Posted by Visje visje@tref.nl on August 09, 2001.

The Dutch tanker Casandra (2701 tons, completed 1924), was supposedly damaged by U-539 on June 11 1944. No mention of this incident in Dutch sources, so I'd be grateful if anyone can provide with more details. The only victims I have for U-539's patrol are the Panamanian freighter "Pillory" (ex-Danish Jonna) on June 5 and the American T-2 tanker "Kittanning" (dmg) on July 4. It also says that between these dates, the sub managed to attack two large tankers on seperate occasions, but didn't score any hits. Thanks in advance.

RESPONSES:

Posted by Axel van Eesbeeck gemyala@netcologne.de on August 09.

Hallo Visje

I don't want to provide you with information, which you may already have. Are you having your information from the "Axis submarine successes" by Jürgen Rohwer or from a different source? If you don't have Jürgen Rohwer as your source let me know.

Best regards
Axel van Eesbeeck
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Posted by Visje on August 09.

Hi Axel,

I got this information from the Uboat.net. This information was apparently taken from Rohwer, but I don't know what it says.
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Posted by Axel van Eesbeeck on August 09.

Hallo Visje

I hope you speak my language. I know most people from Netherland do
If not i will translate

1 ) Versenkung des panamesischen Frachters Pillory (ex. dänisch Jonna) (1516 BRT) 05.06.44.
2) Torpedierung des niederländischen Tankers Casandra (2701 BRT) am 11.06.44. (U-539 fired two Gnats which detonated after 11 min and 15 sec and 14 min and 10 sec. The tanker fired machine guns and damaged the U-539.)
3) Torpedierung des amerikanischen Tankers Kittaning (10195 BRT) am 04.07.44. (Der amerikanische Tanker Kittanning wurde von U-539 auf dem Weg nach Cristobal, Kanal Zone, auf Position 09°50'N, 79°40'W torpediert. Es gab keine Verluste unter der 49-köpfigen Besatzung und den 25 Mann der Armed Guard. Die Besatzung und die Männer der Armed Guard wurden durch den Küstenwachkutter Marion (WPC-145) gerettet, welcher zusammen mit dem Kutter Crawford (WPC-134) eintraf um Unterstützung zu leisten. Die Crawford versuchte vergeblich den angeschlagenen Tanker abzuschleppen. Einen Tag später am 05.07.44 wurde der Tanker durch den Schlepper Woodcock (ATO-145) geschleppt, bis Maschinenprobleme zwangen das Abschleppen einzustellen. Die Panama-Kanal-Schlepper Tavernilla und Cardenas und, endlich, der Marine Schlepper "Jupiter Inlet" brachten das beschädigte Schiff nach Cristobal).
4) Torpedierung des amerikanischen Tankers Hollywood (5498 BRT) am 04.07.44 (Nach Colon geschleppt) ? (U-539 claimed four tankers torpedoed with a total of 26000 BRT. xB dienst identified one of this ship as the US Tanker Hollywood)

Best regards and hope this helps
Axel
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Posted by Visje on August 10.

Sicher, Ich habe es verstanden :)

Thanks for the information about this event. What surprised me was that it was totally ignored in Dutch sources !