In July of 1940 the Germans had just occupied France and the low countries giving them access to bases along the English Channel and the North Sea. From these bases they launched attacks against British shipping, laid mines and even attacked coastal towns. On July 25, 1940 German aircraft attacked CW-8, a coastal convoy in the English Channel sinking five ships, the next day, July 26, 1940 the 1st S-Boat Flotilla continued the attack.

At least three Schnellboote (known to the British as E-Boats or Enemy Boats), attacked the remaining sixteen ships, three were lost before the Germans could be driven off. It is difficult to determine which S-boat sank which ship, but the S-boats involved were S-19, S-20 and S-27. The ships sunk were Broadhurst, London Trader and Lulonga. Six men were also lost. The survivors were picked up by other ships in the convoy.