lee received a posthumous Victoria Cross and Bonte the Knight's Cross. Three days later the British returned in the Second Battle of Narvik.
Sources differ The Spanish account gives four German destroyers damaged, while another names three.
Sources Wikipedia (ES)
Image: Government of the UK., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Battle of Gabon Landing or siege
Also known as Bataille du Gabon; Gabon Campaign
27 October to 12 November 1940 · Gabon and Libreville, French Equatorial Africa
Fought between Free France, with British naval support, against Vichy France
Commanders Philippe Leclerc, Georges d'Argenlieu (Free France); John Cunningham (Britain); Georges Masson (Vichy, died by suicide), Marcel Têtu (Vichy, captured)
Forces 1,060 Free French troops with 1 aviso, 1 minesweeper and 1 cargo ship, supported by a British heavy cruiser and a sloop, against 1,500 Vichy troops with 1 aviso and 1 submarine
Losses Free French: 20 to 100 killed, 4 aircraft destroyed. Vichy France: at least 35 killed, 1 aviso destroyed, 1 submarine scuttled.
Result Free French victory
Forces loyal to de Gaulle advanced on Gabon by land and sea, supported by British warships, and took the colony and its capital, Libreville, from Vichy France. A Vichy aviso was destroyed and a submarine scuttled.
Why it is remembered It brought the whole of French Equatorial Africa over to Free France.
Sources differ Free French dead are given as 20 to 100.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Norwegian campaign
Battle of Horten Harbour Landing or siege
Also known as Action at Horten
9 April 1940 · Karljohansvern naval base, Horten, Oslofjord, Norway
Fought between Germany against Norway
Commanders Siegfried Strelow, H. Wilcke (Germany); J. Smith-Johansen (Norway, surrendered)
Forces Over 50 German soldiers with 1 light cruiser, 2 torpedo boats and 2 minesweepers, against 2 Norwegian minelayers and 1 minesweeper
Losses Norway: 2 killed, 10 wounded, 1 minelayer damaged, 1 minesweeper heavily damaged; all forces captured after the surrender. Germany: 1 minesweeper sunk, 1 minesweeper and 1 torpedo boat damaged, human losses unknown.
Result German victory
German forces made an amphibious assault on the Norwegian naval base at Horten and were at first driven back by Norwegian naval units, which sank a German minesweeper. German troops then moved overland to outflank the base, and it capitulated.
Why it is remembered It was one of the first actions of the German invasion of Norway.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Unknown photographer
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Operation Hurry Air and submarine attack
31 July to 4 August 1940 · Western Mediterranean Sea and Sardinia
Fought between Britain against Italy
Commanders James Somerville, Andrew Cunningham (Britain)
Forces Force H with HMS Argus and HMS Ark Royal, flying twelve Hurricanes and two Skuas to Malta
Ships HMS Argus, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Enterprise
Losses Britain: 2 aircrew killed, 2 taken prisoner, 2 aircraft lost. Italy: 4 aircraft destroyed in Sardinia, 2 shot down.
Result British victory
Twelve Hurricanes flew from HMS Argus to Malta, guided by two Skuas. Force H raided Elmas airfield in Sardinia and HMS Enterprise carried out a deception, while the Mediterranean Fleet made diversions in the east. Italian bombers attacked both fleets but scored only near misses and one hit with a bomb that failed to explode.
Why it is remembered It was the first of the Club Runs that flew fighters to Malta, and it showed that the Italian air force was less formidable than had been feared.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Coote, R G G (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Norwegian campaign
Action off Lofoten Fleet battle
9 April 1940 · Off the southern coast of the Lofoten Islands, Norway
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders William Whitworth (Britain); Günther Lütjens (Germany)
Forces The battlecruiser HMS Renown and 9 destroyers, against the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau
Ships HMS Renown, Scharnhorst, Gneisenau
Losses Germany: Gneisenau and Scharnhorst damaged, 6 killed. Britain: Renown slightly damaged, 2 killed.
Result Inconclusive; the German ships withdrew
On the first day of the German invasion of Norway, Renown and her destroyers met Scharnhorst and Gneisenau off Lofoten. After a short engagement Gneisenau was moderately damaged and the German ships withdrew.
Why it is remembered It was a meeting of capital ships at the opening of the Norwegian campaign.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Attack on Mers-el-Kébir Raid
Also known as Battle of Mers-el-Kébir; part of Operation Catapult
3 July 1940 · Mers El Kébir naval base, near Oran, French Algeria
Fought between Britain against France
Commanders James Somerville, Dudley Pound (Britain); Marcel-Bruno Gensoul, François Darlan (France)
Forces Force H: the battlecruiser HMS Hood, the battleships Valiant and Resolution, the carrier Ark Royal, 2 light cruisers, 11 destroyers and at least 23 aircraft, against 4 French battleships, 6 destroyers, 1 aviso and 1 seaplane tender with 42 aircraft
Ships HMS Hood, HMS Valiant, HMS Resolution, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Arethusa, HMS Enterprise, Bretagne, Dunkerque, Provence, Strasbourg, Mogador, Commandant Teste, Rigault de Genouilly
Losses France: 1,297 killed, 350 wounded; Bretagne sunk, Dunkerque and Provence damaged, 2 destroyers damaged, 1 seaplane tender damaged, 1 destroyer grounded, 1 tug destroyed. Britain: 2 aircrew killed, 2 sailors wounded, 3 Swordfish and 2 Skuas lost.
Result British success in disabling much of the French squadron; Strasbourg escaped to Toulon
After the French armistice, Britain feared the French fleet would fall into Axis hands and sent Captain Cedric Holland of Ark Royal to put terms to Admiral Gensoul at Mers El Kébir. When talks failed, Force H opened fire at about 6 p.m. Bretagne blew up and sank, Dunkerque and Provence were badly damaged and the destroyer Mogador lost her stern, while Strasbourg broke out and reached Toulon on 4 July. On 8 July Swordfish from Ark Royal returned and torpedoed a patrol boat beside Dunkerque, whose depth charges exploded and damaged the battleship further.
Why it is remembered The attack was condemned in France as a betrayal by a former ally, and Pétain broke off diplomatic relations with Britain on 8 July. It remains controversial, though some historians say it showed the world that Britain would fight on.
Sources differ Deaths aboard Bretagne are given as 1,012 in the casualty table and 977 in the narrative. Fire is said to have opened at 5:57 p.m. in one passage and at 6 p.m. in another.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Phoney War
Operation Nordmark Blockade and raiding
Also known as Operation Northern Mark; Unternehmen Nordmark
18 to 20 February 1940 · North Sea between Norway and Shetland
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Wilhelm Marschall, Alfred Saalwächter (Germany)
Forces 2 German battleships and 1 heavy cruiser, against convoys protected by the Home Fleet
Losses None in the sortie itself; concurrent U-boat patrols sank several ships, including a destroyer.
Result Inconclusive
A German flotilla of two battleships and a heavy cruiser sortied against British merchant shipping between Norway and Shetland. The British spotted it early, held back a Norway-bound convoy and sent Home Fleet battleships to intercept. The Germans found only neutral ships and returned to base on 20 February.
Why it is remembered It was intended as a reply to the Altmark incident and a prelude to wider German operations in the Atlantic.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Operation Nordseetour Blockade and raiding
Also known as North Sea Tour
30 November to 27 December 1940 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Wilhelm Meisel (Germany)
Forces The heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, against the escorts of Convoy WS 5A, 1 heavy cruiser and 2 light cruisers
Ships Admiral Hipper
Losses Britain: 1 heavy cruiser and 2 transports damaged, 1 merchant ship sunk. Germany: none.
Admiral Hipper slipped into the Atlantic to hunt convoys but struggled with engine trouble and bad weather. On the night of 24 December she found Convoy WS 5A; a torpedo attack failed, and next morning she was driven off by the escorts after damaging a heavy cruiser and two transports. She sank a merchant ship later on 25 December and reached Brest on 27 December.
Why it is remembered It showed that the Admiral Hipper class was poorly suited to Atlantic raiding, and the stronger escorts the Royal Navy then provided frustrated two German battleship attacks in early 1941.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Sweden neutral)
Psilander affair Other action
20 June to 2 July 1940 · Skálafjørður, near Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
Fought between Britain against neutral Sweden
Commanders Torsten Hagman (Sweden)
Forces The British destroyers HMS Maori, HMS Mashona and HMS Tartar with naval drifters, against 4 Swedish destroyers
Ships HMS Maori, HMS Mashona, HMS Tartar, HSwMS Psilander, HSwMS Puke, HSwMS Romulus, HSwMS Remus, Patricia, Castor
Losses No fighting. The Swedish destroyers and two auxiliary ships were seized and later returned.
Result Destroyers returned to Sweden
Four destroyers newly bought by Sweden from Italy were sailing home by way of the Faroe Islands when the Royal Navy seized them, with the passenger ship Patricia and the tanker Castor, fearing that Germany might capture them. Ordered to sail for a British port or be sunk, Lieutenant Commander Torsten Hagman withdrew his crews to Patricia and left the ships to the British. After negotiations, and a British payment of £50,000 for damage, the ships were returned and reached Gothenburg on 10 July.
Why it is remembered Hagman was court-martialled and heavily criticised in the Swedish Navy for giving up his ships without firing a shot, and a secret order followed that no ship should ever be surrendered to another country unless ordered.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Sinking of the Arandora Star Air and submarine attack
Also known as Arandora Star disaster
2 July 1940 · About 75 miles west of Bloody Foreland, Ireland
Fought between Germany against the United Kingdom
Commanders Günther Prien, U-47 (Germany); Captain Edgar Wallace Moulton, Arandora Star (United Kingdom)
Forces The submarine U-47 against the unescorted liner Arandora Star, carrying about 734 interned Italian men, 479 interned German men, 86 German prisoners of war, 200 guards and a crew of 174
Ships SS Arandora Star, U-47, HMCS St. Laurent
Losses 805 dead, including Captain Moulton, 12 officers, 42 crew and 37 guards; 868 survivors
Result Arandora Star sunk
Arandora Star sailed unescorted from Liverpool for St John's, Newfoundland, with internees and prisoners bound for camps in Canada. Early on 2 July 1940 U-47 hit her with a single torpedo, flooding the aft engine room and cutting power. Ten lifeboats got away, some overloaded, and many Italians were afraid to leave the ship, which rolled over and sank at 7.20 am. About 1 pm the Canadian destroyer St. Laurent arrived and rescued 868 survivors.
Why it is remembered Most of the dead were civilian internees. Bodies came ashore in Ireland and the Hebrides for weeks, and memorials stand in Bardi, home town of 48 of the dead, in London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Cardiff, Middlesbrough, Colonsay and Belmullet, and in Lucca and Parma.
Sources differ Sources disagree on whether the ship left Liverpool on 30 June or early on 2 July 1940.
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Battle of Taranto Air and submarine attack
Also known as Raid on Taranto; Operation Judgement
11 to 12 November 1940 · Taranto harbour, southern Italy
Fought between Britain against Italy
Commanders Andrew Cunningham, Lumley Lyster (Britain); Inigo Campioni (Italy)
Forces The carrier HMS Illustrious with 2 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers and 4 destroyers, launching 21 Swordfish torpedo bombers in two waves of 12 and 9, against an Italian fleet of 6 battleships, 7 heavy cruisers, 7 light cruisers and 13 destroyers in harbour
Ships HMS Illustrious, Conte di Cavour, Littorio, Duilio, Trento, Libeccio, Pessagno
Losses Italy: 59 killed, 600 wounded; 3 battleships disabled (Conte di Cavour, Littorio, Duilio), 1 heavy cruiser and 2 destroyers damaged, 2 fighters destroyed. Britain: 2 killed, 2 captured, 2 aircraft destroyed.
Result British victory
On the night of 11 November, 21 Swordfish from HMS Illustrious attacked the Italian battle fleet at anchor in Taranto, using aerial torpedoes despite the shallow water. Littorio was hit by several torpedoes and Duilio by one, and both were beached. Conte di Cavour settled on the bottom and never returned to full service.
Why it is remembered It was the first all-aircraft ship to ship naval attack and signalled the rise of naval aviation over the big-gun battleship. The Japanese navy studied the raid while planning the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Sources differ The main account says Littorio was hit by two torpedoes in one section and three in another.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Photographer not identified., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Operation White Other action
15 to 18 November 1940 · Strait of Sicily, Mediterranean Sea
Fought between Britain against Italy
Commanders James Somerville (Britain); Inigo Campioni (Italy)
Forces 2 aircraft carriers, 1 battlecruiser, 2 cruisers and 7 destroyers, flying off 12 Hurricane and 2 Skua aircraft from HMS Argus; Italy: 2 battleships, 2 heavy cruisers and 16 destroyers
Ships HMS Argus
Losses Britain: 9 aircraft lost, 7 pilots missing, 2 taken prisoner. Italy: none.
Result Italian victory
Force H tried to deliver fourteen fighters to Malta from the carrier Argus. The presence of the Italian fleet led to the aircraft being flown off too early, and with bad weather and poor navigation only five reached Malta; most of the rest were lost at sea with their pilots.
Why it is remembered It was one of the Club Runs that supplied fighters to Malta. Somerville called it a frightful failure in his diary and blamed himself.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Phoney War
Operation Wikinger Other action
Also known as Operation Viking; Unternehmen Wikinger
22 February 1940 · North Sea
Fought between Germany (losses to its own aircraft and to mines)
Forces 6 German destroyers
Ships Leberecht Maass, Max Schultz
Losses Germany: 2 destroyers, Leberecht Maass and Max Schultz, lost; only sixty survivors were rescued.
Result Operation called off after the loss of two destroyers
Six German destroyers sortied into the North Sea, but the Luftwaffe's Fliegerkorps X had not been told of the operation. A bomber of Kampfgeschwader 26 attacked the destroyers, and Leberecht Maass was bombed and blew up amidships; minutes later Max Schultz was shaken by a larger explosion and sank. Both were lost to friendly bombing and German or British mines.
Why it is remembered It is an example of friendly fire caused by poor communication between the German navy and air force. An inquiry cleared the bomber crew, who had received no warning.
Sources differ Whether the losses were caused by bombing or by German or British mines was uncertain; the inquiry ruled that Leberecht Maass was bombed.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Action of 4 April 1941 Single-ship action
4 April 1941 · Mid Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Otto Kähler (Germany); J. A. Blackburn (Britain)
Forces The German auxiliary cruiser Thor against the British armed merchant cruiser HMS Voltaire
Ships Thor, HMS Voltaire
Losses Britain: Voltaire sunk, 74 killed, about 100 wounded, 195 captured; about 200 of them were killed later. Germany: Thor lightly damaged.
Result German victory
The German commerce raider Thor met the armed merchant cruiser Voltaire in the mid Atlantic and sank her after a short engagement. The Germans rescued the British survivors.
Why it is remembered Survivors later repatriated reported to the Admiralty, which accepted that converted liners with old guns were no match for German raiders, though nothing better was yet available.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Black Sea campaigns
Action of 6 December 1941 Single-ship action
6 December 1941 · Cape Emine, 20 miles off Varna, Bulgaria
Fought between Bulgaria against the Soviet Union
Commanders Captain Gricenko (Soviet Union, killed)
Forces 2 Bulgarian submarine chasers supported by aircraft, against 1 Soviet submarine
Losses Soviet Union: 1 submarine sunk, 38 killed. Bulgaria: none.
Result Bulgarian victory
Bulgarian submarine chasers, supported by aircraft, engaged and sank a Soviet submarine near Cape Emine.
Why it is remembered It was a clash between the Bulgarian and Soviet navies in the Black Sea.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Black Sea campaigns
Action of 9 July 1941 Single-ship action
9 July 1941 · Off Mangalia, Romania, Black Sea
Fought between Romania against the Soviet Union
Commanders Horia Popovici (Romania); S. A. Karakai (Soviet Union, killed)
Forces 3 Romanian torpedo boats against 1 Soviet submarine
Losses Soviet Union: 1 submarine sunk, 38 killed. Romania: none.
Result Romanian victory
Three Romanian torpedo boats engaged a Soviet submarine off Mangalia and sank her with all 38 aboard.
Why it is remembered It was an early clash between the Romanian and Soviet navies in the Black Sea.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Operation Abstention Landing or siege
25 to 28 February 1941 · Island of Kastelorizo (Castellorizo), eastern Aegean Sea, off the Turkish coast
Fought between Britain and Australia against Italy
Commanders Andrew Cunningham, Edward Renouf, Henry Egerton (Britain); Luigi Biancheri, Francesco Mimbelli (Italy)
Forces 2 light cruisers, 7 destroyers, 1 gunboat, 1 submarine, 1 armed yacht, 200 commandos and 200 soldiers and marines (British), against 2 destroyers, 2 torpedo boats, 2 MAS boats, SM.79 and SM.81 bombers, 280 soldiers and 88 marines (Italian)
Losses British: 5 killed, 10 wounded, 20 captured or interned, 7 missing, 1 destroyer and 1 gunboat damaged. Italian: 14 killed, 12 captured.
Result Italian victory
British forces landed on the Italian island of Kastelorizo to set up a motor torpedo boat base that could challenge Italian naval and air supremacy in the Dodecanese. Italian land, air and naval forces opposed the landings. The British troops were forced to re-embark amid some confusion.
Why it is remembered The failure led to recriminations between British commanders, who were judged to have underestimated the Italians.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: An unknown serviceman of the Regia Marina, Public domain, via Wikipedia (en)
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Action in Tarrafal Bay Single-ship action
Also known as Action in Tarafal Bay
27 to 28 September 1941 · Tarrafal Bay, Santo Antão, Cape Verde
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders D. C. Ingram (Britain)
Forces The British submarine HMS Clyde against 3 U-boats, U-111, U-67 and U-68
Ships HMS Clyde, U-111, U-67, U-68
Losses Britain: Clyde slightly damaged, none killed. Germany: 1 U-boat damaged, none killed.
Result Inconclusive
British naval intelligence decoded a message arranging a meeting of U-111, U-67 and U-68 in Tarrafal Bay, and the Admiralty sent the submarine HMS Clyde to destroy them. Clyde found the U-boats at the rendezvous and attacked, but none was sunk.
Why it is remembered All four vessels involved were submarines.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Beadell, S J (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Raid on Alexandria (1941) Raid
Also known as Operazione EA 3
19 December 1941 · Alexandria harbour, Egypt
Fought between Italy against Britain
Commanders Junio Valerio Borghese, Luigi Durand de la Penne (Italy); Charles Morgan (Britain)
Forces The submarine Scirè carrying 3 manned torpedoes with six divers of the Decima Flottiglia MAS, against the Mediterranean Fleet in harbour
Ships Scirè, HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Valiant, Sagona, HMS Jervis
Losses Britain: battleships Queen Elizabeth and Valiant disabled, the tanker Sagona and the destroyer Jervis damaged, 8 casualties. Italy: all 6 divers captured.
Result Italian victory
The submarine Scirè released three manned torpedoes outside Alexandria. Durand de la Penne and Emilio Bianchi placed a charge under Valiant, and Antonio Marceglia and Spartaco Schergat under Queen Elizabeth; a third charge exploded under the tanker Sagona, damaging the destroyer Jervis alongside. Both battleships settled on the harbour bottom, and all six divers were captured.
Why it is remembered Six men disabled two battleships at a critical time for the Mediterranean Fleet; Queen Elizabeth was out of action for nearly eighteen months. After the war Valiant's former captain asked for Durand de la Penne to receive Italy's Gold Medal of Military Valour.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Giovanni Dall'Orto., Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Siege of Tobruk
Raid on Bardia Landing or siege
19 to 20 April 1941 · Bardia, Cyrenaica, Libya
Fought between Britain and Australia against Germany and Italy
Commanders Lieutenant Colonel Colvin (Britain); Erwin Rommel (Germany)
Forces No. 7 Commando (A Battalion Layforce) and a Royal Tank Regiment troop, carried and supported by HMS Glengyle, HMS Coventry, HMAS Stuart, HMAS Voyager, HMAS Waterhen and the submarine HMS Triumph
Ships HMS Glengyle, HMS Coventry, HMAS Stuart, HMAS Voyager, HMAS Waterhen, HMS Triumph
Losses Britain: 1 killed, 70 captured. Axis: 1 artillery battery and 1 supply dump destroyed.
Result Allied victory
British commandos landed at Bardia at night, supported by five ships and a submarine. They destroyed an Italian artillery battery and a supply dump, but 70 men were left behind and captured.
Why it is remembered Its lasting effect was to draw a German armoured brigade away from the front line to guard the rear areas.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Lt Richard G. Arless, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Continuation War
Battle of Bengtskär Landing or siege
26 July 1941 · Bengtskär skerry, south west Finland
Fought between Finland against the Soviet Union
Commanders Fred Luther (Finland); Pavel Kurilov (Soviet Union, killed)
Forces A Finnish garrison of 41 men, reinforced by 83, with 2 gunboats, against 10 Soviet MO-class patrol boats and a landing party of 31 to more than 100 men
Losses Finland: 31 killed, 45 wounded. Soviet Union: 1 patrol boat sunk, 31 to more than 80 killed, 24 to 29 captured.
Result Finnish victory
Soviet patrol boats landed a party on the skerry of Bengtskär. The Finnish garrison held out, reinforcements arrived with two gunboats in support, and the landing was defeated with one Soviet patrol boat sunk.
Why it is remembered It was a small but costly amphibious fight in the Finnish archipelago during the Continuation War.
Sources differ Soviet strength and losses are given as ranges: 31 to more than 100 men landed, 31 to more than 80 killed, 24 to 29 captured.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Operation Berlin (Atlantic) Blockade and raiding
Also known as Unternehmen Berlin
22 January to 22 March 1941 · North Atlantic, from Greenland to the West African coast
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Günther Lütjens (Germany); John Tovey (Britain)
Forces The battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, against large numbers of British warships and aircraft
Ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau
Losses Britain: 22 merchant ships sunk or captured. Germany: none.
Result German victory
Scharnhorst and Gneisenau broke out into the Atlantic to attack convoys. Where convoys were escorted by British battleships they broke off, as on 8 February and 7 and 8 March, but they caught many unescorted ships on 22 February and 15 to 16 March. They sank or captured 22 merchant ships and ended the cruise in occupied France.
Why it is remembered It was the last success of German surface warships against merchant shipping in the North Atlantic before the loss of Bismarck in May 1941.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Battle of Cape Bon (1941) Fleet battle
13 December 1941 · Off Cape Bon, Tunisia
Fought between Britain and the Netherlands against Italy
Commanders Graham Stokes (Britain); Antonino Toscano (Italy, killed)
Forces The 4th Destroyer Flotilla: HMS Sikh, HMS Maori, HMS Legion and HNLMS Isaac Sweers, against the light cruisers Alberico da Barbiano and Alberto di Giussano and the torpedo boat Cigno
Ships HMS Sikh, HMS Maori, HMS Legion, HNLMS Isaac Sweers, Alberico da Barbiano, Alberto di Giussano, Cigno
Losses Italy: both cruisers sunk, 817 killed. Allies: none.
Result Allied victory
Two Italian cruisers were making a fast run to Libya with aviation fuel and other urgent cargo. Four Allied destroyers on passage from Gibraltar to Alexandria were diverted to attack them; hugging the shore where they could not be seen, they ambushed the cruisers with torpedoes and gunfire. Da Barbiano capsized with fuel burning on her decks and di Giussano broke in two; Cigno rescued nearly 500 survivors.
Why it is remembered A small destroyer force sank two cruisers without loss, and Admiral Toscano went down with his flagship.
Sources differ One account says about 900 killed; another account and body give 817.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Battle of Cape Matapan Fleet battle
Also known as Battle of Gaudo (opening actions); Naumachia tou Tainarou
27 to 29 March 1941 · Off Cape Matapan, south west Peloponnese, Greece
Fought between Britain and Australia against Italy
Commanders Andrew Cunningham (Britain); Angelo Iachino (Italy)
Forces 1 aircraft carrier, 3 battleships, 7 light cruisers and 17 destroyers, against 1 battleship, 6 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers and 13 destroyers
Ships HMS Formidable, HMS Warspite, HMS Barham, HMS Valiant, HMS Orion, HMAS Perth, HMS Jervis, HMS Nubian, Vittorio Veneto, Zara, Fiume, Pola, Vittorio Alfieri, Giosuè Carducci
Losses Italy: about 2,300 killed, 1,015 captured; heavy cruisers Zara, Fiume and Pola and destroyers Vittorio Alfieri and Giosuè Carducci sunk; Vittorio Veneto damaged. Allies: 3 killed, 1 aircraft lost.
Result Allied victory
Warned by Ultra decrypts, Cunningham's fleet intercepted the Italian fleet south of Greece. Aircraft from Formidable torpedoed Vittorio Veneto, which escaped, and later stopped the cruiser Pola. That night Zara and Fiume, sent back to help Pola, were caught by Warspite, Barham and Valiant firing at close range by searchlight and destroyed in minutes with two destroyers; Pola was sunk by Jervis and Nubian after her crew was taken off.
Why it is remembered It has been called Italy's greatest defeat at sea, with three heavy cruisers lost in one night. Cunningham later visited Bletchley Park to thank the codebreakers.
