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23 Apr 1944

Convoy UGS 40.

This convoy departed Hampton Roads on 23 April 1944.

It was made up of the following transports / tankers; Abangarez (American, 4538 GRT, built 1909), Abraham Lincoln (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Albino Perez (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Alexander Lillington (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Alfred Moore (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), Ben F. Dickson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Ben H. Miller (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Benjamin Huntington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Carter Braxton (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Charles A. Dana (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Charles A. Wickliffe (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1943), Clement Clay (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Colin P. Kelly Jr. (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Conrad Weiser (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Cornelius Gilliam (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Cornelius Harnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Dwight W. Morrow (American, 7225 GRT, built 1943), Eastgate (British, 5032 GRT, built 1940), Elijah White (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Empire Alliance (British (tanker), 9909 GRT, built 1943), Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943), Esso Concord (American (tanker), 7698 GRT, built 1940), Fernbrook (Norwegian, 4633 GRT, built 1932), Fort Venango (British, 7166 GRT, built 1943), Francis M. Smith (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George H. Dern (American, 7181 GRT, built 1943), George Matthews (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Henry Watterson (American, 7225 GRT, built 1943), Irvin MacDowell (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), James Barbour (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James J. Pettigrew (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), James M. Gillis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James W. Fannin (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), James Whitcomb Riley (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Janet Lord Roper (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Banvard (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), John Dickinson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John F. Myers (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Fiske (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Jay (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Stevens (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), John W. Griffiths (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Joseph Hooker (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Joseph Leidy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph N. Teal (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Junecrest (British, 6945 GRT, built 1942), Kobad (French (tanker), 7329 GRT, built 1930), Laurentide Park (British, 7136 GRT, built 1942), Magdala (Dutch (tanker), 8248 GRT, built 1931), Neocardia (British (tanker), 8211 GRT, built 1943), Noah Webster (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Pan-Rhode Island (American (tanker), 7742 GRT, built 1941), Peter Minuit (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Peter Zenger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Reverdy Johnson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Robert H. Harrison (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Salamis (Norwegian (tanker), 8286 GRT, built 1939), Samdaring (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), Samderry (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), Samdonard (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samfairy (British, 7255 GRT, built 1944), Samfield (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samgallion (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samharle (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samkansa (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samlea (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Sampenn (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samspelga (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Stephen A. Douglas (American, 7219 GRT, built 1942), Thomas L. Clingman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Nuttall (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Thomas W. Bickett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Timothy Dwight (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Van Laer Black (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), William B. Giles (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), William H. Aspinwall (American, 7194 GRT, built 1943), William H. Moody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William Mulholland (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), William Patterson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and Zachery Taylor (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942).

On departure from Hampton Roads, around 0430Q/23, the convoy was escorted by Task Force 61 which was made up of the cutter USCGC Campbell (Cdr. S.F. Gray, USCG, with COMTASKFOR 61, T/Capt. J.C. Sowell, USN on board), destroyers USS Dallas ( Lt.Cdr. J.W. Coolidge, USNR, with COMDESDIV 60, T/Cdr. N.C. Barker, USN, on board), USS Ellis (Lt. P. Cutler, USNR), escort destroyers USS Evarts (Lt.Cdr. T.G. Bremer, Jr., USNR, with COMCORTDIV 5, Cdr. R.A. Fitch, USNR on board), USS Wyffels (Lt. S.N. Gleis, USNR), USS Decker (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Cody, Jr., USNR), USS Dobler (Lt. E.F. Butler, USNR), USS Walter S. Brown (Lt. L.C. Burdett, USNR), USS Wilhoite (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Roth, USN), USS Cockrill (Lt.Cdr. S. Farnham, USNR), Tunesien and patrol vessel Cimeterre.

The naval tanker USS Chicopee (Cdr. C.O. Peak, USNR) was also with the convoy.

Around 1030Q/23, the escort destroyer USS Smartt (Lt. E.R. Wepman, USNR) joined.

Around 2000Q/23, the transport Eastgate suffered engine failure. She was detached to return to Hampton Roads unescorted.

Around 2302Q/23, the transport Timothy Dwight and USS Cockrill collided. Both sustained damage and were detached to return to Hampton Roads escorted by USS Dobler. USS Dobler was ordered to rejoin the convoy later.

Around 1900Q/24, the destroyer Bernadou (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Meredith, USNR) joined the convoy having been sent to replace USS Cockrill.

