| Navy | The Royal Navy |
| Type | Corvette |
| Class | Flower |
| Pennant | K 189 |
| Built by | Harland & Wolff Ltd. (Belfast, Northern Ireland) |
| Ordered | 8 Apr 1940 |
| Laid down | 15 Oct 1940 |
| Launched | 15 Feb 1941 |
| Commissioned | 12 May 1941 |
| End service | |
| History | HMS Bergamot is not listed as active unit in the October 1945 Navy List Sold into merchantile service in May 1946. |
Commands listed for HMS Bergamot (K 189)
Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.
| Commander | From | To | |
| 1 | T/A/Lt.Cdr. Richard Popkis Chapman, RNR | 14 Mar 1941 | 17 Sep 1941 |
| 2 | Lt. Reginald Thomas Horan, RNR | 17 Sep 1941 | 22 Feb 1944 |
| 3 | A/Lt.Cdr. William McInnes, RNR | 22 Feb 1944 | early 1945 |
| 4 | T/Lt. Ronald William Clow, RNVR | early 1945 | mid 1945 |
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Notable events involving Bergamot include:
3 Jul 1941
Convoy SL 80.
This convoy departed Freetown on 3 July 1941.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Agioi Victores (Greek, 4344 GRT, built 1918), Christine Marie (British, 3895 GRT, built 1919), Dago II (British, 1993 GRT, built 1917), Emmy (Greek, 3895 GRT, built 1914), Empire Lough (British, 2824 GRT, built 1940), Medon (British, 5444 GRT, built 1923), Modasa (British, 9070 GRT, built 1921), Mulbera (British, 9100 GRT, built 1922), Perth (British, 2259 GRT, built 1915), Sansu (British, 5446 GRT, built 1939) and Stad Haarlem (Dutch, 4518 GRT, built 1929).
On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Canton (A/Capt. C.A.G. Nichols, MVO, RN), destroyer HMS Highlander (Cdr. S. Boucher, RN), corvettes HMS Amaranthus (Lt. N.B.J. Stapleton, RNR), HMS Bergamot (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Chapman, RNR), A/S yacht HMS Surprise (Capt.(Retd.) E. Stubbs, RN) and the M/S trawler HMS Canna (T/Lt. G.C.L. Payne, RNVR).
Around 1845N/7, HMS Canton parted company with the convoy after having been relieved by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Esperance Bay (Capt.(ret) G.S. Holden, RN). HMS Canton then proceeded on patrol in the mid-Atlantic.
On 8 July 1941, HMS Highlander parted company with the convoy.
On 9 July 1941, HMS Surprise parted company with the convoy.
On 11 July 1941, HMS Amaranthus, HMS Bergamot and HMS Canna parted company with the convoy.
On 23 July the destroyers HMS Broke (Cdr. W.T. Couchman, OBE, RN), HMS Wolverine (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Rowland, RN), HMS Verity (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and the corvettes HMS Hibiscus (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) and HMS Periwinkle (Lt.Cdr. P.G. MacIver, RNR) joined.
On 26 July HMS Verity was detached to Belfast after having sustained serious damage below the waterline due to having collided with HMS Broke. She arrived at Belfast on 27 July.
The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 27 July 1941.
2 Aug 1941
Convoy WS 10
This convoy assembled in the Clyde area on 2 August 1941 destined for the middle east area.
The convoy was made up of the following troop transports; Andes (25689 GRT, built 1939), Britannic (26943 GRT, built 1930), Cameronia (16297 GRT, built 1920), Highland Monarch (14139 GRT, built 1928), Indrapoera (Dutch, 10825 GRT, built 1925), Nea Hellas (16991 GRT, built 1922), Orcades (23456 GRT, built 1937), Rangitiki (16698 GRT, built 1928), Reina del Pacifico (17702 GRT, built 1931), Stirling Castle (25550 GRT, built 1936), Strathallan (23722 GRT, built 1938), Volendam (Dutch, 15434 GRT, built 1922), Warwick Castle (20107 GRT, built 1930), Windsor Castle (19141 GRT, built 1922) and the following transports; Diomed (10374 GRT, built 1922), Indian Prince (8587 GRT, built 1926), Manchester Port (7071 GRT, built 1935), Nigerstroom (Dutch, 4639 GRT, built 1939) and Phemius (7406 GRT, built 1921),
Escort was initially provided by the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN) (2 – 10 August), armed merchant cruiser HMS Worcestershire (A/Capt.(Retd.) E.H. Hopkinson, RN) (2 – 6 August), the light cruiser HMS Cairo (A/Capt. I.R.H. Black, RN) (2 – 5 August), the destroyers HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, OBE, DSC, RN) (2 – 5 August), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Holmes, RN) (2 – 5 August), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN) (2 – 5 August), HMS Broadway (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, RN) (2 – 6 August), HMS Gurkha (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, RN) (2 – 6 August), HMS Lance (Lt.Cdr. R.W.F. Northcott, RN) (2 – 6 August), HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN) (2 – 6 August), HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. J. Houtsmuller, RNN) (2 – 6 August), ORP Piorun (Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki) (2 – 6 August) and HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.T. Thew, RN) (2 August – 17 August).
On 5 August, around 2200 hours, HMS Cairo, HMS Winchelsea, HMS Witch and HMS Whitehall parted company with the convoy.
On 6 August, around 2300 hours, HMS Worcestershire, HMS Broadway, HMS Gurkha, HMS Lance, HMS Legion, HrMs Isaac Sweers and ORP Piorun parted company with the convoy. Shorty afterwards the troopships Warwick Castle and Windsor Castle collided. Due to this the Warwick Castle was detached and was escorted to Halifax, Nova Scotia by HMS Worcestershire. Windsor Castle dropped astern and was brought back to the convoy the next day by HMS Jupiter who had been despached to search for her.Jupiter
Very early on the 9th HMS Jupiter was detached to fuel at Ponta Delgada, Azores. HMS Jupiter re-joined the convoy around 0700 on the 10th.
Around noon on 10 August, HMS London, was relieved by the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh (Capt. H.W. Faulkner, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral E.N. Syfret, RN) which had departed Gibraltar on the 8th. HMS Edinburgh remained with the convoy until it reached Freetown on the 17th.
When approaching Freetown A/S escorts joined the convoy. On 14 August 1941 two destroyers and a corvette joined, these were; HMS Velox (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and HMS Bergamot (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Chapman, RNR). The next day the corvette HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR) also joined.
On 21 August 1941 the convoy departed Freetown for South Africa. Escort was provided by the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh until 2 September 1941, when part of the convoy (Troopships Britannic, Indrapoera, Reina Del Pacifico, Striling Castle, Strathallan, Volendam, Windsor Castle and the transports Nigerstroom and Phemius) arrived at Capetown. HMS Edinburgh then went to Simonstown. On departure from Freetown A/S escort was provided until dawn on the 24th by the destroyer HMS Jupiter and the corvettes HMS Anchusa (Lt. J.E.L. Peters, RNR), HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Crocus (Lt.Cdr. E. Wheeler, RNR) and HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR). The corvettes then returned to Freetown while HMS Jupiter proceed to St. Helena.
The light cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) then took over the remainer of the convoy and took these towards Durban were they arrived on 5 September 1941. These were the troopships Andes, Cameronia, Highland Monarch, Nea Hellas, Rangitiki and the transports Diomed, Indian Price and Manchester Port.
On 6 September 1941 the part of the convoy (minus Reina del Pacifico) that had entered Capetown on 2 September departed from Capetown escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H.N.M. Hardy, DSO, RN). On 8 September the Britannic split off and proceeded to Durban to embark troops that had been on the Cameronia. Britannic rejoined the next day escorted by Hawkins. The troop transport Aronda (9031 GRT, built 1941) was also with them and joined the convoy. After these ships had joined HMS Carnavon Castle then split off with the Indrapoera, Volendam, Nigerstroom and Phemius and took these ships to Durban.
The convoy (by now called WS 10B), now made up of the troopships Aronda, Britannic, Stirling Castle, Strathallan and Windsor Castle, and escorted by HMS Hawkins proceeded to Bombay where it arrived on 20 September 1941. En-route, in position 03.25’S, 51.12’E and on September 13th, HMS Hawkins had been relieved by the light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. F.C. Flynn, RN).
[Other ships that had been part of convoy WS 10 later proceeded to their destinations in other convoys.]
4 Oct 1941
Around 1330ON(+1.5)/4, HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) made rendezvous, in approximate position 24°15'S, 44°30'W, with the corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) and HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR).
HMS Bergamot then commenced to fuel from HMS Birmingham.
Later the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) also joined. (1)
5 Oct 1941
HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) and HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR) fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) to the south-west of Ilhabella, Brazil. HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) meanwhile conducted A/S patrol nearby.
On completion of the fuelling (and storing) operations all ships proceeded on patrol. (1)
13 Oct 1941
The light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) made rendezvous of the Abrolhos Islands with the armed merchant cruiser HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN), corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR) and the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937). (1)
14 Oct 1941
On completion of the fuelling operations with the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937), light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) made rendezvous of the Abrolhos Islands with the armed merchant cruiser HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN) and the corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) and HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR) resumed their patrol operations in the Abrolhos focal area. (1)
23 Oct 1941
During the day, HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN) again made rendezvous with the RFA tanker Broomdale (8334 GRT, built 1937), to the west of the Abrolhos Islands. The corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Lavender (Lt.Cdr. J. Whayman, RNR) also were in company and fuelled from the tanker. All ships resumed their patrol duties later in the day. (1)
13 Nov 1941
HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Freetown together with HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) and Sunderland aircraft. (2)
14 Nov 1941
HMS Severn (Lt.Cdr. A.N.G. Campbell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Freetown together with HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Poe, RN), HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Bengali (Lt. F.R. Pike, RCNVR) and Walrus and Sunderland aircraft. (2)
17 Mar 1942
Around 1200Z/17, the corvettes HMS Rockrose (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Birch, RNR) and HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) joined the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) B.O. Bell-Salter, RN) and the troop transport Dempo (Dutch, 17024 GRT, built 1931) in approximate position 00°34'N, 08°10'W. (3)
20 Mar 1942
Around 0900Z/20, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carthage (Capt.(Retd.) B.O. Bell-Salter, RN), corvettes HMS Rockrose (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Birch, RNR), HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) and the troop transport Dempo (Dutch, 17024 GRT, built 1931) arrived at Freetown. (3)
2 Sep 1942
Operation EV, convoy operations to and from northern Russia, convoy's PQ 18 and QP 14.
Convoy PQ 18 from Loch Ewe to the Kola Inlet and convoy QP 14 from the Kola Inlet to Loch Ewe.
Convoy PQ 18 departed Loch Ewe on 2 September 1942 and arrived in the Kola Inlet on 21 September 1942.
On departure from Loch Ewe it was made up of the following merchant vessels; Africander (Panamanian, 5441 GRT, built 1921), Atheltemplar (British (tanker), 8992 GRT, built 1930), Campfire (American, 5671 GRT, built 1919), Charles R. McCormick (American, 6027 GRT, built 1920), Dan-Y-Bryn (British, 5117 GRT, built 1940), Empire Baffin (British, 6978 GRT, built 1941), Empire Beaumont (British, 7044 GRT, built 1942), Empire Morn (British, 7092 GRT, built 1941), Empire Snow (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941), Empire Stevenson (British, 6209 GRT, built 1941), Empire Trinstram (British, 7167 GRT, built 1942), Esek Hopkins (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Gateway City (American, 5432 GRT, built 1920), Goolistan (British, 5851 GRT, built 1929), Hollywood (American, 5498 GRT, built 1920), John Penn II (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Kentucky (American, 5446 GRT, built 1921), Lafayette (Russian, 5887 GRT, built 1919), Macbeth (Panamanian, 4941 GRT, built 1920), Mary Luckenbach (American, 5049 GRT, built 1919), Meanticut (American, 6061 GRT, built 1921), Nathaniel Greene (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Faith (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Oliver Ellsworth (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Oregonian (American, 4862 GRT, built 1917), Oremar (American, 6854 GRT, built 1919), Patrick Henry (American, 7191 GRT, built 1941), Sahale (American, 5028 GRT, built 1919), San Zotico (British (tanker), 5582 GRT, built 1919), Schoharie (American, 4971 GRT, built 1919), St. Olaf (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Temple Arch (British, 5138 GRT, built 1940), Virginia Dare (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Wacosta (American, 5432 GRT, built 1920), White Clover (Panamanian, 5462 GRT, built 1920) and William Moultrie (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942).
The RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tankers Black Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941) and Grey Ranger (3313 GRT, built 1941) were also part of the convoy. These ships were known as ' Force Q '.
As was the rescue ship Copeland (British, 1526 GRT, built 1923).
The merchant vessel Beauregard (American, 5976 GRT, built 1920) had also sailed with the convoy but soon returned to Loch Ewe with engine trouble.
On departure from Loch Ewe the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Campbell (A/Cdr. E.C. Coats, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Mackay ( Lt. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN), escort destroyers HNoMS Eskdale (Lt.Cdr. S. Storheill), HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN) and the A/S trawlers HMS Arab (T/Lt. F.M. Procter, RCNVR), HMS Duncton (T/Lt. J.P. Kilbee, RNR), HMS Hugh Walpole (T/Lt. J. Mackenzie, RNR), HMS King Sol (Lt. P.A. Read, RNR) and HMS Paynter (Lt. R.H. Nossiter, RANVR).
On 6 September 1942 the escort was reinforced by the destroyers HMS Montrose (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Phipps, OBE, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Walpole (Lt. A.S. Pomeroy, RN) which came from Hvalfjord.
On 7 September 1942 three ships which had taken passage in this convoy arrived at Reykjavik, Iceland, these were the Gateway City, Oremar and San Zotico. Also the five A/S trawlers had parted company with the convoy.
Also on this day eight more merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Reykjavik, these were the; Andre Marti (Russian, 2352 GRT, built 1918), Exford (American, 4969 GRT, built 1919), Komiles (Russian, 3962 GRT, built 1932), Petrovski (Russian, 3771 GRT, built 1921), Richard Bassett (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Stalingrad (Russian, 3559 GRT, built 1931), Sukhona (Russian, 3124 GRT, built 1918) and Tblisi (Russian, 7169 GRT, built 1912).
The Richard Bassett however soon returned to Reykjavik.
Also with this section were three motor minesweepers which were to be transferred to the Russian Navy, these were MMS 90 (Skr. J. Dinwoodie, RNR), MMS 203 ( Skr. J.H. Petherbridge, DSC, RNR) and MMS 212 ( T/Lt. W.J. Walker, RNVR).
These ships were escorted by the destroyers HMS Malcolm (A/Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN), HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy) Lord Teynham, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. A.H.T. Johns, RN), minesweepers HMS Gleaner (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, DSC, RN), HMS Harrier (Cdr. A.D.H. Jay, DSC, RN), corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Bluebell (Lt. G.H. Walker, RNVR), HMS Bryony (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RNR), HMS Camellia (T/Lt. R.F.J. Maberley, RNVR), A/S trawlers HMS Cape Argona (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.R. Pate, RNR), HMS Cape Mariato (T/Lt. H.T.S. Clouston, RNVR), HMS Daneman (T/Lt. G.O.T.D. Henderson, RNVR), HMS St. Kenan (Lt. J. Mackay, RNR) and the AA ships HMS Alynbank (A/Capt.(Retd.) H.F. Nash, RN) and HMS Ulster Queen (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.K. Adam, RN).
When the Reykjavik section joined the convoy the escort destroyers HNoMS Eskdale and HMS Farndale parted company and proceeded to Hvalfjord. HMS Walpole also returned to Hvalfjord with defects as did HMS Amazon. After repairs, HMS Amazon proceeded to Akureyri.
HMS Campbell and HMS Mackay arrived at Hvalfjord on the 9th, having been detached from the convoy escort. They later went on to Akureyri.
