Convoy HG 84 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Convoy HG 84
Part of World War II
Date 14–17 June 1942 Location eastern Atlantic Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
Germany	United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Admiral Karl Dönitz	Commodore:Capt. Hubert Hudson SO Escort: Cdr. Frederic John Walker
Strength
9 U-boats	23 Ships 7 Escorts
Casualties and losses
3 U-boats damaged	5 Ships sunk

Convoy HG 84 was a group of Allied ships traveling together during World War II. They were sailing home from Gibraltar to the United Kingdom. This journey was part of a series of convoys known as the HG (Homeward from Gibraltar) route. The convoy faced a fierce attack from German U-boats in June 1942.

Why This Battle Happened

After a tough fight against convoy HG 76, the German U-boat command, called Befehlshaber der U-Boote (BdU), stopped attacking ships on the Gibraltar route for a while. They focused their efforts on attacking American ships instead. For six months, the Gibraltar route was quiet. Many convoys sailed without any problems.

In June 1942, the German U-boat command decided to attack the Gibraltar convoys again. They thought it would be a surprise for the Allies.

Who Was Involved

The Allied Convoy

Convoy HG 84 had 20 ships sailing from Gibraltar. Many of these ships were empty or carrying trade goods. The leader of the convoy was Captain Hubert Hudson. He had been a navigator on a famous trip to Antarctica. His ship was named Pelayo.

The convoy was protected by a small group of escort ships. This was the 36th Escort Group. It included the sloop HMS Stork and three smaller ships called corvettes: HMS Convolvulus, HMS Gardenia, and HMS Marigold. Their commander was F.J. Walker. The convoy also had a special ship called SS Empire Moon, which could launch a plane. Another ship, Copeland, was there to rescue sailors.

The German U-boats

The German side had a group of nine U-boats. They were part of a "wolfpack" called Endrass. This name came from a famous U-boat commander, Engelbert Endrass. The U-boats were:

• U-71
• U-84
• U-89
• U-132
• U-134
• U-437
• U-552
• U-571
• U-575

The Battle Begins

Convoy HG 84 left Gibraltar on June 9, 1942. The Germans did not know it had sailed. On June 11, three more ships joined the convoy from Lisbon. However, German planes, called Fw 200 Condors, had been watching these ships. These planes kept track of the convoy as the U-boats moved in.

On June 14, U-552, commanded by Erich Topp, found the convoy. By that evening, three more U-boats joined: U-89, U-132, and U-437.

Fighting the U-boats

The escort ships were able to find the U-boats using a special radio device called HF/DF. They bravely attacked the U-boats as they tried to get close to the convoy.

• Stork and Gardenia attacked U-132. They damaged it badly, forcing it to leave the battle.
• Marigold and Convolvulus attacked U-89 and U-437 for over a day.

However, U-552 managed to get past the escorts. It attacked twice.

• Just after midnight on June 14-15, U-552 hit three ships: Etrib, Pelayo, and Slemdal. All three ships sank. Commodore Hudson, the convoy leader on Pelayo, was among those lost.
• Four hours later, U-552 attacked again. It sank two more ships: City of Oxford and Thurso.

More U-boats Arrive

On June 15, five more U-boats arrived. But Commander Walker's ships kept up their strong defense. They attacked every U-boat that tried to get near. During this time, U-552 and U-71 were damaged and had to leave the fight. U-575 fired torpedoes, but they missed the convoy.

On June 16, three more Allied warships joined the convoy. These were the destroyer HMS Wild Swan and the frigates HMS Rother and HMS Spey. The convoy also came within range of Allied aircraft from Coastal Command. These planes helped to keep the U-boats away.

Air Attacks

The convoy also came within range of German aircraft. German Ju 88 dive-bombers attacked the convoy. During this attack, Wild Swan was bombed while checking on some Spanish fishing boats. Wild Swan and four of the Spanish trawlers were sunk.

On June 17, more Allied planes arrived. The German U-boat command decided to call off the attack. Convoy HG 84 reached Liverpool on June 20 without losing any more ships.

What Happened Next

The U-boats had some success, but it was not the big victory the German command had hoped for.

• Three of the nine U-boats were badly damaged.
• U-71 and U-552 had to go back to their base.
• U-132 was able to fix itself at sea and continue its mission.

Convoy HG 84 lost five ships, but 17 ships arrived safely. Commander Walker was praised for how well he defended the convoy. He stopped the Germans from causing even more damage, even though the U-boats greatly outnumbered his escorts.

Ships Lost