Around 2000Q/24, the transport Fort Venago developed engine trouble and was detached to return to Hampton Roads unescorted.

Around 1930Q/25, USS Dobler rejoined the convoy.

On 29 April 1944, USS Chicopee fuelled the following escort vessels; USCGC Campbell, USS Walter S. Brown, USS Dobler, USS Decker, USS Ellis, USS Dallas, USS Bernadou, USS Wilhoite and the Cimeterre.

On 1 May 1944, USS Chicopee fuelled the following escort vessels; USS Evarts, USS Wyfels, USS Smartt, USS Inch (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Frey, USN), USS Snowden (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Swanson, USNR), USS Frost (J.H. McWhorter, USNR), USS Huse (R.H. Wanless, USNR), USS Barber (Lt. E.T.B. Sullivan, USN). The last five of these destroyer escorts were not escorts of the convoy but members of hunter-killer group (Task Group 21.15) operating in the area.

Around 0530O/2, the transport Samdonard broke down. Repairs were expected to take four hours. USS Decker was ordered to standby the stricken ship. They rejoined around 0800N/3.

Around 1200N/3, the transports Charles A. Wickliffe and George Matthews were detached to the Azores escorted by USS Walter S. Brown until position 36°20'N, 28°37'W after which USS Walter S. Brown rejoined the convoy around 2000N/5.

Between 1515Z/7 and 1800Z/7, USS Dallas and USS Bernadou were fuelled by USS Chicopee

Around 1900Z/7, the transports George H. Dern, James Whitcomb Riley, John Stevens, Stephen A. Douglas, Thomas W. Bickett, William B. Giles and William Mulholland were detached to proceed ahead of the main convoy to Oran / Mers-el-kebir where they were to discharge personnel and then to rejoin the convoy. They were escorted by USS Dallas, USS Ellis and USS Bernadou. They arrived at their destination on 10 May 1944.

Around 1015A/8, the tanker Esso Concord and the transports Alexander Lillington, Elijah White, Henry Watterson, Irvin MacDowell and Joseph Hooker were detached to Casablanca. They were escorted by the minesweeping sloop La Boudeuse and the patrol vessels USS PC-472 (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Dallis, Jr., USNR), USS PC-473 (Lt. A.W. Silverstein, USNR) and USS PC-480 (Lt. J.K. Miller, USNR). They arrived at Casablanca the following day.

At 0800B/9, USS Dobler was detached to Gibraltar with a medical case she had taken off from James W. Fannin. She rejoined the convoy later the same day.

Also in the moning of the 9th, USS Chicopee refuelled the Cimeterre.

Around 1300B/9, the tanker Kobad was detached to Gibraltar where she arrived later the same day.

Around 1500B/9, Hengist joined the convoy as rescue tug.

Around 1515B/9, the transport Joseph N. Teal was detached to Gibraltar where she arrived later the same day. The reason was engine trouble and she was no longer able to keep up with the convoy.

At 0220B/10, the destroyer USS Benson (T/Cdr. J.B. Williams, USN) and the minesweepers USS Steady (Lt.Cdr. B. Orella, USNR) and USS Sustain (Lt. J.E. Lindeman, Jr., USNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1615B/10, the transports / tankers Alfred Moore, Dwight W. Morrow, James Barbour, John Fiske, John Jay, Joseph Leidy, Noah Webster, Pan-Rhode Island, Peter Minuit, Reverdy Johnson, Robert H. Harrison and the naval tanker USS Chicopee were detached to Oran / Mers-el-Kebir.

Around the same time the transports George H. Dern, Gezina (Norwegian, 1828 GRT, built 1917), Grenville M. Dodge (American, 7194 GRT, built 1942), James Whitcomb Riley, John Stevens, Louisa M. Alcott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Samuel Moody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Stephen A. Douglas, Thomas W. Bickett, William B. Giles and William Mulholland joined the convoy coming from Oran / Mers-el-Kebir.

Around 1630B/10, the AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN) joined the convoy coming from Oran / Mers-el-Kebir.

Aroud 1800B/10, USS Dallas, USS Ellis and USS Bernadou rejoined the convoy coming from Oran / Mers-el-Kebir.

Around 1900B/10, the destroyers USS Champlin (T/Cdr. F.E. Fleck, Jr., USN) and USS Laub (T/Cdr. A.C. Roessler, USN) joined the convoy temporarily.

