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Notable events involving Ranee include:

The page of HMS Ranee was created in June 2023.

The page of HMS Ranee was last revised (also) in June 2023.

5 Nov 1943
Ranee succesfully completed her sea trials. She was accepted and commissioned as HM ship three day later while at at Tacoma, Washington, USA.

19 Nov 1943
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) departed Manchester, Washington, USA for Vancouver, British Columbia. She was to be taken in hand for modifications and further outfitting to meet Royal Navy standards at Esquimalt.

21 Jan 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) arrived at the Puget Sound Navy Yar from Vancouver, British Columbia. The ship had received only minimal alterations to enable her to be used as aircraft ferry. She would later have to return to Esquimalt to complete the alterations to enable her to be used opertionally along Royal Navy standards.

23 Jan 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) departed the Puget Sound Navy Yard for Vancouver, British Columbia.

30 Jan 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) arrived at San Francisco to embark aircraft for Cochin, India. (1)

8 Feb 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) departed San Francisco, USA for Wellington, New Zealand. (2)

25 Feb 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) arrived at Wellington, New Zealand from San Francisco, USA. (2)

26 Feb 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) departed Wellington, New Zealand for Fremantle, Australia. (2)

6 Mar 1944
Around 1515H/6, HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) arrived at Fremantle, Australia from Wellington, New Zealand. (3)

7 Mar 1944
Around 1200H/7, the escort carrier (in an aircraft ferry role) HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) departed Fremantle, Australia for Cochin, India. She was escorted by the light cruiser HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN). (4)

15 Mar 1944
Around 1730FG/15, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) and HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) made rendezvous with HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN).

Around 1800FG/15, HMNZS Gambia parted company to proceed to Colombo where she arrived around 1500FG/17.

HMS Ranee, HMAS Quiberon and HMS Queenborough arrived at Cochin around 0930FG/18. (5)

18 Mar 1944
Around 0930FG/18, HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. G.S. Stewart, RAN) and HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN) arrived at Cochin. (6)

28 Mar 1944
The destroyer HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) arrived at Cochin from Colombo.

She departed for Addu Atoll later the same day escorting the escort carrier HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) which is to proceed to Melbourne. (7)

31 Mar 1944
HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) arrived at Addu Atoll after having parted company with HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR). She departed to join convoy AJ 2 coming from Aden later the same day.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy AJ 2 ' for 28 March 1944.] (8)

13 Apr 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) arrived at Melbourne, Australia from Cochin, India. (9)

15 Apr 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) departed Melbourne, Australia for Esquimalt, British Columbia. (9)

6 May 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.S. Metcalf, DSC, RD, RNR) arrived at Vancouver, British Columbia from Melbourne, Australia.

At Vancouver she was to be taken in hand for further alterations to make her fit for operational service with the Royal Navy. A docking would take place at Esquimalt. (1)

14 May 1944
HMS Ranee (?) is taken in hand for alterations at vancouver.

23 Jun 1944
HMS Ranee (?) is docked in the graving dock at Esquimalt.

26 Jun 1944
HMS Ranee (?) is undocked.

14 Jul 1944
HMS Ranee (?) is docked again in the graving dock at Esquimalt.

15 Jul 1944
HMS Ranee (?) is undocked.

20 Jul 1944
During 20/21 July 1944, HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) conducted trials at sea off Vancouver Island on completion of which she anchored near Esquimalt. (10)

22 Jul 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) conducted trials off Esquimalt. (10)

23 Jul 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) conducted trials off Esquimalt. (10)

24 Jul 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) conducted compass swing trials off Esquimalt on completion of which she proceeded to Manchester, Washington, USA. (10)

25 Jul 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) proceeded from Manchester, Washington, USA to Vancouver, British Columbia. (10)

28 Jul 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) departed Vancouver, British Columbia for San Francisco, California, USA. (10)

31 Jul 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) arrived at San Francisco, California, USA from Vancouver, British Columbia. (10)

2 Aug 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) conducted gunnery exercises and exercises with aircraft off San Francisco, California, USA on completion of which course was set for the Panama Canal. (11)

11 Aug 1944
The escort carrier HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) arrived at Balboa, Panama Canal Zone from San Francisco, California, USA. She then immediately transferred the Panama Canal eastwards and arrived at Cristobal later the same day. The destroyer USS Clark (T/Cdr. A.R. Manning, USN) also transited the Canal.

