Received from Tony Cooper, England - His source: Public Records Office, Kew.

Commodore was the captain of Norwegian Lyra, Vice Commodore was the captain of San Zotico.

Empire Unity was "...struck by two torpedoes - number 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 tanks holed. Holes blown vertically from ship's bottom on starboard side to upper deck. Heavy splinters blown through port side both above and below water line. Keel plate may be intact. Request experienced Salvage Officer be flown to Iceland to advise on repairs necessary to make vessel fit for passage to U.K. 3 Officers and 9 men on Empire Unity are on board Northern Sky with RU 161. Request they be sent back to Iceland immediately to rejoin their ship. Rest of crew now on board. Living quarters on board are intact".
Empire Unity was torpedoed at 01:00B on May 5-1945 in 290° Akrenes 14 miles. "Ship abandoned and brought safely into Hvalfjord through excellent work of Northern Spray. Further report will be made after inspection by Fleet Salvage Officer. No casualties. 12 survivors with RU 161 remained in Iceland".

According to Jürgen Rohwer's "Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two", the culprit was U-979 (on May 4-1945, German time).

Escorts:
HMS Northern Reward (S.O.), HMS Northern Sky, HMS Northern Gem.

A document dated May 5-1945 states the following:
"Request NOIC Aultbea will sail Lady Beryl to R/V off Cape Wrath with HM Trawler Fort Rose and escort 3 LCT to Loch Ewe for onward routing in RU 161 to Clyde. Fort Rose to report E.T.A. to Aultbea and C.-in-C. W.A." (=Commander in Chief, Western Approaches).

Related external link:
Info on Empire Unity

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