Sources differ Italian dead are given as 2,300 in the main account and 2,303 in the body.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Operation Chieftain Other action
16 to 21 November 1941 · Western and central Mediterranean, from Gibraltar and Malta
Fought between Britain against Germany and Italy
Forces Decoy convoy GM 3 of five merchant ships and the oiler Brown Ranger with a sloop, a destroyer and three corvettes, plus Force K from Malta and the battle squadron from Alexandria
Ships Brown Ranger
Losses Germany: 1 U-boat sunk by a corvette.
Result Italian convoy ordered back to port
To draw Axis aircraft away from the land offensive Operation Crusader, the Royal Navy sailed a decoy convoy from Gibraltar on 16 November while Force K and the Alexandria battle squadron made feints. A corvette that sailed late with engine trouble sank a German U-boat. Learning from British signals that Force K was at sea, the Axis ordered an Italian convoy back to port.
Why it is remembered It was a naval deception mounted in support of Operation Crusader in North Africa.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Historical RFA
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Operation Claymore Raid
4 March 1941 · Lofoten Islands, northern Norway
Fought between Britain and Norway against Germany
Commanders Louis K. Hamilton, Clifford Caslon, Joseph C. Haydon, Lord Lovat (Britain); Martin Linge (Norway)
Forces 500 British commandos and 52 Norwegians carried and supported by the 6th Destroyer Flotilla and two troop transports, 7 ships in all, against 1 German armed trawler and local shipping
Ships Krebs
Losses Britain and Norway: 1 wounded. Germany: 228 captured, 10 ships sunk, about 18,000 tons of shipping in all.
Result British and Norwegian victory
British and Norwegian commandos landed almost unopposed in the Lofoten Islands, destroyed fish oil factories and about 3,600 tonnes of oil and glycerine, and sank shipping by naval gunfire and demolition. They returned with 228 German prisoners, 314 Norwegian volunteers and some collaborators.
Why it is remembered Enigma rotor wheels and code books captured from the German armed trawler Krebs helped Bletchley Park read German naval codes and steer convoys away from U-boats.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Tennyson d'Eyncourt (Capt), War Office official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Black Sea campaigns
Raid on Constanța Raid
26 June 1941 · Constanța, Romania
Fought between Soviet Union against Romania and Germany
Commanders Filipp Oktyabrsky (Soviet Union)
Forces The destroyer leaders Moskva and Kharkov, covered by the cruiser Voroshilov and the destroyer Soobrazitelny, with bombers, against the Romanian destroyers Regina Maria and Mărăști, the minelayer Amiral Murgescu, the coastal battery Elisabeta and the German Tirpitz battery
Ships Moskva, Kharkov, Voroshilov, Soobrazitelny, Regina Maria, Mărăști, Amiral Murgescu
Losses Soviet Union: Moskva sunk, Voroshilov damaged, 9 bombers lost, at least 268 killed and 69 captured. Axis: port facilities, oil tanks and warehouses damaged.
Result Axis victory
Moskva and Kharkov bombarded Constanța at dawn but were engaged by Romanian destroyers and the coastal batteries, and the bombers that were meant to attack at the same time did not arrive. Withdrawing under fire, the Soviet ships ran into a Romanian minefield; Moskva struck a mine and sank within minutes, and Voroshilov was damaged by another.
Why it is remembered It was the only encounter between major warships in the Black Sea during the Second World War, and afterwards the Soviets used their surface ships much more cautiously.
Sources differ Most sources put Moskva's loss down to Romanian mines; others suggest shells from Regina Maria or the Tirpitz battery, or a torpedo from the Soviet submarine Shch-206.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy HX 106 Convoy battle
30 January to 18 February 1941 · North Atlantic, Halifax to Liverpool
Fought between Britain and Canada against Germany
Commanders Captain W. H. Poole RNR (convoy); Admiral Günther Lütjens and Admiral Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 41 merchant ships and 11 escorts (1 when attacked), against the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the submarine U-96
Ships HMS Ramillies, Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, U-96, Arthur F. Corwin
Losses 2 merchant ships sunk, including Arthur F. Corwin with all 59 crew
Result The battleships withdrew; U-96 later sank two merchant ships
The convoy of 41 ships left Halifax on 30 January 1941. On 8 February the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau found it. The captain of Scharnhorst offered to draw off the escorting battleship HMS Ramillies so that Gneisenau could attack the merchant ships, but Lütjens kept to Hitler's order not to engage enemy capital ships and withdrew. Later U-96 sank two of the merchant ships, including the Arthur F. Corwin, loaded with 14,500 tons of aviation fuel, which went down on 13 February with all 59 crew.
Why it is remembered The presence of one old battleship was enough to turn away two modern German capital ships.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Tomlin, H W (Lt) Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy HX 112 Convoy battle
15 to 17 March 1941 · Western Approaches, North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); Donald Macintyre (escort, Britain)
Forces 5 U-boats against 41 ships with 6 escorts of the 5th Escort Group, led by HMS Walker
Ships HMS Walker, HMS Vanoc, U-99, U-100, Franche-Comté
Losses Allies: 6 ships sunk (Beduin, Erodona, Ferm, J B White, Korshamn, Venetia), 1 damaged. Germany: U-99 and U-100 sunk.
Result British victory
Otto Kretschmer's U-99 broke into the convoy and sank several ships. In the early hours of 16 March Walker depth-charged U-100 to the surface and Vanoc rammed her, killing Joachim Schepke. Walker then found U-99 and depth-charged her; Kretschmer brought her to the surface under fire, she sank, and he and most of his crew were taken prisoner.
Why it is remembered The loss of two of Germany's most celebrated U-boat commanders, a week after Prien, was a severe blow to the U-boat offensive and is described as a minor turning point in the Atlantic.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy HX 126 Convoy battle
10 to 28 May 1941 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); F. B. Watson (Britain)
Forces 9 U-boats against 33 merchant ships with 22 escorts, only 1 present during the attacks
Losses Britain: 9 merchant ships sunk.
Result German victory
U-boats attacked the 126th HX convoy from Halifax to Liverpool while it had only one escort present and sank nine of its merchant ships.
Why it is remembered It was one of the HX convoys of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy HX 133 Convoy battle
16 June to 3 July 1941 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces About 4 U-boats against 64 merchant ships with 20 escorts
Losses Allies: 6 ships sunk, 7 damaged, 107 killed.
Result German victory
The convoy left Halifax on 16 June 1941 and was found on 23 June by U-boats of the 1st U-boat Flotilla from Brest. Six ships were sunk before it reached Liverpool on 3 July.
Why it is remembered Canadian corvettes were strongly criticised for poor signalling, shown by the number of collisions.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: US Navy aircrew of Patrol Bombing Squadron 63, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic (before the United States entered the war)
Convoy HX 156 Convoy battle
22 October to 5 November 1941 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain and the United States
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); E. W. Leir (Britain)
Forces 52 merchant ships and 16 escorts, including the United States Navy destroyers Niblack, Reuben James, Tarbell, Benson and Hilary P. Jones, against U-boats including U-552
Ships USS Reuben James, U-552, USS Niblack, USS Tarbell, USS Benson, USS Hilary P. Jones
Losses United States: USS Reuben James sunk on 31 October 1941; 44 of her crew of 159 were rescued.
Forty three ships left Halifax on 22 October 1941 and were met by a United States Navy escort unit. On 31 October the destroyer Reuben James, closing to investigate a sighting, was torpedoed by U-552; the torpedo set off her forward magazine and she sank in about five minutes.
Why it is remembered Reuben James was the first United States warship sunk in the Second World War, lost before the country had formally entered it.
Sources differ One account gives 43 ships leaving Halifax; another account lists 52 merchant ships.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Ted Stone, U.S. Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy OB 293 Convoy battle
2 to 8 March 1941 · Western Approaches, North Atlantic
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders J. M. Rowlands (escort, Britain); Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 37 ships with 4 escorts, against 4 U-boats
Ships U-47
Losses Britain: 2 ships sunk, 3 damaged. Germany: 1 U-boat sunk, 1 damaged, 1 missing.
Result Allied victory
U-boats attacked the outbound convoy in the Western Approaches, sinking two ships and damaging three. The escorts fought back, and U-47 under Günther Prien was lost.
Why it is remembered Prien had sunk HMS Royal Oak at Scapa Flow in 1939, and his loss was a blow to the U-boat arm.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy OB 318 Convoy battle
Also known as Operation Primrose
7 to 10 May 1941 · Atlantic Ocean, south of Iceland
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders A. J. B. Baker-Cresswell (escort), W. B. MacKenzie (convoy), David Balme (boarding party) (Britain); Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 40 freighters with 3 destroyers, 3 corvettes and 2 naval trawlers, against 4 submarines
Ships HMS Bulldog, HMS Broadway, HMS Aubrietia, U-110
Losses Britain: 7 freighters sunk (35,315 GRT), 2 damaged, 40 killed or drowned. Germany: U-110 captured, 2 submarines damaged, 15 killed or drowned, 32 captured.
Result British victory
U-boats attacked the outbound convoy south of Iceland and sank seven freighters. The escorts HMS Bulldog, Broadway and Aubrietia forced U-110 to the surface, and a boarding party captured her with an intact Enigma machine and a wealth of signals material.
Why it is remembered The capture of U-110's Enigma machine led to the Allied breakthrough in reading the German naval Enigma code.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy OG 69 Convoy battle
19 July to 1 August 1941 · North Atlantic, between Liverpool and Gibraltar
Fought between Germany and Italy against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 8 U-boats, 2 Italian submarines and Fw 200 Condor aircraft, against 28 merchant ships with 17 escorts
Losses Britain: 9 ships sunk, 68 killed.
Result Axis victory
The convoy left Liverpool for Gibraltar on 20 July 1941 and was found on 25 July by Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condors of Kampfgeschwader 40. Submarine attacks continued until 30 July and sank nine ships.
Why it is remembered The convoy was found by long range Condor aircraft and then attacked by German and Italian submarines.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy OG 71 Convoy battle
13 to 25 August 1941 · North Atlantic, between Liverpool and Gibraltar
Fought between Germany against Britain and Norway
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); P. E. Parker (Britain)
Forces 8 U-boats of the 1st U-boat Flotilla and Fw 200 Condor aircraft, against 23 merchant ships with 13 escorts
Losses Allies: 10 ships sunk (8 merchant ships and 2 escorts), 360 killed.
Result German victory
The convoy left Liverpool on 13 August 1941 and was found on 17 August by a Condor of Kampfgeschwader 40. From 19 August eight U-boats from Brest attacked, sinking ten ships before they lost contact on 23 August.
Why it is remembered The main account describes it as the first convoy of the war to be attacked by a U-boat wolfpack.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Convoy PQ 1 Convoy battle
28 September to 11 October 1941 · Arctic Ocean, from Hvalfjörður to Arkhangelsk
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders Edward Thornton (escorts), D. Ridley (convoy) (Britain); Hans-Jürgen Stumpff, Hermann Böhm (Germany)
Forces 10 merchant ships and 1 fleet oiler with 12 escorts in relays
Ships RFA Aldersdale
Losses None on either side
Result Convoy arrived without loss
The first convoy with the PQ prefix sailed from Hvalfjörður in Iceland and reached Arkhangelsk after an uneventful voyage. Halcyon-class minesweepers went with it to be based at Kola to protect return convoys and sweep for mines.
Why it is remembered The PQ prefix came from the initials of Commander Phillip Quellyn Roberts, an Admiralty operations officer.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Coote, R G G (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Convoy PQ 4 Convoy battle
17 to 28 November 1941 · From Hvalfjörður, Iceland, to Arkhangelsk, USSR
Fought between Britain against Germany
Forces 8 merchant ships and 8 escorts in relays, against the Kriegsmarine and Luftflotte 5
Result British victory; the convoy arrived
PQ 4 was the fifth of the Arctic convoys that carried weapons, equipment and raw materials from the Western Allies to the Soviet Union after the German invasion of June 1941. Eight merchant ships sailed under escort from Hvalfjörður in Iceland. On the way they overhauled the slower ships of Convoy PQ 3, and the 15 ships entered the Northern Dvina together and docked at Arkhangelsk.
Why it is remembered It was one of the early Arctic convoys that kept supplies flowing to the USSR in late 1941.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Convoy PQ 7 Convoy battle
Also known as Convoys PQ 7a and PQ 7b
26 December 1941 to 12 January 1942 · Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea
Fought between Britain and Panama against Germany
Forces PQ 7a: 2 merchant ships; PQ 7b: 9 merchant ships escorted by the trawlers Cape Argona and Wastwater and the destroyers Icarus and Tartar; against 1 U-boat
Ships Waziristan, Cold Harbor, U-134, HMS Icarus, HMS Tartar, HMS Cumberland
Losses Allies: the merchant ship Waziristan sunk with all 47 men.
The convoy was split to keep to schedule. The two ships of PQ 7a left Iceland on 26 December, lost contact in an Arctic storm, and Waziristan was torpedoed by U-134 and sank with all hands; Cold Harbor reached Murmansk on 12 January. PQ 7b arrived on 11 January without loss, though the cruiser Cumberland missed the rendezvous and sailed alone.
Why it is remembered It was the eighth of the Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union.
Sources differ The main account dates the sinking of Waziristan to 2 December, although the convoy sailed on 26 December; the date given is likely a slip for 2 January.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy SC 19 Convoy battle
12 January to 2 February 1941 · North Atlantic, from Halifax to Liverpool
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces About 4 U-boats against 28 merchant ships with 11 escorts, 9 during the attack
Losses Allies: 7 ships sunk.
Result German victory
The convoy left Halifax on 12 January 1941 and was found by U-boats of the 7th U-boat Flotilla on 29 January. Seven ships were sunk before it reached Liverpool on 2 February.
Why it is remembered It was one of the slow SC convoys of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Sources differ The main account gives the location as the North Sea, though the convoy sailed from Halifax to Liverpool.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy SC 20 Convoy battle
22 January to 8 February 1941 · North Atlantic, from Halifax to Liverpool
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces About 3 U-boats against 48 merchant ships with 7 escorts
Losses Allies: 5 ships sunk, 1 damaged.
The convoy left Halifax on 22 January 1941 and was found by U-boats of the 2nd and 9th Flotillas from Lorient and Brest. Five ships were sunk before it reached Liverpool on 8 February.
Why it is remembered It was one of the slow SC convoys of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Sources differ The main account gives the location as the North Sea, though the convoy sailed from Halifax to Liverpool.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy SC 26 Convoy battle
2 to 5 April 1941 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); G. Swabey (convoy commodore), J. Cresswell and J. Rowlands (escorts) (Britain)
Forces 7 U-boats against 23 ships with 7 escorts
Losses Britain: 10 ships sunk, 2 damaged, 1 warship damaged, 97 killed. Germany: 1 U-boat destroyed.
Result German victory
A pack of seven U-boats attacked the slow convoy SC 26 in the North Atlantic and sank ten of its 23 ships; one U-boat was destroyed.
Why it is remembered It was one of the SC convoys of the Battle of the Atlantic that suffered heavy losses in 1941.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy SC 42 Convoy battle
9 to 12 September 1941 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); W. B. Mackenzie (convoy commodore), J. C. Hibbard (escort) (Allies)
Forces 14 U-boats of the Markgraf group, against 65 merchant ships with 4 escorts
Losses Allies: 16 merchant ships sunk (68,259 tons), 4 damaged, 276 killed. Germany: 2 U-boats sunk, 53 killed.
Result German victory
The slow convoy SC 42, with only four escorts, was attacked over three nights by the Markgraf group of U-boats and lost 16 ships sunk and 4 damaged. Two of the attacking U-boats were destroyed.
Why it is remembered It was the worst Allied convoy loss since SC 7 the year before.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy SC 48 Convoy battle
14 to 18 October 1941 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain, Canada and the United States
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); H. M. Sanders (convoy commodore), S. W. Davis, L. Thebaud and J. Baker-Cresswell (escorts) (Allies)
Forces 8 U-boats of the Mordbrenner group, against 52 ships with 18 escorts
Ships USS Kearny, HMS Gladiolus, HMS Broadwater, U-568, U-553, U-558, U-432, U-101
Losses Allies: 9 merchant ships sunk, the corvette HMS Gladiolus and the destroyer HMS Broadwater sunk, USS Kearny damaged with 11 killed and 22 wounded, 369 killed in all. Germany: 1 U-boat damaged.
Result German victory
U-boats attacked the slow convoy over four nights from 14 October, sinking merchant ships including Silvercedar, Empire Heron and W.C. Teagle. The corvette Gladiolus was lost with all hands, and just after midnight on 16 to 17 October U-568 torpedoed the American destroyer Kearny. U-101 then hit HMS Broadwater, which sank after about 12 hours.
Why it is remembered The torpedoing of Kearny and the deaths of American sailors, before the United States was at war, brought the country one step closer to war with Germany.
Sources differ Gladiolus's loss is credited to U-558 in one place and reported as sunk by U-568 on 17 October in another, though the main account thinks it more probably happened earlier.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy SL 78 Convoy battle
18 June to 12 July 1941 · North Atlantic, from Freetown to Liverpool
Fought between Germany against Britain and Norway
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); G. T. C. P. Swabey (Britain)
Forces About 4 U-boats against 26 merchant ships with 19 escorts
Losses Allies: 8 merchant ships sunk.
Twenty five merchant ships left Freetown on 18 June 1941 carrying cargoes from South America, Africa and the Indian Ocean. U-boats sank eight before the convoy reached Liverpool on 12 July.
Why it is remembered It was one of the SL convoys from Sierra Leone to Britain.
Sources differ One account says 25 merchant ships departed; another account gives 26.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Battle of Crete Landing or siege
Also known as Operation Mercury; Unternehmen Merkur; Luftlandeschlacht um Kreta
20 May to 1 June 1941 · Crete and the surrounding waters, Greece
Fought between Germany and Italy against Britain, Greece, New Zealand and Australia
Commanders Kurt Student, Walter Koch (Germany); Francesco Mimbelli (Italy); Bernard Freyberg, Robert Laycock (Allies)
Forces About 22,000 German paratroopers and mountain troops with large air forces and 2,700 Italians, against 42,547 Allied troops supported by the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet
Ships HMS Gloucester, HMS Fiji, HMS Greyhound, HMS Kashmir, HMS Kelly, HMS Kipling, HMS Warspite, HMS Valiant, HMS Orion, HMS Naiad, HMS Carlisle, Lupo, Sagittario
Losses Allies: about 23,000 casualties in all, 4,000 to 6,000 killed (about 2,000 of them sailors); Royal Navy 12 fleet and 7 auxiliary ships sunk and 22 damaged, including the cruisers Gloucester and Fiji and the destroyers Greyhound, Kashmir and Kelly. Axis: 5,894 casualties, 284 aircraft lost; 1 Italian destroyer and 1 torpedo boat damaged.
Result Axis victory
German paratroopers landed on Crete on 20 May and, after the loss of Maleme airfield, overwhelmed the defenders. At sea the Royal Navy broke up a German convoy of caïques escorted by the torpedo boat Lupo on the night of 21 to 22 May and turned back a second escorted by Sagittario, but by day German bombers sank cruisers and destroyers. More than half the Allied troops were then evacuated by the Navy from the south coast.
Why it is remembered It was the first mainly airborne invasion in history, and so costly that Hitler authorised no further large airborne operations. The Royal Navy's eastern Mediterranean strength was reduced to two battleships and three cruisers.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Operation Rheinübung
Battle of the Denmark Strait Fleet battle
24 May 1941 · Denmark Strait, between Greenland and Iceland
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Günther Lütjens, Ernst Lindemann, Helmuth Brinkmann (Germany); Lancelot Holland (killed), John Leach, Ralph Kerr (killed), Frederic Wake-Walker (Britain)
Forces The battleship Bismarck and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, against the battleship HMS Prince of Wales, the battlecruiser HMS Hood and the heavy cruisers HMS Norfolk and HMS Suffolk
Ships Bismarck, Prinz Eugen, HMS Hood, HMS Prince of Wales, HMS Norfolk, HMS Suffolk
Losses Britain: Hood sunk, 1,428 dead, 9 wounded; Prince of Wales damaged. Germany: 5 wounded; Bismarck's forward fuel tanks damaged.
Result German tactical victory; British operational success
Bismarck and Prinz Eugen were trying to break out into the North Atlantic to attack Allied shipping. Less than ten minutes after the British opened fire, a shell from Bismarck struck Hood near her aft magazines and she blew up and sank within three minutes, leaving three survivors. Prince of Wales, newly completed and troubled by unreliable turrets, broke off the action.
Why it is remembered Spurred by the loss of Hood, a large British force pursued Bismarck and sank her three days later; damage to her fuel tanks had already forced her to give up the breakout.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Operation Dervish (1941) Convoy battle
21 to 31 August 1941 · Arctic Ocean, from Iceland to Arkhangelsk
Fought between Britain and the Soviet Union against Germany
Commanders Robert Burnett (Britain); Rolf Carls (Germany)
Forces 6 merchant ships and 1 fleet oiler with 14 escorts in relays
Losses None on either side
Result Convoy arrived without loss
The first Arctic convoy sailed from Liverpool on 12 August 1941 and reached Arkhangelsk on 31 August, carrying an RAF wing for the air defence of the Russian ports, civilians and diplomatic missions. The Germans made no attempt to intercept it.
Why it is remembered It was the first of the Arctic convoys that supplied the Soviet Union during the war.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Battle of the Duisburg Convoy Convoy battle
Also known as Battle of the BETA Convoy
8 to 9 November 1941 · Ionian Sea, off Calabria
Fought between Britain against Italy
Commanders William Agnew (Britain); Bruno Brivonesi (Italy)
Forces Force K of 2 light cruisers and 2 destroyers, against 7 merchant ships escorted by 2 heavy cruisers and 10 destroyers
Ships Duisburg, Fulmine, Libeccio, HMS Upholder
Losses Italy: all 7 merchant ships sunk, the destroyer Fulmine sunk, 2 destroyers damaged; Libeccio sunk the next day by HMS Upholder. Britain: 1 destroyer damaged.
Result British victory
Guided by Enigma decrypts and a reconnaissance aircraft, Force K from Malta attacked the BETA convoy carrying supplies for the Axis forces in Libya. The whole convoy and the destroyer Fulmine were sunk at night with almost no damage to the British ships. Next day the submarine Upholder sank the destroyer Libeccio while she picked up survivors.
Why it is remembered The Germans sharply criticised the Italian navy and pressed it to accept liaison officers; later Italian convoys were no safer because the British were reading their codes.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Continuation War
Operation EF (1941) Air and submarine attack
Also known as Raid on Kirkenes and Petsamo
30 July 1941 · Kirkenes, Norway, and Liinakhamari, Petsamo, Finland
Fought between Britain against Germany and Finland
Commanders John Tovey, Frederic Wake-Walker (Britain); Erich Raeder, Rolf Carls (Germany); Antti Pennanen (Finland)
Forces Aircraft from the carriers HMS Victorious and HMS Furious, 29 Albacores, 9 Swordfish and Fulmar and Hurricane fighters, with 2 cruisers and 6 destroyers, against merchant ships in port, Luftwaffe fighters and anti-aircraft guns
Ships HMS Victorious, HMS Furious
Losses Britain: 16 aircraft lost (12 Albacores and 4 Fulmars), 13 killed and 25 captured by the main account. Germany and Finland: 1 merchant ship and 1 small steamer sunk, 1 cargo ship damaged, 2 aircraft shot down, some damage to ports and oil storage.
Result German victory
Under pressure from the War Cabinet, the Home Fleet sent two carriers to strike shipping at Kirkenes and Petsamo after the German invasion of the Soviet Union. In the midnight sun the force was spotted, and the Kirkenes strike met German fighters and Stukas, losing eleven Albacores and two Fulmars for little result. The Petsamo strike met less opposition but caused only minor damage.
Why it is remembered It was a costly tactical failure, but it fed Hitler's fears of a British intervention in northern Norway.
Sources differ One account gives 9 killed and 27 taken prisoner; another account gives 13 killed and 25 captured.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Operation Excess Convoy battle
10 to 11 January 1941 · South of Sicily, Mediterranean Sea
Fought between Britain and Australia against Italy and Germany
Forces 1 aircraft carrier, 2 battleships, 3 cruisers and 7 destroyers, against 2 Italian destroyers and German Stuka dive bombers and fighters
Ships HMS Illustrious, HMS Southampton, HMS Gallant
Losses Britain: Southampton sunk, Illustrious severely damaged, a cruiser damaged, the destroyer Gallant disabled by a mine and written off. Axis: 1 Italian torpedo boat sunk, 8 aircraft shot down by British claim.
Result British victory; all the convoyed freighters arrived
A series of British supply convoys ran to Malta, Alexandria and Greece. The destroyer Gallant was disabled by an Italian mine, and German dive bombers severely damaged the carrier Illustrious and the cruiser Southampton, while all the merchant ships reached port.
Why it is remembered It was the first operation to meet Luftwaffe anti-shipping aircraft over the Mediterranean.
