Overview
5
Allied war vessels were sunk by U-boats.
2
U-boats were sunk by Allied warships or by mines.54
Allied
and neutral merchant
ships were sunk by U-boats totaling 268,693 tons.9
Allied
merchant ships were damaged by U-boats totaling 69,982 tons.
Naval Action in the Atlantic OceanThe
submarine HMS Spearfish (N 69) was torpedoed and sunk by the U-34,
commanded by Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Rollmann, about 180 miles
west-southwest of Stavanger, Norway in the North Sea. Of the ship’s
complement, 41 died and 1 survivors was taken prisoner.The
British troop transport Mohamed Ali El-Kebir was torpedoed and sunk by
the U-38, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Liebe, about 230 miles
west of Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement
and passengers, 96 died and 766 survivors were picked up by the
destroyer HMS Griffin (H 31). The 7,527 ton Mohamed Ali El-Kebir was
carrying troops including naval personnel, government stores and mail
and was headed for Gibraltar.The
16,923 ton armed merchant cruiser HMS Transylvania (F 56) of the 10th
Cruiser Squadron on Northern Patrol was torpedoed and sunk by the U-56,
commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Otto Harms, about 40 miles northwest
of Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 36
died and 300 survivors were picked up by nearby trawlers rescued about
300 officers and ratings and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ashanti (F
51).While
escorting Convoy SC-1 the Sloop HMS Penzance (L 28) was torpedoed and
sunk by the U-37, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Victor Oehrn, southwest
of Iceland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 90
died and 7 survivors were picked up by the Swedish merchant Eknaren.While
escorting Convoy SL-43 the 15,007 ton armed merchant cruiser HMS
Dunvegan Castle was torpedoed and sunk by the U-46, commanded by
Oberleutnant zur See Engelbert Endrass, about 120 miles southwest of
Cape Clear, Ireland in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s
complement, 27 died and 250 survivors were picked up by the destroyer
HMS Harvester (H 19) and the corvette HMS Primrose (K 91).
U-Boat LossesThe
U-25, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Heinz Beduhn, was was lost around
August 1, 1940 in the North Sea north of Terchelling to British mines,
probably in the mine barrage Field No 7. All of the ship’s complement of
49 died. During its career
under two commanders the U-25 sank
1 auxiliary warship, 7 merchant ships for a total of 33,209
tons, and damaged 1 merchant ship for a total of 7,638 tons.The
U-51, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Dietrich Knorr, was sunk in the Bay of
Biscay west of Nantes, France by a torpedo from the submarine HMS
Cachalot
(N
83).
All of the ship’s complement of 43 died.
During its career
under Kapitänleutnant
Knorr
the U-51 sank
1
auxiliary warship and 5 merchant ships for a total of
26,296 tons.
Attacks on Allied and Neutral Merchant ShipsThe
unescorted Swedish steam merchant Sigyn was torpedoed and sunk by the
U-59, commanded by Joachim Matz, north of Ireland in the northern
Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, all 23 survived. The 1,981 ton
Sigyn was carrying pit props and was headed for Sunderland, England.Sailing
with Convoy OB-191, the 8,016 ton British motor tanker Alexia was
torpedoed and damaged by the U-99, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Otto
Kretschmer, in the
northern Atlantic Ocean. After the Alexia was hit she fell out of
the convoy where she was shelled by the same U-99 but did not sink. 
