KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Hi guys

Apparently one specific Ju88 was responsible for the sinking of HMS Trinidad on 14 May 1942.

Do we know the identity of the pilot/crew?

Were any aircraft lost during this action?

Cheers
Brian

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Hi Brian. Not sure if you know that TRINIDAD was sunk by the destroyer HMS Matchless after the major damage was done by her own torpedo? The bomb added to it.
Nick

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

HMS TRINIDAD was temporarily repaired after self-torpedoing and can make 20 knots. At 21.46-22.46 Berlin time 23 Ju.88 attacked cruiser and escorting destroyers. 20 planes didn't see any results because clouds. Only 3 machines see their results: two claims hits on destroyers at 22.14 and 22.16, and only one at 22.41 hit with 2 SC 250 or 500 in central part of cruiser. Looks like they started heavy fires which lead to abandondment of ship at 02.00 (?) 15.5.42. Burned and abandoned ship was finished by HMS MATCHLESS.
Alas code of Ju.88 and names of crew not known to me. There was no losses among germans.
There was also attack of 6 He.111 from 2./KG 26 (+one plane returned). Noone claims hits for sure, but have no losses.

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

This is what is written in the British Admiralty War Diaries (available on fold3 in the WWII War Diaries section) for 14 May 1942:

"Trinidad was reported by enemy aircraft at 1750 today. In the evening she was attacked by dive bombers and torpedo bombers and was hit by a bomb in approx. 73° 37' N 23° 25' E and at 2327B reported that she was stopped and set badly on fire."
https://www.fold3.com/image/1/301330313

More details some pages later:
"Have been hit by a bomb. My P.C.S. at 2255, 73° 37' N. 23° 25' same.
(TRINIDAD 2254B/14)
TRINIDAD hit by bomb in 073° 37'?, 023° 27' E.
(Capt.D.6. 2255B/14 to Admty, C.S.10, C. in C.H.F.)"
https://www.fold3.com/image/1/301330327
(then followed the message of 2327B reported above)

This seems to confirm that the Trinidad was hit by the latter attack, as it reported the bomb hit 14 minutes later, while the two claims against destroyers were done 30 minutes earlier. By the way, the latter were in error, as no other ship than Trinidad was hit in the action.

In the translated War Diary of the German Naval Staff Operations Division for May 1942, the sunk cruiser is identified as an US Pensacola-class one, with the following remark:
"This sinking is all the more gratifying since it involved an American cruiser; this is the first engagement of an American cruiser with German forces in European waters, and the outcome was a bitter lesson for the U.S."

As for identifying the crew who scored the fatal hit, maybe you can check the awards of the Knights Cross to KG 30 crews in the next months.

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Hi guys

Thanks a million!

I should have rephrased my enquiry!

Cheers
Brian

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Luftflotte 5 Abendmeldung with three Nachmeldungen: http://wwii.germandocsinrussia.org/d...inspect/zoom/5

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Andrus,

Thank you for the link to this document!

Regards,

Dan

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Most interesting

But I don't see pilot/crew identity.

Cheers
Brian

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Most interesting

But I don't see pilot/crew identification

Cheers
Brian

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

I use this docs when i write my post. This report never says pilot's/crew's name. I'm afraid that specific name was lost forever.

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Hello Brian, etc.:
good to know, that a brain is working also with 50+ years. When I read this thread, I remembered I had read a rare booklet about KG.30 years ago though I lost my copy. I researched the case and now I´m holding it in my hands again to quote for you thus giving a hint for the final attacker of HMS Trinidad:
"14 May 1942 report by Uffz. Doczkal: Attack on the british warship formation.
Then Uffz Hofemann and his observer Uffz Koller were stationed at Banak with Fw Dünnwald and myself in one room. According to the memories of Uffz Hofemann about the sinking of the british cruiser TRINIDAD he had carried out the attack like this: Uffz Hofemann was ordered by the formation leader Lt Schölermann (probably SCHÖLERMANN, Heinz. (DOB: 26.01.20). 01.04.43 promo to Oblt./A1, FFS (C) 6. 12.44 Oblt., appt Staka of ? (to 1945) to go beneath the clouds to carry out another search flight at an altitude between 200-300m above the Polar Sea. Just before the point of return he sighted a big warship and immediately zoomed back upwards into the clouds again to prepare his attack. He carried out a normal blind flying approach against the warship sailing underneath and began to drop after the second 180 degree curve having the target right in front of him after leaving the clouds. Immediately after the attack - 2-3 bombs reportedly hit the cruiser - strong defensive fire set in. He instantly zoomed back into the clouds and set course for home. He had taken from the defensive fire only scratches in the on one surface rudder. Before reaching Banak he radioed to ground control, that he had attacked and presumably hit one warship. During the night there was suddenly loud noise: Men from the command post entered our room and told, that a spotter plane had reported, that the cruiser had sunk. Thereafter he was promoted to Feldwebel and awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold All names mentioned were from 3./KG.30.
Has anyone more info about the persons mentioned?
Cheers
Michael

