RFA Tanker bombed in Suez, 12.09.1941?

[Matolion]

On 12 September 1941 RFA Petrella, a 1024 ton spirit/water tanker, was bombed and damaged at Suez, Egypt. One of the crew, CEO. Frank William George Tucker RFA was killed.

Does anyone have an idea or can suggest which unit, maybe even crew/aircraft was involved in this attack?

Thanks

[Chris Goss]

He 111s of II./KG 26? KG 40's He 111s and Fw 200s had gone by then

[igorrB]

Lageberichte reported many attacks by I./KG 40 and LG 1 3-9.9.41, but none after 10.9.41. Maybe date is wrong?

[Nick Beale]

I have only looked at Suez attacks a year later than this (usually carried out by KG 100) but the usual starting point for these seems to have been Crete. Since the geography hadn’t changed, it could be worth finding out who was based there at the time.

[Andy Mitchell]

Matallion,

de Zeng and Stankey "Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe 1939-45" v2 - have reference to II./LG1 raiding Port Tafiq on the Suez Canal on this date and then states - "continuous night raids on Egypt were halted this date and target priorities shifted to protecting the Axis convoy traffic between Italy and North Africa and flying armed reconnaissance missions over the eastern and central Mediterranean."

HW13/96 SALU 218 for 11.9.41 has (on pg 6):

II./LG 1 (Eleusis) - 4 aircraft took off between 21.12 and 21.23 hrs Z on a night bombing sortie; Target - harbour at Port Tewfik.

II(?)./KG 26 - 11 aircraft took off 20.50 - 21.33 hrs Z night bombing sortie; Target: Suez harbour and oil refinery. Took off from Heraklion. (The reason for the ? against the Gruppe is that the Gruppe is illegible).

HW13/96 SALU 219 for 12.9.41 has (on pg 7):

II./LG 1 (Eleusis) - 4 aircraft recorded as taking off between 21.12 and 21.23 hrs Z on a night bombing sortie. However, it records no other information.


HW13/96 SALU 220 for 13/14.9.41 has (on pg 8) :

LG 1 (Eleusis) - 6 aircraft night bombing - Nile Delta. Intentions harassing attack on harbour installations at Port Teufik (?), oil refineries and harbour installations at Suez. Bombs fell at Suez.

II./KG 26 - departed 20.00-20.20 hrs Z; landed about 03.50 - 05.10 hrs Z; 12 aircraft; night bombing; Suez - special operation, at least six aircraft returned to Athens and 2 to Gadura.

Hope that the above is of help.

[Chris Goss]

I can confirm his date of death was 12 Sep 41

[Stig Jarlevik]

Excuse my ignorance here

What does RFA stand for in front of the vessel's name?

What does HW13/96 SALU etc mean (some kind of ULTRA doc perhaps?)

Cheers
Stig

[Nick Beale]

Royal Fleet Auxiliary — ships that supply the Royal Navy.
SALU comes from the names of Saltmarsh and Lucas who compiled daily reports of Luftwaffe activity based on ULTRA And Y-Service intelligence.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Nick
Appreciated!!
Cheers
Stig

[Matolion]

Gentlemen, thank you for the replies