Sailing
with Convoy OB-191, the British motor tanker Lucerna was torpedoed and
damaged by the U-99 in the
northern Atlantic Ocean.. She initially stopped and was later
attacked by the U-99 with gunfire, but managed to escape and reached
Greenock, Scotland on August 8. Of the ship’s complement, all 30
survived. The 6,556 ton Lucerna was carrying ballast and was bound for
Abadan, Iran.Sailing
with Convoy OB-191, the Norwegian motor tanker Strinda was torpedoed and
damaged by the U-99 in the
northern Atlantic Ocean.. The 10,973 ton Lucerna was carrying ballast
and was bound for Abadan, Iran.The
unescorted Swedish steam merchant Atos was torpedoed and sunk by the
U-57, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Erich Topp, north of Ireland in
the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 1 died and 27
survivors were picked up by the Icelandic trawler Skutull. The 2,161 ton
Atos was carrying general cargo and was headed for Petsamo, Finland.The
unescorted Yugoslavian steam merchant Rad was shelled and then torpedoed
and sunk by the submarine UA, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Hans Cohausz,
off the western coast of Africa in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Of the
ship’s complement, all 29 survived and were picked up by the British
steam merchant Grodno. The 4,201 ton Rad was carrying chemicals and was
headed for Durban, South Africa.Sailing
with Convoy HX-60, the British steam merchant Geraldine Mary was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-52, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Otto Salman,
approximately 270 miles west-northwest of Ireland in the northern Atlantic
Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 3 died and 48D survivors were picked up
by a British escort vessel. The 7,244 ton Geraldine Mary was carrying
newsprint and sulphite pulp and was headed for Manchester, England.Sailing
with Convoy HX-60, the British steam merchant Gogovale was torpedoed and
sunk by the U-52 approximately 300
miles west-northwest of Ireland. Of the
ship’s complement, all 37 survived and were picked up by the destroyer
HMS Vanoc (H 33). The 4,586 ton Gogovale was carrying flour and was
headed for London, England.Sailing
with Convoy HX-60, the British steam merchant King Alfred was torpedoed
and sunk by the U-52 approximately
300 miles west-northwest of Ireland. Of
the ship’s complement, 7 died and 34 survivors were picked up by the
destroyer HMS Vanoc (H 33). The 5,272 ton King Alfred was carrying pit
props and was headed for Methil, Scotland.A
straggler from Convoy SL-40, the Greek steam merchant Pindos was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-58, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See
Heinrich Schonder, northwest of Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean.
Of the ship’s complement, 3 died and 29 survivors reached land by
lifeboat. The 4,360 ton Pindos was carrying grain and was headed for
Avonmouth, England.Sailing
with Convoy OB-193, the British steam merchant Boma was torpedoed and
sunk by the U-56, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Otto Harms,
northwest of Malin Head, Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the
ship’s complement, 3 died and 50 survivors were picked up by the
Norwegian motor tanker Vilja. The 5,408 ton Boma was carrying coal and
was headed for Lagos, Nigeria.The
unescorted British motor merchant Upwey Grange was torpedoed and sunk by
the U-37, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Victor Oehrn, about 200 miles
west of Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement
and passengers, 36 died and 50 survivors were picked up by the British
trawler Naniwa. The 9,130 ton Upwey Grange was carrying passengers,
frozen meat, and canned meat and was headed for London, England.The
unescorted Swedish motor merchant Canton was torpedoed and sunk by the
U-30, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Fritz-Julius Lemp, sank 70 miles west
of Tory Island, Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s
complement, 16 died and 16 survived. The 5,779 ton Canton was carrying
pig iron, linseed, general cargo, and hessian and was headed for
Liverpool, England.A
straggler from Convoy SL-41, the British steam merchant Llanfair was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-38, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Heinrich
Liebe, west of Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s
complement, 3 died and 30 survivors were picked up by the American
merchant California. The 4,966 ton Llanfair was carrying sugar and was
headed for Avonmouth, England.A