HMS Ranee and USS Clark then departed Cristobal for Norfolk, Virginia, USA. (11)

17 Aug 1944
The escort carrier HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) and the destroyer USS Clark (T/Cdr. A.R. Manning, USN) arrived off Chesapeake Bay very early in the day. HMS Ranee then proceeded to Norfolk where she arrived around 1130Q/17.

USS Clark continued on towards New York where she arrived around 1700Q/17. (12)

5 Sep 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN), loaded to capacity with Hellcat fighters, departed Norfolk for Capetown, South Africa. (13)

23 Sep 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) arrived at Capetown, South Africa from Norfolk, Virginia, USA. (13)

27 Sep 1944
Having unloaded the Hellcats, HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) departed Capetown, South Africa to return to Norfolk, Virginia, USA. (13)

14 Oct 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, USA from Capetown, South Africa. (14)

17 Oct 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN), loaded with aircraft for the U.K., departed Norfolk for New York where she arrived the following day. On leaving Norfolk she was rammed by a tug and sustained some minor damage to her bow. The tug was badly damaged.

On arrival at New York, HMS Ranee was taken in hand for repairs to her hull. (14)

22 Oct 1944

Convoy CU 44.

This convoy departed New York on 22 October 1944.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports / tankers; African Sun (American, 6507 GRT, built 1942), Autossee (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Bienville (American, 7626 GRT, built 1943), Black Jack (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Brandywine (American (tanker), 11401 GRT, built 1943), Brazil (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929), Bulkfuel (American (tanker), 11016 GRT, built 1944), Bulklube (American (tanker), 11016 GRT, built 1943), Cape Horn (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Cape Mohican (American, 5094 GRT, built 1942), Cape Race (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939), Duquesne (American (tanker), 9933 GRT, built 1944), Edmund B. Alexander (American, 21329 GRT, built 1905), Empire Milner (British (tanker), 8135 GRT, built 1944), Esso Scranton (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Exceller (American, 6597 GRT, built 1941), Fair Wind (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Frederick Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), General W.M. Black (American, 9943 GRT, built 1943), Groveton (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), James Lykes (American, 6760 GRT, built 1940), Lake Erie (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Marine Eagle (American, 11500 GRT, built 1943), Marine Raven (American, 11757 GRT, built 1943), Mauvilla (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Pardo (British, 5400 GRT, built 1940), Robin Sherwood (American, 7101 GRT, built 1941), Robin Tuxford (American, 7101 GRT, built 1941), Santa Teresa (American, 8095 GRT, built 1939), Santiago (American (tanker), 10318 GRT, built 1944), Saturnia (Italian, 23940 GRT, built 1927), Sea Owl (American, 7886 GRT, built 1944), Sea Tiger (American, 7886 GRT, built 1944), South Mountain (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Sweepstakes (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Tamaroa (British, 12405 GRT, built 1922), Tampico (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Thomas H. Barry (American, 11250 GRT, built 1930), Valverde (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Washington Express (Norwegian, 3643 GRT, built 1933), White Bird Canyon (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944) and White Squall (American, 8258 GRT, built 1943).

The escort carrier, in an aircraft ferry role, HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) was also part of the convoy.

The convoy was escorted by Task Group 21.7 which was made up of the destroyer USS Clark (T/Cdr. A.R. Manning, USN, with COMTASKGR 21.7, T/Capt. H.T. Chase, USN on board) and the destroyer escorts USS Price (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Higgins, Jr., USNR, with COMCORTDIV 58, T/Cdr. E.E. Garcia, USN on board), USS Strickland (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Hopkins, USNR), Forster (Lt. J.N. Clayton, USNR), Stockdale (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Luther, USNR) and Hissem (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Low, USNR).

On 24 October 1944, the Boston section of the convoy, which had departed Boston the day before, joined, which was made up of the following ships; Alcoa Pointer (American, 6711 GRT, built 1943) and Warrior (American, 6165 GRT, built 1943). They were escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Edsall (Lt. M. MacLean, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 59, T/Cdr. A.W. Slayden, USN on board), USS Stewart (Lt. A.C. Wilson, Jr., USNR) and USS Daniel (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Boynton, USNR) which also joined the convoy.

On 24 October 1944, the escort carrier, in an aircraft ferry role, HMS Trouncer (Capt. B.J. Fisher, DSO, RN) and the destroyer escort USS Clarence L. Evans (T/Cdr. W.C. Hughes, USN) joined the convoy coming from Norfolk, Virginia, which they had departed on 22 October.

