The list of shipwrecks in March 1944 includes ships sunk, foundered, grounded, or otherwise lost during March 1944 .
1 March
List of shipwrecks: 1 March 1944
Ship
Country
Description
HMS Gould
Royal Navy
World War II : The Captain-class frigate was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Portugal by U-358 ( Kriegsmarine ) with the loss of 123 of her 137 crew.[1] [2] [3]
HMS LCA 726
Royal Navy
The landing craft assault was lost in Home Waters.[4]
HMS LCA 908
Royal Navy
The landing craft assault was lost in Home Waters.[4]
Luigi Martini
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship was sunk in an Allied air raid on Chioggia , Venice .[5]
R1N Maasburg
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The transport ship struck a mine in the North Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) south south west of Kijkduin , South Holland , Netherlands. She was then bombed and sunk off the Zuiderhaaks Sandbank by Royal Air Force aircraft.[6]
Saint Louis
France
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Accra , Gold Coast (5°23′N 0°09′W / 5.383°N 0.150°W / 5.383; -0.150 ) by U-66 ( Kriegsmarine ) with the loss of 85 of the 134 people on board.[7]
U-358
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged , shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Azores , Portugal (45°46′N 23°16′W / 45.767°N 23.267°W / 45.767; -23.267 ) by HMS Affleck , HMS Garlies , HMS Gore and HMS Gould (all Royal Navy ) with the loss of 50 of her 51 crew.[8]
U-603
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (48°55′N 26°10′W / 48.917°N 26.167°W / 48.917; -26.167 ) by USS Bronstein ( United States Navy ) with the loss of all 51 crew.[9] [10]
U-709
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged, shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (49°10′N 26°00′W / 49.167°N 26.000°W / 49.167; -26.000 ) by USS Bostwick , USS Bronstein and USS Thomas (all United States Navy ) with the loss of all 52 crew.[9] [11]
2 March
3 March
List of shipwrecks: 3 March 1944
Ship
Country
Description
Adriatico
Italy
World War II : The cargo ship was sunk in an Allied air raid on Split , Yugoslavia .[5]
Akasisan Maru
Imperial Japanese Navy
World War II: The Asahisan Maru -class auxiliary transport ship was sunk in the Pacific Ocean about 21 nautical miles (39 km; 24 mi) west of Uruppu Island , Kuril Islands (46°00′N 149°08′E / 46.000°N 149.133°E / 46.000; 149.133 ) by USS Sand Lance ( United States Navy ) with the loss of all 45 hands, including a merchant captain and a navy captain.[5] [18] [19] [20] [21]
Belle Isle
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The experimental ship was damaged in an air raid on Toulon , Var , France. She was declared a total loss, and was scrapped in 1945.[22]
Belorussiya
Soviet Union
World War II: The timber carrier was torpedoed and sunk in the Sea of Okhotsk (46°28′N 149°18′E / 46.467°N 149.300°E / 46.467; 149.300 ) by USS Sand Lance ( United States Navy ). 22 crew died in the sinking and only 2 of the 28 survivors remained alive when their boat reached the shore 20 days later. [23]
Fort McLeod
United Kingdom
World War II: The Fort ship (7,127 GRT, 1942) was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Indian Ocean (2°01′N 77°06′E / 2.017°N 77.100°E / 2.017; 77.100 ) by I-162 ( Imperial Japanese Navy ). Her crew were rescued by HMS Sluna ( Royal Navy ) and tug Integrity ( United Kingdom ).[24]
Karatsu
Imperial Japanese Navy
World War II: The gunboat was torpedoed and damaged off the Philippines by USS Narwhal ( United States Navy ). Although towed to Manila for repairs, these were not completed. She was scuttled as a blockship in Manila Bay on 5 February 1945.
