Jack Statton Mesley, RAN
| Born | 11 Dec 1910 | Brunswick, Victoria, Australia |
| Ranks
Decorations
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Warship Commands listed for Jack Statton Mesley, RAN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMAS Vendetta (D 69) | Lt.Cdr. | Destroyer | 9 Dec 1943 | 25 Sep 1944 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Destroyer HMAS Vendetta (D 69)
10 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600L/10, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Brisbane to escort the transport Cape Mendocino (American, 7104 GRT, built 1943) to position 28°01'S, 155°30'E.
Following the above task HMAS Vendetta proceeded to the vicinity of Lady Elliot Island where around 1200L/12 rendezvous was made with HMAS Manoora (A/Capt. C.C. Baldwin, RAN). Course was then set for Sydney where they arrived around 1140L/13. (1)
15 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) is docked in the dry dock at the Mort's Dock Shipyard at Balmain, Sydney. (1)
23 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) is undocked. (1)
24 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1900L/24, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Sydney to make rendezvous with the troop transport Fred C. Ainsworth (American, 12097 GRT, built 1943) and then escort her towards the vicinity of Lady Elliot Island.
Rendezvous was effected around 1230L/27.
They parted company around 2115L/27 and HMAS Vendetta set course for Brisbane where she arrived around 1100L/28. HMAS Vendetta arrived with a defect in No.1 boiler room. She could be used operationally until repairs were made at a maximum speed of 20 knots. (1)
29 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1330L/29, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Brisbane for exercises.
Around 2030L/29, HMAS Vendetta proceeded to sea with USS Albacore (T/Cdr. J.W. Blanchard, USN). Due to the heavy weather A/S exercises were only commenced around 0700L/30. Around 0200L/31 both ships parted company with USS Albacore proceeding on patrol and HMAS Vendetta proceeding to position 26°53'N, 158°09'E. (1)
31 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600L/31, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) made rendezvous with USS Copahee (T/Capt. R.E. Jennings, USN). Course was then set for Brisbane where they arrived around 1230L/1. (2)
3 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1300L/3, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Brisbane to escort USS Copahee (T/Capt. R.E. Jennings, USN) eastwards from Moreton Bay. The ships joined company around 1545L/3.
They parted company around 1200L/4. (3)
5 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500L/5, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Sydney where repairs to the boiler room damage were started as well as hull and engine room repairs. (4)
29 Jan 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) conducted post-repair trials off Sydney. On return to harbour the trials were found to be unsatisfactory. (4)
1 Feb 1944
From 1 to 7 February 1944, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN), underwent further repairs at Sydney to her boiler room defects. (5)
8 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) conducted post-repair trials off Sydney. On return to harbour the trials were found to be satisfactory with speeds up to 24 knots. (5)
9 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) conducted D/G trials at Sydney. The results were unsatisfactory and she was depermed (wiped) the following day.
Also a problem with the condensers had arisen and repairs were undertaken on this as well. (5)
11 Feb 1944
Around 0600L/11, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN), departed Sydney for Brisbane where she arrived around 1015L/12. At Brisbane she topped off with fuel and then departed for Milne Bay later the same day. (5)
15 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0940L/15, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Milne Bay where she fuelled from the RFA tanker Bishopdale (8406 GRT, built 1937). (5)
16 Feb 1944
HMAS Stuart (Lt.Cdr. N.A. Mackinnon, RAN), HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) and HMAS Gascoyne (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) J. Donovan, RAN) briefly conducted exercises in Milne Bay. On completion of the exercises HMAS Stuart proceeded to Suiaha Bay while HMAS Vendetta and HMAS Gascoyne proceeded to sea for escort duties. (6)
18 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1505L/18, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) made rendezvous with the transport Sea Scamp (American, 8396 GRT, built 1943). Course was then set for Milne Bay where they arrived on 20 February 1944. (5)
23 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0500L/23, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Milne Bay to make rendezvous with the transport Evangeline (American, 5043 GRT, built 1927).
Rendezvous was effected around 1800L/24 and the ship was then escorted to Milne Bay where they arrived on the 25th. (5)
25 Feb 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
On the 25th, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Milne Bay to make rendezvous with the transport USS Orizaba (6937 GRT, built 1918).
