HMS Courageous by Randall Wilson (PC)

Two Stringbags (Fairey Swordfish) pass across the bow of HMS Courageous as she staggers from torpedo strikes launched from a German U-Boat in the Irish Sea. On 17th September 1939 HMS Courageous was struck by two torpedoes from the German submarine U-29 about 190 nautical miles south-west of Dursey Head, Ireland. HMS Courageous sank in less than 16 minutes with the loss of 519 lives, including her commander Captain W T Makeig-Jones. Her total complement was 1,260 officers and ratings and two squadrons of Fairey Swordfish aircraft (48 planes). The sinking of the HMS Courageous was the first U-boat offensive against the Royal Navy, and more importantly, Schuhart's victory prompted the Admiralty to withdraw all three remaining carriers from the Western Approaches.

Postcard

Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm)