Abandoned Convoy

ARTHUR MIDDLETON

Date: 1-1-43 YB: 1941

Time: 1430 Tn: 7,176

Position: 8 miles off Oran, Algeria

Draft: 25ft.

Owner: WSA C: 6,412 tons general and

Operator: Lykes Bros. SS Co.

Cargo: explosives

Master: John V. Smith

Power: steam

Armament: 1 4″; 9-20 mm

Speed: 5 knots

Report 2

SS Arthur Middleton Home Port: Mobile, AL

Company: Lykes Bros. Steamship Company. New Orleans, LA

Master: Not known

Built: 1942 @ Mobile, AL Cross Tons: 7176

Dimensions: 441′ x 57′ x 37′

SS Arthur Middleton (42) Jan. 1, 1943

Bacon, Augustus O. (AB)

Chariton, Denniston (Cadet-D)

Gafford, Ben P. (Cadet-E)

The names of the other men lost were unavailable.

On 12 December, the Arthur Middleton, sailing from New York to Oran, North
Africa, was torpedoed and sunk by the U-73 (Deckert). The freighter had
steamed within a few miles of her destination in Convoy UGS-3. At Casablanca
eleven ships in this convoy, including the Arthur Middleton, broke away to
proceed toward Oran and began to form a single line to enter the harbor.
Before ships could form the line, two separate explosions occurred in quick
succession at the Middleton’s bow. The explosions lifted the bow of the
freighter, ignited portions of the cargo, and sent water, hull plates, parts
of the ship, and flames 1,000 into the air. The ship disintegrated from the
#5 hatch to the bow. The after part of the freighter remained afloat. Of the
ships complement of nine officers, thirty-five men, twenty-seven armed
guards, and twelve passengers, only three of the armed guards survived These
three men jumped overboard from the stern and were rescued by the British
destroyer HMS Boreas (H-77) twenty-five minutes later

There are some indications in the Army records that this vessel may have
been chartered to the Army, but they are not conclusive and the evidence
seems more likely that Lykes Bros. was the operator for the voyage.

SS Arthur Middleton Home Port: Mobile, AL

Company: Lykes Bros. Steamship Company. New Orleans, LA

Master: Not known

Built: 1942 @ Mobile, AL Cross Tons: 7176

Dimensions: 441′ x 57′ x 37′

The Liberty Ship, S.S. Arthur Middleton, torpedoed by the German submarine
U-73 (Deckert) at 1411 GMT on January 1, 1943 about three miles off Oran,
Algeria (35-45 North / 00-45 West) while on route from New York to Oran with
a cargo of munitions and explosives in Convoy UGS #3. Her complement was
made up of 42 merchant crew, 27 Navy Armed Guards, 11 members of the crew of
the USS LCT-21, and one Army security Officer. Three of the Naval A. G. were
the only survivors.

At 1428 GMT, the ship was struck by a torpedo from the U-73, The explosion
sent water, steel plates and other parts of the ship high in the air.

Flames were reported to be shooting 1,000 feet in the air. The ship broke in
half and disintegrated from #5 hatch to the bow, leaving the stern afloat
from “5 hatch to the after end of the ship. The stern sank in less than one
minute.

Three Naval Armed Guard standing by on the stern jumped overboard and found
a doughnut raft. They were picked up about 25 minutes later by HMS BOREAS
and transferred to the British Hospital Ship OXFORDSHIRE.

U-73 (Deckert) was sunk on December 16, 1943 off Oran, Algeria by The USS
WOOLSEY (DD-437) and USS TRIPPE (DD-403). Thirty-five survivors were
recovered.

SS Arthur Middleton (42) Jan. 1, 1943

Bacon, Augustus O. (AB)

Chariton, Denniston (Cadet-D)

Gafford, Ben P. (Cadet-E)

The names of the other men lost were unavailable.

U.S. Merchant Ships Sunk or Damaged in WWII

This list is based on the following sources: Captain Arthur Moore’s “A
Careless Word…,” Robert Browning’s “U.S. Merchant Vessel War Casualties of
World War II,” Arnold Lott’s “Most Dangerous Sea,” and the New York Times.
Foreign flag ships with Naval Armed Guard on board as well as ships
belonging to U.S. territories are included. The list is by full name
including initials. If you would like photocopies of the information we have
from several sources about the sinking or damage to any of these ships,
please send a donation to support our research and Web Site to USMSV, POB
2361, Berkeley, CA 94702. We appreciate corrections or additions to this
list.