Rendezvous was effected around 0540L/26 and the ship was then escorted to Milne Bay where they arrived later on the 26th. (5)
28 Feb 1944
HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN), USS SC-732 (Lt. J.C. Rodman, USNR) and USS SC-747 (Lt.(jg) D.A. Kennedy, USNR) conducted A/S exercises off Milne Bay with USS Scamp (T/Cdr. J.C. Hollingsworth, USN).
HMAS Vendetta returned to Milne Bay with condenser trouble. Repairs were completed on 2 March 1944. (5)
2 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1630L/2, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN), departed Milne Bay for Townsville and eventually Sydney to have her condensers retubed.
On departure from Milne Bay she was escorting the transport Cape Perpetua (American, 7189 GRT, built 1943) up to the vicinity of Fitzroy Island where they parted company around 0800L/4.
HMAS Vendetta arrived at Townsville around 1730L/4. (7)
2 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the afternoon, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) conducted trials off Sydney. She then returned to Garden Island to complete refit including the problems which surfaced during the trials. (7)
5 Mar 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700L/5, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN), departed Townsville for Sydney where she arrived around 0830L/8.
At Garden Island she was taken in hand for retubing of her condensers. These repairs were only completed on 2 April 1944. In the meantime also changes to her armament were made. The three 4" LA guns were landed and two 4" HA/LA guns were shipped. ' A ' gun was replaced by a Hedgehog ahead throwing mortar. The 12pdr AA gun was replaced by an Oerlikon gun. Also the remaining bank of torpedo tubes was landed. Besides changes in the armament also changes in the radar outfit was made, for instance the searchlight was replaced by radar type 271. (8)
5 Mar 1944
HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) conducted radar trials off Sydney during which HMAS Doomba (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Reading, RANR(S)) acted as target. These were followed by Hedgehog allignment trials.
Later the same day she departed Sydney to escort the troop transport Lurline (American, 18017 GRT, built 1932) to the vicinty of Lord Howe Island.
They parted company near Lord Howe Island around 1100K/6 and HMAS Vendetta returned to Sydney around 0830K/7. Some minor defects were then taken in hand by the Dockyard and these were completed on 9 April. (7)
9 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Sydney for Brisbane. (9)
10 Apr 1944
Around 1515K/10, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Brisbane from Sydney.
Around 1720K/10, she departed for Milne Bay. (9)
13 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930K/13, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Milne Bay from Sydney. (9)
14 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) and USS PC-1134 (Lt. D.J. Callaghan. Jr. USNR) conducted A/S and radar exercises off Milne Bay with USS S-42 (T/Lt.Cdr. P.E. Glenn, USN). (9)
16 Apr 1944
During 16/17 April 1944, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) and HMAS Gascoyne (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) J. Donovan, RAN) conducted gunnery and radar exercises off Milne Bay. These included night exercises. (9)
17 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1335K/17, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Gili Gili, Milne Bay for Langemak Bay where she arrived around 1330K/18. (9)
19 Apr 1944
Around 2330K/19, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Langemak Bay for Seeadler Harbour. (9)
20 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500K/20, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Seeadler Harbour. Here she was joined by USS Scamp (T/Cdr. J.C. Hollingsworth, USN) and course was set for Milne Bay. (9)
22 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500K/22, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) and USS Scamp (T/Cdr. J.C. Hollingsworth, USN) arrived at Milne Bay from Seeadler Harbour. (9)
23 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1415K/23, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Gili Gili for Langemak Bay. (9)
24 Apr 1944
Around 1700K/24, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Langemak Bay from Gili Gili.
She departed again around 2200K/24, with troops and stores for Bogadjim. (9)
25 Apr 1944
Around 0700K/25, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived Bogadjim from Langemak Bay. On arrival it was found out that the troops at Bogadjim had moved on to Bil Bil so HMAS Vendetta also moved there. On arrival the troops had already moved on to Madang but eventually HMAS Vendetta was able to disembark her troops around noon.
HMAS Vendetta then returned to Langemak Bay where she arrived around 0940K/26. (9)
26 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2000K/26, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Langemak Bay for Madang. On board were Australian troops and stores. (9)
27 Apr 1944
Around 0645K/27, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley,
RAN) arrived at Madang where the troops and stores were disembarked.
