Page 91 - KBHA BULLETIN 6

On Monday 27 July 1942 a Royal Navy Hawker Hurricane, V6944, plunged into the sea in

False Bay. Malmok had been on the range since 08h30 and her crew saw three Ansons

flying south-west and a Hurricane approaching from the south, at very low level. A while
later, Royal Navy ships were sighted to the north west of Malmok’s position and the HSL

made way towards these vessels. On approaching the Navy ships, Close Destroyer H61,
signalled that the Hurricane had crashed. The HSL went alongside the destroyer and was

informed by the Captain that the aircraft had plunged straight into the sea. There was no
trace of the pilot, Lt. R. V. Smith, and the only pieces of wreckage found were those of the

fairing behind the cockpit. Malmok remained in the area for a further 30 minutes, and then

returned to standby duties.

Developments in technology meant that the False Bay range was no longer fully suitable

for bombing practice. As a result, Malgas I and II were withdrawn in December 1942 and
early 1943. Malgas I was reconstructed in January 1943. The armour and centre engine

were removed and the deck and wheelhouse rebuilt and she was re-commissioned as PL1.
In the next nine months she recorded 500 hours of stand-by duty on the Eerste River

bombing range and was used to train coxswains. Malgas II remained stored until 22
November 1943 when she too was converted and became PL2. There were requests to have

PL2 stationed at Port Elizabeth, to cover the over-water training being run from 42, 43 and

44 Air Schools. However, the predominant sea conditions on the East Coast made this
smaller craft unsuitable for off-shore duties. The conversion of the armoured boats freed up

the high speed launches from range and training duties, and they could then be used for
rescue operations.

On 27 May 1943 U-177 attacked convoy CD20 west of Cape Agulhas, sinking the freighter

Agwimonte. Immediately afterwards the German captain fired a salvo from the stern tubes

and struck the Norwegian tanker Storaas. The following day Albacores of the Fleet Air
Arm and Ansons of 66 Air School spotted 2 lifeboats with 8 survivors.

R0 received orders at 14h45, to search for two lifeboats, one in a sinking condition with six
on board and another with two survivors. At 16h20, R0 was intercepted by an aircraft and

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