World War II: The cargo ship ran aground at Ras Ahmer, west of Cape Bon, Tunisia, and was later abandoned. The whole crew survived.[1][2]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Zebib, Tunisia, by (United Kingdom Navy) and had to be run aground. She was later abandoned.[3][4]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Zebib, Tunisia, by (United Kingdom Navy). Only 26 of the 70 men aboard were saved.[3][4]
Germany Navy
World War II: The transport ship struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea.[5]
The motor torpedo boat was heavily damaged in a collision off Benghazi, Libya, with (United Kingdom Navy). One crew member was lost. She reached Benghazi two days later but was not repaired.[7][9][10]
Soviet Union
World War II: The cargo ship was wrecked on the north west coast of the United States.[11]
United States Navy
The yard patrol craft was sunk by an explosion in the Gulf of Mexico.[12]
2 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 2 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: : The passenger ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 90 nautical miles (170 km) south west of Luderitz Bay, South-West Africa (27°56′S15°21′E / 27.933°S 15.350°E / -27.933; 15.350) by U-509 (Germany Navy) with the loss of eight of the 338 people on board. Survivors abandoned ship and were rescued by (United Kingdom Navy). City of Baroda came ashore two days later and broke up on 26 April. She was declared a total loss.[13]
World War II: : The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 230 nautical miles (430 km) west of Oporto, Portugal by U-124 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 82 of her 90 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom) and (Canada).[16]
India Navy
World War II: The auxiliary patrol vessel was wrecked between Madras, India and Trincomallee, Ceylon while towing six barges.[17]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 320 nautical miles (590 km) west of Oporto by U-124 (Germany Navy) with the loss of six of her 64 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom) and HMS La Malouine (United Kingdom Navy).[18]
World War II: : The trawler straggled behind the convoy due to engine trouble. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (36°01′N2°29′W / 36.017°N 2.483°W / 36.017; -2.483) by U-755 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 53 of her 54 crew.[23]
Japan
World War II: The Toyo Maru-class cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean 5 miles west of Poluwat Island, Caroline Islands (07°22′N149°18′E / 7.367°N 149.300°E / 7.367; 149.300) by USS Tunny (United States Navy). Fifty-one passengers and crew were killed; there was one survivor.[24][25]
U-124
Germany Navy
World War II: The Type IXB submarine was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Oporto, Portugal by HMS Black Swan and HMS Stonecrop (both United Kingdom Navy) with the loss of all 53 crew.
World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) southeast of Marathon Key, Florida (at 24°26′N80°18′W / 24.433°N 80.300°W / 24.433; -80.300), by U-155 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 43 of her 61 crew. Survivors discovered by a United States Navy blimp were rescued by a United States Coast Guard aircraft with the assistance of USS Noa (United States Navy). 70 years later in 2013, she again became a target, this time of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Remediation of Underwater Legacy Environmental Threats (RULET) project, which hunts down potential sources of oil pollution from sunken vessels.[30][31][32]
'Volharding'
Netherlands
World War II: The fishing vessel departed Ijmuiden for a fishing trip in the North Sea and vanished with her four crew."Volharding". www.scheveningen-haven.nl. Retrieved 26 February 2021.</ref>
Italy Navy
World War II: The auxiliary patrol vessel was shelled and sunk off the Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia by HMS Safari (United Kingdom Navy).[33]
