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29 Oct 1943

Convoy GUS 20.

This convoy departed Alexandria on 29 October 1943.

On departure from Alexandria the convoy was made up of the following ships; Billy Mitchell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Binger Hermann (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Cape Howe (British, 6999 GRT, built 1943), Charles A. Warfield (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), City of Delhi (British, 7443 GRT, built 1925), City of Keelung (British, 5186 GRT, built 1919), Clan Murdoch (British, 5950 GRT, built 1919), Edward Canby (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Edward L. Grant (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Empire Adur (British, 1479 GRT, built 1920), Empire Stour (British, 4678 GRT, built 1930), Ephraim W. Baughman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Fort Carillon (British, 7129 GRT, built 1943), Fort Dease Lake (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943), Fort Erie (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943), Fort Fidler (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Fort Frederick (British, 7135 GRT, built 1942), Frontenac (British, 7148 GRT, built 1943), Hutchinson I Cone (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Shields (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Hart (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Kaimata (British, 5269 GRT, built 1931), Oliver Wolcott (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Peebles (British, 4982 GRT, built 1936), President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935), Roger Sherman (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Samuel Seabury (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Shirrabank (British, 7274 GRT, built 1940), Stephen T. Mather (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Tatra (Norwegian, 4766 GRT, built 1937), Thomas J. Jarvis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Trevelyan (British, 7292 GRT, built 1943), Turkistan (British, 6935 GRT, built 1939), Washington Irving (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), William Grayson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and William Tilghman (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942).

On departure from Alexandria the convoy was escorted by the corvettes HMS Delphinium (Cdr. V.F. Smith, DSO, RD, RNR), RHS Apostolis, RHS Sakhtouris, auxiliary A/S trawler HMS Wolborough (T/Lt. G.A. Hartnell, RNR) and the auxiliary A/S whaler HMS Klo (?).

On 2 November 1943, the following ships arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy; Cape Howe, City of Delhi, Clan Murdoch, Fort Carillon, Fort Dease Lake, Fort Erie, Fort Fidler, Fort Frederick, Frontenac, President de Vogue and Trevelyan while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Augusta; Ambrose E. Burnside (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Antonia (Dutch (tanker), 3357 GRT, built 1938), Audun (Norwegian, 1304 GRT, built 1925), Danio (Norwegian, 3496 GRT, built 1924), Derwenthall (British, 4934 GRT, built 1940), Empire Rival (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943), Empire Usk (British, 3229 GRT, built 1918), Esso Charleston (American (tanker), 7949 GRT, built 1938), Fernmoor (), Fort Albany (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Fort Charnisay (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Fort Maurepas (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort McPherson (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Gleniffer (British, 9559 GRT, built 1919), Henry Barnard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Howard A. Kelly (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Jacob H. Gallinger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James M. Wayne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James W. Fannin (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), John Clarke (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Josiah Bartlett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Lou Gehrig (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Petter (Norwegian (tanker), 9109 GRT, built 1935), Rallus (British, 1871 GRT, built 1922), Richard Bassett (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Solomon Juneau (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Stephen A. Douglas (American, 7219 GRT, built 1942), Suncrest (British, 5117 GRT, built 1940), Thomas Hart Benton (American, 7187 GRT, built 1943) and William Few (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942).

On 3 November 1943, the following ships arrived at Malta after having been detached from the convoy; Empire Stour and Petter while the Empire Snipe (British, 2497 GRT, built 1919) joined the convoy coming from Malta.

