http://www.historisches-marinearchiv.de/projekte/asa/ausgabe.php?where_value=575
Am 20.04.1940 um 10:08 griff HMS TRIAD auf Position 58.14n 10.50e einen Geleitzug an. "Angriff auf Süd-Konvoi mit 3 Handelsschiffen, 4 Zerstörern und 1 Motortorpedoboot."
Brian (uboat.net) vermutet diesen Konvoi: TOGO, PIONIER, AHRENSBURG / TB JAGUAR, FALKE; F5, F8; R-BOOTE (5)
Aber die Konstellation passt gar nicht zu den Angaben der HMA-Datenbank "Weserübung". Dort steht erstens:
April 20.: Schnelle Mannschaftstransporter ANGELBURG und AHRENSBURG gesichert durch T-Boote, M-Boote und R-Boote nachmittags in Larvik eingelaufen.
April 21.: AHRENSBURG ab Fredrikshaven nach Larvik.
Diese Angaben erscheinen mir nicht schlüssig. Könnt Ihr das nochmal prüfen?
Und zu PIONIER heißt es in der DB "Weserübung":
April 20.: PIONIER an Oslo.
April 22.: PIONIER von Oslo ausgelaufen.
Beide Schiffe in ein- und demselben Südkonvoi sehe ich also nicht. TOGO ist in der Datenbank "Weserübung" leider nicht verzeichnet. Kann Jemand Licht ins Dunkel bringen?
Übrigens: Am 21. April fuhr TOGO laut Rohwer in eine NARWHAL-Minensperre im Skagerrak. Kennt Jemand die genaueren Umstände (Uhrzeit, Geleitzug, Escorts) ?
Danke vielmals für jede Hilfe
Schönen Abend,
Thomas
Hello Thomas,
This is a rather complex convoy! I have the following from my old notes:
The convoy initially consisted of ANGELBURG, AHRENSBURG, PIONIER and TOGO. They sailed from Fredrikshaven at 0530/20 April (except PIONIER at 0620/20) , they were escorted by the torpedo-boats Falke and Jaguar, the escort vessels F 5 and F 8, T 107, T 108, T 151 and T 155 and the R-boats R 26, R 27 and R 29 (2nd R-Flottille), R 33, R 35, 36, R 37, R 38 and R 40 (3rd R-Flottille) [one source also adds two unnamed Schnellboote].
The convoy was carrying 3221 troops (2500 to Larvik, the remainder to Oslo but I have some doubts as to the exactitude of these numbers) and stores. Initially divided in two groups but they seem to have joined shortly after.
At one point ANGELBURG developped defects and had to turn back to Fredrikshaven escorted by T 155 (I do not know the exact time so her presence in the convoy during the attack by HMS TRIAD is not certain but since HMS TRIAD described the convoy as three merchant ships then it is probable that ANGELBURG had already left.
At 0755/20, the convoy sighted the sinking HAMM in Quadrat 4467 (torpedoed by HMS SEAWOLF on 18 April, towed by the tug FÖHR but she had just sunk in 24 metres of water). At 1111/20, F 8 sighted three torpedo tracks which missed TOGO (this was TRIAD's attack) in Quadrat 4186. F 8 dropped two depth charges and R 26 another seven but the submarine had only minor damage.
At 1220/20, TOGO was detached to LARVIK, it is probable that AHRENSBURG was detached at the same time but they seem to have proceeded in two groups:
1. AHRENSBURG now escorted by T 107, T 108, T 151, R 33, R 35, R 37 and R 40, they arrived at Larvik at 1308/20 April.
2. TOGO escorted by F 5, F 8, R 36 and R 38, they arrived at Larvik at 1530/20 April.
PIONIER continued to Oslo escorted by JAGUAR, FALKE, R 26, R 27 and R 29. They arrived at Oslo at 1940/20 April.
Best regards,
Platon
Thanks a lot for this bulk of informations, Platon.
Isn't it astonishing, that TRIAD only observed a relatively small part of escorts together with the three merchant ships? TRIAD only saw 4 destroyers and 1 MTB.
But the convoy was, apart from the 4 bigger escorts FALKE, JAGUAR, F5 and F8, escorted by:
3 old torpedoboats T107, T108, T151 and 9 (nine!) R-boats.
Thanks, agains, and best regards
Thomas
Hello Thomas,
I suppose that Lt Cdr Oddie of HMS Triad used his periscope very briefly as making an attack in daylight in the Kattegat was very risky. He may not have had the time to do an all around observation unless the convoy was broken in two. The range was also rather long (2,700 yards) so he may have not seen all the vessels involved, especially the smaller escorts.
All the best,
Platon
ZitatÜbrigens: Am 21. April fuhr TOGO laut Rohwer in eine NARWHAL-Minensperre im Skagerrak. Kennt Jemand die genaueren Umstände (Uhrzeit, Geleitzug, Escorts) ?
Vielleicht ein Bischen spät, aber trotzdem ...
Die Angabe betreffend die "Narwhal"-Minensperre ist nicht ganz genau.
Es war nicht in Skagerrak, sondern in Kattegat.
Am 13. April 1940 von 1628 bis 1644 Uhr hat "Narwhal" 50 stck. Mk. XVI Ankertauminen auf Position 57
o 26' N 10
o 45' E – etwa 11 km östlich Frederikshavn - gelegt.
Der Minentreffer auf "Togo" war am 21. April, nicht am 23. April.
KTB Gruppe Ost21.4.40
1533 KR von ,,F5":
,,Togo" Minentreffer Qu. 4494 l.K.u.
13. Vp.Fl. , 23.4.40, 06.30 hDampfer Togo bei Holtenau entlassen.
mfg.
Jens
Vielen Danke Jens.
Ich habe alle Ergänzungen vorgenommen.
Ich kann aber nicht finden, wo steht, dass TOGO am 23. (statt 21.) April durch Minentreffer beschädigt wurde ?
Viele Grüße
Thomas