Around 0615A/8 the minesweepers HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. W.L. O'Mara, RN) departed Seidisfjord escorting the submarines HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) and HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN). All three ships joined the convoy shortly after noon on the 9th.
Around 2100A/8, ' Force A ', made up of the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt H.T. Armstrong, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Ewing, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. M.L. Power, OBE, RN), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, DSO, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Somali (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) departed Akureyri for Spitsbergen where they were to refuel from ' Force P ' (see below).
Around 2145A/8, ' Force B ', made up of the AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Martin (Cdr. C.R.P. Thomson, DSO, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN), HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.deW. Kitcat, RN) and the ' Carrier Force ' made up of the escort carrier HMS Avenger (Cdr. A.P. Colthurst, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Wheatland (Lt.Cdr. R.de.L Brooke, RN) and HMS Wilton (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN) departed Seidisfjord to join the convoy which they did around 2200A/9.
Around 2230A/9, HMS Echo parted company with the convoy to return to Hvalfjord as did HMS Montrose which proceeded to Akureyri. Both destroyers arrived at their destinations on the 10th.
' Force A ', made up of the destroyers HMS Onslow, HMS Offa, HMS Onslaught, HMS Opportune, HMS Ashanti, HMS Eskimo, HMS Somali and HMS Tartar, arrived at Spitsbergen on the 11th, fuelled from ' Force P ' and departed P.M. to join convoy PQ 18 which they did in the morning of the 13th.
Meanwhile HMS Scylla, HMS Milne, HMS Marne, HMS Martin, HMS Meteor and HMS Intrepid parted company with the convoy at 1130A/11 to proceed to Spitsbergen to fuel from ' Force P '. The other destroyers / escort destroyers with the convoy fuelled from ' Force Q '.
HMS Scylla, HMS Milne, HMS Marne, HMS Martin, HMS Meteor and HMS Intrepid completed fuelling in the morning of the 13th and they rejoined the convoy around 1400A/13. The escort was complete then.
Meanwhile the convoy, had been picked up again by German aircraft on the 12th. Also at 2109A/12, the destroyer HMS Faulknor attacked a contact ahead of the convoy with depth charges in position 75°04'N, 04°49'E, this meant the end of the German submarine U-88.
On 13 September the convoy was heavily attacked by the enemy resulting in the loss of ten of the merchant vessels; by U-boat (U-408) Stalingrad and the Oliver Ellsworth and by German aircraft the Wacosta, Oregonian, Macbeth, Africander, Empire Stevenson, Empire Beaumont, John Penn and Sukhona.
On 14 September the German submarine U-457 hit the tanker Atheltemplar. The tanker burst into flames and was abandoned by her crew. HMS Harrier tried to scuttle the tanker with gunfire but failed to do so and she was last seen heavily on fire but still afloat. The capsized wreck was sunk by the German submarine U-408 in the afternoon.
Early in the afternoon the German submarine U-589 was hunted by Swordfish aircraft from HMS Avenger and she was sunk in position 75°40'N, 20°32'E with depth charges by HMS Onslow.
The German airforce also attacked the convoy on this day but concentrated initially on attacking the escort instead of the merchant ships. The HMS Avenger was heavily attacked but she was not hit though she had a lucky escape during a dive bomb attack. Torpedoes fired at her were dropped from long range due to effecive fire from her close escort, the escort destroyers HMS Wheatland and HMS Wilton and the AA ship HMS Ulster Queen which had also come to her aid.
In the afternoon the merchant vessel Mary Luckenbach was torpedoed. She exploded and completely vaporised due to her cargo of 1000 tons of TNT. There were no survivors.
On September 15th, German aircraft could not inflict damage to the convoy though some ships had narrow escapes. The U-boats could be kept at bay by the escorts.
In the early hours of the 16th, the German submarine U-457 tried to attack the convoy but she was depth charged and sunk by HMS Impulsive in position 75°05'N, 43°15'E.
Shortly before noon the destroyers HMS Offa and HMS Opportune conducted depth charge attacks on the German submarines U-255 and U-378 during which the former sustained some damage.
Around 1530A/16, HMS Scylla, HMS Avenger, Milne, Marne, Martin, Meteor, Faulknor, Fury, Impulsive, Intrepid, HMS Onslow, HMS Offa, HMS Onslaught, HMS Opportune, HMS Ashanti, HMS Eskimo, HMS Somali, HMS Tartar, HMS Wheatland, HMS Wilton, HMS Alynbank, HMS P 614 and HMS P 615 parted company with PQ 18 to join the westbound convoy QP 14 (see below) which they did the following morning. The two RFA tankers from ' Force Q ' were also with them.
On September 17th, the Russian destroyers Gremyashchiy, and Sokrushitelny joined the convoy escort.
On September 18th, the Russian destroyers Valerian Kyubishev and Uritsky joined the convoy as did the British minesweepers HMS Britomart (Lt.Cdr. S.S. Stammwitz, RN), HMS Halcyon (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Corbet-Singleton, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Hazard (Lt.(Retd.) G.C. Hocart, RNR), HMS Salamander (Lt. W.R. Muttram, RN) joined the convoy escort. Also on this day the merchant vessel Kentucky was lost due to a German air attack.
The convoy arrived at Archangelsk on 21 September 1941. Some delay having been experienced due to heavy weather on the 19th.
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Convoy QP 14 departed Archangelsk on 13 September 1942 and arrived at Loch Ewe on 26 September 1942.
On departure from Archangelsk it was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alcoa Banner (American, 5035 GRT, built 1919), Bellingham (American, 5345 GRT, built 1920), Benjamin Harrison (American, 2191 GRT, built 1942), Deer Lodge (American, 6187 GRT, built 1919), Empire Tide (British, 6978 GRT, built 1941), Harmatris (British, 5395 GRT, built 1932), Minotaur (American, 4554 GRT, built 1918), Ocean Freedom (British, 7173 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Voice (British, 7174 GRT, built 1941), Samuel Chase (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Silver Sword (British, 4937 GRT, built 1919), Tobruk (Polish, 7048 GRT, built 1942), Troubadour (Panamanian, 6428 GRT, built 1920), West Nilus (American, 5495 GRT, built 1920) and Winston Salem (American, 6223 GRT, built 1920).
The rescue vessels Rathlin (British, 1600 GRT, built 1936) and Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1921) were also part of the convoy.
On departure from Archangelsk the convoy was escorted by the (Russian) destroyer Kuibyshev, Uritski, escort destroyers HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN), minesweepers Britomart, HMS Bramble (Capt. J.H.F. Crombie, DSO, RN), Halcyon, Hazard, HMS Leda (A/Cdr.(Retd.) A.H. Wynne-Edwards, RN), Salamander, HMS Seagull (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Pollock, RN), corvettes HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR), HMS La Malouine (T/Lt. V.D.H. Bidwell, RNR), HMS Lotus (Lt. H.J. Hall, RNR), HMS Poppy (Lt. N.K. Boyd, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. L.J.A. Gradwell, RNVR), HMS Lord Austin (T/Lt. O.B. Egjar, RNR), HMS Lord Middleton (T/Lt. R.H. Jameson, RNR), HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RD, RNR), and the AA ships HMS Palomares (A/Capt.(rtd.) J.H. Jauncey, RN) and HMS Pozarica (A/Capt.(rtd.) E.D.W. Lawford, RN).
In the morning of the 17th, HMS Scylla, HMS Avenger, Milne, Marne, Martin, Meteor, Faulknor, Fury, Impulsive, Intrepid, HMS Onslow, HMS Offa, HMS Onslaught, HMS Opportune, HMS Ashanti, HMS Eskimo, HMS Somali, HMS Tartar, HMS Wheatland, HMS Wilton, HMS Alynbank, HMS P 614 and HMS P 615 joined the convoy. The two RFA tankers from ' Force Q ' were also with them.
Also on the 17th, the Kuibyshev, Uritski, Britomart, Halcyon, Hazard and Salamander parted company with the convoy to join the escort of convoy PQ 18 (see above).
On the 18th (or early on the 19th ?) the destroyers HMS Fury and HMS Impulsive were detached from the convoy for Spitsbergen. They rejoined the convoy around 1700A/19 having escorted the RFA tanker Oligarch from Spitsbergen to the convoy. The destroyer HMS Worcester was also with them.
On 20 September U-boats began to attack the convoy and the minesweeper HMS Leda was torpedoed and sunk around 0530A/20 by U-435 in position 76°30'N, 05°00'E. She sank around 0700A/20.
Shortly after noon, the submarines HMS P 614 and HMS P 615 also parted company with the convoy to proceed to Lerwick but they first swept astern of the convoy to try to attack shadowing enemy submarines. HMS P 614 attacked U-408 with four torpedoes thinking to have sunk the enemy but this was not the case.
Later that day the merchant vessel Silver Sword was torpedoed and sunk by U-255. The Silver Sword did not sink immediately, her wreck was scuttled by gunfire from the destroyer HMS Worcester.
And finally on the 20th, the destroyer HMS Somali was torpedoed and damaged around 1850A/20 by the U-703. The ship was taken in tow towards Akureyri or Seidisfjord by her sistership HMS Ashanti and screened by HMS Opportune, HMS Eskimo and HMS Intrepid but HMS Somali finally breaking in two around 0230A/24 when the weather conditions had worsened. Both halves sank quickly.
Also on this day, Rear-Admiral Burnett transferred his flag from HMS Scylla to HMS Milne. HMS Scylla, HMS Avenger, HMS Fury, HMS Wheatland and HMS Wilton parted company to proceed to Seidisfjord where they arrived on 22 September. The destroyer HMS Onslaught was detached to escort the staggler Troubadour. They later joined the remainder of ' Force P ' (RFA tanker Blue Ranger, destroyer HMS Windsor and the escort destroyers HMS Cowdray and HMS Oakley) which had departed Spitsbergen. On 22 September they joined HMS Somali under tow by HMS Ashanti and the escorting destroyers HMS Opportune, HMS Eskimo and HMS Intrepid.
Three German submarines were attacked by the A/S escort on 20 September, these were U-378 by a Swordfish aircraft from HMS Avenger, U-212 by HMS Ashanti and finally U-255 by HMS Eskimo. All submarines managed to escape without damage.
On 21 September a Catalina (RAF(Norwegian) 330Sq./Z) attacked the German submarine U-606 but the aircraft is shot down by the enemy.
Early on 22 September, HMS Milne detached from the convoy to proceed to Seidisfjord where she arrived in the evening.
On 22 September the German submarine U-435 again attacked the convoy and managed to sink the merchant vessels Bellingham, Ocean Voyce and the RFA tanker Grey Ranger.
On 23 September, HMS Onslow, HMS Offa, HMS Worcester and the two rescue ships, were detached to Seidisfjord arriving there later on the same day.
Also on 23 September, HMS Scylla, HMS Avenger, HMS Milne, HMS Wheatland and HMS Wilton departed Seidisfjord for Scapa Flow where they arrived on the 24th.
The staggler Troubadour was detached from ' Force P ' on the 24th to proceed to Akureyri.
On 24 September, HMS Marne was detached to proceed to Seidisfjord to land the survivors that she had picked up from the Catalina aircraft that had been shot down on 21 September by U-606. She rejoined the convoy later the same day. HMS Onslow, HMS Offa, HMS Worcester and the two rescue ship left Seidisfjord to rejoin the convoy which they did on the 25th.
On the 25th, HMS Martin was detached to escort the staggler Winston Salem while HMS Ayrshire was detached to Seidisfjord with defects.
Around 2115A/25, HMS Ashanti, HMS Intrepid, HMS Onslaught and HMS Opportune arrived at Scapa Flow. HMS Eskimo arrived around 0700A/26. Following the sinking of Somali they had detached from ' Force P ' on the 24th.
On the 26th, HMS Faulknor, HMS Onslow, HMS Offa, HMS Marne, HMS Meteor, HMS Tartar, HMS Impulsive, HMS Worcester, HMS Blankney, HMS Middleton, HMS Bramble, HMS Seagull and the tankers Oligarch and Black Ranger were detached to Scapa Flow where they arrived on the same day.
The convoy arrived at Loch Ewe on the 26th.
The staggler Winston Salem arrived at Loch Ewe the following day after which HMS Martin proceeded to Scapa Flow arriving around 1930A/27.
' Force P ', Blue Ranger escorted by HMS Windsor, HMS Cowdray and HMS Oakley arrived at Scapa Flow on the 27th.
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To provide cover and support for this convoy four forces were deployed.
' Force P ' was the Spitsbergen refueling force. It was made up of the RFA tankers Blue Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941) and Oligarch (6894 GRT, built 1918) and departed Scapa Flow on 3 September escorted by the destroyer HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. D.H.F. Hetherington, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Bramham (Lt. E.F. Baines, RN), HMS Cowdray (Lt.Cdr. C.W. North, RN), and Oakley (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN).
On 4 September the destroyer HMS Worcester (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Juniper, RN), coming from Seidisfjord, Iceland, relieved HMS Bramham which then proceeded to Seidisfjord. She later went on to Akureyri.
' Force P ' arrived at Spitsbergen (Lowe Sound) on 10 September. [For futher movements of ' Force P ' see the text above and below.]
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There was also the ' Cruiser Force ' was was to provide close cover for the convoys during their passage through the most dangerous area. Also two ships of the force were to land stores, personnel and dogs on Spitsbergen (Operation Gearbox II). It was made up of the heavy cruisers HMS Norfolk (Capt. E.G.H. Bellars, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral S.S. Bonham-Carter, CB, CVO, DSO, RN), HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN), HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN), HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN), light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN) and the destroyers HMS Echo, HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Bulldog (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, DSO, RN). They departed Hvalfjord around 1145Z/14.
Around 1330A/15, they were joined in position 67°40'N, 19°55'W by HMS Amazon coming from Akureyri.
Around 1200A/16, HMS Cumberland and HMS Eclipse were detached for operation Gearbox II.
In the evening of the 16th the destroyers were fuelled by the cruisers. Due to these ships having to be available to intercept and engage German surface forces in case these would come out to attack the convoys the fuel levels in the destroyers were kept as high as possible. HMS Bulldog was fuelled by HMS Norfolk, HMS Echo was fuelled by HMS London, HMS Amazon was fuelled by HMS Suffolk.
At 0600A/17, HMS Eclipse was detached by HMS Cumberland to patrol to seaward while HMS Cumberland went on to Barentsburg. She anchored there around 1420A/17 and the first boat with stores was underway at 1445A/17. At 1900A/17, HMS Eclipse came alongside to fuel. This was completed at 2110A/17 and she got underway. At 2145A/17 weighed and departed Barentsburg to rejoin the other cruisers which she did around 0600A/18.
At 2200A/17, HMS Sheffield parted company with the other cruisers for her part in Operation Gearbox II. She anchored off Barentsburg around 1530A/18 and commenced disembarking. At 1930A/18, HMS Eclipse went alongside to fuel which was completed at 2105A/18. HMS Sheffield and HMS Eclipse departed the fjord around 2130A/18. They rejoined the other ships around 1050A/19.
Meanwhile in the late afternoon / early evening of the 17th, HMS Amazon, HMS Bulldog and HMS Echo were fuelled by ' Force P ' which had come out of the fjords. The destroyers were again topped off by ' Force P ' in the later morning / afternoon of the 18th.
The ' Cruiser Force ' returned to Hvalfjord around 1730Z/22.
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And finally there was the ' Distant Cover / Battlefleet Force '. This force was made up of the battleships HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral B.A. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN, 2nd in Command, Home Fleet), HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.E. Creasy, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, RN), destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN), HMS Campbell, HMS Mackay, HMS Montrose and the escort destroyer HMS Bramham. They departed from Akureyri around 1700Z/11 to provide cover for convoy PQ 18. The destroyers had sailed a little earlier presumably to conduct an A/S sweep off the fjord first.
