Allied POW losses when German Raider Pinguin sunk

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by Steve49, Aug 8, 2021.

  1. Steve49

    Steve49 Boycott P&O...

    Gents,

    I'm trying to determine how many Allied Navy POW's were killed and survived when HMS Cornwall sank raider Pinguin on the 8th May 1941

    I've seen the figure reported as 260 POW killed and 22 POW survivors picked up by the cruiser.

    From CWGC, as far I can see the following personnel were lost onboard:

    Ex British Emperor-
    8 Officers and 36 OR MN and 1 OR RN gunner killed [Lloyd's says 45 lost and 8 survived]

    Ex Clan Buchanan-
    8 Officers and 100 OR MN and 1 OR RN and 1 OR RM gunners killed [Lloyd's says 107 lost and rest survived]

    Ex Empire Light-
    11 Officers and 52 OR MN and 1 OR RN gunner killed [Lloyd's doesn't give a crew figure, it says 'some survivors' [but then 'one survivor' landed by HMS Cornwall]. 'Remainder of crew on raider which was sunk']

    A total of 215 MN and 4 RN/RM losses.

    Recovered survivors appear to be 8 from British Emperor, 12 from Clan Buchanan and 1 from Empire Light.

    Does any one know if there were still POW's onboard from previous victims of the raider or had they all been transferred off?

    Regards,

    Steve
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2021
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  2. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Steve,
    Regarding ss BRITISH EMPEROR, the figure of 45 deaths (44 MN crew and 1 DEMS gunner) are correct. I can account for all 45 names.

    I can account for 107 deaths on CLAN BUCHANAN (105 MN crew and 2 DEMS gunners).

    Regards
    Hugh
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2021
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  3. Steve49

    Steve49 Boycott P&O...

    Hi Hugh,

    Regarding British Emperor do you have Seaman Feloo as a crew member? I have him as no identified ship.

    For Clan Buchanan I have from CWGC 107 crew and 2 DEMS gunners lost on the 8th and 1 crew lost on the 28th April.

    Regard,

    Steve
     
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  4. Temujin

    Temujin Member

    Thought I’d post this I found, doesn’t answer your question, but has a story from a German aboard the Pinquin which was interesting

    [​IMG]
     
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  5. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Hi Steve,
    Seaman Feloo was lost aboard ss CLAN BUCHANAN.
    Re EMPIRE LIGHT - I can identify 63 lost crew - 62 MN and 1 DEMS.
    Regards
    Hugh
     
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  6. Steve49

    Steve49 Boycott P&O...

    Hi Hugh,

    From CWGC I have 63 crew and 1 DEMS gunner from Empire Light lost on the 8th, plus 1 crew lost on the 25th.

    Checked my British Emperor and noticed I hadn't included 2nd Officer Wright who died on the 12th, so yes 44 crew and 1 DEMS gunner.

    I've edited my opening post to reflect these new updates.

    Regards,

    Steve
     
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  7. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Hi Steve,
    EMPIRE LIGHT - Just so we are on the same page here, who was the crew member lost on the 25th - I can account now for 64 - all on the 8th.
    Regards,
    Hugh
     
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  8. Steve49

    Steve49 Boycott P&O...

    Hi Hugh,

    CWGC list Galley Boy Maximilian as dying on the 25th.

    Regards

    Steve
     
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  9. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    I see it now many thanks
    Regards
    Hugh
     
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  10. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Strange - he is listed by CWGC and in the Deaths at Sea Register as date of death 25th April 1941 i.e. 13 days before the attack on the ship by the Raider. He is then noted as presumed drowned when raider sunk on 8th May. Another note states: no official record of engagement. His full name is Maximilian Muhlbauer. I suppose given the lack of detail of his record of engagement we will unlikely find any more about him.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
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  11. Steve49

    Steve49 Boycott P&O...

    Yes as I see it there are two scenarios for his loss;

    1. The Empire Light hit by gunfire when intercepted by the raider on the 25th April and he had the misfortune to be killed by this.
    2. He died with many of his crew members when the raider was sunk on the 8th May, but his date of death is incorrectly listed.

    As you say its unlikely further information will come to light to ever resolve this.

    Regards,

    Steve
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2021
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  12. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Yes, I am confusing myself here - the ship EMPIRE LIGHT was attacked on the 25th April but their survivors were lost on the 8th May aboard the raider.
    Regards
    Hugh
     
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