straggler from Convoy HX-62, the Swedish steam merchant Nils Gorthon was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-60, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See
Adalbert Schnee, 25 miles north-northeast of Malin Head, Ireland in the
northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 5 died and 16
survivors were picked up by the Icelandic trawler Helgafell. The 1,787N
ton Nils Gorthon was carrying wood pulp and was headed for Ridham Dock,
England.The
unescorted British steam merchant Betty was torpedoed and sunk by the
U-59, commanded by Joachim Matz, 35 miles from Tory Island, Ireland in
the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 30 died and 4
survivors were picked up by the minesweeping trawler HMS Man o´ War (FY
104). The 2,339 ton Betty was carrying rice and was headed for
Liverpool, England.A
straggler from Convoy HX-62, the British motor tanker Sylvafield was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-51, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Dietrich
Knorr, 190 miles west-northwest of Rockall in the northern Atlantic
Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 3 died and 36 survivors were picked up
by the minesweeping trawler HMS Newland. The 5,709 ton Sylvafield was
carrying fuel oil and was headed for Glasgow, Scotland.The
unescorted Greek steam merchant Aspasia was torpedoed and sunk by the
submarine UA, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Hans Cohausz, in the eastern
Atlantic Ocean. All of the ship’s complement of 19 died. The 4,211 ton
Aspasia was carrying manganese ore and was headed for Workington,
England.A
straggler from Convoy OA-198, the British motor merchant Empire Merchant
was torpedoed and sunk by the U-100, commanded by Kapitänleutnant
Joachim Schepke, about 190 miles west of Ireland in the northern
Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 7 died and 48 survivors were
picked up by the rescue tug HMS Salvonia (W 43). The 4,864 ton Empire
Merchant was carrying general cargo and mail and was headed for
Kingston, Jamaica.Sailing
with Convoy OB-197, the British steam merchant Clan Macphee was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-30, commanded by Kapitänleutnant
Fritz-Julius Lemp, about 350 miles west of North Uist, Outer Hebrides in
the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 67 died and 41
survivors were picked up by the Hungarian steam merchant Kelet and the
Norwegian steam merchant Varegg. The 6,628 ton Clan Macphee was carrying
general cargo and was headed for Bombay, India.Sailing
with Convoy OB-197, the Swedish steam merchant Hedrun was torpedoed and
sunk by the U-48, commanded by Korvettenkapitän Hans Rudolf Rösing,
about 70 miles west of Rockall in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the
ship’s complement, 8 died and 21 survivors were picked up by the British
steam merchant Empire Soldier. The 2,325 ton Hedrun was carrying coal
and was headed for Newport, Rhode Island.Sailing
with Convoy OB-197, the Dutch motor merchant Alcinous was torpedoed and
damaged by the U-46, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Engelbert Endrass,
approximately 150 miles southwest of Rockall in the northern Atlantic
Ocean. The 6,189 ton Alcinous was carrying general cargo and was bound
for Java.A
straggler from Convoy OA-199, the British steam merchant Ampleforth was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-101, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Fritz
Frauenheim, west of the Hebrides in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the
ship’s complement, 9 died and 29 survivors were picked up by the
destroyer HMS Warwick (D 25). The 4,576 ton Ampleforth was carrying
ballast and was headed for Jacksonville, Florida.The
Belgian steam passenger ship Ville de Gand was torpedoed and sunk by the
U-48, commanded by Korvettenkapitän Hans Rudolf Rösing, about 200 miles
west of Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s
complement, 15 died and 38 survived. The 7,590 ton Ville de Gand was
carrying shell bullets and was headed for New York,
New York.The
Hungarian steam merchant Kelet was torpedoed and sunk by the submarine
UA, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Hans Cohausz, in the eastern Atlantic
Ocean. Of the ship’s complement and survivors picked up from the Clan
Macphee, 6 died and 68 survivors were picked up by the Norwegian
merchant Varegg. The 4,295 ton Kelet was carrying ballast and was headed
for Tampa, Florida.The
unescorted Greek steam merchant Leonidas M. Valmas was torpedoed and
damaged beyond repair by the U-46, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See
Engelbert Endrass, northwest of Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean.