They returned to Akureyri around 0900Z/14 except for HMS Bramham which had been detached to proceed to Hvalfjord.
HMS Anson, HMS Duke of York, HMS Jamaica, HMS Keppel, HMS Campbell, HMS Mackay and HMS Montrose departed again around 0630Z/19 to provide cover for convoy QP 14. The destroyer HMS Broke (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Layard, RN) had meanwhile joined them at Akureyri and sailed with them. Once again the destroyers joined off the fjord presumable having conducted an A/S sweep of the fjord first.
The ' Battlefleet Force ' arrived at Hvalfjord around 2100Z/22.
17 Nov 1942
Convoy QP 15.
This convoy departed the Archangelsk on 17 November 1942 and arrived at Loch Ewe on 30 November 1942.
The convoy was made up the following merchant vessels; Andre Marti (Russian, 2352 GRT, built 1918), Belomorcanal (Russian, 2900 GRT, built 1936), Charles R. McCormick (American, 6027 GRT, built 1920), Dan-Y-Brin (British, 5117 GRT, built 1940), Empire Baffin (British, 6978 GRT, built 1941), Empire Morn (British, 7092 GRT, built 1941), Empire Snow (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941), Empire Tristram (British, 7167 GRT, built 1942), Esek Hopkins (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Exford (American, 4969 GRT, built 1919), Friedrich Engels (Russian, 3972 GRT, built 1930), Goolistan (British, 5851 GRT, built 1929), Hollywood (American, 5498 GRT, built 1920), Ironclad (American, 5685 GRT, built 1919), Komiles (Russian, 3962 GRT, built 1932), Kuznetz Lesov (Russian, 3974 GRT, built 1933), Lafayette (American, 5887 GRT, built 1919), Meanticut (American, 6061 GRT, built 1921), Nathaniel Greene (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Faith (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Patrick Henry (American, 7191 GRT, built 1941), Petrovski (Russian, 3771 GRT, built 1921), Sahale (American, 5028 GRT, built 1919), Schoharie (American, 4971 GRT, built 1919), St. Olaf (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Tblisi (Russian, 7169 GRT, built 1912), Temple Arch (British, 5138 GRT, built 1940), Virginia Dare (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), White Clover (Panamanian, 5462 GRT, built 1920), William Moultrie (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942) and
The rescue vessel (British, 1526 GRT, built 1923) is also part of the convoy.
On departed from the Kola Inlet the convoy was escorted by the AA ship Ulster Queen, destroyers Baku, Sokrushitelny, minesweepers HMS Britomart (Lt.Cdr. S.S. Stammwitz, RN), HMS Halcyon (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Corbet-Singleton, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Hazard (Lt.(Retd.) G.C. Hocart, RNR), HMS Salamander (Lt. W.R. Muttram, RN), HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. W.L. O'Mara, RN), corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Bluebell (Lt. G.H. Walker, RNVR), HMS Bryony (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RNR), HMS Camellia (T/Lt. R.F.J. Maberley, RNVR).
The merchant vessels Ironclad and Meanticut soon returned to the Kola Inlet with defects.
On 19 November 1941 the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) and HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.deW. Kitcat, RN) departed the Kola Inlet to overtake and join the convoy which they did the following day.
On 20 November 1941 the destroyers HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), HMS Orwell ( Lt.Cdr. N.H.G. Austen, DSO, RN) and escort destroyers HMS Ledbury (Lt. D.R.N. Murdoch, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN) and HMS Oakley (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN) departed Seidisfjord to join the convoy from the westward.
The Russian escort parted company with the convoy to return to the Kola Inlet, these were; Baku, Sokrushitelny. They were both damaged in the heavy weather, Baku managed to reach port with difficulty while Sokrushitelny almost broke in half. She foundered and sank on 22 November.
Due to the weather conditions the convoy got scattered.
On 23 November the staggling merchant vessels Goolistan and Kusnets Lesov were sunk by the German submarines U-625 and U-601 respectively. There were no survivors from both ships.
Also on 23 November, HMS Musketeer, HMS Orwell and the escort destroyers HMS Ledbury, HMS Middleton and HMS Oakley joined the convoy.
On 25 November, HMS Ulster Queen, HMS Icarus, HMS Bluebell and HMS Camellia arrived at Seidisfjord to fuel having parted company with the convoy the day before.
On 26 November, the Convoy Commodore with a total of nine ships set course to proceed direct to Loch Ewe. A total of seven stagglers arrived at Akureyri during the day.
Also on 26 November, HMS Faulknor, Echo, HMS Impulsive, HMS Intrepid, HMS Musketeer, HMS Orwell, HMS Ledbury and HMS Middleton arrived at Seidisfjord followed later by HMS Halcyon.
HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Burnett, DSC, RN) and HMS Impulsive departed Seidisfjord to go the the assistance of HMS Sharpshooter which had engine trouble and was still to the north-east of Iceland in position 68°05'N, 11°40'W.
On 27 November, a staggler escorted by HMS Oakley arrived at Seidisfjord. This ship later departed again escorted by HMS Icarus, HMS Intrepid, HMS Ledbury, HMS Middleton, HMS Bluebell and HMS Camellia to join the Convoy Commodore and his group of ships. On joining HMS Britomart, HMS Hazard, HMS Bergamot and HMS Bryony parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Seidisfjord to fuel. HMS Ulster Queen later also rejoined the convoy.
Also on 27 November nine more stagglers of the convoy arrived at Akureyri.
HMS Salamander and a staggler arrived at Seidisford as did HMS Forester with HMS Sharpshooter. HMS Impulsive remainded out on patrol off Seidisfjord reinforced by HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO, RN). On arriving at Seidisfjord HMS Sharpshooter collided with another ship. She departed to effect repairs at Hvalfjord later the same day arriving there on 28 November.
On 28 November HMS Impulsive and HMS Obdurate abandoned their patrol proceeding to Seidisfjord and Hvalfjord (arrived 29 November) respectively.
Also on 28 November HMS Faulknor departed Seidisfjord for Scapa Flow while HMS Forester, HMS Echo, HMS Musketeer, HMS Orwell, HMS Oakley, HMS Britomart and HMS Hazard departed Seidisfjord to proceed to Akureyri to pick up the stagglers there and proceed with them to Loch Ewe. Convoy QP 15M, made up of 14 merchant ships, then departed Akureyi on the 29th. They were joined off Seidisfjord by one more merchant ship and a tanker which came out escorted by HMS Impulsive, HMS Bergamot and HMS Bryony.
On 29 November, HMS Halcyon and HMS Salamander departed Seidisfjord for Scapa Flow where they arrived on 1 December.
On 30 November, the Commodore's section of convoy QP 15 (9 ships) arrived at Loch Ewe. HMS Ulster Queen and HMS Ledbury then proceeded to the Clyde arriving later the same day. HMS Icarus, HMS Intrepid and HMS Middleton proceeded to Scapa Flow arriving later the same day. HMS Bluebell went to the Tyne arriving on 1 December and HMS Camellia went to Cardiff also arriving on 1 December.
Also on 30 November, HMS Orwell and HMS Oakley were detached from the escort for convoy QP 15M to proceed to Scapa Flow arriving on 1 December.
On 2 December, HMS Echo was detached from the escort of convoy QP 15M to proceed to the Clyde where she arrived on 3 December.
Also on 2 December, HMS Britomart and HMS Hazard were detached from convoy QP 15M with the tanker and escorted her to Scapa Flow where they arrived on 3 December.
On 3 December, HMS Forester, HMS Impulsive and HMS Musketeer were detached from convoy QP 15M to Scapa Flow where they arrived later the same day.
Convoy QP 15M (15 ships) arrived at Loch Ewe on 3 December, HMS Bergamot and HMS Bryony then went to the Tyne arriving there on 4 December.
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To provide cover for this convoy a cruiser force was deployed.
On 14 November the destroyers HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN) and HMS Obdurate departed Scapa Flow for Seidisfjord where they arrived on 17 November.
On 16 November the heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN) and destroyer HMS Forester departed Hvalfjord for Seidisdfjord where they arrived the following day.
Also on the 16th, HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Seidisfjord arriving on the 18th.
On the 19th HMS London, HMS Suffolk, HMS Forester, HMS Obdurate and HMS Onslaught departed Seidisford to provide distant cover for the convoy from a position to the south-west of Bear Island.
On 23 November the destroyers were sent to Seidisfjord to refuel. They arrived at Seidisfjord on the 25th. Heavy weather had been encountered so presumably it was not possible to fuel at sea.
On 25 November HMS London and HMS Suffolk discontinued their patrol. They proceeded to Scapa Flow and Hvalfjord respectively both arriving at their destinations on the 27th. HMS Suffolk arrived at Hvalfjord with some weather damage.
Also on the 25th, HMS Onslaught departed Seidisfjord for Scapa Flow arriving on the 27th.
23 Jan 1943
HMS P 225 (Lt. C.H. Rankin, RN) departed Holy Loch for Scapa Flow. She made the passage together with HMS P 53 (Lt. G.E. Hunt, RN) that was to proceed to Lerwick. They were escorted by HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR). (4)
15 Feb 1943
Convoy JW 53.
This convoy departed Loch Ewe for Northern Russia on 15 February 1943.
On departure from Loch Ewe the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Artigas (Panamanian, 5613 GRT, built 1920), Atlantic (British, 5414 GRT, built 1939), Beaconhill (American, 6941 GRT, built 1919), Bering (American, 7631 GRT, built 1920), British Governor (British (tanker), 6840 GRT, built 1926), City of Omaha (British, 6124 GRT, built 1920), Dover Hill (British, 5815 GRT, built 1918), Empire Baffin (British, 6978 GRT, built 1941), Empire Fortune (British, 6140 GRT, built 1943), Empire Galliard (British, 7170 GRT, built 1942), Empire Kinsman (British, 6744 GRT, built 1942), Empire Portia (British, 7058 GRT, built 1942), Empire Scott (British, 6150 GRT, built 141), Explorer (British, 6235 GRT, built 1935), Francis Scott Key (American, 7191 GRT, built 1941), Israel Putnam (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), James Bowie (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Laurance (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph E. Johnston (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), Komiles (Russian, 3962 GRT, built 1932), Llandaff (British, 4825 GRT, built 1937), Marathon (Norwegian, 7208 GRT, built 1930), Mobile City (American, 6157 GRT, built 1920), Ocean Freedom (British, 7173 GRT, built 1942), Petrovski (Russian, 3771 GRT, built 1921), Pieter de Hoogh (British, 7168 GRT, built 1941), Tblisi (Russian, 7169 GRT, built 1912), Thomas Hartley (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Tobruk (British, 7048 GRT, built 1942).
Three of the above listed ships sailed only on the 16th as convoy JW 53B and were to overtake and join the main convoy [see below].
On departure from Loch Ewe the convoy was escorted by the minesweeper HMS Jason (Cdr. H.G.A. Lewis, RN), corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.F. Tognola, RNR), HMS Poppy (Lt. N.K. Boyd, RNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Lord Austin (T/Lt. E.L. Wathen, RNR) and HMS Lord Middleton (T/Lt. T.D. Bennett, RNR).
The escort destroyers escort destroyers HMS Meynell (Lt. B.M.D. I'Anson, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN), HMS Pytchley (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) and minesweeper HMS Hazard (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Smith, RN) departed Scapa Flow on the same day and joined the convoy escort at sea. HMS Hazard however returned to Scapa Flow later the same day with weather damage and presumably never actually joined the convoy. She was replaced by HMS Halcyon (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.L.D. Hoare, RNR) which departed Scapa Flow early on the 16th joining the convoy escort p.m. that day.
Also on the 16th convoy JW 53B, made up of three merchant ships of the above list, and escorted by the corvette HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR) departed Loch Ewe to overtake and join the convoy. The destroyers HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow to join convoy JW 53B which they did the following day after which HMS Bryony was detached to Liverpool as she had sustained weather damage. She arrived at Liverpool on the 18th.
On the 17th, the A/S trawler HMS Lord Middleton was detached with weather damage to Scapa Flow escorted by the corvette HMS Dianella. They arrived at Scapa Flow on the 18th.
On the 18th, one of the ships from convoy JW 53B was detached to Scapa Flow with weather damage. She was escorted by HMS Matchless. The merchant vessel eventually went back to Loch Ewe arriving there on the 22nd. HMS Matchless then went to Scapa Flow arriving there also on the 22nd.
On the 19th, the two remaining ships of convoy JW 53B also turned back, due to the weather conditions they were unable to overtake the main convoy. Three ships from the main convoy also turned back to Loch Ewe with weather damage. These five merchant vessels arrived back at Loch Ewe on 22 February. The destroyer HMS Musketeer proceeded to Akureyri, Iceland arriving there on the 20th.
On the 20th the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN), HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN), HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO, RN), HMS Obedient (Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN) departed Seidisfjord to join the escort of convoy JW 53 as did the corvettes HMS Bluebell (Lt. G.H. Walker, RNVR) and HMS Camellia (T/Lt. R.F.J. Maberley, RNVR). All these escorts joined the convoy p.m. 20th.
Also on the 20th the AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN), HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN) and ORP Orkan (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S. Hryniewiecki) departed Akureyri also to join the escort of convoy JW 53 which they did on 21 February.
On the 21st, HMS Middleton and HMS Pytchley were detached from the escort of convoy JW 53 to proceed to Seidisfjord where the arrived p.m. the same day. HMS Middleton was unable to anchor at Seidisfjord and the proceeded to Scapa Flow instead where she arrived on 23 February.
On the 22nd, HMS Meynell and HMS Halcyon parted company with convoy JW 53. HMS Meynell arrived at Seidisfjord p.m. on the 22nd, HMS Halcyon arrived the next day.
On 23 February the convoy was sighted and reported by German air reconnaissance and of the next day the convoy was being shadowed by aircraft and U-boats.
At 2142A/24, the German submarine U-622 attacked a destroyer with torpedoes. She missed but was later depth charged by the destroyer HMS Orwell which most likely had also been the target of her attack. The submarine escaped without damage though.
On 25 February the convoy was attacked around noon by 14 Ju.88's in position 73°41'N, 29°42'E. No damage was done to any ship in the convoy.
Around noon the 26th the convoy was attacked again from the air, in position 71°16'N, 36°54'E and again no damage was done.
Also on the 26th a Russian escort made up of the destroyers Gromkiy, Grozniy, Valerian Kyubishev and Uritsky joined as did the British minesweeper HMS Britomart (Lt.Cdr. S.S. Stammwitz, RN).
Later on the 26th, seven of the merchant vessels were detached to Archangelsk with the Russian escorts as well as the minesweeper HMS Britomart.
The bulk of the convoy arrived in the Kola Inlet on 27 February. The Archangelsk section arrived there the following day.
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A battle force (distant cover force) for this convoy was also deployed. It departed Akureyri, Iceland on 22 February 1943 and was made up of the battleships HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Berwick (Capt. G.H. Faulkner, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Offa (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN), HMS Musketeer, HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), ORP Piorun (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) T. Gorazdowski) and HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN).
They arrived in their covering position, 150 miles south-west of Bear Island on 24 February.
On the 26th the distant cover force returned to Akureyri except for HMS Berwick which was detached to Hvalfjord where she arrived on the 27th.
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Besides the distant cover force there was also a cruiser / close cover force ' Force R '.
It was made up of the light cruiser HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, OBE, RN) and the heavy cruisers HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) and HMS Norfolk (Capt. E.G.H. Bellars, RN) departed Seidisfjord on 21 February.
' Force R ' arrived in the Kola Inlet on 26 February 1943.
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A ' carrier ' force made up of the escort carrier HMS Dasher (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, DSO, RN) and the destroyer HMS Impulsive and the escort destroyers HMS Blankney (Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Ledbury (Lt. D.R.N. Murdoch, RN) was also to be deployed from Seidisfjord but as HMS Dasher and HMS Blankney suffered weather damage in the built up stage of the convoy operation so the deployment of the ' carrier ' force was cancelled. HMS Impulsive then went to Akureyri to join the ' battle ' force instead. (5)
1 Mar 1943
Convoy RA 53.
