Ships hit by U-boats


HMS Gurkha (G 63)

British Destroyer


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NameHMS Gurkha (G 63)
Type:Destroyer (L-class)
Tonnage1,920 tons
Completed1941 - Cammell Laird & Co Ltd, Birkenhead 
OwnerThe Admiralty 
Homeport 
Date of attack17 Jan 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-133 (Hermann Hesse)
Position31° 50'N, 26° 15'E - Grid CO 9214
Complement249 officers and men (9 dead and 240 survivors).
ConvoyMW-8B
RouteAlexandria - Malta 
Cargo 
History

Laid down as HMS Larne (F 63), launched as HMS Gurkha (G 63).

At 06.17 hours on 29 Sep 1941, HMS Gurkha (G 63) got a radar contact with the surfaced Italian submarine Diaspro (Dotta) in 37°32N/06°45E and was shortly thereafter missed by two torpedoes, which passed under the destroyer. Together with HNMS Isaac Sweers (G 83), she engaged the submarine, but without result. The destroyers were part of the Force H (Adm Somerville), returning from escorting a Malta convoy during Operation Halberd.
On 30 Sep 1941, HMS Gurkha (G 63) and HMS Legion (F 74) sank the Italian submarine Adua off the coast of Algeria.

 
Notes on event

At 07.35 hours on 17 Jan 1942, HMS Gurkha (G 63) (Cdr C.N. Lentaigne, RN) was hit by one torpedo from U-133 and caught fire from bow to stern. HNMS Isaac Sweers (G 83) towed the destroyer clear of the burning oil on the surface. The most crew members were then transferred to the Dutch destroyer by boats and were landed at Tobruk in the evening. The burning destroyer had to be scuttled north of Sidi Barrani.

HMS Gurkha (G 63) was escorting the Malta convoy MW-8B (four fast transports covered by Admiral Vian´s Mediterranean Fleet cruiser force), which arrived Malta on 19 January without further casualties.

 
On boardWe have details of 10 people who were on board


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Media links


U-Boat Attack Logs

Daniel Morgan and Bruce Taylor


amazon.co.uk
(£ 38.25)

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