Of the ship’s complement, 16 died. The 2,080 ton Leonidas M. Valmas was
carrying timber, boards and battens and was headed for Dublin, Ireland.A
straggler from Convoy OB-198, the Panamanian steam merchant Tuira was
torpedoed and sunk by the submarine UA, commanded by Kapitänleutnant
Hans Cohausz, southwest of Rockall in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Of the
ship’s complement, 2 died. The 4,397 ton Tuira was carrying coal and was
headed for Rosario, Argentina.Dispersed
from Convoy OA-200, the Norwegian steam merchant Keret was torpedoed and
sunk by the U-37, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Victor Oehrn, in the
northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 13 died and 7
survivors were picked up by the British steam merchant Trident. The
1,718 ton Keret was carrying ballast and was headed for Sydney, Nova
Scotia.Dispersed
from Convoy OA-200, the British steam merchant Severn Leigh was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-37 in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 33 died
and 10 survivors reached land by lifeboat. The 5,242 ton Severn Leigh
was carrying ballast and was headed for St. John, New Brunswick.Dispersed
from Convoy OA-200, the British steam merchant Brookwood was torpedoed
and sunk by the U-37, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Victor Oehrn, south
of Iceland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 1
died and 36 survivors were picked up by the British merchant Clan
Macbean. The 5,100 ton Brookwood was carrying ballast and was headed for
Sydney, Nova Scotia.A
straggler from Convoy HX-65, the British steam tanker La Brea was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-48, commanded by Korvettenkapitän Hans
Rudolf Rösing, west-northwest of Rockall in the northern Atlantic Ocean.
Of the ship’s complement, 2 died and 31 survivors reached land by
lifeboat. The 6,666 ton La Brea was carrying fuel oil and was headed for
Dundee, Scotland.Sailing
with Convoy OB-202, the British Steam merchant Cumberland was torpedoed
and sunk by the U-57, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Erich Topp, 25
miles northeast of Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s
complement, 4 died and 54 survivors were reached land by lifeboat. The
10,939 ton Cumberland was carrying general cargo including metal and was
headed for Port Chalmers, New Zealand.Sailing
with Convoy OB-202, the British Steam merchant Saint Dunstan was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-5725 miles northeast of Irelandf
the ship’s complement, 14 died and 49 survivors were picked up by the
British rescue ship Copeland. The 5,681 ton Saint Dunstan was carrying
ballast and was headed for Baltimore, Maryland.Sailing
with Convoy OB-202, the British steam merchant Havildar was torpedoed
and damaged by the U-57 25 miles northeast of Malin Head. The
5,407 ton Havildar was carrying general cargo and was bound for Rangoon,
Burma.The
unescorted British steam merchant Jamaica Pioneer was torpedoed and sunk
by the U-100, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Joachim Schepke, east of
Rockall in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 2 died
and 55 survivors were picked up by the destroyers HMS Anthony (H 40) and
HMS Wanderer (D 74). The 5,471 ton Jamaica Pioneer was carrying bananas
and was headed for Avonmouth, England.Sailing
with Convoy HX-65A, the British Steam merchant Fircrest was torpedoed
and sunk by the U-124, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Georg-Wilhelm
Schulz, north of the Hebrides in the northern Atlantic Ocean. All of the
ship’s complement of 39 died. The 5,394 ton Fircrest was carrying iron
ore and was headed for Middlesbrough, England.Sailing
with Convoy HX-65A, the British Steam merchant Harpalyce was torpedoed
and sunk by the U-124
north of the Hebrides. Of the
ship’s complement, 42 died and 4 survivors were picked up by the armed
trawler HMS Fort Dee. The 5,169 ton Harpalyce was carrying steel and was
headed for Hull, England.Sailing
with Convoy HX-65A, the British steam merchant Stakesby was torpedoed
and damaged by the U-124 north of Butt of Lewis, Hebrides.