This convoy departed the Kola Inlet on 1 March 1943.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Calobre (Panamanian, 6891 GRT, built 1919), Chester Valley (American, 5078 GRT, built 1919), Cornelius Harnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Dan-Y-Bryn (British, 5117 GRT, built 1940), Delsud (American, 4982 GRT, built 1919), El Oriente (Panamanian, 6012 GRT, built 1910), Empire Archer (British, 7031 GRT, built 1941), Empire Clarion (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Empire Emerald (British, 8032 GRT, built 1941), Empire Snow (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941), Empire Tristram (British, 7167 GRT, built 1942), Executive (American, 4978 GRT, built 1920), Gulfwing (American (tanker), 10217 GRT, built 1928), J.L.M. Curry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Jefferson Myers (American, 7582 GRT, built 1920), John H.B. Latrobe (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Mossovet (Russian, 2981 GRT, built 1935), Nicholas Gilman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Faith (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Oremar (American, 6854 GRT, built 1919), Puerto Rican (American, 6076 GRT, built 1919), Ralph Waldo Emerson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Richard Basset (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Richard Bland (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), San Cipriano (British (tanker), 7966 GRT, built 1937), Temple Arch (British, 5138 GRT, built 1940), Vermont (American, 5670 GRT, built 1919), West Gotomska (American, 5728 GRT, built 1918) and Yorkmar (British, 5612 GRT, built 1919).
The RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tanker Oligarch (6894 GRT, built 1918) was also part of the convoy.
On departure the close escort was made up of the AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), ORP Orkan (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S. Hryniewiecki), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO, RN), HMS Obedient (Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN), HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN), corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Lotus (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Hall, DSC, RNR), HMS Poppy (Lt. N.K. Boyd, RNR), Starwort and the A/S trawlers HMS Northern Pride (T/Lt. A.L.F. Bell, RNR) and HMS St. Elstan (Lt. R.M. Roberts, RNR).
On the 2nd the convoy was reported by the German submarine U 255 on 2 February 1943 which then commenced shadowing the convoy. Later in the day U 622 and U 629 also made contact with the convoy but were driven off. In the afternoon U 657 also made contact but soon lost it. In the evening the German submarine U 622 was depth charged by some ships of the convoy escort.
Early in the afternoon U 657 was driven off and depth charged but she escaped without damage.
In the late afternoon of 3 March the German submarine U 355 made a torpedo attack on the convoy but no hits were obtained. Following this attack the German submarine was depth charged by HMS Bergamot but she managed to escape without damage.
On 4 March U 255 was twice driven off before she could attack. Early in the day U 622 was detected and depth charged by the escort but she managed to escape without damage. The shortly before noon U 657 and shortly after noon U 355 both had the same experience.
Early on the 5th the convoy was also reported by German air reconnaissance.
In the morning of the 5th the German submarine U 255 made a torpedo attack. The British merchant Executive was sunk and the American merchant Richard Brand was hit and damaged. The torpedo did not explode but went right through the ship making a hole on both sides. The damaged ship was able to remain with the convoy for the moment though.
Around 1400A/5, the convoy was attacked by German Ju.88 aircraft but no damage was done.
On the 6th the destroyer HMS Vivacious (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN) and escort destroyers HMS Ledbury (Lt. D.R.N. Murdoch, RN), HMS Meynell (Lt. B.M.D. I'Anson, RN) and HMS Pytchley (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Akureyri to join the convoy which they did only on the 9th having been delayed by ice and bad weather. HMS Vivacious had also smashed her Asdic dome while en-route.
Around 1900A/6, the destroyers HMS Faulknor, HMS Eclipse, HMS Impulsive and HMS Opportune parted company with the convoy to proceed to Seidisfjord to fuel. They arrived at Seidisfjord around 2015A/8.
On the 7th, the destroyers HMS Intrepid, HMS Boadicea, HMS Obdurate and HMS Obedient parted company with the convoy to proceed to Seidisfjord to fuel.
Around 0740A/9, HMS Scylla was detached to Akureyri where she arrived around 1140A/10.
In the morning of the 9th, HMS Vivacious, HMS Ledbury, HMS Meynell and HMS Pytchley joined the convoy while HMS Intrepid, HMS Boadicea, HMS Obdurate and HMS Obedient arrived at Seidisfjord to fuel. HMS Ledbury joined a straggler, the Cornelius Harnett to escort her to Seidisfjord where they arrived around 0900A/10.
Also on the 9th the American merchant vessel J.L.M. Curry broke up in heavy weather and sank. Apparently her hull had developed cracks earlier. Her crew was picked up by HMS St. Elstan.
HMS Faulknor, HMS Eclipse, HMS Impulsive and HMS Opportune departed Seidisfjord around 1430A/9 to rejoin the convoy which they did around 1930A/9 in position 66°38'N, 11°24'W.
Around 2220A/9, HMS Eclipse and HMS Impulsive were detached to go to the assistance of the Puerto Rican, a straggler, which had been torpedoed by U 586. They searched the area for the ship but it had sunk in about 15 minutes and no survivors were found. eventually on 12 March one survivor, wearing a survival suit, was picked up from a raft by HMS St. Elstan.
On these destroyers joining, HMS Milne, ORP Orkan, HMS Orwell and HMS Inglefield detached from the convoy to proceed to Akureyri to fuel. They arrived around 1445A/10. Except for HMS Inglefield which turned back and rejoined the convoy around 0248A/10.
Around 0835A/10, HMS Vivacious was detached to Seidisfjord due to fuel shortage.
Around 0940A/10, HMS Meynell and HMS Pytchley were detached to Seidisfjord to fuel.
Besides that, on the 10th, the merchant vessel Richard Bland, which had been damaged earlier, (see above), was again sighted by U 255 after having straggled from the convoy. The submarine now managed to sink her. HMS Eclipse and HMS Impulsive which were about to rejoin the convoy after their fruitless search for survivors of the Puerto Rican were ordered to search for survivors.
Around 2130A/10, HMS Milne and ORP Orkan departed Akureyri to search for stragglers from the convoy. HMS Orwell departed later but was ordered to rejoin the convoy.
The merchant vessel John H.B. Latrobe was towed to Seidisfjord as she had defective steering by the destroyer HMS Oppurtune which had been detached from the convoy around 2050A/10. They were escorted by HMS St. Elstan. They arrived at Seidisfjord around 2100A/11.
HMS Vivacious and HMS Pytchley also departed Seidisfjord and rejoined the convoy around 0600A/11.
Around 1035A/11, HMS Fury was detached to Seidisfjord to fuel. She was ordered to take the Oligarch with her.
Around the same time HMS Bergamot, HMS Lotus and HMS Starwort left the convoy to fuel at Seidisfjord. After doing so they left Seidisfjord later on the 11th to rejoin the convoy.
HMS Poppy also parted company with the convoy, but later then the other corvettes. She too went to Seidisfjord but did not rejoin the convoy afterwards as she was held back, together with the two A/S trawlers to escort the Oligarch.
HMS Boadicea escorting the Cornelius Harnett departed Seidisfjord on the 11th to rejoin the convoy.
Around 1600A/11, HMS Eclipse rejoined the convoy.
Around 2200A/11, HMS Fury rejoined the convoy.
Around 0200A/12, HMS Orwell joined. She had encountered another straggler, the Oremar, en-route.
Around 0400A/12, HMS Meynell joined.
Around 1315A/12, HMS Inglefield, HMS Ledbury, HMS Bergamot, HMS Lotus and HMS Starwort rejoined the convoy. HMS Inglefield however remained briefly with the convoy as she was detached to Scapa Flow almost immediately.
Around 2000A/12, HMS Faulknor, HMS Fury, HMS Eclipse and HMS Orwell were detached to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1330A/13.
On the 13th, HMS Impulsive arrived at Seidisfjord with survivors and HMS Milne also arrived there having searched for stragglers. ORP Orkan which had also been searching for stragglers proceeded direct to Scapa Flow arriving there on the 15th.
Also on the 13th, HMS Vivacious, HMS Ledbury, HMS Meynell and HMS Pytchley detached from the convoy and proceeded to Scapa Flow where they arrived on the 14th.
Two of the merchant vessels arrived at Loch Ewe on the 13th apparently having proceeded ahead of the convoy.
On the 14th, HMS Boadicea detached from the convoy to proceed to the Clyde where she arrived on the 15th.
HMS Bergamot detached with the Clyde section of the convoy (5 ships). After having delivered them off the Clyde on the 15th, HMS Bergamot continued on to Liverpool where she arrived later on the 15th.
The Loch Ewe section of the convoy (16 ships) arrived there on the 15th.
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To provide distant cover for this convoy the ' battlefleet ' departed Akureyri around 0600N/2. The ' battlefleet ' was made up of the battleships HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN), light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Offa (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), ORP Piorun (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) T. Gorazdowski), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Burnett, DSC, RN).
They arrived in their covering position to the north of the convoy route on the 4th.
On the 5th they left the covering position for Scapa Flow where they arrived on the 6th minus HMS Glasgow and HMS Forester which had been detached to Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands on the 5th. These two ships arrived there on the 6th. HMS Forester then fuelled from HMS Glasgow and they departed for Scapa Flow later the same day.
HMS Glasgow and HMS Forester arrived at Scapa Flow on the 7th.
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A cruiser, close cover, Force was also deployed. It was known as ' Force R ' and was made up of the light cruiser HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, OBE, RN) and the heavy cruisers HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) and HMS Norfolk (Capt. E.G.H. Bellars, RN).
They had departed the Kola Inlet around 1100C/2 and arrived at Seidisfjord around 0700A/7.
After fuelling they departed again around 1615A/8 to continue to provide cover for the convoy.
On the 9th they set course to proceed to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0500A/11. (5) 26 Mar 1943 27 Mar 1943 6 May 1943 7 May 1943 9 May 1943 10 May 1943 21 May 1943 This combined convoy assembled off Oversay on 21 May 1943.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Baron Herries (British, 4574 GRT, built 1940),
Boronesa (British, 8663 GRT, built 1918),
Benjamin Williams (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
Bradford City (British, 7266 GRT, built 1943),
City of Adelaide (British, 6589 GRT, built 1920),
City of Canberra (British, 7484 GRT, built 1927),
City of Khios (British, 5574 GRT, built 1925),
Clan MacIver (British, 4500 GRT, built 1925),
Dalhanna (British, 5571 GRT, built 1930),
Delane (British, 6054 GRT, built 1938),
Duke of Sparta (British, 5397 GRT, built 1940),
Eastgate (British, 5032 GRT, built 1940),
Empire Livingstone (British, 6997 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Miranda (British, 7054 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Prospero (British, 6766 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Rosalind (British, 7290 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Splendour (British, 7335 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Stanley (British, 6921 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Sunbeam (British, 6711 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Tide (British, 6978 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Trent (British, 5006 GRT, built 1927),
Empire Trumpet (British, 7059 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Churchill (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Finlay (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Jemseg (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Lac La Ronge (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Steele (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942),
George Chamberlain (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Hardingham (British, 7269 GRT, built 1942),
Hermiston (British, 4813 GRT, built 1939),
Historian (British, 5074 GRT, built 1924),
Incomati (British, 7369 GRT, built 1934),
Industria (British, 4850 GRT, built 1940),
Inventor (British, 6210 GRT, built 1935),
Johilla (British, 4042 GRT, built 1937),
John Vining (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942),
Kaituna (British, 4914 GRT, built 1938),
Kindat (British, 4358 GRT, built 1938),
Lodestone (British, 4877 GRT, built 1938),
Madras City (British, 5080 GRT, built 1940),
Margalau (British, 4541 GRT, built 1926),
Nairung (British, 5414 GRT, built 1942),
Narbada (British, 8988 GRT, built 1915),
Nela (British, 7220 GRT, built 1916),
Ocean Valour (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Ocean Vista (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Ocean Wanderer (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942),
Panaghis (Greek, 5187 GRT, built 1920),
Port Melbourne (British, 9142 GRT, built 1914),
Pundit (British, 5305 GRT, built 1919),
Regin (Norwegian, 1386 GRT, built 1917),
Rookley (British, 4998 GRT, built 1940),
Stuyvesant (Dutch, 4249 GRT, built 1918),
Thysville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922),
Tudor Star (British, 7199 GRT, built 1919),
Urlana (British, 6852 GRT, built 1941),
Vancouver City (British, 7261 GRT, built 1942),
Wearpool (British, 4982 GRT, built 1936) and
Zypenberg (Dutch, 4973 GRT, built 1920).
The RFA tanker Celerol (British (tanker), 2649 GRT, built 1917) was also with the convoy.
The convoy was escorted by the AA ship HMS Alynbank (A/Capt.(Retd.) the Hon. V.M. Wyndham-Quin, RN), sloop HMS Fowey (Cdr.(Retd.) L.B.A. Majendie, RN) and the corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR), HMS Campion (Lt.Cdr. A. Brown, RNR), HMS La Malouine (Lt. W.A. Ives, RNR), HMS Mallow (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.T.S. Clouston, RNVR), HMS Myosotis (T/Lt. R. Lugg, RNR), HMS Stonecrop (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Smythe, RNR). The minesweeper HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. W.L. O'Mara, DSC, RN), which was en-route to the Mediterranean Station was also part of the escort.
Distant cover during part of the convoy's passage was provided by the AA cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) and the destroyer ORP Orkan (Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki) which had departed Plymouth on 23 May.
On 29 May the merchant vessels;
Empire Envoy (British, 7046 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Forest (British, 7025 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Reliance (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Ocean Fame (British, 7173 GRT, built 1942) and another merchant vessel (?) joined coming from Gibraltar. They were escorted by the escort destroyer HMS Lauderdale (Lt. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN), corvette HMS Convolvulus (A/Lt.Cdr. R.F.R. Yarde-Buller, RNVR) and the A/S trawler HMS Foxtrot (T/Lt. J.B. Bald, RNVR).
The convoy then split up shortly afterwards.
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Convoy KMS 15G proceeded to Gibraltar. This convoy was made up of the following merchant ships;
Baron Herries,
Benjamin Williams,
Bradford City,
City of Adelaide,
City of Canberra,
City of Khios,
Clan MacIver,
Dalhanna,
Duke of Sparta,
Empire Miranda,
Empire Prospero,
Empire Rosalind,
Empire Splendour,
Empire Stanley,
Empire Sunbeam,
Empire Tide,
Empire Trumpet,
Fort Churchill,
Fort Finlay,
Fort Lac La Ronge,
George Chamberlain,
Hardingham,
Industria,
Investor,
John Vining,
Kaituna,
Kindat,
Madras City,
Nairung,
Ocean Valour,
Ocean Vista,
Ocean Wanderer,
Pundit,
Regin,
Vancouver City and
Wearpool.
RFA tanker Celerol was also with them.
They were escorted by HMS Alynbank, HMS Lauderdale, HMS Sharpshooter, HMS Bergamot, HMS Bryony, HMS Convolvulus and HMS Foxtrot.
The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 30 May 1943.
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Convoy OS 48 proceeded to Freetown. This convoy was made up of the following merchant ships;
Baronesa,
Delane,
Empire Livingstone,
Empire Trent,
Fort Jemseg,
Fort Steele,
Hermiston,
Historian,
Incomati,
Johilla,
Lodestone,
Margalau,
Narbada,
Nela,
Panaghis,
Port Melbourne,
Rookley,
Stuyvesant,
Thysville,
Tudor Star,
Urlana and
Zypenberg.
Shortly after the convoy's had split five more merchant vessels joined the convoy;
Empire Barrie (British, 7168 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Douglas (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Drew (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943) and
Fort Thompson (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942) coming from Casablanca. They were escorted by ?. [ADM 199/639 gives the escort as the sloop HMS Folkestone but this ship was refitting in the UK so this can't be correct.]
