Erica

[Jordi Comas]

Hi all,

British corvette Erica was mined and sunk 9/2/43 off Derna while escorting a convoy. Do you know time and ships involved in this convoy?

Thank you very much
Jordi

[Brian Corijn]

Hi Jordi,

Don't know about the ships in the convoy.

ADM 199/773 gives the following;

Loss of HMS Erica.

A convoy of five empty merchant ships was sailed from Benghazi at 0200 hours for Tobruk and Alexandria. At 1550 hours, in position 32°48'5 N, 21°06E, HMS Erica, who was investigating an A/S contact, struck a mine and sank. It was at first thought to have been a torpedo but from subsequent investigation it is evident that she struck a mine in a field laid by HMS Rorqual some time ago. Casualties were one rating missing and one rating who died of wounds.

HMSAS Southern Maid picked up all officers and seventy-one ratings. ML's from Tobruk and Benghazi carried out an A/S search of the area but without result.


Kind regards,
Brian Corijn
uboat.net crew

[Jordi Comas]

Thank you Brian,

Regards

[Darius]

Hello Brian,

thank you for this addition to my list of "friendly fire incidents".


Regards

Darius

[Darius]

From Admirality War Diaries:

09.02.1943

The Corvette ERICA was sunk, cause unknown, at 1550 today in 32,48.5 N, 21.10 E (off the north coast of Cyranaica between Benghazi and Mersa Susa) whilst in company with BURRA, SOUTHERN MAID and two M.Ls escorting 4 merchant ships from Bengazi to Alexandria. SOUTHERN MAID picked up all officers and 71 ratings.

Regards

Darius

[Jordi Comas]

Thank you Darius,

Regards