* Harold Bird

Portsmouth Naval Memorial Panel 63, Column 1

Tjilatjap, the Norwegian cargo D/S WOOLGAR with 4.500 tons of coal and 450 tons war materials (incl. ammunition and TNT) was on voyage from Trincomalee to Tjilatjap, when she spotted an aircraft overhead. Some hours later, several Japanese aircraft immediately attacked with bombs and machine guns. 3 bombs were direct hits and the lifeboats were launched. 2 British gunners were killed when they stayed on board to continue shooting at the aircraft. Some Chinese crew members were killed when the aircraft returned and peppered the lifeboats with bullets. WOOLGAR was hit again and received a bomb where the ammunition was stored, resulting in a tremendous explosion. She sank by the bow in about 12 minutes. After an incredible voyage of 88 days, one lifeboat with most of the Norwegians landed at Port Blair on the Andaman Islands off Burma and were made prisoner by the Japanese. Read more at wrecksite: https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?172741

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