Wofgang - many thanks

Larry InOBU - That story has a ring of truth, thought to be fair to Captain Broome, Comander of the close escort, the Destroyers were withdrawn to form a distant screen to the Convoy's ships to try and keep the "Tirpitz at bay, and buy time to scatter.
For from the information available to Captain Broome the "Tirpitz" was thought to be just over the horizen.

As I said previously, not one of the Admiralties better decisions. But hindsight is hindsight !

A nasty business.

I can confirm that nigh on 35,000 members of the Merchant Marine were lost between 1939 and 1945.

If you visit London take some time to deviate on your trip to the Tower and visit the Merchant Marine Memorial at Trinity Sq. I weep every time.

On a more serious note my late Grandfather was torpedoed in early 1940 whilst sailing into neutral (then) Norway.

His lifeboat was picked up by a German frieghter also going into Norway, whose Captain very happily discharged them as shipwrecked Mariners to the Norwegian authorities.

Gareth