| Noteable events involving Pakenham include: 30 Oct, 1942 The German submarine U-559 was sunk in the Mediterranean north-east of Port Said, in position 32º30'N, 33º00'E, by depth charges from the British destroyers HMS Pakenham (Capt. E.B.K. Stevens, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Hero (Lt. W. Scott, DSC, RN) and the British escort destroyers HMS Dulverton (Lt.Cdr. W.N. Petch, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Hurworth (Lt.Cdr. J.T.B. Birch, DSO, DSC, RN) and a British Short Sunderland aircraft from RAF 47 Sqn. (see map) 14 Jan, 1943 While detached from escorting convoy ME-15
off Malta HMS Hursley (Lt.Cdr. W.J.P. Church, DSC, RN) together with HMS Pakenham (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) and a Beaufort of No.39 Squadron
sank the Italian submarine Narvalo (Lt.Cdr. Ludovico Grion) (810 tons) south-east of Malta. Aboard the submarine, who is returning to Italy from a supply mission to North Africa, there are 11 English officers who are prisoners of war, 8 of them went down with the Narvalo along with 28 italians. 15 Jan, 1943 The British destroyers HMS Pakenham and HMS Javelin intercept and sink the Italian Agosto Bertani (8328 GRT) south of Lampedusa. 19 Jan, 1943 The British destroyers HMS Pakenham, HMS Nubian and the Greek destroyer Vasilissa Olga intercept and sink the German transport ship Stromboli (475 tons) off the Libyan coast. 16 Apr, 1943 While intercepting an Italian convoy south-west of Marsala the British destroyers HMS Pakenham (Cdr. Basil Jones, DSC, RN) and HMS Paladin (Lt.Cdr. L.St.G. Rich, RN) were engaged in a battle with the Italian torpedo boats Cigno and Cassiopea. In the resulting battle the Cigno was sunk and the Cassiopea was damaged but not before Pakenham was badly damaged herself. Paladin took Pakenham in tow but as Pakenham was beyond salvage she was eventually scuttled by Paladin north of Pantelleria. |