S. Francisco di Paola A.
Italy
World War II: The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk off the Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia by HMS Safari (United Kingdom Navy).[33]
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk off Stavanger, Norway by aircraft of Coastal Command.[3][40]
Norway
World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Skagen, Denmark with the loss of a crew member.[41]
Italy Navy
World War II: The hospital ship was sunk by an American air raid against Naples, Tunisia.[6]
Uragio Maru
Japan
U.S. aircraft sank the 3,110-ton cargo ship in Kiska Harbor on Kiska Island in the Aleutian Islands. Uragio Maru had not been seaworthy since she suffered damage in an U.S. air attack on Kiska on 31 December 1942 and in a violent storm that struck Kiska on 4 January 1943.[42]
Germany Navy
The Vorpostenboot collided with (Germany Navy) and sank in the North Sea off Borkum.[3]
5 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 5 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean 420 nautical miles (780 km) south east of Durban, South Africa (32°37′S37°50′E / 32.617°S 37.833°E / -32.617; 37.833) by U-182 (Germany Navy). All 47 crew survived. The captain was taken on board U-182 as a prisoner of war. The rest of the crew were rescued by (United States).[43]
World War II: Convoy HX 231: The cargo ship romped ahead of the convoy. She was shelled in the Atlantic Ocean by U-229 (Germany Navy) and returned fire. The next day, she was torpedoed and sunk (57°45′N27°30′W / 57.750°N 27.500°W / 57.750; -27.500) by U-632 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 26 of her 80 crew.[44]
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by Katsonis (Greece Navy).[3]
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 231: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean south east of Cape Farewell, Greenland by U-635 (Germany Navy). She was the torpedoed and sunk (57°10′N35°30′W / 57.167°N 35.500°W / 57.167; -35.500) by U-630 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 71 of her 78 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom).[46]
Soviet Navy
The tug was sunk by a mine off Cape Myskhako in the Black Sea. There were 8 killed and 13 survivors.[47][48]
Soviet Navy
The MO-4-classpatrol vessel was sunk by a mine off Cape Myskhako in the Black Sea.[49][47]
World War II: The Type IXC/40 submarine was depth charged and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean off the Canary Islands, Spain (approximately 27°47′N15°00′W / 27.783°N 15.000°W / 27.783; -15.000) by a Lockheed Hudson aircraft of 233 Squadron, Royal Air Force. She was scuttled the next day. All 52 crew survived.[51]
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south east of Iceland (58°20′N31°52′W / 58.333°N 31.867°W / 58.333; -31.867) by a Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft of 120 Squadron, Royal Air Force with the loss of all 47 crew.[52]
Sweden
World War II: Convoy HX 231: The cargo ship romped ahead of the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 58°N34°W / 58°N 34°W / 58; -34) by U-229 (Germany Navy) with the loss of all 38 crew.[53]
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy HX 231: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean by U-635 (Germany Navy). She was then torpedoed and damaged further by U-630 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 19 of the 132 people aboard. Survivors were rescued by (United States) and HMS Loosestrife (United Kingdom Navy), which scuttled the ship.[54]
6 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 6 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
Italy Navy
World War II: The naval trawler was sunk at Trapani, Sicily by Allied aircraft.[55]
United States
World War II: : The Liberty ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Caribbean Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) off Great Inagua Island, Cuba (20°17′N73°32′W / 20.283°N 73.533°W / 20.283; -73.533) by U-185 (Germany Navy). All 57 crew were rescued by USS Bennett (United States Navy).[56][57]
World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper struck a mine and sank in the Bay of Biscay off Le Verdon-sur-Mer, Gironde, France.[3]
Italy Navy
World War II: The MAS 526-class torpedo boat was sunk at Trapani by Allied aircraft.[59]
Italy Navy
World War II: The MAS 552-class torpedo boat was sunk at Trapani by Allied aircraft.[60]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk off Cape Zebib, Tunisia, by United States Army Air ForceBoeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft. 45 crew members and 60 passengers were killed. There were 12 or 26 survivors, but one died of wounds.[3][61][62][63]
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk off Cape Zebib, Tunisia by United States Army Air Force Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft. All 125 men aboard were saved.[3][61][62]
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Trapani by Allied aircraft.[64]
World War II: The replenishment oiler was bombed and damaged in Tulagi Harbour, Solomon Islands by Japanese aircraft and was beached. She sank the next day with a loss of 19 crew.[69]
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Tunisia by HMS Unshaken (United Kingdom Navy).[3]
Soviet Navy
World War II: The MO-4-classpatrol vessel was lost on this date.[49]
Soviet Navy
World War II: The MO-4-classpatrol vessel was lost on this date.[49]
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk off Rabaul, New Guinea by Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft of the United States Army Air Force.[3]
U-733
Germany Navy
The Type VIICsubmarine collided with a Kriegsmarine patrol boat and sank at Gotenhafen. There were no casualties. She was raised on the 16th, repaired and returned to service in December 1943.[3][77]
World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper was torpedoed and sunk off Cape Carbonara, Sardinia by HMS Safari (United Kingdom Navy).[3][33]
Isonami
World War II: The Fubuki-classdestroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the Banda Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) south east of Wangi-wangi Island, Netherlands East Indies (5°26′S123°04′E / 5.433°S 123.067°E / -5.433; 123.067) by USS Tautog (United States Navy) with the loss of seven of her 219 crew.