The listing includes: Name of Ship, cause, outcome, date, type of ship,
casualties among crew, Naval Armed Guard, and passengers. GSA stands for
Gallant Ship Award.

SS– Steam Ship, MV– Motor Vessel, SV — Sailing Vessel, MS — Motor Ship

SS Arthur Middleton Torpedo Sunk 1/1/43 Liberty Crew 44, 24 AG, 12 Army
passengers

U.S. Merchant Marine Casualties

Unfortunately, the U.S. Merchant Marine has no official historians and
researchers, but current statistics, primarily compiled by Captain Arthur
Moore, show the following casualties:

8,651 mariners killed at sea

11,000 wounded

1,100 died from their wounds ashore

604 men and women taken prisoner

60 died in prison camps

1 January 1943, Fri.

Mediterranean
German submarine U-73 torpedoes and sinks U.S. freighter Arthur Middleton
off Oran, Algeria, 35 45’N, 00 45’W; of the 81 souls on board (11 of whom
are from the crew of tank landing craft LCT-21, which is also lost) 3
sailors of the 27-man Armed Guard detachment are the only survivors.

16 December 1943, Thu.

Mediterranean
German submarine U-73 attacks convoy GUS 24 off the Algerian coast,
torpedoing U.S. freighter John S. Copley at 46°00’N, 22°16’W. Partially
abandoned, John S. Copley is deemed salvageable, and rescue tug ATR-47 takes
the damaged ship in tow, bringing her into Oran. Submarine chasers PC-546
and SC-977 pick up the men who have abandoned ship (only two from among the
44-man merchant complement, 28-man Armed Guard and Army Security officer are
injured). Subsequently, destroyers Trippe (DD-403), Woolsey (DD-437) and
Edison (DD-439) sink U-73, 35 miles north-northwest of Oran, Algeria,
36 07’N, 00 50’W.

Commandant
United States Coast Guard

Mr. Elmer Boggs
1535 Robinson Avenue
Portsmouth, OH 45662 July 28, 1989

Dear Mr. Boggs:

In response to your letter of June 26, 1989, we are enclosing the record of
service on your uncle, Mr. Harold Lee Bushman.

Your letter refers to two different vessels, both named Arthur Middleton.
The vessel your uncle was aboard was the Liberty ship Arthur Middleton,
official number 241864. There is enclosed a copy of the last register issued
to the Arthur Middleton. It was surrendered for the reason “sunk by enemy
action Jan. 1, 43 near Oran.” We found reference to the loss of the
freighter Arthur Middleton in The History of the United States Naval
Operations in World War II, Volume II, Operations in North African Waters
(copy of page 269 is enclosed).

For any available information on the crew of the Arthur Middleton, please
contact the Civil Reference Branch of the National Archives, Washington, DC
20408.

A bill for service is enclosed.

Sincerely,
C. J. BIDWELL

Seamen Documentation Specialist
Merchant Vessel Personnel Division
By direction of the Commandant

End: (1) Record of service

(2) Bill for service

(3) Copy of last Register for the Arthur Middleton

(4) Copy from .History of United States Naval Operations…

Name Date Type Ship Number Killed

S.S. Arthur Middleton Torpedoed 1/1/43 Liberty Ship Crew 11, Army 1, AG 3

Facts About Sinking of S.S. Arthur Middleton

January 1, 1943

Place: 3 Miles outside of Oran, Algeria

Cause: Explosion of unknown cause

Cargo: Explosives and 300 bags of mail.

Personnel Losses: Naval Armed Guard consisted of 1 Officer and 27 men
out of which only 3 enlisted men survived.

Additional Naval personnel on board consisted of 1 Officer and 10 men. These
men were the crew of the LCT-21 and were carried as passengers. All were
lost.

Entire merchant crew of 42 lost.

3 Armed Guard members are the only known survivors.

Complete report of Summary of Statements by survivors may be seen under this
report.

Serial 732

UNITED STATES NAVY
ARMED GUARD CENTER, RECEIVING STATION
First Avenue and Fifty-Second Street
Brooklyn, N. Y.

CONFIDENTIAL

NM21 / AR / A9-9 / WHB January 21, 1943

From: The Commanding Officer

To: The Chief of Naval Personnel

Subject: Status of certain enlisted personnel

1.- This command has been advised by the mother of
Tiben, Joseph, 647-02-12, Slc. V-6 USNR, that the
Navy Department has reported him as missing.

2.- According to our records, Tiber was a member of
the naval armed guard crew attached to the S S Arthur Middleton.

