Malta Convoy : MV City of Edinburgh

Diary of Signalman Lewis Hale
MV City of Edinburgh, Convoy MW11
Friday June 12 1942
'Turned in at 0130 while lying in Haifa Harbour. Was awoken at 0600 with a cup of tea. After a slap up meal met Mr Porthwick and everyone up on deck. Left Haifa with Mulligan as pilot at 0835, still ignorant as to our destination.
Earl had afternoon and I had first dog, during which time I learnt that we're bound for Malta - well!!!
Came below and spoke to Flying Officer. Our Lieutenant tested out diving and firefighting gear on me. Turned in 2200.
Day ends.'

This was the beginning of Operation Vigorous, an attempt to re-supply Malta. In conjunction, another convoy, under the codename Operation Harpoon, was to attempt the same from Gibraltar.
More to follow

 

Diary of Signalman Lewis Hale
MV City of Edinburgh, Convoy MW11, Haifa to Malta
Saturday June 13 1942
'Up at 0001 and on watch for middle, fairly quiet. Up again at 0800 for grub and then cleaned up our messdeck. Second part of convoy joined us at 1200 and straight away screen attacked a U-Boat. Later Coventry, Centurion, Erica, Delphinium and Primula came with us.
Another good meal, then I had the afternoon - young Ernie helped out. Another sub attacked at 1639. Just after sunset as I am going on watch a German Recce plane dropped flares and two patterns of small bombs. Then we had to let go of our MTB's* for weather. Those dirty swine bombers nearly got us sunk with their lights.
Day ends.'

 

Diary of Signalman Lewis Hale
MV City of Edinburgh, Convoy MW11, Haifa to Malta
Sunday June 14 1942
'In the early hours, flares are coming down but no bombs. During the forenoon screen attacked and sank a U-boat, otherwise nothing doing.
Had dinner and was just getting my head down when a plane dived on us and put seven bombs right along our port side. After this, the worst raid yet followed with over 100 aircraft, both JU88's and Stukas which attacked in force...the sky was filled. One salvo hit the ammo ship, Bhutan, and poor girl she was gone.
When Bhutan went, two ships were taking on survivors when a JU88 swept down to machine gun. I was near the twin Lewis so, along with the other ships we opened up and hit him. He crashed quite close to us, but he had been shooting our helpless chaps in the water so he got what was coming to him.
Had supper during yet another Stuka parade and nearly swallowed my blooming plate. Thirty or more dived on us but by some miracle none of them hit us. More flares at 2200 but otherwise quiet.
Day ends.'

 

Diary of Signalman Lewis Hale
MV City of Edinburgh, Convoy MW11, Haifa to Malta
Tuesday June 16 1942
'During the middle we saw flares all night, but too tired to worry. At 0800 we were at stations but what's this? They are Hurricanes! We learn that we are heading into Alex after all. Just before we reached safety our screen attacked two more U-Boats.
On arrival at Alex an enemy plane flew over but the AA defences gave him what for with their guns. We then learned that the Western Fleet* had reached Malta, and on the way sank one cruiser, one destroyer and a battleship.
We dropped anchor after a truly wicked assault - but one thing remained predominant. The Navy gave them hell and our spirits were always high.
Went to bed for the first time in days and slept heavily.
Day ends.'

Vigorous had proved a total disaster, but it was later revealed that Italian intelligence had advanced knowledge of the operation. They knew where the ships would be and when