Sources differ One account says Southampton was severely damaged; another account counts one cruiser sunk and one damaged.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Lt. D.C. Oulds, Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
First Battle of Sirte Fleet battle
17 December 1941 · Gulf of Sirte, south east of Malta
Fought between Britain, Australia and the Netherlands against Italy
Commanders Andrew Cunningham, Philip Vian (Britain); Angelo Iachino, Guido Porzio Giovanola (Italy)
Forces 5 light cruisers and 14 destroyers, against 4 battleships, 2 heavy cruisers, 3 light cruisers and 13 destroyers
Losses Allies: 1 killed, 2 destroyers damaged. Italy: none.
Result Inconclusive
British and Italian forces met south east of Malta while each was protecting a convoy. Since both wished to avoid battle, the engagement was brief and inconclusive.
Why it is remembered In the days that followed, British ships from Malta ran into an Italian minefield off Tripoli and two battleships were disabled at Alexandria, shifting the naval balance in the Mediterranean towards Italy.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Aldo Fraccaroli, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic campaign
Operation Gauntlet Raid
25 August to 3 September 1941 · Spitsbergen, Svalbard, with the sinking of Bremse off the North Cape of Norway
Fought between Britain, Canada and Norway against Germany
Commanders Arthur Potts (Canada); Philip Vian (Britain); Ragnvald Tamber (Norway)
Forces The cruisers HMS Nigeria and HMS Aurora, the destroyers HMS Anthony, HMS Antelope and HMS Icarus and the troopship Empress of Canada, carrying Canadian, British and Norwegian troops
Ships HMS Nigeria, HMS Aurora, HMS Anthony, HMS Antelope, HMS Icarus, Empress of Canada, Bremse
Losses Allied: none. German: the training ship Bremse sunk; three colliers, a whaler, an icebreaker, a tug and two fishing boats taken as prizes.
Result Allied success
An Allied force landed on Spitsbergen to deny the Germans its coal and weather reports, with the agreement of Norway and the Soviet Union, which owned the mines. The raiders set the coal dumps on fire, destroyed mining equipment and wireless stations, evacuated about 800 Norwegian civilians and took aboard 186 French prisoners of war. Several ships were taken as prizes, and on the return journey on 7 September 1941 the cruisers sank the German training ship Bremse off the North Cape.
Why it is remembered The Germans did not learn of the expedition until it had left, and the raiders suffered no casualties.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: National Museum of the U.S. Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Raid on Grand Harbour Raid
Also known as Operazione MALTA-2
26 July 1941 · Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta
Fought between Italy against Britain
Commanders Vittorio Moccagatta (killed), Teseo Tesei (killed) (Italy); Henry Ferro (Britain)
Forces 1 aviso, 2 MAS torpedo boats, 9 MTM explosive boats, 2 human torpedoes, 2 support boats and 10 fighters, against the harbour coastal defences and 30 fighters
Ships MAS-452
Losses Italy: 17 killed, 18 captured, 10 boats destroyed, 2 captured, 1 human torpedo lost and 1 captured, at least 3 fighters shot down. Britain: 1 fighter lost.
Result British victory
Decima MAS explosive boats and frogmen tried to break into Grand Harbour before dawn. They brought down the St Elmo Bridge trying to force the entrance but were driven off by the coastal defences. At daylight Hurricanes attacked the two MAS boats and their fighter escort, and MAS-452 was later recovered by the British and used as a tender.
Why it is remembered It was the worst defeat suffered by Decima MAS in the war.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Domenic Camilleri, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Operation Grog Raid
Also known as Bombardment of Genoa
9 February 1941 · Genoa and La Spezia, Italy
Fought between Britain against Italy
Commanders James Somerville (Britain); Ferdinando Casardi (Italy)
Forces Force H: the battleship HMS Malaya, the carrier HMS Ark Royal, the battlecruiser HMS Renown, the light cruiser HMS Sheffield and destroyers, against anti-aircraft and coastal artillery
Ships HMS Malaya, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Renown, HMS Sheffield, HMS Fearless, HMS Foxhound, HMS Foresight, HMS Fury, HMS Firedrake, HMS Jersey
Losses Italy: 144 killed, 242 wounded, 14 lighters sunk and severe damage to the port; 5 cargo ships sunk and 18 damaged by British sources, or 1 training ship sunk and 2 ships damaged by Italian sources. Britain: 1 Swordfish.
Result British victory
Force H carried out a naval and air bombardment of the ports of Genoa and La Spezia.
Why it is remembered It was a bombardment of a major Italian port by British capital ships.
Sources differ British sources claim 5 cargo ships sunk and 18 damaged; Italian sources give 1 training ship sunk and 2 damaged. One account says ten destroyers; another account says four.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: William Domenichini, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Operation Halberd Convoy battle
24 to 27 September 1941 · South west of Calabria, Mediterranean Sea
Fought between Britain, the Netherlands and Poland against Italy
Commanders James Somerville (Britain); Angelo Iachino (Italy)
Forces 1 aircraft carrier, 3 battleships, 5 light cruisers, 18 destroyers and 8 submarines escorting 9 merchant ships, against 2 battleships, 3 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, 14 destroyers, 11 submarines, 8 torpedo boats and 130 aircraft
Losses Britain: 8 killed, 1 battleship damaged, 1 merchant ship scuttled, 4 aircraft. Italy: 83 to 90 killed, 1 submarine sunk, 21 aircraft destroyed.
Result British victory
A heavily escorted convoy sailed from Gibraltar to Malta. The Italian fleet sortied but turned back on learning the strength of the escort, while Italian aircraft damaged several ships and forced one merchant ship to be scuttled. The rest of the convoy reached Malta and unloaded.
Why it is remembered It was one of the large convoy operations that kept Malta supplied in 1941.
Sources differ Italian dead are given as 83 to 90.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Beadell, S J (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Black Sea campaigns
Battle of Jibrieni Convoy battle
17 December 1941 · Off Jibrieni, Romania (now Prymorske, Ukraine)
Fought between Romania, with Hungarian and Bulgarian merchant ships, against the Soviet Union
Forces A Romanian escort of 2 destroyers, 2 torpedo boats and 2 gunboats with 3 cargo ships, against 1 Soviet submarine
Ships M-59
Losses Soviet Union: submarine M-59 sunk, 16 to 19 killed. Axis: none.
Result Axis victory
The Soviet submarine M-59 attacked an Axis convoy and its Romanian escorts off Jibrieni and was sunk.
Why it is remembered It was one of the Romanian Navy's successes against Soviet submarines in the Black Sea.
Sources differ Soviet dead are given as 16 to 19.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Operation Rheinübung
Last battle of the battleship Bismarck Fleet battle
Also known as Sinking of the Bismarck
26 to 28 May 1941 · Atlantic Ocean, about 300 nautical miles west of Brest, France
Fought between Britain and Poland against Germany
Commanders John Tovey, Frederic Wake-Walker, Frederick Dalrymple-Hamilton (Britain); Günther Lütjens (killed), Ernst Lindemann (killed) (Germany)
Forces The carrier HMS Ark Royal, the battleships King George V and Rodney, the heavy cruisers Dorsetshire and Norfolk and 8 destroyers, against the battleship Bismarck, with Luftwaffe aircraft on 28 May
Ships Bismarck, HMS Ark Royal, HMS King George V, HMS Rodney, HMS Dorsetshire, HMS Norfolk, HMS Mashona
Losses Germany: Bismarck sunk, about 2,200 killed, 110 captured, 5 rescued by German ships. Britain: 49 killed, 5 wounded, the destroyer Mashona lost to air attack.
Result Allied victory
Late on 26 May, Swordfish from Ark Royal torpedoed Bismarck and jammed her rudders, ending her run for France. British and Polish destroyers harried her through the night, and on the morning of 27 May King George V and Rodney, with Norfolk and Dorsetshire, attacked; after about 100 minutes she sank from shellfire, torpedoes and scuttling. The British rescued 110 survivors before leaving because of a reported U-boat, and on 28 May German aircraft sank the destroyer Mashona.
Why it is remembered It ended Operation Rheinübung three days after the loss of Hood. Most experts agree that her battle damage would eventually have sunk her even without scuttling.
Sources differ The exact German death toll is unknown because of the number of supernumeraries aboard. Bismarck was sunk by a combination of shellfire, torpedoes and scuttling.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Lt. J.H. Smith, Royal Navy official photographer., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Capture of Saint Pierre and Miquelon Landing or siege
24 December 1941 · Saint Pierre and Miquelon, off Newfoundland
Fought between Free France against Vichy France
Commanders Charles de Gaulle, Émile Muselier (Free France); Gilbert de Bournat, Georges Robert (Vichy France)
Forces 1 submarine, 3 corvettes and 230 men, against a gendarmerie garrison
Losses None on either side
Result Free French victory
Free French Naval Forces sailed to the French islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, whose authorities had sworn allegiance to Vichy, and took them over without bloodshed.
Why it is remembered It brought the islands over to Free France.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Eastern Front
Siege of Sevastopol (1941 to 1942) Landing or siege
Also known as Defence of Sevastopol; Battle for Sevastopol; Operation Störfang (final assault)
30 October 1941 to 4 July 1942 · Sevastopol, Crimea
Fought between Germany and Romania, with Italian naval support, against the Soviet Union
Commanders Erich von Manstein, Wolfram von Richthofen (Germany); Gheorghe Avramescu, Gheorghe Manoliu (Romania); Ivan Petrov, Filipp Oktyabrsky, Gordey Levchenko (Soviet Union)
Forces June 1942: 203,800 Axis troops and 803 aircraft, against 118,000 Soviet troops supported by 1 battleship, 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 2 flotilla leaders, 6 destroyers, 9 minesweepers, 1 guardship and 24 submarines
Losses Axis: about 70,000 casualties over the siege, 25,000 Germans killed; 35,866 in the final assault. Soviet: 200,481 for the Coastal Army and Black Sea Fleet over the siege; 118,000 in the final assault, including 95,000 captured.
Result Axis victory; Sevastopol fell
Sevastopol, the Black Sea Fleet's base, was the only objective in Crimea not taken by the Axis in autumn 1941. A first assault in December failed, and a Soviet landing at Kerch drew Axis forces away. In June 1942 the Axis attacked by land, sea and air in Operation Störfang, and the Luftwaffe sank or turned back most Soviet attempts to evacuate troops by sea. The remaining Soviet forces surrendered on 4 July 1942.
Why it is remembered Only 11 undamaged buildings were left in the city, and the cost of the 250 day siege reduced German resources for the summer offensive of 1942.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Raid on Souda Bay Raid
26 March 1941 · Souda Bay, Crete
Fought between Italy against Britain and Norway
Commanders Luigi Faggioni (Italy, captured); Reginald Portal (Britain)
Forces 6 Italian MTM explosive motor boats launched from the destroyers Francesco Crispi and Quintino Sella, against 3 cruisers, 1 destroyer and 5 tankers and fleet auxiliaries in the bay
Ships HMS York, Pericles, HMS Hasty, Francesco Crispi, Quintino Sella
Losses Britain and Norway: 2 killed; HMS York beached and the tanker Pericles sunk. Italy: all 6 pilots captured.
Result Italian victory
Decima MAS explosive boats were carried to the approaches of Souda Bay by two Italian destroyers and launched before dawn. They crossed three boom defences and attacked the heavy cruiser York and the Norwegian tanker Pericles. Two boats hit York, which was towed by HMS Hasty and beached; Pericles sank in the shallows and later foundered under tow.
Why it is remembered The six pilots, Luigi Faggioni, Alessio de Vito, Emilio Barberi, Angelo Cabrini, Tullio Tedeschi and Lino Beccati, were captured and later awarded Italy's Gold Medal of Military Valour. The British recovered one boat intact and studied it.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: An unknown serviceman of the Regia Marina, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Operation Substance Convoy battle
13 to 28 July 1941 · Western Mediterranean, from Gibraltar to Malta
Fought between Britain and Australia against Italy
Commanders James Somerville (Britain)
Forces 1 aircraft carrier, 1 battleship, 1 battlecruiser, 4 light cruisers and 18 destroyers escorting 13 merchant ships, against 3 torpedo boats, 1 submarine, 4 MAS boats, 9 torpedo bombers and 4 medium bombers
Losses Britain: 1 destroyer sunk, 1 light cruiser and 1 destroyer damaged, 2 merchant ships damaged, 6 aircraft lost, 35 killed. Italy: 12 aircraft.
Result British victory
Force H escorted Convoy GM 1, the first of its series from Gibraltar to Malta. The convoy was attacked by Italian submarines, aircraft and MAS boats but got through.
Why it is remembered It was one of the convoy operations that kept Malta supplied in 1941.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Battle of the Tarigo Convoy Convoy battle
Also known as Action off Sfax
16 April 1941 · Off the Kerkennah Islands, near Sfax, Tunisia
Fought between Britain against Italy
Commanders Philip Mack (Britain); Pietro de Cristofaro (Italy, killed)
Forces 4 British destroyers with 2 reconnaissance aircraft, against 3 Italian destroyers escorting 4 merchant ships and 1 ammunition ship
Ships Tarigo
Losses Italy: 350 to 1,800 killed, 2 destroyers sunk, 1 beached, all 5 convoy ships sunk or run aground. Britain: 1 destroyer sunk, 43 killed.
Result British victory
Four British destroyers from Malta caught an Italian convoy and its three destroyer escorts near the Kerkennah Islands. All five merchant ships and the three escorts were sunk or run aground, one destroyer later being refloated, for the loss of one British destroyer.
Why it is remembered The success eased pressure from Churchill and the Admiralty on Admiral Cunningham to do more against Italian supply convoys to North Africa.
Sources differ Italian dead are given as 350 to 1,800.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: An unknown member of the Regia Aeronautica Italiana, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Western Desert campaign
Siege of Tobruk Landing or siege
10 April to 27 November 1941 · Tobruk, Libya
Fought between Australia, Britain, India, New Zealand, Poland and Czechoslovakia against Germany and Italy
Commanders Leslie Morshead, later Ronald Scobie (Allies); Erwin Rommel, Gastone Gambara (Axis)
Forces About 27,000 Allied troops, mostly the 9th Australian Division, against about 35,000 Axis troops
Losses Allied: 5,989. Axis: 12,296 and 74 to 150 aircraft.
Result Allied victory; the siege was raised
An Allied garrison, mostly the 9th Australian Division, was besieged in the port of Tobruk by German and Italian forces for 231 days. The port was often bombarded by artillery, dive bombers and medium bombers. Allied naval forces, including the British Mediterranean Fleet and its Inshore Squadron, ran the blockade, carrying reinforcements and supplies in and the wounded and prisoners out. Operation Crusader finally raised the siege.
Why it is remembered The defenders became known as the Rats of Tobruk, and holding the port denied Rommel a supply harbour close to the Egyptian frontier.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Action of 13 May 1942 Single-ship action
13 May 1942 · Strait of Dover, English Channel
Fought between Britain against Germany
Forces Royal Navy motor torpedo boats, against 1 auxiliary cruiser, 4 torpedo boats and 16 minesweepers
Ships Stier, Iltis, Seeadler, MTB 220
Losses British: 1 MTB sunk, 9 killed. German: 2 torpedo boats sunk, 203 killed.
Result British victory, though Stier reached the Gironde
Royal Navy motor torpedo boats tried to stop the German auxiliary cruiser Stier passing through the Channel to the Gironde. They sank the escorting torpedo boats Iltis and Seeadler, and MTB 220 was sunk by the German ships. Stier got through and reached the Gironde on 19 May.
Why it is remembered It was a costly night for the German escort, which lost two torpedo boats and 203 men.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: National Museum of the U.S. Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Action of 27 March 1942 Single-ship action
27 March 1942 · About 300 nautical miles off Norfolk, Virginia
Fought between Germany against the United States
Commanders Reinhard Hardegen (Germany); Harry Hicks (United States)
Forces The submarine U-123 against the Q-ship USS Atik
Ships USS Atik, U-123
Losses United States: 141 killed and Atik sunk. Germany: 1 killed and U-123 damaged.
Result German victory
While patrolling off Norfolk, Virginia, the American Q-ship USS Atik met the U-boat U-123 and a short surface engagement followed. Atik was sunk and her commander, Harry Hicks, was among the 141 killed.
Why it is remembered It was a fight between a disguised American decoy ship and a U-boat off the US coast.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Action of 27 September 1942 (SS Stephen Hopkins and Stier) Single-ship action
Also known as Battle of SS Stephen Hopkins
27 September 1942 · South Atlantic, about halfway between Cape Town and Paramaribo
Fought between United States against Germany
Commanders Paul Buck (Stephen Hopkins); Horst Gerlach (Stier)
Forces The lightly armed Liberty ship Stephen Hopkins, against the auxiliary cruiser Stier, a converted merchant ship, with the supply ship Tannenfels
Ships SS Stephen Hopkins, Stier, Tannenfels
Losses Stephen Hopkins sunk, 42 crew killed including Captain Buck; of 19 survivors in a lifeboat, 4 died before reaching Brazil after 31 days. Stier scuttled, 2 crew killed.
Result Both ships lost
In fog the ships came within about 3.2 km of each other, and Stier ordered Stephen Hopkins to stop and surrender. Her crew refused and the German ship opened fire. The Americans fired back with their small armament, and civilian volunteers took over the gun when the military crew were hit. After about half an hour Stephen Hopkins sank, and Stier, with her engines and rudder damaged, was scuttled about two hours later; Tannenfels took off her crew.
Why it is remembered She was the only American merchant ship to sink a German warship in the war. Captain Buck received the Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal after his death, and several later Liberty ships were named after crew members killed in the fight.
Sources he.wikipedia.org
Image: armed-guard.com
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Western Desert campaign
Operation Agreement Landing or siege
13 to 14 September 1942 · Tobruk, Libya
Fought between Britain, Southern Rhodesia and New Zealand against Italy and Germany
Commanders John Haselden (Britain); Giuseppe Lombardi (Italy)
Forces About 650 to 700 marines and soldiers, 1 cruiser, 6 destroyers, 16 MTBs, 3 motor launches, 30 landing craft and 1 submarine, against 250 to 300 Italians, 30 Germans, 78 guns and small craft
Losses British: about 800 killed and 576 captured; 1 cruiser, 2 destroyers, 4 MTBs, 2 motor launches and several landing craft lost. Axis: 16 killed, 50 wounded.
Result Axis victory
British, Rhodesian and New Zealand forces raided Axis held Tobruk by land and from the sea, with diversions at Benghazi, Jalo and Barce. The raid was a disaster: hundreds of men were killed or captured, and a cruiser, two destroyers, motor torpedo boats and many small landing craft were lost.
Why it is remembered It is remembered as one of the costliest Allied raids of the desert war.
Sources differ One account says six motor torpedo boats were lost, another account four.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: An unnamed member of the Regia Aeronautica, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Raid on Algiers Raid
Also known as Operazione N.A. 1
11 December 1942 · Algiers harbour, French Algeria
Fought between Italy against Britain, the United States and Norway
Commanders Mario Arillo (Italy); Morgan Morgan-Giles (Britain)
Forces The submarine Ambra carrying 3 human torpedoes and 10 frogmen of the Decima Flottiglia MAS, against the harbour defences
Ships Ambra
Losses Allied: 1 cargo ship sunk, 1 tanker, 2 cargo ships and 1 military transport damaged. Italian: 16 captured.
Result Italian victory
The Italian submarine Ambra brought manned torpedoes and commando frogmen of the Decima Flottiglia MAS to Algiers harbour. They set limpet mines on Allied ships before being captured.
Why it is remembered It was one of the Decima MAS attacks on Allied harbours.
Sources differ One account says two ships were sunk and two damaged; another account lists one ship sunk and four damaged.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Caribbean
Attack on Aruba Raid
16 February 1942 · Off Oranjestad and San Nicolaas harbour, Aruba
Fought between Germany and Italy against the Netherlands and the United States
Commanders Werner Hartenstein (Germany); Frank Andrews (United States)
Forces 7 Axis submarines, against shore batteries, about 3 patrol boats and 2 light bombers
Losses Allied: about 51 killed, 6 tankers sunk, 2 tankers damaged. Axis: 1 killed, 1 wounded, 1 submarine damaged.
Result Axis victory
A German U-boat attacked the Dutch island of Aruba, home to two of the largest oil refineries in the world, at Oranjestad and San Nicolaas. Other Axis submarines patrolled the area and sank or damaged tankers.
Why it is remembered The attack disrupted vital Allied fuel production.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Unknown photographer
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Battle of the Barents Sea Convoy battle
Also known as Operation Regenbogen
31 December 1942 · Barents Sea, north of North Cape, Norway
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders Robert Sherbrooke, Robert Burnett (Britain); Oskar Kummetz (Germany)
Forces 2 light cruisers, 6 destroyers, 2 corvettes, 1 minesweeper and 2 trawlers escorting Convoy JW 51B, against 2 heavy cruisers and 6 destroyers
Losses British: 250 killed, 1 destroyer and 1 minesweeper sunk, 1 destroyer damaged. German: 330 killed, 1 destroyer sunk, 1 heavy cruiser damaged.
Result British victory
German warships attacked the British escort of Convoy JW 51B, bound for Kola Inlet, in the Barents Sea north of North Cape. The escorts held off the larger German ships and the convoy suffered no significant losses.
Why it is remembered Hitler was so angered by the failure that he ordered German naval strategy to rely on the U-boats rather than surface ships.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Battle of Bell Island Blockade and raiding
4 September to 2 November 1942 · Bell Island, Conception Bay, Newfoundland
Fought between Germany against Canada and Newfoundland
Commanders Rolf Rüggeberg, Friedrich Wissmann (U-boat commanders); Werner von Janowski (Germany)
Forces U-513 and U-518, against cargo ships at anchor, HMCS Drumheller and 2 Fairmile motor boats
Ships SS Lord Strathcona, SS Saganaga, SS Rose Castle, PLM 27, HMCS Drumheller, U-513, U-518
Losses 4 cargo ships sunk and more than 60 sailors killed: Lord Strathcona, Saganaga (29 killed), Rose Castle (28 killed) and PLM 27 (12 killed). German: a spy captured.
Result Indecisive
German U-boats made two attacks on shipping at Bell Island in Conception Bay, on an important supply route from North America to Europe. Four cargo ships were sunk and more than 60 sailors killed.
Why it is remembered Bell Island was one of the few places in Newfoundland to come under attack in the Second World War.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Black Sea campaigns
Battle of Cape Burnas Single-ship action
1 October 1942 · Near Cape Burnas and the Burnas Lagoon, Black Sea coast
Fought between Romania and Germany against the Soviet Union
Forces 2 Romanian gunboats, a German transport and a BV 138C flying boat, against 1 Soviet submarine
Ships M-118, Salzburg, Sublocotenent Ghiculescu, Stihi Eugen
Losses German transport Salzburg sunk with about 2,000 Soviet prisoners of war aboard. Soviet: submarine M-118 sunk with all hands, 16 to 19 killed.
Result The Soviet submarine was sunk
The Soviet submarine M-118 sank the German transport Salzburg, which was carrying 2,000 Soviet prisoners of war. A German flying boat then located the submarine, and the Romanian gunboats Sublocotenent Ghiculescu and Stihi Eugen sank her with depth charges, with the loss of all hands.
Why it is remembered The sinking of Salzburg killed about 2,000 Soviet prisoners carried aboard.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Channel Dash Fleet battle
Also known as Operation Cerberus; Unternehmen Zerberus
11 to 13 February 1942 · English Channel and Strait of Dover, from Brest to German ports
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Otto Ciliax (Germany); Bertram Ramsay (Britain)
Forces 2 battleships, 1 heavy cruiser, 6 destroyers, 14 torpedo boats, 26 E-boats and about 284 aircraft, against 6 destroyers, 3 destroyer escorts, 32 motor torpedo boats and about 450 aircraft
Ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Prinz Eugen
Losses German: 2 battleships damaged by mines, patrol boat V1302 sunk, 22 aircraft, 13 sailors and 23 aircrew killed. British: 230 to 250 killed and wounded, 1 destroyer badly damaged, MTBs damaged, 42 aircraft.
Result German victory; judged by the Kriegsmarine a tactical success and a strategic failure
Hitler ordered the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen home from Brest by the short route up the Channel. They sailed late on 11 February and went undetected for over twelve hours, nearing the Strait of Dover before the British reacted. Attacks by the RAF, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy and coastal guns all failed, but both battleships were damaged by mines in the North Sea. The ships reached German ports by 13 February.
Why it is remembered The Times called it a fiasco and Churchill ordered an inquiry, though the move ended the ships' threat to Atlantic convoys.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Air Force official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy HG 84 Convoy battle
10 to 20 June 1942 · Eastern Atlantic, Gibraltar to Britain
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); Hubert Hudson, Frederic Walker (Britain)
Forces 9 U-boats, against 23 ships and 7 escorts
Losses Allied: 5 ships sunk. German: 3 U-boats damaged.
Result Inconclusive
HG 84, a homeward convoy from Gibraltar, was attacked by nine U-boats. Five ships were sunk and three U-boats were damaged by the escorts under Frederic Walker.
