Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

Dear Mr. Gregory,

Thought that I should let you know just how much I appreciated finding the letter from A. Burland describing his trip on the Rangitata in April 1945 as part of Convoy HX-348. ( see "April 1945, aboard Rangitata in the convoy HX-348") My parents and I were also on the boat, and as my mother and I shared a cabin with 2 other ladies and 2 boys, it is possible that I met Arthur. I remember well seeing the burning ship, and have often wondered about its fate. My father bunked elsewhere, and as he was on night-time gunnery duty, we did not see much of him during the voyage. It was an exciting trip for a young boy. Now that I know the official number of this convoy, I shall attempt to find out more details. It was also great to actually see the photograph of the boat in your log.

Sincerely.
John Phillis.

Dear John,

My thanks for taking the time to write, we are always pleased to be able to add another piece of a specific jigsaw into the mosaic that makes up the many stories on AHOY.

Glad you found something of interest, especially as you sailed in Rangitata with Convoy HX.348, and great you all arrived safely.

Fate of U-1107.

U-1107
     Type VIIC/41
     Laid down 20 Aug, 1943 Nordseewerke, Emden
     Commissioned 8 Aug, 1944 Oblt. Fritz Parduhn
     Commanders 8 Aug, 1944 - 30 Apr, 1945   Kptlt. Fritz Parduhn

     Career 1 patrol 8 Aug, 1944 - 15 Feb, 1945  8. Flottille (training)
     16 Feb, 1945 - 30 Apr, 1945  11. Flottille (front boat)

     Successes 2 ships sunk for a total of 15.209 GRT
     Fate Sunk 30 April, 1945 in the Bay of Biscay west of Brest, in position 48.00N, 06.30W, by retro bombs from an American Catalina aircraft (VP-63/R). 37 dead, unknown number of survivors.

They were nasty times to cross the Atlantic, but thankfully the worst of the U-Boat battles had been won by 1945.

As an 18 year old Midshipman serving in HMAS Australia, I spent well over a year in the North Atlantic in 1940/1941, to arrive in port probably meant we had to face the wrath of German bombing raids at night, it was especially bad news to dock in Liverpool over the Christmas period of 1940.

Your note brought a number of memories of those tough times flooding back.

Best regards,

Mac. Gregory.