Operation Pedestal 573822 224287578 2008-07-08T04:33:25Z Rrostrom 2410105 /* August 13 */ style tweaks. {{FixBunching|beg}} {{Infobox Military Conflict |conflict=Operation Pedestal|partof=[[World War II]], [[Mediterranean Theatre of World War II|Mediterranean Campaign]] |campaign=Mediterranean Campaign |image=[[Image:SS Waimarama explodes.jpg|300px]] |caption=The merchantship '''SS ''Waimarama''''' explodes after being bombed. |date=[[9 August]] — [[15 August]], [[1942]] |place=[[Mediterranean Sea]] |result=Tactical Axis victory<br>Strategic Allied victory |combatant1={{flag|United Kingdom}}<br> |combatant2={{flagicon|Italy|1861-state}} [[Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946)|Italy]]<br>[[Image:Flag_of_Germany_1933.svg|23px]] [[Nazi Germany|Germany]] |commander1={{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Edward Neville Syfret|Neville Syfret]],<br> {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[H.M Burrough]] |commander2={{flagicon|Italy|1861-state}} [[Alberto Da Zara]] |strength1= 4 aircraft carriers,<br> 2 battleships,<br> 7 light cruisers,<br> 16 destroyers,<br> 14 merchantmen. |strength2= 3 heavy cruisers,<br> 3 light cruisers,<br> 15 [[motor torpedo boat|MTBs,]]<br> 11 submarines,<br> 784 aircraft |casualties1= 1 aircraft carrier sunk,<br> 2 light cruisers sunk,<br> 1 destroyer sunk,<br> 9 merchantmen sunk, others damaged,<br> 1 aircraft carrier damaged,<br> 2 light cruisers damaged |casualties2= 1 heavy cruiser heavily damaged,<br> 1 light cruiser heavily damaged,<br> 2 submarines sunk,<br> 1 submarine damaged }} {{FixBunching|mid}} {{Campaignbox Mediterranean Campaign}} {{FixBunching|end}} '''Operation Pedestal''' was a [[Great Britain|British]] operation to get desperately needed supplies to the island of [[Malta]] in August 1942, during the [[World War II|Second World War]]. Malta was the base from which surface ships, [[submarines]] and aircraft attacked [[Axis powers|Axis]] convoys carrying essential supplies to the Italian and German armies in North Africa. In 1941 and 1942, Malta was effectively [[Siege of Malta (1940)|under siege]], blockaded by Axis air and naval forces. To sustain Malta, Britain had to get convoys through at all costs. Malta narrowly survived<ref> Bradford, p. 218</ref>. Despite serious losses, just enough supplies were delivered for Malta to survive<ref name=USMM/>, although it ceased to be an effective offensive base for much of 1942. The most crucial supply was fuel delivered by the American-built tanker [[SS Ohio|''Ohio'']].<ref>Shankland and Hunter p. 85 ''"...she was the only ship carrying these supplies which were so vital to the survival of Malta."''</ref> The operation started on [[9 August]] [[1942]], when the convoy sailed through the [[Strait of Gibraltar]].<ref name=LondGazz> '''Supplement to the London Gazette''', ''11 August 1948'' pp 34-43</ref> The convoy is also known as the "Battle of Mid-August" in Italy and as the "Santa Marija Convoy" in Malta. The arrival of the last ships of the convoy on [[August 15]] [[1942]] coincided with the [[Feast of the Assumption]] (Santa Marija) and the name "Santa Marija Convoy" or "Sta Marija Convoy" is still used. That day's public holiday and celebrations, in part, celebrate the arrival of the convoy. The attempt to run some fifty ships past [[bombers]], [[E-boat]]s, [[minefield]]s, and submarines has gone down in military history as one of the most important<ref name=USMM> {{cite web | title=Operation Pedestal and SS Ohio Save Malta| url=http://www.usmm.org/malta.html| accessdate=June 24 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> British strategic victories of the Second World War - though at a cost of more than four hundred lives, with only five of the original fourteen merchant ships reaching the [[Grand Harbour]]. ==Background== In 1942, [[Great Britain]] was waging a land war against [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)|Italian]] forces in [[North Africa]] and their allies, [[Afrika Korps|Rommel's Afrika Korps]]. Malta was a critical component<ref>{{cite web |title=The Second World War in the Mediterranean, North Africa and Italy |publisher=The We Were There Exhibition |url=http://www.wewerethere.mod.uk/wewerethere_old/inmed.html |accessdate=2007-06-24}}</ref> to this campaign, as the island could be used as a base to interdict efforts to resupply Axis forces operating in North Africa.<ref>{{cite web |title=War in the Mediterranean |publisher=The Royal Navy |url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.3862| accessdate=2007-06-21}} "The Mediterranean campaign revolved around the island of Malta, where the British based surface ships, submarines and aircraft to attack the supplies for Italian and German armies in North Africa. Major convoy operations were mounted to sustain Malta and the island narrowly survived."</ref> During this stage of the war, Malta was critically short on munitions, food, and fuel for both military operations and civil use. Attempts to run the blockade and resupply Malta proved to be costly and often ended in failure; the two-pronged effort to resupply Malta during June of 1942—known as Operations [[Operation Harpoon (1942)|''Harpoon'']] (from [[Gibraltar]]) and [[Operation Vigorous|''Vigorous'']] (from [[Alexandria]], [[Egypt]])—were unsuccessful, only two merchantmen from ''Harpoon'' and none from ''Vigorous'' reached Malta, while many others (including the only tanker included in ''Harpoon'') were sunk,<ref name=Wade>Wade, Chapter IX</ref> and the escorting warships also suffered heavy casualties.