HMS LCS(M) 69
Royal Navy
The landing craft support (mortar) (11/13 t, 1944) sank during exercises off east Scotland.[4]
Nittai Maru
Imperial Japanese Army
World War II: Convoy H-19: The Nittai Maru -class auxiliary transport ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Celebes Sea 290 nautical miles (540 km) north west of Halmahera , New Guinea (03°08′N 123°56′E / 3.133°N 123.933°E / 3.133; 123.933 ) by USS Rasher ( United States Navy ). A crewman was killed.[5] [25]
Shirakami
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Sokuten -class minelayer collided with Nichiran Maru ( Imperial Japanese Army ) off Yoshino-hama in the Pacific Ocean (46°11′N 150°30′E / 46.183°N 150.500°E / 46.183; 150.500 ) in a storm. Damage control failed and she broke up and sank on 5 March (45°30′N 150°00′E / 45.500°N 150.000°E / 45.500; 150.000 ). Seventy survivors were rescued.[26]
Tenyo Maru No. 2 Go
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Tenyo Maru -class naval trawler/auxiliary storeship (657 GRT, 1935) ran aground in stormy weather near Namikawai off East Paramushiro Island (50°17′N 155°55′E / 50.283°N 155.917°E / 50.283; 155.917 ) and was wrecked. The whole crew was rescued between 14–16 March.[27]
4 March
List of shipwrecks: 4 March 1944
Ship
Country
Description
Anna Martini
Italy
World War II : The cargo ship was sunk in an Allied air raid on Zara , Yugoslavia .[5]
Desdemona
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Kattegat off Gilleleje , Denmark.[5]
Empire Tourist
United Kingdom
World War II: Convoy RA 57 : The cargo ship (7,062 GRT, 1942) was torpedoed and sunk in the Barents Sea east of Bear Island , Norway (73°25′N 22°11′E / 73.417°N 22.183°E / 73.417; 22.183 ) by U-703 ( Kriegsmarine ). All 68 crew were rescued by HMS Gleaner ( Royal Navy ).[28] [29]
IV 10 Annibale Bosco A.
Kriegsmarine
The guard ship was sunk on this date.
I-O-111
Kriegsmarine
The Siebelgefäß landing craft was sunk on this date.
Joel R. Ponsett
United States
The Liberty ship broke in two in the Atlantic Ocean (43°30′N 56°30′W / 43.500°N 56.500°W / 43.500; -56.500 ) and was abandoned. The stern section was towed to Halifax , Nova Scotia , Canada and put to use as a depot ship .[30]
Kayo Maru
Imperial Japanese Army
World War II: Convoy Wewak Yuso Yoto Sakusen No. 4: The transport was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean (1°28′S 138°40′E / 1.467°S 138.667°E / -1.467; 138.667 ) by USS Peto ( United States Navy ). 46 of the 825 troops aboard and 43 crewmen died.[31] [32]
KT 42
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The submarine chaser was destroyed in an American air raid on Toulon , Var , France.[5]
Ominesan Maru
Imperial Japanese Navy
World War II: The oiler was torpedoed and sunk in the South China Sea 300 nautical miles (560 km) west of Miri, Borneo (05°29′N 108°46′E / 5.483°N 108.767°E / 5.483; 108.767 ) by USS Bluefish ( United States Navy ). Forty-six crewmen were killed.[33]
Sifnos
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The coaster was sunk in Suda Bay by an Allied air attack. 59 of the 90 Italian prisoners aboard died.[5] [34] [35]
U-472
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was sunk in the Barents Sea (73°05′N 26°40′E / 73.083°N 26.667°E / 73.083; 26.667 ) by a rocket attack by Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 816 Squadron , Fleet Air Arm base on HMS Chaser and by shelling from HMS Onslaught (both Royal Navy ) with the loss of 23 of her 43 crew.[36]
UJ 6080
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The submarine chaser was destroyed in an American air raid on Toulon.[5]
Vs 223
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The guard ship struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea off Neufarhwasser .[5]
5 March
List of shipwrecks: 5 March 1944
Ship
Country
Description
Diana
Sweden
World War II : The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Schiermonnikoog , Friesland , Netherlands by Royal Air Force aircraft with the loss of two of her crew.[5] [37]
John Holt
United Kingdom
