The Sinking of HMS Boadicea

[mjbollinger]

Thanks very much, Doug. I just got Volume I of your book yesterday and will get Volume II in a few days. I'm very impressed by your work. Would it be possible for me to contact you offline with a few questions?

Yes, III./KG 100 does claim credit for the sinking of Boadicea and this is affirmed by Balke, and it may in fact be the case. I'm surprised, however, that they would be operating so close to the UK coast in June 1944 given all of the air cover. Moreover, III./KG 100 claims credit for a number of ships hit and sunk that in fact weren't (e.g., Bulolo), so I don't consider their claim decisive until I fully rule out the other scenarios.

As for conventional weapons, that would seem very odd indeed given the mission of III./KG 100 and very much out of character for that time -- but you never know. I'm curious as to the source of that information.

By the way, the investigation into the sinking found no fault with the captain of Boadicea, suggesting the lone German aircraft had hidden within a formation of Beaufighters, abetted by the similarity of appearance of a Ju 88 to the Beaufighter at night. Hence the recurring thoughts of a torpedo attack. On the other hand, a stand-off launch of a Hs 293 might achieve the same result with similar characteristics.

Marty

[Mike Jackson]

I have a copy of the transcript taken during the Findings of the Board of Inquiry into the sinking of HMS Boadicea that took place on the 24/06/1944. Statements from the 12 surviving crew members confirm that the Boadicea was sunk by a single torpedo striking her forward magazine. The lone JU88 dropped two torpedoes the second detonated in the wake of the Boadicea.

Further information available upon request.

I would be interested in any information that is available about JU88 squadrons/operations or specific aircraft that were operating at the time as I am compiling the history of this particular ship.

Many thanks.

Mike