During the night of 15 June 1942, German E-Boats of the 3rd
Flotilla left their Eastern Mediterranean base at Derna to intercept
an Allied convoy bound for the island of Malta. Shortly after
midnight, under the command of Leutnant Seigfried Wuppermann,
the motor torpedo boat S-56 slipped past two Royal Navy escort
destroyers to make a stern attack on the British cruiser HMS
Newcastle. The cruiser, though badly damaged, limped back to
Alexandria. Signed by five veterans who served aboard
HMS Newcastle.
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Leach
Signalman Arthur Deakin
Lieutenant John Baber
Able Seaman Wilfred Marriott
Chief Petty Officer Rupert Stant |