Walrus mystery PQ-17 July 1942

[Brian]

Hi guys

I'm slightly confused!

According to various accounts I've read:

3 July: Walrus (W2796?) from HMS London was taken in tow by the armed trawler Lord Middleton, having been misidentified and fired upon. What happened next?

4 July: Walrus P5706 from HMS Norfolk ran out of fuel, fired upon by AA escort Palomares,alighted nearby and taken in tow by Palomares. Towed to Russia.

Is there a mix-up?

Cheers
Brian

[Col Bruggy]

Brian,

I would stick with the 4th July (1942) version. G W R Nicholls in his, "The Supermarine Walrus" (Foulis,1966), devotes a chapter ("PQ 17", pp.163-8) to this incident. He gives full details, including the crew - Lt R Wignall, Sub-Lt G. Riley and LA Gibbons, and the eventual fate of Walrus P5706. No scanner, but someone might be able to help out there.

A teaser: At 21.00 "Norfolk" launched P5706 for the routine three-hour patrol, the crew being Lieutenant R. Wignall, Sub-Lieut. G.Riley and Leading Airman Gibbons. Three hours? It was to be as many months before they were to see "Norfolk" again (p.164).

Col.

[Brian]

Thanks Col

I have a copy of the Walrus book, and that's where my info came from, but thanks all the same.

The London version appears in David Irving's excellent The Destruction of Convoy PQ-17

Cheers
Brian

[Col Bruggy]

Brian,

I hauled out my copy of "The Destruction of Convoy PQ 17" (New York:Simon & Schuster,1968). Irving states quite categorically that the Walrus flew off "London". As Irving quotes his sources, including the catapult officer on the "London", you would have to lean his way. What I don't understand is, Irving suggests that the pilot of the Walrus was Flight Officer H. H. Edwards (fn 43,p.314). Point taken!

The following is also known:

HMS Norfolk - Cruiser with catapult. Launched in December 1928. Survived the war.

London Gazette 26 January 1943 - For escorting a Russian convoy in July 1942.

WIGNALL, Ronald RNVR - TSubLt(A) - MiD.

Seedie's List of Fleet Air Arm Awards 1939-1969/p.65

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...supplement/493

Col.

[Brian]

Hi Col

Thanks for the latest.

Re-reading Irving, I tend to think that there were two similar events with both Walrus involved.

It seems to me that Edwards in London's Walrus was able to take-off again following its tow by Lord Middleton, and return to London..

And that Wignall in Norfolk's Walrus was towed by Palomares all the way to Russia.

Intriguing and interesting.

Cheers
Brian

[Rainer]

I found the following Walrus flights mentioned in the war diaries of the US warships that participated in convoy PQ-17:
HMS NORFOLK catapulted one plane at 2134 on 2 July 1942, recovered 0010 on 3 July
HMS LONDON catapulted one plane at 1624 on 3 July, recovered 1818
HMS LONDON catapulted one plane at 2130 on 3 July, recovered 1247 on 4 July - towed back to the cruiser by HMS LORD MIDDLETON
HMS NORFOLK catapulted one plane at 2137 on 3 July, recovered 2336
HMS NORFOLK catapulted one plane for ice reconnaissance on 4 July, did not return

I also found the following note in one of the war diaries: "HMS LONDON is reported to have had a plane damaged by a Snooper and NORFOLK to have lost a plane on this trip, possibly from Snooper stalking."

The details are probably mentioned in the ship logs of the British cruisers, available at the National Archives:
ADM 53/116173: Ship log HMS LONDON for July 1942
ADM 53/116387: Ship log HMS NORFOLK for July 1942

[Brian]

Hi again, Rainer

Well, you've solved the mini mystery - well done!

I'm extremely grateful for your help.

Cheers
Brian