Mediterranean Convoy - Clan Campbell

The Following is an extract from my Dad's 1942 diary.

Diary of Signalman Lewis Hale
SS Clan Campbell, Convoy MW9A , Alexandria to Malta
Friday, February 13, 1942.

'Blimey, look at this date. I wonder if anything...
Up on deck at 0600 with my oppo Bucknell. Received instructions for emergency turn practice. 0800 began practice but at 0935 - steady George, here they come. A bomb has just been dropped by a JU88 just astern of old Hank*. 10.00 - two more have been, and gone. Afternoon quiet.*
1720...we were sailing along at a steady 16 knots when suddenly a dirty great hun JU88 fell from the sky and dropped a packet on us, one direct hit and three near misses. Three seriously injured, and my head in a flat spin. As they hit us I was directly above 8000 gallons of Aerospirit and a stack of TNT. By an act of God we are not sunk, even though a huge section of our port side is blown away.
Carlisle signalled us to head for our prefecture, so at 1900 we proceed to Tobruk with two destroyers and enter harbour at 2025 and anchored. Remained on bridge all night...couldn't sleep anyway.
Day ends.'

* Hank was Dad's buddy aboard SS Clan Chattan

 

SS Clan Campbell (1937)

Some of my Grandfathers pics

https://bandcstaffregister.com/page4375.html

 

Admiralty War Diary

 

Certainly will

 

Interesting stuff. As I understand it, Captain S. 10 means the captain commanding the 10th Submarine Flotilla.

Curious comment about the Japanese not being good night fighters; wonder where that came from? Would certainly not turn out to be true.

 

I think rather than their willingness to fight, it may be suggesting that they are not used to night time ops. Just spitballing, cannot say for sure