Of the ship’s complement, all 36 survived. The 3,900 ton Stakesby was
carrying pit props and was bound for Tyne, England.Sailing
with Convoy SC-1, the British steam merchant Blairmore was torpedoed and
sunk by the U-37, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Victor Oehrn, southeast
of Cape Farewell, Greenland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the
ship’s complement, 5 died and 36 survivors were picked up by the Swedish
motor merchant Eknaren. The 4,141 ton Blairmore was carrying timber and
was headed for Tyne, England.A
straggler from Convoy OB-201, the British steam merchant Yewcrest was
sunk by gunfire by the U-37
southwest of Iceland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s
complement, 1 died and 38 survivors were picked up by the destroyer HMS
Highlander (H 44). The 3,774 ton Yewcrest was carrying ballast and was
headed for Wabana, Newfoundland.Sailing
with Convoy HX-65A, the British motor tanker Athelcrest was torpedoed
and sunk by the U-48, commanded by Korvettenkapitän Hans Rudolf Rösing,
northeast of Scotland. Of the ship’s complement, 30 died and 6 survivors
were picked up by the corvette HMS Godetia (K 72). The 6,825 ton
Athelcrest was carrying diesel oil and was headed for London, England.Sailing
with Convoy HX-65A, the British steam merchant Empire Merlin was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-48 northeast of Scotland. Of the ship’s complement, 35 died
and 1 survivor were picked up by the corvette HMS Godetia (K 72). The
5,763 ton Empire Merlin was carrying sulphur and was headed for Hull,
England. www.uboat.net.A
straggler from Convoy HX-65B, the British motor tanker Pecten was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-57, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Erich
Topp, about 75 miles north of Tory Island, Ireland in the northern
Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 49 died and 8 survivors were
picked up by the British steam merchant Torr Head. The 7,468 ton Pecten
was carrying Admiralty fuel oil and was headed for Clyde, United
Kingdom.A
straggler from Convoy SC-1, the Norwegian steam merchant Eva was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-28, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Günter
Kuhnke, about 60 miles east of Rockall in the northern Atlantic Ocean.
Of the ship’s complement, 1 died and 17 survivors reached land by
lifeboat/. The 1,599 ton Eva was carrying lumber and was headed for
Sharpness, England. For more information on these vessels visit the
Eva and
the U-28 pages on
www.uboat.net.The
unescorted Greek steam merchant Theodoros T. was torpedoed and sunk by
the U-37, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Victor Oehrn, southwest of
Ireland in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The 3,409 ton Theodoros T. was
carrying maize and was headed for Cardiff, Wales. For more information
on these vessels visit the
Theodoros T.
and the U-37 pages on
www.uboat.net.Sailing
with Convoy SC-1, the Finnish steam merchant Elle was torpedoed and sunk
by the U-101, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Fritz Frauenheim, northwest
of Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 2
died and 27 survivors were picked up by the sloop HMS Leith (L 36). The
3,868 ton Elle was carrying spoolwood and was headed for Ardrossan,
Scotland.Sailing
with Convoy HX-66, the British Steam merchant Kyno was torpedoed and
sunk by the U-28, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Günter Kuhnke, about 30
miles north-northeast of Rockall in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the
ship’s complement, 4 died and 33D survivors were picked up by the
British motor merchant Queen Maud. The 3,946 ton Kyno was carrying
general cargo and was headed for Hull, England.The
British steam merchant Dalblair was torpedoed and sunk by the U-100,
commanded by Kapitänleutnant Joachim Schepke, 150 miles northwest of
Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. All of the ship’s complement of
41 died. The 4,608 ton Dalblair was carrying ballast and was headed for
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.A
straggler from Convoy OA-204, the Swedish steam merchant Alida Gorthon
was torpedoed and sunk by the U-100 approximately 250 miles northwest of Tory Island, Ireland. Of the ship’s complement and survivors
picked up from the British steam merchant Dalblair, 31 died and 13
survived. The 2,373 ton Alida Gorthon was carrying ballast and was
headed for St. John’s, Newfoundland.A
straggler from Convoy OA-204, the British steam merchant Empire Moose
was torpedoed and sunk by the U-100 approximately 130 miles west-northwest of Ireland. Of the ship’s complement, all 36 survived reached land by
lifeboat. The 6,103 ton Empire Moose was carrying ballast and was headed
for Port Sulphur, Louisiana.Sailing
with Convoy OA-204, the British steam merchant Hartismere was torpedoed
and damaged by the U-100northwest of Bloody Foreland, Ireland.
