HMS Martin 1942

[Jordi Comas]

Hi all,

What Force H units were with British destroyer Martin at time of her loss on 10/11/42 when she was torpedoed by German U-431 off Algiers during Operation Torch?

Thank you very much
Jordi

[Jordi Comas]

Hi,

I just can add that BB Duke of York, BC Renown where with Force H at time of the attack.

Also other possibly vessels were: CV Victorious, CL Argonaut, Sirius, DD Quentin, Quality, Quiberon, Isaac Sweers, Opportune, Bulldog, Beagle, DE Avon Vale, Farndale............but I'm not sure at all.

Regards

[Darius]

Hi Jordi,

only small hints:

a) Dommes reports an attack on overlaping Leander-class & destroyer.
https://www.historisches-marinearchiv.d ... 701&lang=1

b) Wiki gives QUENTIN for rescuing the survivors.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Martin_(G44)

c) Maybe of help:
https://www.morebooks.de/store/gb/book/ ... -2-98804-1

d) WITH UTMOST SPIRIT - ALLIED NAVAL..., p. 83:

In the early hours of November 9, after early reports indicated that
there were no ships in Algiers bay, Kreisch directed U-83, U-593, and U-
605 to search to the west of Algiers and the other subs to search along
the coast. Then, at noon, he divided the U-boats between Algiers and
Oran into two groups. Group Delphin with eight boats was deployed off
Oran and Group Hai with six boats off Algiers. These new dispositions
immediately paid off. While patrolling on the surface that night U- 431’s
lookout sang out, “Target bearing 030.” U-431’s skipper, Wilhelm
Dommes, identified the target as a formation of three cruisers and four
destroyers. After making a risky approach with his boat silhouetted
against the sky, he took aim at a cruiser and fired four torpedoes. A sheet
of flame and an explosion that sent an enormous mushroom-shaped
cloud into the night sky convinced Dommes that he had hit the cruiser
and one destroyer. In reality U-431 had missed the cruiser but hit the
1,920-ton destroyer Martin, which went down with her commanding
officer and most of her crew.

Regards

Darius

[Jordi Comas]

Thank you very much Darius!

Regards