On this day 21 December 1941
Published: 21 Dec 2012
HMS Audacity sank off the coast of Portugal 500 miles west of Cape Finisterre at 43°45′N 19°54′W after being struck by three torpedoes launched from U751.
HMS Audacity was the first British escort carrier. Converted from a captured German merchant ship, Hannover, and renamed in July 1941, she escorted 4 convoys during her short naval service.
The pilot Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown was one of only two survivors of 802 squadron. The loss of life was such that 802 Squadron was disbanded until February 1942. On 10 March 1942 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his service on HMS Audacity.