uboat.net

  Front page - Fighting the U-boats - Allied Warships

Follow us on Twitter
@uboatnet

Notable events involving Loch Shin include:

4 Feb 1945
German U-boat U-1014 was sunk in the North Channel east of Malin Head, in position 55°17'N, 06°44'W, by depth charges from the British frigates HMS Loch Scavaig (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Hancock, RNR), HMS Nyasaland (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Scott, DSC, RNVR), HMS Papua (A/Lt.Cdr. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR) and HMS Loch Shin (Cdr. J.P. de W. Kitcat, RN).

5 Feb 1945

Convoy CU 57.

This convoy departed New York on 5 February 1945.

On departure it was made up of the following ships (New York Section);
Alden Besse (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922), Athos II (French, 15276 GRT, built 1927), Cape Corwin (American, 5124 GRT, built 1943), Cape Nome (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Carnifex Ferry (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1945), Chatterton Hill (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Chickamauga (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Esso Camden (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Examiner (American, 6737 GRT, built 1942), Fort Fetterman (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Fort Stevens (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Grand River (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Hubbardton (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Java (Dutch, 9250 GRT, built 1939), Karsten Wang (Norwegian (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Marine Eagle (American, 11500 GRT, built 1943), Marine Panther (American, 11758 GRT, built 1944), Mobile Bay (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Ocala Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1945), Pit River (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Rangitata (British, 16737 GRT, built 1929), Raphael Semmes (American, 6165 GRT, built 1942), Rosemont (Panamanian, 4956 GRT, built 1938), Sandy Creek (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), The Yakima (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Yellow Tevern (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944) and York (American (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1943).

The following ships were also part of the convoy; escort carrier (in an aircraft ferry role) HMS Pursuer (A/Capt. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN) and naval troop transport USS Hermitage (23254 GRT, built 1925) (T/Capt. J.T. Talbert, USN).

On departure from New York the convoy was escorted by the destroyers USS McDougal (T/Cdr. E.W. Logsdon, USN, with COMTASKGR 61.5, T/Capt. E.D. Poole, USN, on board), USS Simpson (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Sedgwick, USNR) and the destroyer escorts USS Robert E. Peary (Lt. D. McKinlay, Jr., USNR), USS Blair (Lt. W. Gadsby, Jr., USNR) and USS Sturtevant (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Mertz, USNR).

On 6 February the Boston Section of the convoy departed that place, it was made up of the following ship;
Brazil (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929), Cape Borda (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Cape Race (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Excelsior (American, 6737 GRT, built 1943), Kokomo Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1945), Oneida Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Pachaug Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Sea Tiger (American, 7886 GRT, built 1944) and Thomas H. Barry (American, 11250 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from New York this section was escorted by the escort destroyers USS Jacob Jones (Lt. Frank L. Sullivan, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 3, T/Cdr. C.W. Musgrave, USN, on board), USS Brough (Lt. M.A. Stein, USNR), USS Roy O. Hale (Lt. H.C. Pogue, Jr., USNR) and USS Dale W. Peterson (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Bigelow, USNR).

Around 1015Q/7, the Boston Section of the convoy joined the main convoy. USS Simpson then parted company to proceed to Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Around 1800O/9, the merchant vessel Waiwera (British, 12435 GRT, built 1934) joined the convoy coming from the Panama Canal.

Around 0950O/10, the destroyer escorts USS Hammann (Lt.Cdr. C.L. Gould, USNR) and USS Martin H. Ray (Lt. H.V. Tucker, Jr., USNR), which had been delayed in sailing with the convoy due to the need for repairs, joined the convoy.

Around 1915N/11, the merchant vessels Hororata (British, 13945 GRT, built 1942) and Westerley Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944) joined the convoy coming from the Panama Canal and Horta, Azores respectively.

