HMS Escort

[Jordi Comas]

Hi all,

Perhaps this up has been already discussed but...

British destroyer Escort was sunk by Italian submarine Marconi in July 1940 off Spanish coast.

2 Questions:

1) Italian sources claim the attack on 8th at 03'20h (Italian time), British on 11th at 02'15h (British time). I think the correct date is 11th.
2) The destroyer was sweeping for an italian submarine reported by aircraft from carrier Ark Royal together with Forester. But some sources say that also was involved destroyer Wrestler. Is it true?

Thank you very much
Jordi

[Steve49]

I think you're right about being lost on the 11th. In document CAB66/9 it is noted as being torpedoed in the early hours of the 11th and RN loss/damage report in ADM234/444 says torpedoed on the 11th and turned over 8½ hours after the attack, finally sinking 30 minutes later.

I have also seen the reports that it was torpedoed on the 8th and sank on the 11th and to add further confusion, the destroyers two fatal casualties are listed on the 8th.

Regards,

Steve

[Platon Alexiades]

Hi Jordi and Steve,

No doubt the attack was on 11th July. Jordi: I do not know which sources you have that mention 8th July but they are wrong. Marconi's patrol report matches British sources giving the date as 11th July. Exact time is not mentioned in the patrol report but the Italian submarine spotted the enemy at 0300 and attacked shortly after (a signal later made gave the time of the attack as 0320). In the darkness the Italian submarine mistook the enemy to be a submarine escorted by a destroyer as it had been informed that a British submarine believed to be HMS Pandora or HMS Proteus was expected in Gibraltar [HMS Pandora had actually arrived there the previous afternoon]. Shortly after, a second destroyer was seen. In fact, the three vessels were all destroyers: HMS Escort, HMS Forester and HMS Faulknor. HMS Escort sank at 1115 (British time). There were two killed and thirteen wounded.
I think that the presence of HMS Wrestler is associated with Marconi's attack on HMS Vortigern on 2nd July 1940.

Best regards,

Platon

[Jordi Comas]

Thank you Steve and Platon!

Italian sources report the attack on 8th.

Just to know if the three destroyers were detached to search for the submarine or just Escort and Forester were formerly detached and then Faulknor joined?

Thank you very much
Jordi

[Platon Alexiades]

Hi Jordi,

HMS Forester and HMS Escort were operating as a pair and sighted the submarine on the surface which quickly dived and fired a torpedo. It narrowly missed HMS Forester but hit HMS Escort. HMS Faulknor joined later to stand by as HMS Forester was picking up the survivors.

Best regards,

Platon

[Jordi Comas]

Thank you Platon!

Regards