<ref>Bradford, p. 187</ref> Military planners knew Malta would be forced to surrender if fuel, food, and ammunition did not get through before the end of August. The local air commander ([[Keith Park]]) had warned that there remained only a few weeks' supply of aviation fuel. The Admiralty drew up plans for another convoy to sail at the earliest practical date, mid-August.<ref name=LondGazz/> ==Planning== The [[Admiralty]] started to plan Operation ''Pedestal'' in the early weeks of July 1942, and it was soon recognized that this was to be the main effort to relieve Malta, and would employ the largest escort force yet deployed for a single convoy, including two [[battleships]] and three [[aircraft carriers]]. At the same time, there would be several minor but important operations carried out both under the cover of ''Pedestal'': Operation ''Berserk'' would be an aircraft carrier exercise to improve coordination between the various carriers in the convoy, Operation ''Bellows'' would be a reinforcement of Malta's air defences by [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfires]] flown off from an aircraft carrier, and Operation ''Ascendant'' would be an effort to return the two surviving merchantmen from the ''Harpoon'' convoy from Malta to [[Gibraltar]]. The main participants during these discussions were [[Rear Admiral]] [[Lumley Lyster|A. L. St. G. Lyster]], [[CB]], [[CVO]], [[DSO]], Rear-Admiral [[Harold Burrough|H. M. Burrough]], [[CB]], [[DSO]], Vice-Admiral [[Edward Neville Syfret|E. N. Syfret]], [[CB]] and the Naval Staff. [[Image:SS-Ohio-Meeting.jpg|thumb|right|Rear-Admiral H M Burrough, CB, who commanded the close escort, shaking hands with Captain Dudley Mason of SS ''Ohio'']] The supplies were to be carried by fourteen [[merchant ship]]s, the most important being the [[SS Ohio|SS ''Ohio'']], the only large, fast tanker available (and the largest tanker in the world at the time.)<ref>Shankland and Hunter, pp. 69-76</ref> As partial insurance against ''Ohio's'' loss, the others would carry some fuel supplies in drums. The convoy was to be protected by two large forces of warships, one as distant cover (Force Z), and the other as close support all the way to Malta (Force X). Between the two forces there were two [[battleship]]s, three [[aircraft carrier]]s, seven [[cruiser]]s and thirty-two [[destroyer]]s. Once they reached the [[Sicilian Strait|Sicilian channel]], ''Force Z'' (the battleships, the aircraft carriers, and three cruisers) was to return to [[Gibraltar]], leaving the convoy to continue to Malta escorted by the remaining four cruisers and destroyer flotilla of ''Force X''. The [[Regia Marina]] was hampered<ref name=regia>{{cite web | title = Mid-August | publisher = Regia Marina| url =http://www.regiamarina.net/battles/mid-august/midaugust_us.htm| accessdate=June 24 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> by a lack of fuel oil, which kept its largest vessels in port. When the British convoy was detected, Axis commanders decided to attack it with German and Italian aircraft based in [[Sardinia]] and send ten [[submarine]]s into the Sicilian Channel. An Italian cruiser division was to deliver the final attack, which required oil to be transferred from inactive battleships to the cruisers.<ref name=regia/> ==Preliminary Movements== The overall operational commander, Vice-Admiral E. N. Syfret, transferred to [[HMS Nelson (1925)|HMS ''Nelson'']] on [[27 July]] when ''Nelson'' and [[HMS Rodney (29)|''Rodney'']] returned to [[Scapa Flow]] from [[Freetown]], West Africa. Syfret convened a conference on [[29 July]], for Flag and Commanding Officers of the naval forces for ''Pedestal'' currently assembled at Scapa, to consider the orders for the operation. On [[July 31]] the ''Nelson'', ''Rodney'', [[HMS Victorious (R38)|''Victorious'']], [[HMS Argus (I49)|''Argus'']], [[HMS Sirius (82)|''Sirius'']] and destroyers sailed from Scapa to rendezvous with [[HMS Eagle (1918)|''Eagle'']] and [[HMS Charybdis (88)|''Charybdis'']] from [[Gibraltar]] and [[HMS Indomitable (92)|HMS ''Indomitable'']] and [[HMS Phoebe (43)|''Phoebe'']], from Freetown, for Operation ''Berserk''. ''Berserk'' successfully exercised fighter direction and co-operation between the three carriers, in preparation for the impending convoy.<ref name=LondGazz/> The convoy, named with a bogus "[[WS]]"<ref>W.S convoys were normally those from U.K. to [[Suez]] via the [[Cape of Good Hope]].</ref> prefix, escorted by [[HMS Nigeria (60)|HMS ''Nigeria'']], [[HMS Kenya (C14)|''Kenya'']] and destroyers sailed from the [[Clyde]] overnight on [[August 2]] and joined the other escorts during the following morning. Just prior to sailing, but after the "normal"<ref name=LondGazz/> convoy conference, Rear-Admiral Burrough met with the Convoy Commodore, A.G. Venables, and the Masters of the individual merchant ships on board his flagship<ref>The light cruiser HMS ''Nigeria''.</ref> and the whole plan was explained in detail.<ref name=BBCN/> A similar meeting was held with radio operators of the merchantmen to explain fleet communications and procedures. Personal messages signed by the [[First Lord of the Admiralty]] wishing the Masters "''God Speed''" and contained in envelopes marked "''Not to be opened until 0800 hours [[August 10]]''" were handed to the Masters. Shortly before the departure from Scapa, the Admiralty decided that [[HMS Furious (47)|HMS ''Furious'']] should carry out Operation ''Bellows'' to reinforce Malta with Spitfires, at the same time as ''Pedestal'' and necessary alterations to the Operation Orders<ref name=LondGazz/> were distributed to all concerned. Technical difficulties (connected with the aircraft's propellers and ''Furious'''s flying deck, which was not level but sloped upwards to a point amidships) delayed the carrier's departure but, with [[HMS Manchester (C15)|HMS ''Manchester'']], she joined the ''Nelson'' and the convoy three days before the start of the operation. The passage of the convoy from the [[United Kingdom]] to the rendezvous with the aircraft carriers west of the [[Strait of Gibraltar|Straits]] was successful, though there were many alarms over U-Boat contacts en route and a Coastal Command [[Short Sunderland|Sunderland]] flying boat was shot down by friendly fire. The convoy was exercised in anti-aircraft gunnery, in emergency turns and in changing from one cruising disposition to another, using both signal flags and short range W/T. The risk to security in breaking W/T silence was accepted and as a result of these exercises the convoy attained an efficiency in manoeuvring "comparable to that of a fleet unit".