Seaplanes involved in rescue 31/8/40-1/9/40

[Brian]

Hi guys

On the night of 31 August/1 September 1940, three RN destroyers (Express, Esk and Ivanhoe) fell foul of minefield NW of Texel. Although many casualties, many survivors were rescued by German craft including, I believe, seaplanes - presumably He59s and Do18s.

Can any of our experts throw any light on this tragic night, particularly of the seaplanes involved, their units, numbers of survivors rescued?

Cheers
Brian

[Icare9]

Can't provide all the info, but a quick Google turned up:
HMS Ivanhoe (D16)
I-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered from Yarrow's at Scotstoun on 30th October 1935 under the 1935 Build Programme. The ship was laid down on 12th February 1936 and launched on 11th February 1937 as the 2nd RN warship to carry the name. It had previously been used for a Trawler hired in Aug. 1914 but wrecked in the Firth of Forth in November that year. Build was completed on 24th August 1937 after delay due to delay in delivery of gun mountings. The contract price was £259,371 but excluded Admiralty supplied items such as weapons and communications equipment. This Class of destroyer was designed for use as minelayers (See BRITISH DESTROYERS by E. March and The Naval Staff History (MINING) for more information).
August 31st 1940: Carried out post repair trials on completion of repair work.
Sailed with H M Destroyers EXPRESS, ESK, ICARUS and INTREPID escorted by H M Destroyers KELVIN, JUPITER and VORTIGERN for lay of additional minefield field west of Vieland on Dutch coast (Operation QBX5)
Following an enemy report the ships altered course to westward of the laying position.
Before a signal was received from CinC Nore instructing the minelayers to jettison mines and attack reported, ship the minelayers entered a German minefield laid on 7th August.
After closing HMS EXPRESS which had detonated a mine and lost all her forward structure, lowered seaboat to rescue survivors,
During manoeuvres to go alongside HMS EXPRESS, heavy explosion occurred forward when ship detonated a mine and steam was lost.
Steam was restored two hours to allow astern speed of seven knots, but pressure could not be maintained. Inspection revealed ships back was broken.
Decision to abandon after opening hull valves was made after HM Motor Torpedo Boat 15, waiting to embark remaining survivors, became seriously short of fuel and had to leave the area.
Drifting hulk was later located by HM Destroyer GARTH and then was sunk by a torpedo from HM Destroyer KELVIN in position 53-26N 03.45E. (Note: German aircraft were then carrying out air attacks on drifting ship.).
8 Ratings were killed and 3 wounded. One officer and 22 ratings were taken prisoner.
For full details see Naval Staff History (Mining).
This was the most disastrous and costly minelaying operation.
Most minelaying carried out off the Dutch and German coasts after Sept. 1940, apart from small lays by Coastal Forces craft was carried out by RAF aircraft.).

HMS Express (H61)
It appears that HMS Express was paid for by members of the town of Urmston in Manchester who all contributed a staggering £7.00 per head to assist with the funding for Express to be built.

On August 31st 1940, the Express and 4 other Minelaying Destroyers left Immingham to lay an offensive field off the coast of the Netherlands. At around 23.00 hours almost to the point of laying mines, it was reported by radio that there was an enemy convoy near at hand, which was to be attacked after the mines had been dropped. Before any mines were dropped, three of the ships, including Express, had themselves struck mines. Express was the first and some of the crew were picked up by the Ivanhoe, who then also struck a mine. Meanwhile the Esk struck and sank almost immediately. There was a considerable loss of life in all three ships, the Express lost 4 officers and 55 ratings.

In spite of having most of the bows blown off, the Express was towed back to port and eventually rebuilt. The Ivanhoe could not be saved and had to be sunk.

The Express came back into service as a Fleet Destroyer in September 1941 and was part of the escort of the Prince of Wales and Repulse when they were sunk off the coast of Malaysia and picked up many of the survivors.

In 1943 she was transferred to the Canadian Navy and was renamed the Gatineau serving with distinction in the Atlantic. She was finally broken up in 1955.

HMS Esk (H15)
The tragic circumstances of the loss of HMS ESK were not fully publicised at the time for security reasons. Whilst on passage to lay a minefield off the Dutch coast in August 1940 the five minelaying destroyers, including a sister ship HMS EXPRESS, ran into a new German minefield. Three ships were sunk and a fourth badly damaged.
Sailed with HM Destroyers INTREPID, ICARUS, IVANHOE and EXPRESS of 20th Flotilla for minelay off Dutch coast, north of Texel.
Cover to provide protection against surface attacks was provided by HM Destroyers JUPITER, KELLY and VORTIGERN. (Operation CBX5).
During passage, enemy ships were reported in vicinity and CinC (NORE) then ordered attacks on them, after jettisoning mines. Almost immediately after this order had been received HMS EXPRESS hit a mine in new German mine field and lost part of her bow structure.
HMS ESK closed to assist and almost immediately struck another mine. Some 15 minutes later there was another explosion amidships causing ship to break in two parts, both of which sank quickly in position 53.23N 03.48E.
HMS IVANHOE rescued some survivors and 25 other were taken prisoner. 135 members of the ship's company were killed.
(For full details see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE and The Naval Staff History – BRITISH minelaying BR1736 (56))

It would appear that about 45 crew from these ships were captured, and many more killed.
Hope that helps

[Brian]

Many thanks, Icare

I appreciate the time and effort involved.

Cheers
Brian