Why it is remembered It was one of the Gibraltar convoy battles fought by Walker's escort group.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Walter Frentz, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy HX 212 Convoy battle
26 to 29 October 1942 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain, the United States and Canada
Commanders Vice Admiral W. de M. Egerton (commodore); Commander T. L. Lewis USCG (escort); Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 17 U-boats, against 43 freighters escorted by 1 cutter, 1 destroyer and 6 corvettes
Ships USCGC Campbell, HMS Badger, HMS Dianthus, HMCS Rosthern, HMCS Trillium, HMCS Dauphin, HMCS Alberni, HMCS Summerside, HMCS Ville de Quebec
Losses 6 freighters sunk (51,997 GRT), 243 killed or drowned
Result German tactical victory
The convoy left New York on 18 October 1942 and was met on 23 October by Group A-3: the cutter Campbell, the destroyer Badger and seven corvettes, three of them only on passage towards Operation Torch. Only Summerside had modern centimetric radar. U-boats attacked from 26 to 29 October and sank six freighters.
Why it is remembered It showed the cost of escorts that lacked modern radar.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Harold William John Tomlin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the St. Lawrence
Convoy LN 7 Convoy battle
3 September 1942 · Gulf of St. Lawrence
Fought between Germany against Canada and Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz, Paul Hartwig (Germany)
Forces 1 U-boat, against 3 merchant ships and 2 escorts
Ships Donald Stewart, U-517
Losses The merchant ship Donald Stewart sunk
Result German victory
LN 7 was a convoy from Quebec City to Goose Bay, Labrador. U-517 found it on 2 September 1942 and sank the merchant ship Donald Stewart early the next morning.
Why it is remembered It was one of the U-boat strikes in Canadian waters in 1942.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: uboat.net
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy OG 82 Convoy battle
14 April 1942 · Eastern Atlantic, on the route from Britain to Gibraltar
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); Captain A. J. Baxter (commodore), Commander Frederic John Walker (escort)
Forces 1 U-boat, against 17 ships and 5 escorts
Losses German: 1 U-boat destroyed. Allied: no ships sunk.
Result Allied victory
A U-boat attacking the outbound Gibraltar convoy OG 82 was destroyed by Walker's escorts, and no ships of the convoy were lost.
Why it is remembered The action had consequences for German U-boat strategy.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy ON 113 Convoy battle
17 to 31 July 1942 · North Atlantic, Liverpool to Halifax
Fought between Germany against Canada and Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 11 U-boats of Wolf pack Wolf, against 37 merchant ships and 11 escorts of Group C-2
Losses 5 ships sunk and 1 damaged
Result German success
The convoy left Liverpool on 17 July 1942 and was joined next day by Mid-Ocean Escort Force Group C-2. The eleven U-boats of Wolf pack Wolf found it on 24 July and sank five ships before it reached Halifax on 31 July.
Why it is remembered It was one of the outbound convoys attacked by wolfpacks in mid 1942.
Sources differ One account gives the location as the North Sea, which does not fit the Liverpool to Halifax route described in another account.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy ON 115 Convoy battle
24 July to 8 August 1942 · North Atlantic, Liverpool to Boston
Fought between Germany against Canada and Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); Admiral Sir A. J. Davies (commodore)
Forces 13 U-boats, against 43 merchant ships and 12 escorts
Losses Allied: 3 ships sunk, 2 damaged, 67 killed. German: 1 U-boat sunk.
Result The convoy reached Boston with three ships lost
The convoy of 43 merchant ships and 12 escorts left Liverpool on 24 July 1942. U-boats sank three ships and damaged two during the crossing, and one U-boat was sunk. The convoy arrived at Boston on 8 August.
Why it is remembered It was one of the many contested North Atlantic crossings of 1942.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy ON 122 Convoy battle
22 to 25 August 1942 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain and Norway
Commanders Captain S. N. White RNR (commodore); Lieutenant Commander J. V. Waterhouse RN (escort); Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 9 U-boats, against 37 merchant ships and 5 escorts of Group B6
Losses 4 merchant ships sunk (17,235 GRT), 40 killed or drowned
Result German victory
The convoy left Liverpool on 15 August 1942 and was joined on 17 August by Escort Group B6. U-boats attacked between 22 and 25 August and sank four merchant ships.
Why it is remembered It was one of the outbound convoys hit in mid-Atlantic in summer 1942.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Tomlin, H W (Lt), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy ON 127 Convoy battle
9 to 14 September 1942 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Rear Admiral Sir E. O. Cochrane (commodore); Lieutenant Commander A. H. Dobson RCNR (escort); Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 13 U-boats, against 35 freighters escorted by Group C-4: the destroyers Ottawa and St. Croix and the corvettes Amherst, Arvida, Sherbrooke and Celandine
Ships HMCS Ottawa, HMCS St. Croix, HMCS Amherst, HMCS Arvida, HMCS Sherbrooke, HMS Celandine
Losses Allied: 6 freighters sunk (44,113 GRT) with 24 killed, and 1 destroyer sunk with 114 killed. German: none.
Result German victory
The convoy left Liverpool on 4 September 1942 and was met by the Canadian Group C-4. None of the Canadian ships' radar sets were working, only Celandine had centimetric radar, and none carried HF/DF. Thirteen U-boats attacked and sank six freighters and an escorting destroyer without loss to themselves.
Why it is remembered It was the only North Atlantic trade convoy of 1942 or 1943 in which every U-boat sent against it fired torpedoes.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy ON 144 Convoy battle
15 to 18 November 1942 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain, Norway and the United States
Commanders Captain J. K. Brook RNR (commodore); Lieutenant Commander Monssen (escort); Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 10 U-boats, against 33 freighters and Group B-6: the corvettes Vervain, Potentilla, Eglantine, Montbretia and Rose
Ships HMS Vervain, HNoMS Potentilla, HNoMS Eglantine, HNoMS Montbretia, HNoMS Rose, Perth
Losses Allied: 5 freighters sunk (25,396 GRT) with 86 killed, and 1 corvette sunk with 47 killed. German: 1 submarine sunk, 50 killed.
Result German victory
The convoy left Liverpool on 7 November 1942 with Group B-6, which had sailed without its destroyers Fame and Viscount, damaged in the battle for SC 104. US Coast Guard cutters accompanied it until ships detached for Iceland on 15 November. Ten U-boats then attacked and sank five freighters and a corvette, and one U-boat was sunk.
Why it is remembered Its escort was made up only of corvettes after the group's destroyers were damaged.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Tomlin, H W (Lt) Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy ON 153 Convoy battle
11 to 31 December 1942 · North Atlantic, Liverpool to New York
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); Rear Admiral Sir E. Manners (commodore)
Forces 13 U-boats of Wolf pack Raufbold, against 45 merchant ships and 6 escorts of Group B-7
Losses 3 ships sunk, including the escort group leader, 1 damaged, 249 killed
Result German tactical victory
The convoy left Liverpool on 11 December 1942 and was met next day by Mid-Ocean Escort Force Group B-7. In a battle with Wolf pack Raufbold two merchant ships and the escort group leader were sunk before the Western Local Escort Force took over on 23 December. The surviving ships reached New York on 31 December.
Why it is remembered The convoy lost the ship leading its own escort group.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy ON 154 Convoy battle
Also known as Convoy ONS 154; Convoy ON(S) 154
26 to 30 December 1942 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Canada, Britain and the United States
Commanders Wion de Malpas Egerton, Guy Windeyer (Allies); Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 20 U-boats, against 50 freighters, 1 destroyer, 5 corvettes and 1 special service vessel
Losses Allied: 13 merchant ships sunk (66,922 GRT), 177 killed; 1 special service vessel sunk, 369 killed. German: 1 submarine sunk, 46 killed.
Result German victory
The outbound convoy came under U-boat attack in late December 1942 and lost 13 of its 50 freighters. One U-boat was sunk.
Why it is remembered It was one of the worst convoy losses of the winter of 1942.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Photographer not identified, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy ON 92 Convoy battle
6 to 21 May 1942 · North Atlantic, Liverpool to Halifax
Fought between Germany against Britain, the United States and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); R. Gill (convoy commodore); J. Heffernan (escort)
Forces 9 U-boats of Wolfpack Hecht, against 1 destroyer, 4 corvettes and 1 cutter of Group A-3 escorting 46 merchant ships
Losses Allied: 7 merchant ships sunk, 1 damaged, 9 killed. German: none.
Result German victory
The convoy left Liverpool on 6 May 1942 and was joined next day by Mid-Ocean Escort Force Group A-3. Wolfpack Hecht found it on 11 May and sank seven ships before losing contact on 13 May. The survivors reached Halifax on 21 May.
Why it is remembered It was one of the convoys badly hit by wolfpacks in mid-ocean in 1942.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Convoy PQ 12 Convoy battle
1 to 12 March 1942 · Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea, Reykjavík to Murmansk
Fought between Britain and the Soviet Union against Germany
Commanders Hubert Hudson (commodore), John McBeath (escorts), John Tovey (Home Fleet); Otto Ciliax (Germany)
Forces 15 merchant ships and escorts, with the Home Fleet in distant cover, against the battleship Tirpitz and destroyers
Ships Tirpitz, HMS Oribi, HMS Shera
Losses British: the whaler HMS Shera capsized with all but three of her crew, HMS Oribi damaged by ice, 2 Albacore torpedo bombers lost. German: 1 aircraft.
Result The convoy reached Murmansk without loss to the enemy
The Germans sent Tirpitz and destroyers in Operation Sportpalast against PQ 12 and the returning convoy, but in fog and storms neither side could find the other. British Albacore torpedo bombers attacked Tirpitz as she returned to base but missed and lost two aircraft. The convoy reached Murmansk; on 9 March the escort whaler HMS Shera capsized in a storm after ice built up on her superstructure.
Why it is remembered The German naval staff judged that Tirpitz had narrowly escaped and kept her from sailing against a convoy for three months.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Claude Henry Parnall, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Convoy PQ 13 Convoy battle
20 March to 2 April 1942 · Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea, north of North Cape to Murmansk
Fought between Britain, Poland and the Soviet Union against Germany
Commanders John Tovey, Leslie Saunders (Britain); Hubert Schmundt, Gottfried Pönitz (Germany)
Forces 1 cruiser, 5 destroyers, 2 anti-submarine trawlers, 3 whalers and others escorting 19 merchant ships, against 6 U-boats, 3 destroyers and aircraft
Ships HMS Trinidad, HMS Fury, HMS Eclipse, Z26
Losses Allied: 5 freighters and 1 whaler sunk, the cruiser Trinidad severely damaged. German: 1 destroyer and 1 U-boat sunk, several aircraft.
Result The convoy reached Murmansk with five ships lost
A three day storm scattered the convoy westward of North Cape, and clear weather then exposed it to German aircraft, which sank two ships. Three German destroyers from Kirkenes sank another. On 29 March the cruiser Trinidad found the destroyers by radar and hit Z26, but in snow squalls Trinidad was struck by one of her own torpedoes and badly damaged; Z26 was sunk by the destroyer Eclipse. U-boats sank two more ships near Murmansk.
Why it is remembered The losses alarmed Admiral Tovey and Admiral Pound, who foresaw heavier combined attacks on Arctic convoys as the days lengthened.
Sources differ The main account dates the end of the storm to 28 April, which must mean 28 March given the convoy dates.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Uknown official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Convoy PQ 14 Convoy battle
8 to 19 April 1942 · Arctic Ocean, Iceland to Murmansk
Fought between Allies against Germany
Commanders Stuart Bonham Carter (Allies); Hans-Jürgen Stumpff (Germany)
Forces 26 merchant ships with escorts in relays, against 2 U-boats, 3 destroyers and Ju 88 bombers
Losses Allied: 1 ship sunk, 16 turned back with ice damage. German: 1 Ju 88.
Result Allied victory; seven ships reached Murmansk
The convoy sailed in April 1942, when daylight was lengthening but the polar ice had not yet receded. On the night of 10 to 11 April thirty hours in fog and pack ice damaged so many ships that 16 had to return to Iceland. On 16 April air and U-boat attacks sank one merchant ship, and the remaining seven reached Murmansk.
Why it is remembered The Royal Navy predicted serious losses in the coming months of near constant daylight.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Convoy PQ 15 Convoy battle
26 April to 5 May 1942 · Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea, Iceland to Murmansk
Fought between Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union against Germany
Commanders Herbert Anchor (commodore), John Crombie (escort), Harold Burrough (cruiser cover); Hubert Schmundt, Hans-Jürgen Stumpff (Germany)
Forces 25 merchant ships, 38 escorts and 9 submarines, against 7 U-boats and Luftflotte 5
Ships ORP Jastrząb, HMS Punjabi, HMS King George V, Cape Palliser
Losses Allied: 3 merchant ships sunk and 72 killed; the destroyer HMS Punjabi lost in collision with 49 killed; the Polish submarine Jastrząb sunk in error with 5 killed. German: 5 aircraft.
Result The convoy reached Murmansk
On 2 May the escorts depth charged a submarine that turned out to be the Polish Jastrząb, out of her patrol zone; five of her crew were killed. In fog on 1 May, the destroyer HMS Punjabi of the covering force was rammed by the battleship King George V and sunk. On 3 May six He 111 torpedo bombers flying below radar cover sank three ships. The convoy arrived at Murmansk on 5 May.
Why it is remembered A German effort against the returning convoy QP 11 helped PQ 15 get through with relatively few losses.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Convoy PQ 16 Convoy battle
21 to 30 May 1942 · Arctic Ocean, Iceland to Murmansk and Arkhangelsk
Fought between Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union against Germany
Commanders Newell Gale (convoy), Richard Onslow (escorts); Alexander Holle, Hans Roth, Hermann Busch (Germany)
Forces 36 merchant ships with escorts in relays, against 108 aircraft and 3 U-boats
Losses Allied: 7 ships sunk, 1 turned back; 468 tanks, 201 aircraft and 3,277 motor vehicles lost, 26 per cent of the cargo. German: 3 to 6 aircraft shot down, 1 damaged, 2 U-boats damaged.
Result Allied victory
PQ 16 was the largest Arctic convoy yet. From 25 May German bombers and torpedo bombers made coordinated attacks, using the Golden Comb tactic of dropping torpedoes in a salvo; on 27 May alone 108 attacks were counted. Six ships were sunk by aircraft and one by a U-boat.
Why it is remembered Its escort commander called for more anti-aircraft guns and an escort carrier, and the Germans concluded that aircraft were more effective than U-boats in the long Arctic daylight.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Claude Henry Parnall, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Convoy PQ 17 Convoy battle
27 June to 10 July 1942 · Arctic Ocean, Hvalfjörður to Arkhangelsk
Fought between Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, the Netherlands and Panama against Germany
Commanders Dudley Pound, John Tovey, Louis Hamilton, Jack Broome, John Dowding (Allies); Erich Raeder, Karl Dönitz, Hans-Jürgen Stumpff (Germany)
Forces 35 merchant ships with a close escort of 6 destroyers, 11 escort vessels and 2 anti-aircraft ships, and covering forces of 1 aircraft carrier, 2 battleships, 6 cruisers and 13 destroyers; against 1 battleship, 3 cruisers, 12 destroyers, 11 U-boats, 33 torpedo bombers and 6 bombers
Ships Tirpitz
Losses Allied: 24 merchant ships sunk, 153 merchant seamen killed; 3,350 vehicles, 210 aircraft, 430 tanks and 99,316 GRT of cargo lost. German: 5 aircraft.
Result German victory
PQ 17 was the first large joint Anglo-American naval operation under British command. German forces found the convoy on 1 July. Told that Tirpitz and other German ships were moving to intercept, the First Sea Lord, Dudley Pound, ordered the cruisers and close escort destroyers to join the heavy cover to the west and the convoy to scatter. Aircraft and U-boats then picked off the scattered ships, and the German surface sortie was cancelled on 5 July as unnecessary; only eleven of the 35 ships arrived.
Why it is remembered The disaster showed how dangerous Arctic convoys were in the summer months of midnight sun, as the Admiralty had warned.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: RN official photographer, Ware C J (Lt), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Convoy PQ 18 Convoy battle
2 to 21 September 1942 · Arctic Ocean, Loch Ewe and Iceland to Arkhangelsk
Fought between Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union against Germany
Commanders Robert Burnett (Britain); Otto Klüber, Rolf Carls (Germany)
Forces 40 merchant ships, 40 to 50 escorts in relays, 2 submarines and 1 escort carrier, against 12 U-boats, 92 torpedo bombers, 120 bombers and reconnaissance aircraft
Ships HMS Avenger
Losses Allied: 13 merchant ships, 4 Sea Hurricanes. German: 4 U-boats and 22 to 44 aircraft.
Result Allied victory; the convoy reached Arkhangelsk
PQ 18 sailed from Loch Ewe with an exceptionally large escort in Operation EV, including HMS Avenger, the first escort carrier to accompany an Arctic convoy. From 12 to 21 September bombers, torpedo bombers, U-boats and mines sank thirteen ships. Avenger's aircraft and warnings from Ultra decrypts helped the defence, and gunners on the freighters fought off air attacks. The convoy rode out a storm in the Northern Dvina estuary and reached Arkhangelsk on 21 September.
Why it is remembered The Luftwaffe's losses, and the move of its best aircraft to the Mediterranean in November, meant such an effort against an Arctic convoy was never repeated.
Sources differ German aircraft losses are given as 22 to 44 in one account and forty four in another account.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: British Newsreel Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Convoy PQ 8 Convoy battle
8 to 17 January 1942 · Arctic Ocean, Iceland to Murmansk
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders L. S. Saunders (escorts), R. W. Brundle (convoy); Hans-Jürgen Stumpff, Hermann Böhm (Germany)
Forces Convoy and escorts, against the first U-boat wolfpack in the Arctic, Ulan
Ships HMS Matabele, SS Harmatris, U-454
Losses The destroyer HMS Matabele sunk with all but two of her crew; SS Harmatris damaged
Result British victory; the convoy reached Murmansk
The convoy left Iceland on 8 January 1942. On 17 January, almost at Murmansk, U-454 of wolfpack Ulan damaged the merchant ship Harmatris and sank the destroyer HMS Matabele, with the loss of all but two of her crew. Harmatris was towed into harbour on 20 January.
Why it is remembered It met the first German U-boat wolfpack formed in the Arctic.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Convoy QP 13 Convoy battle
26 June to 7 July 1942 · Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea, and a minefield off Iceland
Fought between Britain, the Soviet Union and the United States against Germany
Commanders Newell Gale, J. Hiss (commodores); Percy Todd, Arthur Cubison (escort); Hermann Boehm, Hubert Schmundt (Germany)
Forces 36 merchant ships and escorts, shadowed by German reconnaissance aircraft and 2 U-boats
Losses The leading escort and 4 merchant ships sunk, 2 merchant ships damaged and later written off; 173 men killed; 38,306 GRT lost
Result The convoy escaped German attack but lost ships in an Allied minefield
QP 13 was the homeward convoy from Arkhangelsk and Murmansk sailing while the Germans attacked its counterpart PQ 17, and it was left alone apart from aircraft and U-boat sightings. Near Iceland the Admiralty split the convoy. After three days of bad weather without a navigational fix, an iceberg was mistaken for land and the Reykjavík section turned into a new minefield; the leading escort blew up, four merchant ships were sunk and two damaged. The survivors reached Reykjavík on 7 July.
Why it is remembered Its heaviest losses came from a friendly minefield, not from the enemy.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Convoy QP 14 Convoy battle
13 to 26 September 1942 · Arctic Ocean, Arkhangelsk to Loch Ewe
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders John Dowding, Robert Burnett (Britain); Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 17 merchant ships and 65 escorts, against 7 U-boats and aircraft
Ships HMS Avenger
Losses Allied: 3 merchant ships and 2 warships sunk. German: 1 U-boat sunk, 5 damaged.
Result The convoy reached Loch Ewe; Operation EV judged a success by its commander
QP 14 was a homeward convoy from Arkhangelsk. On 16 September, as it crossed the outbound Convoy PQ 18, much of PQ 18's large escort and its oilers transferred to it. A report of German surface ships on 19 September was a false alarm, and the convoy was attacked only by aircraft and U-boats, which sank three merchant ships and two escorts. The aircraft of the escort carrier HMS Avenger did much to deter the U-boats, and the convoy reached Loch Ewe on 26 September.
Why it is remembered The official historian Stephen Roskill criticised Burnett for sending Avenger home on 20 September before three ships were lost on 22 September, while Richard Woodman later judged the risks justified.
Sources differ Stephen Roskill and Richard Woodman disagree over Burnett's decision to release HMS Avenger.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the St. Lawrence
Convoy QS 33 Convoy battle
6 to 10 September 1942 · St. Lawrence River and Gulf of St. Lawrence
Fought between Germany against Canada, Greece, Norway and the United States
Commanders Karl Dönitz, Eberhard Hoffmann, Paul Hartwig (Germany); E. G. Skinner (convoy)
Forces 2 U-boats, against 8 merchant ships and 5 escorts
Ships U-165, U-517
Losses 4 merchant ships and 1 escort sunk
Result German victory
QS 33 was a convoy from Québec to Sydney, Nova Scotia, attacked when U-boats were making forays deep into Canadian waters. U-165 found it on 6 September 1942 and sank two ships, and U-517 sank three.
Why it is remembered It was one of the convoys lost inside Canadian inland waters in the early Battle of the St. Lawrence.
Sources differ One account credits the U-boats with five ships destroyed; another account lists 4 merchant ships and 1 escort.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Canadian War Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy SC 100 Convoy battle
12 to 28 September 1942 · North Atlantic, Sydney (Cape Breton) to Liverpool
Fought between Germany against Canada, Britain, the United States and Poland
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); Captain N. H. Gale (commodore), Commander P. Heineman (escort)
Forces 17 U-boats, against 26 merchant ships and 21 escorts
Losses 5 ships sunk, 110 killed
Result German tactical victory
SC 100, the hundredth slow convoy from Sydney, Cape Breton Island to Liverpool, came under U-boat attack and lost five ships.
Why it is remembered It was one of several convoy battles in the autumn and winter of 1942.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy SC 104 Convoy battle
12 to 16 October 1942 · North Atlantic, Sydney (Cape Breton) to Liverpool
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); Captain F. H. Taylor (commodore), Commander R. Heathcote (escort)
Forces 8 U-boats, against 48 freighters with 2 destroyers and 4 corvettes
Losses Allied: 8 freighters sunk, 2 destroyers damaged, 216 dead. German: 2 U-boats sunk, 2 damaged, 50 dead.
Result German victory
A U-boat wolf pack attacked the slow convoy SC 104 in October 1942 and sank eight of its ships. The escorts sank two of the attacking submarines.
Why it is remembered It was one of the heavy convoy battles of the North Atlantic in late 1942.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy SC 107 Convoy battle
29 October to 4 November 1942 · North Atlantic
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Vice Admiral B. C. Watson (commodore); Lieutenant Commander D. W. Piers RCN (escort); Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 17 U-boats, against 39 freighters, 2 destroyers and 6 corvettes
Ships SS Hobbema, SS Hatimura, U-132
Losses Allied: 15 freighters sunk (83,790 GRT), 150 killed. German: 2 submarines sunk, 100 killed; 3 if U-520, sunk before the attack, is counted.
Result German victory
The ships left New York on 24 October 1942 and were found and attacked by a wolfpack that sank fifteen of them. U-132 torpedoed the ammunition ships Hobbema and Hatimura; both sank, one exploded, and the U-boat was destroyed in the blast.
Why it is remembered It was the heaviest loss of ships from any transatlantic convoy in the winter of 1942 to 1943, and the explosion was one of the largest non-nuclear man-made explosions in history.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy SC 67 Convoy battle
30 January to 15 February 1942 · North Atlantic, Halifax to Liverpool
Fought between Germany against Canada, Britain and Norway
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); Captain E. Rees RNR (commodore)
Forces U-591 and U-136, against 28 merchant ships and 13 escorts
Ships U-591, U-136
Losses 1 merchant ship and 1 warship sunk
Result The convoy reached Liverpool
The convoy left Halifax on 30 January 1942 and picked up a transatlantic escort in Newfoundland. U-591 found it on 10 February and U-136 attacked. The surviving ships reached Liverpool on 15 February.
Why it is remembered It marked the start of the Allied end to end convoy escort system, which lasted until the end of the war.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Naval Museum of Manitoba, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy SC 94 Convoy battle
5 to 10 August 1942 · North Atlantic, Sydney (Nova Scotia) to Liverpool
Fought between Germany against Britain, Canada and Poland
Commanders Vice Admiral D. F. Moir (commodore); Lieutenant Commander A. Ayer RNR (escort); Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 19 U-boats, against 35 freighters, 3 destroyers and 6 corvettes of Group C-1
Losses Allied: 11 freighters sunk (50,780 GRT), 1 destroyer and 1 corvette damaged, 61 killed. German: 2 submarines sunk, 46 killed, 42 captured.
Result German victory
The convoy left Sydney, Nova Scotia on 31 July 1942 with Mid-Ocean Escort Force Group C-1. From 5 to 10 August U-boats sank eleven freighters, and the escorts sank two submarines and captured 42 of their men.