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Fw Fritz Hofemann (F) was awarded the DKiG 22 May 1942, EP 15 Feb 43.
Fw Heinz Doczkal (B) was awarded the RP 15 May 1944
Fw Hans Koller (?) (B) EP 5 Oct 42


The only Dünnwald I can find was Fw Heinrich (BS) awarded EP 9 Nov 42

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Many thanks indeed, Michael

Just what I was seeking.

Three cheers for the over-50s!!

Brian

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Thank you Chris, de nada Brian,
I would like to share more infos from the booklet (that maybe once was supposed to be published as a book) with those, who regularely contribute to this forum - I think about sending a copy to Larry de Zeng for Luftwaffe officers or to you if you´re interested.
Just one more about Hofemann - I think he was also responsable for the sinking of the soviet ship Dekabrist (7363 BRT) on 4.11.42 - quoting Lt. Heinz Schölermann (it´s him I saw the first name in an award copy):
"...I remember very clear a mission at the beginning of November 1942 as we had taken off in a 7-formation for "Fächeraufklärung" over the Polar Sea (against single ships trying to reach Murmansk/Archangelsk in bad weather). On my route I encountered one single travelling ship of about 7-8000 BRT just before the point of return. Via BZB (Bord zu Bord - board to board broadcast) the other 6 Ju.88 were drawn together and then the attack begann. We attacked singely one after the other dive bombing, the flak on the cargo shot wildely, red "mice" passed on by the attacking Ju.88, but none had hit, when they were "below". The last Ju.88 was the one of the crew of Fw. Hofemann (a baker master from profession, reserve officer and pilot !): Hit with a SC 500 nearly amidships. The ship instantly took a list of 10 °, but did not sink immediately. Later it was confirmed, that crewmembers of this ship had saved themselves on Hopen Island (E of Spitzbergen). It´s a pitty that Fw. Hofemann failed to return from a mission over the Mediterreanean Sea the following year."
Fritz Hofemann was MIA on 17.1.43 with 3 more crewmembers in Ju.88A-4 Wnr.1476 (4D+LA) of Erpr.St./KG.30 cause unknown, maybe shot down by P-38 of 82nd FG on Ju.52 escort.
p.s. Heinz Doczkal was indeed an observer (Bo) in 3./KG.30 flying with the crews of Geffken and Frohberg.
p.p.s: Dünnwald was a gunner(Bs) in the crew of Frohberg

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Monaco: Most interesting. Is it privately published as with my interest in maritime offensive ops, this book appears interesting.
Presume Ofw Martin Frohberg?

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Hi Michael

Once again excellent.

I've sent you a PM.

Cheers
Brian

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Monaco, thank you for sharing this extremely interesting information with us. The Soviet steamer Dekabrist is often reported as having been subk by torpedoes, so it is useful to have a German account of the sinking. You have a PM from me, too :)

Kind regards,

Dan

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Most reliable report belongs to crew members, freed after war from captivity. It says about combined attacks from bombers and torpedo-bombers. First torpedoes were evaded, but then one bombe from Ju.88 fall near and damaged ship. Huge explosion shook ship and made his electrical devices unserviceable (incl. flak guns). Then was again attack by torpedo-bombers and one torpedo hit DEKABRIST in bow at portside. It was 12.10msk - alas, i can't check it in german records because their absence for 4.11.42. Ship was moved for some time stern first, but then sunk slowly.

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Thank you Igor,
I have read about the torpedo attacks before, but do not remember the source. Does the russian report mention the type of aircraft involved?
Dear Chris and dear Brian I wrote you a PM, dear Dan I will write you a PM, just lacking time.
About the Dekabrist torpedo attackers I assume, that they were He.115 from 1./KFlGr.406, which recorded the damage to one plane this day due to flak hit over the Polar Sea. In a way it would have been a reasonable mission for the vulnerable floatplanes to attack single ships instead of heavily protected convoys.

BTW: About Hofemann´s last mission: Does someone know what was Erpr.Kdo/KG.30 testing?