Around 1530N/12, the merchant vessel Empire Rawlinson (British, 9912 GRT, built 1944) joined the convoy coming from Ascension.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Around 1700N/12, the Irish Sea / west coast section of the convoy parted company. This section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Arawa, Carnifex Ferry, Chatteron Hill, Empire Rawlinson, Esso Camden, Fort Stevens, Grand River, Hororata, Mobile Bay, Pit River, Rangitata, Sandy Creek, The Yakima, Waiwera and York. HMS Pursuer was also part of this section. They were escorted by USS Jacob Jones, USS Hammann, USS Robert E. Peary, USS Brough and USS Roy O. Hale.

Around 1245Z/13, the merchant vessel Empire Grace (British, 13478 GRT, built 1942) joined the Irish Sea / west coast section. She came from the Panama Canal.

Around 1645A/15, ' Force 33 ' (21st Escort Group) reinforced the escort. This were the frigates HMS Conn (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Byron (Lt. J.B. Burfield, DSC, RN), HMS Deane (T/Lt.Cdr. F. Brock, RCNVR), HMS Fitzroy (Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR), HMS Redmill (Lt. J.R.A. Denne, RN) and HMS Rupert (Lt. P.C.S. Black, RN).

Around 1730A/15, HMS Redmill was detached for other escort duties.

Around 1945A/15, ' Force 37 ' (31st Escort group) joined and took over from ' Force 33 ' which then parted company. ' Force 37 ' was made up of the corvettes HMS Berkeley Castle (Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Carisbrooke Castle (T/Lt. W.H. Forster, RNR), HMS Dumbarton Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Heron, RNVR) and HMS Lancaster Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.S. Joliffe, RNR).

Around 2140A/15, the Esso Camden parted company to proceed to the Clyde. USS Brough went with her as escort. They arrived in the Clyde the following morning.

Around 2225A/15, HMS Pursuer was detached to Belfast Lough where she arrived around an hour later.

Around 0200A/16, ' Force 37 ' parted company having been relieved by the 19th Escort Group which was made up of the frigate HMS Loch Shin (Cdr. J.P. de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Loch Insh (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.W.C. Dempster, RNVR), HMS Anguilla (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR), HMS Cotton (Lt.Cdr. I.W.T. Beloe, RN) and HMS Goodall (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Fulton, RNVR).

Around 0300A/16, the Bristol Channel section of the convoy parted company. This was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arawa, Chatterton Hill, Empire Grace, Fort Stevens and Pit River. They all arrived at Avonmouth on 16 / 17 February 1945. USS Robert E. Peary and USS Roy O. Hale went with them as escorts and they arrived at Cardiff in the evening of 16 February. This section of the convoy was supported by ships of the ' 25th Escort Group ' from 0700A/16 until the vicinity of Milford Haven. The 25th Escort Group was made up of the frigates HMCS Orkney (A/Cdr. V. Browne, RCNR), HMCS La Hulloise (Lt.Cdr. J. Brock, RCNVR), HMCS Strathadam (A/Lt.Cdr. H.L. Quinn, DSC, RCNVR) and HMCS Thedford Mines (Lt. J.A.R. Allan, DSC, RCNVR).

The remaining ships of the Irish Sea / west coast section arrived off the Bar light ship off Liverpool around 1030A/16 and the ships then started to enter the harbour.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The remaining ships made up the Channel / east coast section.

Around 1200A/15, the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN) and escort destroyers HMS Tanatside (Cdr. B.J. de St. Croix, DSC, RN) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.D.E. Vivian, DSC, RN) joined.

Around 0355A/16, the Java suffered a steering defect and collided with the Westerly Victory. HMS Tanatside was ordered to standby them. They arrived at Plymouth later on the 16th. Java being towed into port by the rescue tug HMRT Allegiance.

Around 0730A/16, the Fort Fetterman and Yellow Tavern were detached to Weymouth Bay where they arrived later the same day.

