INDIA-L Archives

From: <>
Subject: Troopship ROHNA
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1998 04:11:08 EST

The ROHNA (note correct spelling!) was owned by the British India Steam
Navigation Company, registered under the British Flag. Built by Hawthorn
Leslie & Co in 1926. Size 461.4 x 61.8 x 29.9. 934NHP. Speed 13 knots.
Quadruple expansion engine 8607 tons.

On 26 November 1943, the ROHNA was sunk by Heinkel 177 carrying glider bombs,
37.1 N - 5.20 E, just north of Bougie, Algeria. The details are as follows:

The convoy KMF26 (ANNEX) sailed from the Firth of Clyde, Scotland on 15
November 1943, carrying thousands of army, navy and airforce personnel to
reinforce the SEAC. They sailed to the mid Atlantic where some ships left the
convoy. Then the convoy headed for Gibraltar. On 25 November the HMT ROHNA,
with Captain Murphy in command, left Oran to join the convoy. She carried some
2,000 American troops and a crew of 200, with 11 gunners, 13 British troops
and 1 hospital orderly.

On 26 November the convoy was attacked by a formation of 30 German bombers.
After some hours a single aircraft carrying a glider bomb discharged its
missile on the port side of the ROHNA and scored a hit above the water line
immediately over the engine room. The explosion caused the vessel to burst
into flames, and although boats on the starboard side were launched they were
swamped by the large numbers of soldiers swimming around who tried to clamber
on to them. The ship continued to float for an hour and a half, but had
settled so far by the stern that the engines and boilers broke loose and fell
through the hull.

The death toll was:
Crew: 5 officers, 117 asiatic ratings (total on board 200). Captain Murphy
survived
11 gunners (total on board 18)
1 hospital orderly

American Troops - 1015 killed, 35 died later of wounds - total 1050. The total
on board was 2,000.

The Inquiry into this incident concluded that air protection for the convoy
was totally inadequate. Casualties were high as other ships decided not to
stop to pick up survivors. A flotilla of 7 LCI(L) craft proceeding empty from
Djidjelli to Algie decided not to stop and carry out rescue work. Flotilla
officer Lt Comdr Mason was relieved of his command and postion and sent home.
He earned the Admirals severe displeasure as to his conduct.

George Westover, on SS ARUNDEL CASTLE, also in the same convoy, saw the
blazing RHONA, but the ship was unable to stop and assist her as they were
also under attack. He has done extensive research into the incident and has a
lot of handwritten notes, which he copied for me and fromthem I have extracted
the above information.

Regards

Rosemary Taylor

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