Convoy TAG 5

Convoy TAG 5 was a trade convoy of merchant ships during the second World War. It was the 5th of the numbered TAG Convoys from Trinidad and Aruba to Guantánamo.[1] The convoy was found on 13 September 1942 by U-558. Kapitänleutnant Günther Krech (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross) destroyed three ships from the convoy in two approaches aboard U-558.[2]

Convoy TAG.5
Part of World War II
Date12–16 September 1942
Location
Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea
Belligerents
Germany

Canada
Netherlands
Norway
Panama
United Kingdom

United States
Commanders and leaders
Admiral Karl Dönitz
Kapitänleutnant Günther Krech
Strength
1 U-boat 17 merchant ships
7 escorts
Casualties and losses
2 ships sunk
1 damaged, and then total loss

Ships in the convoy[3]
Name Flag Tonnage (GRT) Notes
Alar (1939)  Norway 9,430 Curaçao to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
Altair (1920)  United States 6,933 Curaçao to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
Beaconoil (1919)  United Kingdom 6,893 Curaçao to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base; probably this convoy
Cottica (1927)  Netherlands 3,989
Empire Kangaroo (1919)  United Kingdom 6,219
Empire Lugard (1941)  United Kingdom 7,241 Sunk by U-558[4]
Examiner (1942)  United States 6,736
Gulftide (1937)  United States 7,140
HMCS Halifax (K237)  Royal Canadian Navy Escort 12 Sep – 14 Sep
Henry D Whiton (1921)  United States 4,548
Hoegh Silverdawn (1940)  Norway 7,715
Leonatus (1938)  Panama 2,242
Macabi (1921)  Panama 2,802
Peter Hurll (1930)  Panama 10,871
Saintonge (1936)  United Kingdom 9,386 Curaçao to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
Suriname (1930)  Netherlands 7,915 Sunk by U-558[5]
USS PC-481  United States Navy Escort 12 Sep – 16 Sep
USS PC-574  United States Navy Escort 12 Sep – 16 Sep
USS Spry  United States Navy Escort 12 Sep – 16 Sep
USS Upshur (DD-144)  United States Navy Escort 12 Sep – 16 Sep
USS YMS-24  United States Navy Escort 13 Sep – 16 Sep
USS YMS-56  United States Navy Escort 13 Sep – 16 Sep
Vilja (1928)  Norway 6,672 Torpedoed by U-558[6] and abandoned, but reboarded and safely arrived in Trinidad damaged. Later declared a total loss.
West Kyska (1918)  United States 5,552 Did not sail

References
  1. Hague, p.113
  2. Rohwer & Hummelchen, p.164
  3. "Convoy". Arnold Hague Convoy Database. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  4. "MV Empire Lugard – British Motor merchant". www.uboat.net. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  5. "SS Suriname – Dutch Steam merchant". www.uboat.net. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  6. "MV Vilja – Norwegian Motor tanker". www.uboat.net. Retrieved 24 October 2013.

Bibliography
  • Hague, Arnold (2000). The Allied Convoy System 1939–1945. ISBN 1-86176-147-3.
  • Rohwer, J.; Hummelchen, G. (1992). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-105-X.
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