<ref name=LondGazz/> ==Into the Mediterranean== ===Past the Straits=== The force's aircraft performed dummy air attacks during the afternoon of [[August 8]], followed by a fly past. These were done to exercise the radar reporting and fighter direction organisation and to give ships' gun crews an opportunity to recognise the markings of friendly aircraft. The resulting volume of radio traffic must have been very apparent to hostile listening stations,<ref>Shankland and Hunter, pp. 94-95</ref> but this risk to security was worth the benefit gained from the rehearsals (At 1300, when [[HMS Indomitable (92)|HMS ''Indomitable'']] joined the force, it was believed to have been the first time that five British aircraft carriers had operated together at sea). The passage of the Straits and [[August 10]] were uneventful. Fishing boats and one merchant vessel were passed at close quarters, but due to a moonless night and indifferent visibility, it was thought improbable that the force had been sighted from the shore. Reports received later,<ref name=LondGazz/> however, showed that the enemy was fully aware of the convoy's passage of the Straits. ===August 11=== [[Image:Operation Pedestal Carriers.jpg|thumb|right|Seen from the flight deck of HMS ''Victorious'', a [[Fairey Albacore]] takes off from HMS ''Indomitable'', while HMS ''Eagle'' brings up the rear. ''Eagle'' was lost during this operation.]] The convoy completed refueling by dawn on [[August 11]], from the tankers ''[[Dingledale]]'' and ''[[Brown Ranger]]''. Previous Malta convoys had refueled at Malta<ref>Jellison, Charles A. ''Besieged: The World War II Ordeal of Malta, 1940-1942'' (Hanover, NH, 1984).</ref> but now Malta had no oil to spare. The refueling of three cruisers and twenty-six destroyers at sea, under enemy observation and in U-Boat infested waters, was an anxious one; failure could have seriously upset the whole operation.<ref>Shankland and Hunter, p. 97</ref> The main coup for the Axis during the day happened early in the morning. The aircraft carrier [[HMS Eagle (1918)|HMS ''Eagle'']] was hit by four torpedoes from [[Unterseeboot 73|U-73]] ([[Kapitänleutnant]] [[Helmut Rosenbaum]]) and sank seventy nautical miles south of [[Cape Salinas]]. Most of the crew survived (160 lost out of 927), rescued by her escorts. The sinking of ''Eagle'' deprived the force of a quarter of its fighter strength.<ref name=LondGazz/> While ''Eagle'' was being torpedoed, ''Furious'' successfully finished Operation ''Bellows'', flying off thirty-seven much needed Spitfires to [[Malta]]. The flying distance between ''Furious'' and Malta was {{convert|555|nmi|km|0}} to {{convert|584|nmi|km|0}}. Her part of the mission complete, ''Furious'' returned to Gibraltar with her escorts. A destroyer escorting ''Furious'', [[HMS Wolverine (D78)|HMS ''Wolverine'']], rammed and sank the Italian submarine ''[[Italian submarine Dagabur|Dagabur]]''. ''Wolverine'''s bow was seriously damaged, but she reached Gibraltar for repairs.<ref name=LondGazz/> A large number of sightings of torpedoes, air and U-Boat attacks were reported throughout the whole convoy.<ref name=LondGazz/> The Axis made every form of air attack, including minelaying ahead of the fleet.<ref name=LondGazz/> Up to 1900 on [[August 11]], there were four heavy air attacks on the fleet, which used many aircraft. Despite the weight of these attacks, the only casualties were one merchant ship with her speed reduced by a near miss, a destroyer torpedoed but afloat (though later scuttled) and [[HMS Indomitable (92)|HMS ''Indomitable'']] put out of flying action but capable of steaming at {{convert|28|kn|km/h|0}}. At 2000, an Italian air attack (using [[Savoia-Marchetti S.84|S.84]], [[Fiat CR.42|CR.42]], [[Macchi C.202|C.202]], and [[Reggiane Re.2001|Re.2001]] fighters and bombers) against the aircraft carriers caused minor damage to the flight deck of [[HMS Victorious (R38)|HMS ''Victorious'']]. ===August 12=== [[Image:Pedestal Indomitable Count.jpg|thumb|right|The score-board for the successes of HMS ''Indomitable's'' air group painted on the island. ''Indomitable's'' fighters claimed to have shot down thirty-eight Axis aircraft.]] As the convoy moved eastwards towards the enemy's bases in Sardinia and Sicily, it was expected that the U-Boat and air threat would increase and a U-Boat concentration was expected near the [[Galite Islands]]. Anti-submarine measures were stepped up to meet this threat. Later in the day, [[HMS Ithuriel (H05)|HMS ''Ithuriel'']] rammed and sank the Italian submarine [[Italian submarine Cobalto|''Cobalto'']].<ref>The rescued crew members (3 officers and 38 crew) confirmed her destruction.</ref> This tactic was discouraged by the Admiralty, due to the damage that often resulted. In ''Ithuriel's'' case, she badly damaged herself, put her [[Asdic]] gear out of action, and was missing from the escort screen during the next air attack. The carriers launched [[Fairey Fulmar]]s and [[Hawker Hurricane|Hawker Sea Hurricanes]] as air cover. The first air attack by nineteen [[Junkers Ju 88|Ju 88s]] was met by both anti-aircraft fire and the fighters. Four bombers were claimed for the loss of a fighter and two more were shot down by the escorting ships.