Around 0900K/27, HMAS Vendetta departed Madang. On board were 10 wounded soldiers. She arrived at Dreger Harbour / Langemak Bay around 1800K/27. (9)
28 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0645K/28, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Langemak Bay for Madang. On board were Australian troops and stores. She arrived at Madang around 1550K/28 where the troops and stores were disembarked and wounded were embarked. She then left around 1800K/28 to returned to Langemak Bay where she arrived around 0830K/29 after having fuelled at Dreger Harbour first. (9)
29 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1945K/29, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Langemak Bay for Madang. On board were Australian troops and stores. (9)
30 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0640K/30, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley,
RAN) arrived at Madang where the troops and stores were disembarked.
She later departed Madang for Dreger Harbour with five Army officers on board. She arrived at Dreger Harbour around 1440K/30. After fuelling she proceeded to Langemak Bay for water. (9)
1 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0805K/1, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Langemak Bay for Madang. On board were Australian troops and stores. She arrived at Madang around 1540K/1. After disembarking she immediately departed again to return to Langemak Bay with a short fuel stop at Dreger Harbour to fuel where she arrived around 0630K/2. On completion of fuelling she returned to Langemak Bay. (10)
3 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0545K/3, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) embarked Australian troops and stores. On completion of which she departed Langemak Bay for Madang where she arrived around 1615K/3.
After disembarking the troops and stores she embarked 10 wounded, a POW and a provost and then left to return to Langemak Bay via Dreger Harbour. She arrived at Dreger Harbour around 0620K/4 and left there for Langemak Bay around 0745K/4 arriving there shortly afterwards. (10)
5 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0945K/5, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Langemak Bay for Milne Bay where she arrived around 0940K/6. (10)
6 May 1944
Around 1615K/6, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Milne Bay for Cairns. (10)
8 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000K/8, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Cairns from Milne Bay. At Cairns she was taken in hand for boiler cleaning and minor repairs. At Cairns it became apparent that she also required to be docked for repairs to ' A ' brackets and stern glands but this was not possible at Cairns. (10)
16 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100K/16, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Cairns for Brisbane. (10)
18 May 1944
Around 1835K/18, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Brisbane from Cairns. (10)
19 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700K/19, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) is docked at Brisbane. (10)
27 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) was undocked and basin trials were carried out. (10)
28 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) conducted speed trials in Moreton Bay. (10)
30 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100K/30, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Brisbane for Milne Bay. (10)
2 Jun 1944
Around 0900K/2, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Milne Bay from Brisbane. (11)
6 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) and HMAS Broome (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Denovan, RANVR) conducted radar and gunnery exercises off Milne Bay. (11)
7 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the afternoon, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Milne Bay for Langemak Bay via Morobe.
She arrived at Morobe around 0850K/8. She left again around 0945K/8 for Langemak Bay where she arrived around 1830K/8. (11)
10 Jun 1944
Around 1430K/10, a convoy departed Langemak Bay (Megum Island anchorage) for Humboldt Bay (Hollandia).
This convoy was made up of the (troop) transports; Charles M. Russell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), David C. Shanks (American, 12097 GRT, built 1943), Edward Lander (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Esso Pittsburgh (American (tanker), 11236 GRT, built 1943), I.N. van Nuys (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944), James H. Lane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James M. Clements (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lewis L. Dyche (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Sea Pike (American, 7949 GRT, built 1943) and Yunnan (British, 2812 GRT, built 1934).
Also the landing craft USS LCI 444 (Lt. F.C. Gebhart, USNR) and USS LCI 446 (Lt.(jg) H.T. Coller, USNR) were with the convoy as were ten PT boats from MTB Squadron 9, these were; USS PT-126, USS PT-154, USS PT-155, USS PT-156, USS PT-157, USS PT-159, USS PT-160, USS PT-161, USS PT-162 and USS PT-187.
The convoy was escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Witter (Cdr. A.C. Davis, USNR, SO of the escort), USS Bowers (T/Lt.Cdr. F.W. Hawes, USN), USS Foreman (Lt.Cdr. C.A. Manston, USNR), destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) and minesweeper HMAS Strahan (Lt.Cdr. L.D. Williams, RANR).
Around 1650K/10, the Yunnan parted company with the convoy to return to Langemak Bay.
Around 1800K/10, the transport Tarakan (Dutch, 8183 GRT, built 1930) joined the convoy.
Around 2210K/10, the transports Jean P. Chouteau (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Hanyang (British, 2865 GRT, built 1940) joined the convoy. They were escorted by the patrol vessel USS PC 1123 (Lt. W.R. Plage, USNR) which also joined the convoy.
Around 0520K/12, the James M. Clements parted company with the convoy to proceed to Aitape escorted by USS PC-1123.
