Another Arctic theatre mystery!

[Brian]

Hi guys

According to the book 'Forgotten Sacrifice' by American author Michael G. Walling, a merchant seaman (one Godfrey Hudson) sailing in Convoy PQ-3, wrote in his diary:

"22 November (1941) Stukas [probably meant Ju88s] dived bombed the convoy ... we were in the vicinity of Jan Mayen Island ... They lost two planes and the crews were dead when picked up"

The problem is that I cannot find any other reference of such an attack or losses of any type of aircraft or their crews!

Can anyone advise/comment, please? Yes, Ed, I have Googled!

Do bear in mind that this is a diary entry, and not a reminiscence.

Cheers
Brian

[James A Pratt III]

I looked at the Luftwaffe in Norway sites loss list and there is nothing this day except a Fi-156 damaged in a landing accident. It could be this man got his dates wrong.

[Kutscha]

PQ 3
Departed from Hvalfjord November 9, 1941
Arrived Archangel November 22, 1941

Jan Mayen Island is at least 1500km from Murmansk and ~800km from Hvalfjord. Some rough math puts the convoy off Jan Mayen approximately Nov 12.

What Luftwaffe activities on the Nov 12 1941?

[edNorth]

Brian. Undoupedly meant skillful googlou fu-ing :-)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic...ld_War_II#1941

This seems be the day PQ.3 entered Soviet port (no way it was near Jan Mayen same day!) so Ju 87 R´s are quite possible. Unit VI/LG 1 was up in the North of Norway and Finland. OK, so we look at this period ...

http://www.ww2.dk/air/lehr/lg1.htm

but almost no Ju 87 candidate from GQM ...
(BTW, looking at the originals as many serious Lw. researchers have gotten themselves by now. Hope you credit TOCH! forum "collectively as co-author" of
your Arctic Action book !???)

GQM in period 10.11. - 10.12.41 (no guarantee there are not more)

20.11.41 Ju 87 R-2 6131 100% Motorbrand Fl.Pl. Kestenga (no injuries)

But I seem remember He 115s attacking (some other convoy) near Jan Mayen but Ju´87s had no range for such a stunt. I think we are possibly looking at attempt to dive bomb some arctic convoy but loss (if any) mixed up with other action.

Now Christmas just ended here.
-Ed

[edNorth]

deleted as not fitting (wrong month)

[Kutscha]

This seems be the day PQ.3 entered Soviet port (no way it was near Jan Mayen same day!)

Isn't that what I already said?

QP.6 (dep Murmansk 24.02.)

CONVOY QP 6
Departed Murmansk on Jan. 24-1942, dispersed Jan. 28.

[edNorth]

Yes, but I had not seen your answer and was still working on mine.
Going thrugh GQM files (nothing fitting for Nov 12.)
Saw your reply only after hitting enter.

[Brian]

Hi guys

Thanks for all your comments.

As a serious Lw researcher I, also, have copies of Loss Lists, hence my plea for help!

Referring to the diary entry, I believe friend Hudson may have made his entries in a pre-printed diary, and therefore entered on the incorrect dates (as suggested). This theory is supported by his first entry (as published):

"November 16th. Leaving today. Stormy outside ...."

PQ-3 actually departed November 9th!

Therefore, seemingly seven days in error, his November 22nd would be November 15th, which would more sense regarding the position of his ship.

I will endeavour to make contact with the author for more information.

Ed- I always acknowledge TOCH members contributions in my books. Have a happy New Year.

Cheers
Brian