<ref name=LondGazz/> The Italian cruiser division, consisting of three [[heavy cruisers]] ([[Zara class cruiser|''Gorizia'']], [[Trento class cruiser#Bolzano|''Bolzano'']], and [[Trento class cruiser#Trieste|''Trieste'']]), three [[light cruisers]] ([[Italian cruiser Eugenio di Savoia|''Eugenio di Savoia'']], [[Italian cruiser Raimondo Montecuccoli|''Raimondo Montecuccoli'']], and [[Italian cruiser Muzio Attendolo|''Muzio Attendolo'']]) and 17 destroyers sailed.<ref>{{cite web | title=La Battaglia Di Mezzo Agosto| url=http://digilander.libero.it/planciacomando/WW2/mezzoagosto1.htm| accessdate=June 24 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> to meet the British convoy. Throughout the day, the force was under continual observation by aircraft, with fighter protection. During the day, there were three very heavy air attacks. Force X, after parting company, was attacked at dusk by bombers and torpedo-bombers. During daylight, British fighters were active; they provided early warning of raids and destroyed enemy aircraft, although frequently outnumbered. The convoy's anti-aircraft guns also proved successful as deterrents. Submarines, however, remained a potent threat. The Italian submarine ''Brin'' was driven off by destroyers. A [[Short Sunderland|Sunderland]] flying boat attacked ''Giada'', which was waiting for the convoy off [[Algiers]], damaging it and a subsequent air attack by another flying boat caused more damage. ''Brin'' brought down a flying boat with its own guns. To prevent any further submarine attack the destroyers dropped depth charges every ten minutes, between 1400 and 1900. At noon, another air attack developed, by Italian and German bombers and Italian fighters. The Axis planes did not attack in continuous waves as planned, and the convoy enjoyed brief respites. Even so, the attack wrecked the flight deck of ''Indomitable'', leaving ''Victorious'' as the only working carrier. ''Indomitable'''s aircraft had to be landed on ''Victorious'' and several fighters had to be ditched overboard to make space for further landings.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/04/a7873004.shtml BBC People's War]</ref> It had been intended that Force Z should return to Gibraltar when the [[Skerki Banks|Skerki Channel]] was reached at 1915. ''Indomitable'' was on fire forward and aft, so Syfret brought the manoeuvre forward by twenty minutes,<ref>{{cite web | title=Operation Pedestal - August 1942| url=http://www.war-experience.org/history/keyaspects/pedestal0842/default.asp| accessdate=June 24 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> and at 1855, Force Z was ordered to return to Gibraltar, leaving ''Force X'' to continue to Malta. This separation went unnoticed by the Axis and was not discovered by them until about 2030. In view of the weight of the Axis air attack between 1830 and 1850, it seemed improbable that a further significant air attack on Force X could be possible before dark, and having reached the [[Skerki Banks|Skerki Bank]], it was hoped that the submarine threat would subside. The main threat to the convoy appeared to be [[E Boats]] attacks during the night and by aircraft the following morning. Thus the successful submarine attack by the Italian submarine ''Axum'' at 2000, when [[HMS Nigeria (60)|HMS ''Nigeria'']], [[HMS Cairo (D87)|HMS ''Cairo'']] and [[SS Ohio|''Ohio'']] were torpedoed.<ref> {{cite web | title=The Ohio| url=http://www.geocities.com/mike_buhagiar/ohio/ohio.html| accessdate=May 23 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> was unexpected and its effect far reaching. The timing was critical, for the convoy was at that moment changing its setup from four to two columns. For this manoeuvre the cruisers were needed as column leaders. The torpedoing of HMS ''Nigeria'' and ''Cairo'', the diversion of HMS ''Ashanti'', and the detachment of four [[Hunt class destroyer|"Hunt" class destroyers]] to stand by the damaged cruisers, temporarily deprived Force X of its Commander, deprived two columns of their leaders, lost the convoy nearly half its escort, and the entire force of its two Fighter Direction ships. On hearing that ''Nigeria'' and ''Cairo'' had been torpedoed, Syfret ordered [[HMS Charybdis (88)|HMS ''Charybdis'']], [[HMS Eskimo (F75)|''Eskimo'']] and [[HMS Somali (F33)|''Somali'']] to reinforce Force X. From about 2035 to 2100 the convoy was subjected to a very severe dusk air attack by dive-bombers and torpedo-bombers. [[Image:MV Brisbane Star Front.jpg|thumb|right|The shattered bows of SS ''Brisbane Star'', possibly torpedoed in this encounter. The ship reached Malta under its own steam.]] ''Ashanti'' and [[HMS Penn|''Penn'']] laid a smokescreen to cover the light western horizon, but this did not prevent the attack from being effective. The merchantmen ''Empire Hope'' and ''Glenorchy'' were both bombed and sunk, the latter blowing up with no survivors. A separate torpedo-bomber attack was thought to have sunk ''Deucalion'' at 2130 near the [[Cani Rocks]] when under escort of [[HMS Bramham (L51)|HMS ''Bramham'']]. The Commanding Officer, [[HMS Kenya (C14)|HMS ''Kenya'']] described the state of the convoy after these attacks as 'chaotic', and in fact there are different versions of what really happened during these confusing hours. However, though the convoy was in a confused state, all of the ships in the convoy were steaming in their correct direction. Most of the convoy got safely as far as Kelibia<ref>Some twenty miles (37 km) south of [[Cape Bon]] in [[Tunisia]]</ref>, though some were damaged, by early morning. The destroyer [[HMS Foresight (H68)|HMS ''Foresight'']] was sunk in the same attack.