Convoy OG 69 was a trade convoy of merchant ships during the second World War. It was the 69th of the numbered OG convoys Outbound from the British Isles to Gibraltar. The convoy departed Liverpool on 20 July 1941Hague, pp. 175–176 and was found on 25 July by Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condors of Kampfgeschwader 40. Nine ships were sunk by submarine attacks continuing through 30 July.Rohwer & Hummelchen, p. 74
Submarines The convoy was initially located by German Naval signals intelligence (B-Dienst), then visual confirmation was provided by a Focke-Wulf Fw 200 aircraft. A total of 10 boats were directed to intercept the convoy – eight U-boats from Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine and two submarines from Fascist Italy's Regia Marina.
NameTypeFirst contact Ships sunkShips damagedNotes IXC 26 July 1940 none VIIC 26/27 July 1940 Kelwin IXC 26/27 July 1940 Erato, Inga I, VIIC 26/27 July 1940 Hawkinge, Lapland, Norita VIIC none none VIIC 27 July 1940 Wrotham VIIC none none VIIC none none 22 July 1940 none Pietro Calvi none none
Ships in the convoy Allied merchant ships A total of 28 merchant vessels joined the convoy in Liverpool, with some being sunk after detaching from the convoy to head to other destinations.
NameFlagTonnage (GRT)NotesAdjutant (1922)1,931Bound for GibraltarAfghanistan (1940)6,992Bound for Cape TownArabistan (1929)5,874Bound for Cape TownCharlbury (1940)4,836Bound for Rio de JaneiroCity of Lyons (1926)7,063Bound for Cape TownComo (1910)1,295Bound for LisbonDayrose (1928)4,113In ballastEmpire Dawn (1941)7,241Bound for Cape TownEmpire Voice (1940)6,828Bound for Cape TownErato (1923)1,335Sunk by on 27 July. There were nine dead. The survivors, including the ship's master, were picked up by HMS Begonia and landed at Gibraltar. Capt C M Ford Rd RNR (Commodore)Hawkinge (1924)2,475Sunk by on 27 July. There were 15 dead. Survivors were picked up by HMS Sunflower and HMS Vanoc.Inga I (1921)1,304Torpedoed, broke in two, and sunk by on 27 July. There were nine dead. The survivors were picked up by one of the escorts and landed at Gibraltar.Kellwyn (1920)1,459Sunk by on 27 July. There were 14 dead. The nine survivors were picked up by HMT St Nectan.Lapland (1936)1,330Sunk by on 28 July. There were no dead. Survivors were picked up by HMS Rhododendron.Larchbank (1925)5,151Bound for Cape TownNorita (1924)1,516Sunk by on 28 July. There were two dead.Pelayo (1927)1,345Bound for GibraltarRhineland (1922)1,381Bound for LisbonRomney (1929)5,840Bound for AlexandriaRuth I (1900)3,531Bound for CádizShahristan (1945)7,30968 passengers. Bound for Cape Town. Sunk by on 30 July southeast of the Azores, after detaching from the convoy.Sheaf Crown (1929)4,868Bound for HuelvaShuna (1937)1,575ReturnedSitoebondo (1916)7,049Bound for Cape Town. Sunk by on 30 July after detaching from the convoy. There were 19 dead.Thistlegorm (1940)4,898Bound for Cape TownTintern Abbey (1939)2,471Wrotham (1927)1,884Torpedoed, and sank in 30 seconds, by on 27 July. There were no dead. The nine survivors were picked up by HMS Fleur de Lys and HMS Rhododendron and landed at Gibraltar.Yorkwood (1936)5,401Bound for Cape Town
Convoy escorts A series of armed military ships escorted the convoy at various times during its journey.
NameFlagTypeJoinedLeft21 July 194126 July 194120 July 194128 July 1941 sloop19 July 194120 July 194121 July 194126 July 1941HMT DrangeyASW (Anti-submarine warfare) trawler20 July 194120 July 194127 July 19411 August 1941HMS GoodwinArmed boarding vessel19 July 194120 July 194120 July 19411 August 194121 July 194126 July 1941HMT Lady HogarthASW trawler27 July 19411 August 1941HMT Lady ShirleyASW trawler27 July 194131 July 194120 July 19411 August 1941HMT PaynterASW trawler19 July 194120 July 194120 July 19411 August 194120 July 194130 July 1941HMT St NectanASW trawler20 July 19411 August 194121 July 194127 July 1941
See also List of shipwrecks in July 1941
References
Bibliography
External links OG.69 at convoyweb Convoy OG 69 at uboat.net