Torpedoing of HMS Newfoundland during battle of Sicily July 1943. Also U boat attack North Atlantic 1944 from HMS Pitcairn and a story of two brothers. Memories of a Bridgend, South Wales lad

• Main Author: Their Finest Hour Project Team
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: British history; European history (excl. British; classical Greek and Roman); International history; Their Finest Hour; World War Two; Armed Forces; Armies; Army; Atlantic; Battle; Battle of Sicily; Britain; British; Churchill; Cruiser; Destroyer; Drink; Drinking; Ensign; Europe; European; Flag; German; Germany; Invasion of Sicily; Italian; Italian Campaign; Italy; Leisure; Military; Naval; Navy; Operation Husky; Politician; Politics; Prime Minister; RN; Royal; Royal Navy; Russian; Sea; Sea Battle; Ship; Ships; Standard; Submarine; War Ship; Warship; Winston Churchill; Lookout; Augusta; Two Brothers; Harcourt; Newfoundland; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.25446/oxford.25924126.v1; https://figshare.com/articles/online_resource/Torpedoing_of_HMS_Newfoundland_during_battle_of_Sicily_July_1943_Also_U_boat_attack_North_Atlantic_1944_from_HMS_Pitcairn_and_a_story_of_two_brothers_Memories_of_a_Bridgend_South_Wales_lad/25924126

23 Jul 1943: Around 1250 hours, the light cruisers HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN) and the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN) and HMS Loyal (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, DSC, RN) departed Augusta for Malta. At 1341 hours (1338 hours according to German sources), while in position 37°03'N, 15°24'E, HMS Newfoundland was hit in the stern by a torpedo from the German submarine U-407. Her rudder was blown off but she was able to continue at 22 knots steering by her propellers. HMS Laforey was detached to hunt the submarine where the remainder of the ships continued their passage to Malta where they arrived around 173 hours. HMS Laforey meanwhile searched for the attacker. She attacked a contact at 1428 hours but this was thought to be non-sub. At 1440 hours, she joined the 8th Destroyer Flotilla which was patrolling in the area and they commenced a box search. Six destroyers were now present, these were HMS Laforey, HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN), HMS Inglefield (Cmdr. C.F.H. Churchill, DSC, RN), HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, DSO, RN) and HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN). At 1541 hours, while sweeping northwards HMS Laforey and HMS Eclipse sighted two torpedo tracks coming their way. They combed the tracks and commenced an attack. At 1550 hours HMS Laforey dropped a pattern of eight depth charges for no result. Shortly afterwards HMS Eclipse dropped a pattern of five depth charges. HMS Laforey made a second attack at 1557 hours and HMS Eclipse also made a second attack at 1608 hours. At 1615 hours HMS Laforey made her third attack in which, once again, eight depth charges were dropped. Shortly afterwards the Italian submarine Ascianghi surfaced in her wake. The other destroyers closed in and opened fire with all guns. The submarine sank stern first at 1623 hours. A total of ...