<ref name=LondGazz/> Roughly around 2100, the Italian submarine [[Italian submarine Alagi|''Alagi'']] reported that it had sunk the merchant ship ''Empire Hope'' and damaged the cruiser ''Kenya''; in fact two freighters sank at this moment, while ''Kenya'' turned to avoid a torpedo. Another submarine, [[Italian submarine Bronzo|''Bronzo'']], stated that it had sunk the merchant ship ''Deucalion''. It is possible that the unknown second freighter sunk by the Italian submarine ''Alagi'' or the damage to ''Kenya'' was not directed to either ship but to the freighter [[MV Brisbane Star|MV ''Brisbane Star'']], that supposedly<ref>As reported by [[HMS Ledbury (1940)|HMS ''Ledbury'']] in {{cite web | title=HMS Ledbury:Operation Pedestal - Letter Of Proceedings.| url=http://www.world-war.co.uk/index.php3| accessdate=June 22 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> had its bows torn off during this encounter. ''Nigeria'' and the other damaged ships turned back to Gibraltar with ''Wilton'' and ''Bicester'' as escorts. Other submarines, ''Emo'', ''Avorio'', and ''Dandolo'' among them, were driven off by depth charges.<ref name=BBCN>{{cite web | title = Operation Pedestal: Saving Malta | publisher = BBC News| url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2289714.stm| accessdate=June 24 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> ===August 13=== Passing through minefields between [[Africa]] and [[Sicily]] around midnight, the convoy met eight Italian and seven German torpedo-boats which made 15 attacks. The long line of merchant ships and the reduced number of escort ships provided easy opportunities for attacks by the torpedo-boats which were lying in wait off Kelibia.<ref name=LondGazz/> Here three of the merchant ships which failed to reach Malta were torpedoed. Of these, ''Wairangi'' was hit in the engine room and was permanently disabled, while the American ''Almeria Lykes'' was hit at the joint of No. 1 bulkhead hold and could not continue steaming to Malta. In the early morning the cruiser [[HMS Manchester (C15)|HMS ''Manchester'']] was torpedoed<ref>{{cite web | title=Royal Navy Cruisers Part 4| url=http://www.btinternet.com/~a.c.walton/navy/rn-cr4.html#prof| accessdate=June 24 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> by two Italian E-Boats (''MS-16'' and ''MS-21'')<ref>{{cite web | title=Legion chief recalls horror sinkings| url=http://archive.bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk/2002/11/6/241065.html#prof| accessdate=June 24 | accessyear=2007}},</ref>, and after the ship's company had abandoned her in the ship's boats and [[Carley float]]s she was scuttled by order of her Commanding Officer. It was the largest ship sunk by E-Boats during WWII.<ref>There is some disagreement about ''Manchester's'' fatalities among the sources: The following websites mention 150 "lost": *[http://www.btinternet.com/~a.c.walton/navy/rn-cr4.html#prof www.btinternet.com] *[http://archive.bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk/2002/11/6/241065.html#prof bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk] A more accurate account of the cruiser casualties reports 132 killed or missing and 568 survivors (rescued either by Allied forces or Vichy authorities).[Kemp, Paul:''The Admiralty Regrets: British Warship Losses of the 20th Century'', Sutton Publishing,1999]. Other sources only mention the deaths as result of the torpedo impact (about a dozen) [Woodman, Richard: ''Malta Convoys, 1940-1943'', Jack Murray Ltd., London, 2000].</ref> ''Manchester'' was hit at 01:00 by torpedoes from the Italian MTBs MS.22 and MS.16, leaving her dead in the water and listing. She restored power<ref name=USMM/> and some of her crew (156 men) were transferred to HMS ''Pathfinder'', but she was later scuttled off Cape Bon. Several hundred of her complement landed in [[Vichy France|Vichy]]-controlled [[Tunisia]] and were interned. According to most sources, a dozen of her crew died from the torpedo explosions, while at least another one-hundred and fifty were missing at sea during her evacuation. The merchantmen ''Santa Elisa'' was hit by torpedo, with the entire ship catching fire and abandoned by the crew.<ref name=comando>{{cite web|title =OPERATION PEDESTAL|url=http://comandosupremo.com/Pedestal.html|accessdate=June 24 |accessyear=2007}}</ref>. ''Glenorchy'' was torpedoed and on fire although most of her crew survived her eventual sinking; another merchantman,''Rochester Castle'', was torpedoed but kept going. Fighters from Malta were fired upon by the convoy in the confusion because communications between the convoy and the RAF were still out. [[Image:SS Port Chalmers Paravane.jpg|thumb|right|The aerial torpedo caught in SS ''Port Chalmers's'' paravane.]] Twelve [[Junkers 88]]s attacked, hitting ''Waimarama''. The aviation fuel on deck burst into flame and the ship exploded and sank, with 80 of the 107 crew killed. The destroyer [[HMS Ledbury (L90)|HMS ''Ledbury'']] passed through the flames to save what few survivors there were.<ref name=Ledbury>{{cite web | title=HMS Ledbury:Operation Pedestal - Letter Of Proceedings.| url=http://www.world-war.co.uk/index.php3| accessdate=June 24 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> The wreckage of ''Waimarama'' started fires on the merchantman ''Melbourne Star'', and several of her crew abandoned ship prematurely, some of whom were later rescued by ''Ledbury''. Soon afterwards, sixty [[Stuka]] [[dive bomber]]s attacked, this time concentrating on the damaged ''Ohio''. Near-misses buckled the tanker's hull plates and the forward tank filled with water. A downed Ju 88 crashed onto the deck of ''Ohio''. Another plane, an Italian dive bomber, bounced off the water, and crashed onto ''Ohio''. The tanker avoided mines, torpedoes and circling torpedoes. Two bombs straddled ''Ohio'' and lifted her clean out of the water. Her boilers ruptured, leaving the precious tanker dead in the water at 1050.