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Isla Verde Passage by USS Grayling (United States Navy).[82]
10 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 10 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship ran aground at Torre Finocchio, Sardinia while avoiding torpedoes fired HMS Safari (United Kingdom Navy). The same submarine destroyed the wreck with torpedoes the next day. The whole crew was saved.[3][33]
Germany
World War II: The blockade runner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (43°18′N14°26′W / 43.300°N 14.433°W / 43.300; -14.433) by HMS Adventure (United Kingdom Navy). The entire ship's company, including more than 100 personnel of the Kriegsmarine, were rescued by Adventure.[83]
Italy Navy
World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea east of Cagliari by HMS Safari (United Kingdom Navy) with the loss of 9 lives.[3][6][33]
Italy Navy
World War II: The auxiliary cruiser was torpedoed and sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea east of Cagliari by HMS Safari (United Kingdom Navy) with the loss of 15 lives.[3][6][33]
and
Italy Navy
World War II: The MAS motor torpedo boats were bombed and sunk at La Maddelena, Sardinia by Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft of the United States Twelfth Air Force.[3][12]
Trieste
Italy Navy
World War II: The Trento-classcruiser was bombed and sunk at La Maddelena, Sardinia by Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft of the United States Twelfth Air Force. 77 crewmen and 2 civilians were killed. She was raised post-war and sold to Spain in 1951 for a proposed conversion to an aircraft carrier. This was not proceeded with and she was subsequently scrapped.[3][84]
11 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 11 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
Sweden
World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Schiermonnikoog, Friesland, Netherlands. One man was killed.[3][85][86][circular reference]
World War II: : The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (51°29′N42°59′W / 51.483°N 42.983°W / 51.483; -42.983) by U-613 (Germany Navy) with the loss of eight of her 36 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMCS Camrose and HMCS St. Croix (both Canada Navy).[93]
United States
World War II: : The Liberty ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 475 nautical miles (880 km) west of the Canary Islands, Spain (28°46′N25°40′W / 28.767°N 25.667°W / 28.767; -25.667) by U-195 (Germany Navy) with the loss of two of her 67 crew. Survivors were rescued by , , Juan (all Spain) and Albufeira (Portugal) rescued eighteen survivors on 16 May. The remainder of her crew reached land in their lifeboat.[94][95]
Italy Navy
World War II: The MS 11-class MS boat was sunk at Trapani by Allied aircraft.[96]
United States
World War II: : The Liberty ship, on her maiden voyage struck two mines in the Mediterranean Sea off Casablanca, Morocco (33°55′N7°52′W / 33.917°N 7.867°W / 33.917; -7.867) and was damaged. She was abandoned by her 64 passengers and crew, who were rescued by and (both United States Navy). She was later reboarded by seven of her crew and taken to Casablanca for temporary repairs. Later scuttled as a blockship at Utah Beach, France.[97]
Italy Navy
World War II: The RD-class minesweeper was sunk at Trapani by Allied aircraft. Raised, repaired, and returned to service post war.[98]
Yugoslavia
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean east of Australia by I-26 ().[3]
World War II: : The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean south east of Cape Farewell, Greenland by U-563 (Germany Navy). She then straggled behind the convoy and was later torpedoed and sunk (54°15′N30°00′W / 54.250°N 30.000°W / 54.250; -30.000) by U-706 (Germany Navy). All 45 crew were rescued by HMS Azalea (United Kingdom Navy).[100]
Froy
Norway
World War II: The fishing vessel was sunk off Harstad by grenades launche by the crew of K-21 (Soviet Navy). One crew was killed and another died of wounds. The submarine attacked others fishing vessels in the area, sinking none but killing 8 of their crew and capturing 10, of which 3 died in captivity.[101][circular reference]
world War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by HMS Unruly (United Kingdom Navy). The whole crew was saved.[3][104]
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in Hansa Bay, New Guinea (03°18′N143°38′E / 3.300°N 143.633°E / 3.300; 143.633) by United States Fifth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators. 38 crewman and 5 gunners killed.[105]