And there was also the Charles Schiaffino (French, 3664 GRT, built 1930) which joined coming from Safi.
After the convoy's split, convoy OS 48 was escorted by HMS Fowey, HMS Campion, HMS La Malouine, HMS Mallow, HMS Myosotis, HMS Stonecrop.
During the passage the merchant ships Empire Barrie and Fort Steele were detached to Dakar.
The merchant vessel Empire Addison (British, 7010 GRT, built 1942) joined coming from Dakar.
The convoy arrived at Freetown on 7 June 1943. 18 Jun 1943 24 Jun 1943 This convoy departed the U.K. on 24 June 1943.
The convoy was made up of the transports;
Alcinous (Dutch, 6189 GRT, built 1925),
Benedict (British, 4949 GRT, built 1930),
City of Venice (British, 8762 GRT, built 1924),
Derwenthall (British, 4934 GRT, built 1940),
Devis (British, 6054 GRT, built 1938),
Empire Cato (British, 7039 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Confidence (British, 5023 GRT, built 1925),
Empire Elaine (British, 7513 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Buckingham (British, 7122 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Lajoie (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Meductic (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Nashwaak (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Stager (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943),
Gudrun Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937),
Norman Monarch (British, 7005 GRT, built 1943),
Orestes (British, 7748 GRT, built 1926),
Prometheus (British, 6096 GRT, built 1925),
St. Essylt (British, 5634 GRT, built 1941) and
Stanhill (British, 5969 GRT, built 1942).
The landing ship Derwentdale (Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), 8390 GRT, built 1941) was also part of the convoy.
Also with the convoy were the rescue vessel Rathlin (British, 1600 GRT, built 1936) and the rescue tug HMRT Allegiance.
The convoy was escorted by and the frigate HMS Teviot (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN), cutter HMS Banff (Lt. P. Brett, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR), HMS Honeysuckle (Lt. H.H.D. MacKillican, DSC and Bar, RNR), HMS Hyderabad (T/Lt. T. Cooper, RNR), HMS Oxlip (Lt. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR) and HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. O.B. Medley, RNVR).
On 26 June 1943, the sloop HMS Erne (Lt.Cdr. E.D.J. Abbot, DSC, RN) departed Londonderry to join the convoy which she did later the same day.
On 3 July 1943, the Rathlin and HMRT Allegiance arrived at Gibraltar after having been detached from the convoy.
Around 2052B/4, in position 36°44'N, 01°25'E, the transport City of Venice was torpedoed by the German submarine U-409. The ship eventually sank the following morning.
Around 2145B/4, in position 36°44'N, 01°31'E, the transport St. Essylt was torpedoed by the German submarine U-375 which had fired a salvo of four torpedoes at the convoy. The ship eventually sank the following morning.
The escort destroyers HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Wheatland (Lt.Cdr. R.deL. Brooke, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Wilton (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Brocklesby (Lt. K.R.S. Leadlay, RN), which were en-route from Algiers to Oran were diverted to hunt these submarines as was HMS Quantock (Lt.Cdr. R.G.L. Pennell, DSC, RN) which was en-route from Gibraltar to Algiers.
On 5 July 1943, the original escort arrived at Algiers after having been relieved by a new escort made up the escort destroyers HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), HMS Tynedale (Lt. J.J.S. Yorke, DSC, RN), HMS Cleveland (Lt. J.K. Hamilton, RN), HMS Calpe (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN), ORP Krakowiak (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) Wszechwlad Maracewicz, ORP) and HMS Viceroy (Lt. T.F. Hallifax, RN).
Around 1541B/5, in position 37°01'N, 04°10'E, the transport Devis was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-593 which had fired two speads of two torpedoes at the convoy.
THe destroyers HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN), USS Cole (T/Lt.Cdr. B. Chipman, USN), sloop HMS Erne and frigate HMS Teviot were sailed from Algiers to hunt this sumbarine.
With them the monitor HMS Roberts (A/Capt.(Retd.) R.E.C. Dunbar, RN) and the LST's HMS LST 301 (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.F. Hoyle, RNR), HMS LST 305 (A/Lt.Cdr. R.M. Naylor, RNR), HMS LST 319 (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G. Sutton, RN), HMS LST 321 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.H. Metcalfe, RNR), HMS LST 365 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.F. Halliday, RNR), HMS LST 366 (A/Lt.Cdr. N. Hall, RNR) and HMS LST 424 (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Grandage, RNR) also joined the convoy.
Around 1500B/6, the light cruisers HMS Aurora (Commodore W.G. Agnew, CB, RN) and HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN) joined the convoy. They parted company with the convoy around 2200B/7.
On 7 July, the minesweepers HMS Fly (Capt. J.W. Boutwood, RN), HMS Espiegle (Lt.Cdr. G. Dibley, RD, RNR), HMS Circe (Lt.Cdr. J.H.M. Malcolm, RN) and HMS Cadmus (Lt.Cdr. (Retd.) J.S. Landers, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 0515B/8, the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 1300B/9, the following transports parted company and joined convoy KMF 1B;
Alcinous, Empire Confidence, Orestes, Prometeus, Derwentdale, HMS LST 301, HMS LST 305, HMS LST 319, HMS LST 321, HMS LST 365, HMS LST 366 and HMS LST 424. HMS Roberts Also joined convoy KMF 18.
Convoy KMS 18B arrived off Sicily in the afternoon of 10 July 1943. 19 Jul 1943 This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 19 July 1943.
On assembly it was made up of the transports;
Amberton (British, 5377 GRT, built 1928),
Antilochus (British, 9082 GRT, built 1906),
Avristan (British, 7266 GRT, built 1942),
Baron Haig (British, 3391 GRT, built 1926),
Barrgrove (British, 5222 GRT, built 1918),
Borgholm (Norwegian, 1557 GRT, built 1922),
Bothnia (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928),
City of Lyons (British, 7063 GRT, built 1926),
Clan MacBrayne (British, 4818 GRT, built 1916),
Contractor (British, 6004 GRT, built 1930),
Cordillera (British, 6865 GRT, built 1920),
Deido (British, 3894 GRT, built 1928),
El Argentino (British, 9501 GRT, built 1928),
Empire Brutus (British, 7233 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Carpenter (British, 7025 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Celia (British, 7025 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Glen (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Heath (British, 6643 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Highway (British, 7166 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Kingsley (British, 6996 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Mountain (British, 2906 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Samson (British (tug), 261 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Voice (British, 6828 GRT, built 1940),
Fernhill (British, 4116 GRT, built 1926),
Finland (British, 1375 GRT, built 1939),
Flimston (British, 4674 GRT, built 1925),
Forresbank (British, 5155 GRT, built 1925),
Fort Brule (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Buffalo (British, 7100 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Chesterfield (British, 7100 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Enterprise (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Longueuil (British, 7128 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Nakasley (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Wringley (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943),
Glaisdale (British, 3777 GRT, built 1929),
Governor (British, 5571 GRT, built 1918),
Grodno (British, 2458 GRT, built 1919),
Halizones (British, 3298 GRT, built 1920),
Hallfried (Norwegian, 2968 GRT, built 1918),
Henri Jaspar (Belgian, 5760 GRT, built 1929),
Highwear (British, 1173 GRT, built 1936),
Hopecrest (British, 5099 GRT, built 1935),
Hughli (British, 6589 GRT, built 1943),
Jenny (Norwegian, 4706 GRT, built 1928),
Kana (British, 2783 GRT, built 1929),
Kofresi (British, 4934 GRT, built 1920),
Kyklades (Greek, 7157 GRT, built 1941),
Levernbank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925),
Lwow (Polish, 1409 GRT, built 1932),
Magician (British, 5105 GRT, built 1925),
Madalay (British, 5529 GRT, built 1911),
Mary Kingsley (British, 5021 GRT, built 1930),
Masirah (British, 6578 GRT, built 1919),
Nurani (British, 5414 GRT, built 1941),
Nurjehan (British, 5424 GRT, built 1923),
Ocean Vigour (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Ottinge (British, 2870 GRT, built 1940),
Parklaan (Dutch, 3807 GRT, built 1911),
Pegu (British, 7838 GRT, built 1943),
Recorder (British, 2276 GRT, built 1902),
Silvermaple (British, 5313 GRT, built 1937),
Sobo (British, 5353 GRT, built 1937),
Spero (British, 1589 GRT, built 1922),
Spurt (Norwegian, 2061 GRT, built 1918),
Temple Arch (British, 5138 GRT, built 1940),
Themistocles (British, 11231 GRT, built 1911),
Thomas Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929) and
Wellington Court (British, 4979 GRT, built 1930).
The convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Fowey (Cdr.(Retd.) L.B.A. Majendie, RN), frigate HMS Berry (Lt.Cdr. G.V. Legassick, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Campion (Lt.Cdr. A. Brown, RNR), HMS Jonquil (T/Lt. R.W. Tretheway, RNR), HMS Mallow (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.T.S. Clouston, RNVR), HMS Myosotis (T/Lt. R. Lugg, RNR) and HrMs Friso (Lt.Cdr. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN).
Later the escort was reinforced with the corvette HMS Stonecrop (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Smythe, RNR) which departed Liverpool on 24 July 1942 to overtake the convoy. She proceeded via the south of Ireland.
The merchant vessels Antilochus and Highwear were forced to return due to defects.
On 26 July 1943, the convoy was attack by German Focke-Wulf reconnaissance aircraft which managed to sink the El Argentino in position 39°50'N, 13°36'W. The Empire Brutus was damaged shortly afterwards and was taken in tow by the tug Empire Samson towards Lisbon. They were escorted by HMS Jonquil. They arrived at Lisbon on 30 July.
On 27 July 1943, the convoy was again attacked by German aircraft and the Halizone was damaged in position 38°04'N, 12°59'W. She finally sank on 30 July in position 37°22'N, 13°03'W. HMS Berry had been standing by her for a short period but as she could not be spared from the A/S screen she was soon ordered to rejoin the convoy. From Gibraltar the destroyer HMS Wanderer (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Whinney, RN) and tug Prosperous was sent out. She found the ship on 30 July but she sank soon afterwards.
On 26 July 1943, the Gibraltar section of convoy OS 52 [see below for the ships in this section] had departed Gibraltar to make rendezvous with the combined convoy. They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Isis (Cdr. B. Jones, DSC, RN), corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR), minesweepers Shippigan (Cdr. M.H. Brown, DSC, RN), Tadoussac (T/Lt. J.P. Davies, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS Haarlem (T/Lt. J.R.T. Broom, RNVR), HMS Lady Hogarth (T/Lt. S.G. Barnes, RNR), HMS St. Nectan (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T.F. Broadhead, RNR) and the A/S whaler HMS Southern Pride (T/Lt. G.B. Angus, DSC, RNVR).
They made rendezvous with the combined convoy on 27 July which then split up. The ships coming from Gibraltar then joined the ships continuing on towards West Africa. They were escorted by the ships of the original escort. HMS Southern Pride joined them as she was to join the West Africa Command.
The ships making up convoy KMS 21G set course for Gibraltar.
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Convoy KMS 21G was now made up of the following transports;
Avristan,
City of Lyons,
Clan MacBrayne,
Contractor,
Empire Carpenter,
Empire Celia,
Empire Glen,
Empire Heath,
Empire Kingsley,
Empire Mountain,
Empire Voice,
Finland,
Forresbank,
Fort Brule,
Fort Buffalo,
Fort Enterprise,
Fort Longueuil,
Fort Wringley,
Glaisdale,
Grondo,
Hallfried,
Highwear,
Hughli,
Kana,
Kofresi,
Levernbank,
Lwow,
Magician,
Mandalay,
Masirah,
Nurani,
Nurjehan,
Ocean Valour,
Ottinge,
Parklaan,
Pegu,
Recorder,
Spero and
Temple Arch.
They were escorted by HMS Isis, HMS Bergamot, HMS Bryony, HMS Shippigan, HMS Tadoussac, HMS Haarlem, HMS Lady Hogarth and HMS St.Nectan.
The AA cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) joined them late in the evening of the 27th.
The convoy arrived at/ off Gibraltar on 29 July 1943.
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Convoy OS 52 continued on towards the south. It was made up of the following transports;
Amberton,
Barrgrove,
Bothnia,
Cordillera,
Deido,
Empire Highway,
Flimston,
Fort Chesterfield,
Fort Nakasley,
Governor,
Henri Jaspar,
Hopecrest,
Jenny,
Kyklades,
Mary Kingsley,
Silvermaple,
Sobo,
Themistocles,
Thomas Holt and
Wellington Court.
They were escorted by the sloop HMS Fowey, frigate HMS Berry, corvettes HMS Campion, HMS Mallow, HMS Myosotis, HMS Stonecrop, HMS Friso and the A/S whaler HMS Southern Pride.
As the convoy split they were joined by the Gibraltar section made up of the following transports;
Anglo-Indian (British, 5609 GRT, built 1938),
Beaconsfield (British, 4635 GRT, built 1938),
Belgian Airmen (Belgian, 6959 GRT, built 1942),
Charlton Hall (British, 5200 GRT, built 1940),
Cromarty (British, 4974 GRT, built 1936),
Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Abitibi (British, 7122 GRT, built 1942),
Iddesleigh (British, 5205 GRT, built 1927),
Kristianiafjord (British, 6759 GRT, built 1921),
Nyanza (British, 4974 GRT, built 1928) and
Ocean Gallant (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942).
Later the following transport joined coming from Casablanca;
Alsace (French, 2000 GRT, built 1939),
Canada (French, 9684 GRT, built 1912),
Fort Vercheres (British, 7128 GRT, built 1942),
La Pampa (British, 4149 GRT, built 1938),
Nivose (British, 9200 GRT, built 1932) and
Silverteak (British, 6770 GRT, built 1930).
These ships were escorted out by the patrol vessels USS PC-471 (Lt. G. Washburn, USNR), USS PC-474 (Lt. A.D. Weekes, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-480 (Lt.(jg) F.W. Meyers, Jr., USNR).
The following ships were detached to Casablanca;
Fort Chesterfield and
Fort Nakasley. They were escorted by the three USN patrol vessels listed above.
HMS Berry, HMS Mallow and HMS Stonecrop from the escort fuelled at Casablanca before rejoining the convoy. HMS Berry departed Casablanca at 1500A/29, HMS Mallow at 1700A/29 and HMS Stonecrop at 0500A/30.
Later the following transport joined coming from Dakar;
Agen (French, 4186 GRT, built 1921),
Fort Lac La Ronge (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942) and
Schiaffino Freres (French, 3314 GRT, built 1910).
The following ships were detached to Dakar;
Alsace,
Canada,
Fort Vercheres,
Henri Jaspar,
Nivose and
Thomas Holt.
Detached to Bathurst was the Bothnia.
The convoy arrived at Freetown on 7 August 1943. 18 Aug 1943 This convoy assembled off Oversay on 18 August 1943.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Auk (British, 1338 GRT, built 1921),
Bactria (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928),
Baron Semple (British, 4573 GRT, built 1939),
Bodegraven (Dutch, 5541 GRT, 1929),
Cape Brenton (British, 6044 GRT, built 1940),
City of Hongkong (British, 9609 GRT, built 1924),
City of Lancaster (British, 3041 GRT, built 1924),
City of Lille (British, 6588 GRT, built 1928),
Conakrian (British, 4876 GRT, built 1937),
Delius (British, 6065 GRT, built 1937),
Empire Mortimer (British, 7051 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Rhodes (British, 7030 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Service (British, 7067 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Snow (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Spey (British, 4292 GRT, built 1929),
Empire Summer (British, 6949 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Wolfe (British, 2888 GRT, built 1941),
Eurybates (British, 6276 GRT, built 1928),
Exilona (American, 5593 GRT, built 1919),
Flaminian (British, 2711 GRT, built 1917),
Fort Camosun (British, 7126 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Coulonge (British, 7136 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Fidler (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Glenora (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Thompson (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Highwear (British, 1173 GRT, built 1936),
Howra (British, 6709 GRT, built 1922),
Langleebrook (British, 4246 GRT, built 1930),
Leonardia (Swedish, 1583 GRT, built 1906),
Lightfoot (British, 1894 GRT, built 1922)
Lom (Norwegian, 1268 GRT, built 1920),
Macharda (British, 7998 GRT, built 1938),
Manchester Exporter (British, 5277 GRT, built 1918),
Mers el Kebir (French, 2052 GRT, built 1917),
Ocean Angel (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942),
Ocean Vestal (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
P.L.M. 13 (British, 3754 GRT, built 1921) and
Skeldergate (British, 4251 GRT, built 1930).