On 31 October the convoy split. The English Channel section parted company with the main part of the convoy and was escorted by USS Edsall, USS Daniel, USS Forster, USS Stockdale and USS Hissem.

On 1 November 1944, the Dominion Monarch parted company with the English Channel section and proceeded into Plymouth escorted by the sloop HMS Londonderry (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.M. Newns, RNVR) which had joined for that purpose. The Autossee had already been detached to Falmouth at that time.

On 2 November 1944, two ships of the convoy, the Bulkfuel and Groveton were detached to proceed to Southern-on-Sea escorted by the frigate HMS Hargood (Cdr. P.G. MacIver, DSO, RD, RNR) which had joined for that purpose.

On 2 November 1944, the following ships were detached to Portsmouth; Bienville, Saturnia and Thomas H. Barry. They were escorted by USS Daniel and USS Hissem.

The remaining ships of the Channel section of the convoy, the Cape Race and Marine Eagle arrived at Cherbourg on 2 November 1944 escorted by USS Edwards, USS Foster and USS Stockdale.

The remainder of the convoy had meanwhile proceeded up the Irish Sea destined for various ports. The escorts all proceeded to Greenock.

2 Nov 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) arrived at Belfast after having parted company with convoy CU 44. At Belfast the aircraft were discharged. (15)

3 Nov 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) proceeded from Belfast to the Clyde. (15)

4 Nov 1944
During 4/5 November 1944 HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area. (15)

6 Nov 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Glasgow. (15)

8 Nov 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) proceeded from Glasgow to Greenock. (15)

23 Nov 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) conducted flying exercises (for flying training) in the Clyde area. (15)

26 Nov 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) departed the Clyde for Rosyth where she arrived late the following day. She was escorted by the sloops HMS Lark (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN) and HMS Lapwing (Cdr.(Retd.) E.C. Hulton, RN). (15)

29 Nov 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) conducted flying exercises (for flying training) in the Firth of Forth. (15)

30 Nov 1944
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN) conducted flying exercises (for flying training) in the Firth of Forth.

[As no logbook of HMS Ranee is available for the month of December 1944 details for this month will be missing.]

At 0800A/1, the destroyer HMS Zodiac (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow to attend on HMS Ranee for about a week during flying training. (15)

2 Jan 1945
Around 2000A/2, the escort carriers HMS Ranee (A/Capt. A.A. Murray, RN), HMS Ravager (A/Capt. G.V.B. Faulkner, RN) and repair ship HMS Deer Sound (A/Capt. R.H. Johnson, DSC, RN) departed Rosyth for the Clyde. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Cavendish (Cdr. R.H. Maurice, DSO, RN), HMS Zodiac (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, DSC, RN) and the frigate HMS Loch Katrine (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.A. Cherry, RNR).

Around 0135A/3, the destroyer HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN) joined.

Around 0200A/4, HMS Loch Katrine parted company and proceeded to Tobermory where she was to work up.

Around 1300A/4, the three destroyers parted company off the entrance to the Clyde. They arrived at Scapa Flow later the same day.

The two escort carriers and the repair ship then entered the Clyde. (16)

21 Jan 1945

Convoy UC 53B.

This convoy departed the U.K. on 21/22 January 1945.

The Irish Sea section of the convoy was made up of the following ships; Columbia Star (British, 8293 GRT, built 1939), Drina (British (tanker), 9789 gRT, built 1944), Esso Wilmington (American (tanker), 10169 GRT, built 1942), Fort Henry (American (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1943), Ocean Mail (American, 7842 GRT, built 1941), Paoli (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Stony Creek (American, 10448 GRT, built 1943), Taranaki (British, 10534 GRT, built 1928) and Woodstock Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944). Most of these ships came from Liverpool.

The escort carrier (ferry carrier) HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) was also part of the convoy. She had no aircraft on board.

The Irish Sea section of the convoy was escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Thomas J. Gary (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Ayer, USNR, with COMTASKGR 61.1.2 / COMCORTDIV 57, Cdr. T.G. Murrell, USNR, on board) and USS Finch (Lt.Cdr. C.D. LeHardy, USNR). The former had sailed with the Liverpool section of the convoy, the second with the Milford Haven section.