The convoy arrived at Humboldt Bay around noon on the 13th. (12)
14 Jun 1944
Around 1800K/14, a convoy departed Humboldt Bay (Hollandia) for Langemak Bay (Megum Island anchorage).
This convoy was made up of the transports; Empire Hamble (American, 3545 GRT, built 1920), Frances A. Wardwell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Burroughs (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Evans (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Matthew Thornton (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942) and West Cactus (American, 5642 GRT, built 1919).
Also the landing craft USS LST-171 (Lt. L.H. Smiley, USNR) was part of the convoy.
On departure from Humboldt Bay the convoy was escorted by the escort destroyers USS Eichenberger (T/Lt.Cdr. N. Harrell, USN), USS James E. Craig (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Andrews, USNR), USS Lovelace (T/Lt.Cdr. R.D. de Kay, Jr., USN), destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) and minesweeper HMAS Strahan (Lt.Cdr. L.D. Williams, RANR).
Around 2015K/16, USS LST 171 parted company with the convoy to proceed to Madang. USS Eichenberger went with her as escort.
The convoy arrived at Langemak Bay around 2330K/17.
23 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0845K/23, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN), departed Langemak Bay for Cutarp Plantation, Jacquinot Bay, New Britain with a few Army personnel.
HMAS Vendetta arrived at her destination around 0630K/24.
The Army personnel was disembarked and three Army officers and 53 natives were embarked and HMAS Vendetta immediately departed to return to Langemak Bay where she arrived around 2020K/24. (11)
26 Jun 1944
Around 1710K/26, a convoy departed Langemak Bay (Megum Island anchorage) for Humboldt Bay (Hollandia).
This convoy was made up of the (troop) transports; Abigail S. Duniway (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Ada Rehan (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Ambrose Bierce (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Don Marquis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Franklin K. Lane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George Eastman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George A. Pope (American, 7212 GRT, built 1944), Henry White (American, 7216 GRT, built 1944), Julien Dubuque (American, 7194 GRT, built 1943), Mormachawk (American, 6711 GRT, built 1942), Otis Skinner (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Robert S. Bean (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Simon Bamberger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Stephen M. White (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Van der Lijn (Dutch, 2464 GRT, built 1929), Walter Williams (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Watson C. Squire (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Wilfred Grenfell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
On departure from Langemak Bay the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN, Senior Officer of the escort), minesweepers HMAS Broome (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Denovan, RANVR), HMAS Bunbury (T/Lt. J.S. Bell, RANR(S)), HMAS Gladstone (T/Lt. J.W. Penney, RANR(S)), HMAS Kiama (T/Lt. S.J. Benson, RANR(S)), HMAS Stawell (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.J. Griffith, RANR(S)) and the patrol vessels PC-1131 (?) and SC-749 (Lt.(jg) H.W. Sadler, USNR).
At 0040K/27, the transports; Joseph P. Bradley (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943) and Francis A. Wardwell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy. They were escorted by the patrol vessel PC-1121 (Lt. R.D. Blocksom, USNR) which also joined the convoy.
Around 1000K/28, the Francis A. Wardwell, Joseph P. Bradley and Julien Dubuque were detached to Aitape escorted by all three American patrol vessels.
The convoy arrived at Humboldt Bay around 0800K/29. (11)
29 Jun 1944
Around 1700K/29, a convoy departed Humboldt Bay (Hollandia) for Langemak Bay (Megum Island anchorage).
This convoy was made up of the transports; Annui (?, ? GRT, built ?) [Unable to find data on a vessel with this name], Charles M. Russell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Hanyang ((British, 2865 GRT, built 1940)), Lewis L. Dyche (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Van Spilbergen (Dutch, 2868 GRT, built 1908).
The Army tanker Y-21 (American, 484 GRT, built 1943) and naval tanker USS Porcupine (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1943) (Lt. D.M. Paul, USNR) were also part of the convoy.
On departure from Humboldt Bay the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN, Senior Officer of the escort) and the minesweepers HMAS Gladstone (T/Lt. J.W. Penney, RANR(S)), HMAS Kiama (T/Lt. S.J. Benson, RANR(S)) and HMAS Stawell (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.J. Griffith, RANR(S)).
En-route the Y-21 was detached to Aitape.
At 2359K/1, HMAS Vendetta was detached to proceed to Milne Bay.
