Convoy SC-143

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Convoy SC-143
partof=World War II
date=October 1943
place=North Atlantic
result=inconclusive/Allied victory
combatant1=
flag|Canada|1921 flag|Poland
combatant2=
commander1=Comm: Escort
commander2=Admiral Karl Dönitz
strength1=SC-143:
39 ships
8 escorts
SG 10 :
4 warships
strength2= "Rossbach":
14 U-boats
casualties1=1 ship sunk
1 warship sunk
casualties2=3 U-boats

SC 143 was a North Atlantic convoy of the SC series which ran during the battle of the Atlantic in World War II.It was the second battle in the German Navy’s (’’Kriegsmarine’’)(KM)’s autumn offensive in the North Atlantic.

Background

Following the attack on convoys ONS.18 and ON 202 by the wolf pack "Leuthen", U-boat Control("Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote")(BdU) was convinced of success and eager to continue the offensive.Accordingly they re-organized the boats then in the North Atlantic into a new patrol line, the 12 remaining "Leuthen" boats being joined by 9 new-comers, from bases in France and Germany. Code-named "Rossbach", the group was stationed at the western edge of the Greenland Air Gap to intercept the expected east-bound convoys, carrying war materiel for the invasion of Europe.

For their part, the Allies were also encouraged by the outcome of the battle for ONS 18/ON 202, and were keen to seek battle with group "Rossbach".

While forming, "Rossbach" came under attack by air patrols; 4 boats were destroyed, and another 4 were damaged and forced to return to base. 3 others were damaged, but were able to continue operations, while a further 2 boats arrived from base as re-inforcement.

Protagonists

SC 143 left Halifax on 28 September 1943 bound for Liverpool It was composed of 39 ships and was escorted by C-2 escort group comprising the destroyer "Icarus", frigate "Duckworth" and 5 corvettes. Also accompanying the convoy was the MAC carrier "Rapana".

By 6 October "Rossbach", comprising 14 U-boats at this point, was deployed to intercept the expected west-bound convoys, HX 259 and SC 143.

Western Approaches Command became aware of "Rossbach"’s position via intelligence, principally Enigma decrypts, but decided to engage the wolf-pack and force a battle.Diverting HX 259 to the south, SC 143 was reinforced with 10th Support Group, of 4 destroyers, "Musketeer"," Oribi", "Orkan" and "Orwell", and allowed to continue towards "Rossbach" as bait.

Action

SC 143 was sighted on 8 October by "U-731", which was returning to base following an air attack; she sent a sighting report, and throughout the day the "Rossbach" boats converged on the position.

7 boats had gathered by evening, and at nightfall mounted their attack.

During the night of 8/9 October the 7 "Rossbach" boats were able to attack; "U-645" torpedoed and sank "Yorkmar", and "U-378" hit "Orkan" which sank with the loss of 157 men. This was the worst naval loss suffered by the Polish navy during the war.

During the day the convoys air cover was able to mount several successful attacks; 3 U-boats were attacked by aircraft during the day."U-419" was attacked and sunk by a Liberator from RAF 86 squadron; "U-643" was damaged by 2 other Liberators, from RAF 86 sqdn and RAF 120 sqdn; it was later caught on the surface by another Liberator of RAF 86sqdn and sunk. "U-610" was attacked by a Sunderland from RCAF 423 sqdn and sunk.

2 other boats were damaged in air attacks and forced to return to base; "U-539" by an unidentified aircraft, and "U-762" by a Liberator of RAF 120 sqdn.

Following this the attack was discontinued by BdU and "Rossbach", now reduced to 6 boats, was disbanded.SC 143 continued its voyage, and arrived without further loss at Liverpool on 12 October 1943.

Conclusion

Un-deterred by the poor result of this attack, and the losses suffered by "Rossbach", BdU wished to press on with the offensive; the remaining "Rossbach" boats were re-inforced to form a new group code-named "Schlieffen".

Tables

Allied ships sunk

External links

* [http://www.warsailors.com/convoys/sc143.html SC 143 on convoyweb]
* [http://www.warsailors.com/convoys/sc143.html SC 143 at warsailors]

References

* Stephen Roskill : "The War at Sea 1939-1945 Vol II" (1956) ISBN (none)

* Clay Blair : "Hitler’s U-Boat War Vol II" (1998) ISBN 0-304-35261-7

* Arnold Hague : "The Allied Convoy System 1939-1945" (2000) ISBN (Canada) 1 55125 033 0 : ISBN (UK) 1 86176 147 3

* Paul Kemp : "U-Boats Destroyed" ( 1997) . ISBN 1 85409 515 3

* Axel Neistle : "German U-Boat Losses during World War II" (1998) . ISBN 1 85367 352 8

* Jak P M Showell : "U-Boat Warfare: The Evolution of the Wolf-Pack" (2002) ISBN 0-7110-2887-7