SECRET
From: The Commanding Officer, HMS JASON
Date: 28th August
1944 Ref : C43/31
To: Captain M/S (X), HMS Ambitious
Copy to:
The Senior Officer, First Minesweeping Flotilla, HMS
HARRIER
Subject: REPORT OF ATTACK BY
FRIENDLY AIRCRAFT ON SHIPS OF THE 1ST MSF, RESULTING IN
THE SINKING OF HM SHIPS ‘BRITOMART’ AND ‘HUSSAR’ AND DAMAGE AND
CASUALTIES TO OTHER SHIPS ON THE 27TH AUGUST 1944.
Submitted:-
-
On 27th August 1944, HMS JASON (Senior
Officer) with HM Ships BRITOMART, SALAMANDER and HUSSAR was
continuing a LL/SA - X.C.M.O. of an area which had been Oropesa
cleared and LL/SA searched by ships of 1st MSF since
the 22nd August. Sweeping was not carried out on the
26th August. Previous to the 22nd the 18th
MSF had been sweeping the same area.
-
At about 1315 two laps had been swept in ‘P’
formation. As HUSSAR had developed a defect in her generator the
formation had been changed to ‘Q’ at the end of the second lap.
JASON was guide in the centre (making a line of dans for the third
lap), BRITOMART starboard wing, SALAMANDER port wing and HUSSAR
follow up ship. Course to be made good 220°. COLSAY was laying a
line of dans 3 cables on the beam of the port wing ship. LORD
ASHFIELD had commenced to weigh a line of dans. Speed was 9 knots.
-
At 1330 in dazzling sunshine and a calm sea JASON
had just made the first dan of the new lap. The attack came almost
immediately and literally out of the blue. The first that JASON
knew about it was the screaming noise of power-dived planes
overhead and BRITOMART was hit. The attack came out of the sun,
achieved complete surprise and was naturally presumed to be
hostile. The order to Oerlikon guns to open fire in JASON was
simultaneous with the action being taken. As the aircraft which
had attacked BRITOMART gained height and circled away their
markings were clearly seen and they were recognised as Typhoons.
The signal ‘Am being attacked by friendly aircraft’ was sent by
W/T immediately at 1332 and again at 1334. A quick look round at
the formation revealed that HUSSAR had also been badly hit and was
on fire as was BRITOMART. In addition, the latter had a bad list
to port. That was the end of the first attack.
-
The Commanding Officer of the SALAMANDER (who was
port wing ship and all attacks came down sun from port) clearly
states in his report that he fired recognition signals twice. On
return to harbour he stated that he saw the aircraft just before
they came in to attack for the first time.
-
The second attack came about five minutes later at
about 1335 and JASON fired recognition signals. The order to slip
the LL tail had been passed and promptly executed on conclusion of
the first attack to give greater freedom to manoeuvre. Speed had
been increased to full and zig-zag course was steered.
-
The brunt of the second attack fell on SALAMANDER
and COLSAY. Both were observed to be firing their short range
armament. The SALAMANDER was hit aft by rockets and was
immediately on fire. The COLSAY disappeared from sight in
water-spouts which looked like a bomb straddle and it was
impossible not to think that she must be severely damaged. Almost
at the same time JASON was subject to severe cannon fire from the
bridge to the after end of the boat deck. All guns were in action.
Two ratings were killed and five wounded and the starboard after
Oerlikon put out of action. A steam pipe to the siren was cut and
the noise of escaping steam made voice communication difficult on
the bridge. Then it was realised that BRITOMART had been hit
again.
-
Another quick look round when the aircraft
disappeared revealed that BRITOMART was still burning and
under-way with a worse list to port, SALAMANDER upright but
heavily on fire aft and apparently stopped, HUSSAR still steaming
but heavily on fire and enveloped in smoke. COLSAY was stopped and
did not answer when called by V/S. A dismal scene on so fine a
day. A signal was despatched at 1337 “Three ships hit and in
danger of sinking”.