Around 0200B/11, USS Champlin and USS Laub parted company with the convoy.

At 1500B/11, the transports Charles A. Dana, Colin P. Kelly Jr., Louisa M. Alcott, Samderry, Samdonard and Samfield were detached to Algiers and the transports Fort Michipicoten (British, 7152 GRT, 1943), Odysseus (Dutch, 1057 GRT, 1922), Port Melbourne (British, 9142 GRT, built 1914) and Srbin (Yugoslavian, 928 GRT, built 1913) joined coming from Algiers.

Between 2100B/11 and 2144B/11, the convoy was attacked by between 40 to 60 German aircraft but no damage was done.

Around 1730B/12, the transports Chloris (British, 1171 GRT, built 1910), Essex Trader (British, 7237 GRT, built 1943), Fort Astoria (British, 7189 GRT, built 1943), Fort La Baye (British, 7166 GRT, built 1943), Norman Monarch (British, 7005 GRT, built 1943) and Ocean Gypsy (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942) joined the convoy coming from Bone.

The transport Cap-Pinede (French, 1320 GRT, built 1938) had joined the convoy already earlier coming from Philippeville.

Around 1800B/12, HMS Hengist was detached to Bone.

Around 2200B/12, USS Benson and USS Sustain were detached to return to Oran.

Around 0157B/13, USS Evarts, USS Dobler, USS Walter S. Brown< and USS Bernadou were detached to hunt a reported submarine.

Around 0533B/13, USS Steady was detached to Bizerta.

Around 0600B/13, the U.S. escort was relieved by a British escort. The U.S. escort then proceeded to Bizerta taking the transports Empire Stalwart, Fort La Baye, Gezina, Magdala and Srbin with them to Bizerta. HMS Caledon also proceeded to Bizerta. The four escorts that had been detached earlier for the U-Boat hunt arrived at Bizerta later the same day after the hunt had been called off.

The British escort that joined was made up of the sloops HMS Pheasant (Cdr. W.E.J. Eames, DSC, RN), HMS Bideford (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.J. Beverley, DSO, DSC, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Alisma (Lt. G. Lanning, RANVR), HMS Saxifage (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Renwick, DSO, RNR) and HMS Spiraea (Lt. A.H. Pierce, OBE, RNR). They had the transports Djebel Aures (French, 2835 GRT, built 1929) and Norelg (Norwegian, 6103 GRT, built 1920) with them which also joined the convoy.

On 13 May 1944, the transport Cap-Pinede arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy.

On 14 May 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy; James W. Fannin and Port Melbourne.

The James W. Fannin was only briefly at Malta as she later rejoined the convoy.

On 15 May 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy; Abangarez, Abraham Lincoln, Ben H. Miller, Benjamin Huntington, Carter Braxton, Chloris, Conrad Weiser, Cornelius Gilliam, Djebel Aures, Empire Alliance, Essex Trader, Fort Astoria, Fort Michipicoten, George H. Dern, Grenville M. Dodge, James W. Fannin, James Whitcomb Riley, Janet Lord Roper, John Banvard, John Dickinson, John Stevens, Norman Monarch, Ocean Gipsy, Odysseus, Salamis, Samgallion, Samkansa, Samuel Moody, Stephen A. Douglas, Thomas W. Bickett, Van Laer Black, William B. Giles, William Mulholland and Zachery Taylor.

From Augusta the transports Ocean Messenger (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942) and Pronto (Norwegian, 2201 GRT, built 1920) joined the convoy.

On 18 May 1945, the Neocardia, Norelg, Ocean Messenger, Pronto, Samfairy and William H. Moody arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy. HMS Pheasant, HMS Alisma and HMS Spiraea also arrived at Alexandria.

On 19 May 1945, the Albino Perez, Ben F. Dixon, Clement Clay, Cornelius Harnett, Fernbrook, Francis M. Smith, James J. Pettigrew, James M. Gillis, John F. Myers, John W. Griffiths, Junecrest, Laurentide Park, Peter Zenger, Samdaring, Samharle, Samlea, Sampenn, Samspelga, Thomas L. Clingman, Thomas Nuttall, William H. Aspinwall and William Patterson arrived at Port Said escorted by HMS Bideford and HMS Saxifrage.

1 Jun 1944

Convoy GUF 11.

