Convoy RS 3

Convoy RS 3
Part of the Battle of the Atlantic

North Atlantic ocean showing the west African coast
Date22–31 March 1943
Location
South-east of the Canary Islands
Result German victory
Belligerents
Germany
Commanders and leaders
Karl Dönitz Harold Milne
Strength
7 U-boats
  • 1 Sloop
  • 1 Corvette
  • 3 Merchant ships
  • 1 Cable layer
  • 4 Seagoing tugs
Casualties and losses
3 Merchant ships

Convoy RS 3 was a South Atlantic convoy from 22 to 31 March 1943 between Gibraltar and Freetown in Sierra Leone. A convoy series that ran from 1943 to 1945. The convoy was part of the Battle of the Atlantic in the Second World War. The convoy lost its three biggest ships to U-boat attacks.

In March 1943 most of the 108 ships (627,000 GRT) sunk by U-boats were in convoy, that led to a crisis in Allied shipping. By April, more escort groups were available and shipping losses declined. Some U-boats were diverted from the Atlantic to West Africa.

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