Convoy HG 84

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Convoy HG 84
Part of
Atlantic
Result Inconclusive
Belligerents Germany United KingdomCommanders and leaders Karl Dönitz Hubert Hudson
Frederic WalkerStrength 9 U-boats 23 Ships
7 EscortsCasualties and losses 3 U-boats damaged 5 Ships sunk

HG 84 was an Allied convoy of the HG (Homeward from Gibraltar) series during World War II.

Background

Following the

Operation Drumbeat, the offensive against US shipping off the American east coast, and for six months the route was left undisturbed. Seven outbound and seven homebound convoys, averaging 20 ships each, sailed without loss over a six-month period. In June 1942 BdU determined that renewing the attack there would be profitable once more as it would achieve strategic surprise.[1]

Forces involved

HG 84 comprised 20 ships homeward bound from Gibraltar, many in ballast, or carrying trade goods. The convoy commodore was Captain

sloop HMS Stork and three corvettes HMS Convolvulus, HMS Gardenia and HMS Marigold, under the command of F.J. Walker. The convoy was accompanied by a CAM ship, SS Empire Moon
, and the rescue ship Copeland.

Ranged against them was the

Endrass (named for the U-boat commander Engelbert Endrass) of nine U-boats (U-71, U-84, U-89, U-132, U-134, U-437, U-552, U-571, U-575
).

Action

Example of a Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C Condor

Convoy HG 84 sailed from Gibraltar on 9 June 1942, undetected by Axis patrols. On 11 June the convoy was joined by three ships bound from

HF/DF
and conducted an aggressive defence, attacking the U-boats as they attempted to close.

Stork and Gardenia attacked U-132, causing severe damage and forcing her to abandon the battle and leave the pack. Marigold and Convolvulus attacked U-89 and U-437 over a period of 31 hours. U-552 was able to penetrate the screen and made two attacks. The first, just after midnight on 14/15 June, hit and sank the ships Etrib, Pelayo and Slemdal. The Convoy Commodore, Hudson, on Pelayo, was among those lost. Four hours later, having reloaded, U-552 again penetrated the escort screen and sank two more ships, City of Oxford and Thurso. During the next day, 15 June, five more boats arrived, but Walker's ships continued their aggressive defence, fiercely attacking all attempts by the U-boats to close on the convoy. During this period U-552 and U-71 both suffered damage and had to withdraw. U-575 managed to close and fire but her torpedoes missed and there was no damage.

Example of a Junkers 88 dive-bombing

On 16 June the convoy was joined by three more warships, the destroyer

Coastal Command aircraft, and these were able to further suppress any U-boat attacks. The convoy was also in range of German aircraft, and during the day the convoy was attacked by Junkers Ju 88 dive-bombers. Wild Swan came under attack while investigating a group of Spanish trawlers which came close to the convoy. She, and the trawlers, were bombed and Wild Swan, with four of the Spanish trawlers, were sunk. On 17 June, with the arrival of yet more Allied aircraft, BdU called off the attack. Convoy HG 84 arrived at Liverpool
on 20 June without further loss.

Conclusion

Whilst the U-boat Arm had had some success, it was not the victory BdU had expected. Three of the nine U-boats had been severely damaged, though only two, U-71 and U-552 had to return to base; U-132 was able to carry out repairs at sea and was able to continue her patrol. HG 84 had lost five ships, yet 17 ships arrived safely. Walker was commended for his handling of the defence, and it was recognized he had been able to prevent further losses despite the disparity in numbers and to avert a big defeat.[2]

Table

Ships lost [3]
Date Name Nationality Casualties Tonnage Sunk by...
15 June 1942 Etrib British 4 1,943 GRT U-552
15 June 1942 Pelayo British 17 1,345 GRT U-552
15 June 1942 Slemdal Norwegian nil 7,374 GRT U-552
15 June 1942 City of Oxford British 1 2,759 GRT U-552
15 June 1942 Thurso British 13 2,436 GRT U-552

Notes

  1. ^ Blair 2000, p. 623.
  2. ^ Blair 2000, p. 624.
  3. ^ "HG convoys". Arnold Hague Convoy Database. Retrieved 8 October 2012.

References

External links

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