World War II: : The Hunt-classdestroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel off Lizard Head, Cornwall by and (both Germany Navy). 25 crewmen killed.[107]
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship was scuttled in the Indian Ocean when intercepted by Georges Leygues (France Navy).[3]
Portugal
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea east of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy by HMS Taurus (United Kingdom Navy).[3]
14 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 14 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
France
World War II: The buoy tender was strafed and sunk off Brest, France by Westland Whirlwind fighter-bombers of 263 Squadron, Royal Air Force with the loss of 3 of her 14 crew.[108][109]
Norway
World War II: The icebreaking tug struck a mine and sank in Varangerfjord, Norway, (69°55′N30°00′E / 69.917°N 30.000°E / 69.917; 30.000) with the loss of nine Norwegian crew. Another source says all 11 aboard were killed, possibly including 2 German.[110][111]
Vichy France
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Nice by HMS Ultor (United Kingdom Navy). 23 of the 38 men aboard were killed.[3][112]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel off The Lizard, Cornwall by , and (all Germany Navy).[3]
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in Milne Bay by Japanese aircraft with the loss of four lives.[3][114]
15 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 15 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom Navy
World War II: The naval trawler was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Lowestoft, Suffolk, United Kingdom by an E-boat (Germany Navy) with the loss of 20 of her 31 crew.[115]
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) north east of Borkum, Germany, by Bristol Beaufighter aircraft of the Royal Air Force with the loss of two crew.[3][116]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship caught fire in the Mediterranean Sea off Alexandria, Egypt. She was beached on 27 April, but declared a total loss.[14]
Imperial Japanese Army
World War II: The Daifuku Maru No. 1-class transport was bombed and sunk near Kairiru Island (03°12′N143°43′E / 3.200°N 143.717°E / 3.200; 143.717) by Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft of the United States Fifth Air Force. Three gunners and seven crew were killed.[117]
The minesweeper ran aground at , Norway and was wrecked.[3]
Germany Navy
World War II: The net tender was sunk by a mine in the Baltic Sea.[120]
Soviet Union
World War II: The defecting motorboat was shelled and sunk by and (both Soviet Navy).[121]
Germany
World War II: The tugboat struck a mine and sank off Wrangel Island.[122]
United States Navy
The yard patrol craft ran aground and sank on the Bahama Bank.[12]
16 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 16 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
Cigno
Italy Navy
World War II: Battle of the Cigno Convoy: The Spica-classtorpedo boat was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south-east of Marettimo Island by HMS Pakenham and HMS Paladin (both United Kingdom Navy). 103 crew were killed.[123]
Giacomo Medici
Italy Navy
World War II: The La Masa-class destroyer was sunk at Catania by American aircraft. The whole crew survived.[124][125]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship caught fire at Malta and was scuttled. She was raised in 1945, towed out to sea and sunk.[126]
World War II: Battle of the Cigno Convoy: The P-classdestroyer was shelled and crippled in the Mediterranean Sea off Marettimo, Italy by Cassiopea and Cigno (both Italy Navy). She was scuttled by HMS Paladin (United Kingdom Navy). Ten crew were lost.[107]
World War II: The submarine struck a mine and sank in the Skagerrak west of Marstrand with the loss of all 33 crew.
World War II: The cargo ship was sunk in an Allied air raid on Palermo, Sicily, Italy. She was refloated on 22 October 1946 but ran aground whilst under tow and was declared a total loss.[1]
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Zembretta by and (United Kingdom Navy). There was no casualty.[131][132]
Japan
World War II: The transport was damaged, probably by a mine, in the East China Sea and was abandoned. She eventually drifts ashore on Formosa and is later scrapped.[133]
World War II: The Type IXC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (47°53′N22°04′W / 47.883°N 22.067°W / 47.883; -22.067) by USCGC Spencer (United States Navy) with the loss of 13 of her 54 crew. The survivors were rescued by USCGC Spencer and USCGC Duane (both United States Navy) and made prisoners of war.
