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HMS Woodpecker (U08)
Encyclopedia
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HMS Woodpecker (U08) was a modified, 1,300 ton
Royal Navy
that fought during World War II
. The ship was built by William Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton, Scotland
. She was launched on 29 June 1942, and commissioned 14 December the same year.
This sloop participated in the sinking of the following German
vessels:
In February 1944, the Woodpecker was under the command of Commander H. L. Pryse, RNR, escorting convoy ON 224. On 20 February 1944, she was struck in the stern by an acoustic torpedo launched from the U-boat U-256. While being towed toward home, on 27 February 1944 the Woodpecker foundered and sank in an Atlantic storm. The skeleton crew was rescued before the ship went under.
HMS Woodpecker (U08) was a modified, 1,300 ton
Ton
The ton is a unit of measure. It has a long history and has acquired a number of meanings and uses over the years. It is used principally as a unit of weight, and as a unit of volume. It can also be used as a measure of energy, for truck classification, or as a colloquial term.It is derived from...
Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
that fought during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The ship was built by William Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. She was launched on 29 June 1942, and commissioned 14 December the same year.
This sloop participated in the sinking of the following German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
vessels:
- U-449, Near Cape Ortegal, Spain, 24 June 1943
- U-462, Bay of Biscay, 30 July 1943
- U-504, Near Cape Ortegal, Spain, 30 July 1943
- U-226, East of Newfoundland, 6 November 1943
- U-762, North Atlantic, 8 February 1944
- U-424, Southwest of Ireland, 11 February 1944
- U-264, North Atlantic, 11 February 1944
In February 1944, the Woodpecker was under the command of Commander H. L. Pryse, RNR, escorting convoy ON 224. On 20 February 1944, she was struck in the stern by an acoustic torpedo launched from the U-boat U-256. While being towed toward home, on 27 February 1944 the Woodpecker foundered and sank in an Atlantic storm. The skeleton crew was rescued before the ship went under.