Around 1000A/16, HMS Faulknor, HMCS Iroquois and HMS Brissenden parted company after the destroyer HMS Vidette (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.S. Wooley, RNVR), frigates HMS Hargood (Cdr. P.G. MacIver, DSO, RD, RNR), HMS Kingsmill (Lt. G.H. Cook, RN) and L'Escarmouche joined.

Around 1400A/16, the ' London ' Section of the convoy parted company. This section was made up of the following merchant vesssels;
Chicamauga, Hubbardton and Karsten Wang. HMS Vidette went with them as escort.

The remaining ships arrived in Le Havre Roads in the evening of 16 February. (1)

8 Mar 1945
HMS Uproar (Lt. J.N. Devlin, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Loch Shin (Cdr. J.P. de W. Kitcat, RN). (2)

16 Apr 1945

Operation Roundel, the passage of convoys JW 66 and RA 66 between the U.K. and Northern Russia vice versa.

Convoy JW 66.

This convoy departed the Clyde around midnight during the night of 16/17 April 1945.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Albert C. Ritchie (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), August Belmont (American, 7240 GRT, built 1944), Benjamin H. Hill (American, 7198 GRT, built 1944), British Respect (British (tanker), 8479 GRT, built 1943), Cecil N. Bean (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), David B. Johnson (American, 7198 GRT, built 1944), Empire Garrick (British (tanker), 8128 GRT, built 1942), John Gibbon (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944), Joshua Thomas (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Keith Palmer (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944), Kong Haakon VII (Norwegian, 7073 GRT, built 1942), Kronprinsen (Norwegian, 7073 GRT, built 1942), Laurelwood (British (tanker), 7347 GRT, built 1929), Linn Boyd (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Lord Delaware (American, 7200 GRT, built 1942), Nelson W. Aldrich (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Owen Wister (American, 7240 GRT, built 1943), Park Benjamin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Renald Fernald (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Samaritan (American, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Stevenson Taylor (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William D. Byron (American, 7210 GRT, built 1944), William Tyler Page (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Woodbridge N. Ferris (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943).

The RFA tankers Black Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941) was also with the convoy.

The rescue vessel Copeland (British, 1526 GRT, built 1923) was also with the convoy.

On departure from the Clyde the convoy was escorted by three groups;
Group I was made up of the corvettes HMS Honeysuckle (T/Lt. J.A. Wright, RNR), HMS Lotus (T/Lt. T.S. Cox, RNVR), HMS Oxlip (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.K. Craig, RNVR) and HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. R.S. Mortimer, RNR).

Group II was made up of the destroyer HMS Zephyr (Capt. J.H. Allison, DSO and Bar, RN) and the corvettes HMS Allington Castle (A/Lt.Cdr. P.A. Read, RNR), HMS Alnwick Castle (A/Lt.Cdr. H.A. Stonehouse, DSC, RNR), HMS Bamborough Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H. Vernon, RNR) and HMS Farnham Castle (Lt. W.E. Warwick, RNR).

Group III was made up of the sloop HMS Cygnet (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Cowell, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.V.W. Groos, RCN) and HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. H. Øi).

Around 1000B/17, the Flower-class corvettes of Group I proceeded ahead to the Faeroer Islands to fuel.

Around 1915B/17, HMS Allington Castle parted company with the convoy to proceed to Scapa Flow with steering defects. It was hoped that temporary repairs could be made quickly and that she could rejoin the convoy later but in the end this did not materialise.

Around 1130B/18, the escort carriers HMS Vindex (A/Cdr. J.D.L. Williams, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN), HMS Premier (A/Capt. R.J. Gardner, RN) and destroyers HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN), HMS Zodiac (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, DSC, RN) and HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Thorpe, DSO, RN) joined coming from Greenock which they had departed around 1500B/17

Around 0745B/19, HMCS Huron and HMS Offa were was detached to the Faeroer Islands to refuel as the weather conditions was considered unsuitable to refuel at sea.

