Thread: hms Chakdina
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Old 2nd November 2010, 06:30
Doug Stankey Doug Stankey is offline
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Re: hms Chakdina

A search of the Arnold Hague convoy database,
http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/ports/index.html?search.php~armain

states:

CHAKDINA (Br) 3,033 tons, built 1914

Departure / Convoy / Arrival

TA.1/M (Tobruk - Alexandria) Alexandria, Dec 5, 1941 Tobruk,

Dec 5, 1941 TA.1/M (Tobruk - Alexandria) Bandar Abbas,

Dec 5, 1943 PB.65A (Bandar Abbas - Karachi) Karachi, Dec 9, 1943 Bombay,

Jan 8, 1944 BM.80B (Bombay - Colombo) Colombo, Jan 13, 1944 Madras,

Feb 3, 1944 JC.35P (Madras - Vizagpatnam) Vizag, Feb 6, 1944 Vizag,

Feb 8, 1944 JC.35P1 (Vizag - Calcutta) Calcutta, Feb 11, 1944


Apparently a new ship later received the same name.

The encyclopedic "Chronology of the War at Sea" by Rohwer states on page 119 that the "transport Chakdina (3,033 tons) is lost to a torpedo from an Italian aircraft" while being involved in a Tobruk supply operation.

As for possible German attacking air units, I assume that only bomber/torpedo units were involved, thus after consulting "Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe", the possibilities are:

II./KG 26 - a definite possibility
KG 30 - not in the area
KG 40 - not in the area
II./KG 54 - very briefly in the area
II./KG 77 - arrived a couple of weeks later - op mainly in the central/western Mediterranean
KGr. 606 - just arrived - op in this area
KGr. 806 - arrived mid Dec - op in this area
I., II/LG 1 - op in this area
III./LG 1 - possibly op in this area

Thus the most likely candidates for the unit involved in sinking this vessel are:
most likely: II./KG 26, KGr. 606
some chance: I. and II/LG 1
slim chance: II./KG 54, KGr. 806, III./LG 1, II./KG 77

I hope that all this helps

DGS

Last edited by Doug Stankey; 2nd November 2010 at 06:33. Reason: Update
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