Why it is remembered Heavy losses fell on both sides in this slow convoy battle.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the St. Lawrence
Convoy SQ 36 Convoy battle
12 to 16 September 1942 · St. Lawrence River
Fought between Germany against Canada, Britain, Greece, Norway, the United States and the Netherlands
Commanders Karl Dönitz, Eberhard Hoffmann, Paul Hartwig (Germany)
Forces 2 U-boats, against 22 merchant ships and 7 escorts
Ships U-517, U-165
Losses 3 ships sunk and 2 damaged
Result German tactical victory
SQ 36 was a convoy from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Québec. U-517 found it on 15 September 1942 and sank two ships, while U-165 sank another and damaged two.
Why it is remembered It was one of the convoys attacked deep inside Canadian waters in 1942.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Caribbean
Convoy TAG 18 Convoy battle
2 to 8 November 1942 · Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea, on the route from Trinidad and Aruba to Guantánamo
Fought between Germany against Canada, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Britain, the United States and Venezuela
Commanders Karl Dönitz, Georg Lassen, Hans-Ludwig Witt (Germany)
Forces 2 U-boats, against 37 merchant ships and 8 escorts
Ships U-160, U-129
Losses 6 ships sunk
Result German victory
U-160 under Georg Lassen shadowed the convoy from 1 to 4 November 1942 and was joined on 5 November by U-129 under Hans-Ludwig Witt. Together the two U-boats sank six ships.
Why it is remembered It was one of the heaviest convoy losses in the Caribbean.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: uboat.net
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Caribbean
Convoy TAG 19 Convoy battle
6 to 11 November 1942 · Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea, on the route from Trinidad and Aruba to Guantánamo
Fought between Germany against the Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Britain and the United States
Commanders Karl Dönitz, Georg Staats (Germany)
Forces 1 U-boat, against 31 merchant ships and 14 escorts
Ships U-508
Losses 2 ships sunk
Result German tactical victory
U-508 found the convoy on the night of 5 to 6 November 1942. Her commander, Georg Staats, sank two ships on 7 November in two attacks.
Why it is remembered A single U-boat struck a heavily escorted convoy.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: uboat.net
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Caribbean
Convoy TAG 5 Convoy battle
12 to 16 September 1942 · Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea, on the route from Trinidad and Aruba to Guantánamo
Fought between Germany against Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Britain and the United States
Commanders Karl Dönitz, Günther Krech (Germany)
Forces 1 U-boat, against 17 merchant ships, 1 destroyer, 2 corvettes, 2 submarine chasers and 2 minesweepers
Ships U-558
Losses 2 ships sunk and 1 damaged and later a total loss
Result German tactical victory
U-558 found the convoy on 13 September 1942. Her commander, Günther Krech, destroyed three ships in two attacks.
Why it is remembered It was one of the TAG convoys attacked in the Caribbean in 1942.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Unknown photographer
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Convoy TM 1 Convoy battle
28 December 1942 to 14 January 1943 · Mid-Atlantic, Trinidad to Gibraltar
Fought between Germany against Britain and Belgium
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); Richard Boyle (escort)
Forces Gruppe Delphin of 10 U-boats and 5 other U-boats, against 9 tankers escorted by the destroyer HMS Havelock and the corvettes Godetia, Pimpernel and Saxifrage
Ships HMS Havelock, HMS Godetia, HMS Pimpernel, HMS Saxifrage, Vanja, Empire Lytton
Losses Allied: 7 of the 9 tankers sunk. German: 2 U-boats slightly damaged.
Result German victory
Nine tankers sailed from Trinidad to carry fuel direct to the Mediterranean for the campaign in Tunisia, escorted by Group B5. A U-boat wolf pack attacked over several days; the escorts' radar and HF/DF sets failed, and the short range of the corvettes held the convoy to about 8 knots. Seven of the nine tankers were sunk.
Why it is remembered A Court of Inquiry at Gibraltar dismissed claims that the crew of Vanja had sent homing signals, but upheld complaints of indiscipline aboard Empire Lytton.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the St. Lawrence
Convoys SG 6 and LN 6 Convoy battle
Also known as Convoy SG 6/LN 6
27 to 28 August 1942 · Strait of Belle Isle
Fought between Germany against Canada and the United States
Commanders Karl Dönitz, Eberhard Hoffmann, Paul Hartwig (Germany)
Forces 2 U-boats, U-517 and U-165, against 6 merchant ships and their escorts
Ships Chatham, USCGC Mojave, HMCS Trail, U-517, U-165
Losses 2 ships sunk and 1 damaged
Result German success
Convoy SG 6, from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Greenland, was split in two, with the troopship Chatham escorted by USCGC Mojave as SG 6F. U-517 found SG 6F and sank Chatham, while U-165 attacked SG 6S, sinking one ship and damaging another. HMCS Trail, escorting the nearby convoy LN 6 from Quebec to Goose Bay, broke off to rescue survivors.
Why it is remembered It was part of the U-boat incursion into Canadian waters in 1942.
Sources differ One account dates the attack 27 to 28 August 1942; another account says 27 September 1942.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Naval Museum of Manitoba, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Caribbean
Bombardment of Curaçao Raid
19 April 1942 · Near Willemstad, Curaçao
Fought between Germany against the Netherlands
Commanders Ernst Kals (Germany)
Forces 1 U-boat, against a shore battery of 2 naval guns and 10 soldiers
Losses None on either side
Result Dutch victory; the oil was not destroyed
A German U-boat shelled a Bullen Baai Company petroleum storage facility on Curaçao, aiming to set the oil alight. The attempt failed, and a Dutch shore battery engaged the U-boat without success before she escaped.
Why it is remembered It was one of the German attempts to strike at Allied oil supplies in the Dutch Caribbean.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: uboat.net
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Operation Donnerkeil Air and submarine attack
Also known as Unternehmen Donnerkeil; Operation Thunderbolt
11 to 12 February 1942 · English Channel and North Sea
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Adolf Galland, Max Ibel (Germany); Sholto Douglas, Philip de la Ferté, Trafford Leigh-Mallory (Britain)
Forces 252 Bf 109 and Fw 190 fighters, 30 Bf 110 heavy fighters and 32 Do 217s, against about 450 British aircraft
Ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Prinz Eugen
Losses British: 41 aircraft. German: 17 fighters and 5 bombers, 23 airmen killed.
Result German victory
Donnerkeil was the Luftwaffe operation to protect the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the cruiser Prinz Eugen during the Channel Dash from Brest to Germany. Adolf Galland prepared the fighter cover. The Luftwaffe defeated the British air attacks on the ships, which reached German waters on 13 February.
Why it is remembered It was the air battle that let the German squadron pass through the Channel.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Operation FB Convoy battle
29 October to 9 November 1942 · Arctic Ocean, Iceland to Murmansk
Fought between Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union against Germany
Commanders John Tovey, Arseniy Golovko (Allies); Erich Raeder (Germany)
Forces 13 eastbound merchant ships sailing alone, with trawlers strung along the route as rescue ships, against the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine
Losses Eastbound: 5 sunk, 1 wrecked, 3 recalled
Result Inconclusive
With convoy PQ 19 cancelled because ships were needed for Operation Torch, merchant ships sailed independently between Iceland and Murmansk at about twelve hour intervals, relying on the polar night for concealment. Of thirteen sailings to Russia, three were ordered back and five arrived; of 23 independent departures from the USSR, 22 reached their destination.
Why it is remembered It filled the gap before the new JW convoy series began with JW 51A in December 1942.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Claude Henry Parnall, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Operation Frankton Raid
7 to 12 December 1942 · Gironde estuary and port of Bordeaux, France
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders Herbert Hasler (Britain); Julius Bachmann (Germany)
Forces 13 Royal Marines in 6 folding kayaks, carried by the submarine HMS Tuna
Ships HMS Tuna
Losses British: of the ten men who launched, six captured and executed and two died of hypothermia. German: 2 ships sunk, 2 severely damaged, 2 slightly damaged.
Result British victory
The submarine HMS Tuna carried a small unit of the Royal Marines Boom Patrol Detachment to the Gironde estuary. One kayak was damaged while being launched, and the remaining men paddled by night towards Bordeaux to attack docked cargo ships with limpet mines and then escape to Spain. Two German ships were sunk and four damaged. Only Herbert Hasler and Bill Sparks survived; six men were executed by the Germans and two died of hypothermia.
Why it is remembered The unit later formed the Special Boat Service.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic campaign
Operation Fritham Air and submarine attack
30 April to 14 May 1942 · Green Harbour, Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Fought between Norway and Britain against Germany
Commanders Einar Sverdrup (Norway); Erich Etienne (Germany)
Forces 82 Free Norwegian troops in the transport Selis and the icebreaker Isbjørn, against 4 Focke-Wulf 200 Kondor aircraft
Ships Selis, Isbjørn
Losses Norwegian: 12 killed including Sverdrup, 11 to 15 wounded, most supplies lost with the ships
Result Both ships sunk, though the Allied foothold on Svalbard was later consolidated
A party of Free Norwegian troops sailed from Scotland on 30 April 1942 to reoccupy Spitsbergen, secure its coal mines and eject a German weather party. On 14 May four German reconnaissance bombers sank their ships in Green Harbour, killing the commander Einar Sverdrup and eleven others. Survivors were later supplied by Catalina flying boats until Operation Gearbox took over.
Why it is remembered By autumn the Allies held Svalbard and used Spitsbergen to refuel Arctic convoy escorts.
Sources differ One account gives eleven wounded; another account 15 wounded and 2 died of wounds.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Feichtenberger, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Operation Harpoon Convoy battle
Also known as Battle of Pantelleria; Battaglia di mezzo giugno (Battle of mid-June)
12 to 15 June 1942 · Western and central Mediterranean, from Gibraltar towards Malta, near Pantelleria
Fought between Britain and Poland against Italy and Germany
Commanders Alban Curteis, Cecil Hardy (Allies); Alberto da Zara (Italy)
Forces 2 aircraft carriers, 1 battleship, 4 light cruisers, 1 minelayer, 17 destroyers, 4 minesweepers and 6 motor launches escorting 6 merchant ships, against 2 light cruisers, 5 destroyers and aircraft
Losses Allied: over 101 killed, over 20 wounded, 217 captured; 2 destroyers and 4 merchant ships sunk; 2 light cruisers, 3 destroyers, 1 minesweeper and 1 merchant ship damaged. Axis: 12 killed, 1 destroyer damaged, 29 aircraft.
Result Italian and German victory; 2 of the 6 merchant ships reached Malta
Harpoon was the eastbound half of two simultaneous convoys to Malta, sailing from Gibraltar while Operation Vigorous sailed west from Alexandria. Axis aircraft and an Italian squadron attacked the Harpoon convoy. Two of its six merchant ships reached Malta, at the cost of several Allied warships.
Why it is remembered Details of the operations had been leaked without knowing it by the US military attaché in Egypt, Colonel Bonner Fellers, whose code the Italians had broken.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: An unknown crewmember of the Italian destroyer Oriani, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Operation Neuland Blockade and raiding
16 February to late March 1942 · Caribbean Sea
Fought between Germany and Italy against the United States, Britain and the Netherlands
Commanders Karl Dönitz, Romolo Polacchini (Axis); John H. Hoover (United States)
Forces 11 submarines, against Allied forces including USS Barney, USS Blakeley and USS Lapwing
Ships USS Barney, USS Blakeley, USS Lapwing
Losses Allied: 45 cargo ships and 1 lighthouse tender sunk, 10 cargo ships damaged. Axis: 1 killed, 1 wounded, 1 submarine damaged.
Result Axis victory
The Kriegsmarine extended unrestricted submarine warfare into the Caribbean, striking at British petroleum and American aluminium supplies. The U-boats showed a range that Allied pre-war planning had not foreseen, and sank 45 cargo ships for very small losses.
Why it is remembered The U-boats never again had such opportunities in the Caribbean as the surprise of this operation gave them.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: United States Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Siege of Malta
Operation Pedestal Convoy battle
Also known as Battaglia di Mezzo Agosto (Battle of mid-August); Il-Konvoj ta' Santa Marija (Santa Maria Convoy)
3 to 15 August 1942 · Western and central Mediterranean, from Gibraltar to Malta
Fought between Britain and the United States against Italy and Germany
Commanders Neville Syfret, Harold Burrough (Britain); Alberto Da Zara (Italy); Albert Kesselring (Germany)
Forces 4 aircraft carriers, 2 battleships, 7 light cruisers, 32 destroyers, smaller warships, 11 submarines, 14 merchant ships and 2 fleet oilers, against 3 heavy cruisers, 3 light cruisers, 12 destroyers, 23 motor torpedo boats, 21 submarines, 285 bombers and 304 fighters
Ships Ohio, HMS Furious
Losses Allied: 1 aircraft carrier, 2 light cruisers, 1 destroyer and 9 merchant ships sunk, others damaged, 34 aircraft, 350 to over 550 killed. Axis: 2 submarines sunk, 1 heavy and 1 light cruiser damaged, 48 to 60 aircraft, about 100 killed or missing.
Result Axis tactical success and British strategic victory; Malta was resupplied
The convoy sailed from Britain on 3 August 1942 and entered the Mediterranean on the night of 9 to 10 August. Axis bombers, German E-boats, Italian MAS and MS boats, minefields and submarines attacked it all the way to Malta. Only five of the fourteen merchant ships reached Grand Harbour, but they included the tanker Ohio, American owned with a British crew, carrying the fuel Malta needed.
Why it is remembered In Malta it is remembered as the Santa Maria Convoy; Ohio's aviation fuel revived the island's air offensive against Axis shipping. It was the last sizeable Axis success in the Mediterranean.
Sources differ Allied dead are given as 350 to over 550, and the main account says more than 500.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Operation Postmaster Raid
14 January 1942 · Santa Isabel harbour, Fernando Po (Bioko), Spanish Guinea
Fought between Britain against Germany and Italy
Commanders Gus March-Phillipps (Britain); Captain Specht (Germany)
Forces 11 men of the Small Scale Raiding Force, 4 SOE men and 17 local volunteers in two tugs, with HMS Violet, against the crews of Duchessa d'Aosta, Likomba and Bibundi
Ships Duchessa d'Aosta, Likomba, Bibundi, Maid Honor, HMS Violet
Losses Axis: 1 merchant ship and 2 smaller vessels captured, 29 crew captured. British: none.
Result British victory
The Small Scale Raiding Force sailed the Brixham trawler Maid Honor from Britain to West Africa. Local British authorities refused support because the raid broke Spanish neutrality, but London approved it. While the ships' officers were at a party arranged by an SOE agent, the commandos entered the harbour in two tugs, overpowered the crews and sailed off with the Italian merchant ship Duchessa d'Aosta and two smaller vessels.
Why it is remembered It boosted the reputation of SOE at a critical time.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Second Battle of Sirte Convoy battle
22 March 1942 · North of the Gulf of Sidra, south east of Malta
Fought between Britain against Italy
Commanders Philip Vian (Britain); Angelo Iachino (Italy)
Forces 4 light cruisers, 1 anti-aircraft cruiser, 17 or 18 destroyers and 1 submarine escorting 4 merchant ships, against 1 battleship, 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 10 destroyers and 1 submarine
Losses British: 39 killed, 3 light cruisers damaged, 2 destroyers disabled, 3 destroyers damaged. Italian: no casualties, 1 battleship slightly damaged.
Result Disputed; the British escorts held off the Italian squadron
The escorting warships of a British convoy of four merchant ships bound for Malta met a much stronger Italian squadron north of the Gulf of Sidra. The British cruisers and destroyers held off the Italian battleship, cruisers and destroyers.
Why it is remembered A force of light cruisers and destroyers kept a battleship away from a convoy.
Sources differ One account gives 17 British destroyers, another account 18.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Zimmerman, E A (Lt), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Sinking of U-85 Single-ship action
14 April 1942 · East of Bodie Island, off the Outer Banks of North Carolina
Fought between United States against Germany
Commanders Hamilton W. Howe, Stanley C. Norton (USS Roper); Eberhard Greger (U-85)
Forces The destroyer USS Roper against the submarine U-85
Ships USS Roper, U-85
Losses U-85 scuttled with all 46 officers and crew killed. US: none.
Result American victory
Just after midnight USS Roper found U-85 by radar off North Carolina, at first taking her for a fishing boat or Coast Guard vessel. The U-boat fired a stern torpedo that narrowly missed. Roper's machine gun kept the Germans from their deck gun and a shell damaged the conning tower, but the damage was not enough to sink her, which suggests her crew scuttled her. None of her crew survived; Roper recovered 29 bodies next morning, and they were buried with military honours at Hampton, Virginia.
Why it is remembered It was the first enemy submarine sunk by the US Navy in American home waters.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Battle of Skerki Bank Convoy battle
Also known as La distruzione del Convoglio Aventino (Italian)
2 December 1942 · Skerki Bank, Strait of Sicily
Fought between Britain and Australia against Italy and Germany
Commanders Cecil Harcourt (Britain); Aldo Cocchia (Italy)
Forces Force Q: 3 light cruisers and 2 destroyers, against Convoy H of 2 troopships, 1 ferry and 1 motor raft escorted by 3 destroyers and 2 torpedo boats
Ships HMS Quentin, HMAS Quiberon
Losses Italian and German: about 2,200 killed; 1 destroyer, 2 troopships, 1 ferry and 1 motor raft sunk; 1 destroyer and 2 torpedo boats damaged. British: splinter damage in the action; next day the destroyer Quentin was sunk and Quiberon damaged by torpedo bombers.
Result British victory
In the early hours of 2 December 1942 Force Q, a Royal Navy flotilla of cruisers and destroyers, attacked the Italian Convoy H and its escort near Skerki Bank. It sank all four merchant vessels and one escorting destroyer for only minor splinter damage. At 06:30 on 3 December Luftwaffe torpedo bombers sank the destroyer Quentin and damaged Quiberon.
Why it is remembered It was the first and most important success of Force Q, and about 2,200 men died on the Axis side.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: An unknown serviceman of the Regia Marina, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Continuation War
Battle of Someri Fleet battle
8 to 10 July 1942 · Someri (Sommers) island, Gulf of Finland
Fought between Finland and Germany against the Soviet Union
Commanders Veikko Rauhaniemi (Finland); Gordey Levchenko (Soviet Union)
Forces 277 men and 11 boats, against 313 men and 30 boats
Losses Finnish: 23 killed, 68 wounded, 2 gunboats and 2 minesweepers damaged. Soviet: 7 patrol boats and motor torpedo boats sunk, 11 damaged, 1 gunboat and 1 minesweeper damaged, 5 aircraft shot down, 128 killed, 200 drowned, 149 captured.
Result Finnish victory
A Soviet operation to clear a Finnish observation post from the small island of Someri grew into a battle between flotillas of gunboats, minesweepers, patrol boats and motor torpedo boats. The Finns held the island and the Soviet force lost seven boats and several hundred men.
Why it is remembered It became one of the largest surface ship engagements in the Baltic theatre.
Sources differ One account dates it 8 to 9 July 1942, another account 8 to 10 July.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic convoys
Operation Sportpalast Blockade and raiding
Also known as Unternehmen Nordmeer (Operation Northern Sea)
6 to 13 March 1942 · Norwegian Sea
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Otto Ciliax (Germany); John Tovey (Britain)
Forces 1 battleship, 3 destroyers and 8 submarines, against 2 battleships, 1 battlecruiser, 1 aircraft carrier, 1 cruiser and 12 destroyers
Ships Tirpitz, HMS Victorious
Losses German: 1 aircraft. British: 2 aircraft, 1 merchant ship and 1 armed whaler.
Result Inconclusive
Tirpitz, three destroyers and eight submarines sailed on 6 March to attack two Arctic convoys. Warned by decoded signals, the British diverted the convoys and the Home Fleet tried to catch the German force. The Germans found neither convoy but sank an independently sailing merchant ship. On 9 March torpedo bombers from HMS Victorious attacked Tirpitz as she returned to Norway but missed, and two aircraft were shot down.
Why it is remembered It was the first big German attack on the Arctic convoys, and after it the Kriegsmarine became far more cautious with Tirpitz.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Parnall, C H (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
St Nazaire Raid Raid
Also known as Operation Chariot
28 March 1942 · Normandie dry dock, St Nazaire, France
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders Robert Ryder, Stephen Beattie, Augustus Newman (Britain); Karl-Conrad Mecke, Herbert Sohler (Germany)
Forces 346 Royal Navy men and 265 Commandos in the destroyer HMS Campbeltown, with HMS Tynedale, HMS Atherstone, the submarine HMS Sturgeon, a motor gun boat, a motor torpedo boat and 16 motor launches, against about 5,000 German troops and harbour defences
Ships HMS Campbeltown, HMS Tynedale, HMS Atherstone, HMS Sturgeon, MGB 314, MTB 74, Jaguar
Losses British: Campbeltown expended, 1 motor gun boat, 1 MTB and 13 motor launches lost; 169 killed, 215 taken prisoner. German: the Normandie dock destroyed, over 360 dead, 2 tankers and 2 tugs.
Result British victory; the dock was out of action until 1948
The old destroyer Campbeltown, packed with hidden delayed action explosives and accompanied by 18 small craft, crossed to St Nazaire and rammed the south gate of the Normandie dry dock, the only one able to take Tirpitz. Commandos landed to destroy machinery, but German gunfire sank, burned or disabled almost all the small craft meant to take them home. The charges in Campbeltown exploded later that day and wrecked the dock. Of 612 men, 228 returned to Britain.
Why it is remembered Eighty nine decorations were awarded, including five Victoria Crosses, and it has been called the greatest raid of all.
Sources differ The London Gazette gives 353 Royal Navy and 268 Commandos, against 346 and 265 elsewhere.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Eastern Front
Battle of Sukho Island Landing or siege
Also known as Operation Brazil (Unternehmen Brasil)
22 October 1942 · Sukho Island, Lake Ladoga
Fought between Germany, Italy and Finland against the Soviet Union
Commanders Friedrich Siebel, Max Wachtel (Germany); Viktor Cherokov, Nikolai Ozarovsky (Soviet Union)
Forces 11 combat ferries, 3 transport ferries, 7 infantry boats, HQ and hospital ferries with 70 troops, screened by 3 MAS boats; against 90 to 100 Soviet troops with three 100 mm guns, a minesweeper and a patrol boat, joined by 3 gunboats, 3 minesweepers, 5 patrol boats, 2 armoured gunboats and 2 MTBs
Losses Axis: 4 combat ferries and 1 infantry boat lost, 18 killed, 57 wounded, 4 missing, aircraft lost. Soviet: 1 gunboat and 1 patrol boat damaged, 2 coastal guns destroyed, 6 aircraft, 6 killed, 23 wounded, 6 captured.
Result Soviet victory
A German Luftwaffe naval detachment of armed ferries made an amphibious attack on the Soviet held island of Sukho on Lake Ladoga. Soviet gunboats and smaller craft pursued the attackers, who lost four combat ferries and a boat.
Why it is remembered It was a rare lake battle between a Luftwaffe flotilla and the Soviet Navy.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Attack on the convoy off Matveyev Island Convoy battle
Also known as Rasstrel karavana sudov u Matveyeva ostrova (Russian)
17 August 1942 · About 2 nautical miles north of Matveyev Island, Barents Sea
Fought between Germany against the Soviet Union
Commanders Heinrich Brodda (U-209)
Forces The submarine U-209 against an unarmed, unescorted Soviet convoy of 3 tugs and 2 barges sailing from Khabarovo to Naryan-Mar for the NKVD
Ships U-209, Komsomolets, P-4, Nord, Komiles, Litr-Sh
Losses 305 killed: 17 crew, 17 local residents, 23 Yugorlag staff, 245 prisoners and 3 released prisoners. The barges P-4 and Litr-Sh and the tug Komiles sunk; the tug Komsomolets set on fire and beached. About 23 rescued.
Result 4 of the 5 ships sunk or disabled
U-209 attacked a small unarmed Soviet convoy carrying prisoners of the Yugorlag camp, with gunfire and torpedoes. The barge P-4 was set on fire and later sunk, the tug Komiles and the barge Litr-Sh were sunk by gunfire, and the tug Komsomolets was set on fire and beached on Matveyev Island. The tug Nord survived, and the minesweepers TSh-54 and TSh-62 rescued about 23 people.
Why it is remembered Most of the dead were prisoners. A monument to the crew of Komsomolets was unveiled in Naryan-Mar in 1968, and the wreck of Komiles is listed as underwater cultural heritage.
Sources differ Claims that the submariners fired on people in the water are disputed by the historian A. A. Sergeev, as the witnesses are unidentified and German records do not mention it. The barge Litr-Sh is called P-3 in some sources.
Sources Wikipedia (RU)
Image: Unknown photographer
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Operation Title Raid
26 October to 5 November 1942 · Trondheimsfjorden, Norway
Fought between Britain and Norway against Germany
Commanders Leif Larsen, William Brewster (Allies); Karl Topp (Germany)
Forces 2 British Chariot manned torpedoes carried by the small Norwegian boat Arthur, against the battleship Tirpitz and patrol boats
Ships Tirpitz, Arthur
Losses Allied: both Chariots lost, Arthur scuttled, 1 man captured and later executed. German: 1 killed.
