Convoy SC 130
| Convoy SC 130 | |
|---|---|
| Part of North Atlantic | |
| Result | Allied victory |
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Germany
United Kingdom
CanadaB-7 Group: Cdr. P Gretton
8 escorts
1 U-boat damaged
142 dead
Convoy SC 130 was a
Background
SC 130, comprising thirty-seven ships, departed
Ranged against them were 25
Action
The convoy was found and reported on the evening of 18 May,[4] by U-304 which commenced shadowing, while the other U-boats gathered during the night. The B7 group mounted an aggressive defence, chasing down all contacts in order to frustrate any attacks. In this they were successful and none of the U-boats were able to attack that night.
On 19 May long-range aircraft were able to join the action and commenced patrolling, attacking Donau boats as they moved to join the assault. A Hudson of 269 Sqdn destroyed U-273,[6] and a Liberator of 120 Sqdn attacked another: This was thought to have sunk U-954, but later judged to have hit U-731, causing little damage.[4] Later that day the convoy escort was reinforced by the 1st Support Group consisting of the Banff-class sloop HMS Sennen (Capt. G Brewer) with the River-class frigates HMS Wear, HMS Jed and HMS Spey.[4] Within hours U-954 was sunk by hedgehog attacks from Sennen and Jed.[4][6] Admiral Karl Dönitz's son Peter Dönitz was among those lost aboard U-954.[7] An attack by Snowflake and Duncan delivered a hit with a Hedgehog bomb, and was thought to have destroyed a U-boat (U-381)[6] but this was later claimed to have hit U-636, which survived with damage.[8] That evening Tay attacked U-952 and damaged her so badly she had to retire from the action and return to base.[9]
On 20 May the assault continued, but without success, while
At midday on 20th BdU called off the action, and the U-boats withdrew.The convoy reached Liverpool without loss on 26 May.[2]
Aftermath
SC 130 was seen as an Allied victory. No ships had been lost, though two had returned to port; all 35 that made the crossing arrived safely. On the other hand, at least three U-boats were destroyed. This was a major blow which contributed to BdU's decision to abandon the assault on the North Atlantic convoy route, a turning point in the Battle of the Atlantic.
Table
U-boats destroyed
| Date | Number | Type | Location | Casualties | Sunk by... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 May 1943 | U-273 | VIIC | N Atlantic 59°25′N 24°33′W / 59.417°N 24.550°W |
46 | Air attack, Hudson M, 269 Sqdn [10] |
| 19 May 1943 | U-954 | VIIC | N Atlantic | 47 | Hedgehogged by Sennen, Jed[11] |
| 20 May 1943 | U-258 | VIIC | N Atlantic 55°18′N 27°49′W / 55.300°N 27.817°W |
49 | Air attack by Liberator F, 120 Sqdn[11] |
References
Notes
- ^ Hague 2000, p. 133.
- ^ a b Hague 2000, p. 135.
- ^ a b Blair 1998, p. 333.
- ^ a b c d e f Rohwer & Hummelchen 1992, p. 212.
- ^ a b Blair 1998, p. 332.
- ^ a b c d Kemp 1997, p. 118.
- ^ Blair 1998, pp. 333–334.
- ^ Niestlé 1998, p. 59.
- ^ Blair 1998, p. 334.
- ^ Kemp 1997, p. 118-9.
- ^ a b Kemp 1997, p. 119.
Sources
- Blair, Clay (1998). Hitler's U-Boat War, The Hunted 1942–1945. New York: Random House. ISBN 978-0-679-45742-8.
- Gretton, Peter (1964). Convoy Escort Commander. London: Cassel.
- Hague, Arnold (2000). The Allied Convoy System 1939–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-55750-019-9.
- Kemp, Paul (1997). U-Boats Destroyed: German Submarine Losses In The World Wars. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-55750-859-1.
- Niestlé, Axel (1998). German U-Boat Losses During World War II: Details of Destruction. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-55750-641-2.
- Rohwer, J.; Hummelchen, G. (1992). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-55750-105-9.