-
Just before the third attack there was an explosion
in HUSSAR accompanied by a large cloud of heavy smoke. It is not
clear whether HUSSAR was attacked again. JASON was menaced by a
cannon firing Typhoon diving down but the fire from the Oerlikons
(which looked good) appeared to cause the aircraft to swerve away
at the last moment and little damage was done. By this time things
were getting a little confused and the third attack may be in
reality have been a not-quite-so-well synchronised second attack.
But the general opinion is that there were three attacks at
roughly five minute intervals, the third at about 1340. When the
aircraft approached for the last time JASON flashed the single
identification letter.
-
After the third attack the smoke of the explosion
cleared away from HUSSAR. She was not listing badly but at 1341
she turned over and sank, part of the fore-foot remaining above
water. The signal was made “HUSSAR sunk, BRITOMART sinking,
SALAMANDER on fire aft”.
-
The BRITOMART was circling slowly (1342) with a big
list and heavily on fire and seen to be abandoning ship about a
mile away. JASON closed at full speed ordering the trawlers to
“Save life”. No reply from COLSAY and it was feared she was a
casualty. It subsequently transpired that her signalling equipment
was shot away. JASON stopped three or four cables short of
BRITOMART fearing she might blow up and lowered both whalers which
proceeded to pick up survivors. There were plenty of rafts about
and men in the water were hanging on to the LL tail. A signal was
despatched at 1343 “Send tugs at once”.
-
The fire in SALAMANDER had been put out and it was
seen that her stern had been blown off. After lowering the whalers
JASON closed at full speed to find out her situation. All was
orderly about her except the stern. She could steam at slow speed
but could not steer. Unfortunately her bows were pointing towards
the French coast and the tide was setting her towards the coast at
about one and a half knots. It seemed that she could be left for a
short time before being taken in tow by JASON and it was most
desirable to find out COLSAY’s state as no V/S communication had
been achieved with her.
-
When commencing to close the COLSAY at 1400
BRITOMART, still on fire healed over and remained afloat keel
upwards. A signal was made “BRITOMART sunk”.
-
About the same time an RAF launch appeared on the
horizon, hovered about a bit, did not answer V/S signals, and
finally closed and picked up survivors.
-
COLSAY was close to HUSSAR (fore-foot still
showing above water) and appeared abandoned at first sight as
there was no sign of life on board. There were one or two boats
about, some rafts and survivors in the water. JASON got some
survivors inboard by the scrambling nets (13 in all) and then the
shore batteries opened fire. This was something like the last
straw. At 1421 a signal was made “Am being fired on by shore
batteries”.
-
At first the fire was not accurate, being short and
out for line, and it was hopefully disregarded. JASON continued
to pick up survivors, closing COLSAY at the same time and
occasionally looking over the shoulder to see that all was still
well with SALAMANDER.
-
The shore batteries corrected in leisurely fashion
for line, eventually got on and started getting unpleasantly near.
COLSAY was now in hailing distance and answered all was well
except for a few casualties, but that most of the crew were in
boats and rafts saving life. At this moment the shore batteries
landed a shell within a half a cable dead in line of JASON. It was
time to go. COLSAY was ordered to get out of range at full speed
and to send a boat for the remaining survivors which she did.
Shouting to survivors in the water that she would have to leave
them but that ships boats would be sent, JASON proceeded at
emergency full speed towards SALAMANDER, making smoke by all
possible means on the way.
-
It was feared that the tide might have drifted
SALAMANDER to within range of the shore batteries. So a two mile
long smoke screen was laid between her and the shore and smoke
floats dropped under her lee to give cover while taking her in
tow.
-
SALAMANDER was in tow of JASON within 10 minutes of
the first line being passed. The drill in both ships was
excellent. It was then about 1500.
-
During all this time LORD ASHFIELD had been doing
excellent work picking up a large number of BRITOMART survivors,
after nearly one-third of his ship’s company had become casualties
as the result of severe cannon fire attack.