Around 2040B/19, the light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. G.S. Tuck, DSO, RN) joined coming from Scapa Flow which she had departed around 1200B/18. On departure from Scapa Flow she had carried out exercises first on completion of which course was set to join the convoy.

Around 1310B/19, HMS Honeysuckle, HMS Lotus, HMS Oxlip and HMS Rhododendron rejoined having completed fuelling at the Faeroer Islands.

Also joining around the same time, coming from the Faeroer Islands, the destroyers HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN) and HMCS Haida (A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Welland, DSC, RCN) with them were sixteen Russian submarine chasers which now joined the convoy as well.

Around 2230B/19, HMCS Huron and HMS Offa rejoined on completion of fuelling at the Faeroer Islands.

In the early afternoon of 20 April, HNoMS Stord and HMS Zealous fuelled at sea from the Laurelwood and Black Ranger.

Around 0950B/21, the refuelling of the Russian submarine chasers by the Laurelwood and Black Ranger began. This was completed, except for two remaining, by 0100B/22. During refuelling operations HMCS Haida provided a lee.

Between 0500B/22 and 1300B/22, the two remaining Russian submarine chaser were refuelled by the Black Ranger.

During 22 April, HMS Zephyr, HMS Oxlip and HMCS Huron fuelled from the Laurelwood and HMCS Haida and HMCS Iroquois from the Black Ranger.

Around 0515B/25, the Russian local escort was detected ahead by radar and around 0640B/25, the White Sea (Archangelsk) section of the convoy parted company. This section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
British Respect, Cecil N. Bean, David B. Johnson, Empire Garrick, John Gibbon, Keith Palmer, Lord Delaware, Nelson W. Aldrich, Relald Fernald, William D. Byron and William Tyler Page. This section was joined by the Russian destroyers Uritsky, Karl Libknekht, Valerian Kyubishev, Zarkij, Zostkij, Derzkij, Dostojnyj and a number of small craft. The White sea section arrived at Archangelsk on the 28th.

Around 0605B/25, the two Norwegian ships, Kong Haakon VII and Kronprinsen were detached to Kirkenes under the escort of the corvette HNoMS Eglantine which had just joined. They arrived at Kirkenes the following day.

Around 0655B/25, HMS Vindex, HMS Premier, HMS Bellona, HMS Zealous, HMS Zest and HMS Zealous parted company to proceed to the ' flying off area ' in position 70°10'N, 36°10'E.

Meanwhile the 19th Escort Group, made up of the HMS Loch Shin (Cdr. J.P. de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Loch Insh (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.W.C. Dempster, RNVR), HMS Cotton (Lt.Cdr. I.W.T. Beloe, RN), HMS Goodall (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Fulton, RNVR) and HMS Anguilla (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR) were also sweeping in the approaches to the Kola Inlet to support the convoy. They had departed Scapa Flow around 2000B/17 and had proceeded direct to entrance of the Kola Inlet to patrol there in advance of the arrival of the convoy. They arrived in their patrol area around 1530B/22 and commenced patrolling.

The Murmansk section of the convoy, made up of the remaining merchant vessels, commenced entering the Kola Inlet in the afternoon of the 25th. The last ships of the escort entered the Kola Inlet in the second half of the evening of the 25th.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Convoy RA 66.

This convoy departed the Kola Inlet around 2300B/29.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Benjamin Schlesinger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Byron Darnton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Charles A. McAllister (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Dolabella (British (tanker), 8142 GRT, built 1939), Eleazar Lord (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944), Eloy Alfaro (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943), Fort Boise (British, 7151 GRT, built 1943), Fort Massac (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943), Fort Yukon (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Grace Abbott (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Henry Lomb (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James M. Gillis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John McDonough (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lawrence J. Brengle (American, 7209 GRT, built 1944), Leo J. Duster (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Nicholas Biddle (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), San Venancio (British (tanker), 8152 GRT, built 1942), Stage Door Canteen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), W.R. Grace (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Willard Hall (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), William Pepper (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William Wheelwright (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944) and Windfred L. Smith (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943).

