Sinking of Komet

14 October 1942, English Channel, off Cap de la Hague

British victory; Komet sunk with all hands

The raider Komet, back from a cruise of more than 500 days through the Pacific, set out on a second cruise in October 1942. Rather than go round the north of Scotland, she was sent down the Channel from Le Havre by night, with torpedo boats and minesweepers as escort. The British knew she was coming, and sent Hunt-class destroyers and motor torpedo boats to wait for her. Off Cap de la Hague, just after midnight on 14 October, the destroyers lit up the convoy with star shell and opened fire; in the confusion MTB 236, under Sub-Lieutenant Robert Drayson, crept in and fired two torpedoes at Komet. She blew up and sank with all hands. The explosion lifted the stern of the MTB and knocked out two of her engines, but she got home.