[Håkan]

Hello again,

Another question regarding Italian sources...

Six Fairey Swordfishes of HMS Eagle’s 824 Squadron attacked the harbour at 09:30 in the morning on 20 July, again achieving total surprise. All aircraft launched their torpedoes from an height of around 30 metres and from distances between 300 and 400 metres, practically point-blank range. The attack was another success with five hits on the targets and three ships sunk.
At 09:30 the aircraft of Sub Lieutenant F. S. Quarry, Midshipman J. H. London and Petty Officer M. L. Spears hit the freighter Sereno which sank the day after.
The aircraft of Lieutenant E. S. Ashley, Midshipman S. A. Quincannon and Midshipman F. F. Loster hit the destroyer Nembo, which capsized and sank at 11:45.
Midshipman A. J. Fitzroy, Midshipman G. K. Kidman, Petty Officer F. K. Souleman launched their torpedo but this went lost.
At 09:31 the aircraft of Sub Lieutenant S. F. Fullmore, Petty Officer D. J. Turner and Petty Officer G. G. Harrison hit the destroyer Ostro, which was beached the day after near the Euro.
The aircraft of Midshipman J. J. Curtland, Midshipman P. O’Neal, Petty Officer A. Capone and Lieutenant A. K. Curtiss, Petty Officer S. D. Butler, Petty Officer G. K. Kinkaid, hit the cruiser San Giorgio with two torpedoes but they caused very little damage (they probably failed to explode).
The Swordfishes flown by Ashley and Fullmore were shot down by the AA defences with the loss of their crews.
Again, no fighter succeeded in intercepting during or after the attack because of an highly ineffective warning network.
After this attack future Italian convoys were sent directly to Benghazi and the use of Tobruk as harbour was greatly reduced. This was a big strategic mistake with the Italian supply system in Libya that lost more or less a quarter of its (already limited) capacity.


Again I can't verify the losses of Ashley's and Fullmore's aircraft with the Commonwealth War Grave Commission.

Is there anyone, who can help me with this?
Best wishes/Håkan Gustavsson