Analysis of U-boat Operations, Convoys SC 121, HX 228, SC 122 and HX 229 (original) (raw)

Convoy HX 228 Departed New York on Febr. 28-1943 and arrived Liverpool on March 15

This Convoy sailed on the first of the month and it was not until the early hours of the 10th that the Convoy, then in 33° West, had been seen; later in the day a U-boat was sighted by an aircraft from USS Bogue, which sailed with this Convoy. Bogue was stationed in a lane seven cables wide between the 5th and 6th columns when not engaged on flying operations. The Carrier had an escort of two U.S. destroyers and this screen was reinforced by one destroyer from the escort during flying operations which took her clear of the Convoy. She patrolled with her screen p.m. on the 10th, after having put up two aircraft in the air on the 7th and two on the 10th. During the latter sortie a U-boat was sighted, but the value of this encounter to the escort was reduced by the fact that the aircraft's depth charges jammed; and by delays and inaccuracies in reporting the U-boat's position.

B 3 Group escorted the Convoy and consisted of Harvester (Senior Officer), plus three destroyers and four corvettes. Two destroyers were Polish, three corvettes were Free French.

The first attack on the Convoy was at evening twilight on the 10th March in 29° West, with visibility about four miles; a submerged attack was suspected. This was followed by a second attack shortly after midnight, which led to one of the dramatic incidents of the war. As a result of the escorts' search, Harvester sighted a U-boat and attacked with one fourteen charge pattern. The U-boat then surfaced and moved off at hight speed. Harvester, however, was after it at once and rammed it at about 26 knots. The ship slid over the casing and the U-boat hung under the stern and could not be dislodged for about ten minutes. It was last seen off Harvester's stern at an angle estimated at 40° with all abaft the conning tower below water. There were many survivors in the water - some were seen to be abandoning ship before the U-boat was struck, but Harvester, pre-occupied with her own damage, only recovered one. It is now known that this survivor came from U-444.

While all this was happening Aconit obtained an R.D.F. contact, which was probably Harvester, and, while approaching to investigate, obtained another contact. This second contact was found to be a U-boat, proceeding slowly on the surface, which was then rammed. Aconit picked up a few survivors and these also were from U-444. It appears, however, that they were already in the water when Aconit hit the U-boat.

In spite of considerable damage Harvester was able to proceed at 11 knots on one engine and accordingly Aconit was ordered to rejoin the Convoy. Unfortunately, at about 0800/11 Harvester's remaining shaft broke and she became disabled. Aconit came back to her but was unable to reach her before Harvester was torpedoed. However, Aconit depth charged and rammed U-432, which had just disposed of Harvester. It is very much regretted that Commander Tait, an oustanding Group Leader and very highly respected in his mixed group of British, Poles and Free French, lost his life in HMS Harvester.

Good air cover was provided on the 11th March and there were some promising attacks by aircraft and no more attacks by U-boats.