[Andre Chissel]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for taking the time to research this.

I have recently received a shed load of ULTRA decrypts for the time in question, hence my sudden interest in KG60 and KG30.

The decrypts positively state that KG60 attacked my convoy (KG30 being told to but weather prevented them) but they attacked the Cameronia, not the Strathallan.

In fact, KG60 formed two of the three aircraft (the other being a torpedo bomber from KG26) that simultaneously attacked the Cameronia. The Cameronia did not sink, but struggled to the port of Bougie and I believe that that explains the information that you have. The Cameronia was not lost like the Strathallan.

Yes strictly speaking KMF-5 ended at Gib and KMF-5A officially was formed for the ongoing journey to various ports in North Africa.

However, all of the official reports of the time that cover the outward leg of the journey (from the initial port of embarkation to the final port of dis-embarkation) simply refer to the convoy as KMF-5, KMF-5A does not get a mention.

I do point out in the book that I am writing that there is this difference between KMF-5 and KMF-5A but it is to all intents and purposes a distinction without a difference and like the report writers of the time I too have taken to refering to KMF-5 and KMF-5A as simply KMF-5.

Re the Strathallan, the losses onboard vary depending on who you talk to.

The actual official death toll is 16 (I have the names) but it is likely that the true death toll may run into many dozens - nevertheless the rescue of the troops onboard is probably one of the greatest rescue missions never told carried out by the Royal Navy.

Yup The U562 torpedoed the Strathallan, she fired a spread of four torpedoes, one hitting the ship.

Andre