The escort oiler Scottish American (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1920) and rescue vessel Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1921) were also part of the convoy.
On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the desroyers HMS Hurricane (Cdr. E.C. Bayldon, DSC, RN, HMS Wanderer (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Whinney, RN) and the corvettes HMS Borage (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR), HMS Hydrangea (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.S. Howell, RNR), HMS Monkshood (Lt. G.W. McGuiness, RNR) and HMS Wallflower (Lt. G.R. Greaves, RNR). Also part of the escort was the sloop HMS Cygnet (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Proudfoot, RN) which initially was part of the A/S escort but after the convoy would cross 46°00'N she was to act as AA ship during daylight being stationed astern of the convoy and she was to be part of the A/S escort during the night.
The merchant vessel Zaanstroom (Dutch, 1646 GRT, built 1920) sailed late and joined the convoy around 1030A/19 in position 55°08'N, 10°00'W, with the corvette HMS Dahlia (T/Lt. M.S. Work, RNR) which had remained behind to escort her.
Around 1815A/18, the Exilona was detached to the Clyde as ordered by the C-in-C Western Approaches.
During the night of 18/19 August 1943, the Highwear developed engine trouble and then detached from the convoy to return to the U.K.
Around 0015A/21, HMS Wanderer was detached to search for a missing aircraft as ordered in the C-in-C Western Approaches signal timed 2323A/20. She rejoined the convoy around 1925A/21 having seen nothing.
On 22 August 1943, HMS Hurricane and HMS Wanderer fuelled from the escort oiler Scottish American.
On 22 August 1943, HMS Wallfolower fuelled from the escort oiler Scottish American.
At 0320A/25, HMS Wanderer obtained a small radar echo on her port bow at a range of 14000 yards. She then proceeded to close this contact at 20 knots. Her contact faded at a range of 3800 yards. Asdic contact was then gained and a depth charge attack was carried out. HMS Wallflower was then ordered to join her in the A/S hunt. Meanwhile HMS Wanderer carried out another depth charge attack after which contact was lost. Later HMS Wanderer and HMS Wallflower regained contact after which HMS Wallflower carried out two depth charge attacks. Contact was then again lost. About an hour later HMS Wanderer again regained contact and carried out a Hedgehog attack. One explosion was heard. This was followed ten minutes later by a depth charge attack by HMS Wanderer and seven minutes later the U-boat surfaced. HMS Wanderer and HMS Wallflower opened fire and hits were obtained. The U-boat then sank and thirty-seven survivors, including the Commanding Officer, were then picked up. Four of these were seriously wounded and were subsequently transferred to the Zamalek. Fifteen others were transferred by HMS Wallflower to HMS Hurricane.
On 26 August 1943, HMS Wanderer, HMS Cygnet and HMS Hydrangea fuelled from the escort oiler Scottish American.
Around 2100A/28, the following merchant vessels were detached from the convoy to proceed to Lisbon;
Empire Mortimer,
Empire Rhodes,
Empire Service,
Empire Wolfe,
Flaminian,
Fort Coulonge,
Leonardia,
Lightfoot,
Ocean Angel and
Skeldergate. They were escorted by HMS Cygnet, HMS Wanderer and HMS Wallflower. They arrived at Lisbon on the 29th.
Around 05305A/30, in position 36°01'N, 05°23'W the following merchant vessels were detached to Gibraltar (where convoy OG 92 ended);
Bactria,
City of Lancaster,
Empire Spey,
Fort Fidler,
Fort Thompson,
Lom,
Mers el Kebir and
PLM 13. Also detached were the
Scottish American,
Zamalek. They were escorted by HMS Hydrangea and HMS Monkshood. They arrived at Gibraltar later the same day.
Around 0800A/30, in position 36°14'N, 04°30'W the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar;
Charles M. Conrad (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
Elihu Yale (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Hallfried (Norwegian, 2968 GRT, built 1918),
Louisa M. Alcott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Lublin (Polish, 1409 GRT, built 1932) and
Solomon Juneau (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943). Also joining from Gibraltar were the tugs Weazel, Empire Griffin and the boom defence vessel HMS Barndale (T/Lt. R.L. Jones, RNR). Also the light (AA) cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) and corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR), HMS Camellia (T/Lt. R.F.J. Maberley, RNVR), HMS La Malouine (Lt. W.A. Ives, RNR) and the patrol vessel RHS Vasilefs Georgios II joined. HMS Borage and HMS Dahlia then parted company to proceed to Gibraltar.
At 1055A/30, HMS Hurricane parted company to proceed to Gibraltar.
In the afternoon the corvette HMS Bluebell (Lt. G.H. Walker, RNVR) overtook and joined the convoy after having been delayed due to defects.
Around 0930B/31, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy off Oran;
Chelma (French, 4968 GRT, built 1920),
Lorraine (French (tanker), 9512 GRT, built 1937),
Tintern Abbey (British, 2471 GRT, built 1939),
Ulla (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930) and
Ville de Bougie (French, 1237 GRT, built 1907). Lorraine however almost immediately returned to Oran.
At 0915B/1, the following merchant vessels were detached to Algiers;
Auk,
Chelma,
Elihu Yale,
Louisa M. Alcott,
Hallfried,
Lublin,
Solomon Juneau,
Zaanstroom. The tugs HMS Weazel and Empire Griffin were also detached.
At the same time the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Algiers;
British Character (British (tanker), 8453 GRT, built 1941),
Crackshot (British, 2379 GRT, built 1924),
Empire Dace (British (ferry), 716 GRT, built 1942),
Fort la Traite (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Pitt (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942),
Gallium (French, 1775 GRT, built 1924),
Prosper Schiaffino (French, 1634 GRT, built 1931),
Spero (Norwegian, 3619 GRT, built 1919) and
Ville de Djidjelli (French, 1132 GRT, built 1907). Also joining was the submarine HMS Tally-Ho (Lt.Cdr. L.W.A. Bennington, DSO, DSC, RN).
During the night of 1/2 September 1943, the Empire Dace, Ville de Bougie and Ville de Djidjelli were detached to Bougie while two merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Bougie, these were the;
Alcinous (Dutch, 6189 GRT, built 1925) and
Prometheus (British, 6095 GRT, built 1925).
Around 1330B/2, the merchant vessel British Character parted company off Philippeville while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy;
Chloris (British, 1171 GRT, built 1910) and
Portsea (British, 1583 GRT, 1938).
At 2000B/2, the merchant vessels Baron Semple, Fort Glenora and Langleebrook parted company off Bone while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Bone;
British Purpose (British (tanker), 5845 GRT, built 1943),
Como (British, 1295 GRT, built 1910),
Odysseus (Dutch, 1057 GRT, 1922),
Ousel (British, 1533 GRT, built 1922) and
Selvik (Norwegian, 1557 GRT, built 1920).
At 0900B/3, the following merchant ships parted company off Bizerta;
Alcinous,
Como,
Ousel,
Prometheus,
Tintern Abbey and
Ulla. The following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Bizerta, these were the;
A.C. Bedford (British (tanker), 9485 GRT, built 1918),
Badarpur (British, 8079 GRT, built 1922),
Eildon (British, 1447 GRT, built 1936),
Empire Opal (British (tanker), 9811 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Thackeray (British, 2865 GRT, built 1942). Also joining the convoy was the boom defence vessel HMS Barmond (T/Lt. L.J. Essery, RNR), the gasoline tanker USS Aroostook and the self propelled fuel barge USS Anticline.
At 1330B/3, the following ships were detached to Tunis, Eildon, Prosper Schiaffino, USS Aroostook and USS Anticline.
Around 1800B/3, the Selvik parted company to proceed to Sfax.
Around 1330B/4, in position 35.10'N, 13.30'E the following merchant vessels were detached to Malta;
Crackshot,
Empire Thackeray,
Gallium,
Odysseus and
Spero. Also detached were HMS Delhi, HMS Bergamot, HMS Barmond and HMS Barndale. Joining from Malta were the following merchant vessels;
Afghanistan (British, 6992 GRT, built 1940),
Clan Murdoch (British, 5950 GRT, built 1919),
Debrett (British, 6244 GRT, built 1940),
Empire Kamal (British, 7862 GRT, built 1938),
Empire Patrol (British, 3334 GRT, built 1928),
Fort Lajoie (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Highland Prince (British, 7043 GRT, built 1942),
Neuralia (British, 9182 GRT, built 1912),
President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935) and
Suiyang (British, 2590 GRT, built 1917). With these ships the escort destroyer HMS Rockwood (Lt. S.R. Le H. Lombard-Hobson, RN) and the A/S whaler HMSAS Southern Maid also joined.
At the same time these ships were detached and joined from Malta the Augusta / Syracusa portion of the convoy parted company. They were to proceed to their destination via Malta. It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Chloris,
Conakrian,
Empire Snow,
Empire Summer,
Manchester Exporter and
Portsea.
Around 1100C/5, in position 34°26'N, 17°05'E, HMS Tally-Ho parted company to proceed independently to Port Said.
Around 1200C/6, in position 33°07'N, 20°52'E, the merchant vessel Sofala (British, 1031 GRT, built 1937) joined the convoy coming from Benghazi.
Around 1215C/6, in position 33°08'N, 20°53'E, HMSAS Southern Maid parted company to proceed to Benghazi.
Around 1130C/7, the merchant vessels Kwai Sang (British, 2320 GRT, built 1917) and Lee Sang (British, 1655 GRT, built 1907) joined the convoy coming from Tobruk.
Around 0745C/9, the following merchant vessel were detached to Alexandria;
Cape Brenton,
City of Hongkong,
City of Lille,
Clan Murdoch,
Empire Kamal,
Fort la Traite,
Fort Lajoie,
Kwai Sang,
Neuralia,
Sofala and
Suiyang. Also detached were HMS Rockwood, HMS Camellia, HMS La Malouine and RHS Vasilefs Georgios II.
Around 0630C/9, the sloop HMIS Sutlej (A/Cdr. A.H. Watt, RIN) joined in position 31°20'N, 29°39'E.
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 10 September 1943. (10) 18 Oct 1943 This convoy was assembled near Oversay on 18 October 1943.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Amstel (Dutch, 2115 GRT, built 1925),
Baron Forbes (British, 3061 GRT, built 1915),
Baron Stranraer (British, 3668 GRT, built 1929),
Begum (British, 5843 GRT, built 1922),
Belgian Seaman (Belgian, 7023 GRT, built 1941),
Blairdevon (British, 3282 GRT, built 1925),
Cape Hawke (British, 5081 GRT, built 1941),
Carlton (British, 7210 GRT, built 1942),
Celtic Monarch (British, 5824 GRT, built 1929),
Corfirth (British, 1803 GRT, built 1934),
Coulmore (British, 3670 GRT, built 1936),
Cydonia (British, 3517 GRT, built 1927),
Dan-Y-Bryn (British, 5117 GRT, built 1940),
Empire Ballad (British, 6700 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Cameron (British, 7015 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Copperfield (British, 6013 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Tern (British, 2479 GRT, built 1919),
Eridan (French, 9928 GRT, built 1928),
Errington Court (British, 4913 GRT, built 1925),
Esneh (British, 1931 GRT, built 1919),
Fort Fairford (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Liard (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Livingstone (British, 7135 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Reliance (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Tadoussac (British, 7129 GRT, built 1941),
Greathope (British, 2297 GRT, built 1926),
Harberton (British, 4585 GRT, built 1930),
Lech (British, 1568 GRT, built 1934),
Ledaal (Norwegian, 3076 GRT, built 1899),
Lodestone (British, 4877 GRT, built 1938),
Marwarri (British, 8067 GRT, built 1935),
Nolisement (British, 5084 GRT, built 1928),
Olga E. Embiricos (Greek, 4677 GRT, built 1922),
Riverton (British, 7307 GRT, built 1943),
Sinnington Court (British, 6910 GRT, built 1928),
Stancleeve (British, 5970 GRT, built 1942),
Topdalsfjord (Norwegian, 4271 GRT, built 1921) and
Wearwood (British, 4597 GRT, built 1930).
On assembly the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN), HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) and the corvettes HMS Abelia (Lt. R.I. Floris, RNZNR), HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Pennywort (A/Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR). The corvette HMS Clover (Lt. T.E. Fanshawe, RNR) was unable to join them due to defects but sailed later to overtake and join the convoy at sea which she did on 20 October.
The Blairdevon and Fort Livingstone collided in position 55°39'N, 07°21'W, not long after assembly of the convoy. Both ships being heavily damaged and the Blairdevon was even in a sinking conditiom but both ships were successfully towed to Moville where they arrived on 19 October. HMS Pennywort remained behind with the damaged ships but later rejoined the convoy.
The convoy encountered heavy weather conditions and several ships were forced to turn back, these were;
Amstel,
Baron Forbes,
Begum,
Empire Ballad and
Nolisement. The Begum had to be towed back as she had lost her propeller.
On 23 October 1943, the merchant vessels Corfell (British, 1802 GRT, built 1934), Scottish Monarch (British, 7004 GRT, built 1943) departed Ponta Delgada, Azores to join the convoy around 1200Z/26 in position 41°53'N, 18°30'W. They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN) which was not to join the convoy.
From 26 to 28 October 1943, HMS Warwick and HMS Asphodel were not with the convoy as they had to fuel at Ponta Delgada and then rejoin the convoy.
During their absence the destroyer HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Buttercup (T/Lt. R.J. Jonckheere, RNR) and HMS Lavender (Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR) were with the convoy.
Also joining the convoy were the destroyers HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Merriman, DSC, RN) and HMS Brilliant (Lt.Cdr. J. Smallwood, RN). They had departed Gibraltar on 27 October with orders to join the convoy around 1800A/28 in position 37°37'N, 18°00'W. On these destroyers the three escorts from the Azores were then to part company and return to the Azores.
The convoy arrived off Gibraltar during the night of 31 October / 1 November 1943. The Corfirth arrived at Horta on 3 November after having been detached from the convoy. [or straggled from the convoy ?.] The Cydonia arrived at Lisbon on 1 November after having been detached from the convoy.
The following ships were detached to Gibraltar;
Cape Hawke,
Carlton,
Corfell,
Dan-Y-Bryn,
Empire Copperfield,
Esneh,
Fort Tadoussac,
Greathope,
Lech,
Olga E. Embiricos,
Scottish Monarch and
Stancleeve.
The original escort also proceeded to Gibraltar and was replaced by a new escort made up of the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN), escort destroyer HMS Haydon (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN), frigate HMS Barle (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR), corvettes HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR), HMS La Malouine (Lt. W.A. Ives, RNR) and the A/S trawler L'Ajacienne.