Result Allied failure; the attack was abandoned
Two British Chariot manned torpedoes were carried towards Tirpitz's anchorage in Trondheimsfjord by the Norwegian boat Arthur, whose captain Leif Larsen bluffed past German defences with forged papers. On the evening of 31 October bad weather tore both Chariots loose shortly before the attack, and it had to be abandoned. Arthur was scuttled and the men tried to escape to Sweden; all but one reached it, and the one captured British serviceman was murdered on 19 January 1943.
Why it is remembered Historians see it as a skilful attack that failed through bad luck and faulty workmanship. Tirpitz was later damaged in Operation Source and sunk by RAF bombers in November 1944.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Beadell, S J (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, North African campaign
Operation Torch Landing or siege
8 to 16 November 1942 · Casablanca, Oran and Algiers, French Morocco and Algeria
Fought between United States and Britain against Vichy France, with German and Italian submarines
Commanders Dwight D. Eisenhower, George S. Patton, Henry Kent Hewitt, Lloyd Fredendall, Andrew Cunningham, Kenneth Anderson (Allies); François Darlan, Alphonse Juin, Charles Noguès, Frix Michelier (Vichy France)
Forces 107,000 Allied troops, 350 warships, 500 transports and 108 aircraft, against 125,000 Vichy troops, 1 partly armed battleship, 10 other warships, 11 submarines and shore batteries, with 42 German and 21 Italian submarines
Losses Allied: 556 US and 574 British dead; 1 escort carrier, 4 destroyers, 2 sloops, 6 troopships, 1 minesweeper and 1 auxiliary anti-aircraft ship lost. Vichy: over 1,346 dead, 1,997 wounded; 1 light cruiser, 5 destroyers, 2 flotilla leaders and 6 submarines lost. Germany: 8 submarines; Italy: 2.
Result Allied victory
Allied forces landed in three places in Vichy French North Africa. The Western Task Force met bad weather and unexpected resistance, and took Casablanca, the main French Atlantic naval base, after a short siege. The Centre Task Force had ships damaged landing in shallow water, and Oran surrendered after bombardment by British battleships. The Eastern Task Force met less opposition and forced the surrender of Algiers on the first day.
Why it is remembered Admiral Darlan ordered Vichy forces to cooperate with the Allies, and the landings let American forces begin fighting Germany and Italy.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Operation Vigorous Convoy battle
Also known as Battaglia di mezzo giugno (Battle of mid-June); Convoy MW 11
11 to 16 June 1942 · Eastern Mediterranean, between Crete and Cyrenaica, towards Malta
Fought between Britain and Australia against Italy and Germany
Commanders Philip Vian (Britain); Angelo Iachino (Italy)
Forces 8 light cruisers, 26 destroyers, 9 submarines, 4 corvettes, 2 minesweepers, 4 MTBs and other ships escorting 11 merchant ships, against 2 battleships, 2 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, 12 destroyers, 6 E-boats, 2 U-boats and about 220 aircraft
Ships HMS Hermione, HMS Airedale, HMS Hasty, HMAS Nestor, HMS Newcastle, Aagtekerk, Bhutan, Trento, Littorio
Losses Allied: 1 light cruiser, 3 destroyers and 2 merchant ships sunk, 1 MTB foundered, 3 cruisers and 2 merchant ships damaged, about 200 killed. Axis: 1 heavy cruiser sunk, 1 battleship damaged, 21 aircraft, about 600 killed, 570 of them on Trento.
Result Italian and German victory; the convoy turned back
Convoy MW 11 sailed from Haifa, Port Said and Alexandria for Malta as the eastern half of Operation Julius. Through Bomb Alley between Crete and Cyrenaica it was attacked by bombers, dive bombers, torpedo bombers, E-boats and submarines. When the Italian battlefleet came within 150 nautical miles the convoy turned back; British aircraft and submarines sank the heavy cruiser Trento but did little more, and after several turns the convoy returned to Alexandria on 16 June.
Why it is remembered With Harpoon, it left Malta short of supplies; no convoys ran from the east until Libya was retaken. Its plans had been leaked through the broken code of the US attaché Bonner Fellers.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic campaign
Operation Wunderland Blockade and raiding
Also known as Operation Wonderland; Unternehmen Wunderland
16 to 30 August 1942 · Kara Sea and Barents Sea, off the Soviet Arctic coast
Fought between Germany against the Soviet Union
Commanders Hubert Schmundt, Wilhelm Meendsen-Bohlken (Germany); Arseniy Golovko, Anatoli Kacharava (Soviet Union)
Forces The cruiser Admiral Scheer, the destroyers Friedrich Eckoldt, Erich Steinbrinck and Richard Beitzen, and the U-boats U-209, U-251, U-456 and U-601, against the Soviet Northern Fleet
Ships Admiral Scheer, A. Sibiryakov
Losses Soviet: about 80 killed, the icebreaker A. Sibiryakov and 5 cargo ships sunk, 2 cargo ships and 2 gunboats damaged. German: none.
Result German victory
Warned by Japanese intelligence of a convoy on the Northern Sea Route, Germany sent Admiral Scheer with U-boats and reconnaissance aircraft into the Kara Sea, where she met pack ice. Her floatplane found several groups of ships. Admiral Scheer sank the icebreaker A. Sibiryakov and bombarded the Soviet base at Dikson before returning to Kirkenes; the U-boats achieved more than the cruiser.
Why it is remembered It was the first part of a German attempt to dominate the seas of the western Arctic.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Mohonu at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Italian campaign)
Allied invasion of Sicily Landing or siege
Also known as Operation Husky; Battle of Sicily
9 July to 17 August 1943 · Sicily, Italy
Fought between United States, Britain, Canada, Free France, Australia and Greece against Italy and Germany
Commanders Dwight D. Eisenhower, Harold Alexander, George S. Patton, Bernard Montgomery, Andrew Cunningham (naval forces), Alexandros Sakellariou (Greek naval forces) and Arthur Tedder (Allies); Vittorio Ambrosio, Albert Kesselring, Alfredo Guzzoni and Hans-Valentin Hube (Axis)
Forces Allies: 160,000 personnel, 600 tanks, 14,000 vehicles and 1,800 guns at first, rising to 467,000 personnel. Italy: 131,359 to 252,000 personnel, 260 tanks and 1,400 aircraft. Germany: 40,000 to 60,000 personnel
Losses Britain and Canada: 2,938 killed, 9,212 wounded, 2,782 missing. United States: 2,811 killed, 6,471 wounded, 686 missing. Italy: 4,678 killed, 32,500 wounded, 116,861 captured or missing. Germany: 4,325 killed, 13,500 wounded, 10,106 captured or missing
Result Allied victory
Operation Husky began on the night of 9 to 10 July 1943 with a large amphibious and airborne assault on Sicily, defended by the Italian 6th Army and the German XIV Panzer Corps. A six week land campaign followed and ended on 17 August. Axis air, land and naval forces were driven from the island.
Why it is remembered The invasion opened the Mediterranean to Allied merchant shipping for the first time since 1941, led to the fall of Mussolini and began the Italian campaign.
Sources differ Italian strength is given as anywhere from 131,359 to 252,000 personnel and German strength as 40,000 to 60,000.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Allied invasion of Italy
Operation Avalanche Landing or siege
Also known as Salerno landings; Top Hat (planning name)
9 to 17 September 1943 · Salerno, Italy
Fought between Britain and the United States against Germany
Commanders Mark W. Clark (Allies); Heinrich von Vietinghoff, Traugott Herr, Rudolf Sieckenius (Germany)
Forces About 170,000 Allied servicemen of the US Fifth Army, against 35,000 Germans
Losses Allied: 2,149 killed, 7,365 wounded, 4,099 missing, including 83 Royal Navy and 296 US Navy killed. German: 840 killed, 2,002 wounded, 603 missing.
Result Allied victory
The US Fifth Army landed near Salerno on 9 September 1943, the day after Italy left the war, without a preliminary bombardment, but failed to achieve surprise. German defences and a counter-attack by the 16th Panzer Division caused heavy casualties, though the beaches were taken. From 12 to 14 September six German divisions counter-attacked and came close to the beaches in places, and the shrunken perimeter was held with naval and air support.
Why it is remembered It was the main Allied landing on the Italian mainland, aimed at the port of Naples.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Atlantic
Battle of the Bay of Biscay Fleet battle
Also known as Operation Bernau
28 December 1943 · Bay of Biscay
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders Charles Clark, Harold Grant (Britain); Franz Kohlauf, Hans Erdmenger (Germany)
Forces 2 light cruisers, against 5 destroyers, 6 torpedo boats and 1 aircraft
Ships HMS Enterprise, HMS Glasgow, Z27, T25, T26
Losses German: 532 killed, the destroyer Z27 and torpedo boats T25 and T26 sunk, 1 torpedo boat damaged. British: 2 killed, 1 cruiser damaged.
Result British victory
German destroyers and torpedo boats sailed to meet a blockade runner and escort her into port. The British cruisers Enterprise and Glasgow, part of Operation Stonewall against blockade runners off western France, intercepted them. In a confused action the cruisers sank the destroyer Z27 and the torpedo boats T25 and T26.
Why it is remembered Two cruisers defeated a much larger force of German destroyers and torpedo boats, and 532 German sailors died.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Norman Wilkinson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Battle of the Campobasso Convoy Convoy battle
3 to 4 May 1943 · Off Cape Bon, east of Kelibia, Tunisia
Fought between Britain against Italy
Commanders Deric Holland-Martin (Britain); Saverio Marotta (Italy)
Forces The destroyers HMS Nubian, HMS Paladin and HMS Petard, against the torpedo boat Perseo escorting the freighter Campobasso (3,566 GRT)
Ships HMS Nubian, HMS Paladin, HMS Petard, Perseo, Campobasso
Losses Italian: Campobasso and Perseo sunk; Campobasso lost 73 of her crew and Perseo 50 of 133, by the main account's count. British: none.
Result British victory
Three British destroyers lit up the Italian freighter Campobasso and her escort, the torpedo boat Perseo, with star shell east of Kelibia. Perseo fired torpedoes at the British ships and turned away to the north west. Campobasso blew up under British gunfire, and Perseo, lit up by more star shell, was badly damaged and sank an hour later; her captain was killed.
Why it is remembered It was one of the night actions against Axis supply convoys to Tunisia in the last weeks of the North African campaign.
Sources differ One account gives 73 killed and 20 survivors from Campobasso and 50 killed and 83 rescued from Perseo; another account gives 76 merchant seamen and 133 navy men killed, 209 in all, with 103 rescued.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Mediterranean)
Battle of the Cigno Convoy Single-ship action
Also known as Belluno Convoy
16 April 1943 · South east of Marettimo, west of Sicily
Fought between Britain against Italy
Commanders Basil Jones (Britain); Carlo Maccaferri (Italy)
Forces 2 British destroyers against Italian torpedo boats escorting the transport Belluno
Ships Belluno, Tifone
Losses Britain: 10 killed, 14 wounded, 1 destroyer scuttled, 1 destroyer damaged. Italy: about 130 killed, 1 torpedo boat sunk, 1 torpedo boat severely damaged
Result Italian victory
In the early hours of 16 April 1943 two British destroyers attacked Italian torpedo boats escorting the transport Belluno to Tunisia; the torpedo boat Tifone carried aviation fuel. The Italian escorts drove off the attack, losing one torpedo boat. A British destroyer disabled by Italian gunfire was scuttled when it was clear she could not reach port before dawn.
Why it is remembered A rare Italian success in the convoy war to Tunisia, in which the escort beat off two British destroyers.
Sources differ One account says two Italian torpedo boats fought; another account gives four torpedo boats and a transport.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: An unidentified serviceman of the Regia Marina, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy Faith Air and submarine attack
8 to 12 July 1943 · Atlantic Ocean, about 480 km west of Portugal
Fought between Germany against Britain, Canada and the United States
Commanders W. G. Busk-Wood (Britain)
Forces Germany: three Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condors in the first attack, two aircraft in the second. Allies: two troopships and a freighter, with two destroyers, two frigates and two flying boats
Ships SS California, SS Duchess of York, MV Port Fairy
Losses Allies: 115 killed, two troopships sunk, one freighter damaged. Germany: one wounded, one aircraft damaged
Result German victory
The small fast convoy sailed from Britain for West Africa on 7 July 1943 with the troopships California and Duchess of York and the ammunition ship Port Fairy. On the evening of 11 July three Fw 200 Condors attacked and severely damaged both troopships, killing over 100 of those aboard; the escorts then sank the burning ships with torpedoes. Port Fairy escaped but was damaged in a second air attack on 12 July on her way to Casablanca.
Why it is remembered The British had believed the Condors were no longer a serious threat, and moved the Britain to Africa convoy route further west. Later Condor attacks on other convoys cost the Germans heavy losses.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy HX 228 Convoy battle
10 to 11 March 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain, Free France and Poland
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); J. O. Dunn, convoy commodore, and A. A. Tait, Escort Group B-3 (killed) (Allies)
Forces 9 U-boats against 60 merchant ships and 8 escorts
Losses Allies: 4 ships (24,175 GRT) and 1 warship. Germany: 2 U-boats
Result Inconclusive
The eastbound convoy was attacked by nine U-boats on 10 and 11 March 1943. Four merchant ships and one escort were lost, and two U-boats were destroyed. The escort group leader, Commander A. A. “Harry” Tait, was killed.
Why it is remembered One of four convoy battles of the crisis month of March 1943, remembered for the death of Commander Tait.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy HX 231 Convoy battle
4 to 7 April 1943 (convoy at sea 25 March to 10 April 1943) · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); Charles Ramsey, convoy commodore, and Peter Gretton, escort commander (Allies)
Forces 11 U-boats of gruppe Löwenherz against 67 merchant ships and 19 escorts, including Escort Group B 7
Ships U-632, U-635
Losses Germany: 2 U-boats sunk (U-632 and U-635). Allies: 6 ships sunk
The convoy left New York on 25 March 1943 and was met on 31 March by Escort Group B 7 of the Mid-Ocean Escort Force. U-boats found it on 4 April, and eleven boats from Brest, La Rochelle, St Nazaire and Lorient, formed as gruppe Löwenherz, sank six ships before losing contact on 7 April. Two U-boats were lost. The convoy reached Liverpool on 10 April.
Why it is remembered One of the North Atlantic convoy battles of spring 1943, fought by the escort group of Peter Gretton.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Haig Parry W (of Middlesbrough), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy HX 237 Convoy battle
9 to 13 May 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); R. Gill, convoy commodore, and E. H. Chavasse, Escort Group C-2 (Allies)
Forces 19 U-boats against 47 merchant ships and 5 escorts
Losses Allies: 3 ships sunk (21,389 GRT), 58 dead. Germany: 3 U-boats destroyed, 144 dead
Result Inconclusive
The convoy was attacked by 19 U-boats between 9 and 13 May 1943. Three merchant ships were sunk, and three U-boats were destroyed.
Why it is remembered One of the convoy battles of May 1943, the month in which the U-boat arm suffered its heaviest losses.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Photographer not idenfied, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Arctic convoys)
Convoy JW 55B Convoy battle
Late December 1943 · Arctic Ocean, on passage from Britain to the Soviet northern ports
Fought between Britain and Norway against Germany
Ships Scharnhorst, HMS Duke of York, HNoMS Stord
Losses Convoy: none. Germany: the battleship Scharnhorst sunk in the Battle of the North Cape
Result All convoy ships arrived safely
The convoy sailed from Britain for the Soviet Union in late December 1943. A German force with the battleship Scharnhorst came out to attack it but never made contact. Scharnhorst was sunk in the Battle of the North Cape by HMS Duke of York, a few Royal Navy light warships and the Norwegian destroyer HNoMS Stord, and every ship of the convoy arrived.
Why it is remembered The convoy drew out Scharnhorst, leading to her loss at the Battle of the North Cape.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy ON 166 Convoy battle
20 to 25 February 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain, the United States, Canada and Poland
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); W. E. B. Magee and P. R. Heineman (Allies)
Forces 18 U-boats against 63 freighters, 1 destroyer, 2 cutters and 5 corvettes
Ships USCGC Campbell, USCGC Spencer, HMS Dianthus, HMCS Chilliwack, HMCS Rosthern, HMCS Trillium, HMCS Dauphin
Losses Allies: 14 freighters sunk (87,994 GRT), 262 killed or drowned. Germany: 3 U-boats sunk, 128 killed or drowned, 11 captured
Result German tactical victory
Sixty-three ships left Liverpool on 11 February 1943 and were met next day by Mid-Ocean Escort Force Group A-3: the Treasury class cutters Campbell and Spencer and five Flower class corvettes. Between 20 and 25 February 18 U-boats attacked the convoy and sank 14 freighters. Three U-boats were sunk.
Why it is remembered One of the heavy convoy defeats of early 1943 on the North Atlantic route to New York.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Harold William John Tomlin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy ON 207 Convoy battle
26 to 29 October 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); J. A. Burnett, escort commander (Allies)
Forces 18 U-boats against 52 merchant ships and 19 escorts
Losses Allies: none. Germany: 3 U-boats destroyed
Result Allied victory
In October 1943 18 U-boats attacked the westbound convoy ON 207. The convoy lost no ships, and three U-boats were destroyed.
Why it is remembered It was the fourth battle of the German autumn offensive of 1943 and ended without a single Allied loss.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy ONS 5 Convoy battle
29 April to 6 May 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); J. K. Brook, convoy commodore, and Peter Gretton, Escort Group B7 (Allies)
Forces Over 30 U-boats, in the groups Star (16) and Finke (27), against 42 merchant ships and 7 escorts
Losses Allies: 13 ships sunk, 63,000 gross register tons. Germany: 7 U-boats sunk and 7 damaged
The slow outbound convoy ONS 5 was attacked in the North Atlantic over a week in late April and early May 1943. More than 30 U-boats took part and both sides suffered severe losses. Thirteen merchant ships were sunk, and seven U-boats were destroyed.
Why it is remembered It is regarded as the turning point of the Battle of the Atlantic, when the advantage passed to the Allies, opening the period the Kriegsmarine called Black May.
Sources differ One account speaks of more than 50 Allied ships and more than 30 U-boats; another account lists 42 ships, 7 escorts and groups of 16 and 27 U-boats.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy SC 118 Convoy battle
4 to 7 February 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain, Canada, the United States and Free France
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); H. C. C. Forsyth and Proudfoot (Allies)
Forces 20 U-boats against 64 freighters, 5 destroyers, 2 cutters and 4 corvettes
Ships USCGC Bibb, HMS Beverley, HMS Vanessa, HMS Vimy, Abelia, Campanula, Lobelia, Mignonette, Toward
Losses Allies: 8 merchant ships sunk (51,592 GRT), 445 killed. Germany: 3 U-boats sunk and 3 damaged, 101 killed, 45 captured
The slow convoy left New York on 24 January 1943 and was met by Mid-Ocean Escort Force Group B-2, with the cutter Bibb, the destroyers Beverley, Vanessa and Vimy, four Flower class corvettes and the rescue ship Toward. Twenty U-boats attacked it between 4 and 7 February. Eight merchant ships were sunk with 445 dead, and three U-boats were lost.
Why it is remembered One of the costly North Atlantic convoy battles of early 1943.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy SC 121 Convoy battle
6 to 10 March 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain, the United States and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); H. C. Birnie (killed) and P. R. Heineman (Allies)
Forces 27 U-boats against 69 freighters, 2 destroyers, 3 cutters and 4 corvettes
Ships USCGC Spencer, USS Greer, HMS Dianthus, HMCS Rosthern, HMCS Trillium, HMCS Dauphin, Melrose Abbey
Losses Allies: 12 freighters sunk (55,673 GRT), 270 killed or drowned. Germany: none
Result German victory
The slow convoy left New York on 23 February 1943 under Mid-Ocean Escort Force Group A-3, three of whose escorts had defective sonar and three unserviceable radar. Between 6 and 10 March 27 U-boats attacked and sank 12 freighters. No U-boat was lost.
Why it is remembered One of the convoy battles of the crisis month of March 1943, with heavy losses for none on the German side.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Harold William John Tomlin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy SC 129 Convoy battle
11 to 13 May 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); R. D. Binks, convoy commodore, and D. MacIntyre, Escort Group B-2 (Britain)
Forces 25 U-boats against 25 merchant ships and 8 escorts
Losses Britain: 2 ships sunk (7,627 GRT), 3 dead. Germany: 1 U-boat destroyed, 2 damaged, 53 dead
Twenty-five U-boats attacked the slow convoy SC 129 between 11 and 13 May 1943. Only two merchant ships were sunk, and one U-boat was destroyed.
Why it is remembered One of the convoy battles of the crisis month of May 1943.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy SC 130 Convoy battle
18 to 20 May 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); H. C. Forsyth, convoy commodore, and Peter Gretton, Escort Group B-7 (Allies)
Forces 25 U-boats against 37 merchant ships and 8 escorts
Losses Allies: no ships sunk. Germany: 3 U-boats destroyed, 1 damaged, 142 dead
Result Allied victory
Twenty-five U-boats attacked the slow convoy SC 130 between 18 and 20 May 1943. The escort group under Peter Gretton beat off the attacks without the loss of a single merchant ship, and three U-boats were destroyed.
Why it is remembered One of the convoy battles of the crisis month of May 1943, fought without the loss of a merchant ship.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer Post-Work: User:W.wolny, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy SC 143 Convoy battle
October 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain, Canada and Poland
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces 14 U-boats of group Rossbach against SC 143 of 39 merchant ships and 8 escorts, with Support Group 10 of 4 warships
Losses Allies: 1 merchant ship and 1 warship sunk. Germany: 3 U-boats
Result Allied operational victory
In October 1943 the 14 U-boats of group Rossbach attacked the slow convoy SC 143. One merchant ship and one escort were sunk, and three U-boats were lost.
Why it is remembered It was the second battle of the German autumn offensive of 1943 in the North Atlantic.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy SL 138/MKS 28 Convoy battle
27 to 31 October 1943 · Mid Atlantic, on the Gibraltar homeward route
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); A. M. Hekking, convoy commodore, and F. Ardern, escort (Britain)
Forces 8 U-boats against 60 merchant ships and 14 escorts
Losses Britain: 1 ship sunk. Germany: 1 U-boat destroyed
Result British operational victory
The convoys SL 138 from the South Atlantic and MKS 28 from the Mediterranean met off Gibraltar to cross the Bay of Biscay with the largest possible escort. Eight U-boats attacked them between 27 and 31 October 1943. One merchant ship was sunk and one U-boat destroyed.
Why it is remembered It was the first battle of the renewed German autumn offensive of 1943.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy SL 139/MKS 30 Convoy battle
18 to 21 November 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean, on the Gibraltar homeward route
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); J. S. Dalison, convoy commodore (Britain)
Forces 29 U-boats against 66 merchant ships and 19 escorts
Losses Allies: 1 ship sunk, 1 ship and 1 escort damaged. Germany: 3 U-boats sunk
Result Allied victory
The combined convoys SL 139 and MKS 30 met off Gibraltar in November 1943 and sailed north together. Twenty-nine U-boats attacked them between 18 and 21 November. One merchant ship was sunk and three U-boats were lost.
Why it is remembered One of the battles of the German autumn offensive of 1943, in which a large U-boat concentration achieved very little.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Robertson's Studios, Greenock, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy SL 140/MKS 31 Convoy battle
24 November to 5 December 1943 · Mid Atlantic, between Gibraltar and Britain
Fought between Germany against Britain and the United States
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); E. C. Bayldon, escort commander (Allies)
Forces 13 U-boats against 65 ships, including thirteen LSTs, and 18 escorts
Losses Allies: none. Germany: 6 U-boats lost, 2 damaged
Result Allied victory
SL 140 from Freetown and MKS 31 from the Mediterranean met off Gibraltar on 24 November 1943 and sailed north. The combined convoy was slow because it included thirteen LSTs, with landing craft aboard, needed for the coming invasion of northern France. Thirteen U-boats attacked it, sinking nothing and losing six of their number.
Why it is remembered The convoy brought landing ships home for the invasion of France without loss.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Beadell, S J (Lt), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoy TS 37 Convoy battle
30 April to 1 May 1943 · Off West Africa, between Takoradi and Freetown
Fought between Germany against Britain
Commanders Karl Dönitz and Werner Henke (Germany); Frank Pegram and Norman Gill (Britain)
Forces 1 U-boat against 19 merchant ships and 4 escorts, with 3 destroyers sent as reinforcement
Ships U-515
Losses Germany: none. Britain: 7 ships sunk, 22 killed
Result German victory
Storms grounded the convoy's air patrol, and towards night U-515 under Werner Henke found the convoy and got inside its columns. After two stern torpedoes missed, four from the bow tubes sank four ships; the boat escaped an escort's counter attack, reloaded and returned to sink three more. Three destroyers sent as reinforcements arrived too late and helped with the rescue. Twenty-two men were killed and the rest survived.
Why it is remembered Churchill asked for an explanation of the loss; the Admiralty replied that 743 ships had made the voyage without loss before TS 37. Henke was awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross.