<ref> {{cite web | title=Operation Pedestal - August 1942| url=http://www.war-experience.org/history/keyaspects/pedestal0842/default.asp| accessdate=June 24 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> ''Dorset'' was disabled by three near-miss bombs, and the engine room was flooded. The high octane fuel caught fire and the merchantman was abandoned. Twelve Italian torpedo bombers attacked, and the ''Port Chalmers'' caught an aerial torpedo in its paravane.<ref>Submerged floats meant to catch mines</ref> A bomb nearby set ''Kenya'''s forward engine room on fire, but the fire was quickly put out. Fighters from Malta provided some air cover to the blitzed convoy. ''Rochester Castle'', ''Port Chalmers'' and ''Melbourne Star'' steamed on to meet escort from Malta, reaching [[Grand Harbour]] in [[Valletta]] at 1800. Another aerial attack on ''Ohio'' ensued. ''Penn'' tried to tow ''Ohio'', but the tanker was listing to its side and snapped the tow line. During another attack, ''Ohio'' nearly split in half and broke its back when a bomb hit the same area as a previous torpedo hit. The crew, led by [[Dudley William Mason|Master D. W. Mason]], abandoned the ship, while Italian torpedo bombers were about to dive in for yet another attack. Field Marshal [[Albert Kesselring]], commander of the German Air Command based in Sicily, denied air coverage to the Italian cruiser division, having little regard for the fighting capability of the Regia Marina, and preferred to use his aircraft for direct attacks on the British convoy.<ref name=USMM/> Without air cover and given the closeness of the air base at Malta, the ''Supermarina'' (Regia Marina High Command) withdrew its cruisers to [[Messina]]. They passed through the area patrolled by the British submarines [[HMS Safari (P211)|HMS ''Safari'']] and [[HMS Unbroken (P42)|''Unbroken'']] and were attacked. ''Unbroken'' torpedoed the ''Bolzano'', which was hit in her oil tank and ran aground; ''Attendolo'' lost sixty feet of bow. Neither ship returned to action during the war. At 1846, a [[Junkers Ju 88]] attack hit ''Ohio'', which was severely damaged and reduced to a speed of four knots.<ref> Shankland and Hunter, p. 160</ref> The convoy then entered the protective range of Spitfires and [[Beaufighter]]s from Malta. {|align=right [[Image:SS-Ohio supported.jpg|thumb|right|Operation Pedestal, SS ''Ohio'' entering Grand Harbour, Malta.]] ===August 14=== ''Brisbane Star'' arrived in Malta, its bow torn off by a torpedo, but discharged its supplies in the harbour. ''Ohio'' was surrounded by a flotilla of ships, aiming to nurse the stricken tanker to Grand Harbour. Several American volunteers, themselves survivors from the sunken American freighter ''Santa Eliza'', manned<ref>Shankland and Hunter pp. 183-184</ref> anti-aircraft guns on ''Ohio'' during the tow. The weight of the tanker kept breaking the tow lines, while constant air attacks were made by twenty bombers. An attack destroyed the rudder, making a hole in her stern. The decks of the ship were now awash. Finally, the tanker was successfully towed while it was supported by two destroyers<ref>''Ledbury'' and ''Penn''</ref> one on each side, with a minesweeper to act as a stabilizer. The remainder of the convoy was either sunk or falling back on Gibraltar. ===August 15=== {{main|SS Ohio}} ''Ohio'' was towed into Grand Harbour by the two destroyers and a set of tugs<ref>Shankland and Hunter p. 200</ref> at 0930 to cheering crowds and a band playing ''[[Rule Britannia]]''. The tanker discharged its precious cargo into two tankers and settled on the bottom just as the last of the cargo left her holds.<ref>Water had been pumped into the ''Ohio's'' tanks as the oil was extracted to minimize the chance of a catastrophic structural failure. See Shankland and Hunter, p. 202</ref> ==Aftermath== The arrival of the four merchant ships, and the survival of the tanker ''Ohio'', did ensure the salvation of the island, but it did not mean the end of the siege. The ultimate result of Operation Pedestal was that it ensured that Malta stayed in the war. For the high price of nine merchantmen sunk, one aircraft carrier (''Eagle''), two cruisers (''Manchester'' and ''Cairo''), and a destroyer (''Foresight'') sunk, the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy had indeed saved Malta, but only just. Roughly 32,000&nbsp;tons of general cargo had reached the Grand Harbour, together with petrol, oil fuel, kerosene and diesel fuel, enough to give the island about ten weeks more life beyond the existing stocks of only a few weeks. Operation Pedestal, though tactically disastrous, was turned into a strategic victory in that it served as a great uplift to the besieged island's morale. Indeed, for several months after this convoy, Malta was still dependent on essential stores and stocks being delivered by fast minelayers, like [[HMS Manxman (M70)|HMS ''Manxman'']], and of mine-laying submarines. From the moment the shield of Spitfires patrolled over the unloading battered ships, it became obvious that ships could now arrive and be protected, meaning that more ships would come in due course, thus sustaining the will to endure. German reports on [[August 17]] stated that all the tankers in the recent Mediterranean convoy were sunk and not one of the transports reached their