On 4 November 1943, the following ships arrived at Malta after having been detached from the convoy; Antonia, Audun, Fort McPherson and Rallus while following ships joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Clark Mills (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Eli Whitney (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Elihu Yale (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), George Handley (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Grenville M. Dodge (American, 7194 GRT, built 1942), Henry Ward Beecher (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), J.E.B. Stuart (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), John Sullivan (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jonathan Grout (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph T. Robinson (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), Lesto (British, 1893 GRT, 1918), Louisa M. Alcott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Macuba (Dutch (tanker), 8249 GRT, built 1931), Montebello (Italian, 570 GRT, built 1918), Moses Austin (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Oliver Hazard Perry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Paine Wingate (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Robert H. Harrison (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Smith Thompson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Thomas R. Mashall (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Torborg (Norwegian (tanker), 6042 GRT, built 1921) and West Durfee (American, 5522 GRT, built 1918). Also joining the convoy was the HMS LST 11 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.H. Hummel, RNR).

On 4 November 1943, the following ships arrived at Bone after having been detached from the convoy; Danio and Empire Rival while following ships joined the convoy coming from Bone; Empire Guinevere (British, 7072 GRT, built 1942), John Carver (American, 7176 GRT, 1942) and Thelma (Norwegian (tanker), 8297 GRT, built 1937).

On 4 November 1943, the Empire Guinevere arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy.

On 5 November 1943, the following ships arrived at Bougie after having been detached from the convoy; Derwenthall, Fort Charnisay and Gleniffer.

On 5 November 1943, the following ships arrived at Algiers after having been detached from the convoy; Empire Snipe, Fernmoor, Lesto, Montebello and Thelma while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Baron Ruthven (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925), Bralanta (Norwegian (tanker), 9608 GRT, built 1936), Empire Cormotant (British, 5760 GRT, built 1942), Gulfhawk (American (tanker), 10217 GRT, built 1928), Marsa (British, 4405 GRT, built 1928), Memphis City (American, 5686 GRT, built 1921) and Pan Aruba (Norwegian, 9231 GRT, built 1931).

On 6 November 1943, the following ships arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy; Henry Barnard, James M. Wayne, James W. Fannin, Marsa and Thomas Hart Benton as well as HMS LST 11 while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran; Albert C. Ritchie (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Baron Napier (British, 3559 GRT, built 1930), Cleveland Abbe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Gideon Welles (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), James McCosh (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James W. Nesmith (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph H. Nicholson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lambert Cadwallader (), Leiv Eiriksson (Norwegian (tanker), 9952 GRT, built 1936), Mount Baker (American, 6022 GRT, built 1940), Richard Jordan Gatling (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Thomas B. Robertson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Tide Water (American (tanker), 8886 GRT, built 1930) and Tristram Dalton (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942). Also the stores ship USS Merak (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Cawthon, USN) joined the convoy.

On 6 November 1943, the destroyer HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar to join the convoy while it was still in the Mediterranean.

On 7 November 1943, the Empire Cormorant arrived at Oran after after having straggled from the convoy.

On 7 November 1943, the following ships arrived at Gibraltar after having been detached from the convoy; Baron Ruthven, City of Keelung, Empire Usk, Fort Albany, Fort Maurepas, Kaimata, Peebles and Turkistan while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar; Helen Hunt Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Matt W. Ransom (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Scottish Monarch (British, 7004 GRT, built 1943) and Wolverine (American, 4990 GRT, built 1919). Also joining from Gibraltar were the damaged light cruisers HMS Cleopatra (Cdr. M.J. Ross, DSC, RN) and HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN) which were to take passage to the USA to undergo full repairs there.

Also the current escort; HMS Anthony, HMS Delphinium, RHS Apostolis, RHS Sakhtouris, HMS Wolborough and HMS Klo arrived at Gibraltar after having been relieved by the destroyers HMS Antelope (Cdr. J.G. Gould, RN), HMS Inglefield (Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, DSC, RN), HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN) and the armed yacht HMS Thalassa (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.G. Barnes, RNR).

