Who Attacked Convoy UGS 30

[Doug Stankey]

Checking with:
“The Allied Convoy System 1939-1945 Its Organization, Defense and Operation” by Arnold Hague; Vanwell Publications. December 2000. ISBN 1551250330.
I see that convoy UGS 30 departed Hampton Roads 14 January 1944 bound for Port Said with 66 vessels. This convoy was attacked by aircraft on 1 February 1944 and lost one ship: the “Edward Bates” (7176 GRT) loaded with flour.

Checking my copy of “Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe, A Reference Source”, the only possible units potentially involved in this attack at this time were:

I./ K.G.26 – attacked shipping off Anzio Nettuno
II./K.G. 26 – in East Prussia
III./K.G. 26 attacked invasion shipping during this time period (January to April), but no UGS convoys specifically noted.
I./K.G. 30 was in transit this date.
II./K.G. 30 attacked Anzio bridgehead this date.
III./K.G. 30 –not in region
I./K.G. 40 on Atlantic missions.
II./K.G. 40 ops against Anzio and Nettuno landings
III./K.G. 40 ops over Atlantic.
I./K.G. 100 - Steinbock missions
II./K.G. 100 – attacked UGS 30 near Oran on this date.
III./K.G. 100 – in SW France but inactive.
I./K.G. 54 - Steinbock missions
II./K.G. 54 - Steinbock missions
III./K.G. 54 in Germany rebuilding.
I./K.G. 77 in East Prussia.
II./K.G. 77 in East Prussia
III./K.G. 77 in S France to attack shipping, but no attacks noted on/about the time in question.
I./LG. 1 – attacked shipping off Anzio.
II./LG. 1 – attacked partisans near Adriatic.
III./LG. 1 – attacked Anzio beachhead.

Thus the only real candidates are III./K.G. 26 and II./K.G. 100 with the later being the most likely.

I hope this clears things up.