Stukas (? Ju88s) shot down 22/11/41???

[Rainer]

Convoy PQ-4 consisted of eight merchant ships and they all reached North Russia after encountering heavy weather, but no enemy action. Also, it was the cruiser HMS BERWICK that escorted the convoy to Archangel and not HMS KENYA. Furthermore I'm not aware of any enemy attacks on the PQ/QP convoy series before PQ-7A in January 1942.

I also believe that the text was written by a seaman aboard the British freighter DAN-Y-BRYN. However, it seems to have been written from memories after the war as the details don't fit a certain convoy and probably describe events from different voyages. DAN-Y-BRYN made the Murmansk run four times: arrived in PQ-4 and returned in QP-4, arrived in PQ-14 and returned in QP-11, arrived in PQ-18 and returned in QP-15, arrived in JW-52 and returned in RA-53.

[Andy Mitchell]

Brian,

To add to Rainers information please see Arnold Hague Convoy Database -http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/pq/index.html

Please see attached an extract from there relating to the convoys mentioned by Rainer.

PQ-18 and QP-15 had a CAM ship included.

Multiple sinkings of PQ-18 ships attributed to aircraft.

Can I also draw your attention to the following link - http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/it...ect/1030011628 - "Ms diary (7pp) kept by a DEMS gunner serving on the SS DAN-Y-BRYN during the passage of convoy PQ18 to North Russia, 12 - 17 September 1942, and describing in particular the intense air attacks on the convoy on 13 and 14 September, the loss of other merchant ships from air or U-boat attack, successes against enemy aircraft and the DAN-Y-BRYN's narrow escapes; together with a telegram to his girlfriend announcing his safe arrival in Russia, other mementoes of his time in Russia, including tickets, stamps, banknotes and a coin, his completed account of wages covering his service on the DAN-Y-BRYN from July - December 1942, and some contemporary presscuttings about convoy PQ18."

Also from http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/showthread.php?p=158750

"Originally Posted by John Gurton
Trevor,
My father sailed as AB on the Dan y Bryn during the war. I have a photo somehwere in the house and will endeavour to find and copy it ( be patient though !). The date on the back showed that it was taken a few days after he joined, That voyage was JW 52 to Murmansk and back in convoy RA 53. He had many tales of that voyage including the Stukas attacking in the port. I guess I'm lucky to be here ! I have seen a later pic of her I think it was on the fotoflite web page?
Rgds
John"

Note this ship also sailed in other convoys e.g. HX150 Halifax - Liverpool Sep 1941. See the following search for a full listing - https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=si...DJrmgAbmt6KQDw

[Brian]

Hi Andy
Nice to hear from you again. I have referenced all those links mentioned apart from the IWM one, which is not available online.

As a Luftwaffe recce expert, do you have any knowledge of Ju88 flights by (F)20 or (F)124 on 22 November 1941 that may be relevant?

The mystery continues!

Cheers
Brian

[edNorth]

Brian,
as said. Nothing yet this day in Jan Mayen area.

4 a/c 1.(F)/120 (Stavanger) to Faroes and Scotland. Dropped bombs in Fareoes and scotland. Clam factory and marshalling yards.
No shipping mentionerd. No codes mentioned.

4 a/c III/KG 30 (Melun) bombing shipping and other targets, E- Anglian coast. Harwich & Lowestoft : 4D+DS, 4D+GS, 4D+IS mentioned.

Unit 1.(F)/124 not mentioned.
Other units: none in middle to high North.

TNA HW 13 / 97 - CX/MSS/SALU 293 (daily)

[Andy Mitchell]

Brian,

Sorry, nothing from me regarding recce activity. I'm afraid I just don't have anything much on those units.

Ed,

re TNA HW 13 / 95 (or there abouts) CX/MSS/SALU 293 (daily)

On checking TNA database I think that this may be the file

HW13/97 Daily reports on GAF bomber and reconnaissance activity
Date: 1941 Oct 7-1941 Dec 20
Former reference in its original department: CX/MSS/SALU 171-321

Sorry cannot be more help.

[edNorth]

ah, Ok. will correct.