The following merchant ships joined the convoy off Gibraltar;
Benjamin Huntington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
British Merit (British (tanker), 8093 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Derwent (British, 4026 GRT, built 1930),
Empire Trent (British, 5006 GRT, built 1927),
F.T. Freylinghuysen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
George Bancroft (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
John Mary Odin (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943),
Jonathan Trumbull (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Joseph Warren (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Montaigne (French, 2770 GRT, built 1920),
Nemours (French, 673 GRT, built 1935),
Norjerv (Norwegian, 5582 GRT, 1919),
Orminster (British, 5712 GRT, built 1914),
Puck (Polish, 1065 GRT, built 1935),
Wearfield (British (tanker), 9795 GRT, built 1943),
William B. Woods (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and
William Coddington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
On 2 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Oran; Coulmore, Empire Tern, George Bancroft, Joseph Warren and Montaigne while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Oran;
Alexander Graham Bell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Augustus S. Merrimon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Caid (British, 255 GRT, built 1906),
Fort de Douaumont (French, 5266 GRT, built 1918),
Francis L. Lee (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943),
George B. McClellan (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
George M. Bibb (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943),
Grand Quevilly (French, 2844 GRT, built 1914),
Joseph Hewes (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
Kemp P. Battle (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Kosciuszko (Polish, 6852 GRT, built 1915),
Leland Stanford (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Mont Viso (French, 4531 GRT, built 1921),
Robert Dale Owen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Robert F. Stockton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Selvik (Norwegian, 1557 GRT, built 1920),
William C. Endicott (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
William F. Cody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and
Zebulon Pike (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942). The minesweeper HMS BYMS 2186 (?) also joined the convoy.
Around 0051A/3, the merchant vessel Mont Viso was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-593. HMS Bryony went to the assistance of the torpedoed ship but it sank in two minutes. The corvette then picked up the survivors and later obtained an asdic contact on the enemy and attacked with depth charges during which the German submarine sustained damage due to which she was to return to Toulon for repairs.
Around 0900A/3, HMS Colombo was detached to return to Gibraltar. Between around 1100A/3 and 1410A/3 she was in the area where the Mont Viso had been sunk searching for survivors but none were found. She arrived at Gibraltar around 0805A/4.
On 3 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Algiers; Belgian Seaman, Caio, Empire Trent, Eridan, Fort Fairford, Fort Reliance, Lodestone, Orminster and Topsdaldjord as was HMS Haydon, while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Algiers;
Anna Capano (Italian, 1345 GRT, built 1938),
Chateau Pavie (French, 2047 GRT, built 1930),
Empire Daring (British, 7059 GRT, built 1943),
George C. Childress (American, 7245 GRT, built 1943),
Lars Kruse (British, 1807 GRT, built 1923),
Letitia (British, 13595 GRT, built 1925),
Pan-Delaware (American (tanker), 8128 GRT, built 1918),
Richmond Mumford Pearson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and
Ronan (British, 1489 GRT, built 1938). HMS Bryony also made a short stop at Oran to land the survivors of the Mont Viso before rejoining the convoy. The corvette HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) also joined the convoy off Algiers.
On 4 November 1943, the Empire Daring arrived at Bougie after having been detached from the convoy.
On 4 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Philippeville; George C. Childress, Letitia and Sinnington Court while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Philippeville;
Afghanistan (British, 6992 GRT, built 1940),
Cap Padaran (British (former French), 8009 GRT, built 1922),
Fort Fork (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Lawrence (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Norman Monarch (British, 7005 GRT, built 1943) and
Prometheus (British, 6095 GRT, built 1925).
On 4 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Bone; Empire Derwent, F.T. Freylinghuysen, John Mary Odin, Jonathan Trumbull, William B. Woods and William Coddington while the following merchant vessel joined the convoy coming from Bone;
Yenangyaung (British, 5447 GRT, 1937).
On 5 November 1943 the following ships were detached to Bizerta; Anna Capano, George M. Bibb, Grand Quevilly, Kemp P. Battle and Wearfield while the following merchant vessel joined the convoy coming from Bizerta;
Spero (Norwegian, 3619 GRT, built 1919).
On 5 November 1943 the Errington Court was detached to Bizerta.
On 6 November 1943 the Fort Liard, Puck and Selvik were detached to Malta as was HMS BYMS 2186.
On 6 November 1943 the Afghanistan, Alexander Graham Bell, Augustus S. Merrimon, Baron Stranraer, Benjamin Huntington, British Merit, Cap Padaran, Celtic Monarch, Empire Cameron, Fort de Douaumont, Fort Fork, Fort Lawrence, Francis L. Lee, George B. McClellan, Harberton, Joseph Hewes, Kosciuszko, Lars Kruse, Leland Stanford, Norman Monarch, Pan-Delaware, Prometheus, Richmond Mumford Pearson, Riverton, Robert Dale Owen, Robert F. Stockton, Ronan, Wearwood, William C. Endicott, William F. Cody and Zebulon Pike were detached to Augusta while the following merchant vessel joined the convoy coming from Augusta;
Brighton (British, 7345 GRT, built 1943),
City of Windsor (British, 7218 GRT, built 1923),
Comliebank (British, 5149 GRT, built 1924),
Fort la Traite (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Pembina (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Newbrough (British, 5255 GRT, built 1941),
Pellicula (British (tanker), 6254 GRT, built 1936) and
Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923).
On 11 November 1943 the Brighton, City of Windsor, Comliebank, Fort la Traite, Fort Pembina, Norjerv, Talma and Yenangyaung arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy. They took HMS Bergamot and HMS Bryony with them.
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said also on 11 November escorted by HMS Barle and HMS La Malouine. HMS Barle then continued on toward Haifa where she arrived on the 12th. 21 Dec 1943 This convoy departed Port Said on 21 December 1943.
On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the transports / tankers;
City of Eastbourne (British, 5563 GRT, built 1923),
City of Exeter (British, 9654 GRT, built 1914),
City of Lyons (British, 7063 GRT, built 1926),
Empire Prowess (British, 7058 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Rosalind (British, 7290 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Carlton (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Senneville (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942),
Ocean Vestal (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Samsteel (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and
Swiftarrow (American (tanker), 8207 GRT, built 1921).
On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the frigate HMS Barle (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) and the corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) and HMS La Malouine (Lt. W.A. Ives, RNR).
On 22 December 1943 the following transports departed Alexandria to join the convoy;
Fort Bell (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Bourbon (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Connolly (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Fidler (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943),
Fort la Traite (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Louisbourg (British, 7130 GRT, built 1942),
Fort St. Regis (British, 7140 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Sturgeon (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943),
Kepong (British, 1874 GRT, built 1916),
Newbrough (British, 5255 GRT, built 1941),
Norfjell (Norwegian (tanker), 8129 GRT, built 1942),
Nurani (British, 5414 GRT, built 1941) and
Petter (Norwegian (tanker), 9109 GRT, built 1935).
They were escorted by the corvettes HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR) and HMS Myosotis (T/Lt. R. Lugg, RNR) which also joined the convoy.
On 26 December 1943, the the following transports / tankers departed Augusta to join the convoy;
Afghanistan (British, 6992 GRT, built 1940),
Auk (British, 1338 GRT, built 1921),
Benjamin Huntington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
British Respect (British (tanker), 8479 GRT, built 1943),
British Restraint (British (tanker), 8448 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Franklin (British, 7292 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Sunbeam (British, 6711 GRT, built 1941),
Fort Reliance (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Gabriel Duval (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
George Shiras (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943),
Houston Volunteers (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Joel Chandler Harris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
John Steele (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Marion McKinley Bovard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Newton D. Baker (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Peter Minuit (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942),
Thorsholm (Norwegian (tanker), 9937 GRT, built 1937) and
William H. Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
On 27 December 1943, the following transports arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy;
Fort Bell,
Fort Bourbon,
Fort Connolly,
Fort Fiddler,
Fort la Traite,
Fort Senneville,
Fort St. Regis,
Fort Sturgeon and
Newbrough.
The ships leaving and proceeding to Augusta, were most likely, escorted to and from the rendezvous with the convoy by the torpedo boats Sagittario, Animoso and the M/S trawler HMS Inchmarnock (T/Lt. C.G.V. Corneby, RNR).
On 27 December 1943, the Kepong arrived at Malta after having been detached from the convoy while the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Malta;
Avon Coast (British, 1036 GRT, built 1923) and
Ocean Coast (British, 1173 GRT, built 1935).
On 28 December 1943, the transport Bradburn (British, 4736 GRT, built 1930) joined coming from Tunis.
On 28 December 1943, the Afghanistan, Auk, Avon Coast, Benjamin Huntington, British Respect, British Restraint, Fort Reliance, Gabriel Duval, Norfjell, Petter, Swiftarrow, Thorsholm and William H. Jackson arrived at Bizerta after having been detached from the convoy while the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Bizerta;
Amos Kendall (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Betty Zane (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
Cap-Penide (French, 1320 GRT, built 1938),
Empire Chivalry (British, 6007 GRT, built 1937),
Empire Clive (British, 7069 GRT, built 1941),
Felipe de Neve (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Francis Amasa Walker (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
James Iredell (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
Joseph E. Brown (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Kemp P. Battle (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and
San Amado (British (tanker), 7316 GRT, built 1935). The tank landing ships HMS LST 65 (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) L.J. Smith, RD, RNR) and HMS LST 407 (?) also joined the convoy as did the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN).
On 29 December 1943, the transports John Wise (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942) and Southgate (British, 4862 GRT, built 1926) joined coming from Bone. Also joining from Bone was the rescue tug HMRT Mindful.
On 29 December 1943, the transports Betty Zane and Houston Volunteers arrived at Philippeville after having been detached from the convoy.
On 29 December 1943, the transport Sulev (British (former Estonian), 2233 GRT, built 1908) departed Bougie and joined the convoy.
On 30 December 1943, the Amos Kendall, Cap-Pinede, Empire Clive, Joel Chandler Harris, John Wise, Kemp P. Battle, Marion McKinley Bovard and Newton D. Baker arrived at Algiers after having been detached from the convoy while the tanker Empire Harbour (British (tanker), 797 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Algiers.
On 31 December 1943, the Empire Harbour, Felipe de Neve/, Francis Amasa Walker, George Shiras, James Iredell, John Steele, Joseph E. Brown and Peter Minuit arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy while the transports / tankers British Engineer (British (tanker), 6993 GRT, built 1922), Fort Walsh (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943), Orminster (British, 5712 GRT, built 1914), Pencarrow (British, 4841 GRT, built 1921) and Souliotis (Greek, 4299 GRT, built 1917) joined the convoy coming from Oran.
The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 1 January 1944. 25 Jan 1944 This convoy departed Port Said on 25 January 1944.
On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the transports / tankers;
A.C. Bedford (British (tanker), 9485 GRT, built 1918),
Arthur R.P. Davis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Arthur Riggs (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943),
Charles Crocker (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Clan MacNeil (British, 6111 GRT, built 1922),
Edward Bruce (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Forest (British, 4998 GRT, built 1937),
Fort Bedford (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Kaskaskia (British, 7187 GRT, built 1943),
Frank A. Vanderlip (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Heimvard (Norwegian, 4851 GRT, built 1930),
Rodsley (British, 5000 GRT, built 1939),
Samburgh (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Samcleve (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Samgara (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Samida (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and
Skotaas (Norwegian (tanker), 8190 GRT, built 1931). The LST USS LST 261 (Lt.Cdr. L.I. Reilley, USCG) was also part of the convoy. They were escorted by the corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) and HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR).
On 26 January 1944, the following transports / tankers departed Alexandria to join the convoy;
E. Kirby Smith (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Peak (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Southey (British, 7041 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Brandon (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Caribou (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Remy (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943),
George Walton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Jared Ingersoll (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942),
John J. Crittenden (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Lot Whitcomb (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943),
Louis A. Sengteller (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Meonia (Danish, 5214 GRT, built 1927),
Pan-Rhode Island (American (tanker), 7742 GRT, built 1941),
Patrick C. Boyle (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Samarkand (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Samphire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Stancleeve (British, 5970 GRT, built 1942),
Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923),
Van der Capelle (Dutch, 7037 GRT, built 1942) and
Woodlark (British, 1501 GRT, built 1928). They were escorted by the corvettes HMS La Malouine (Lt. W.A. Ives, RNR), HMS Myosotis (T/Lt. R. Lugg, RNR) and HMS Primula (T/Lt. E.N. Wilding, RNVR) which also joined the convoy.
On 30 January 1944, the following transports / tankers departed Augusta to join the convoy;
Arthur Dobbs (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Belgian Sailor (Belgian, 7028 GRT, built 1942),
Charles Goodyear (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Charles Piez (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943),
Cistula (Dutch (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939),
Daniel H. Lownsdale (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Djebel Aures (French, 2835 GRT, built 1929),
Empire Harbour (British (tanker), 797 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Norman (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942),
George Leonard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
James M. Wayne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
John C. Breckinridge (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Keilehaven (Dutch, 2968 GRT, built 1919),
Louis McLane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Marit Maersk (Greek (former Danish), 1894 GRT, built 1938),
Thomas Nelson Page (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Timothy Bloodworth (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943) and
William L. Yancey (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
On 31 January 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy;
Arthur R.P. Davis,
Empire Peak,
Empire Southey,
Fort Brandon,
Fort Caribou,
Fort Remy,
Pan-Rhode Island,
Samphire,
Stancleeve and
Van der Capelle.
On 31 January 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy;
Forest,
Meonia,
Skotaas,
Talma and
Woodlark.
On 31 January 1944, the submarine HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN) departed Malta and joined the convoy. HMS Primula arrived at Malta after having been detached from the convoy.
On 1 February 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Bizerta after having parted company with the convoy;
A.C. Bedford,
Charles Goodyear,
Djebel Aures and
Empire Harbour. USS LST-261 was also detached to Bizerta. The following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Bizerta;
Atlantic Coast (British, 890 GRT, built 1934),
Black Hawk (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943),
Bruce M. (British, 1887 GRT, built 1927),
Cotton Valley (British, 1155 GRT, built 1943),
Edward Burleson (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Cavalier (British (tanker), 9891 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Charmian (British, 7519 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Emerald (British (tanker), 8032 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Marvell (British (tanker), 9812 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Perdita (British, 7028 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Snow (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941),
Esso Concord (American (tanker), 7698 GRT, built 1940),
Fort de Douaumont (French, 5266 GRT, built 1918),
Harry Lane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Hebe II (British, 957 GRT, built 1912),
Joseph Pulitzer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Largs Bay (British, 14182 GRT, built 1921),
Lawrence D. Tyson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Linge (Dutch, 2114 GRT, built 1928),
William Patterson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and
Zane Gray (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943). The AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN) and the (damaged) destroyer HMS Jervis (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, DSO, DSC, RN) also joined the convoy.
On 2 February 1944, the following transports arrived at Bone after having parted company with the convoy;
Belgian Sailor,
Fort Norman,
James M. Wayne and
Linge while the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Bone;
Anna N. Goulandris (Greek, 4358 GRT, built 1921),
Gulfgem (American (tanker), 6784 GRT, built 1920),
P.L.M. 17 (British (former French), 4008 GRT, built 1922) and
Skeldergate (British, 4251 GRT, built 1930).
On 2 February 1944, the following transports arrived at Bone after having parted company with the convoy;
Arthur Dobbs and Cotton Valley while the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Philippeville;
Henry Baldwin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and
James Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
On 3 February 1944, the transport Empire Charmian arrived at Bougie after having parted company with the convoy.
On 3 February 1944, the following transports arrived at Algiers after having parted company with the convoy; Charles Piez, Daniel H. Lownsdale, Fort de Douaumont, George Leonard, Hebe II, Joseph Pulitzer, Marit Maersk and William Patterson while the following transports joined the convoy coming from Algiers;
Appledore (British, 5218 GRT, built 1929),
Baron Douglas (British, 3899 GRT, built 1932),
Coulmore (British, 3670 GRT, built 1936),
David L. Swain (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943),
Ingleton (British, 7203 GRT, built 1942),
Kelbergen (Dutch, 4823 GRT, built 1914),
Lafcadio Hearn (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1943),
Lornaston (British, 4934 GRT, built 1925),
Mount Othrys (Greek, 6527 GRT, built 1919),
Ocean Vigil (British, 7174 GRT, built 1941) and
Stanford Newel (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
On 4 February 1944, the following transports arrived at Oran after having parted company with the convoy; Anna N. Goulandris, Atlantic Coast, Coulmore, David L. Swain, Louis McLane, Thomas Nelson Page and Zane Gray while the following transports / tanker joined the convoy coming from Algiers;
Gallium (French, 1775 GRT, built 1924),
Hiram S. Maxim (American, 7194 GRT, built 1943),
Iroquois (British (tanker), 8937 GRT, built 1907),
O'Henry (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942) and
Parame (French, 2337 GRT, built 1918).