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Ah, a quick check brought it up again:
Claude Huan: La marine soviétique enquerre, p.112: On 4th of november 1942 single running Dekabrist (7,313 grt) was sunk by a torpedo aircraft. 80 men took to the boats and tried to reach Hope Island near Spitzbergen. Four survivors including one woman were discovered by a He.111 on 22.7.43 submarine U 703 tried to pick them up and succeeded by 26.7.43 only.

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Only available data is hidden in KTB Admiral Nordmeer:
1) 10.45 in AC1467 (90 miles SE from Spitzbergen) 1 SS 6000 grt damaged
2) 10.50 in AC1523 ((3?)0 miles south from Hope island) 1 SS 4000 grt headed East
3) 11.05 in AC1583 (60 miles south from Hope island) 1 SS 7000 grt with aerial torpedo damaged
4) 12.15 in AC1699 (90 miles from Hope island) 1 SS 7000 grt headed East in leaved sinking condition after attack
Types of aircraft not mentioned, only total amount - 45 machines on "bewaffene aufklarung". This may be Ju.88 from KG 30, He.111 from KG 26 and He.115.
Moreover there is another entry from 5.11.42:
11.17 in AC1295 (10 miles south from Hope island) 1 SS 6000 grt sunk. Was damaged by bombs day before
So looks like crew leave ship before it actually sunk. And this confirms by soviet data. Crew in boats on another morning see ship still floated nearly with funnel, masts and bridge above water. When they try to close, german planes arrived and finished DEKABRIST.
Out of 80 crews 19 reached Hope island,
People was discovered on island by Luftwaffe 1.6.43. U.703 have picked up only Master of DEKABRIST (Belyaew) 25.7.43 almost exactly at midday. Other people (2 men and 1 women) was taken on board but sent back again few hours later. Also in U-boat KTB we can read, that ship was "torpedoed by Luftwaffe at 4 November".
Other people was picked up only on 7.10.43 by same U-boot. Alas, from two men one was nearly dead and died same evening. All three other survived war.

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

04.11.42 He.115 B/C Wnr. 1997 1./KüFl.Gr.406, Verlust 100%, Eismeer, Flaktreffer im BB-Motor, Kampfauftrag. Apparently no personnel losses.

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

The attacks on 4.11.42 could have been also against other targets, from Chronik des Seekrieges:
2.– 9.11.1942
Nordmeer
Wegen der anlaufenden Operation »Torch« ist es den Briten nicht möglich, den fälligen Konvoi PQ.19 auszusenden. Auf sowj. Drängen aber laufen ab 29.10. von Reykjavik mit 200 sm Abstand 13 einzelne Frachter nach Murmansk und Archangelsk, 23 Einzelfahrer kehren von sowj. Häfen nach Island zurück. Entlang der Route werden die Trawler Cape Palliser, Northern Pride, Northern Spray and St.Elstan von Island sowie Cape Argona, Cape Mariato and St.Kennan von Murmansk aufgestellt, um – wenn nötig – einzugreifen. Von den ostgehenden Schiffen gehen 5 verloren: Am 2.11. versenkt U 586 (Kptlt. v. d. Esch) die Empire Gilbert (6640 BRT). Am 4.11. werden die ersten Schiffe von der K.Fl.Gr.406 erfaßt. Von den angesetzten Ju 88 der I./KG.30 wird die sowj. Dekabrist (7363 BRT) versenkt, während die II./KG.30 2 Schiffe beschädigt. Von ihnen wird die William Clark (7176 BRT) durch Fangschuß von U 354 (Kptlt. Herbschleb) versenkt, und die Chulmleigh (5445 BRT), die nach einem weiteren Bombentreffer am 5.11. am Südkap Spitzbergens aufgesetzt werden mußte, am 16.11. von U 625 (Oblt. Benker) vernichtet. U 625 versenkt am 6.11. die Empire Sky (7455 BRT).
Gegen den Verkehr wird auch der Schwere Kreuzer Admiral Hipper (Kpt.z.S. Hartmann mit eingeschifftem B.d.K., VAdm. Kummetz) mit der 5. Z-Flottille (Kpt.z.S. Schemmel) – Z 27, Z 30, Friedrich Eckoldt, Richard Beitzen – angesetzt. Das KG.30 fliegt Aufklärung. Am 7.11. wird der westgehende sowj. Tanker Donbass (7925 BRT) durch das Bordflugzeug der Admiral Hipper erfaßt und von Z 27 versenkt, ebenso das sowj. Geleitschiff SKR-23 ex RT-57/Smena (Bordnummer "78").

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Igor and Monaco,

Thank you both for some interesting information. Monaco, you have a private message.