assumed destination in [[Egypt]]. A revived Malta led to a shift in the North African balance immediately preceding the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]]. In August 1942, with Malta still besieged, 35% of Axis convoys to [[North Africa]] did not get through. In September, with Malta resupplied, Allied forces sank 100,000&nbsp;tons of Axis shipping, including 24,000&nbsp;tons of fuel destined for Rommel, leaving him desperately short of supplies during his assault at [[El Alamein]] on [[October 23]], [[1942]]. Hence, it was no longer a question of ' ''How many days to Cairo?'' ' for the Axis armies, but of whether Rommel could hold the Allied attack back when it would materialise. Submarines and torpedo-carrying [[Bristol Beaufort]]s escorted by their variants the [[Bristol Beaufighter]]s, were now unleashed upon the Axis supply lines, at the end of which the harassed Axis forces were scarcely able to cope with the constant British build-up for an offensive towards the end of the year.<ref>Indeed for Malta alone, in December 1942, four convoys sailed into the island without loss, and in this one month some 200,000&nbsp;tons of stores of all kinds were brought ashore.</ref> For the Axis powers in general, and for the Italians in particular,<ref name=comando/> the inability of the fleet to fully display its power and especially the inability of Axis air forces to provide for cover clearly demonstrated that the tide in this campaign had turned. Ultimately, Malta was still alive while any hope to maintain North Africa was quickly fading away, with the now looming possibility of having the Allies opening up a Third Front on the Italian mainland.<ref name=regia/> Operation Pedestal was the subject of a [[1953]] black and white British film, [[Malta Story]], which interspersed archive footage of the SS ''Ohio'' with scripted studio scenes. ===Awards and Recognitions=== In recognition of their fortitude during the siege and air attacks during all of the Mediterranean campaign, [[George Cross (Malta)|Malta was awarded]] the [[George Cross]] in the months immediately preceding this operation. Vice-Admiral Syfret was knighted ([[KCB]]) for his " ''bravery and dauntless resolution in fighting an important Convoy through to Malta in the face of relentless attacks by day and night from enemy submarines, aircraft, and surface forces.''"<ref name=LondGazz3> Third Supplement to '''The London Gazette''' of Friday, the 4th of September, 1942"</ref> The Master of the tanker ''Ohio'', [[Dudley William Mason]] was awarded the George Cross for showing "''skill and courage of the highest order and it was due to his determination that, in spite of the most persistent enemy opposition, the vessel, with her valuable cargo, eventually reached Malta and was safely berthed.''"<ref name=LondGazz3/> Several other navy officers, crewmembers and commanders, including the commander of [[HMS Ledbury (L90)|HMS ''Ledbury'']], [[Roger P. Hill (Royal Navy officer)|Roger Hill]], received mentions in dispatches and other military awards for the bravery and intrepidity shown in ferrying the merchantmen to Malta.<ref> Shankland and Hunter, Foreword p.13 </ref> The [[Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal]] was awarded to Frederick August Larsen, Jr., Junior [[Third Officer]] and to Francis A. Dales, Cadet-Midshipman, [[U.S. Merchant Marine Academy]], for "Heroism beyond the call of duty". ==The Forces== ===Allied=== Allied ships that took part in this operation included: * '''Battleships''': **[[HMS Rodney (1925)|''Rodney'']] **[[HMS Nelson (1927)|''Nelson'']] *'''Aircraft Carriers''': **[[HMS Eagle (1918)|''Eagle'']] (''sunk'') **[[HMS Victorious (R38)|''Victorious'']] **[[HMS Indomitable (R92)|''Indomitable'']] (''damaged'') **[[HMS Furious (47)|''Furious'']] (carrying land-operating [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfires]] as reinforcements for the island.) *'''Cruisers''': **[[HMS Phoebe (43)|''Phoebe'']] **[[HMS Sirius (82)|''Sirius'']] **[[HMS Charybdis (88)|''Charybdis'']] **[[HMS Nigeria (60)|''Nigeria'']] (''damaged'') **[[HMS Kenya (C14)|''Kenya'']] (''damaged'') **[[HMS Manchester (C15)|''Manchester'']] (''severely damaged and scuttled'') **[[HMS Cairo (D87)|''Cairo'']] (''sunk'') *'''Destroyers''': **[[HMS Ashanti (F51)|''Ashanti'']] **[[HMS Badsworth (L03)|''Badsworth'']] **[[HMS Bramham (L51)|''Bramham'']] **[[HMS Bicester (L34)|''Bicester'']] **[[HMS Derwent (L83)|''Derwent'']] **[[HMS Foresight (H68)|''Foresight'']] (''severely damaged and scuttled'') **[[HMS Fury (H76)|''Fury'']] **[[HMS Intrepid (D10)|''Intrepid'']] **[[HMS Ithuriel (H05)|''Ithuriel'']] **[[HMS Icarus (D03)|''Icarus'']] **[[HMS Ledbury (L90)|''Ledbury'']] **[[HMS Matchless (G52)|''Matchless'']] **[[HMS Pathfinder (G10)|''Pathfinder'']] **[[HMS Penn (G77)|''Penn'']] **[[HMS Tartar (F43)|''Tartar'']] **[[HMS Zetland (L59)|''Zetland'']] *'''Merchant Ships''' [[Image:MV Brisbane Star.jpg|200px|right|thumb|The [[MV Brisbane Star]] entering Grand Harbour, Valletta.]] ** {{flagicon|United States|1912}} [[SS Almeria Lykes|SS ''Almeria Lykes'']] (''sunk'') ** [[Image:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|24px|Red Ensign]] [[MV Brisbane Star|MV ''Brisbane Star'']] (''damaged'', arrived 14 August) ** [[Image:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|24px|Red Ensign]] MV ''Clan Ferguson'' (''sunk'') ** [[Image:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|24px|Red Ensign]] MV ''Deucalion'' (''sunk'') ** [[Image:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|24px|Red Ensign]] MV ''Dorset'' (''sunk'') ** [[Image:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|24px|Red Ensign]] MV ''Empire