World War II: The cargo ship (4,964 GRT, 1943) was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Guinea 60 nautical miles (110 km) south of the mouth of the Opobo River (3°56′N 7°36′E / 3.933°N 7.600°E / 3.933; 7.600 ) by U-66 ( Kriegsmarine ). Of the 95 people on board, two were taken as prisoners of war and were lost when U-66 was sunk. The others were rescued by Empire Ruby ( United Kingdom ).[38] [39]
HMS ML 387
Royal Navy
The Fairmile B motor launch (76/86 t, 1943) was sunk by an internal explosion at Beirut, Syria.[40]
U-366
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Arctic Ocean north west of Hammerfest , Norway (72°10′N 14°44′E / 72.167°N 14.733°E / 72.167; 14.733 ) by a Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 816 Squadron , Fleet Air Arm based on HMS Chaser ( Royal Navy ) with the loss of all 50 crew.[41]
UJ 1703
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The MOB-FD-class naval trawler/submarine chaser was torpedoed and sunk by Allied aircraft off Lindesnes , Norway.[42]
6 March
List of shipwrecks: 6 March 1944
Ship
Country
Description
America Maru
Imperial Japanese Navy
World War II : The Nippon Maru -class auxiliary transport was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean 420 nautical miles (780 km) north north west of Saipan (22°19′N 143°54′E / 22.317°N 143.900°E / 22.317; 143.900 ) by USS Nautilus ( United States Navy ). Five hundred and ninety-nine passengers and crew were killed. There were 43 survivors.[43]
Daniel Chester French
United States
World War II: The Liberty ship struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Bizerta , Algeria (37°17′N 10°22′W / 37.283°N 10.367°W / 37.283; -10.367 ). 24 troops, 4 gunners and 9 crewmen killed. Survivors were rescued by HMS Charon ( Royal Navy ), Thelma ( United Kingdom ) and Rescue ( Gibraltar ).[44]
Rabe
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Obrestad , Norway by an air attack.[5] [45]
U-744
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (52°01′N 22°37′W / 52.017°N 22.617°W / 52.017; -22.617 ) by HMCS Chaudiere , HMCS Chilliwack , HMCS Fennel , HMCS Gatineau , HMCS St. Catharines (all Royal Canadian Navy ), HMS Icarus and HMS Kenilworth Castle (both Royal Navy ) with the loss of twelve of her 52 crew.[46]
U-973
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was sunk in the Norwegian Sea (70°40′N 5°48′E / 70.667°N 5.800°E / 70.667; 5.800 ) by a Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 816 Squadron Fleet Air Arm based on HMS Chaser ( Royal Navy ) with the loss of 51 of her 66 crew.
V 1304 Eisenach
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Vorpostenboot was sunk in the North Sea off IJmuiden , North Holland , Netherlands by HMMTB 224 , HMMTB 225 , HMMTB 232 , HMMTB 234 , HMMTB 241 and HMMTB 244 (all Royal Navy ). There were 20 dead and 19 missing.[47] [48]
Virginia Dare
United States
World War II: The Liberty ship struck a mine in the Mediterranean Sea off Tunis , Tunisia . She was declared a total loss.[5]
7 March
List of shipwrecks: 7 March 1944
Ship
Country
Description
Charlotte
Germany
World War II : The cargo ship struck a mine (probably German) and sank in the Black Sea off Cape Lukul. One crewman was lost.[5] [49]
Herman Winter
United States
The 274-foot (84 m), 2,638-gross register ton cargo liner was wrecked without loss of life on Devil's Bridge , a reef off Gay Head on Martha's Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts . Her wreck settled in up to 40 feet (12 m) of water at 41°20′57″N 070°50′50″W / 41.34917°N 70.84722°W / 41.34917; -70.84722 (Herman Winter ) .[50]
Juyo Maru
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Indian Ocean off Koh Chang , Thailand .[5]
Lippe
Germany
World War II: The cargo ship was torpedoed by HMS Sceptre ( Royal Navy ) at 64°32′N 10°38′E / 64.533°N 10.633°E / 64.533; 10.633 and beached in Nord-Trøndelag , Norway. She broke in two and was declared a total loss.[5] [51]
M 4405 Marie-Anne
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Jacquilne-class naval trawler / auxiliary minesweeper was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Pallice , Charente-Maritime , France by aircraft of Coastal Command , Royal Air Force .[5]
PiLB 464
Kriegsmarine
The PiLB 40 type landing craft was lost on this date.
