Convoy SC 130 - Action

Action

The convoy was found and reported by U-304 on the evening of 18 May, which commenced shadowing, while the other U-boats gathered during the night. The B7 mounted an aggressive defence, chasing down all contacts in order to frustrate any attacks. In this they were successful and none of the U-boats were able to attack that night.

On 19 May long-range aircraft were able to join the action and commenced patrolling, attacking Donau boats as they moved to join the assault. A Hudson of 269 Sqdn destroyed U-273, and a Liberator of 120 Sqdn hit another, which was thought to have sunk U-954, but later judged to have hit U-731, causing little damage. Later that day the convoy escort was reinforced by the 1st Support Group consisting of the Banff class sloop Sennen (Capt. G Brewer) with River class frigates Wear, Jed and Spey. U-954 was sunk by hedgehog attacks from Sennen and Jed. Admiral Karl Dönitz's son Peter Dönitz was among those lost aboard U-954. An attack by Snowflake and Duncan delivered a hit with a Hedgehog bomb, and was thought to have destroyed a U-boat (U-381) but this was later claimed to have hit U-636, which survived with damage. That evening Tay attacked U-952 and damaged her so badly she had to retire from the action and return to base.

On 20 May the assault continued, but without success, while No. 120 Squadron RAF B-24 Liberator J sank U-258. At midday on 20th BdU called off the action, and the U-boats withdrew.

The convoy reached Liverpool without loss on 26 May.