Loss of Soviet destroyer Serdity July 1941

[jan-olof]

Hello,

In several sources the loss of the above named Soviet destroyer is attributed to an attack by (one ?) JU-88 from KGr 806 on July 19th, 1941. I'm wondering:

- is it correct that the attack on the 19th was carried out by KGr 806. I have seen another source claiming that it was four JU-88's from KG 1 which bombed the destroyer and set her on fire.

Perhaps Russian sources contain additional details.

Best regards and a Happy New Year to everyone,

Jan-Olof

[mjbollinger]

Hi Jan-Olof, and Happy New Year.

I don't have a clear answer to your question. I can report that the Soviet reports on ship losses indicate this ship was attacked by two dive bombers. Of course that doesn't help you very much. The aircraft dropped a total of eight bombs and a couple hit the ship.

My Russian is very weak so you may want to check this. This is the entry in the loss report.

A43A9465-22EB-414A-A234-16A7AA325178.jpeg (243.58 KiB) Viewed 64244 times

Marty

[jan-olof]

Hello Marty,

Many thanks for the information you sent. The only problem is that my mastery of the Russian language is negligible. Perhaps I can scan the text and run it through google translate. The reason for my question came from this KTB entry.

Best regards,

Jan-Olof

[mjbollinger]

I find that the Translate app for the iPhone works reasonably well. You just take a photo of the relevant text and it does instant translation. Not perfect but still useful.

[GeorgeT]

Here's my version of the Russian:

"She was lying in the roadsteads. She was attacked by two dive-bombers. Altogether eight bombs were dropped on the destroyer. One bomb blew up alongside the ship, another hit an active boiler. A fire broke out and oil was spilt and burned around the ship. At 1830 hours she sank following the explosion of ammunition in the forward store."

It is noted in the right-hand column that 30 were wounded and 35 killed.

"Active boiler" is literal, but I'm not sure what exactly is implied. Maybe just one with steam up?

[jan-olof]

Hello George,

many thanks for the translation. There are a few notable differences between the russian text and the other sources. One is the claim that she "sank at 1830 hours after an explosion". Others sources claims that she remained afloat until the 22nd when the destroyer was scuttled.

There also seems to be a bit of a mismatch between what I posted above, from the German KTB, and the translated sequence of events, e.g. two bombers vs two. Perhaps the German information describes a different attack, although the positions match, at an earlier time during the day.

Confusing but interesting. Hopefully more information will turn up.

Best regards,

Jan-Olof

[igorr]

Loss register give us only time of attack, but attacks on SERDITY begin from 17.00 (16.00 Berlin time). She was attacked repeatedly by 4 dive bombers according to my source (Soviet official chronic of war at sea on Baltic). One bomb in 17.15 hit ship in bridge area and exploded boiler which was in use that moment. This source say SERDITY has huge explosion on 19.02 and ship sink after 5 minutes

[jan-olof]

Hello Igor,

thanks for you excellent reply. Given your description it seems as if the destroyer was indeed sunk by II/KG1 although to be certain we would need the the time of attack as given in German sources.

btw, was Serdity alone or were she in company with other vessels at the time.

Best regards,

Jan-Olof

[igorr]

Alas, i have limited data about 1941 on Baltic. At least DD GORDY was near, because she come to help to SERDITY.
As for german side looks like you absolutely right. There was 3 attacks on destroyers reported at 19.7: 04.09 bu sole plane in 10 km east from Dago east end, bombs 20 m from ship; 09.50 again one bomber in dive 20 km WNW Reval, bombs 50 m near ship, and 4 bombers you already mentioned at 17.00. Time not fit for 1 hour, because german 17.00=russian 18.00, but this is many reasons to this. Looks like both earlier attacks was made by KuFlGr 806, end so goes error.
Also there is a table made by Luftwaffe for propaganda-Abteilung OKW with successes against soviet fleet. There is 3 claims for damaged DD's 19.7.41 by II/KG 1 and none by KFGr 806

[jan-olof]

Hello Igor,

many thanks for the additional details. Do you remember on which microfilm roll the Luftwaffe Successes list can be found?

Best regards,

Jan-Olof

[igorr]

Sorry, i have no this roll, only PG's dealt with Luftwaffe berichts. Also i have no Guide to OKW rolls to figure it out. PG's are 80456-80462.