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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

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

Thank you Brian,

Regards

Hello Brian,

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


Regards

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

Thank you Darius,

Regards