18 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 18 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
Germany Navy
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Bay of Biscay west of Lorient, Morbihan, France by aircraft of Coastal Command, Royal Air Force. She sank on 21 April at Corcubión, Spain.[135]
United Kingdom
World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean 500 nautical miles (930 km) east south east of Port Elizabeth, South Africa (34°56′S34°03′E / 34.933°S 34.050°E / -34.933; 34.050) by U-180 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 50 of her 60 crew. Survivors were rescued by a South African Air Force rescue boat.[136]
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Den Helder, Netherlands by Bristol Beaufighter aircraft of the Royal Air Force with the loss of two of her crew.[3][138]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Porto Torres, Sardinia by Royal Air Force aircraft. She was later refloated.[139]
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean south of Mauritius by Leonardo da Vinci (Italy Navy).[3]
World War II: The ammunition transport was torpedoed and sunk 200 nautical miles (370 km) north north west of Mussau Island, Bismarck Archipelago (01°55′N148°24′E / 1.917°N 148.400°E / 1.917; 148.400) by USS Drum (United States Navy). 35 crewmen killed. Survivors rescued by CH-18 ().[140]
World War II: The Rainbow-classsubmarine struck a mine and sank in the Strait of Otranto with the loss of all 63 crew.[107]
Germany Navy
World War II: The submarine chaser was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north north west of , Sicily, (38°15′N13°13′E / 38.250°N 13.217°E / 38.250; 13.217) by HMS Unseen (United Kingdom Navy). Four crewmen killed. Survivors rescued by and (both Italy Navy).[3]
and
Soviet Union
World War II: The seiners were sunk in the Black Sea by German R boats and S boats.[142]
Germany Navy
World War II: The Vorpostenboot was torpedoed and sunk in the Seine Bay by and (both United Kingdom Navy).[3]
United States Navy
World War II: The unpowered covered lighter sank while under tow off Key West, Florida.[12]
World War II: The Soldati-class destroyer was sunk at La Spezia by British aircraft of the Bomber Command. 48 crewmen were killed.[143][144]
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean by USS Seawolf (United States Navy).[3]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by HMS Unrivalled (United Kingdom Navy).[3]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Elba by HMS Saracen (United Kingdom Navy).[3]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship which was carrying Allied prisoners was bombed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea by American aircraft. She was then torpedoed and sunk by HMS Unrivalled (United Kingdom Navy).[3]
World War II: The G-5-class motor torpedo boat was sunk by German aircraft in the Black Sea. There was one survivor.[147][148]
20 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 20 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
Panama
World War II: : The cargo ship foundered in the Atlantic Ocean in a storm. She had previously been in collision with (United States).[149]
United States
World War II: : The cargo ship collided with (United States) in the Atlantic Ocean and was abandoned by her 62 crew, who were rescued by (United States). Lena Luckenbach was boarded by a salvage party from HMS Bergamot (United Kingdom Navy) and beached at . She was later repaired and returned to service.[150]
World War II: : The Design 1013 cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) west of Oran, Algeria (35°59′N1°25′W / 35.983°N 1.417°W / 35.983; -1.417) by U-565 (Germany Navy). All 61 people on board were rescued by and (both United Kingdom Navy).[154]
France
World War II: : The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) north of the Habibas Islands, Algeria (35°59′N1°25′W / 35.983°N 1.417°W / 35.983; -1.417) by U-565 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 611 of the 1,131 people on board. Lifeboats from (United States) rescued many of the Senegalese soldiers on board.[155]
World War II: : The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north east of St. John's, Newfoundland (55°46′N45°14′W / 55.767°N 45.233°W / 55.767; -45.233) by U-415 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 16 of her 67 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom Navy).[157]
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank off eastern Jutland, Denmark.[158]
Flora Alberta
Canada
The fishing schooner collided with British steamer Fanad Head approximately 140 kilometres (76 nmi) southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The ship was sliced in half and subsequently sunk, with the loss of 21 of her 28 crew.[159]
USS Grenadier
United States Navy
World War II: The Tambor-classsubmarine was bombed and damaged in the Strait of Malacca off Penang, Malaya by Japanese aircraft. She was consequently scuttled by her crew the next day at 6°30′N97°40′E / 6.500°N 97.667°E / 6.500; 97.667. All 76 crew were taken as prisoners of war.
