Convoy HX 79

Convoy HX 79 was a crucial North Atlantic convoy during the early stages of the Second World War. It became infamous for a devastating attack by a U-boat wolfpack in October 1940, which resulted in heavy losses. The battle highlighted the severe inadequacies of early Allied anti-submarine tactics and escorts. This event directly influenced major changes in Royal Navy strategy and the development of more effective convoy protection.

Background

Following the outbreak of World War II, the Battle of the Atlantic became a critical struggle for control of Allied sea lanes. The British Admiralty reinstated the convoy system, organizing merchant ships from Halifax and Sydney into groups like the HX series bound for Liverpool and the River Clyde. Initially, Karl Dönitz, commander of the Kriegsmarine's U-boat arm, lacked sufficient submarines for his wolfpack tactics. However, after the Fall of France provided bases on the Bay of Biscay, the Battle of Britain shifted focus, allowing Dönitz to concentrate his growing U-boat fleet against weakly defended convoys in the North Atlantic.

Convoy HX 79

The convoy departed from Halifax on 8 October 1940, comprising 49 merchant vessels carrying vital cargo including aviation fuel, munitions, and foodstuffs. Its initial escort was minimal, typical for mid-ocean convoys at the time. The main escort force, assembled from various commands, was scheduled to meet the convoy as it approached the Western Approaches. This force included the destroyer HMS ''Whitehall'', the sloop HMS ''Heartsease'', the corvettes HMS ''Bluebell'' and HMS ''Heliotrope'', and several armed trawlers like HMS ''Lady Elsa''. The ad-hoc nature and inexperience of this group would prove disastrous.

Voyage and Battle

On the night of 19 October, the convoy was located by U-47, commanded by Günther Prien, near Rockall. Prien shadowed the formation and summoned other U-boats, including U-46 (Engelbert Endrass), U-48 (Heinrich Bleichrodt), U-100 (Joachim Schepke), and U-38 (Heinrich Liebe). In a coordinated night surface attack, the wolfpack penetrated the scattered escort screen. Using the darkness and confusion, the U-boats fired torpedoes with impunity, sinking multiple ships in quick succession. The escorts, lacking radar and effective communication, conducted individual, uncoordinated counter-attacks with depth charges, failing to disrupt the assault. By dawn on 20 October, twelve merchant ships, including the tankers MV ''Sitala'' and MV ''Caprella'', had been sunk.

Aftermath

The losses from the attack, following closely on the heels of the assault on Convoy SC 7, constituted a major shock to the Admiralty. The disaster starkly exposed the failure of existing anti-submarine methods and the critical need for trained, integrated escort groups. In response, the Royal Navy accelerated the formation of permanent escort groups and invested heavily in new technologies like centimetric radar and the Hedgehog mortar. Tactical doctrine was revolutionized, emphasizing centralized control and continuous training, lessons that would prove vital during the climactic convoy battles of 1943. The battle is considered a pivotal moment in the evolution of Allied naval warfare.

Ships Involved

**Merchant Ships Sunk:** SS ''Blairangus'', SS ''Carsbreck'', SS ''Creekirk'', MV ''Dalia'', MV ''Empire Miniver'', MV ''Gunborg'', MV ''Loch Lomond'', MV ''Matheran'', MV ''Sitala'', MV ''Caprella'', MV ''Whitford Point'', SS ''Wandby''. **Escort Vessels:** HMS ''Whitehall'' (damaged), HMS ''Heartsease'', HMS ''Bluebell'', HMS ''Heliotrope'', HMS ''Arab'', HMS ''Lady Elsa'', HMS ''St. Apollo''. **Attacking U-boats:** U-38, U-46, U-47, U-48, U-100.

Category:Naval battles of World War II involving the United Kingdom Category:Naval battles of World War II involving Germany Category:Convoys of World War II Category:1940 in the United Kingdom Category:1940 in Canada