500737 Capt. Harold N. Drew DSC. Royal Navy HMS Manchester Capt. Drew served during the First World War as a Midshipman and in the Second World War was the Captain of HMS Manchester between the 31st of May 1941 and the 13th of August 1942 when the ship was lost.
During Operation Pedestal The Manchester was torpedoed and her engine room flooded. With the ship only able to travel slowly in a circle, Capt Drew took the decsion to abandon the ship and scuttle her in order to prevent the brand new ship's radar from falling into the hands of the enemy.
Drew took to the lifeboats with his men and got ashore in Tunisia with 27 officers and 375 of his men. They were taken prisoner by the Vichy French. They were held in a POW camp until freed by the Allies during Operation Torch. On return to Britain Drew was summoned to an enquiry and found guilty of negligence as the Admiralty believed that the ship could have reached a friendly port.
I would like to know which POW camp Drew and his officers were held in. If anyone has any information or photos of Captain Drew I would love to hear from you. Additional Information: | Captain Drew was loved by his crew which is unlikely for the crew to be fond of their captainmaddie
|
|