| AdminHistory | The attack began at 18.47 on 19 March 1943 as 12 planes began to bomb H.M. and Merchant ships in Tripoli Harbour. The H.M.S. Derwent was torpedoed by a German Junker Ju 88 bomber and lost four crew members. A number of enemy planes were shot down during the attack.
One of the German planes crashed in close proximity to the S.S. Ocean Voyager. The Ocean Voyager, a British cargo ship, which was carrying a cargo of petrol and ammunition, was set alight and eventually exploded. The debris of this explosion caused considerable damage to the other ships in Tripoli harbour, which is discussed within the collection.
Following the initial attack, efforts were made by the navy officers and by laymen present in the harbour to extract survivors from the burning ships. A number of individuals involved in this effort were later decorated for their actions, including Captain George Stronach, Chief Officer of the Ocean Voyager.
The collection features multiple reports, narratives and correspondence detailing the events of the attack and actions undertaken in the immediate aftermath. The documents also detail the names of ships in the harbour during the attack along with casualties and fatalities. Communications sent to the Naval Officer in Command at Tripoli from ships during the air raid are also present, including the H.M.S. Aphis, Derwent, Easton, Gamtoos, Gloxinia, and Hektor. |