The 5,498 ton Hartismere was carrying ballast.Sailing
with Convoy HX-66A, the British steam merchant Chelsea was torpedoed and
sunk by the U-32, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Hans Jenisch, 60
miles west-northwest of Cape Wrath, Scotland in the northern Atlantic
Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 24 died and 11 survivors were picked up
by the armed trawler HMS Lord Cecil. The 4,804 ton Chelsea was carrying
maize and was headed for London, England.Sailing
with Convoy HX-66A, the British steam merchant Mill Hill was torpedoed
and sunk by the U-32 60
miles west-northwest of Cape Wrath. All of the ship’s complement of 34 died. The 4,318 ton Mill Hill
was carrying pig iron and steel and was headed for Middlesbrough,
England.Sailing
with Convoy HX-66A, the Norwegian motor merchant Norne was torpedoed and
sunk by the U-32, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Hans Jenisch, 60
miles west-northwest of Cape Wrath, Scotland in the northern Atlantic
Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 17 died and 11 survivors were picked up
by the corvette HMS Hibiscus (K 24). The 3,971 ton Norne was carrying
scrap iron and was headed for Grangemouth, England.Sailing
with Convoy OB-205, the Greek steam merchant San Gabriel was torpedoed
and damaged beyond repair by the U-59, commanded by Joachim Matz, north
of Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, 2
died and 22 survivors were picked up by the destroyer HMS Warwick (D
25). The 4,943 ton San Gabriel was carrying ballast and was headed for
Buenos Aires, Argentina.Sailing
with Convoy OB-205, the British motor tanker Anadara was torpedoed and
damaged by the U-59 north of Ireland. Of the ship’s complement, all survived. The
8,009 ton Anadara was carrying ballast and was bound for Corpus Christi,
Texas.A
straggler from Convoy OB-205, the British Steam merchant Har Zion was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-38, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Heinrich
Liebe, northwest of Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Of the
ship’s complement, 34 died and 1 survivor were picked up by the Polish
destroyer ORP Blyskawica (H 34). The 2,508 ton Har Zion was carrying
alcohol and fertilizer and was headed for Savannah, Georgia.The
unescorted and unarmed Belgian steam passenger ship Ville de Hasselt was
torpedoed and sunk by the U-46, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See
Engelbert Endrass, about 100 miles northwest of Ireland in the northern
Atlantic Ocean. Of the ship’s complement, all 53 survived and were
picked up by the Belgian steam trawler Transport and the Icelandic steam
trawlers Egill Skallagrímsson and Hilmir. The 7,461 ton Ville de Hasselt
was carrying general cargo and was headed for Boston, Massachusetts.Dispersed
from Convoy OB-205, the British steam merchant Bibury was torpedoed and
sunk by the U-59, commanded by Joachim Matz, northwest of Ireland in the
northern Atlantic Ocean. All of the ship’s complement of 39 died. The
4,616 ton Bibury was carrying coal and was headed for Buenos Aires,
Argentina.Sailing
with Convoy OB-205, the Dutch steam passenger ship Volendam was
torpedoed and damaged by the U-60, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See
Adalbert Schnee, about 200 miles west of the Bloody Foreland, Ireland in
the northern Atlantic Ocean. The Volendam had been assigned to the child
evacuation program and was carrying 879 people composed of 273 crew
members, 320 children with their leaders, and 286 other passengers. When
it became necessary to abandon ship there was no problem because this
had been practiced in port. The children sang “Roll out the Barrel”
until they were rescued by three other ships of the convoy and brought
back to Britain. The only casualty was a crewman, who drowned when he
fell overboard. The 15,434 ton Volendam was also carrying general cargo
and was bound for New York, New York.
