Hello Andrzej,

I do not have a copy of the 3.MSFL KTB and therefore do not know the composition of the convoy. I will try to check other sources to see if I can come up with something.

Best regards,

Platon

Hi Darius, Many thanks. If the time recorded is the time of origin of the signal and not of the actual attack then the only problem is that of the latitude. Perhaps the minesweeper or the submarine had a defective compass? Or an error in copying the position in the submarine's report or in the mines...

Hello Jan-Olof, Regarding the AN 6897 position. The porpoise hypothesis probably still stands. However, the submarine H.49 was operating on the same longitude but about 30 miles to the south. She had actually attacked with four torpedoes a convoy at 2121/1 October (53°11.5' N, 04°34.5' E, this was o...

Hi Jan-Olof, I think there were porpoise frolicking off the Gironde on that day. No torpedoes were fired at M 16 by any British (or Axis for that matter) in the area. This was not the only case on that day. HMS Tigris on its way to a patrol off the Gironde also reported torpedo tracks at 2140 hours ...

Hello Jan-Olof, This signal is curious. It was certainly not a British submarine so one wonders how the Germans identified the wreck as such? Certainly not a WW2 submarine as none were lost in this area. There were French submarines being built at Le Havre at the time but these (AFAIK) were destroye...

Hi Phil,

Many thanks for the link. I downloaded the book but unfortunately the author makes no mention at all of the sabotage of these ships.

All the best,

Platon

According to my old notes, Loch Shin was damaged by bomb (He 111 from 2/KG 26 and 2/KGr 100), on 26 May and was declared a total loss on 27 May 1940 after an attempt to beach her failed (ADM199/485, TNA).

Best regards,

Platon

Hello, I am interested in finding out about these operations by SOE agents in the winter of 1940-1941. On 28 December 1940, the German transport Maritza (2,910 GRT, 1936) was sabotaged at Sibenik (apparently slightly damaged). At about the same time the Italian Esterina (558 GRT, 1889) was also sabo...

Hello Jan-Olof and Francesco, It looks like this Rosa Madre was sunk on the night of 30/31 December 1943 by the destroyers HMS Teazer and HMS Penn . They were on a sweep from San Benedetto to Ancona and drove a schooner ashore (ADM199/642, TNA). Unfortunately, I have no more details but Porto San Gi...

I can only add that the supposed attack by HMS Sickle on 31 December 1943 is an error. She was on her way to Beirut after a patrol in the Aegean and carried no attack on that day.

Platon

Hi Jan-Olof, There were several Rosa Madre in the Italian Merchant Navy. I am not certain of the fate of the one built in 1923 but the one lost to HMS Sickle was sunk on 18 July 1943 (this USMM entry of 31.12.1943 is therefore incorrect and this Rosa Madre was a fishing vessel of 39.44 GRT built 193...

Hello Jan-Olof, Again Navi Mercantili Perdute erroneously attributes damage of Perseo to HMS Urge on 20 May 1941. Perseo was actually bombed by RAF aircraft at 1725/ 22 May 1941 in 36°35' N, 11°34' E. She was on a trip from Palermo to Sfax to load phosphate. Damaged, she was abandoned by her crew an...

Professor Grove was a naval history expert and will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.

Platon

Addendum:

ZEFFIRO apparently was a victim of the Italian S 11 minefield laid on 20 April 1941 by an Italian cruiser squadron and escorting destroyers.

Hello Jan-Olof, The Italian Official History (Navi Mercantili Perdute) has attributed the loss of ZEFFIRO to HMS URGE in error. ZEFFIRO hit two mines at 1020B/20 May in position 130° - Cape Bon 7 miles (approx. 37°00' N, 11°09' E). The IOH was probably misled by the time as HMS URGE attacked the CAP...