Frendly fire - sinking of ORP Jastrzab
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 7:45 am
The possible "friendly fire" of the Ukrainian air defense missiles which exploded on the Polish ground with deadly effect of killing two Polish citizens triggered me to reveal to the respected members some more information about a historical unfortunate accident of the same type (assuming the missiles today were Ukrainian)..
As a result of the well executed attack on the Polish submarine Jastrzab in May 1942 the sub was severely damaged and five personnel (including two British HM Liaison team members) were killed.
The popular knowledge as spread in written form in many books is that the accident was caused of by Jastrzab wandering too far north and crossed her course with a convoy.
Detected and attacked by two escort ships HMNoS StAlbans and HMS Seagull the sub as abandoned and sunk.
None of the information about cause of sinking the sub has been apparently based on original document which is HM Board of Inquiry - an ultimate document and not easily accessible copy of which I had chance to see personally and through my own eyes.
The Board (all three members HM Captains (N) and a PN officer as observer) concluded that Navigation of the submarine (actually with support of as primitive assets as it was in Nelsonic times) was proper in the circumstances of lack of sightings.
The Board grilled to smallest details the navigation process on the PL ship and found the CO not quilty for straying so much off the planned sector.
On the opposite - might be much to surprise of readers - StAlbans was blamed for continuing her attacks despite a signal candle was fired immediately by the sub and - seen by the Norwegian officers .
None of the Nor personnel was trained to recognize the flare/candle signals of friendly vessel.
Full description of the attacks on Jastrzab is in former WNSF and from the Norwegian side in the report of the CO of StAlbans as included in the superb <halcyonclassminesweepers> page. The latter I recommend for writing.
There was no resentment from the Polish to the attackers.
The CO of Jatrzab Romanowski who had been evacuated on the deck of HMS Seagull and who was visited by the minesweeper CO said that he did not blame the escorts for their attack by saying .."that was war and things like that may always happen..."
The Polish surviving crew joined the British in action station, watches time and gave their highest remarks on the
minesweeper CO.
gd
As a result of the well executed attack on the Polish submarine Jastrzab in May 1942 the sub was severely damaged and five personnel (including two British HM Liaison team members) were killed.
The popular knowledge as spread in written form in many books is that the accident was caused of by Jastrzab wandering too far north and crossed her course with a convoy.
Detected and attacked by two escort ships HMNoS StAlbans and HMS Seagull the sub as abandoned and sunk.
None of the information about cause of sinking the sub has been apparently based on original document which is HM Board of Inquiry - an ultimate document and not easily accessible copy of which I had chance to see personally and through my own eyes.
The Board (all three members HM Captains (N) and a PN officer as observer) concluded that Navigation of the submarine (actually with support of as primitive assets as it was in Nelsonic times) was proper in the circumstances of lack of sightings.
The Board grilled to smallest details the navigation process on the PL ship and found the CO not quilty for straying so much off the planned sector.
On the opposite - might be much to surprise of readers - StAlbans was blamed for continuing her attacks despite a signal candle was fired immediately by the sub and - seen by the Norwegian officers .
None of the Nor personnel was trained to recognize the flare/candle signals of friendly vessel.
Full description of the attacks on Jastrzab is in former WNSF and from the Norwegian side in the report of the CO of StAlbans as included in the superb <halcyonclassminesweepers> page. The latter I recommend for writing.
There was no resentment from the Polish to the attackers.
The CO of Jatrzab Romanowski who had been evacuated on the deck of HMS Seagull and who was visited by the minesweeper CO said that he did not blame the escorts for their attack by saying .."that was war and things like that may always happen..."
The Polish surviving crew joined the British in action station, watches time and gave their highest remarks on the
minesweeper CO.
gd