Fourth scenario added:
The sinking of the Avenger - 15 November, 1942: In preparation for the Operation Torch, the Convoy MKF-1Y reached Gibraltar Harbour on the morning of November 14th before sailing for the UK at 1800 hours. The convoy came under attack 45 nm south of Cape Santa Maria, Portugal. Shortly after 0305 on the morning of the 15th, the convoy escort commander ordering an immediate turn to starboard, detecting a U-Boat in the area; U-155, under the orders of KptLt. Adolf Cornelius Piening was at that moment preparing to fire torpedoes, and was forced to fire from a considerably longer distance that originally planned. Piening fired two torpedoes at this longer range, and a third shortly after as the range closed. The first ship hit was the USS Almaack, she was hit as she steadied on the new heading, and moments later a second ship, the HMS Ettrick. The third torpedo struck the escort carrier HMS Avenger port side amidships at 0320. This was a catastrophic hit and the resulting explosion ripped through her Bomb Room and ignited the munitions stored there; the ship literally had her guts torn out by the resulting secondary explosions. The centre section of the ship gone her bow and stern sections rose in the air as her back broke; HMS Avenger sunk in under 5 minutes with only 12 survivors. The Commanding Officer, 67 Officers and 446 ratings were lost.
Link on my Signature
|