3.- Information is requested concerning the present
status and whereabouts of the following officer and men who comprised
the naval complement on board the S S Arthur Middleton.
Ensign, John B. McClelland USNR

Foley, Leo Clearence 658-29-53 Slc, V-6 USNR
Plesz, Alexander John 611-95-98 S2c V-6 USNR
Phillips, Rayford D. 628-77-74 S2c V-6 USNR
Petrusik, Andy (n) 258-50-37 S2c USN
Patton, Fred Junior 266-58-38 S2c USN
Otter, Samuel W. 658-70-56 S2c V-6 USNR
Oliver, Howard F. 652-70-03 S2c V-6 USNR
Pierson, Wm. (n) Jr. 612-60-00 S2c V-6 USNR
Wood, Larry Dee 551-59-33 S2c V-6 USNR
Collins, Bernard G. 608-33-37 S2c V-6 USNR
Dean, Carl Carson 628-29-01 Slc V-6 USNR
Morgan, Earl Edward 668-71-74 Slc V-6 USNR
Ledeman, Quinten S. 638-93-26 S2c V-6 USNR
Brown, Robert Calvin 266-67-40 S2c USN
King, Wendell Darwin 658-45-70 S2c V-6 USNR
Mitchell, Edward C. 552-61-85 S2c V-6 USNR
Tiben, Joseph (n) 647-02-12 Slc V-6 USNR
McKenzie, Wm. (n) 411-13-45 SM2c V-3 USNR
Wortman, Donald Earl 321-36-14 RM3c USN

4.- The above list should be checked against the latest muster reports,
which are not available at this activity.

Wm. J. Coakley

Classification canceled
or changed to
UNCLASSIFIED

by authority of
Chief of Naval Personnel

on 8-23-54

From: FOIC ORAN / CTG 26.8/ LOG #342

Action: COMINCH–BUPERS
January 10, 1943

Following members Crew 2445 LCT /5 / Number 21 Lost
in Sinking Arthur Middleton off Oran 1430 / 1 January
Cooper, Ralph Marshall Ensign, D-V/S/, USNR

Tuszynski, Alfred Aloysius 312 01 25 Seaman 2nd
Lonicki, Joseph Fred 666 31 57 Seaman 2nd
Hopkins, Fred Lee 552 19 88 Apprentice Seaman
Bates, James Page 723 01 18 Apprentice Seaman
Enright, John Francis 650 21 13 Fireman 1st
Spurgeon, Charles Summer 644 50 47 Apprentice Seaman
Bell, Warren Aaron 556 13 70 Apprentice Seaman
Etickson, Max Leroy 618 13 30 Fireman 1st
Jackson, James Walter 283 73 75 Seaman 2nd
Woxniuk, Giles Anthony 305 32 04 Apprentice Seaman

Three survivors members of Armed Guard Crew

Petrusik, Andy 258-50-37, Seaman 1st Class
Ledeman, Quinten S. 638-93-26, Seaman 1st Class
Jankowski, Edward, unknown, Seaman 1st Class

All others including Ships Crew lost.

LOG #342
2-3-43
From: NOB ORAN CENTER (BADCALL – BEING SVCD)
LOG #443
Action: VCNO
# 3 FEBRUARY, 1943

Your 151837 concerning SS Arthur Middleton which was sunk as a result of
violent explosion on January first off Oran. With the exception of the men
listed below all other members of the Armed Guard and all Officers and
Merchant Crew of Ship are missing:

Edward Leo Jankowski, Slc.
Quinten S. Ledeman, Sle
Andy Petrusik

These men were members of the Armed Guard Crew. Ledeman and Petrusik
returned to the U. S. on Ancon 30 January after Hospitalization.
Jankowski remained in Naval Hospital in Oran.

The following Officers and ten men were on board from all available
information:

Ensign Ralph Marshall Cooper, DVS USNR
Alfred Alosius Cozynski 342 01 25 S2c USN
Joseph Fred Lonicki 666 31 57 Slc USNR
Fred Lee Hopkins 552 19 88 Slc USNR
James Page ? Bates 723 01 18 EM2c USNR
John Francis Enright 650 21 13 MoMM2 USNR
Charles Summer Spurgeon 644 50 47 Slc USNR
Warren Aaron Bell 556 13 70 EM2c USNR
Max Leroy Etickson 618 13 30 MOMM2 USNR
James Walter Jackson 283 73 75 SC2c USN
Giles Anthony Woxniuk 305 32 04 MoMM1 USN

Members of the Armed Guard are as follows, one Officer, 23 men.