Sources differ One account places the first sighting towards night on 29 April, while another account dates the action 30 April to 1 May 1943.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Parnall, C H (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoys HX 229/SC 122 Convoy battle
16 to 19 March 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain, the United States, Canada and Belgium
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); G. J. Luther, later E. C. Day (Escort Group B4) and R. C. Boyle (Escort Group B5) (Allies)
Forces 39 U-boats in the wolfpacks Raubgraf (10), Stürmer (18) and Dränger (11), against HX 229 of 50 ships with 5 escorts and SC 122 of 60 ships with 8 escorts, plus reinforcements
Losses Allies: HX 229 lost 13 ships (93,502 GRT) and 249 killed; SC 122 lost 9 ships (53,694 GRT) and 112 killed. Germany: 1 U-boat destroyed, 7 damaged, 49 killed
Result German victory
In March 1943 about a hundred merchant ships in convoys HX 229 and SC 122 met three wolfpacks in a single sprawling action in the mid Atlantic. The U-boats made surface attacks at night, when patrolling aircraft could not restrict them. Twenty-two merchant ships were sunk for the loss of one U-boat.
Why it is remembered It was the largest convoy battle of the Second World War, called by German radio the greatest convoy battle of all time. A Royal Navy report later judged that the Germans never came so near to cutting communications between the New World and the Old as in the first 20 days of March 1943.
Sources differ One account totals 39 U-boats; another account speaks of 38 submarines in three wolfpacks.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoys ONS 18/ON 202 Convoy battle
19 to 23 September 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); H. C. Forsyth, commodore, and M. B. Evans, escort, for ONS 18; E. O. Cochrane, commodore, and P. W. Burnett, escort, for ON 202 (Allies)
Forces 21 U-boats of group Leuthen against ONS 18 (27 ships, 8 escorts), ON 202 (38 ships, 6 escorts) and Support Group 9 (5 warships)
Losses Allies: 6 merchant ships and 3 warships. Germany: 3 U-boats
Result Allied victory
In September 1943 the two westbound convoys were attacked by the 21 U-boats of group Leuthen. Six merchant ships and three escorting warships were lost, and three U-boats were sunk.
Why it is remembered It was the first battle of the German autumn offensive, when the U-boats returned to the North Atlantic route after Black May.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer Post-Work: User:W.wolny, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Convoys ONS 20/ON 206 Convoy battle
15 to 18 October 1943 · North Atlantic Ocean
Fought between Germany against Britain and Canada
Commanders Karl Dönitz (Germany); H. R. Paramor, escort of ONS 20, and R. A. Currie, escort of ON 206 (Allies)
Forces 14 U-boats of group Schlieffen against ONS 20 (52 ships, 6 escorts), ON 206 (62 ships, 5 escorts) and Support Group B7 (7 warships)
Losses Allies: 1 ship sunk. Germany: 6 U-boats destroyed
Result Allied victory
In October 1943 the 14 U-boats of group Schlieffen attacked the westbound convoys ONS 20 and ON 206. One merchant ship was sunk, and six U-boats were destroyed.
Why it is remembered It was the third battle of the German autumn offensive of 1943 and cost the U-boats heavily.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Beadell, S J (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Allied invasion of Sicily)
Battle of Gela Landing or siege
10 to 12 July 1943 · Gela, south coast of Sicily
Fought between United States and Britain against Italy and Germany
Commanders George S. Patton, Terry de la Mesa Allen Sr., Hugh Joseph Gaffey, Henry Kent Hewitt and Charles Leslie Keerans Jr. (killed) (Allies); Alfredo Guzzoni, Arnaldo Rabellino (captured), Domenico Chirieleison, Hans-Valentin Hube and Paul Conrath (Axis)
Forces US 1st Infantry and 2nd Armored Divisions with naval support from the cruisers USS Savannah and USS Boise, the monitor HMS Abercrombie and five US destroyers, against the Italian Livorno Division, the German Hermann Göring Division and Axis aircraft
Ships USS Savannah, USS Boise, HMS Abercrombie, USS Shubrick, USS Jeffers, USS Maddox, USS Butler, USS Glennon
Losses United States: 2,300 casualties, 1 destroyer sunk. Italy: 3,350 killed, 5,000 wounded, 2,000 prisoners. Germany: 630 killed, wounded and captured, 14 tanks
Result Allied victory
US Navy ships landed US Army troops near Gela at the opening of the American part of the invasion of Sicily. The ships withstood German and Italian air attacks while their guns helped defend the beachhead against Italian and German tank attacks. The beachhead held until the Ponte Olivo airfield was taken.
Why it is remembered It convinced US Army officers of the value of naval gunfire support and exposed problems in coordinating air support for amphibious landings. A memorial at Gela honours the fallen.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Operation Safari
Battle of Isefjord Single-ship action
29 August 1943 · Isefjord, Denmark
Fought between Denmark against Germany
Commanders Carl Westermann (Denmark)
Forces The coastal defence ship HDMS Niels Juel with about 300 sailors, against 1 mine warfare vessel, 2 torpedo boats and aircraft
Ships HDMS Niels Juel
Losses Danish: 1 killed, 4 wounded, the rest captured; Niels Juel grounded. German: at least 1 aircraft damaged.
Result German victory
When Germany moved against the Danish forces in Operation Safari, the coastal defence ship Niels Juel tried to escape to neutral Sweden. German forces attacked her in Isefjord and she was grounded; her crew were captured.
Why it is remembered It was the Danish navy's fight on the day Germany took over Denmark's armed forces.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Eastern Front)
Kerch-Eltigen operation Landing or siege
November 1943 · Kerch Peninsula, eastern Crimea
Fought between Soviet Union against Germany and Romania
Commanders Ivan Petrov, Ivan Isakov and Lev Vladimirsky (Soviet Union); Erwin Jaenecke (Germany); Corneliu Teodorini (Romania)
Forces Soviet Union: 150,000 men and 45 assault guns of the 18th and 56th Armies, with the Black Sea Fleet and the Azov Flotilla. Axis: over 75,000 men and 582 guns
Losses Soviet Union: 6,985 killed or missing and 20,412 sick or wounded, 27,397 in all. Axis: unknown
Result Mixed: the northern beachhead at Yenikale held, the southern beachhead at Eltigen collapsed
In November 1943 the Red Army, carried and supported by the Black Sea Fleet and the Azov Flotilla, landed at two places on the eastern coast of the Crimea. The northern beachhead at Yenikale was reinforced and held. An Axis counter attack destroyed the southern beachhead at Eltigen.
Why it is remembered The Yenikale beachhead was the base for the Soviet offensive that drove the Germans from the Crimea in 1944.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: en:user:W. B. Wilson, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the St. Lawrence)
Operation Kiebitz Other action
Also known as Operation Pointe Maisonnette (Canadian counter-operation)
September 1943; U-536 reached the rendezvous on the night of 26 September · Off Pointe de Maisonnette, eastern Canada
Fought between Germany against Canada
Commanders Desmond Piers (Canada); U-536's commander is not named in the source
Forces U-536 against a Royal Canadian Navy task group centred on HMCS Rimouski
Ships U-536, HMCS Rimouski
Losses None in the action; the escaped officer Wolfgang Heyda was arrested at the rendezvous
Result Canadian success; the escape and pick-up failed
The Kriegsmarine planned for four U-boat commanders to escape from Camp 30 at Bowmanville, Ontario, and be collected by U-536. Canadian guards seized the tunnellers, and a task group under Desmond Piers waited at the rendezvous with a portable radar ashore and signal lights. Only Wolfgang Heyda of U-434 got out of the camp, and he was arrested at the rendezvous. U-536's commander grew suspicious and stayed submerged, and the Canadian warships searched through the night and made unsuccessful depth charge attacks.
Why it is remembered The Canadian counter-operation became a key engagement of the Battle of the St. Lawrence. U-536 was sunk the following month north-east of the Azores with the loss of 38 lives.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Operation Leader Air and submarine attack
4 October 1943 · Bodø area, Norway
Fought between United States, Britain and Norway against Germany
Commanders Bruce Fraser (Britain); Olaf M. Hustvedt (United States)
Forces 42 aircraft from the US carrier USS Ranger, serving with the British Home Fleet
Ships USS Ranger
Losses Allies: 4 aircraft (3 in combat, 1 in a landing crash). Germany: 5 ships destroyed, 7 damaged, 2 aircraft shot down
Result Allied victory
Aircraft from USS Ranger attacked German and Norwegian shipping near Bodø, guided by decoded German signals and Norwegian agents' reports, with two Norwegian airmen along to advise on the coast. They sank five ships and probably damaged seven more. Two German aircraft searching for the fleet were shot down.
Why it is remembered It ended a two year lull in Allied carrier attacks on Norway, took the Germans by surprise and disrupted the coastal convoy system and iron ore shipments.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Dodecanese campaign)
Battle of Leros Landing or siege
26 September to 16 November 1943 · Leros, Dodecanese, Aegean Sea
Fought between Italy and Britain, with South African and Greek naval support, against Germany
Commanders Luigi Mascherpa (Italy, surrendered); Robert Tilney (Britain, surrendered); Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller (Germany)
Forces Italy: 8,320 soldiers and sailors. Britain: over 3,500 soldiers, with 74 Squadron RAF and 7 Squadron SAAF. Germany: 2,800 troops and the Luftwaffe
Losses Italy: 300 killed or missing, 5,350 prisoners, 1 destroyer, 5 auxiliary and merchant ships and 5 MAS boats sunk. Britain: about 600 killed, 100 wounded, 3,200 prisoners, 115 aircraft lost, 3 destroyers sunk. Greece: 1 destroyer sunk, 68 killed. Germany: 512 killed, 900 wounded, at least 5 Marinefährprahme lost. Civilians: 20 Leros islanders killed
Result German victory
After the Italian armistice the Italian garrison of Leros was reinforced by British troops on 15 September 1943. German air attacks began on 26 September and sank Allied warships around the island. German forces landed on 12 November, and the Allied garrison surrendered four days later.
Why it is remembered It was the central event of the Dodecanese campaign, and its name is often used for the whole campaign.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Battle of the Mediterranean
Battle of the Messina Convoy Convoy battle
1 to 2 June 1943 · Off Cape Spartivento, Calabria
Fought between Britain and Greece against Italy
Commanders Tony Pugsley, Georgios Blessas (Allies); Marino Fasan (Italy)
Forces The destroyers HMS Jervis and Vasilissa Olga, with a Wellington bomber, against the torpedo boat Castore escorting the freighters Vragnizza and Postumia
Ships HMS Jervis, Vasilissa Olga, Castore, Vragnizza, Postumia
Losses Italian: Castore sunk and her captain killed, 2 freighters damaged. Allied: none.
Result Inconclusive
On the night of 1 to 2 June 1943 the destroyers Jervis and Vasilissa Olga of the 14th Destroyer Flotilla attacked an Italian convoy off the Calabrian coast. The merchant ships slipped away, but the escorting torpedo boat Castore sank a couple of hours after the action. On the way back to Malta Vasilissa Olga stopped for an hour with a mechanical failure, but both destroyers returned undamaged.
Why it is remembered The Allies claimed the merchant ships and another torpedo boat as sunk, but only Castore was lost.
Sources differ The Allied claims of both merchant ships and a second torpedo boat sunk were wrong; the main account records the freighters as damaged.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: An unidentified serviceman of the Regia Marina, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic campaign
Battle of the North Cape Fleet battle
Also known as Operation Ostfront (German)
26 December 1943 · Off the North Cape, Barents Sea
Fought between Britain, Canada and Norway against Germany
Commanders Bruce Fraser (Britain); Erich Bey (Germany)
Forces 1 battleship, 1 heavy cruiser, 3 light cruisers and 8 destroyers, against the battleship Scharnhorst and 5 destroyers
Ships Scharnhorst, HMS Duke of York, HMS Norfolk, HMS Saumarez, HNoMS Stord
Losses German: Scharnhorst sunk, 1,932 killed, 36 captured. Allied: 21 killed, 11 wounded; Duke of York slightly damaged, Norfolk and Saumarez damaged.
Result Allied victory
Scharnhorst sailed in Operation Ostfront to attack Arctic convoys carrying supplies to the Soviet Union. She was brought to battle off the North Cape by the battleship HMS Duke of York with her cruisers and destroyers and was sunk. The Norwegian destroyer Stord played a notable part.
Why it is remembered It was the last battle between British and German big gun capital ships and the second to last battleship engagement in history.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Battle of Sept-Îles Fleet battle
22 to 23 October 1943 · Off the Sept-Îles, Brittany, France
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders George Voelcker (Britain, killed); Franz Kohlauf (Germany)
Forces 1 British light cruiser and 6 destroyers against 5 German torpedo boats and 6 minesweepers escorting 1 blockade runner
Ships HMS Charybdis, HMS Limbourne
Losses Britain: 508 killed, drowned or died of wounds; the light cruiser HMS Charybdis sunk and the destroyer HMS Limbourne scuttled. Germany: none
Result German victory
On the night of 22 to 23 October 1943 a British light cruiser and six destroyers tried to intercept a German blockade runner escorted by torpedo boats off the Sept-Îles in the Channel. The British force was probably caught in an ambush. HMS Charybdis was sunk and the Hunt class destroyer Limbourne was damaged and then scuttled; over 500 British sailors died.
Why it is remembered It was the last surface action of the war in which the Royal Navy was defeated, and the last German surface fleet victory.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: edited by M.Minderhoud, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Allied invasion of Italy)
Operation Slapstick Landing or siege
9 September 1943 · Taranto, Italy
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders George Hopkinson (killed) and Ernest Down (Britain); Richard Heidrich (Germany)
Forces British 1st Airborne Division, carried by ships of the Royal Navy including the 12th Cruiser Squadron, against elements of the German 1st Parachute Division
Ships HMS Abdiel
Losses British Army: 58 dead, 154 wounded. Royal Navy: 48 dead, HMS Abdiel sunk. Germany: none during the initial landing
Result British success
After Italy offered to open Taranto and Brindisi, the British 1st Airborne Division was carried from North Africa across the Mediterranean by Royal Navy ships, since there were no spare transport aircraft or landing craft. The landing at Taranto was unopposed and the ports of Taranto and later Brindisi were taken in working order. German paratroops then fought a withdrawal north as the division advanced 125 miles to Foggia.
Why it is remembered It was one of the three Allied landings in Italy in September 1943, made by airborne troops arriving by sea.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Operation Source Raid
20 to 22 September 1943 · Kåfjord, Altafjord, northern Norway
Fought between Britain, Norway and Australia against Germany
Commanders Claud Barry, Donald Cameron (captured), Godfrey Place (captured) and Henty Henty-Creer (killed) (Allies); Hans Meyer (Germany)
Forces 6 X-class midget submarines and 6 conventional submarines against the battleship Tirpitz and the heavy cruiser Lützow
Ships Tirpitz, Scharnhorst, Lützow
Losses Allies: 6 midget submarines lost, 9 killed, 6 captured. Germany: Tirpitz damaged
Result Allied partial success
X-class midget submarines, towed towards Norway by conventional submarines, were sent to attack the German heavy ships Tirpitz, Scharnhorst and Lützow in northern Norway. In September 1943 they attacked at Kåfjord and damaged Tirpitz. All six midget submarines were lost, with 9 men killed and 6 captured.
Why it is remembered The attack kept Tirpitz out of action for at least six months.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Operation Stonewall Blockade and raiding
Also known as Includes the Battle of the Bay of Biscay
26 to 27 December 1943 · Bay of Biscay
Fought between Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Czechoslovakia, Brazil, Italy and Free France against Germany
Commanders Ralph Leatham (Allies); Karl Dönitz (Germany)
Forces Allied warships, including the cruisers HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise, escort and support groups, and Coastal Command and US aircraft, against German blockade runners escorted by destroyers and torpedo boats
Ships Osorno, Alsterufer, HMS Glasgow, HMS Enterprise
Losses Germany: 1 blockade runner, 1 destroyer, 2 torpedo boats and 1 U-boat. Allies: 2 destroyers
Result Allied victory
Code breakers tracked the blockade runners Osorno and Alsterufer heading for occupied France. Osorno reached the Gironde, but on 27 December Alsterufer was set on fire by rockets and bombs from a Czechoslovak manned Liberator and sank next day; Canadian corvettes later rescued 74 survivors. The German destroyers and torpedo boats sent to meet her were bombed and then caught by Glasgow and Enterprise in a severe storm, losing one destroyer and two torpedo boats.
Why it is remembered Blockade runner sailings from France were cancelled afterwards, ending this traffic between Germany and Japan by surface ship.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (FOXHILL), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Arctic naval operations
Operation Zitronella Raid
Also known as Unternehmen Sizilien (Operation Sicily)
8 September 1943 · Isfjorden, Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Fought between Germany against Free Norway
Commanders Friedrich Hüffmeier (Germany); Morten Bredsdorff (Norway, taken prisoner); Trond Astrup Vigtel (Norway, killed)
Forces German: the battleships Tirpitz and Scharnhorst, nine destroyers and a battalion of fortress infantry. Norwegian: 152 soldiers with two coastal guns and two anti-aircraft guns.
Ships Tirpitz, Scharnhorst
Losses German: 2 dead (one executed, one died of wounds) and 15 wounded. Norwegian: 6 killed and 31 taken prisoner.
Result German victory
In an eight hour raid the battleships Tirpitz and Scharnhorst and nine destroyers sailed to Spitsbergen, bombarded the Allied occupied settlements in Isfjorden and covered a landing party ashore.
Why it is remembered It was Tirpitz's only offensive action.
Sources differ One account gives sixteen Germans wounded, one of whom died; another account gives 2 dead and 15 wounded.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Mediterranean)
Action off Zuwarah Single-ship action
19 to 20 January 1943 · Off Zuwarah, Libya
Fought between Britain against Italy
Commanders Michael Townsend (Britain); Giuseppe Di Bartolo (Italy, killed)
Forces 2 British destroyers against 6 Italian minesweepers, 1 trawler, 1 patrol boat and 1 pump boat
Losses Britain: 7 wounded. Italy: 180 killed; 6 minesweepers, 1 trawler, 1 patrol boat and 1 pump boat sunk
Result British victory
On the night of 19 to 20 January 1943 an Italian flotilla of small minesweepers and auxiliary vessels was evacuating Tripoli. Two British destroyers intercepted it off Zuwarah in Libyan waters and sank every vessel. The Italian commander, Giuseppe Di Bartolo, was among the 180 killed.
Why it is remembered A night encounter of the Battle of the Mediterranean in which an entire Italian evacuation flotilla from Tripoli was lost.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Devonport Dockyard Constructive Department, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Adriatic campaign)
Action of 1 November 1944 Fleet battle
Also known as Ambush off Pag Island
1 November 1944 · Kvarner Gulf, between Pag and Lošinj, Adriatic Sea
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders Morgan Giles (Britain); Friedrich Thorwest (Germany, killed)
Forces The British destroyers HMS Avon Vale and HMS Wheatland against the German destroyer TA20 and 2 corvettes
Ships HMS Avon Vale, HMS Wheatland, TA20
Losses Britain: none. Germany: TA20 and 2 corvettes sunk, 220 killed, 7 wounded, 90 captured
Result British victory
A German destroyer and two corvettes were sent to escort a convoy of 19 landing craft retreating from Šibenik to Fiume. British destroyers ambushed them in the Kvarner Gulf and sank all three without loss. The British rescued 90 survivors and German vessels found 20 more two days later; the convoy itself was not intercepted and reached Fiume on 2 November.
Why it is remembered A complete British success in the Adriatic in which more than 200 German sailors died.
Sources differ One account speaks of a British destroyer flotilla; another account names two destroyers.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Battle of 25 April 1944 Fleet battle
Also known as Battle in the English Channel (1944)
April 1944 · Off the north coast of Brittany, English Channel
Fought between Britain and Canada against Germany
Forces Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy ships against the German 4th Torpedo Boat Flotilla
Result Allied victory; the German 4th Torpedo Boat Flotilla was destroyed
In a series of naval actions in April 1944 off the north coast of Brittany, ships of the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy broke up the Kriegsmarine's 4th Torpedo Boat Flotilla.
Why it is remembered The actions cleared German torpedo boats from the western Channel shortly before the Normandy landings.
Sources Wikipedia (RU)
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Operation Tunnel, Battle of the Atlantic)
Action of 26 April 1944 Fleet battle
25 to 26 April 1944 · English Channel, off the Île de Batz, Brittany
Fought between Britain and Canada against Germany
Forces 1 British Dido class cruiser and 4 Tribal class destroyers against 3 German Elbing class torpedo boats
Ships HMS Black Prince, HMS Ashanti, HMCS Athabaskan, HMCS Haida, HMCS Huron, T24, T27, T29
Losses Allies: 2 destroyers damaged and 2 lightly damaged. Germany: torpedo boat T29 sunk with 135 men, 2 torpedo boats damaged
Result Allied victory
On a sweep of the Brittany coast before the invasion of Normandy, the cruiser HMS Black Prince and four Tribal class destroyers met the torpedo boats T24, T27 and T29 off the Île de Batz. T29 was destroyed after causing some casualties on Haida and Huron, and the other two were damaged. Huron and Ashanti collided near the end of the action.
Why it is remembered One of the Operation Tunnel sweeps that weakened German torpedo boat forces in the Channel before D-Day.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War, Italian campaign
Battle of Anzio Landing or siege
Also known as Operation Shingle
22 January to 4 June 1944 · Anzio and Nettuno, west coast of Italy
Fought between United States, Britain and Canada against Germany and the Italian Social Republic
Commanders Harold Alexander, Mark W. Clark, John P. Lucas, Lucian Truscott (Allied land forces); Frank J. Lowry (US Navy, X-Ray Force); Thomas Troubridge (Royal Navy, Peter Force); Albert Kesselring, Eberhard von Mackensen (Germany)
Forces Allied landing: Peter Force with the light cruisers HMS Orion and HMS Spartan, 12 destroyers, 63 landing craft and 4 hospital ships; X-Ray Force with the light cruisers USS Brooklyn and HMS Penelope, 11 destroyers, 2 destroyer escorts, 24 minesweepers and 166 landing craft; about 40,000 troops and 5,000 vehicles landed at first. Later 150,000 Allied soldiers against 135,000 Germans.
Ships HMS Orion, HMS Spartan, USS Brooklyn, HMS Penelope
Losses Allied: 43,000 (7,000 killed, 36,000 wounded or missing); at sea 2 light cruisers, 3 destroyers, 2 minesweepers and 1 hospital ship lost, among them HMS Penelope, torpedoed on 18 February with the loss of 417 men. German: 40,000 (5,000 killed, 30,500 wounded or missing, 4,500 captured).
Result Allied victory; Rome was taken on 4 June 1944
Allied forces landed by surprise and unopposed at Anzio and Nettuno on 22 January 1944 to outflank the Gustav Line, while a Ranger group attacked the port of Anzio. Lucas paused to consolidate, and Kesselring ringed the beachhead with every unit he could spare, shelling the beaches and harbour for weeks while the Allied navies kept it supplied at a heavy cost in ships. After months of fighting the Allies broke out in May and turned north west to take Rome.
Why it is remembered It was one of the costliest Allied operations in Italy, and the turn towards Rome let the German Tenth Army escape from Cassino.
Sources differ One account gives Allied casualties of 43,000; another account gives 24,000 US and 10,000 British casualties.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Member of US Army personnel, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic, Invasion of Normandy)
Battle of Audierne Bay Convoy battle
23 August 1944 · Audierne Bay, between Brest and Lorient, Brittany
Fought between Britain and Canada against Germany
Commanders William Davis (Britain)
Forces The cruiser HMS Mauritius and the destroyers HMS Ursa and HMCS Iroquois against 10 armed German ships
Ships HMS Mauritius, HMS Ursa, HMCS Iroquois
Losses Allies: none. Germany: 8 ships sunk, 161 captured
Result Allied victory
Three Allied warships patrolling off Audierne, south of besieged Brest, intercepted an armed German convoy at night. They sank eight of its vessels without loss.
Why it is remembered It ended Operation Kinetic, the Allied effort to cut German shipping on the Biscay coast and isolate the garrison at Brest.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Operation Catechism Raid
12 November 1944 · Near Tromsø, Norway
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders James Tait (Britain); Robert Weber (Germany, killed)
Forces 29 RAF heavy bombers of Nos. 9 and 617 Squadrons against the battleship Tirpitz, 2 flak ships and anti-aircraft guns
Ships Tirpitz
Losses Britain: 1 aircraft damaged, no casualties. Germany: Tirpitz destroyed, 940 to 1,204 killed
Result British victory
Crippled in September and moved to Tromsø, Tirpitz was attacked at her anchorage by 29 heavy bombers flying from northern Scotland. In clear weather they hit her with at least two bombs and damaged her with near misses, and German fighters failed to take off in time. The battleship capsized within minutes; hundreds were rescued from the water, but few of those trapped in the hull were saved.
Why it is remembered It ended the long series of attacks on Tirpitz. Her destruction was celebrated in Allied countries and Norway and is marked by memorials and museum displays; Stephen Bone painted the wreck in 1945.
