KG40 & Convoy HX.84 November 1940

[Mark McShane]

Irish registered ships stopped sailing in convoy from 1942 onwards, sailing in convoy did not preclude the irish ships from attack. An example of this is Clonlara who was sunk while sailing in convoy OG-71. In order to ensure their safety the german legation was informed of all Irish registered ships trading and what routes they where on. This system however was not perfect however as three Irish ships would be torpedoed during 1942 & 1943.

The British government had also to be informed, as the Irish ships were required to hold a Navicert if they were trading with Spain & Portugal. They had a no go zone in Biscay that they had to keep out of. Kerlogue ventured into this area and was attacked by the RAF.

Aircraft attacks on Irish registered ships occurred throughout late 1940 and 1941. The Isolda mentioned above also had EIRE painted on the ships side and was still attacked. I interviewed the last survivor from this hip and he said that he thought they were attacked because they were flying the Trinity house flag from the fore mast (it included a union jack). The luftwaffe didn't seem to be too hot on ship and nationality recognition as they also attacked an Italian ship off the kent coast in april 1940, Italy was still neutral at this time.

Regards,

Mark