Technical
tanker�-�motor - single screw
7,209 GRT - 11,186 DWT
454'5" x 59'5" x 27'3"
Service speed 10.0 knots

On 14 March U-124 was off Bermuda when a lookout sighted a ship.� It was about midday with a clear sky and good visibility.� On the surface the U-boat manoeuvred into attack position in front of the ship which was identified as a medium seized taker, low on the water and zigzagging.� At dusk U-124 submerged and waited until her target was in range.� Then, at 21:18 CET, two torpedoes were fired.

The first one struck amidships abaft the bridge, the second one a bit aside of the first.� The bow of the ship quickly settled while the tanker came to a stop.� Mohr watched�a lifeboat being lowered on the port side.� He examined the tanker closely and saw three guns on her deck, presumably 5 centimetre guns and on her stern what looked to him as a 10.5 or 15 centimetre gun.� The latter was manned and suddenly opened fire into the direction of U-124's periscope.� Thereupon, at 21:33 CET, a third torpedo was fired which struck the target too.

The tanker exploded, spewing flames 600 feet into the sky.� Burning oil was spreading on the sea.� Mohr surfaced and the men on the conning tower watched the scene. Mohr ordered both diesels slow ahead in an attempt to come closer to read the ship's name.� Soon, however, the boat had to retreat because the heat was too intense.� Time after time there were new explosions, feeding the flames.

K�ster saw a lifeboat and two rafts trying to escape the blazing ship but the burning oil on the water encircled them and soon they caught fire.� A bit further away he saw four dots making frantic movements.� At first he didn't understand what he saw but then he realized the dots were four men swimming for their life.� Klein, who was standing next to K�ster saw the men too and in horror they saw the flames consuming the swimming men.� Then Mohr was able to read the ship's name : British Resource - London.� Thereupon U-124 turned to the west and left the area.

The Master, 41 crew and 3 gunners were lost.� One crew and three gunners were rescued by HM corvette Clarkia (K.88) (Lt-Cdr F.J.G. Jones) and landed at Hamilton, Bermuda.

Thanks to Walter Janssens for the extra information on this page.

Unless otherwise stated, all dates and times are from the German perspective and are given in CET.
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