Around 0100A/23, the English Channel section of the convoy joined with the Irish Sea section in position 49°50'N, 10°20'W. The English Channel section was made up of the following ships; Henry Gibbons (American, 12097 GRT, built 1943) and Sea Robin (American, 7886 GRT, built 1944). They were escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Brister (Lt.Cdr. R.D Tucker, USNR) and USS Richey (Lt. R.J. Auge, USCG).

Around 1130Q/1, HMS Ranee parted company with the convoy. To escort her the destroyer escort USS Cecil J. Doyle (Lt. W.G. Claytor, Jr., USNR) had joined shortly before coming from Bermuda. They arrived at Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone on 6 February 1945.

The convoy arrived at New York on 3 February 1945.

6 Feb 1945
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) and USS Cecil J. Doyle (Lt. W.G. Claytor, Jr., USNR) arrived at Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone.

USS Cecil J. Doyle immediately transited the Panama Canal westbound and arrived at Balboa later the same day. (17)

7 Feb 1945
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) transited the Panama Canal westbound. On leaving the Canal USS Cecil J. Doyle (Lt. W.G. Claytor, Jr., USNR) rejoined her and course was set for San Diego, California. (17)

15 Feb 1945
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) and USS Cecil J. Doyle (Lt. W.G. Claytor, Jr., USNR) arrived at San Diego from the Panama Canal Zone. (17)

21 Feb 1945
The escort carrier (in an aircraft ferry role) HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) and the destroyer USS Hugh W. Hadley (T/Cdr. B.J. Mullaney, USN) departed San Diego for Pearl Harbour. On board the Ranee were 63 aircraft. (18)

27 Feb 1945
The escort carrier HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) and the destroyer USS Hugh W. Hadley (T/Cdr. B.J. Mullaney, USN) both arrived at Pearl Harbour. The destroyer had proceeded ahead after having been relieved as escort by the patrol vessel USS PC-580 (Lt. A.L. Anderson, USNR). (18)

2 Mar 1945
The escort carrier (in an aircraft ferry role) HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) departed Pearl Harbour for Eniwetok. (19)

9 Mar 1945
The escort carrier (in an aircraft ferry role) HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) arrived at Eniwetok from Pearl Harbour.

She departed for Guam later the same day. She now had an escort, the destroyer escort USS Fleming (Lt.Cdr. K.F. Burgess, Jr., USNR). (19)

12 Mar 1945
The escort carrier (in an aircraft ferry role) HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) arrived at Guam from Eniwetok. Her escort, the destroyer escort USS Fleming (Lt.Cdr. K.F. Burgess, Jr., USNR) did not enter the harbour but proceeded to Ulithi where she arrived the following day.

At Guam HMS Ranee disembarked the 63 aircraft that had been onboard. This was completed on the 13th. (20)

15 Mar 1945
The escort carrier HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) departed Guam for Pearl Harbour. On board was US military personnel. She was escorted until 1700L/18 (to the vicinity of Eniwetok) by the destroyer escort USS George (Lt.Cdr. F.W. Just, USNR). (21)

24 Mar 1945
The escort carrier HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) arrived at Pearl Harbour from Guam. She was escorted in by the patrol vessel USS PC-486 (Lt. R.B. Whitney, USNR). (19)

29 Mar 1945
The escort carrier HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) departed Pearl Harbour from Guam. On board were US military personnel as well as replacement aircraft.

Around 1545M/5, the destroyer escort USS Edward C. Daly (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Deits, USNR) joined near Eniwetok. (22)

8 Apr 1945
The escort carrier HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) arrived at Guam from Pearl Harbour. Her escort, the destroyer escort USS Edward C. Daly (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Deits, USNR), also arrived at Guam. (23)

9 Apr 1945
The escort carrier HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) departed Guam for Pearl Harbour. On board was US military personnel. She was escorted until 1545L/12 (to the vicinity of Eniwetok) by the destroyer escort USS Osmus (B.W. Pattishall, USNR). (24)

18 Apr 1945
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) arrived at Pearl Harbour from Guam. (25)

19 Apr 1945
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) departed Pearl Harbour for San Diego. (25)

26 Apr 1945
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) arrived at San Diego from Pearl Harbour. At San Diego she commenced boiler cleaning. (25)

2 May 1945
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) departed San Diego for the Panama Canal Zone. (26)

10 May 1945
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) transited the Panama Canal eastbound. (26)

13 May 1945
Around 0820R/13, in approximate position 20°06'N, 73°45'W (in the Windward Passage), the escort carrier HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) was joined by the destroyer escort USS Heyliger (Lt. A.F. Chace, Jr., USNR). (27)

16 May 1945
Around 0930Q/16, HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) and USS Heyliger (Lt. A.F. Chace, Jr., USNR) parted company off Chesapeake Bay which HMS Ranee then entered. She arrived at Norfolk later that morning. USS Heyliger continued on to New York where she arrived the following day. (27)

23 May 1945
After having embarked aircraft for the U.K., HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) departed Norfolk for New York. (26)

24 May 1945
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) arrived at New York from Norfolk. (26)

25 May 1945

Convoy CU 72.