Sources differ German deaths are given as between 940 and 1,204.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Operation Neptune, Operation Overlord)
Bombardment of Cherbourg Landing or siege
25 June 1944 · Cherbourg, Cotentin Peninsula, France
Fought between United States and Britain against Germany
Commanders Morton Deyo (United States); Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben (Germany)
Forces Allies: 3 battleships, 2 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, 11 destroyers and 3 minesweeper squadrons. Germany: 20 casemated batteries including Battery Hamburg, and elements of 4 divisions
Ships USS Texas, USS Arkansas
Losses Not stated; several Allied ships were holed
Result Allied victory
On 25 June 1944 an Allied naval task force in two groups bombarded German fortifications at Cherbourg in support of the US Army assault on the city. The ships fought duels with coastal batteries, which were accurate out to 15,000 yards and holed several ships, though faulty German ammunition limited the harm; destroyers laid smoke to cover heavy ships as they withdrew. The bombardment ran an hour longer than planned, and the port fell on 29 June.
Why it is remembered The close support given by the small ships under army spotters proved the most effective part; the heavy guns disabled 22 of 24 assigned targets but destroyed none.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Arctic convoys)
Convoy JW 56A Convoy battle
January 1944 · Arctic Ocean, Britain to the Soviet northern ports
Fought between Germany against Britain and the Allies
Forces German U-boats against the convoy and its escorts
Losses Allies: 3 ships sunk, 1 escort damaged
Result Twelve ships reached Soviet ports
The convoy sailed from Britain in January 1944 to carry supplies to the Soviet Union. A force of U-boats attacked it, sinking three ships and damaging an escort. Twelve ships arrived at the end of the month.
Why it is remembered One of the Arctic convoys of early 1944 that met a determined U-boat attack.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Arctic convoys)
Convoy JW 57 Convoy battle
February 1944 · Arctic Ocean, Britain to the Soviet northern ports
Fought between Germany against Britain and the Allies
Forces German U-boats against the convoy and its escorts
Losses Allies: 1 escort sunk. Germany: 2 U-boats destroyed
Result Allied success; all merchant ships arrived
The convoy sailed in February 1944 and was attacked by U-boats over several days. One escort was sunk and two U-boats were destroyed. All the merchant ships reached Soviet ports.
Why it is remembered One of the Arctic convoys of 1944 that got through intact.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Unknown photographer
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Arctic convoys)
Convoy JW 58 Convoy battle
27 March to 4 April 1944 · Arctic Ocean, Britain to the Soviet northern ports
Fought between Germany against Britain and the Allies
Forces German U-boats and aircraft against the convoy and its escorts
Losses Allies: none. Germany: 3 U-boats destroyed, 6 aircraft shot down
Result Allied success; the convoy arrived intact
The convoy was attacked by U-boats and aircraft on its way to the Soviet Union. It suffered no loss, while three U-boats were destroyed and six aircraft shot down.
Why it is remembered One of the Arctic convoys of 1944 that reached the Soviet ports without loss.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Operation Dragoon Landing or siege
Also known as Operation Anvil; Débarquement de Provence
15 August to 14 September 1944 · Côte d'Azur, Provence, southern France
Fought between United States, France, Britain, Canada and other Allies against Germany
Commanders Jacob L. Devers, Alexander Patch, Henry Kent Hewitt, John K. Cannon and Robert T. Frederick (United States); Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, Edgard de Larminat and Joseph de Monsabert (France); Johannes Blaskowitz and Friedrich Wiese (Germany)
Forces Allies: 151,000 in the initial landing and 576,833 in all, with 75,000 French Resistance fighters, supported by the US Eighth Fleet. Germany: 85,000 to 100,000 at the landing and 285,000 to 300,000 in southern France, with 1,481 artillery pieces
Ships HMS Ensay
Losses United States: 15,574 casualties, 7,301 killed. France: more than 10,000 casualties. Germany: 7,000 killed, about 21,000 wounded, 131,250 captured, 1,316 artillery pieces
Result Allied victory
After commando raids, the US VI Corps landed on the beaches of the Côte d'Azur on 15 August 1944 under the protection of a large naval task force, followed by divisions of French Army B; minesweepers had swept lanes for the fleet. The weakened German Army Group G was quickly defeated and withdrew north through the Rhône valley, while the French took Marseille and Toulon. The advance stopped at the Vosges on 14 September.
Why it is remembered It liberated most of southern France in four weeks and gave the Allies the ports of Marseille and Toulon, easing their supply problems.
Sources differ The Americans judged the operation a success; the British disagreed, citing its weak political effect and the lack of movement in Italy.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Exercise Tiger Convoy battle
Also known as Operation Tiger; Battle of Lyme Bay
28 April 1944 · Lyme Bay, off Portland, English Channel (exercise at Slapton Sands, Devon)
Fought between United States and Britain against Germany
Forces 1 British corvette escorting 8 LSTs, against 9 German E-boats
Losses Allies: at least 749 killed, about 200 wounded, 2 LSTs sunk, 2 damaged. Germany: none
Result German victory
During a rehearsal for the D-Day landings at Slapton Sands in Devon, a convoy of landing ships was attacked by German E-boats in Lyme Bay. Two LSTs were sunk and two damaged, and at least 749 American servicemen died. The exercise was also marred by friendly fire caused by poor coordination and communication.
Why it is remembered Because the invasion of Normandy was imminent, the disaster was kept secret and only minimally reported afterwards.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: U.S. Signal Corps, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Italian campaign)
Invasion of Elba Landing or siege
Also known as Operation Brassard
17 to 19 June 1944 · Elba, Italy
Fought between France, Britain and the United States against Germany
Commanders Jean de Lattre de Tassigny (France); Thomas Troubridge (Britain); Franz Gall (Germany)
Forces French Force 255 with the 9th Colonial Infantry Division, commandos and Moroccan tabors, British Force N and Royal Naval Commandos, and British and American aircraft, against 2 German infantry battalions
Losses Britain: 38 killed, 9 wounded. France: 252 killed, 635 wounded. Germany: 500 killed, 1,995 captured, a flak ship destroyed
Result Allied victory
The French Liberation Army, carried and supported by British and American ships and aircraft, landed on Elba on 17 June 1944. The German defenders had seen Allied activity on Corsica and knew of the invasion a day in advance. They held out for two days before being allowed to withdraw to the mainland.
Why it is remembered A French led amphibious operation of the Italian campaign.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Adriatic campaign)
Battle of Ist Fleet battle
29 February 1944 · Off Ist, between Škarda and Molat, Adriatic Sea
Fought between Free France against Germany
Commanders Pierre Lancelot (Free France); Jürgen von Kleist (Germany)
Forces 2 Free French destroyers against 2 German corvettes, 2 torpedo boats and 3 minesweepers escorting a freighter
Losses Free France: none. Germany: 150 killed and wounded, 1 corvette and 1 freighter sunk, 2 torpedo boats damaged
Result Free French victory
Two Free French destroyers attacked a German flotilla escorting a freighter off Ist. They sank the freighter and a corvette without loss and then withdrew.
Why it is remembered A Free French naval success in the Adriatic.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Operation Dragoon)
Action off La Ciotat Single-ship action
17 August 1944 · Off La Ciotat, southern France
Fought between United States and Britain against Germany
Commanders John D. Bulkeley (United States); Hermann Polenz (Germany)
Forces 1 destroyer, 2 gunboats and 17 PT boats against 1 German corvette and 1 naval yacht
Ships USS Endicott
Losses United States: 1 man wounded, 1 destroyer damaged. Germany: 1 corvette, 1 naval yacht and 1 freighter sunk, 211 captured
Result Allied victory
During the Dragoon landings a small American and British flotilla was sent to make a feint against La Ciotat to draw German forces from the main beaches. Two German warships attacked it. Both were sunk, along with a freighter, and 211 Germans were captured; USS Endicott was damaged.
Why it is remembered A small surface action of the invasion of southern France fought by a flotilla under John D. Bulkeley.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: United States Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Eastern Front)
Battle of Nerva Island Fleet battle
19 to 20 June 1944 · Near Nerva Island, Gulf of Finland
Fought between Soviet Union against Germany
Commanders S. A. Osipov (Soviet Union); Heinrich Peter-Pirkham (Germany)
Forces 2 German torpedo boats against light units of the Soviet Baltic Fleet: 4 gunboats, 10 patrol boats and 14 motor torpedo boats
Losses Germany: 1 torpedo boat sunk, 1 damaged, 78 killed, 21 wounded, 6 captured. Soviet Union: 8 vessels damaged, human losses unknown
Result Soviet victory
During the Soviet offensive against Finland in June 1944, two German torpedo boats were engaged near Nerva Island by Soviet gunboats, patrol boats and motor torpedo boats. One torpedo boat was sunk and the other damaged.
Why it is remembered It was one of the few engagements in the Baltic in the Second World War involving large surface ships.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: scanned by User:D.W., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Operation Overlord, Western Front)
Normandy landings Landing or siege
Also known as D-Day; Operation Neptune
6 June 1944 · Normandy coast, France: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches
Fought between Britain, the United States, Canada, France and other Allies against Germany
Commanders Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bernard Montgomery, Bertram Ramsay, Omar Bradley and Miles Dempsey (Allies); Gerd von Rundstedt, Erwin Rommel, Leo Geyr von Schweppenburg and Friedrich Dollmann (Germany)
Forces Allies: 156,115 soldiers landed by sea and air, and 195,700 naval personnel. Germany: over 50,350 men and 170 coastal artillery guns
Losses Allies: over 10,000 casualties, 4,414 confirmed dead (2,499 American, 1,915 of other nations), 185 Sherman tanks. Germany: 4,000 to 9,000 killed, wounded, missing or captured
Result Allied victory; five beachheads established
After a day's delay for weather, the invasion began shortly after midnight on 6 June 1944 with heavy air and naval bombardment and the landing of 24,000 airborne troops. From about 06:30 seaborne forces landed on five beaches along 80 km of coast, under fire and among mines and obstacles; strong winds pushed landing craft east of their targets and losses were heaviest at Omaha. Beachheads were won at all five sites on the first day, though they were not all joined until 12 June.
Why it is remembered It is the largest seaborne invasion in history and began the liberation of France and Western Europe.
Sources differ The original estimate of Allied dead was 2,500; research by the National D-Day Memorial has confirmed 4,414. German casualties are estimated at 4,000 to 9,000.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Chief Photographer's Mate (CPHoM) Robert F. Sargent, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic, Invasion of Normandy)
Battle of Pierres Noires Single-ship action
5 July 1944 · Iroise Sea, near the Pierres Noires lighthouse, off Brest
Fought between Canada against Germany
Commanders Dickson Wallace (Canada); Gerhard Palmgren (Germany)
Forces 4 Canadian destroyers against 4 German patrol boats escorting 1 U-boat
Losses Germany: 1 patrol boat sunk, 1 damaged. Canada: not stated
Result Allied victory
During Operation Dredger, Royal Canadian Navy destroyers attacked a U-boat and its surface escort near Brest. They sank or damaged some of the escorts, but the U-boat escaped.
Why it is remembered A Canadian destroyer action in the Allied effort to keep U-boats from the Normandy invasion routes.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Operation Dragoon)
Action of Port Cros Single-ship action
15 August 1944 · Off Port-Cros, French Riviera
Fought between United States and Canada against Germany
Commanders William C. Hughes (United States)
Forces The US destroyer USS Somers and 1,800 infantry of the 1st Special Service Force, against the German warships UJ6081 and SG21 and 5 forts
Ships USS Somers, UJ6081, SG21, LST 32
Losses Allies: 9 killed. Germany: UJ6081 and SG21 sunk, 5 forts captured
Result Allied victory
While supporting the Dragoon landings, USS Somers met two German warships off Port-Cros and sank both. Later that day LST 32 landed the American and Canadian 1st Special Service Force, the Devil's Brigade, on the main island, and it captured the German positions.
Why it is remembered It was one of the few surface engagements fought between the US Navy and the Kriegsmarine.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Cnes, Spot Image, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Normandy landings)
Battle of Port-en-Bessin Landing or siege
Also known as Operation Aubery
7 to 8 June 1944 · Port-en-Bessin, Normandy, between Omaha and Gold beaches
Fought between United Kingdom against Germany
Commanders C. F. Phillips (47 Royal Marine Commando); Dietrich Kraiß (Germany)
Forces About 420 men of 47 (Royal Marine) Commando, 328 in the assault, against elements of the German 352nd Division and 2 flak ships
Losses British: 136 casualties, including 46 killed and 70 wounded. German: 300 prisoners (incomplete figure)
Result Allied victory
Port-en-Bessin, a small fortified fishing harbour west of Arromanches, lay between the American Omaha Beach and the British Gold Beach and was an objective of Operation Overlord. No. 47 (Royal Marine) Commando of the 4th Special Service Brigade captured it on 7 and 8 June 1944 against German infantry and two flak ships.
Why it is remembered It was one of the objectives of the Normandy landings, taken by Royal Marine Commandos at heavy cost.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Lapland War)
Operation Tanne Ost Landing or siege
Also known as Fir East
15 September 1944 · Suursaari (Hogland, Gogland), Gulf of Finland
Fought between Germany against Finland, with Soviet air support
Commanders Karl-Conrad Mecke (Germany); Martti Miettinen (Finland)
Forces Germany: 2,700 men. Finland: 1,612 men. Soviet Union: 10 Il-2 and 3 SB aircraft
Ships F-822, F-866, F-173, B-1, B-31, B-35, R-29, Pernau, VMV 10, VMV 14
Losses Germany: 153 killed, 1,231 prisoners; 3 landing craft (F-822, F-866, F-173), 3 patrol boats (B-1, B-31, B-35), 1 minesweeper (R-29) and 1 tug (Pernau) lost. Finland: 36 killed, 67 wounded, 8 missing, 2 patrol boats (VMV 10, VMV 14) lost. Soviet Union: 2 Il-2 and 1 SB
Result Finnish victory
German forces landed from the sea on Suursaari to seize the island before it could pass into Soviet hands after Finland left the war. The Finnish garrison, helped by Soviet aircraft, defeated the landing. More than 1,200 Germans were taken prisoner and several German landing craft and patrol vessels were lost.
Why it is remembered Suursaari guarded the minefields that kept the Soviet Baltic Fleet in Kronstadt, and the failed landing marked the start of open fighting between Germany and Finland.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Operation Tungsten Raid
3 April 1944 · Kaafjord, northern Norway
Fought between Britain and Canada against Germany
Commanders Henry Moore (Britain); Hans Meyer (Germany)
Forces 40 dive bombers and 80 fighters from five carriers of the Home Fleet, against the battleship Tirpitz, anti-aircraft batteries and other ships
Ships Tirpitz, HMS Furious
Losses Britain: 4 aircraft and 9 airmen. Germany: Tirpitz and 5 other vessels damaged; on Tirpitz 122 killed and 316 wounded
Result British victory
The Home Fleet sailed on 30 March 1944 after four months of preparation, and on 3 April aircraft from five carriers struck Tirpitz at Kaafjord as she was finishing repairs. The raid achieved surprise and met little opposition. Fifteen bombs hit the battleship and fighters strafed her gun crews.
Why it is remembered Tirpitz was badly damaged in her superstructure but not disabled, and was repaired by mid July; later carrier raids failed, and she was finally sunk by RAF heavy bombers in late 1944.
Sources differ One account gives 122 killed and 316 wounded on Tirpitz; another account gives 123 killed and 329 wounded.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Hudson, F A (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Invasion of Normandy)
Battle of Ushant (1944) Fleet battle
Also known as Battle of Brittany
9 June 1944 · Off the coast of Brittany, near Ushant, western English Channel
Fought between Britain, Canada and Poland against Germany
Commanders Basil Jones (Allies); Theodor von Bechtolsheim (Germany)
Forces 8 Allied destroyers against 3 German destroyers and 1 torpedo boat
Ships HMS Tartar
Losses Allies: 1 destroyer damaged. Germany: 39 killed, 140 captured, 1 destroyer sunk, 1 destroyer driven ashore and wrecked
Result Allied victory
Three days after the Normandy landings, Allied and German destroyer flotillas met off Brittany in the early morning of 9 June 1944. After a confused night action, the Allies sank one German destroyer and forced another ashore, where she was wrecked.
Why it is remembered It stopped a German destroyer attempt against the Normandy invasion shipping; the crew of HMS Tartar kept their torn White Ensign from the battle.
Sources differ One account records the second German destroyer as scuttled; another account says she was forced ashore and wrecked.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: McNeill, M H A (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Continuation War
Battle of Vyborg Bay (1944) Landing or siege
Also known as Viipurinlahden taistelu
30 June to 10 July 1944 · Vyborg Bay, Gulf of Finland
Fought between Soviet Union against Finland and Germany
Commanders Leonid Govorov, Vladimir Tributs (Soviet Union); Pekka Enkainen (Finland); Hero Breusing (Germany)
Forces Soviet: the 59th Army's 124th and 224th Rifle Divisions and the 260th Marine Regiment, landed by cutters, torpedo boats and motor torpedo boats of the Baltic Fleet. Finnish and German: V Corps, the 22nd Coastal Artillery Regiment, a cavalry brigade, the German 122nd Infantry Division, Finnish Navy ships and German gun barges.
Ships Viena, BMO-503
Losses Soviet: the 224th Rifle Division lost 2,623 men (1,280 killed, 1,167 wounded, 176 missing) and the 124th about 500; only 82 of 1,136 men returned from the 4 July landing on Teikari; the subchaser BMO-503 and several cutters were mined. Finnish: the gunboat Viena was badly damaged by air attack; on Teikari about 300 killed and 530 wounded or missing.
Result Finnish defensive victory; the Soviets took the main islands of the bay but gained no bridgehead on the northern shore
Soviet forces landed from the sea on the islands of Vyborg Bay, among them Teikari, Melansaari, Ravansaari and Suonionsaari. Suonionsaari and Ravansaari fell on 4 July and Teikari and Melansaari on 5 July, after repeated costly landings on Teikari. Finnish ships and German gun barges raided on 4 and 5 July but were driven back, and later Soviet attempts on the northern shore were repulsed.
Why it is remembered The front in the bay then held until the war ended on 4 September 1944.
Sources differ The main account gives the dates as 30 June to 10 July, while the account of the fighting ends on 9 July.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Finnish Defence Forces, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Action of 9 February 1945 Single-ship action
Also known as Sinking of U-864
9 February 1945 · Off Fedje Island, Norway, North Sea
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders Jimmy Launders (Britain); Ralf-Reimar Wolfram (Germany, killed)
Forces The British submarine HMS Venturer against the German submarine U-864
Ships HMS Venturer, U-864
Losses Britain: none. Germany: U-864 sunk with all 73 hands
Result British victory
HMS Venturer, a V class submarine, was patrolling off Fedje Island when she attacked U-864. She sank the U-boat with all 73 men aboard.
Why it is remembered It is the only time in naval history that one submarine has sunk another while both were submerged.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer. Post-Work: User:Gunfighter-6, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Actions of 5 to 6 May 1945 Single-ship action
Also known as Actions of 5/6 May 1945
5 to 6 May 1945 · Off Rhode Island and south of Cape Race, Newfoundland
Fought between United States against Germany
Forces 5 US warships and 2 blimps against 2 U-boats
Ships U-853, U-881
Losses Germany: 2 U-boats sunk (U-853 and U-881), 109 killed. United States: 1 merchant ship sunk, 12 killed
Result American victory
In the last days of the war in Europe, US forces sank U-853 off the Rhode Island coast and U-881 south of Cape Race. A merchant ship was lost with 12 men.
Why it is remembered They were the last actions of the Battle of the Atlantic in American waters.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Unknown photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Actions of 7 to 8 May 1945 Convoy battle
Also known as Actions of 7/8 May 1945
7 to 8 May 1945 · British coastal waters: Firth of Forth and off Portland Bill
Fought between Germany against Britain and Norway
Commanders E. Klusmeier (U-2336), Heinrich Schroeteler (U-1023) and H. Emmerich (U-320) (Germany); K. M. Murray, RAF Catalina (Britain)
Forces The U-boats U-2336, U-1023 and U-320 against a British convoy, Norwegian minesweepers and a Coastal Command Catalina
Ships U-2336, U-1023, U-320, Sneland I, Avondale Park, NYMS 382
Losses Allies: the freighters Sneland I and Avondale Park sunk with 9 men lost, and the minesweeper NYMS 382 sunk with 22 men lost. Germany: U-320 damaged and abandoned the next day, all crew surviving
Result U-1023 and U-2336 escaped; U-320 was lost
On 7 May 1945, hours before the German surrender, U-2336 attacked a convoy in the Firth of Forth and sank the freighters Sneland I and Avondale Park, and U-1023 torpedoed the Norwegian minesweeper NYMS 382 off Portland Bill. Both U-boats escaped. A Catalina of 210 Squadron damaged U-320, whose crew abandoned her off Norway the next day.
Why it is remembered These were the last ships sunk by enemy action in the Battle of the Atlantic, nearly five and a half years after it began, and U-320 was the last U-boat lost in action in it.
Sources differ The main account places the U-320 attack in the morning of 7 May but describes the attacks as coming in the evening.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Air Force official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War
Black Friday (1945) Air and submarine attack
Also known as Black Friday raid on Førde Fjord
9 February 1945 · Førde Fjord, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
Fought between Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Britain against Germany
Commanders Colin Milson (Allies)
Forces Allies: 31 or 32 Beaufighters, 10 or 12 P-51 Mustangs and 2 Warwick rescue aircraft. Germany: the destroyer Z33 with 3 to 9 escort vessels, and 12 Fw 190 fighters
Ships Z33
Losses Allies: 9 Beaufighters and 1 Mustang lost, 14 aircrew killed, 4 captured. Germany: 4 or 5 Fw 190s, 2 pilots and 7 sailors killed; at least two ships damaged
Result German victory
Following Admiralty instructions, Coastal Command Beaufighters attacked the destroyer Z33 and her escorts, sheltering in a strong defensive position in Førde Fjord, instead of nearby merchant ships. They had to attack through massed flak, which shot down seven Beaufighters, and twelve Fw 190s intercepted them, shooting down two more and a Mustang. At least two German ships were damaged, and four or five German fighters were shot down, among them that of the ace Rudi Linz.
Why it is remembered The survivors called it Black Friday. Afterwards merchant ships were given priority over destroyers, and an extra Mustang squadron was assigned to protect Allied aircraft near Norway.
Sources differ Allied strength is given as 31 or 32 Beaufighters and 10 or 12 Mustangs, and German escorts as 3 to 9 ships.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: No. 455 Squadron RAAF, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Mediterranean)
Battle of the Ligurian Sea Fleet battle
18 March 1945 · Gulf of Genoa, Ligurian Sea
Fought between Britain against Germany
Commanders Derick Hetherington (Britain); Franz Burkart (Germany, captured)
Forces The British destroyers HMS Lookout and HMS Meteor against 1 German destroyer and 2 torpedo boats
Ships HMS Lookout, HMS Meteor
Losses Britain: 1 destroyer damaged. Germany: 2 torpedo boats sunk, 1 destroyer damaged, 60 killed, 244 captured
Result British victory
A German flotilla of one destroyer and two torpedo boats was laying mines at night in the Gulf of Genoa when HMS Lookout and HMS Meteor intercepted it. The British sank two of the German ships and severely damaged the third.
Why it is remembered It was the last German naval surface action of the war.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Royal Navy official photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Battle of Point Judith Single-ship action
5 to 6 May 1945 · Off Point Judith, Rhode Island
Fought between United States against Germany
Forces The destroyer USS Ericsson, the destroyer escorts USS Amick and USS Atherton, the frigate USS Moberly and 2 blimps, against U-853
Ships U-853, SS Black Point, USS Ericsson, USS Amick, USS Atherton, USS Moberly
Losses United States: the collier SS Black Point sunk, 12 killed. Germany: U-853 sunk, 55 killed
Result American victory
With Germany on the verge of surrender, U-853 sank the 7,500 ton coal ship Black Point off Point Judith. American warships and two blimps hunted the U-boat down and sank her.
Why it is remembered It was one of the last actions of the Battle of the Atlantic, fought after Hitler's death.
Sources Wikipedia
The Atlantic, the Arctic and the Mediterranean, 1919 to 1945 · Second World War (Battle of the Atlantic)
Operation Teardrop Other action
April to May 1945 · North Atlantic Ocean, off the Eastern Seaboard of North America
Fought between United States and Canada against Germany
Commanders Jonas H. Ingram (United States); Eberhard Godt (Germany)
Forces 42 US destroyers and destroyer escorts and 4 escort carriers, with RCAF aircraft, against 7 U-boats
Ships U-546, USS Frederick C. Davis
Losses Germany: 5 U-boats sunk, 218 killed, 33 captured. United States: the destroyer escort USS Frederick C. Davis sunk, 126 killed
Result Allied victory
Fearing that U-boats were carrying V-1 flying bombs to attack New York, the US Navy formed two large anti-submarine task forces. When Type IX U-boats sailed from Norway in April 1945, storms hampered the escort carriers, but long lines of destroyer escorts found and attacked most of them. Five of the seven boats were sunk, four with all hands, and USS Frederick C. Davis was lost; 33 men of U-546 were captured.
Why it is remembered After the war it was found that none of the U-boats had carried missiles. Specialists among the U-546 survivors were interrogated under torture.
Sources Wikipedia
Image: Crew of USS Hubbard (DE-211), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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