On 7 November 1943, the destroyers USS Baldwin (T/Cdr. G. Knuepfer, USN, with COMTASKFOR 66 / COMDESDIV 36, T/Capt. W.J. Marshall, USN, on board), USS Harding (T/Cdr. G.G. Palmer, USN), USS Satterlee (T/Lt.Cdr. J.F. Witherow, Jr., USN), USS Thompson (T/Cdr. L.A. Ellis, USN) and minesweepers USS Tide (Lt.Cdr. A. Robinson, USNR) and USS Threat (Lt.Cdr. H.E. Ferrill, USNR) departed Casablanca to make rendezvous with the convoy which was made on the 8th when they relieved the British escort which then parted company and proceeded to Gibraltar.

Later on 8 November 1944, the following ships joined the convoy coming from Casablanca which they had departed earlier in the day; Fort la Maune (British, 7130 GRT, built 1942), George W. Woodward (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Gunn (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), John M. Morehead (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Peter J. McGuire (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942). With them was also the naval tanker USS Chepachet (Cdr. H.R. Adams, USNR). They were escorted by the destroyers USS McCormick (T/Lt.Cdr. F.A. Brock, USN, USS Broome (T/Lt. C.S. Arthur, Jr., USN) and the patrol vessel USS PC-481 (Lt. N.W Roeder, USNR). The destroyers then joined the convoy while the patrol vessel set course to return to Casablanca taking the Baron Napier with her.

On 11 November 1943, USS Chepachet fuelled all six destroyers of the escort.

On 13 November 1943, two ships joined coming from the Azores, these were the following; Cape Clear (British, 5085 GRT, built 1939) and Empire Outpost (British, 6978 GRT, built 1943). Their trawler escort did not join the convoy.

On 17 November 1943, USS Chepachet fuelled all six destroyers of the escort.

On 21 November 1943, USS Chepachet was detached to the Azores. To escort her there the destroyer escorts USS Ricketts (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Rollins, USCG) and USS Harveson (Lt.Cdr. P.L. Stinson, USCG) had arrived on the scene.

On 22 November 1943, the convoy split up into the ' Hapton Roads, Baltimore and Philadelphia Section ' escorted by USS Harding, USS Satterlee, USS Tide and USS Threat and the ' New York Section ' with the remainder of the escorts.

The sections arrived at their destinations on 24 November 1943.

11 Aug 1944

Convoy TCU 35.

This convoy departed New York on 22 October 1944.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports / tankers; Alcoa Pointer (American, 6711 GRT, built 1943), Appomattox (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Athlone Castle (British, 25565 GRT, built 1936), Bantam (Dutch, 9312 GRT, built 1939), Bienville (American, 7626 GRT, built 1943), Black Warrior (American, 8271 GRT, built 1944), Brazil (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929), Brookfield (American, 10448 GRT, built 1943), Bunker Hill (American, 10410 GRT, built 1942), California Express (Norwegian, 3649 GRT, built 1934), China Mail (American, 8616 GRT, built 1942), Churubusco (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Colombie (French, 13391 GRT, built 1931), Cross Keys (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Edmund B. Alexander (American, 22225 GRT, built 1905), Elisabeth Bakke (Norwegian, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Eros (British, 5888 GRT, built 1936), Esso Scranton (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Excelsior (American, 6737 GRT, built 1943), Exchequer (American, 6683 GRT, built 1943), Four Lakes (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1943), Glorieta (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Harpers Ferry (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Hermitage (American, 23254 GRT, built 1925), John Ericsson (American, 16552 GRT, built 1928), Kernstown (American (tanker), 10317 GRT, built 1944), Lake Erie (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Malvern Hill (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Marine Raven (American, 11757 GRT, built 1943), Monocacy (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1944), Musgroves Mills (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Parima (British, 7543 GRT, built 1944), Petersburg (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Port Alma (British, 8400 GRT, built 1928), Rangitiki (British, 16698 GRT, built 1928), Ridgefield (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Rosebud (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1943), Sachem (American (tanker), 9910 GRT, built 1943), San Juan Hill (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Santiago (American (tanker), 10318 GRT, built 1944), Sea Serpent (American, 8591 GRT, built 1942), South Mountain (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Talisman (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Uruguay (American, 20183 GRT, built 1928), Wagon Box (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1943), White Bird Canyon (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), White Squall (American, 8258 GRT, built 1943), Wilson's Creek (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944) and Winchester (American (tanker), 10198 GRT, built 1943).