United States
World War II: The Liberty ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean (32°10′S34°50′E / 32.167°S 34.833°E / -32.167; 34.833) by Leonardo da Vinci (Italy Navy). Fourteen survivors were rescued on 27 April by HMS Relentless (United Kingdom Navy). Eight of 24 originally in a second lifeboat are rescued on 21 May. Six gunners and 21 crewmen die in the sinking or in the ordeal in the lifeboats.[56]
Germany Navy
World War II: The transport ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by HMS Laforey, HMS Loyal and HMS Lookout (all United Kingdom Navy).[3]
World War II: The S-class submarine was shelled and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea off Corsica, France by Hermes (Germany Navy) with the loss of 18 of her 45 crew. She was scuttled to prevent capture before the survivors were rescued and taken as prisoners of war.
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean south east of Cape Farewell, Greenland by U-415 (Germany Navy) with the loss of two of her 50 crew. Survivors were rescued by and HMS Poppy (both United Kingdom Navy). Wanstead was later torpedoed and sunk by U-413 (Germany Navy).[162]
World War II: The Type IXC/40 submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean east of Cape Farewell, Greenland by a B-24 bomber of 120 Squadron, Royal Air Force with the loss of all 54 crew.[167]
World War II: The Type IXC/40 submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south east of Cape Farewell (56°45′N36°25′W / 56.750°N 36.417°W / 56.750; -36.417) by HMS Hesperus (United Kingdom Navy) with the loss of all 55 crew.
USS YP-422
United States Navy
The yard patrol craft ran aground and sank on the Tumbo Reef, 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east of the North Bulari Passage, New Caledonia.[12]
24 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 24 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by American aircraft.[3]
El Estero
Panama
El Estero
After loading ammunition, the cargo ship caught fire at the New York Port of Embarkation's Caven Point Terminal off Jersey City, New Jersey.[168] To avoid a disastrous explosion, the ship was towed into an area of shallow water near Robbins Reef Light in Upper New York Bay, where the New York City Fire DepartmentfireboatsFire Fighter and John J. Harvey (both United States) deliberately sank her by pouring water into her holds.[169] She was later raised and towed out of the harbor for use as a naval gunnery target.
Italy Navy
World War II: The transport was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Capo di Milazzo, Sicily, Italy by HMS Sahib (United Kingdom Navy).[170][171]
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk 35 nautical miles (65 km) north east of Sandy Cape, Queensland, Australia (24°26′S153°44′E / 24.433°S 153.733°E / -24.433; 153.733) by I-26 (). Her master, nineteen crewmen, and a gunner were killed. Eleven survivors were rescued by (United States Navy).[174]
Soviet Navy
World War II: The MO-4-classpatrol vessel was lost on this date.[49]
Luftwaffe
World War II: The Siebel ferry was bombed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea between Marsala and Tunisia.[34][175]
HMS Sahib
United Kingdom Navy
World War II: The S-class submarine was depth charged and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea off Capo di Milazzo, Sicily, Italy by LuftwaffeJunkers Ju 88, then attacked by Climene, , and , (all Italy Navy). She was scuttled by her crew; all 48 were rescued and taken as prisoners of war, one died of wounds later.[170]
United States
World War II: The Type C2-S-B1 cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 370 nautical miles (690 km) north east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (30°42′N70°58′W / 30.700°N 70.967°W / 30.700; -70.967) by U-129 (Germany Navy). All 95 people on board were rescued by (Sweden).[176]
U-710
Germany Navy
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Iceland (61°25′N19°48′W / 61.417°N 19.800°W / 61.417; -19.800) by a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft of 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force with the loss of all 49 crew.[177]
25 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 25 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean by Leonardo da Vinci (Italy Navy).[178]
World War II: The cargo ship (7,092 GRT, 1941) struck a mine and was heavily damaged in the Atlantic Ocean off Casablanca, Morocco (at 33°52′N7°50′W / 33.867°N 7.833°W / 33.867; -7.833), with the loss of 46 of her 71 crew. Later she was towed to Gibraltar, but was declared a constructive total loss.[179]
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the White Sea off the Makkaur Lighthouse, Norway by Soviet aircraft. There were 11 dead and 40 survivors.[3][111][181]
Germany Navy
World War II: The minesweeper was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off Den Helder, the Netherlands.[182]
Soviet Navy
World War II: The MO-4-classpatrol vessel was lost on this date.[49]
United Kingdom
World War II: : The cargo ship straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 61°N15°W / 61°N 15°W / 61; -15) by U-385 (Germany Navy) with the loss of 28 of her 30 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom).[183]
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Farewell, Greenland (55°05′N42°25′W / 55.083°N 42.417°W / 55.083; -42.417) by Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 811 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, based on HMS Biter and by HMS Opportune and HMS Pathfinder (all United Kingdom Navy) with the loss of ten of her 48 crew.
