At 01.15 hours on 17 Dec, 1942, HMS Firedrake (H 79) (Cdr E.H. Tilden, DSC, RN) was hit by one of two torpedoes from U-211 while escorting the convoy ON-153 in the North Atlantic and broke in two. The bow sank immediately, but the stern remained afloat for some hours, finally sinking in the heavy weather. The commander, five officers and 163 ratings were lost. 27 survivors were picked up after about 5 hours by HMS Sunflower (K 41) (LtCdr J.T. Jones, RNR), but one rating later died of wounds.