This convoy departed Naples on 1 June 1944.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Cristobal (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), Frederick Lykes (American, 7773 GRT, built 1940) and Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932).

They were escorted by the destroyers USS Davison (T/Cdr. E.L.E. Ritson, USN, with COMTASKFOR 68 / COMDESRON 15, T/Capt. S.W. DuBois, USN on board), USS Mervine (T/Cdr. D.R. Frakes, USN), USS Quick (T/Cdr. P.W. Cann, USN), USS Tillman (T/Cdr. C.S. Hutchings, USN) and USS Earle (T/Capt. G.O. Hobbs, USN).

Around 2030B/1, the destroyer USS Livermore (T/Cdr. H.E. Siedel, Jr., USN) joined for jammer duty (against German radio controlled bombs).

The convoy proceeded via the Messina Straits.

Around 1300B/2, the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and naval tanker USS Mattaponi (Lt.Cdr. V.J. Banks, USNR) joined coming from Bizerta.

Around 0445B/4, the convoy was off Oran where the (troop) transports James Parker (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939) and Sea Perch (American, 7870 GRT, built 1944) joined. Also the stores ship USS Merak (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Cawthon, USN) joined.

Around 1745A/4, the destroyer escorts USS Ahrens (Cdr. M.H. Harris, USNR) and USS Robert I. Paine (Lt.Cdr. D. Cochran, USN) joined the convoy near Gibraltar.

Around 1815A/4, HMS Colombo, USS Earle and USS Livermore were detached near Gibraltar.

On 5 June 1944, USS Davison, USS Mervine, USS Quick and USS Tillman fuelled from USS Mattaponi.

Around 1500N/8, the destroyer escorts USS Evarts (Lt.Cdr. T.G. Bremer, Jr., USNR, with COMCORTDIV 5, Cdr. R.A. Fitch, USNR on board), USS Wilhoite (T/Lt.Cdr. E.B. Roth, USN) and USS Eugene E. Elmore (T/Lt.Cdr. G.L. Conkey, USN) joined and commenced fuelling from USS Mattaponi. On completion, around 1800N/8, they parted company.

On 9 June 1944, all escorts fuelled from USS Mattaponi.

The convoy arrived at Hampton Roads on 13 June 1944.

4 Jul 1944

Convoy UGS 47.

This convoy departed Hampton Roads on 4 July 1944.

On departure from Hampton Roads the convoy made up of the following transport / tankers; Abner Doubleday (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Alfred Moore (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), American Trader (American (tanker), 8862 GRT, built 1923), Anna Odland (Norwegian, 4980 GRT, built 1939), Archbishop Lamy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Aztec (Hunduran, 5511 GRT, built 1929), Backhuysen (Dutch (tanker), 8194 GRT, built 1942), Barendrecht (Dutch (tanker), 9385 GRT, built 1938), Booker T. Washington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Britannia (Norwegian (tanker), 9977 GRT, built 1939), Button Gwinnett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Caleb Strong (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Carter Baxton (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Chung Shan (Chinese, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Chung Tung (Chinese, 7120 GRT, built 1944), Dromus (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Edward Rutledge (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Frank Springer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Granville (Norwegian, 5745 GRT, built 1930), Henry Middleton (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Hilary A. Herbert (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Isaac Coles (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), James Barbour (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Ford Rhodes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), James Gordon Bennett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), James J. Maguire (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939), Jerome K. Jones (American, 7199 GRT, built 1943), Juaquin Miller (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Joel Chandler Harris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Chandler (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Davey (American, 7209 GRT, built 1943), John Fiske (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Harvard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Sullivan (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John W. Davis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jonathan Edwards (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Jonathan Elmer (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Jonathan Trumbull (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph Leidy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph Augustin Chevalier (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Jotunfjell (Norwegian (tanker), 8264 GRT, built 1937), Kong Haakon VII (Norwegian, 7073 GRT, built 1942), Leslie M. Shaw (American, 7181 GRT, built 1943), Magdala (Dutch (tanker), 8248 GRT, built 1931), Pan-Maine (American (tanker), 7237 GRT, built 1936), Peter Minuit (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), R.S. Wilson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Reverdy Johnson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Richard Bassett (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Robert Dale Owen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Samaffric (British, 7210, built 1944), Samfaithful (British, 7210, built 1944), Samindoro (British, 7210, built 1944), Samlouis (British, 7219, built 1943), Samluzon (British, 7210, built 1944), Samnethy (British, 7210, built 1944), Samoland (British, 7255, built 1944), Samskern (British, 7210, built 1944), Samtana (British, 7210, built 1944), Samuel Blatchford (American, 7200, built 1943), Silverster Gardiner (American, 7176, built 1943), Timothy Dwight (American, 7176, built 1943), Viggo Hansteen (American, 7176, built 1943), Westmount Park (Canadian, 7133, built 1943), William L. Smith (American, 7196, built 1943), William P. Fessenden (American, 7176, built 1942) and William S. Young (American, 7176, built 1943).

