On 7 November 1944, a small convoy of vessels comprising LST-200, LST-320, LST-367, LST-405 and LST-420 crossed the English Channel bound for Oostende, Belgium. The weather had been very poor for a week and a severe storm was rising.
By mid-afternoon when they arrived off the Belgian coast conditions were terrible, and as a result they were refused permission to enter port at Oostende due to concerns that an accident in the harbourmouth might cause considerable disruption in the supply line for land forces. The convoy duly altered course back towards England planning to shelter overnight in the Thames Estuary before returning to Ostend on the following day.
At approximately 15:00, within sight of Oostende the bow section of LST- 420 struck a powerful German mine which tore a large hole in the ship's hull causing it to break into two parts. The ship's galley fires were lit at the time due to the evening meal being prepared and gallons of petrol from the damaged fuel tanks of the vehicles caught fire enveloping the stern section of the ship in flame. LST-420 sank very rapidly and due to the heavy seas only larger vessels were able to attempt to rescue survivors in the water.
At least 292 persons were killed, with the total loss of life probably being over 320. The dead were washed ashore as far north as the north German coast, on the beaches of the Netherlands, Belgium, England and as far south as Calais, France. (Source Wikipedia)
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Portrait: Canadian Virtual War Memorial.
Photograph LST: ??.
Info from War Diary and Service Records: LAC (Library Archive Canada).
Photograph Regimental patch: ??.
Photograph headstone: Michael van de Velde.
