824 Squadron losses on 20 July 1940

[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

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hej igen Håkan
This action is just as badly covered in my sources. The book the Swordfish story by Ray Sturtivant acknowledge the raid made by 824Sq and state that the only losses on this day suffered by the RN were one Swordfish of 700Sq making a recce sortie near Tobruk AND a 813Sq Swordfish making a nightraid on Tobruk. Lt G R Browne and Lt K C Grieve wounded and PO R J W Wynn dying of wounds!

In spite of their outstanding success these two attacks are very superficially covered, which is surprising. Checking other sources ALL seems to be very non-committing to Royal Navy's AIR ops in the Med.
Cannot understand that really...

B Rgds
Stig Jarlevik

[Håkan]

Hej Stig,

Thanks for your info. The info on 813 and 700 Squadrons was new to me! I haven't found any info on a night raid on Tobruk on this date even if I know that 202 Group mounted a series of raids aimed at sinking the Italian cruiser Giovanni Dalle Bande Nere in Tobruk harbour on 19 July.

Best wishes/Håkan

[Stig Jarlevik]

Well Håkan

I believe there must be some confusion in Ray's information. 813 Sq did NOT participate in the July 20th ops, but 824Sq as you correctly state.

Either it is a misprint and the 813 Sq loss was on the 5th OR in fact it WAS by 824 Sq aircraft and NOT 813 Sq as printed.

Can I have your source please? Was it Italian?

Cheers
Stig

[Håkan]

Hej Stig,

My sources is "Taranto la Pearl Harbour Italiana" by Gustavo Ottolenghi (a former officer in the Italian Navy), which I've been supplied by through a Italian colleauge.

It seems that at least one Swordfish was lost in the area of Tobruk harbour since that in the history of the 50o Stormo (at the time based at Tobruk T2), a was captured after an attack of the harbour in July.

Best wishes/Håkan

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Håkan

Yes indeed the crew of the 700Sq Swordfish loss was the one taken POW.
Does 50 St records claim they shot it down??

Cheers
Stig

[Håkan]

Hello again,

No, the 50o Stormo didn't claim the Swordfish. Iit seems that according to Italian sources it was captured between 15 and 20 July, i.e. on 20 July to correspond with the 700 Sq. loss.
I haven't found any corresponding Italian fighter claim so it might have been shot down/damaged by Italian AA or suffered engine problems.

Best wishes/Håkan