Other Battle of the Atlantic EventsThe
Italian Royal Navy established its BETASOM submarine base in Bordeaux,
in the German occupation zone of the southwestern coast of France. The
Italians were allocated a sector of the Atlantic south of Lisbon to
patrol.U.S.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his cabinet had a "long discussion"
in a cabinet meeting concerning "ways and means to sell directly or
indirectly" 50 or 60 destroyers to the British. There was no dissent
"that the survival of the British Isles under German attack might very
possibly depend on their [the British] getting these destroyers." All
present agreed that legislation to accomplish that goal was necessary.Lord
Lothian, British Ambassador to the U.S., provided U.S. President
Franklin D. Roosevelt with a note concerning the facilities which the
British were prepared to "extend to the United States Government..." in
return for 50 to 60 old destroyers.Rear
Admiral John W. Greenslade and French Vice Admiral Georges A.M.J. Robert
concluded an agreement concerning the status of Vichy French warships
and aircraft in the French West Indies. The ships in question were the
aircraft carrier Bearn, light cruiser Emile Bertin, training cruiser
Jeanne d'Arc and auxiliary cruisers Esterelle, Quercy, and Barfleur.
Aircraft concerned were 44 SBC-4s, 15 Hawk 75s (an export version of
USAAC P-36) and 6 Belgian Brewster fighters (an export version of USN
F2A).U.S.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt conferred with U.S. Secretary of the
Navy William "Frank" Knox, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, Secretary
of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, and Undersecretary of State Sumner
Welles concerning the transfer of destroyers to Britain. Consequently,
Roosevelt informed British Prime Minister Churchill (in a telegram sent
from Acting Secretary of State Sumner Welles to U.S. Ambassador Joseph
P. Kennedy) that among other items previously sought "it may be possible
to furnish to the British Government... at least 50 destroyers..."
Roosevelt stated, though, that such aid could only be given provided
that "the American People and the Congress frankly recognized in
return...the national defense and security of the United States would be
enhanced." The President thus insisted that (1) should British waters be
rendered untenable the British Fleet would be sent to other parts of the
Empire (and neither turned over to the Germans nor sunk) and (2) that
the British government would grant authorization to use Newfoundland,
Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad and British Guiana as
naval and air bases, and to acquire land there through 99-year leases to
establish those bases.British
Prime Minister Churchill responded, encouraged and grateful, to U.S.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt's telegram of August 13, 1940: "the
worth of every destroyer that you can spare to us is measured in
rubies... The "moral value of this fresh aid from your Government and
your people at this critical time will be very great and widely felt."U.S.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in a press conference, announced that
the U.S. government was discussing with the British government for the
acquisition of naval and air bases to defend the Western Hemisphere and
the Panama Canal. Secrecy, however, continued to shroud the ongoing
discussions concerning the transfer of destroyers to the British.The
German government announced a “total blockade” of Great Britain:
“Germany, having repeatedly warned these [neutral] States not to send
their ships into the waters around the British Isles, has now again
requested, in a note, these governments to forbid their ships from
entering the Anglo-German war zones. It is in the interest of these
States themselves to accede to this German request as soon as possible.
The Reich Government wishes to emphasize the following fact: The naval
war in the waters around the British Isles is in full progress. The
whole area had been mined.”U.S.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt conferred with Secretary of the Navy
Knox, Secretary of War Stimson and Secretary of State Hull concerning a
compromise to resolve the impasse that has arisen over the proposed
destroyers-for-bases agreement. Subsequently, Roosevelt met with Admiral
Harold R. Stark, Chief of Naval Operations, Secretary of the Navy Knox
and Secretary of State Hull, and British Ambassador Lord Lothian. These
men reviewed the proposal arrived at earlier that day. Admiral Stark
certified that the destroyers involved were no longer essential to the
defense of the United States, thus clearing the way for their transfer.U.S.
Attorney General Robert H. Jackson delivered to U.S. President Franklin
D. Roosevelt a ruling in which the legal framework for the transfer of
destroyers to the British could be accomplished.Coastal
Command of the RAF began operating from an air base in Iceland to help
in convoy protection. Only outdated Fairey Battle aircraft were
available at this time.
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