[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile. Also visit our general discussion thread

[iowamark]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Halberd
“”Operation Halberd was a British naval operation in September 1941 to escort a convoy from Gibraltar to Malta.

The nine merchant ships originally sailed from Liverpool (16 Sept) and the Clyde (17 Sept) as part of convoy WS (Winston Specials) 11X, arriving Gibraltar 24 September 1941, with a close escort under the command of Rear Admiral Harold Martin Burrough. It was also accompanied by Force H, under the command of Admiral James Sommerville. This consisted of the one aircraft carrier (HMS Ark Royal), three battleships (HMS Nelson, HMS Rodney and HMS Prince of Wales) to protect the convoy against Italian surface ships. The British warships also included five cruisers and 18 destroyers.

The Italian fleet attempted to intercept the convoy on 26 September but did not make contact with it as they turned away after learning that the Royal Navy force included several battleships and an aircraft carrier. HMS Prince of Wales, followed by the slower HMS Rodney, attempted in vain to intercept the Italian force. HMS Nelson was hit in the bows by a torpedo launched from an Italian torpedo bomber on 27 September south of Sardinia and seriously damaged. On the evening of 27 September Force H turned back and sailed for Gibraltar. The merchant vessel Imperial Star carrying 8,000 tons of war supplies was hit by another aerial torpedo on the 27th and damaged. Despite being taken in tow by the destroyer HMS Oribi it had to be scuttled the following day. There was no loss of life. The convoy arrived at Malta on 28 September and delivered 85,000 tons of supplies to the island. The Italian Air Force lost 21 aircraft to RN Fleet Air Arm fighters and the AA guns of the Royal Navy.””

[CougarGA7]

In case I miss it since I have to read these articles pretty fast of late, someone ping me if they make mention of the large Gustav gun being used in the Crimea campaign. I know it was used in the siege of Sevastopol so I’m interested in how it is reported if at all.