Also with the convoy were the naval tanker USS Escalante (Cdr. C.L. Kiewert, USNR) and the petrol carrier USS Gauger (Lt. G.V. Davis, USNR).

On departure from Hampton Roads the convoy was escorted by the cutter USCGC Campbell (Cdr. S.F. Gray, USCG, with COMTASKFOR 61, T/Capt. J.C. Sowell, USN on board) and the destroyer escorts USS Evarts (Lt.Cdr. F.A. Harding, Jr., USNR, with COMCORTDI5 5, Cdr. R.A. Fitch, USNR on board), USS Wyffels (Lt. S.N. Gleis, USNR), USS Decker (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Cody, Jr., USNR), USS Dobler (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Butler, USNR), USS Smartt (Lt. E.R. Wepman, USNR), USS Walter S. Brown (Lt. L.C. Burdett, USNR), USS Gillette (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Daniel, Jr. USNR, with COMCORTDIV 56, T/Cdr. W.L. Harmon, USN on board), USS Underhill (Lt.Cdr. S.R. Jackson, USNR), USS Henry R. Kenyon (Lt.Cdr. A.D. Berliss, Jr., USNR), USS Gunason (Cdr. H.G. White, USNR), USS Major (Lt.Cdr. O.W. Goepner, USNR) and USS Weeden (Lt.Cdr. C.F. Tillinghast, Jr., USNR).

Also with the convoy were the patrol vessels, USS PC-1140 (Lt. F.H. Beardsley, USNR), USS PC-1168 (Lt. R.R. Hart, USNR), USS PC-1169 (Lt.(jg) R.S. Mueller, USNR), USS PC-1173 (Lt. R.S. Cathcart, USNR), USS PC-1174 (Lt. W.B. Tyler, USNR), USS PC-1244 (Lt. E.W. Stacy, USNR), USS PC-1246 (Lt. W.L. Smith, USNR), USS PC-1595 (Lt.(jg) L.H. Nightengale, USNR), USS PC-1597 (Lt. R.P. Harris, USNR) and Dague which were all on passage to the Mediterranean.

Around 0542Q/7, USS Gunason parted company to proceed to Bermuda with an appendicitis patient from USS Escalante. She rejoined the convoy around 2300Q/7.

Around 0610Q/7, the patrol vessels USS PC-1593 (Lt.(jg) J.A. Foley, USNR), USS PC-1594 (Lt. G.A. Tredick, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-1596 (Lt. J.C. McKay, USNR) joined the convoy coming from Bermuda.

At 0612Q/7, the Aztec broke down. It was estimated repairs would take six hours. USS Decker was ordered to remain behind with the stricken ship. They rejoined the convoy around 0700P/8.

On 9 July 1944, USS Escalante fuelled all the patrol vessels that had been with the convoy on departure from Hampton Roads in the following order; USS PC-1173, Dague, USS PC-1595, USS PC-1174, USS PC-1169, USS PC-1140, USS PC-1597, USS PC-1244, USS PC-1169 and USS PC-1246.

On 10 July 1944, USS Escalante fuelled the following escort vessels; USCGC Campbell, USS Walter S. Brown, USS Gillette, USS Decker, USS Major, USS Wyffels, USS Henry R. Kenyon, USS Dobler, USS Weeden, USS Smartt, USS Evans, USS Gunason, USS PC-1593 and USS Underhill.

Around 1100N/14, the tanker Var (French, 7935 GRT, built 1931) and transport Henry Baldwin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) joined coming from the Azores. They had been escorted to the rendezvous by the A/S trawler HMS Paynter (T/Lt. T.B.S. Brown, RNVR). HMS Paynter did not join the convoy.