The initials and service numbers are unknown

These men are from the Armed Guard Center at Brooklyn:

Ensign McClelland

Oliver, Collins, Patton, Otter, Phillips, Wood, Foley, Tiben, King,
Mitchell, Brown, Pierson, Plesz, Morgan, Dean, McKenzie, Goodman,
Ledeman

From the Armed Guard Center at New Orleans the following:

Chamberlain, Ermature, Johnson, Jellon, Jennings, Stout,

There was also an Army LT. 1st. (Name Unknown) and men of the Merchant Crew.

LOG # 443

Crew of the S.S. Arthur Middleton

MERCHANT SEAMEN LOST BY VESSEL

(Merchant Vessels in Alphabetical Order)

SS Arthur Middleton (44)

Jan. 1, 1943

1.-Bacon. Augustus G. (A.B.)
2.-Beachman, Edward T. (2nd Mate)
3.-Bushman. Harold L (Wiper) Greenup County, Kentucky
4.-Chariton. Dennsiton (Dk. Cadet)
5.-Cirafesi, Samuek M. (Utility)
6.-Conway. Andrew A. (Jr. 3rd Engr.)
7.-Cooke. Harry A. (Jr. 3rd Mate)
8.-Crissman, Charles E. (Dk. Engr.)
9.-Denny, Mazie G. (A.B.)
10.-Diaz Ramon V. (Ch. Cook)
11.-Dieter, Ralph V. (A.B.)
12.-Dowling, Henry J. (Oiler)
13.-Ellis. Clarence A. (A.B.) Bacon County, Georgia
14.-Enoch. Charles E. (A.B.)
15.-Gafford, Ben P (Eng. Cadet)
16.-Gonzales, Guillermo (3rd Cook)
17.-Hadley. Charles M. (2nd Cook)
18.-Hill. Howard J. (Dk. Maint.)
19.-Hoskin, Alva R. (Radio Oper.)
20.-Hughes. George O. (Ch. Mate)
21.-Katafiasz. Stanely V. (Bosun)
22.-Knight. Charles G. (Utility)
23.-Lawes, Claude 0. (Messman)
24.-Lliano, Jose (F / WT)
25.-McChesney. Benjamin A. (A.B.)
26.-McEver, Paul (O.S.)
27.-McHale. Peter J. (3rd Engr.)
28.-McNelly. Irving F. (Oiler)
29.-Martorelli, Antonio S. (Steward)
30.-Mattson. August (F / WT)
31.-Mendlowitz, Jacob (Wiper)
32.-Moreau. Hermand F. (Messman)
33.-Morgan. Marshall (Purser)
34.-Mountford, Richard (Oiler)
35.-O’Brien. Timothy (Ch. Engr.)
36.-Pomerantz. Morris M. (F / WT)
37.-Rissane, Thomas T. (Messman)
38.-Rosenburg, Carl (Utility)
39.-Smith. John V. (Master)
40.-Upton, John E. Jr. (O.S.)
41.-Willis. John (3rd Mate)
42.-White. Aos L (2nd Engr.)
43.-Willard, James R. (O.S.)
44.-WuIf, Paul R. (1st Engr.)

UNITED STATES NAVY

ARMED GUARD CENTER, RECEIVING STATION

First Avenue and Fifty-Second Street

Brooklyn, N. Y.

