HMS Braithwaite (K468)

HMS "Braithwaite" was a "Buckley" class "Captains class" frigate during World War II. Named Capt. Samuel Braithwaite of HMS|Kingston|1697|6.

Originally destined for the US Navy HMS "Braithwaite" was provisionally given the name USS "Straub" (this name was reassigned to DE 181) however the delivery was diverted to the Royal Navy before the launch. Commanding Officers were Lt Cdr E McKay RNR November 1943 and Lt Cdr PJ Stoner RN July 1944.

Actions

HMS "Braithwaite" served with both the 3rd and 10th Escort Groups earning battle honours for service in the North Atlantic, English Channel, Normandy 1944, North Foreland and the North Sea.

On February 3, 1945 the submarine U-1279 was sunk in the North Sea northwest of Bergen, in approximate position coord|61|21|N|02|00|E, by depth charges from the frigates HMS "Braithwaite", HMS|Bayntun|K310|6 and HMS|Loch Eck|K422|6. There were no survivors from U-1279 (48 dead).

On February 14, 1945 the submarine U-989 was sunk off the Faroe Islands, in position coord|61|36|N|01|35|W by depth charges from the frigates HMS "Braithwaite", HMS "Bayntun", HMS "Loch Eck" and HMS|Loch Dunvegan|K425|6. There were no survivors from U-989 (47 dead).

General Information

*Pennant (UK): K 468
*Pennant (US): DE 77
*Built by: Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard Inc. (Hingham, Massachusetts, U.S.A.)

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b9/braithwaite-i.htm Braithwaite - Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5647.html Uboat.net page for HMS Braithwaite]
* [http://uboat.net/boats/u1279.htm Uboat.net page for U-1279]
* [http://uboat.net/boats/u989.htm Uboat.net page for U-989]
* [http://www.captainclassfrigates.co.uk/ captainclassfrigates.co.uk]

References

* "The Captain Class Frigates in the Second World War" by Donald Collingwood. published by Leo Cooper (1998), ISBN 085052 615 9.
* "The Buckley-Class Destroyer Escorts" by Bruce Hampton Franklin, published by Chatham Publishing (1999), ISBN 086176118X.
* "German U-Boat Losses During World War II" by Axel Niestle, published by United States Naval Inst (1998), ISBN 1557506418.