wessel Ditmarschen sunk 23/9/1943

[sergey]

Hi,

Colleagues,
Please help me find out which Allied aircraft and how the German ship Ditmarshen (1171) sank off the coast of Crete at night on 23 September 1943.

23 Sept. 1943 CONFIDENTIAL
The convoy of the DITMARSCHEN consisting of three steamers escorted
by two submarine chasers, was attacked by enemy torpedo planes
and bombers while on passage to Crete. The steamer DITMARSCHEN
(1,171 GRT) was torpedoed. The rest of the convoy reached
Candia, without further losses.
https://archive.org/stream/wardiaryg...3germ_djvu.txt

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

On 22/23 September, 1943, No.38 Sqn RAF detailed four Wellingtons (each carrying two gyro angled torpedoes), on an Offensive Recce of the Aegean. A convoy consisting of 3 M.V.s and 2 E.V.s was sighted and attacked. Only F/O. F. J. Collins, in Wellington MF396* reported a flash which might have been a strike. The others did not observe the results of their drop. Accurate medium to heavy A/A was encountered, but all a/c were able to return to base (Berka III), by 0655, on the 23rd.

* Actually, Mk.XI HZ396 "E".

See: AIR 27/400/18, No.38 Sqn. ORB. (F.541), 1.9.1943 - 30/9/1943 - Images 12 & 13 of 16.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8411354

There might of been other units involved on this strike.

Col.

[sergey]

Col!
Thank you very much! It is the perfect answer!