The convoy arrived at Langemak Bay around 0910K/3. (13)
3 Jul 1944
Around 0800K/3, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Milne Bay. She then commenced cleaning boilers which was completed on 12 July. Also some repairs were made during this time. (14)
13 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900K/13, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Milne Bay for Madang. On board were 5 Officers and 128 other ranks of the 5th Company of Royal Australian Engineers and also 7 Royal Australian Air Force personnel.
She arrived at Madang around 1115K/14. (14)
14 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800K/14, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Madang for Langemak Bay where she arrived around 0915K/15.
From 15 to 17 July 1944, she repaired leaks in boiler tubes at Langemak Bay. (14)
20 Jul 1944
Convoy BG 102.
This convoy departed Langemak Bay (Cape Crepin) at 1700K/20 for Humboldt Bay (Hollandia).
The convoy was made up of the following transports; Joseph P. Bradley (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Norlago (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944) and Sacajawea (American, 7180 GRT, built 1942).
The landing ship LST-456 (T/Lt. G.W. Prue, USN) and gasoline tanker USS Pasquotank (1139 GRT, built 1943) (Lt. A.R. Norris, USNR) were also part of the convoy.
On departure from Langemak Bay the convoy was escorted by the minesweepers HMAS Ararat (T/Lt. N.M. Muzzell, RANR(S)), HMAS Bendigo (T/Lt.Cdr. H.A. Litchfield, RANR(S)), HMAS Glenelg (T/Lt. L. Robson, RANR(S)), HMAS Geelong (Lt. M.E. Mathers, RANR) and YMS-334 (Lt.Cdr. H.T. Loehr, Jr., USNR).
Around 1640K/22, the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) joined the convoy. She came from Aitape.
The convoy arrived at Hunboldt Bay around 0800K/23.
21 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900K/21, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Langemak Bay for Aitape where she arrived around 1000K/22. (14)
22 Jul 1944
Around 1345K/22, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Aitape to join convoy BG 102.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy BG 102 ' for 20 July 1944.] (14)
23 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1730K/23, a convoy departed Humboldt Bay (Hollandia) for Biak.
This convoy was made up of the transports; Edward Lander (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944) and Stephen M. White (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).
The gasoline tanker USS Pasquotank (1139 GRT, built 1943) (Lt. A.R. Norris, USNR) was also part of the convoy.
On depature from Humboldt Bay the convoy escorted by the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) and the minesweepers HMAS Geelong (Lt. M.E. Mathers, RANR) and HMAS Glenelg (T/Lt. L. Robson, RANR(S)).
Around 0640K/24, HMAS Geelong was detached to Wakde.
The convoy arrived at Biak around 0830K/24. (14)
25 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800K/25, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed the Biak area for Wakde where she arrived around 0730K/26.
On arrival it was found that the Port Director and his office had proceeded to Maffin Bay so HMAS Vendetta also went there. (14)
26 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2000K/26, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Maffin Bay for Hollandia where she arrived around 0730K/27. (14)
27 Jul 1944
Around 1700K/27, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Humboldt Bay for Madang where she arrived around 1435K/28.
Shortly after departure, off Yako village, in position 02°38'S, 141°13'E, a barge and a small boat with two occupants were sighted. As Yako lay in enemy occupied territory fire was opened with the 4" guns from 5000 yards. The two occupants were seen to make for the shore and shortly afterwards their boat was hit and sank. The barge was then identified as a derelict and fire was ceased after 43 rounds of 4" had been fired. (14)
28 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1900K/28, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Madang for Langemak Bay where she arrived around 0710K/29. (14)
5 Aug 1944
Around 1800K/5, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN), HMAS Cootamundra (T/Lt. George Alfred Johns, RANR(S)) and HMAS Glenelg (T/Lt. L. Robson, RANR(S)) departed Langemak Bay to escort a convoy of 14 LCI's to Humboldt Bay. An additional two LCI were to be detached to Aitake while en-route. HMAS Glenelg was to be detached to escort these two LCI's.
The LCI's in question were from LCI(L) Flottilla 22. The following LCI's were part of this convoy USS LCI(L)-224, USS LCI(L)-328, USS LCI(L)-333, USS LCI(L)-357, USS LCI(L)-360, USS LCI(L)-429, USS LCI(L)-433, USS LCI(L)-435, USS LCI(L)-445, USS LCI(L)-976, USS LCI(L)-977 and USS LCI(L)-979.