Germany Navy
World War II: The minelayer struck mines and sank in the Baltic Sea.[185]
United States Navy
The yard patrol boat grounded and was wrecked in the Atlantic Ocean off Charleston, South Carolina.[186]
26 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 26 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
Germany Navy
World War II: The MFP-A landing craft was sunk on this date.[91]
Germany Navy
World War II: The MFP-C2 landing craft was sunk on this date.[91]
World War II: The minesweeper was sunk in the English Channel off St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands by British aircraft. She was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.[3]
Netherlands
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) east north east of , Algeria with the loss of ten of her 34 crew.[189]
Norway
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the North Sea off the Ryvingen Lighthouse, Norway, by Allied aircraft.[190]
Japan
World War II: The cargo liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean by USS Scorpion (United States Navy).[152]
World War II: The Type IXC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Newfoundland (43°35′N56°18′W / 43.583°N 56.300°W / 43.583; -56.300) by Lockheed Ventura aircraft of the United States Navy with the loss of all 53 crew.[191]
28 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 28 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
Italy
World War II: The blockade runner, on passage from Saint-Nazaire to Le Havre with a strong Kriegsmarine escort, was torpedoed, shelled and sunk by the Hunt-class destroyers and HMS Albrighton (both United Kingdom Navy) accompanied by a group of motor torpedo boats off Les Sept-Îles 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north east of the Brittany village of Trégastel, Côtes-d'Armor.[70]
World War II: The Spica-classtorpedo boat was sunk west of Sicily by HMS Unshaken (United Kingdom Navy). There were 53 dead and 91 survivors.[193][194]
United Kingdom Navy
World War II: The Fairmile D motor torpedo boat was shelled and sunk off Pantellaria by Sagittario (Italy Navy).[195]
Kamakura Maru
Japan
World War II: The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean by USS Gudgeon (United States Navy) with the loss of 2,035 of the 2,500 people on board.
Germany
World War II: Operation Mardonius: The cargo ship was sunk at Oslo, Norway, by saboteurs led by Max Manus.[196][197]
Italy Navy
World War II: The auxiliary minesweeper was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by , and (all United Kingdom Navy).[3]
World War II: Operation Mardonius: The cargo ship was sunk at Oslo, Norway due to sabotage by the Norwegian resistance movement. She was later raised, repaired and returned to service.[190]
29 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 29 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands by Bristol Beaufighter aircraft of the Royal Air Force.[3]
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Black Sea off Constanța, Romania.[3]
Germany
World War II: The tug struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Drogden, Norway.[3]
United States
World War II: Convoy ONS 5: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean (60°52′N34°20′W / 60.867°N 34.333°W / 60.867; -34.333) by U-258 (Germany Navy) with the loss of one of her 68 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom Navy). McKeesport was later torpedoed and sunk by U-258.