Hope'' (''sunk'') ** [[Image:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|24px|Red Ensign]] [[MV Glenorchy|MV ''Glenorchy'']] (''sunk'') ** [[Image:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|24px|Red Ensign]] MV ''Melbourne Star'' (arrived 13 August) ** [[Image:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|24px|Red Ensign]] [[SS Ohio|SS ''Ohio'']] (fuel tanker, ''damaged beyond repair'', arrived 15 August) ** [[Image:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|24px|Red Ensign]] MV ''Port Chalmers'' (arrived 13 August) ** [[Image:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|24px|Red Ensign]] MV ''Rochester Castle'' (''damaged'', arrived 13 August) ** {{flagicon|United States|1912}} SS ''Santa Elisa'' (freighter, drums of fuel, ''sunk'') ** [[Image:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|24px|Red Ensign]] SS ''Waimarama'' (freighter, drums of fuel, ''sunk'') ** [[Image:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|24px|Red Ensign]] MV ''Wairangi'' (freighter, ammo and drums of fuel,''sunk'') ===Axis=== *'''Cruisers''': **[[Italian cruiser Gorizia|''Gorizia'']] (''severely damaged'') **[[Italian cruiser Bolzano|''Bolzano'']] **[[Italian cruiser Muzio Attendolo|''Muzio Attendolo'']] (''severely damaged'') **[[Italian cruiser Trieste|''Trieste'']] **[[Italian cruiser Eugenio di Savoia|''Eugenio di Savoia'']] **[[Italian cruiser Raimondo Montecuccoli|''Raimondo Montecuccoli'']] *'''Submarines''': **''[[Italian submarine Alagi|Alagi]]'' **''Avorio'' **''Axum'' **''Brin'' **''Bronzo'' **''Cobalto'' (''sunk'') **''Dagabur'' (''sunk'') **''Dandolo'' **''Emo'' **''Giada'' (''damaged'') **''U-73'' ==Notes== <!--This article uses the Cite.php citation mechanism. If you would like more information on how to add references to this article, please see http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cite/Cite.php --> <div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> <references /> </div> ==References== <div class="references-small"> * {{cite book | last = Bradford | first = Ernle | title = Siege: Malta 1940-1943| publisher = Pen and Sword| date = 2003 | location = England | id = ISBN 0-850-529-301 }} * {{cite book | last = Hogan | first = George | title = Malta: The Triumphant Years, 1940-1943| publisher = Hale| date = 1978 | location = England | id = ISBN 0-709-171-153 }} * {{cite book | last = Holland | first = James | title = Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege, 1940-1943 | publisher = Cassell Military| date = 2004 | location = England | id = ISBN 0-304-366-544}} * {{cite book | last = Jellison | first = Charles A. | title = Besieged: The World War II Ordeal of Malta, 1940-1942| publisher = University of New Hampshire Press| date = 1985 | location = USA | id = ISBN 1-584-652-373 }} * {{cite book | last = McAulay | first = Lex | title = Against All Odds: RAAF Pilots in the Battle for Malta, 1942| publisher = Hutchinson| date = 1989 | location = London | id = ISBN 0-091-695-708 }} * {{cite book | last = Moses | first = Sam | title = At All Costs: How a Crippled Ship and Two American Merchant Marines Turned the Tide of World War II | publisher = Random House| date = 2006 | location = New York | id = ISBN 0-345-476-743 }} * {{cite book | last = Pearson | first = Michael | title = The Ohio and Malta: The legendary tanker that refused to die | publisher = Pen and Sword Books| date = 2004 | location = England | id = ISBN 1-844-150-313 }} * {{cite book | last = Shankland and Hunter | first = | title = Malta Convoy | publisher = John Murray Publishers| date = 1983 | location = London | id = ISBN 0-006-329-640}} * {{cite book | last = Smith | first = Peter C. | title = The Battles of the Malta Striking Forces | publisher = Allan| date = 1974 | location = London | id = ISBN 0-711-005-281 }} * {{cite book | last = Smith | first = Peter C. | title = Pedestal: The Convoy That Saved Malta | publisher = Crecy Publishing Ltd| date = 1998 | location = England | id = ISBN 0-947-554-777 }} * {{cite book | last = Spooner | first = Tony | title = Supreme Gallantry : Malta's Role in the Allied Victory, 1939-1945 | publisher = Cassell Military| date = 1996 | location = London | id = ISBN 0-719-557-062}} * {{cite book | last = Thomas | first = David A. | title = Malta Convoys | publisher = Pen and Sword Books| date = 2000| location = England | id = ISBN 0-850-526-639 }} * {{cite book | last = Wade | first = Frank | title = A Midshipman's War: A Young Man in the Mediterranean Naval War, 1941-1943 | publisher = Trafford Publishing| date = 2006 | location = England | id = ISBN 1-412-070-694 }} </div> ==External links== * [http://www.geocities.com/mike_buhagiar/war/war.html Website about the proceedings of Operation Pedestal] * [http://www.usmm.org/malta.html Operation Pedestal and SS Ohio save Malta] * Times of Malta [http://www.usmm.org/maltatimes.html Sta Marija Convoy Surviving Crewmen for Malta Reunion] by Fiona Galea Debono, July 15, 2002. * Times of Malta [http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=233804 Survivor from Sta Marija Convoy tells his experience] by Fiona Galea Debono, August 13, 2006 * [http://digilander.libero.it/planciacomando/WW2/mezzoagosto1.htm Battaglia di Mezzo Agosto] - Plancia di Commando [[Category:Battle of the Mediterranean|Pedestal]] [[Category:History of Malta]] [[Category:Malta Convoys]] [[Category:Naval battles involving Italy]] [[Category:Naval battles involving the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Conflicts in 1942]] [[Category:1942 in Malta]] [[Category:Naval battles and operations of World War II (European theatre)]] [[cs:Operace Pedestal]] [[de:Operation Pedestal]] [[fr:Opération Pedestal]] [[it:Battaglia di mezzo agosto]] [[ja:ペデスタル作戦]]