The escort carrier HMS Trouncer (Capt. B.J. Fisher, DSO, RN) was also part of the convoy. She served in an aircraft ferry role.

The convoy was escorted by Task Group 21.9 which was made up of the destroyer USS Winslow (T/Cdr. W.T. Samuels, USN, with ComTaskGr 21.9, T/Capt. J.M.P. Wright, USN, on board) and the destroyer escorts USS Marchand (Cdr. G.I. Lynch, USCG, with ComCortDiv20, Cdr. P.B. Mavor, USCG, on board), USS Hurst (Cdr. B.H. Brallier, USCG), USS Camp (Lt.Cdr. R.R. Waesche, Jr., USCG), USS Howard D. Crow (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Bacchus, Jr., USCGR), USS Pettit (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Ellis, USCG), USS Ricketts (Lt. L.F. Sudnik, USCG), USS Rhodes (Cdr. E.A. Coffin, Jr., USCG), USS Richey (Cdr. John H. Forney, USCG) and USS Savage (Lt.Cdr. R. Ridgely, 3rd, USCG).

On 12 August 1944, the Boston section of the convoy departed that place to make rendezvous with and then join the convoy the following morning. This section was made up of the following ships; Explorer (American, 6736 GRT, built 1939), General George W. Goethals (American, 12093 GRT, built 1942) and Thomas H. Barry (American, 11250 GRT, built 1930). They were escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Sellstrom (Cdr. W.L. Maloney, USCG, with COMCORTDIV 23, Cdr. F.P. Vetterick, USNR, on board), USS Ramsden (Lt.Cdr. S.T. Baketel, USCGR) and USS Mills (Lt.Cdr. V. Pfeiffer, USCG).

Around 1200Z/20, Twenty-one of the ships of the convoy parted company to proceed via the west of Ireland to Loch Ewe and the Clyde. They were escorted by USS Sellstrom and USS Mills. At 1545Z/21, the Loch Ewe section broke off and then proceeded unescorted. Both sections arrived at their destinations on 22 August. The two destroyer escorts then proceeded to Lough Foyle.

Around 0645A/21, HMS Trouncer parted company with the Irish Sea section of the convoy to proceed to Liverpool ahead of the main convoy. USS Pettitt went with her as escort. The orders were however cancelled later and they rejoin the Irish Sea section of the convoy around 1100A/21.

Around 1900A/21, sixteen of the ships in the convoy parted company to proceed towards the Bristol Channel. They were escorted by USS Marchand and USS Ramsden. After having delivered these ships in the Bristol Channel the destroyer escorts proceeded to Lough Foyle.

The remainder of the convoy proceeded to Liverpool arriving on 22 August. All the remaining escorts subsequently proceeded to Lough Foyle.

26 Feb 1945

Convoy UC 58A.

The Channel section of this convoy departed St. Helens Roads around 1015A/26.

This section was made up of seven merchant vessels;
Excelsior (American, 6737 GRT, built 1943), Hegra (Norwegian (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Marine Panther (American, 11758 GRT, built 1944) and four, so far not identified merchant vessels which were later to be detached to the Bristol Channel (Mumbles Roads).

On departure from St. Helens Roads the convoy was escorted by the destroyer USS Davis (T/Lt.Cdr. T.D. Cunningham, USN, with COMTASKGR 61.6, T/Capt. J.A. Glick, USN on board) and the destroyer escorts USS Hurst (Lt. E.B. Winslow, USCG), USS Howard D. Crow (Lt. J.M. Nixon, USCG), USS Pettit (Lt. W.B. Rich, USCGR) and USS Koiner (Lt.Cdr. C.S. Judson, Jr., USN).