Around 1030N/15, the Button Gwinnett broke down. Repairs were estimated to take about four to six hours. USS Decker was ordered to stand by. They rejoined the following morning.

During the 16th, all the escorts were fuelled by USS Escalante in the following order; USS PC-1593, USS PC-1169, USS PC-1173, USS Dague, USS PC-1596, USS PC-1140, USS PC-1174, USS PC-1597, USS PC-1595, USS PC-1593, USS PC-1168, USS PC-1246, USS PC-1594, USS Walter S. Brown, USCGC Campbell, USS PC-1244, USS Henry R. Kenyon, USS Wyffels, USS Gunason, USS Dobler, USS Major, USS Decker, USS Weeden, USS Smartt, USS Evarts, USS Gillette and USS Underhill.

Around 1630A/17, the James J. Maguire broke down. USS Decker was ordered to stand by the stricken vessel. They rejoined the convoy on the 19th.

Around 1615A/18, the following transports / tankers parted company with to convoy to proceed to Casablanca; Booker T. Washington, Jonathan Edwards, Pan-Maine and Var. They were escorted by the patrol vessel / sloop Amiral Mouchez and the patrol vessels L'Ardent and Le Resolu which had departed Casablanca earlier on the 18th. The 'Casablanca section' arrived there on the 19th.

On 19 July 1944, in the Straits of Gibraltar the transport Benjamin Tay (British, 1814 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy as did the rescue tugs HMRT St. Day and HMRT Aspirant.

Around 1600B/20, the following transports / tankers; Aztec, Button Gwinnett, Dromus, Joel Chandler Harris, Jonathan Elmer, Richard Bassett and USS Gauger parted company with the convoy to proceed to Oran Bay.

Around the same time the following transports joined coming from Oran Bay; Bernard N. Baker (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Dwight W. Morrow (American, 7225 GRT, built 1943), Ezra Cornell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Gouverneur General Lepine (French, 3509 GRT, built 1923), Howard A. Kelly (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Moses Rogers (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Sidi-Brahim (British (former French), 2427 GRT, built 1910), Theodoric Bland (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Thomas R. Marshall (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Ville d'Ajaccio (French, 2444 GRT, built 1929) and Walter E. Ranger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

Around 1700B/20, the AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN) joined the convoy coming from Algiers.

Around 1734B/20, the destroyer USS Madison (T/Cdr. D.A. Stuart, USN) joined the convoy to serve as jamming ship against possible German radio controlled bomb attacks.

Around 1415B/21, the following transports; American Trader, Britannia, Gouverneur General Lepine, Henry Baldwin, James J. Maguire, Kong Haakon VII, Samoland, Sidi-Brahim, Silvester Gardiner, Ville d'Ajaccio and Walter E. Ranger parted company with the convoy to proceed to Algiers. The patrol vessel Dague was also detached to Algiers.

Around the same time the following transports / tankers joined coming from Algiers; Chiswick (British, 6006 GRT, built 1943), Empire Spartan (British, 7009 GRT, built 1942), Fort Gaspereau (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Kootenay (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Pembina (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Richelieu (British, 7130 GRT, built 1943), Harlesden (British, 7273 GRT, built 1943), Ocean Gypsy (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942) and Ocean Rider (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942).

Around 1800B/22, the transports Egret (British, 1391 GRT, built 1937) and Kwai Sang (British, 2320 GRT, built 1917) joined coming from Bone. The rescue tug HMRT Aspirant was detached to Bone.

Around 2200B/22, USS Madison was detached to proceed to Oran.

Around 0730B/23, a British escort group relieved the American escorts which then proceeded to Bizerta with HMS Caledon, USS Escalante and the transport Howard A. Kelly in company. the British escorts were the following; sloop HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. W.B. Piggott, DSC and Bar, OBE, RD, RNR), minesweeper HMS Hazard (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Smith, RN) and the corvettes HMS Anemone (Lt. J.B. Sparkes, RNR) and HMS Coltsfoot (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.W. Rayner, RNVR).

On 24 July 1944, the transport Changte (British, 4324 GRT, built 1925) joined the convoy coming from Malta.

