Attacks On Shipping December 1940

[Mark McShane]

Gents,

Could someone identify what units were involved in the following attacks on shipping in the Irish Sea & St. Georges Channel on the 18th & 19th of December 1940.

18th December, Tanker Osage is attacked and sunk about 0900 hrs. Shortly after Tweed was attcked further north in the Irish sea. Later in the morning the ferry Cambria was attacked The aircraft made several attacks and was fired on by the defensive machine guns on the ferry.

19th December, Irish lighthouse tender Isolda was attacked and sunk off the Wexford coast. From survivor interviews from the Isolda they say that the ship was bombed, however Thiele in his Aerial Torpedo Aircraft Operations says that it was torpedoed (he also has the wrong date). The aircraft has being identified earlier before the attack when it flew over Rosslare Harbour as a HE 111, the local Garrison at Rosslare has opened fire on it.

Any information would be appreciated,

Mark