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Bay of Biscay north of Cape Finisterre, Spain (45°08′N9°33′W / 45.133°N 9.550°W / 45.133; -9.550) by a Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft of 224 Squadron, Royal Air Force with the loss of all 45 crew.[203]
Germany Navy
World War II: The Vorpostenboot was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Terschelling by Bristol Beaufighter aircraft of the Royal Air Force.[3]
Germany Navy
World War II: The Vorpostenboot was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off IJmuiden, North Holland, Netherlands by Bristol Beaufighter aircraft of the Royal Air Force.[3]
Wollongbar
Australia
World War II: The freighter was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean 55 nautical miles (102 km) east south east of (31°17′S153°07′E / 31.283°S 153.117°E / -31.283; 153.117) by I-180 (). Thirty-two crewmen were killed. Five survivors were rescued by trawler X.L.C.R. (Australia).[204]
30 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 30 April 1943
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy TS 37: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 130 nautical miles (240 km) south west of Freetown, Sierra Leone (7°15′N13°49′W / 7.250°N 13.817°W / 7.250; -13.817) by U-515 (Germany Navy) with the loss of one of the 78 people on board. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom Navy).[205]
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy TS 37: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 130 nautical miles (240 km) south west of Freetown (7°15′N13°49′W / 7.250°N 13.817°W / 7.250; -13.817) by U-515 (Germany Navy) with the loss of nine of her 48 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom Navy).[206]
The auxiliary guard boat was lost on this date.[207]
Germany
World War II: The transport ship was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Sicily by HMS Nubian and HMS Paladin (both United Kingdom Navy).[3]
Hermes
Germany Navy
World War II: The Vasilefs Georgios-class destroyer was bombed and heavily damaged by British aircraft off Cape Bon, Tunisia. Twenty-three crewmen were killed. She was towed to La Goulette, Tunisia and scuttled there on 7 May.[208]
World War II: The Navigatori-classdestroyer was bombed and sunk by aircraft north-north-east of Cape Bon.[211]
SS Malmö
Sweden
World War II: The train ferry struck a mine off Copenhagen, Denmark and was beached on the Swedish coast.[3]
Italy Navy
World War II: The MAS 552-class MAS boat was sunk in the Strait of Sicily by Allied aircraft with the loss of 8 lives.[60][212]
Italy Navy
World War II: The MS 11-class MS boat was sunk west of Sicily by Allied aircraft.[96]
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy TS 37: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 130 nautical miles (240 km) south west of Freetown (7°19′N13°50′W / 7.317°N 13.833°W / 7.317; -13.833) by U-515 (Germany Navy) with the loss of two of her 113 crew. Survivors were rescued by (United Kingdom Navy).[213]
United States
World War II: The Liberty ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean south of Fiji (20°07′S177°33′E / 20.117°S 177.550°E / -20.117; 177.550) by I-19 (). All hands were rescued; eight by a Consolidated PBY Catalina on 1 May, 23 by (United States Navy) on 5 May, and 25 by USS Dash (United States Navy) on 14 May.[214]
RA-10
Germany Navy
World War II: The minesweeper, a former Elco 77' PT boat, was bombed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off La Goulette, Tunisia by Royal Air Force aircraft. Six of the 21 crew were killed.[215][216][217]
World War II: The auxiliary submarine chaser was sunk on this date.[218]
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by American aircraft.[3]
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Faroe Islands (64°05′N6°40′W / 64.083°N 6.667°W / 64.083; -6.667) by a Handley Page Hampden aircraft of 455 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force.[219]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1943
Ship
Country
Description
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Kavieng, New Ireland by Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft of the United States Army Air Force on 1 or 3 April.[3]
United Kingdom Navy
World War II: The landing craft assault was lost sometime in April.[180]
United Kingdom Navy
The landing craft infantry (large) was lost sometime in April.[220]
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Wewak, New Guinea by Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft of the United States Army Air Force between 12 and 20 April.[3]
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk at Kavieng by Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft of the United States Army Air Force on 1 or 3 April.[3]
World War II: The Porpoise-classsubmarine was depth charged and sunk in the Pacific Ocean east of Honshu, Japan by Japanese forces sometime after 7 April with the loss of all 73 crew.
The Type VIIC submarine departed from La Pallice, Charente-Maritime, France on 6 April. No further trace, presumed lost in the Bay of Biscay with the loss of all 47 crew.
U-602
Germany Navy
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine went missing for an unknown reason between 19 and 23 April on patrol in the Mediterranean Sea off Oran, Algeria with the loss of all 48 crew.[3][221]
References[]
^ abJordan, Roger (1999). The world's merchant fleets, 1939. London: Chatham publishing. p. 456. ISBN1-86176-023-X.
^ ab"Aquila". conlapelleappesaaunchiodo.blogspot.com. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
^Julia Whitty (21 May 2013). "How Hitler's U-Boats Are Still Attacking Us". Blue Marble. Mother Jones. Retrieved 21 May 2013. The vessel ranked worst on the NOAA's risk assessment scale is the WWII tanker the Gulfstate, torpedoed and sunk off the Florida Keys in 1943.
^Mitchell, W H; Sawyer, L A (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. p. not cited. ISBN1-85044-275-4.