Warsailors Forums

Hello,

I am interested in the story of the armed whaler HMS Thorbryn (ex Norwegian). The warsailors page is not very detailed. I have a few info collected from the C. in C. Med War Diaries and the casualties in ADM358 but little else. Some sources mention that she was sunk by fourteen Ju 87. A survivor mentions four Ju 88. Can anyone provide which G.A.F. unit was involved?

Many thanks.

Platon

Alberto Santoni and Francesco Mattesini, in their well known "La partecipazione tedesca alla guerra aeronavale nel Mediterraneo (1940-1945)", old edition 1980, mention 14 Ju 87s of Fliegerfuehrer Afrika sinking off Tobruk THORBRYN and LCT-12.

Dear Francesco,

Thank you for your reply. I have the book. One of the survivors, described the attack as made by four Junkers 88 (I think quite different from Ju 87). I was wondering if more details were known (unit and pilots involved as Fliegerführer Afrika is rather vague).

All the best,

Platon

Hello Platon,

I tried looking in the book A history of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945 volume one which deals with this time frame. Unfortunately there isn't anything to be found for 19.08.41. Looking at surrounding dates, i.e. 17.08.41, it's written that German and Italian Ju 87's attempted to bomb ships in Tobruk Harbour. The Italian Ju 87's were from 209 Squadriglia. So perhaps Italian documents might, with some luck, have information which clarifies the events on the 19th.

If the attackers were Ju 88's then they were probably from LG 1.

Best regards,

Jan-Olof

Hello Jan-Olof,

Many thanks for the suggestion. I have the book. It is usually very detailed but seems silent on the action of 19.08.1941 which is very frustrating!

It is probable that the same units that attacked Tobruk on 17.08.1941 carried the attack two days later. Of course, we have no absolute certainty.

Best regards,

Platon