SS Arthur Middleton 12-11-42

M- Ensign, John B. McClelland, D-V (S) USNR

* – Barnett, Stephen Burney Sent 1/15 360-24-05 Sealc

M- Brown, Robert Calvin Sent 1/15 266-67-40 S2c USN
M- Chamberlain, John Halden Sent 1/15 700-48-74 Cox, V-6
M- Collins, Bernard George Sent 1/15 608-33-37 S2c V-6 USNR
M- Dean, Carl Carson Sent 1/15 628-29-01 Slc V-6 USNR
M- Foley, Leo Clearence Sent 1/15 658-29-53 Slc, V-6 USNR
M- King, Wendell Darwin Sent 1/15 658-45-70 S2c V-6 USNR
M- Irmiter, Roy Alwin Sent 1/15 329-09-38 AS
S- Jankowski, Edward Leo Sent 2/4 647-13-71 AS USNR
M- Jellon, Francis Sent 1/15 622-71-90 AS V-6
M- Jennings, herbert Sent 1/15 616-06-95 S2c V-2
M- Johnson, Arthur Fritiof Sent 1/15 648-04-25 S2c V-6
S- Ledeman, Quinten S. Sent 1/15 638-93-26 S2c V-6 USNR
M- McKenzie,Wm. (n) Sent 1/15 411-13-45 SM2c V-3 USNR
M- Mitchell, Edward C. Sent 1/15 552-61-85 S2c V-6 USNR
M- Morgan, Earl Edward Sent 1/15 668-71-74 Slc V-6 USNR
M- Oliver, Haword F. Sent 1/15 652-70-03 S2c V-6 USNR
M- Otter, Samuel W. Sent 1/15 658-70-56 S2c V-6 USNR
M- Patton, Fred Junior Sent 1/15 266-58-38 S2c USN
S- Petrusik, Andy (n) Sent 1/15 258-50-37 S2c USN
M- Phillips, Rayford D. Sent 1/15 628-77-74 S2c V-6 USNR
M- Pierson, Wm. (n) Jr Sent 1/15 612-60-00 S2c V-6 USNR
M- Plesz, Alexander John Sent 1/15 611-95-98 S2c V-6 USNR
M- Stout, Roy Albert Sent 1/15 393-59-14 SM3c
M- Wood, Larry Dee Sent 1/15 551-59-33 S2c V-6 USNR
M- Wortman, Donald Earl Sent 1/15 321-36-14 RM3c USN
M- Tiben, Joseph (n) Sent 1/15 647-02-12 Slc V-6 USNR

M-Missing
S-Survived
H-Hospital
*-Not on board.
* – Reported assigned to SS Puebla 19 Nov 1942. Checking status with A.G.C.
– 1/18/43. Not listed in A.G. letter of Jan. 21, 1943 – Not on board R.S.

H – Jankowski – Hospitalized in Oran.

Statement

of

Quinten S. Lederman

Seaman First Class

S.S. Arthur Middleton

The S.S. Arthur Middleton sailed from New York on December 12, 1942 in a
convoy consisting of 44 vessels and 7 U. S. destroyers. We had a full cargo
of general war supplies. I know that in # 4 hatch there were bombs and
torpedoes. On the fore deck were U. S. Army trucks and on the after deck was
a large navy barge.

The convoy’s speed was about 9 knots. We were #21.in the convoy. This convoy
was in 11 columns, 4 deep. The S S Arthur Middleton was the first ship in
the first column from the port side. When we left New York, I did not know
our destination but, after we had been sailing for about two weeks, I
learned that we were going to North Africa.

The voyage was uneventful until we were about two days from Gibralter, when
one of the Destroyers in our convoy hoisted a danger signal that there were
submarines in the vicinity. A Number of depth charges were dropped.

About December 30, 1942, after the convoy had split up, 11 ships, including
The S.S. Arthur Middleton, passed through Gibralter on the way to Oran. We
were escorted by 7 destroyers. 4 of these destroyers were British, which had
joined us just before we reached the Straits of Gibralter.

I should judge it was about 1:30 P.M.on: January 1, 1943, when the convoy
slowed down to 5 knots and reformed in order to enter into the harbor of
Oran. I was told when this occurred we were about 9 miles off shore.

About 1:45 P.M. I left the messroom and stood in the doorway, aft, starboard
side. My quarters were just inside the doorway. I recollect now that, at
this time, the S.S. Samuel Chase was about a ship’s length off our stern
port side. We were still cruising at about 5 knots. I also recollect that
the S.S. Arthur Middleton was travelling parallel to the shore in an
easterly direction as our starboard side was broadside to the coast. I also
recollect thatthere were two British destroyers on our port hand about 1/4
mile away and abreast of us. To the best of my knowledge, the position of
the shore and these other vessels just mentioned were about the same when a
terrific explosion occurred at 2:11 P.M. I know it was 2:11 because when I
was on a raft I saw that my watch crystal was broken and the hands pointed
to 2:11. I firmly believe that the explosion occurred forward of the bridge
although I did not actually see any flames or any parts of the ship blown in
the air.