PiLB 485
Kriegsmarine
The PiLB 40 type landing craft was lost on this date.
USS PT-337
United States Navy
World War II: The ELCO 80'-class PT boat was shelled and sunk by shore batteries off Hansa Bay , New Guinea . One crew was killed and six missing. The five survivors were rescued on 11 March by a Consolidated PBY Catalina aircraft of the United States Navy.[52] [53]
Sperrbrecher 10 Vigo
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Sperrbrecher struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Norderney .[5]
TK-24
Soviet Navy
World War II: The motor torpedo boat was captured by Kriegsmarine motor torpedo boats at Ak Mechet , but it sank due to battle damage.[54]
TK-362
Soviet Navy
The G-5-class motor torpedo boat was lost on this date.
Tarifa
Norway
World War II: Convoy AB 33 : The cargo ship (7,229 GRT, 1936) was torpedoed and sunk in the Arabian Sea 250 nautical miles (460 km) east of Socotra , Mahra Sultanate (12°48′N 58°44′E / 12.800°N 58.733°E / 12.800; 58.733 ) by U-510 ( Kriegsmarine ) with the loss of three of the 148 people on board. Survivors were rescued by HMS Avon ( Royal Navy ).[55] [56]
Unidentified fishing boats
Unknown
World War II: Three small fishing boats were sunk by HMIS ML 438 and HMIS ML 440 (both Royal Indian Navy ) in Sandoway Bay, Burma .[57]
Valera
Panama
World War II: The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Caribbean Sea 120 nautical miles (220 km) north of Barranquilla , Colombia (11°30′N 76°27′W / 11.500°N 76.450°W / 11.500; -76.450 ) by U-518 ( Kriegsmarine ) with the loss of one of her 35 crew. Survivors were rescued by a United States Coast Guard ship.[58]
8 March
9 March
List of shipwrecks: 9 March 1944
Ship
Country
Description
Behar
United Kingdom
World War II : The cargo ship (7,840 GRT, 1943) was shelled and sunk by Tone ( Imperial Japanese Navy ) in the Indian Ocean . Four crew were killed. 108 crew were taken as prisoners of war (POWs). Later 71 or 72 of the POWs were executed, and others died in captivity.[65] [66]
British Loyalty
United Kingdom
World War II: The tanker (6,993 GRT, 1928) was torpedoed and sunk at Addu Atoll , Maldives by U-183 ( Kriegsmarine ). She was salvaged and returned to use as a hulk .[67]
Clark Mills
United States
World War II: The Liberty ship was bombed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea off Bizerta , Algeria by Luftwaffe aircraft. She was beached but declared a total loss.[68]
Genei Maru No. 12
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Hollandia, New Guinea by Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft of the United States Navy .[5]
Hasshu Maru
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Hollandia by Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft of the United States Navy.[5]
Kinka Maru
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Rabaul , New Guinea by North American B-25 Mitchell aircraft of the United States Army Air Force .[5]
Kissho Maru No. 1
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Greenwich Island, New Guinea by Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft of the United States Army Air Force.[5]
Kissho Maru No. 2 GO
Imperial Japanese Navy
The auxiliary patrol ship was lost on this date.
