attack on shipping, 25.08.1940
 

Does anyone have any details on the attack against the "W. Goathland" on 25 August 1940. I only have the few words in Neitzel's Luftwaffe over the Atlantic/North Sea volume to go on.

I've tried googling "W. Goathland" (which is as it is listed in Neitzel, p.77) and come up short, likewise Rohwer's volume on the war at sea offers nothing.

Any details on a/c (Vkz, crew esp.), flight path, area, clarrification of date/time would be appreciated

TIA

Adam

Re: attack on shipping, 25.08.1940
 

Hello Adam,

The SS Goathland was sunk on August 25 1940, 630 km west of Lands End by an Fw200 of I./KG40. Three SC250 bombs were dropped one making a direct hit forward on the vessel which went down at 50°20.9xx' North 015°07.9xx' West. All I have on the subject I'm afraid.

Re: attack on shipping, 25.08.1940
 

Hello Adam,
A little more ...

http://www.uboat.net/wwi/ships_hit/2558.html

HTH
Bruce

Re: attack on shipping, 25.08.1940
 

Bruce,
Wrong war!

Bill Norman
(website: www.billnorman.co.uk)

Re: attack on shipping, 25.08.1940
 

Many thanks to the both of you for the information. Any idea why Neitzel would have refered to the boat as the "W. Goathland"? And, more importantly, to which Staffel was the Fw 200 credited with the attack attached to?

TIA

Adam

Re: attack on shipping, 25.08.1940
 

OOPS!

Re: attack on shipping, 25.08.1940
 

If you want more particulars about the ship and any convoy associations, your best bet is the tremendously useful Arnold Hague Convoy site:

http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/

If you are more determined you could also try:

http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz/

but this requires a membership. I hear that there are other ship registries.

Good Luck!

Re: attack on shipping, 25.08.1940
 

Many thanks for the links Doug. Unfortunately it brings nothing up about the attack.

Re: attack on shipping, 25.08.1940
 

Adam,

Goathland sailed with convoy SL-41, when attacked on 25 August by FW200. Aircraft made three bombing runs over the ship. The first two attacks dropped two bombs and were near misses. Ship was machine gunned on each bommbing attack. The third attack with again two more bombs was better aimed and both bombs hit No. 2 cargo hold. Captain described markings on the aircraft as being 'A white ball having a wide yellow ring round it resembling the planet Saturn'.

Crew abandoned ship in two lifeboats, one with 18 survivors was picked up by the Irish ship Lanarhone and landed in Ireland.

Regards,

Mark

Re: attack on shipping, 25.08.1940
 

Hi Mark,

Goathland can't have been part of SL-41 when attacked as this convoy arrived in Liverpool on the 14th.

However, the information on the damage caused is very useful.

cheers

Adam

Re: attack on shipping, 25.08.1940
 

I managed to find the following in the Loyds Register:
25.8.40 SS "Goathland" under british flag. 3821 gross tons. Sailed from Pepel (Sierra Leone??) to Belfast with a load of iron ore. First attacked by aircraft in pos. 50 degrees 21 mins North, 15 degrees 8 mins West. Ship sank in pos. 50 degrees 7 mins North, 14 degrees 50 mins West. All 36 hand on board were rescued.

Re: attack on shipping, 25.08.1940
 

Hello,

I have 1 Fw 200, take off Bordeaux at 7.07am. Didn' t find again the same convoy ( found on 24 th)
Between 14.30 and 15. pm : attack of the "Goathland", 3821 T, 630 km W of Lands End, with 3 SC 250, ship sunk at 15. pm.
I have no code for the plane.
Hth
Marc

Re: attack on shipping, 25.08.1940
 

Seaplanes, Marc

Thank you both for your response. Do either of you know if there exists in archives somewhere a file logging aircraft claims against ships? Probably a long shot, but you never know.

Thanks again

Adam