Psge 2. Statement Quinten S. Lederman, Seaman first class, S.S. Arthur
Middleton

The concussion tossed me between the two bulkheads in the alleyway and,
within a few seconds, my senses returned and I stepped into my quarters to
secure a my life jacket. It was not there. I immediately stepped out on deck
and, looking forward, saw that the whole fore part of the vessel, as far aft
at #5 hatch, had submerged. In fact, only the poop deck was above water. I
went toward the rail, which was already under water, and just managed to get
clear just as the stern disappeared under the surface. I should judge, the
S.S. Arthur Middleton sank within a minute after the explosion. The weather
at the time was fine. There was practically no wind and the sea was smooth.
I managed to hang on to a barrel floating nearby and from this barrel, I
sighted one of the doughnut rafts about 100 ft. away. I swam to the doughnut
raft and, shortly afterward, two other of the gun crew, namely Jankowski,
First Class Seaman, and Andy Petrowski, First Class Seaman, joined me. I was
on this doughnut raft with the other twomen for about 1/2 hour.

Near where the S.S. Arthur Middleton went down the sea was covered with fuel
oil and wreckage. Close-by was the navy barge, which had been on the after
deck. The rest of the convoy had gone ahead and were about a mile to the
eastward. However, there were two British destroyers closeby. One was
zigzagging but I do not believe dropped any depth charges. The other
destroyer, which had been off our stern, port side, lowered a boat and came
over to the doughnut raft. I and the two other navy gunners were taken in
the small boat and placed aboard the British destroyer.

While I was on the doughnut raft, it would be quite eagy for me to see if
there were any survivors from the S.S. Arthur Middleton. I could see no-one
in the water and there were no other rafts or lifeboats in sight. The three
of us were injured and when we got into Oran, we were placed on board a
British hospital ship. About the third day after being on the hospital ship,
some U. S. navy officers came aboard and questioned me at length in regard
to the explosion and sinking of the S.S. Arthur Middleton. I told them I did
not know what had occurred. All I had heard was the explosion, which I
believe had happened forward. From the hospital ship, the three of us were
transferred to a navy hospital ashore. Before being returned home, I was
questioned at length by the Secretary of the U. S. Admiral in charge at
Oran. I told him the same story that I had told the naval authorities
previously.

On January 31, 1943, I and AndyPetrowski left Oran to be sent home. The
other man Jankowski, is still in the hospital. Up to the time that I left
Oran, to the best of my knowledge, nothing had been heard of any of the crew
of the S.S. Arthur Middleton. I believe all of them were drown or.killed
when the explosion occurred and the S.S. Arthur Middleton went down.

This statement by one of the survivors, Quinten S. Lederman.

He lives now in Eugene Oregon

U-73

| Type | VIB | |

| Laid down | 5 Nov, 1939 | Bremer Vulkan Bremen-Vegesack |

| Commissioned | 30.Sept. 1940 | Kptit. Helmut Rosenbaum (Knights Cross) |

| Commanders | 09.40-09.42 | Kptit. Helmut Rosenbaum |

| | 09.42-12.43 | ObIt Horst Deckert |

| Career | 15 patrols | 30 Sep, 1940 – 31 Jan, 1941 7 Flottille (training) |

| | | 1 Feb, 1941 – 1 Jan, 1942 7 Flottille (front boat) |

| | | 1 Jan, 1942 – 16 Dec, 1943 29. 7 Flottille (front boat) |

| Successes | 12 ships sunk for a total of 66.763 tons |

| | 3 ships damaged for a total of 22.928 tons |

| Fate | Sunk 16 Dec, 1943 in the :Mediterranean near Oran, in position |

| | 36.07N, 00.50W, by depth charges and gunfire from the US |

| | destroyers USS Woolsey and USS Trippe. 16 dead and 34 |

| | survivors |

On 11 August 1942 U-73 sank the Bntish aircraft carrier
HMS Eagle in position 38.05N, 03.02E.

Radiogram sent by U-73 on 11 Aug, 1942

Geleit – 15 Zerstorer und Geleitboote, 2 Kreuzer, 9 bis
10 Frachter,

1 Flugzeugtrager, 1 Schlachtschiff wahrscheinlich.
FacherschuB

auf Flugzeugtraiger. Vier treffer aus 500 Meter
Entfemung. Starke

Sinkgerausche.

– Alles klari –

Rosenbaum

Convoy – 15 destroyers and escort ships, 2 cruisers, 9
to 10 freighters, one aircraft carrier, probably one
battleship. Fan shot against aircraft carrier. 4 hits
from 500 meters distance. Strongly audible sinking noises.

– All Clearl –

Rosenbaum

On 5 December, 1942 U-73 was attacked in the
Mediterranean by an aircraft, and was damaged so badly
that she had to return to base.

On 27 June, 1943 U-73 was depth charged in the
Mediterranean by escorts. Due to the heavy damages the
boat had to return to base.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service
lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-73
did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time
of her loss.

Successes against aircmft