Description
An Arctic Convoy Casualty Group awarded to Able Seaman James Casey, H.M.S. Cassandra, Killed in Action on the 11th December 1944, Arctic Convoy RA-62, when H.M.S. Cassandra was struck by a Gnat (German Navy Acoustic Torpedo) fired by U-365, comprising, 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, 1939-45 War Medal, unnamed as issued, Bestowal/Condolence slip (James Casey) box of issue, very fine.
James Casey was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, the son of John and Annie Casey in 1920.
On 10 Dec 1944, U-365 fired a Gnat Torpedo (A German Navy Acoustic Torpedo, called by the Germans a G7es Zaunkonig, the G7es could be fired and then it homed into a target using its acoustic detection devices.) at convoy RA-62 in grid AC 8860 and heard a detonation after 10 minutes 58 seconds, probably at the end of its run.
At 08.00 hours on 11 December, was struck by a Gnat from U-365 when she was searching for the U-boat north of Varde, Norway to prevent a further attack on the convoy. The whole bow section was blown off. The British frigate HMS Bahamas took her in tow stern first and passed later the tow over to a Soviet tug, which towed her to Kola Inlet for repairs. 63 men were killed in the explosion.
In July 1945, the destroyer sailed to Gibraltar for complete repairs, which took over a year to complete and then went into reserve in 1946.
Box of issues addressed to Mr J. Casey, 23 Great Russell Street, Listerhills Road, Bradford, Yorkshire.