The torpedo-bomber units of the Luftwaffe, with the exception of the small He 115 force, were moved from Norway to the Mediterranean in the autumn of 1942, as a reaction to the collapse of the Axis position in that theatre. This was just one part of a broader process of the switch of the Luftwaffe's focus towards operations against the Western Allies, which had been developing throughout 1942 and would mean that the forces on the Eastern front were decisively weakened. Here is what the Luftwaffe's 10-day strength reports contain concerning the two active torpedo-bomber Gruppen of KG 26 at this time:

31.10.1942
I./K.G. 26 equipped with He 111 LT - in Verleg. zum O.B.S (Grosetto) befohlen - i.e., ordered to deploy to Supreme Commander South
III./K.G. 26 equipped with Ju 88 A4 LT - Verl. zum Einsatz O.B.S befohlen - ordered to deploy for operations in area of Supreme Commander South

10.11.1942
I./K.G. 26 - M. u. A. - Mediterranean and Africa
III./K.G. 26 - M. u. A. (Teile) Teile noch nicht im Einsatz O. B. S. eingetroffen - Mediterranean and Africa (Elements). Elements not yet in action, have arrived in area of Supreme Commander South

Therefore, if KG 26 was involved in the attack on Dekabrist, it would have been one of the last operations by this unit in the Arctic before its move south. It is notable that the Chronik does mention KG 30, but is silent about KG 26, though that is not a definitive source. An He 111 H-6 of 1./K.G. 26 was lost in action in the Arctic on 5 or 6 November 1942, so there is evidence that not all aircraft of KG 26 had been redeployed by that time. It would be a very interesting case if either He 115s or He 111s had in fact torpedoed Dekabrist. Can any of the Scandinavian members of this forum contribute further information?

The "Hope island" that Igor mentioned above is known in English as Hopen, it forms the south-eastern edge of the Svalbard archipelago.

Kind regards,

Dan

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Alexander Steenbeck wrote in his book about KG 26 that some missions were flying between 5 and 7 November to find "PQ-19", with W. Klumper participated. So flying on 4.11.42 also possible.
There was around 6 ships in area approx. same as DEKABRIST, with 2 ahead of her and other behind.

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

Monaco: "Claude Huan: La marine soviétique enquerre, p.112: On 4th of november 1942 single running Dekabrist (7,313 grt) was sunk by a torpedo aircraft. 80 men took to the boats and tried to reach Hope Island near Spitzbergen. Four survivors including one woman were discovered by a He.111 on 22.7.43 submarine U 703 tried to pick them up and succeeded by 26.7.43 only."
Is there any information how the 4 managed to survive a Spitzbergen winter?

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

source René Alloin.

At first,the survivors survived thanks to food found on the beach thrown back by the sea (butter,flour,canned)
They kill a bear (by Capt.Stephan Polikarpovic Beliaev),foxes (their furs served to make slippers).
Overflight on 1/05/43 by a german plane who drops bread,butter,cigarettes,dressings,aspirin,antisept ics.

Discover by U-703 the 25/07/43 of only 4 survivors
Only the Capt.Beliavev is recovered,the 3 others in october

The doctor of the " Dekabrist "Nadeja Matvena Natilich
Vasiley Nichalovich Borodin
Gunner Lobanov died on board U-703

Michel

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

"Operation F B
The sailing of eastbound and westbound independently routed merchant ships between Iceland and North Russia commenced during the first half of November. A/S trawlers were sailed from Reykjavik and Archangel to act as rescue ships during the operation and they were augmented by two submarines from patrol off the Norwegian coast.

The following tables show the progress of the Operation:"
https://www.naval-history.net/xDKWD-HF1942d.htm

Operation FB (ii)
"This was the designation of the Allied passage of independently routed eastbound and westbound ships between Iceland and Murmansk on the north-west coast of the USSR (October/December 1942)."
https://codenames.info/operation/fb-ii/

Operation Hoffnung
"This was a German unsuccessful naval undertaking by the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, escorted by four destroyers, against Allied merchant vessels making independent passages from Scotland to the northern USSR (5/9 November 1942)."
https://codenames.info/operation/hoffnung/

Bordfliegerkommando 1/196
http://www.luftwaffe-zur-see.de/Seeluft/196%20Bordfliegergruppe/Bkdo_Hipper.htm

The dauntless SS Donbass…
https://ciphermysteries.com/2014/10/19/dauntless-ss-donbass

Search for the wreck of M/S Chumleigh, lost off Svalbard, 1942FCO 76/1863
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11501988SS

Chumleigh Deaths
https://news.gov.scot/resources/ss-chulmleigh-deaths

Re: KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42
 

They found sack aof flour and barrel with fuel belonged to norwegian fishers. During winter all men beside four died.