Blocus !
 

I am very surprised to read that 2 Swiss vessels steamed from Lisbon to Genova on 21.Mai 1943, thru the Gibraltar Straight, difficult to make different indeed,

Rémi

Re: Blocus !
 

What are you puzzled by, Rémi?
The fact that the Swiss had ships (didn't they win the America's Cup?) or the fact they were let free to enter the Mediterranean?

Re: Blocus !
 

The fact that the Swiss had ships (didn't they win the America's Cup?) :)

or the fact they were let free to enter the Mediterranean?

The fact that they steamed along Gibraltar at a moment where the whole area was very hot...

Rémi

Re: Blocus !
 

A few words about Swiss high sea fleet. During war period Switzerland had 14 steamers to supply some goods from South and North America. There were two ways of land transport: by rail in Spain and unoccupied France or by Genoa port in Italy. In this second case there was a very old agreement between Bern and Rome to use this port freely. One of the Swiss ships was lost due war action: s/s "MALOJA" was torpedoed by British aircrafts near Corsica on 7th September 1943 (three Portugese sailors on Swiss duty were killed, 20 others survived).

Re: Blocus !
 

Hello,
Anyone have details of the Squadron that carried this attack ? was it RAF or Fleet Air Arm aircraft ?
Alex

Re: Blocus !
 

Hello,

On 7 September, 1943, ten No.39 Sqn RAF Beaufighters (6 Torpedo + 4 Anti-flak), carried out a Torpedo Strike, claiming a 2,500t MV sunk - Swiss marks !

See:
The Winged Bomb:History of 39 Squadron RAF.
Delve,Ken
Earl Shilton:Midland Counties publications,1985.
p.180.

Col.

Re: Blocus !
 

I know at least two more RAF attacks on Swiss ships:
1. S/S "CHASSERAL" attacked on 22nd April 1944 by six Beaufighters of 39 Sqn with rockets and machineguns. The Swiss sailor killed and 5 Portuguese sailors injured. The "CHASSERAL" was heavy damaged and later was towed with German tug into the port of Sète. Temporary repaired and sailed for Lisbon on 07.06.1944 and repaired until 31.07.1944.

2. On 6th May 1944 S/S "CRISTINA" anchored in the Sète harbour was attacked with bombs by twelve Beaufighters and sank. Ship was flying under Swiss Red Cross flag and the cargo was intended to the British POWs.

Re: Blocus !
 

Hello,

Re: 6th May, 1944. SS "CHRISTINA":

The month (May, 44'), continued with a strike against a 1,500 ton MV plus two escorts at the entrance to Sete harbour on the 6th when six RP Beaus of 39 Squadron plus six anti-flak (Beaufighters), of No.272 Squadron pressed home an accurate attack despite intense flak from the ships and shore installations. (The MV attacked was claimed as damaged).

See: The Winged Bomb/Delve. pp.103 & 182.

and...

The last anti-shipping attack made by the combined squadrons (39/272), took place on the 6th May (1944), when Squadron Leader Curlee led six of his squadron (No.39), and six of 272 Squadron against a merchant vessel of about 1,500 tons, escorted by two flak ships, at the entrance to Sete harbour. They were met with an intense barrage of light flak from the ships and the shore, but scored numerous hits on the vessel, which bore neutral markings. All aircraft returned safely.

See:
The Armed Rovers:Beauforts and Beaufighters over the Mediterranean.
Nesbit,Roy C.
Shrewsbury:Airlife,1995.
p.191.

Col.

Re: Blocus !
 

Thanks for details Col.
Have you more info about attack on Marseilles harbour on 14th August 1944? During Allied air raid (some sources say 13 August, or night 13/14 maybe) s/s "ALBULA" was damaged, and she couldn't leave the port. More significant damages were caused on 21 August when retreating Germans blew up the harbours installations. Swiss crew had to abandon the ship, which sank. Salvaged after the war s/s "ALBULA" was sold to scrap.