Hello Fred,


On January 14, U 1232 Dobratz had crept to a position off Chebucto Head, bedevilled by the constant icing up of the snort and the periscope. He got sight of convoy BX-141 (19 merchants + escorts). The convoy arrived off Halifax harbour and the 19 ships formed a single column for entry into the harbour when U-1232 fired a single torpedo at the British Freedom, 3rd ship in line. The ship was hit in the engine room and she began to settle by the stern. Following directly was the Martin Van Buren, which increased speed and swung out to starboard but was hit by a stern shot of U-1232. The column was in confusion and the 7th ship in line, Athelviking, passed in front of U-1232, she was also hit by a torpedo. The British Freedom sank until her stern struck bottom, leaving the bow above the waves. She was sunk the next day with depth charges from HMCS Goderich. In the ensuing counterattack of the escorts the Canadian frigate Ettrick ran down on the U-boat. Before Dobratz could get deep Ettrick rammed her upper works. The collision bent the periscope flat over, tore up the bridge and carried away the radio antenna wires. Nevertheless Dobratz could get away.
Despite salvage attempts the Martin Van Buren ran aground near Sambo and was written off as constructional total loss, her survivors were saved by the minesweepers HMCS Comox and HMCS Fundy
Three Armed Guards were lost when they were blown overboard by the explosion.
Position 44°27'30"N-63°26'W - West Atlantic, off Halifax German Naval Grid BB 7257
Attacked by U-1232 - Kurt Dobratz Date of attack 14 January 1945 - 10:41 CET

Regards,


Walter