13 January 1940
Two points of interest today…
At 04.30 hours the unescorted (and neutral) 1,524 ton Swedish merchant ship Sylvia was hit amidships by a torpedo from U-20 (Kptlt. Karl-Heinz Moehle, Knight’s Cross) and sank within one minute northeast of Aberdeen, Scotland. Of the 20-man crew, only the body of a single crewman was later recovered from a raft.
Swedish Najaden, before renaming as Sylvia
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During an unsuccessful attack on a convoy by the Soviet Shchuka-class (tr. “Pike”) submarine ShCh-324, the Finnish Navy converted yacht Aura II was destroyed when a depth charge exploded in its thrower, killing 26 of the 41-man crew.
Russian Shchuka-class Submarine
Originally built as the passenger vessel SS Halland, she was renamed Aura II and rebuilt into a luxury yacht to be donated to the Finnish state for use as a presidential yacht (1936). Taken over by the Finnish Navy when the Winter War erupted in 1939, Aura II served admirably until her sinking in the Sea of Aland.
Finnish Escort Aura II
Note: apologies for the small photo
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Upon further consideration, and the input of respected individuals, this thread will -- most likely -- not remain a daily feature. Rather, I will try to bring you a reasonably consistent weekly look into the events of 75 years ago.
Thank you all for reading.
Chris
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