-
HM Ships GOZO and CATHERINE had appeared on the
scene. LORD ASHFIELD signalled that she had a large number of
survivors on board. GOZO was requested to close the trawlers as
she carried a Medical Officer. CATHERINE was requested to round up
ships boats and pick up survivors if any were left.
-
HMS PITCHLEY next appeared and as she also carried
a Medical Officer was requested to take badly wounded from any
ship without a doctor. Later she was requested by W/T to sink the
wrecks if they were still floating.
-
Later three tugs arrived. JASON continued towing
SALAMANDER until just short of the JUNO Light Vessel. The tow was
then slipped and Tug DESTINY took over at 1815.
-
JASON buried her two dead at sea at 1700.
-
As COLSAY and LORD ASHFIELD had transferred their
wounded survivors they were ordered to anchor in the M/S
anchorage.
-
JASON was ordered to proceed to HM Hospital Ship
DUKE OF LANCASTER to transfer wounded survivors and casualties.
After anchoring off DUKE OF LANCASTER it was found that she was
full. Finally six casualties were sent to her and five to HMHS St.
JULIEN
-
The Commanding Officer went on board both Hospital
Ships and found that HMS PITCHLEY and RAF Rescue Launch had
already transferred wounded to DUKE OF LANCASTER. It is understood
that CATHERINE transferred all her survivors, which she picked up
from ships boats, to PITCHLEY. GOZO transferred her wounded to ST.
JULIEN.
-
The PMO’s of the Hospital Ships stated that they
could not get out a complete list of casualties until 0700 the
following morning. As it was most important to get these lists
JASON anchored off for the night and sent over for them at 0700
and then proceeded to the M/S anchorage.
-
On arrival at Portsmouth JASON will render to C in
C Portsmouth a complete nominal list of survivors from BRITOMART
and HUSSAR and a list of casualties in JASON, SALAMANDER, COLSAY
and LORD ASHFIELD.
-
Survivors according to records received from
Hospital Ships and shore are as follows:
|
BRITOMART |
HUSSAR |
Wounded Officers |
4 |
5 |
Wounded Ratings |
84 |
35 |
Unwounded Officers |
Nil |
Nil |
Unwounded Ratings |
20 |
29 |
TOTAL |
108 |
69 |
30. The casualties sustained in HM
Ships JASON, SALAMANDER, COLSAY and LORD ASHFIELD are as follows:
SHIP |
KILLED |
MISSING |
WOUNDED |
JASON |
2 |
- |
5 |
SALAMANDER |
- |
- |
9 |
COLSAY |
- |
- |
5* |
LORD ASHFIELD |
- |
- |
6** |
|
*2
officers including Commanding Officer
** 1 officer |
|
31. It is regretted that the Commanding
Officer of BRITOMART is among the missing and the Commanding Officer
of the HUSSAR is badly wounded.
32. As Commanding Officer of HMS JASON
I desire to place on record my high satisfaction with the conduct
and bearing of my Officers and Ship’s Company during the action and
afterwards. They were extremely cool and steady throughout.
33. It is not considered the HMS
BRITOMART or HMS HUSSAR had much chance of survival or fighting
back. They were badly hit by the first salvo of rockets they
received. It seemed that BRITOMART’s bridge was instantly wiped out.
Neither did it appear that either ship was prematurely abandoned.
There has been no time or opportunity to question survivors.
34. It is desired to draw attention to
the favourable reports of the Commanding Officers of HM Ships
SALAMANDER, COLSAY and LORD ASHFIELD on the conduct and bearing of
their own Officers and Ship’s Companies. In turn it is desired to
place on record high appreciation of the conduct, spirit and
initiative of the Commanding Officers themselves in this most trying
action against friendly aircraft which were so persistently and
successfully hostile. Especial notice is drawn to the Commanding
Officer of HMS COLSAY who received wounds in the back in the second
attack.
35. It is felt that the fury and
ferocity of concerted attacks by a number of Typhoon aircraft armed
with rockets and cannon is an ordeal that has to be endured to be
truly appreciated.
T G P Crick
Commander in Command