Cause of Death: |
At 17.29 hours on 30 Nov, 1942, the unescorted Llandaff Castle (Master Cornwallis Jasper Clutterbuck, OBE) was hit by two torpedoes from U-177 southeast of Lourenço Marques. The ship broke in two and sank after being hit by two coups de grâce at 17.47 and 18.09 hours. On board were 150 passengers including six Soviet diplomats with wives and children and 70 military officers with families. Three crew members were lost. The U-boat surfaced to question the survivors and as Gysae asked for the name of the ship voices replied Hardship and Queen Mary. He then asked if there were any wounded he was told that they were only wet so, amused, he left the area. The master, 155 crew members, four gunners and 150 passengers were picked up on 2 December by HMS Catterick (L 81) (Lt A. Tyson, RN) and landed at Durban. |