USS Leopold
United States Navy
World War II: Convoy CU 16 : The Edsall -class destroyer escort was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean south of Iceland by U-255 ( Kriegsmarine ) with the loss of 171 of her 199 crew. She was abandoned and sank the next day. Survivors were rescued by USS Joyce ( United States Navy ).[69]
Mankei Maru
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Rabaul by North American B-25 Mitchell aircraft of the United States Army Air Force.[5]
HM MTB 266
Royal Navy
World War II: The ELCO 70' -class motor torpedo boat (27/32 t, 1941) was heavily damaged by enemy gunfire. She sank at Alexandria , Egypt on 17 April.[70]
Nichirei Maru
Japan
World War II: Convoy TASA-08: The Standard Type 1K ore carrier was torpedoed and sunk in the South China Sea 350 nautical miles (650 km) west of Cape Bojeador, Luzon , Philippines (19°44′N 115°52′E / 19.733°N 115.867°E / 19.733; 115.867 ) by USS Lapon ( United States Navy ) while towing Toyokuni Maru ( Japan ). Six gunners and 46 crewmen were killed.[62]
PC-59
Yugoslav Partisans
World War II: The patrol boat was sunk by HM MTB 649 ( Royal Navy ).[71]
Yashima Maru
Japan
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean off Hollandia by Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft of the United States Navy.[5]
10 March
List of shipwrecks: 10 March 1944
Ship
Country
Description
HMS Asphodel
Royal Navy
World War II : Convoy SL 150 : The Flower-class corvette (925/1,170 t, 1940) was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west north west of Cape Finisterre , Spain (45°24′N 18°09′W / 45.400°N 18.150°W / 45.400; -18.150 ) by U-575 ( Kriegsmarine ) with the loss of 92 of her 97 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS Clover ( Royal Navy ).[72]
USS SC-700
United States Navy
The submarine chaser burned at Vella Lavella , Solomon Islands in a refueling accident. One man died and seven were missing.[73] [74]
S-54
Soviet Navy
World War II: The S-class submarine struck a mine and sank in Syltefjord , Norway with all 50 hands.[5] [75] [76]
Sangigi
Italy
World War II: The cargo ship was bombed and sunk by aircraft at Dubrovnik , Yugoslavia .[77]
Tsukikawa Maru
Imperial Japanese Army
World War II: The Yukikawa Maru -class transport was torpedoed and damaged at 01°52′S 128°12′E / 1.867°S 128.200°E / -1.867; 128.200 by USS Bowfin ( United States Navy ). She sank the next day when torpedoed again by Bowfin while under tow at 01°25′S 128°14′E / 1.417°S 128.233°E / -1.417; 128.233 . Two crewmen and four troops were killed.[78]
U-343
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Tunisia (38°07′N 9°41′E / 38.117°N 9.683°E / 38.117; 9.683 ) by HMT Mull ( Royal Navy ) with the loss of all 51 crew.
U-450
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Ostia , Italy (41°11′N 12°27′E / 41.183°N 12.450°E / 41.183; 12.450 ) by HMS Blankney , HMS Blencathra , HMS Brecon , HMS Exmoor (all Royal Navy ) and USS Madison ( United States Navy ). All 42 crew survived.[79]
U-625
Kriegsmarine
U-625
World War II: The Type VIIC submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Bay of Biscay (52°35′N 20°19′W / 52.583°N 20.317°W / 52.583; -20.317 ) by a Short Sunderland aircraft of 422 Squadron , Royal Canadian Air Force with the loss of all 52 crew.[80]
U-845
Kriegsmarine
World War II: The Type IXC/40 submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (48°20′N 20°33′W / 48.333°N 20.550°W / 48.333; -20.550 ) by HMS Forester ( Royal Navy ), HMCS Owen Sound , HMCS St. Laurent and HMCS Swansea (all Royal Canadian Navy ) with the loss of ten of her 55 crew.[81]
William B. Woods
United States
World War II: The Liberty ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea off Palermo , Sicily , Italy (38°36′N 13°54′E / 38.600°N 13.900°E / 38.600; 13.900 ) by U-952 ( Kriegsmarine ) with the loss of 52 of the 478 people on board. Survivors were rescued by Aretusa ( Regia Marina ) and two Fairmile B motor launches ( Royal Navy ).[82] [83]
11 March
12 March