III./KG 26 August 1942

[Chris Goss]

Having carried out a torpedo attack on the evening of 3 Aug 42, III./KG 26 moved from Rennes to Banak on the afternoon of 4 Aug 42, returning 21 Aug 42. PQ 17 had been and gone and PQ 18 was not until later so what prompted this move?

[igorrB]

Perhaps Germans didn't know exact pans of Allies. 2.8.42 Luftbilde Reykjavik was made with big concentration of warships and merchants. Admiral Nordmeer wrote in his KTB that PQ-18 with great probability sail soon.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Igor. This seems a reasonable reason as on 28 August they moved north again not returning to Rennes this time

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by igorrB

Perhaps Germans didn't know exact pans of Allies. 2.8.42 Luftbilde Reykjavik was made with big concentration of warships and merchants. Admiral Nordmeer wrote in his KTB that PQ-18 with great probability sail soon.

My translations from the Seekriegsleitung Diary:

1 August: In Reykjavik, aerial reconnaissance established a battleship, 2 cruisers, 6 destroyers and 30 medium-sized steamers.

2 August: According to photo-reconnaissance, in Hvalfjord, Iceland were identified 1 battleship of King George V class, 1 heavy cruiser apparently of the Cumberland class, 1 Dido-class cruiser, 7 destroyers, 41 steamers (total about 185–190000 GRT). In the Reykjavik Roads 14 steamers of about 11500 GRT. Obviously the assembly of PQ 18 has been accomplished.

3 August: According to an Abwehr report from Ireland on 25.7. an agent saw a group of 18 steamships coming into Hvalfjord on 18.7.

4 August: According to aerial reconnaissance, no more ships are lying in Hvalfjord or Reykjavik Roads. Whereabouts of the assembly of ships repoorted in Hvalfjord on 1.8. is unclear. Sailing of PQ 18 must be reckoned with.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Nick this confirms it. If anyone is interested, the warships Duke of York, Cumberland and London were what they spotted