The RFA tanker Black Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941) was also with the convoy.

The rescue vessel Copeland (British, 1526 GRT, built 1923) was also with the convoy.

On departure from the Kola Inlet the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Zephyr, HMS Zealous, HMS Zest, HMS Zodiac, HNoMS Stord, HMS Offa, HMCS Iroquois, HMCS Haida and HMCS Huron.

The 19th Escort Group, HMS Loch Shin, HMS Loch Insh, HMS Cotton, HMS Goodall and HMS Anguilla had departed the Kola Inlet around 1900B/29 to sweep ahead of the convoy.

The 7th Escort Group, HMS Cygnet and the corvettes HMS Alnwick Castle, HMS Bamborough Castle, HMS Farnwick Castle, HMS Honeysuckle, HMS Oxlip, HMS Rhododendron and HMS Lotus (this last one was temporary attached to the 7th Escort Group) departed around 1815B/29 also to sweep ahead of the convoy and then join it around 2300B/29 on leaving the Kola Inlet.

A 1856B/29, in position 065° - Syet Navalok - 3.7 nautical miles, HMS Loch Insh obtained a contact and two minutes later she attacked with Squid. An enemy submarine then surfaced which was engaged with gunfire by HMS Loch Insh, HMS Loch Shin, HMS Cotton and HMS Cygnet until it sank at 1904B/29. HMS Loch Insh then picked up 14 survivors from U-307 while being covered by HMS Cygnet and HMS Lotus. The remainder of the 19th Escort Group meanwhile proceeded to continue the A/S patrol ahead of the convoy.

At 1926B/29, in position 015° - Syet Navalok - 4 nautical miles, HMS Goodall obtained a good contact and three minutes later, while adjusting speed to attack with Hedgehog, she was hit by a torpedo abreast the bridge. HMS Loch Shin immediately turned towards, obtained a contact and attacked with Squid at 1943B/29 followed immediately by HMS Anguilla which attacked with depth charges. HMS Cotton then obtained contact and attacked with depth charges forcing the enemy submarine to bottom. Diesel oil and wreckage were then observed and another pattern of depth charges were dropped on the oil slick. It is considered that this U-boat was destroyed. This was indeed the case as U-287 is considered to have been sunk in these attacks. It is thought that this U-boat had attacked and sunk HMS Goodall.

HMS Honeysuckle and HMS Farnham Castle meanwhile took off the survivors of HMS Goodall and landed then at Vaenga. Some of them, which were fit to travel, were then embarked in HMS Vindex before departure.

At 2056B/29, in position 69°32'N, 34°00'E, a torpedo was seen to miss HMS Alnwick Castle which subsequently obtained a definite submarine contact and carried out two Squid attacks before contact was lost. This was most likely an attack by U-968 which reported attacking an escort vessel with two torpedoes around this time. HMS Alnwick Castle and HMS Rhodondendron remained patrolling in the area but contact was not regained. It is not considered this U-boat was destroyed.

The convoy, escorted by the destroyers listed above, passed Toros Island around midnight during the night of 29/30 April having been delayed for an hour. The 7th Escort Group, less HMS Honeysuckle and HMS Farnham Castle joined the screen around 0023B/30. The 19th escort group joined the screen around 0241B/30.

At 0148B/30, HMS Zealous and HMS Zodiac were detached to follow up on a U-boat sighting by a Russian aircraft about 6 nautical miles to the north-eastward of the convoy and at 0253B/30, HMS Zodiac sighted the enemy which dived and was immdiately attacked. Contact was not regained following the attack but HMS Cotton and HMS Loch Shin were ordered to remain in the vicinity until HMS Vindex, HMS Premier and HMS Bellona had passed.

Around 0300B/30, HMS Vindex, HMS Premier and HMS Bellona proceeded to overtake and join the convoy. They were met around 0440B/30 off Toros Island by all eight destroyers which had doubled back at high speed to escort them to the convoy.