On 24 July 1944, the following transports / tankers departed Augusta to join the convoy; Badarpur (British (tanker), 8079 GRT, built 1922), Buccinum (British (tanker), 5237 GRT, built 1910), Crista (British, 2590 GRT, built 1938), Empire Rock (British, 7061 GRT, built 1943), Fort Drew (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Morialta (British, 1379 GRT, built 1940) and Samfaithful (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944). These ships were most likely escorted to the rendezvous with the convoy by the A/S trawler HMS Gavotte (T/Lt. W.A. Swain, RNVR) and HMS Tango (T/Lt. R.F. Giles, RNVR) and M/S trawler HMS Egilsay (T/Lt. J.F. Squires, RNVR).

On these ships joining the following transports / tankers were detached to Augusta where they arrived on 25 July 1944; Abner Doubleday, Alfred Moore, Archbishop Lamy, Backhuysen, Barendrecht, Benjamin Tay, Bernard N. Baker, Caleb Strong, Carter Braxton, Chiswick, Dwight W. Morrow, Egret, Empire Spartan, Ezra Cornell, Fort Gasperea, Fort Kootenay, Fort Pembina, Fort Richelieu, Harlesden, Hilary A. Herbert, Isaac Coles, James Barbour, James Ford Rhodes, Jerome K. Jones, Juaquin Miller, John Chandler, John Fiske, John Harvard, John Sullivan, Jonathan Trumbull, Joseph Leidy, Jotunfjell, Kwai Sang, Leslie M. Shaw, Magdala, Moses Rogers, Ocean Gypsy, Ocean Rider, Peter Minuit, Robert Dale Owen, Samindoro, Samluzon, Samskern, Samuel Blatchford, Theodoric Bland, Thomas R. Marshall, Timothy Dwight, Viggo Hansteen, William Smith, William P. Fessenden and William S. Young. They were most likely escorted to Augusta by the three above mention trawlers.

On 28 July 1944 the transports / tankers; Changte, Crista, Granville, Joseph Augustin Chevalier, Morialta, Reverdy Johnson and Samaffric arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy. HMS Hazard, HMS Anemone and HMS Coltsfood also arrived at Alexandria.

On 29 July 1944, the transports / tankers; Anna Odland, Badarpur, Buccinum, Chung Shan, Chung Tung, Edward Rutledge, Fort Drew, Empire Rock, Frank Springer, Henry Middleton, James Gordon Bennett, John Davey, John W. Davis, R.S. Wilson, Samfaithful, Samlouis, Samnethy, Samtana and Westmount Park arrived at Port Said escorted by HMS Fleetwood.

23 Jul 1944
HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN), USCGC Campbell (Cdr. S.F. Gray, USCG, with COMTASKFOR 61, T/Capt. J.C. Sowell, USN on board), USS Evarts (Lt.Cdr. F.A. Harding, Jr., USNR, with COMCORTDI5 5, Cdr. R.A. Fitch, USNR on board), USS Wyffels (Lt. S.N. Gleis, USNR), USS Decker (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Cody, Jr., USNR), USS Dobler (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Butler, USNR), USS Smartt (Lt. E.R. Wepman, USNR), USS Walter S. Brown (Lt. L.C. Burdett, USNR), USS Gillette (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Daniel, Jr. USNR, with COMCORTDIV 56, T/Cdr. W.L. Harmon, USN on board), USS Underhill (Lt.Cdr. S.R. Jackson, USNR), USS Henry R. Kenyon (Lt.Cdr. A.D. Berliss, Jr., USNR), USS Gunason (Cdr. H.G. White, USNR), USS Major (Lt.Cdr. O.W. Goepner, USNR), USS Weeden (Lt.Cdr. C.F. Tillinghast, Jr., USNR), USS PC-1140 (Lt. F.H. Beardsley, USNR), USS PC-1168 (Lt. R.R. Hart, USNR), USS PC-1169 (Lt.(jg) R.S. Mueller, USNR), USS PC-1173 (Lt. R.S. Cathcart, USNR), USS PC-1174 (Lt. W.B. Tyler, USNR), USS PC-1244 (Lt. E.W. Stacy, USNR), USS PC-1246 (Lt. W.L. Smith, USNR), USS PC-1593 (Lt.(jg) J.A. Foley, USNR), USS PC-1594 (Lt. G.A. Tredick, Jr., USNR), USS PC-1595 (Lt.(jg) L.H. Nightengale, USNR), USS PC-1596 (Lt. J.C. McKay, USNR) and USS PC-1597 (Lt. R.P. Harris, USNR) all arrived at Bizerta from convoy escort duty with convoy UGS 47.

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