This convoy departed New York on 25 May 1945.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports / tankers; Allatoona (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1945), Aztec (Hunduran, 5511 GRT, built 1929), Blue Licks (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Champion's Hill (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Chicaca (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Churubusco (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Empire Law (British (tanker), 8128 GRT, built 1944), Empire Protector (British (tanker), 8148 GRT, built 1944), Fort Ridgley (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), French Creek (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Great Republic (American, 6178 GRT, built 1943), Hammerfest (Norwegian (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1945), James Parker (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), Karsten Wang (Norwegian (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Kirkenes (Norwegian (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Raphael Semmes (American, 6165 GRT, built 1942), Red Bank (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Robin Sherwood (American, 7101 GRT, built 1941), Sea Tiger (American, 7886 GRT, built 1944), Sweepstakes (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944) and Wolf Creek (American (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1944).

The escort carrier, in an aircraft ferry role, HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) was also part of the convoy.

The convoy was escorted by Task Group 61.8 which was made up of the destroyer escorts USS Pillsbury (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Cassleman, USNR, with COMTASKGR 61.8 / COMCORTDIV 4, Capt. J.R. Litchfield, USNR, on board), USS Pope (Lt.Cdr. R.J. Montgomery, USNR), USS Flaherty (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Duff, USNR), USS Chatelain (Lt.Cdr. D.S. Knox, USNR) and USS Neunzer (Lt.Cdr. V.E. Gex, USNR).

Around 0715Q/26, the Boston section of the convoy, made up of the (troop) transport General T.H. Bliss (American, 9943 GRT, built 1942) joined. She had been escorted to the rendezvous by the destroyer escorts USS Amick (with, COMCORTDIV 15, T/Cdr. F.C.B. McCune, USN, on board), USS Atherton (Lt. L. Iselin, USNR) and USS Booth (Lt. J.L. Rinn, USNR).

On 1 June 1945, the USS Raphael Semmes straggled from the convoy due to defects. She was ordered to proceed to her destination independently.

On 2 June 1945, the convoy split into the 'Irish Sea section ' escorted by USS Pope and USS Chatelain and the 'English Channel section ' escorted by USS Pillsbury, USS Flaherty and USS Neunzer.

On 3 June 1945, USS Pope arrived at Liverpool with the ' Liverpool Section ' of the convoy. USS Chatelain had been detached on 2 June 1945 with the ' Bristol Channel Section ' of the convoy made up of two ships, one of which was the Kirkenes. USS Chatelain arrived at Cardiff on 3 June 1945. HMS Ranee proceeded to the Clyde where she arrived on 4 June 1945.

Around 0300A/3, the ' English Channel Section ' of the convoy was joined by the frigates HMS Ascension (Cdr. W.J. Moore, DSC, RNR) and HMS Moorsom (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RD, RNR). They remained in company until around 1515A/3.

Around 1600A/3, the ' English Channel Section ' of the convoy was joined by the frigate HMS Kingsmill (Lt. G.H. Cook, RN).

Around 1700A/3, the ships for Le Havre parted company escorted by USS Flaherty and USS Neunzer. These were the Aztec, Empire Law, General T.H. Bliss, James Parker and Sea Tiger. On delivering these ships at Le Havre the destroyer escorts proceeded to Portsmouth.

Around 1900A/3, the ships for the east coast of the U.K. parted company escorted by HMS Kingsmill.

USS Pillsbury arrived at Portsmouth around 2000A/3. The Fort Ridgley, Robin Sherwood and Sweepstakes proceeded to Southampton.

4 Jun 1945
HMS Ranee (A/Capt. J.A.W. Tothill, DSC, RN) arrived off Greenock (Tail of Bank) from passage from the USA with convoy CU 72.

She was then taken in hand for alterations to serve as transport carrier with the British Pacific Fleet. She was still undergoing conversion where Japan surrendered. She was then converted for trooping duties.