RAF against "Dandolo".
 

Hi,

Colleagues,
The Italians, describing the sinking of the Dandolo ship on the night of 7/8 October 1942, indicate that it was attacked by RAF torpedo bombers.

http://conlapelleappesaaunchiodo.blo...1/dandolo.html

But I did not find information about what kind of aircraft were, which squadron and how many there were. Please help to establish this, since the Italians do not have such information.

sergey

Re: RAF against "Dandolo".
 

Wellingtons from 38 squadron attacked a small convoy described as 1 MV (4-5000 tons) and 2 DRs at 33 38N, 23 28E on 7/8 October. They attacked the MV. Flares were first dropped by what was called the "Special Wellington" and Sgt Buchanan (Wellington HD966) then dropped two torpedoes one at 0036 and the second at 0052. At 0140 another plane dropped two torpedoes but the pilot believed the torpedoes missed astern.

The ship could not be located in daylight and Sgt Buchanan was credited with the ship.

From the description of the attack, it is clear the Wellingtons were first sent individually to a specific location (33 30N, 23 00E) and if they had no Special Wellington reports by then, they were to start their own (visual) search for the convoy. They had apparently reached that location and started their own searches when they received reports of the convoy's actual location and could soon see the flares.

The full description of the attack can be downloaded (currently for free) starting here:

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/...oks-1939-1945/

Scroll down toward the bottom of the page and enter "38" for the squadron* and 1942 for the starting and ending years.
You want to find and download the "October 1942" "Records of Events" file.


Comparing the description from the national archives with the description you posted reveals a lot of similarities. It does appear that the British times and the Italian times may differ by 1 hour. Eight planes each carrying two torpedoes were sent out by 38 Sqn but only two of the planes appear to have actually attacked.

I believe the "Special" Wellington(s?) which located the convoy via radar and dropped the flares were from 221 Squadron. Their records seem to show a successful search and flare drops that evening in the location of the convoy by two different search planes, HX513 flown by F/O Gay and HX381 flown by F/Sgt Sayers.

Also interesting when looking at the records is that the 38 Sqn Wellingtons had a crew of 5 while the "Special" Wellingtons from 221 had a crew of 6. I would assume the extra man was the radar operator.

There is an account of a different Wellington attack here, along with mention of the role of a "Special Wellington".
http://www.warfaremagazine.co.uk/articles/DAF/268

Re: RAF against "Dandolo".
 

Thank.
Great answer.

Re: RAF against "Dandolo".
 

Hello,

Sea War 1942 October .(Seekrieg 1942 Oktober)

October 1-8, 1942 - Mediterranean.

In the night of October 8th, the Italian "Dandolo" (4,964 BRT), accompanied by the torpedo boats "Castore" and "Medici" en route from Susa to Tobruk, is attacked and sunk by a torpedo plane in front of Ras ei Tin (Google translation!)..

https://www.wlb-stuttgart.de/seekrieg/42-10.htm

For the October 1942, No.38 Sqn ORB, go to the TNA:

https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8411332 see Image 4 of 17.

Here is the Captain/Pilot of No.38 Sqn Wellington IC HD966:

DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL.

BUCHANAN, George. 1118713 Sergeant, No.38 Sqn. (Immediate Award).
L.G. 10/11/1942. Sorties 33. Pilot. Air2/4916.

On the night of 8th/9th October 1942, this N.C.O. was Captain of a Wellington torpedo aircraft detailed to attack an enemy convoy between Crete and the North African coast. When located, the convoy was found to consist of one merchant vessel of 6,000 to 7,000 tons escorted by two destroyers. Two attacks against the target were made and confirmation obtained by later reconnaissance proved that the ship had sunk. Sergeant Buchanan has completed 33 operational sorties and twice previously claimed hits on enemy shipping by torpedo attacks which were also confirmed. On the night of 23rd/24th September 1942, Sergeant Buchanan attacked a tanker of 5,000 tons in the central Mediterranean. Heavy fire and a smoke screen from two escorting destroyers again provided a most difficult target, but a determined approach and an accurate drop resulted in an explosion. The aircraft circled to observe results and all members of the crew saw a broad streak of oil behind the tanker. He had a previous success on the night of 1st of September 1942 against a tanker of approximately 2,500 tons.
Recommendation: 1st November, 1942.

See:
The Distinguished Flying Medal for the Second World War with Official Recommendation Details. Volume I, A-J.
Tavender,Ian.
London:Savannah,2000.
p.256.

DFM details at LG: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...upplement/4867

Col

Re: RAF against "Dandolo".
 

This was probably thanks to ULTRA decrypts which could reveal the sailing times and planned routes of the convoys, including updates on their progress. For example, from October 1942:

QT 2942
(EMERGENCY + Z)
According to GAF arrangements made 1500 hours on 6th, (a) Sestriere is to be escorted … German W/T operators to be on board escorting destroyers Folgore and Pigafetta. (b) Dandolo to be escorted on her way from Suda to Tobruk … (c) Tanker Lusiana to be escorted from first light to arrival at Suda. (d) During night 7–8th, Fliegerkorps X aircraft to carry out jamming operations to protect Amsterdam convoy, passing from 3847, 1755 to 3847, 1935. Araxos or Grottaglie to be made available for take-off to lengthen time of flight.

QT 3100
Effort Fliegerkorps X on 7th, 82 sorties including … c) Seven convoys escorted: … Three He 111 sorties, one from 2205–2330 hours for Dandolo (five searching aircraft jammed) other two for Amsterdam.

Torpedo Wellingtons had no ASV radar, special Wellingtons had radar but no torpedoes. There's a bit about it here as well.

Re: RAF against "Dandolo".
 

Hi

Very nice info. Do you know who operated the ASV Wellingtons on Malta in 1941?

All the best

Andreas

Re: RAF against "Dandolo".
 

Andreas,

According to this link (search for Glazer): http://www.airmuseum.ca/mag/exag0306.html

it would have been 69 squadron.

"Al Glazer and Eric Cameron. Al Glazer trained as a Radar Technical Officer and went to Malta in Jan. 1941 in a Sunderland with two technicians and primitive ASV Radar equipment. Mission, to equip 69 Squadron’s three Wellingtons with radar to help them in their night shipping strikes. Glazer learned navigation and earned one of the few RO half wings. He was awarded the DFC and Mentioned in Dispatches during two Op. tours. In addition to the Malta George Cross, Al was awarded the Canada 125th Anniversary Medal."

"Al Glazer developed special radar liaison between the Wellingtons and the Malta based submarines, whereby a Morse key hook up to the radar enabled the aircraft to send coded “blip” messages to submarines equipped with the Glazier-designed receiving aerials attached to their periscopes. After receiving the enemy convoy’s course and speed from the Wellingtons, the submarines could intercept and strike."

148 Squadron also had Wellingtons on Malta, but I think they operated as a night bombing unit. Maybe someone has more info on all of this.

Re: RAF against "Dandolo".
 

Thanks. Will have a look through my files!


All the best


Andreas