Attack by HMS Talisman on 25 November 1940

[BE Corijn]

I was finally able to identify the tanker attacked by HMS Talisman off Ile de Groix on 25 November 1940.

Earlier in the day she had already sighted three German torpedo boats but she did not attack these. I was also able to identify these.

I have made the following changes on uboat.net;
 

At 1015A/25, HMS Talisman (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Francis, RN) sighed three westbound enemy torpedo boats of the ' Mowe-class ' in position 47°28'N, 03°44'W. Enemy speed was 20 knots. They were not attacked. These were the German torpedo boats Jaguar, Iltis and Wolf enroute to Brest from Quiberon Bay where they had been conducting exercises since 22 November. Before entering Brest they were ordered to proceed to Cherbourg instead where they arrived around 0400B/26.

Later the same day HMS Talisman attacked the German tanker Altengamme (5882 GRT, built 1916, former British Naptha Shipper) which was thought to be escorted by three A/S trawlers with six torpedoes about 10 nautical miles West of Ile de Groix in position 47°37'N, 03°51'W. The tanker was however not escorted by three but by two trawlers, these were the auxiliary patrol vessels V 703 and V 707. V 703 was screening ahead of the tanker and V 707 was behind the tanker. They had departed Brest around 1245B/24 for Lorient where they arrived shortly before 1900B/25.

The two patrol vessels had not noticed the torpedo attack except for some vibrations occurring. The crew of the tanker reported having seen two torpedo tracks passing ahead but they were not believed. V 707 had dropped one depth charge for good measure though. The Germans reported the position of the 'incident' as 47°38'5"N, 03°47'5"W.



Details:

1015A/25, In position 47°28'N, 03°44'W sighted three enemy torpedo boats of the ' Mowe-class ' bearing 080°. Enemy course was 090° at 20 knots.

1021A/25, The enemy passed at a range of 2000 yards. All three ships were camouflaged.

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1415A/25 - Sighted smoke to the North-West.

1425A/25 - The mast and funnel of a tanker could be seen. The tanker was escorted by three A/S trawlers. Range was 11000 yards, enemy course was 090°. Started attack.

1501A/25 - In position 47°37'N, 03°51'W fired six torpedoes from 6000 yards (tubes 1,2,3,4,7 and 8. Went deep upon firing. Eleven seconds after firing the first torpedo (from No.1 tube) a violent explosion occurred. This was the second time this happened (see the attack on 22 October 1940). Lt.Cdr. Francis considered it likely that there was a problem with No.1 torpedo tube. Some minor damage was inflicted as a result of this explosion. No. 9 and 10. external torpedoes, were damaged in this explosion as the front doors of both tubes were open at the time of the explosion.

1507A/25 - Heard an explosion.

1510A/25 - Heard two more explosions.

1525A/25 - Came to periscope depth. Saw the tanker stopped. Only two A/S trawlers were seen instead of the three present before the attack.

1550A/25 - The tanker was still stopped when last seen. She did not appear to be lower in the water.



Sources:
ADM 173/16586 Logbook of HMS Talisman for November 1940
ADM 199/1849 Patrol reports of HMS Talisman
War diary German 6th TB Flotilla for 16 to 30 November 1940 (NARA, T1022, roll 2926, PG 70367)
War diary German 7th VP Flotilla for 16 to 30 November 1940 (NARA, T1022, roll 3766, PG 82484)

[TW]

Vielen Dank, Brian.
Ich habe Deine Erkenntnisse in ASA übernommen.
https://www.historisches-marinearchiv.de/projekte/asa/ausgabe.php?where_value=710
Viele Grüße, Thomas

[t-geronimo]

Well done, Brian! 

[Urs Heßling]

moin,

In position 47°37'N, 03°51'W

47.37 N  003.51 W

Gruß, Urs

[Axel Niestle]

Da isser wieder, der Urs!