Post by Administrator on Jul 8, 2018 22:42:07 GMT
Remembering the Anniversary of the destruction of Convoy PQ-17 July 1942
By 27th June 1942 Convoy PQ-17 was assembled at the port of Reykjavik, a formidable sight of thirty five Merchant ships, including twenty two American, eight British, two Russian, two Panamanian, and one Dutch.
The summer months were in full swing in the land of the midnight sun,and with almost twenty four hours of daylight some believed the Convoy should wait until the oncoming winter with its long dark nights where it would get better cover (even though they would have to sail closer to the occupied coast because of the ice fields). This idea was over ruled and the ill-fated Convoy and her escorts set sail.
On July 1st a German reconnaissance plane sighted the Convoy and the returning PQ-13 Convoy. Attack was now inevitable. July 2nd came the first attack by Heinkel He-115 torpedo bombers. These were driven off by antiaircraft fire from the Escort ships. The first casualties occurred on July 4th when three Merchant ships were sunk and a fourth damaged.
Back in London Admiral Sir Dudley Pound received intelligence reports that the Battleship Tirpitz had slipped her moorings at Trondheim to intercept the Convoy (later reports show the ship had only sailed to Altafjord). In what must of been the ensuing panic back at the Admiralty, even though out voted by the Navy Operations Staff the Admiral decided to disperse the Convoy and recall all escorts. The stunned escort Commander received Admiralty orders in three rapid messages "Most immediate and secret Cruiser force withdraw Westward at high speed". The second message read. "Owing to threat of surface ships, Convoy is to disperse and proceed to Russian ports.....". Thirty minutes later after the first message came the third and final message. "Most immediate, Convoy is to scatter......". Followed by a message from the escort to the convoy "Escorts to Merchant ships...... sorry to leave you like this......looks like a bloody business....." This was the last message to the Convoy as her escorts turned away at high speed. The fate of PQ-17 had now been sealed.
German intelligence received reports of the withdrawal and ordered the Tirpitz and her escorts ready to intercept. This was order later changed as the Germans did not know the whereabouts of the British Home Fleet. The destruction of the Convoy was to be left to the U-boats and Luftwaffe. The onslaught began 5th July 1942 and was to continue for the next five days. In all twenty four Merchant ships were lost, the last two sinkings taking place on the 10th July. The last straggler of the Convoy did not arrive in port until 28th July.
Lest We Forget!
By 27th June 1942 Convoy PQ-17 was assembled at the port of Reykjavik, a formidable sight of thirty five Merchant ships, including twenty two American, eight British, two Russian, two Panamanian, and one Dutch.
The summer months were in full swing in the land of the midnight sun,and with almost twenty four hours of daylight some believed the Convoy should wait until the oncoming winter with its long dark nights where it would get better cover (even though they would have to sail closer to the occupied coast because of the ice fields). This idea was over ruled and the ill-fated Convoy and her escorts set sail.
On July 1st a German reconnaissance plane sighted the Convoy and the returning PQ-13 Convoy. Attack was now inevitable. July 2nd came the first attack by Heinkel He-115 torpedo bombers. These were driven off by antiaircraft fire from the Escort ships. The first casualties occurred on July 4th when three Merchant ships were sunk and a fourth damaged.
Back in London Admiral Sir Dudley Pound received intelligence reports that the Battleship Tirpitz had slipped her moorings at Trondheim to intercept the Convoy (later reports show the ship had only sailed to Altafjord). In what must of been the ensuing panic back at the Admiralty, even though out voted by the Navy Operations Staff the Admiral decided to disperse the Convoy and recall all escorts. The stunned escort Commander received Admiralty orders in three rapid messages "Most immediate and secret Cruiser force withdraw Westward at high speed". The second message read. "Owing to threat of surface ships, Convoy is to disperse and proceed to Russian ports.....". Thirty minutes later after the first message came the third and final message. "Most immediate, Convoy is to scatter......". Followed by a message from the escort to the convoy "Escorts to Merchant ships...... sorry to leave you like this......looks like a bloody business....." This was the last message to the Convoy as her escorts turned away at high speed. The fate of PQ-17 had now been sealed.
German intelligence received reports of the withdrawal and ordered the Tirpitz and her escorts ready to intercept. This was order later changed as the Germans did not know the whereabouts of the British Home Fleet. The destruction of the Convoy was to be left to the U-boats and Luftwaffe. The onslaught began 5th July 1942 and was to continue for the next five days. In all twenty four Merchant ships were lost, the last two sinkings taking place on the 10th July. The last straggler of the Convoy did not arrive in port until 28th July.
Lest We Forget!
