Recorded June 4, 2009 aboard English Channel ferry to Normandy, France.
William Thorp (RN) Able Seaman who enlisted age 17 (torpedo duty) aboard HMS Swift (Lt. Cdr. John Ronald Gower, RN) tells of event where ship struck a German mine off Sword beachhead and sank near 8:00 am after breaking in two June 24, 1944 Ouistreham, France. There were 53 casualties.
Swift participated in rescue of Norwegian destroyer Svenner, hit by two torpedoes of German E-Boat. Svenner was the only allied ship sunk by German Naval activity on the morning of June 06, 1944.
Service included taking part in the sinking of German warship Scharnhorst and Russian convoys to Murmansk.
i was wondering if william remembers my grandfather PO Gilbert Webb. He was awarded the oak leaf for bravery that day on the swift. I was wondering if he remembers my grandfather and if he knows what he did that day . thanks
denz996 2 years ago