Action of 8 May 1941

Action of 8 May 1941
Part of the Second World War

Location map of the Seychelles
Date8 May 1941
Location3°30′N 57°48′E / 3.5°N 57.8°E / 3.5; 57.8
Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom United Kingdom Nazi Germany Germany
Commanders and leaders
P. C. W. Manwaring Ernst-Felix Krüder  
Strength
Heavy cruiser Cornwall Auxiliary cruiser Pinguin
Casualties and losses
1 killed
c. 200 imprisoned sailors killed
22 liberated
Cornwall slightly damaged
323 killed
60 captured
Pinguin sunk

The action of 8 May 1941 was a single ship action fought during the Second World War by the British heavy cruiser HMS Cornwall and the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) auxiliary cruiser Pinguin/Schiff 33 (Raider F to the Admiralty). The engagement took place in the Indian Ocean off the Seychelles archipelago, north of Madagascar. Pinguin caused slight damage to Cornwall, before its fire on Pinguin caused an explosion and sank it.

A British sailor was killed and about c. 200 of the 222 British and Indian Merchant Navy prisoners on Pinguin, captured from over thirty merchant vessels, were also killed. Of the crew of 401 men, 323 were killed and 60 were rescued along with 22 of the Merchant Navy prisoners. Cornwall returned to Durban for repairs until 10 June.


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