Around 0800B/30, the convoy was detected by the radar on board HMS Vindex bearing 015° at a range of 32 miles. HMS Zest and HMCS Iroquois were then detached to proceed ahead and join the convoy which they did around 0935B/30. The other ships joined the convoy around 1345B/30.

On 1 May, HMS Oxlip, HMS Rhododendron, HMS Honeysuckle, HMS Lotus and HMS Offa fuelled from the Black Ranger.

Around 1700B/2, in position 73°57'N, 12°39'E, the 19th Escort Group, HMS Loch Shin, HMS Loch Insh, HMS Cotton and HMS Anguilla were detached with instructions to search for the destroyers HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, DSC, RN) which were escorting the RFA tanker Blue Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941).

Also on 2 May, HMCS Iroquois, HMCS Haida and HMCS Huron fuelled from the Black Ranger.

While refuelling HMCS Huron, the Black Ranger switched over tanks and passed over 20 tons of water which put out the boiler fires on board HMCS Huron which then came to a halt at 2140B/2. HNoMS Stord and HMS Offa went to her assistance and carried out an A/S patrol around the stricken destroyer until she was able to get underway around 2214B/2.

Around 1755B/3, when in position 72°22'N, 01°27'E, HMS Bellona reported an unidenified aircraft bearing 165° at a range of 18 nautical miles. Fighters were scrambled and the aircraft turned out to be a JU 88 which was heavily damaged before it was able to retire into the clouds at 1845B/3.

Also on 3 May, HNoMS Stord, HMS Zealous, HMS Rhododendron and HMS Oxlip fuelled from the Black Ranger.

Around 0900B/4, in position 69°48'N, 00°12'W, HMS Obedient, HMS Orwell and the Blue Ranger joined the convoy.

At 1347B/4, HMS Bellona, HMS Zephyr, HMS Zealous, HMS Zest, HMS Zodiac, HNoMS Stord, HMS Offa and HMS Obedient were ordered to proceed to Scapa Flow at best speed. They arrived at Scapa Flow around 1600B/5. Due to a decyphering error HMS Bellona was not detached but she followed at 1724B/4. She arrived at Scapa Flow, actually just ahead of the destroyers, around 1545B/5.

Also during 4 May, HMCS Huron fuelled from the Blue Ranger.

Around 1500B/6, HMS Vindex, HMS Premier, HMCS Iroquois, HMCS Haida, HMCS Huron and HMS Orwell parted company with the convoy to proceed to Scapa Flow where they (except for HMS Orwell, see below) arrived around 2330B/6. Around 1945B/6, HMS Orwell was detached to rejoin the convoy and then escort the Black Ranger and Blue Ranger to Scapa Flow together with the A/S trawler HMS Preston North End (T/Lt. E. Winebloom, RNVR). These ships parted company with the convoy around 2030B/6.

Around 0650B/7, the Loch Ewe section of the convoy was detached. This was made up of the following merchant vessels; Empire Stalwart, Fort Boise, Fort Massac and Fort Yukon. They were escorted by HMS Lotus.

Around 1240B/7, HMS Lotus rejoined the convoy.

Around 1855B/7, the 30th Escort Group joined. This Escort Group was made up of the frigate HMS Byron (Lt. J. Burfield, RN) and the corvettes HMS Caistor Castle (A/Lt.Cdr. B.J. Bowick, RNVR), HMS Kenilworth Castle (A/Lt.Cdr. J.O. Williams, RNR), HMS Launceston Castle (Lt. R.M. Roberts, RNR) and HMS Pevensey Castle (Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR).

Around 2125B/7, HMS Lotus was detached to Londonderry where she arrived on the 8th.

Around 0340B/8, the 30th Escort Group parted company.

Around 1130B/8, the convoy arrived in the Clyde.

The convoy arrived in the Clyde on 8 May 1945. (3)