Around 1400A/26, they were joined by the following merchant vessels which came from Southend;
Bemis Heights (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Chesapeake Capes (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Markay (American (tanker), 10342 GRT, built 1942) and North Point (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944).
[Their escort, identity currently not known to us, did not the convoy.]

Around 1425A/26, the destroyers HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.V.W. Groos, RCN) joined.

Around 0235A/27, HMCS Iroquois and HMCS Huron parted company. They took the four, so far unidentified merchant vessels with them to escort them to the Bristol Channel (Mumbles Roads).

Around 0820A/27, USS Hurst and USS Koiner parted company to proceed to Southampton.

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The Irish Sea Section of the convoy was made up of three sections, coming from the Clyde, Liverpool and the Bristol Channel.

The Clyde Section of the convoy departed on 26 February and was made up of only one merchant vessel, the Cottonwood Creek (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944). She was escorted by the destroyer escort USS Kretchmer (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Wing, USNR).

The Liverpool Section of the convoy departed on 26 February and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Clan Chattan (British, 9545 GRT, built 1944), Durham (British, 10893 GRT, built 1934), Fort Robinson (American (tanker, 10172 GRT, built 1945), Fort Schuyler (Dutch (tanker), 10297, built 1944) and Idaho Falls (American (tanker, 10448 GRT, built 1944). They were escorted by the destroyer escort USS Marchand (Maynard F. Young, USCG, with COMCORTDIV 20, Lt.Cdr. W.B. Ellis, USCG, on board).

Around 1700A/26, the Clyde section joined the Liverpool section.

Around 2145A/26, the Fort Schuyler was detached to Milford Haven with engine trouble.

Around 2230A/26, two British escort vessels joined, this were the frigates HMS Montserrat (Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR) and HMS Papua (A/Lt.Cdr. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR) from the 23rd Escort Group.

Around 0300A/27, the Bristol Channel Section of the convoy joined but did immediately merged with the convoy due to the thick fog. By 1035A/27, the Sections had fully merged.

The British Channel Section had departed on 26 February and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Alcoa Pointer (American, 6711 GRT, built 1943), Black Warrior (American, 8271 GRT, built 1944), Bulkfuel (American (tanker), 11016 GRT, built 1944), Finnmark (Norwegian (tanker) 10297 GRT, built 1945), Memnon (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Mesa Verde (American (tanker) 10448 GRT, built 1944) and Prairie Grove (American (tanker) 10297 GRT, built 1944). They were escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Ricketts (Lt. L.F. Sudnik, USCG) and USS O'Reilly (Donald R. Shaul, USNR).

Around 0800A/27, HMS Montserrat and HMS Papua parted company.

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Around 1700A/27, the Channel Section and Irish Sea Section joined company.

Around 1820A/27, USS Marchand and USS O'Reilly parted company to proceed to Liverpool.

Around 1230N/3, the Clan Chattan and Durham were detached to proceed independently to their destination, Christobal, Panama Canal Zone where they arrived on 11 March.

Around 2025P/7, the Idaho Falls was detached to Port Arhur where she arrived on 14 March.

Around 1415Q/8, the Bemis Heights was detached to Baltimore where she arrived on 10 March.

Around 1430Q/8, the Alcoa Pointer was detached to Hampton Roads where she arrived on 9 March.

Around 0530Q/9, the Fort Robinson, Hegra, Mackay, Prairie Grove were detached to Philadelphia where they arrived later the same day.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at New York in the morning of 9 March. (1)

28 Jun 1945
USS Sailfish (T/Lt.Cdr. L. Marcy, USN) conducted exercises off Guantanamo Bay with USS Pettit (Lt. W.B. Rich, USCGR) and USS Ricketts (Lt. L.F. Sudnik, USCG). (2)

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