Sinking claim off Scotland, 27 February 1942

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

On this day 84 years ago the British coaster Fernside, en route from Hartlepool to Wick, disappeared without trace off Scotland with her 8 crew. She was thought to have been sunk by enemy action.

In 2006, her wreck was found off Stonehaven, S of Aberdeen, with "damage confirming she was sunk by a bomb" according to the divers.

So my question: has someone something about an attack on a ship off Scotland that day ?

Thanks in advance

[Laurent Rizzotti]

What is sure is that German bombers were definitely active in the area according to the Admiraly War Diaries for 28 February 1942 (https://www.fold3.com/image/30212330...es-1941-1945): at 1930 hrs on 27th two bombs were dropped on Mid Yell, Shetlands, and fell in open country. One hour later, a ship named Bandit was bombed at 2027 hrs off Dunnet Head [peninsula on the northern coast of Caithness, Scotland].

[Nick Beale]

You could try the downloadable list of claims here: https://airwarpublications.com/resea...onal-material/

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Nick, I knew this file was available but forgot to check.

Nothing on 27 February 1942 on it, but there is an entry for 27 February 1941 by 1.(F)/120 for a 4000-ton vessel. I wonder is there is not a typo in the year.

Still, checking this date in 1941 show that the file is far from complete. British reported on 27 February 1941 three ships bombed off the Thames (one sank) and another bombed NW of Ireland (sank the day after in a second air attack). See https://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4102-29FEB02.htm

While the file has only the claim N of Aberdeen, not identified so far.

[Chris Goss]

Definitely 1630hrs on 27 Feb 1941 for the 1/120 claim. Fernside was definitely lost 27 Feb 42

[igorrB]

27.2.42
20.25, 15 West/3828 (AN1852) – 2500-t ship damaged by bomb
21.20, 15 West/4942 (AN1562) – 3500-t ship heavily damaged by bomb
Alas, no data about plane and unit. This is report of Ic LF 5 to Kriegsmarine. Looks like first entry may fit Fernside, and second one Bandit.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Igor, is this report available somewhere on the Net ?

You're right, the second entry was probably Bandit. For the first, as we have no Allied source, we can only check the location and it is not the right one, but 15 West/3728 will fit nearly perfectly.

As for the unit, at this time, I see two possibilities for luftflotte 5 units: 1.(F)/120 was based in Sola and I./KG 26 in Trondheim, and I think the former is more probable as flying over Scotland. I have dismissed floatplanes and seaplanes as I think that by 1942 they will no more fly so close of UK.

[igorrB]

This is roll 1977 in T-1022, NARA.
I agree with units. I./KG 26 surely attacks ship near Montrose 1.3.42, so perhaps these planes responsible for attacks 2 days earlier. But not 1./KG 26 which was at east this time. Also based at Sola on 20.1.42 was 4./KG 30 and 7./KG 30 on Vaernes. Perhaps this was still same month later.

[Nick Beale]

Take a look online at Bundesarchiv RL 2-III/718a, page 67 which shows strength and serviceability for KG 26 and KG 30 on 28 February 1942. Solid colour = serviceable, an X = unserviceable. Blue = operational, red = not operational.

KG 26 is shown as split between ‘Ost’ and ‘M.u.A.’ (Mediterranean and Aegean). I. and II./KG 30 are refitting in the Netherlands but no location is given for the III. and IV. Gruppen.