Around two hours after sailing four more LCI(L)'s joined the convoy, these were USS LCI(L)-436, USS LCI(L)-446, USS LCI(L)-968 and USS LCI(L)-970 joined.
Two of the LCI(L)'s soon straggled from the convoy, being unable to keep up, these were USS LCL(L)-328 and USS LCL(L)-970. HMAS Glenelg was detached around 2030K/5 to escort these two vessels to Aitape.
While doing so around 1934K/6, HMAS Glenelg obtained a promising A/S contact. She attacked with depth charges and then commenced to hunt the supposed submarine while the two LCI(L)'s continued on unescorted to Aitape.
Around 2100K/6, HMAS Cootamundra was detached from the main convoy to take over the escort of the two LCI(L)'s for Aitape where they eventually arrived around 1200K/7.
Around 2300K/6, HMAS Vendetta, now the sole escort of the remaining 14 LCI(L)'s, obtained an A/S contact. Several attacks were made but no definitive result could be observed.
The main convoy of 14 LCI(L)'s arrived at Humboldt Bay around 1300K/7. HMAS Vendetta remained on A/S patrol until the last LCI(L) had entered and then entered the Bay herself. (15)
7 Aug 1944
Around 1800K/7, convoy GB 5E departed Humboldt Bay for Langemak Bay.
The convoy was made up of the transport Jose C. Barbosa (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and the Army tug LT-20 (198 GRT, built 1943).
The convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN).
Around 1700K/18, the transport James M. Goodhue (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Aitape.
Around 1400K/19, HMAS Vendetta parted company with the convoy to proceed to Madang. They convoy then continued on unescorted. (15)
9 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1805K/9, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Madang from convoy escort duty. (15)
11 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Convoy BG 8.
Around 1800K/11, this convoy left Langemak Bay for Humboldt Bay.
The convoy was made up of the transports; Extavia (American, 6535 GRT, built 1941), Owen Summers (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Nelson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Thomas W. Symons (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William Ellery Channing (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).
On departure from Langemak Bay the convoy was escorted by the minesweeper HMS Gympie (T/Lt.Cdr. R. Rowsell, RNZNR). The patrol vessel USS SC-737 (?) was to have sailed with the convoy but had been delayed and was unable to sail with the convoy. She later sailed to overtake and join the convoy which she did around 0035K/12.
Around 1300K/12, the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) and minesweeper HMAS Katoomba (T/Lt. J.A. Grant, RANR(S)) joined the convoy coming from Madang as additional escorts.
The convoy arrived at Humboldt Bay around 0800K/14. (16)
12 Aug 1944
Around 0800K/12, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) and HMAS Katoomba (T/Lt. J.A. Grant, RANR(S)) departed Madang to join convoy BG 8 which they did around 1230K/12.
[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy BG 8 ' for 11 August 1944.] (15)
14 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800K/14, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Humboldt Bay for Langemak Bay where she arrived around 0600K/16. (15)
18 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900K/18, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Langemak Bay for Milne Bay via Oro Bay.
She arrived at Oro Bay around 1630K/18. HMAS Vendetta departed again later the same day.
Around 0900K/19, HMAS Vendetta arrived at Milne Bay. (15)
19 Aug 1944
Around 1600K/19, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Milne Bay for Brisbane. She is to return to Australia for a short refit. (15)
22 Aug 1944
Around 1520K/22, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Brisbane from Milne Bay. (15)
23 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730K/23, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) departed Brisbane for Sydney. (15)
24 Aug 1944
Around 1030K/24, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) arrived at Sydney from Brisbane. shortly afterwards she briefly went to sea again with a party from the Dockyard to conduct some trials returning to Sydney on completion of these. (15)
26 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After de-ammunitioning and de-storing the ship HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN) was towed to the Cockatoo Island Dockyard where she was taken in hand for refit. (15)
Sources
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for December 1943
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for December 1943 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for January 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for January 1944 + War Diary of USS Copahee for January 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for January 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for February 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Gascoyne from November 1943 to February 1944 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Stuart for February 1944 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for February 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for March 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for February 1944 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for March 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for April 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for May 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for June 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for June 1944 + War diaries for June 1944 from USS Witter, USS Bowers, USS Foreman and MTB Ron 9
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for June 1944 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for July 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for July 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for August 1944
- Report of proceedings of HMAS Gympie for August 1944 + Report of proceedings of HMAS Vendetta for August 1944
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