British aircraft caused German ship to scuttle December 1939

[Brian]

Hi guys

In December 1939, off the coast of Angola, the German merchantman 'Adolf Leonhart' was scuttled following interception by a British aircraft.

Can anyone provide any information please? Was the aircraft involved RAF/FAA/SAAF? What was the date?

Cheers
Brian

[Graham Boak]

I can't find any reference to this event in Squadrons of the SAAF, but patrol off the Angolan coast was carried out by Ju.86s of the SAAF. I don't believe there were any RAF units in the area, so the other possibility might be a Walrus from a British cruiser?

[robert_schulte]

Brain,
Found this at:

http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5424.html

9 Dec, 1939
The German merchant Adolf Leonhardt (2990 GRT) was intercepted in the South Atlantic off the coast of Angola in position 13º00'S, 11º30'E by HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.P. Gornall, RN). However, before the German ship could be captured she was scuttled by her own crew.

Best wishes
Robert

[paulmcmillan]

It must have been HMS Shropshires' Walrus then.....

[Leendert]

Paul,

It was indeed the aircraft of HMS Shropshire. See www.nzetc.org where you can read:

...patrol a line off the north-west coast of Brazil. The submarine Clyde was ordered to patrol an area midway between that coast and Free-town. Force ‘H’ was between St. Helena and the African coast when, on the morning of 9 December, the German ship Adolf Leonhardt, 3000 tons, was intercepted by the Shropshire's aircraft. The cruiser arrived three hours later, but the Adolf Leonhardt was scuttled by her crew.

Regards,

Leendert

[Brian]

Many thanks indeed, gentlemen, for the extremely prompt and excellent response to my query.

Cheers
Brian