On 5 February 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Oran after having parted company with the convoy; Appledore, Baron Douglas, Bruce M., Clan MacNeil, Empire Perdita/, Empire Snow, Ingleton, Iroquois, Kelbergen, Largs Bay, Lornaston, Ocean Vigil, P.L.M. 17, Rodsley and Skeldergate. Also arriving at Gibraltar were HMS Colombo, HMS Jervis, HMS Bergamot, HMS Bryony, HMS La Malouine, HMS Myosotis and HrMs O 21.
Also on 5 February 1944, the following transports / tankers departed Gibraltar to join the convoy;
E.W. Sinclair (American (tanker), 10907 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Plover (British, 6109 GRT, built 1920),
Empire Tana (British, 6275 GRT, built 1922),
Luther Martin (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and
Ocean Valentine (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942). They were escorted by a new, American, escort made up of the destroyer USS Gleaves (T/Cdr. B.L. Gurnette, USN, with COMTASKFOR 63, Capt. H.S. Berdine, USCG on board) and the destroyer escorts USS J. Richard Ward (Lt. D.A. Smith, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 63, Capt. T.S. Dunstan, USNR, on board), USS Keith (Lt. J.L. Rinn, USNR), USS Otterstetter (Lt. L.E. Whitmore, USNR), USS Sloat (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Cashman, USNR) and USS Tomich (Lt. C.B. Brown, USNR).
Around 2200A/5, the convoy was joined by the destroyer escorts USS Sellstrom (Cdr. W.L. Maloney, USCG, with COMCORTDIV 7, Cdr. F.P. Vetterick, USNR, on board), USS Mills (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Muzzy, USCG), USS Ramsden (Cdr. J.E. Madacey, USCG), USS Rhodes (Cdr. E.A. Coffin, Jr., USCG) and USS Savage (Cdr. O.C. Rohnke, USCG) which had first been on an A/S sweep.
On 5 February 1944, the Casablanca section of the convoy departed that place. It was made up of the tanker Taria (Dutch (tanker), 10354 GRT, built 1939) and the naval tanker USS Mattaponi (T/Capt. M.C. Barrett, USN). They were escorted by the seaplane tender USS Matagorda (Cdr. A. Crinkley, USN), destroyer escort USS Richey (Cdr. P.DuP. Mills, USCG) and the patrol vessels USS PC-475 (Lt. W.W. Devine, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-481 (Lt. D.W. Hunter, USNR). They made rendezvous with the convoy around 1045A/6 when the tankers and USS Richey joined the convoy. USS Matagorda,
USS PC-475 and USS PC-481 then set course to return to Casablanca taking the transports / tankers E.W. Sinclair, Empire Plover, Empire Tana, Gallium, Keilehaven, Mount Othrys, Ocean Valentin and Parame with them. They all arrived at Casablanca on 7 February 1944.
Around 1330Z/8, USS Tomich was detached to proceed to the Azores to escort the Azores section of the convoy which was to join the convoy from there.
Around 1030Z/10, USS Tomich rejoined the convoy from the Azores. She had the transports Abraham Baldwin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Phineas Banning (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) with her which joined the convoy.
Also on 10 February 1944, USS Gleaves fuelled from USS Mattaponi.
Around 1530Z/11, USS Tomich parted company with the convoy to make rendezvous with the tanker Katy (Norwegian (tanker), 6826 GRT, 1931) coming from the Azores.
Around 0630Z/14, USS Tomich and the Katy (re)joined the convoy.
Also on 14 February 1944, USS Gleaves again fuelled from USS Mattaponi.
Around 2200Z/18, USS Mattaponi and the transport Samgara were detached to Bermuda taking USS Tomich with them as escort. The Samgara had problems with her rudder.
Around 1200Z/19, USS Mills parted company to proceed to Bermuda to land a medical case.
Around 2100Z/19, the transports Frank A. Vanderlip and John J. Crittenden were detached to proceed independently to Saint John, New Brunswick and Boston respecively.
Around 0330Z/20, USS Mills rejoined from Bermuda.
Around 1215Z/20, the tanker Gulfgem was detached to proceed independently to Harbor Island, Texas.
Around 0630Z/21, the Chesapeake Bay section of the convoy parted company. It was made up of 14 ships and was escorted to Hampton Roads by USS Sellstrom, USS Ramsden, USS Rhodes and USS Savage. The Chesapeake Bay section arrived at its destination the following morning.
Around 0300Z/22, USS Mills was detached to escort two ships to Delaware Capes where they arrived in the afternoon.
In the evening of 22 February 1944, the remaining ships of the convoy arrived at New York. 29 Feb 1944 This convoy departed Port Said on 29 February 1944.
On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the transports / tanker;
British Soldier (British (tanker), 5564 GRT, built 1918),
Cyrus W. Field (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Dallington Court (British, 6889 GRT, built 1929),
Empire Path (British, 6140 GRT, built 1943),
Everleigh (British, 5222 GRT, built 1930),
Hugh Williamson (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942) and
Marwarri (British, 8067 GRT, built 1935).
On departure from Port Said they were escorted by the corvettes HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR) and HMS La Malouine (Lt. W.A. Ives, RNR).
On 1 March 1944, the following transports / tanker departed Alexandria and joined the convoy;
Bradford City (British, 4953 GRT, built 1936),
Clydefield (British (tanker), 7365 GRT, built 1928),
Fort Erie (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Hudson's Hope (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942),
Greystoke Castle (British, 5853 GRT, built 1928),
Johilla (British, 4042 GRT, built 1937),
Pellicula (British (tanker), 6254 GRT, built 1936),
Samphire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Sofala (British, 1031 GRT, built 1937) and
Umgeni (British, 8180 GRT, built 1942).
On departure from Port Said they were escorted by the frigate HMS Barle (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) and the corvette HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR).
On 4 March 1944, the Sofala arrived at Benghazi after having been detached from the convoy.
On 5 March 1944, the following ships departed Augusta to join the convoy;
Aelbert Cuyp (Dutch, 7086 GRT, built 1942),
Benito Juarez (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943),
Clark Mills (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Coombe Hill (British, 7268 GRT, built 1942),
Cornelius Harnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
Crosby S. Noyes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Daniel Huger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Diplodon (British (tanker), 8149 GRT, built 1941),
Dromus (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938),
Edward Rutledge (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Grebe (British, 5736 GRT, built 1918),
Empire Guinevere (British, 7072 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Cadotte (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943),
Frans Hals (Dutch, 6626 GRT, built 1941),
Frontenac (British, 7148 GRT, built 1943),
Havkong (Norwegian, 9666 GRT, built 1937),
Helmwood (British, 2156 GRT, built 1923),
John Dickinson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
John P. Poe (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942),
John Walker (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942),
Kyklades (Greek, 7157 GRT, built 1941),
Linge (Dutch, 2114 GRT, built 1928),
Morrison R. Waite (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
Richard Montgomery (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Samos (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Thomas Nelson Page (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
William Kent (American, 7187 GRT, built 1942) and
William Sturgis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
On 6 March 1944, the following ships arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy;
British Soldier,
Clydefield,
Dallington Court,
Empire Path,
Everleigh,
Fort Erie,
Fort Hudson's Hope,
Hugh Williamson and
Samphire.
On 6 March 1944, the submarines HMS Torbay and (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) and ORP Sokol (Kpt.mar. (Lt.Cdr.) J.K.S. Koziolkowski, DSC) departed Malta and joined the convoy.
Also the Kyklades was detached to proceed to Tripoli.
Around 1900A/7, off the Gulf of Tunis the AA cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. G.R. Waymouth, RN) joined the escort.
On 8 March 1944, the Clark Mills and Cyrus W. Field were detached to Bizerta while the following ships joined the convoy coming from that place;
Armilla (Dutch (tanker), 3007 GRT, built 1931),
Brighton (British, 5359 GRT, built 1928),
Empire Gain (British (tanker), 3738 GRT, built 194),
Empire Nerissa (British, 7086 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Southey (British, 7041 GRT, built 1942),
James McCosh (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and
Richmond Mumford Pearson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).
On 8 March 1944, the Empire Grebe, Empire Guinevere, Fort Cadotte, Helmwood and Linge were detached to Bone while the following ships joined the convoy coming from that place;
Empire Gareth (British, 2847 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Thackeray (British, 2865 GRT, built 1942) and
Fort Norman (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942).
On 8 March 1944, the Brighton was detached to Philippeville while the Ashbury (British, 3901 GRT, built 1924) joined coming from that place.
On 9 March 1944, the Edward Rutledge and Empire Gareth were detached to Bougie.
Around 2030A/9, near Algiers, HMS Delhi was detached to proceed independently to Mers-el-Kebir.
On 10 March 1944, the Coombe Hill, Diplodon, Dromus, Empire Gain, Frans Hals, Fronenac and Havkong were detached to Algiers while the following ships joined from that place;
Bosworth (British, 6672 GRT, built 1919),
Cuba (British, 11420 GRT, 1923),
Empire Simba (British, 5691 GRT, built 1919),
Gouverneur General Lepine (French, 3509 GRT, built 1923),
Gudrun Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937) and
Spindletop (British, 1155 GRT, built 1943).
On 11 March 1944, the Benito Juarez, Cornelius Harnett, Crosby S. Noyes, Daniel Huger, Empire Southey, James McCosh, John Dickinson, John P. Poe, John Walker, Morrison R. Waite, Richard Montgomery, Richmond Mumford Pearson, Samos, Spindleton, Thomas Nelson Page, William Kent and William Sturgis were detached to Oran while the following ships joined from that place;
Capitaine Paul Lemerle (French, 4945 GRT, built 1925) and
Kingsborough (British, 3368 GRT, built 1928).
The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 12 March 1944. 4 Mar 1944 This combined convoy was assembled off Oversay on 4 March 1944.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Angelo (British, 2199 GRT, built 1940),
Archangelos (Greek, 5692 GRT, built 1918),
Baron Forbes (British, 3061 GRT, built 1915),
Baron Maclay (British, 6317 GRT, built 1924),
Baron Stranraer (British, 3668 GRT, built 1929),
Bruse Jarl (Norwegian, 1890 GRT, built 1923),
Cap Cantin (British (former French), 3317 GRT, built 1933),
Carslogie (British, 3786 GRT, built 1924),
Empire Nile (British, 6318 GRT, built 1921),
Empire Rosalind (British, 7290 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Spartan (British, 7009 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Spey (British, 4292 GRT, built 1929),
Eurybates (British, 6276 GRT, built 1928),
Fort Aklavik (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Gaspereau (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Liard (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Marin (British, 7159 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Nakasley (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Richelieu (British, 7130 GRT, built 1943),
Groix (French, 9975 GRT, built 1922),
Helencrest (British, 5233 GRT, built 1941),
Hermiston (British, 4813 GRT, built 1939),
Hopestar (British, 5267 GRT, built 1936),
Isipingo (British, 7069 GRT, built 1930),
Janeta (British, 4312 GRT, built 1929),
Jenny (Norwegian, 4706 GRT, built 1928),
Kana (British, 2783 GRT, built 1929),
Langleetarn (British, 4908 GRT, built 1929),
Leonidas (Greek, 4573 GRT, built 1929),
Lorca (British, 4875 GRT, built 1931),
Matheran (British, 8007 GRT, built 1942),
Monkleigh (British, 5203 GRT, built 1927),
Nanceen (French, 2895 GRT, built 1929),
Nurani (British, 5414 GRT, built 1941),
Porjus (Swedish, 2965 GRT, built 1906),
Radmanso (Swedish, 4280 GRT, built 1914),
Radport (British, 5355 GRT, built 1925),
Redgate (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929),
Samoa (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Slesvig (British, 3098 GRT, built 1938),
Stal (British (former Danish), 2242 GRT, built 1921),
Stanhope (British, 2337 GRT, built 1919),
Thomas Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929),
Topdalsfjord (Norwegian, 4271 GRT, built 1921),
Urbino (British, 5198 GRT, built 1918),
Ville de Strasbourg (British, (former French), 7007 GRT, built 1920) and
Wayfarer (British, 5068 GRT, built 1925).
The rescue ship Fastnet (British, 1415 GRT, built 1928) was also with the convoy.
On assembly the convoy was escorted by the escort carrier HMS Striker (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN), frigates HMS Exe (Cdr. C.E.E. Paterson, RN), HMS Moyola (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lawson, RD, RNR), HMS Foley (A/Lt.Cdr. C.A.H. Bird, RNVR), corvettes HMS Armeria (T/Lt. M. Todd, RNR), HMS Burdock (Lt. H.M. Collier, RNR), HMS Clarkia (A/Lt.Cdr. J.O. Williams, RNR), HMS Dittany (T/Lt. S.W. Lock, RNVR), HMS Berkeley Castle (T/Lt. F.A. Darrah, RNVR) and the A/S trawler HMS Fusilier (T/Lt. F.M. Phillips, RNVR).
The following merchant vessels of the convoy returned to the U.K. after sailing;
Angelo, Hopestar and Stal.
On 10 March 1944, the frigate HMS Foley parted company with the convoy to join the northbound combined convoy SL 150 / MKS 41 while the escort oiler San Tirso (British (tanker), 6266 GRT, built 1913) joined coming from this convoy.
On 16 March 1944, the convoy split into convoy OS 70 bound for Freetown and convoy KMS 44 bound for the Mediterranean.
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Convoy OS 70 was made up of the merchant vessels;
Baron Stranraer,
Cap Cantin,
Fort Liard,
Groix,
Isipingo,
Jenny,
Porjus,
Thomas Holt and
Ville de Strasbourg.
On 15 March 1944, the merchant vessels
Aelbert Cuyp (Dutch, 7086 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Nerissa (British, 7086 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Nashwaak (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Norman (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942),
Govert Flinck (Dutch, 7178 GRT, built 1942),
Langleebrook (British, 4246 GRT, built 1930),
Romney (British, 5840 GRT, built 1929) and
Vernon L. Kellogg (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) departed Gibraltar escorted by the sloop HMS Enchantress (Lt.Cdr. E.D.J. Abbot, DSC, RN), frigate HMS Ness (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.H. Marchington, MBE, RNVR) and the corvette HMS Pimpernel (Lt. H.D. Hayes, RNR). These ships joined the combined convoy when it split.
On 16 March 1944, the following transports departed Casablanca to join the convoy;
Empire Cabot (British, 6715 GRT, built 1941),
Finistere (French, 1158 GRT, built 1909),
Fort Fairford (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Isaac Coles (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Parkhaven (Dutch, 4803 GRT, built 1920) and
Tilsington Court (British, 6910 GRT, built 1928). They were escorted by the minesweeping sloops Chevreuil, Gazelle and the patrol vessels USS PC-475 (Lt. W.W. Devine, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-480 (Lt.(jg) J.K. Miller, USNR).
On these ships joining on the 17th, the transports Empire Nerissa, Fort Liard, Langleebrook, Porjus and Romney were detached to Casablanca where they arrived later on the 17th. They were escorted by the two American patrol vessels as the two French minesweeping sloops had joined the convoy.
On 22 March 1944, the transports Finistere, Isaac Coles and Vernon L. Kellogg arrived at Dakar after having been detached from the convoy while the transport Hoggar (French, 5146 GRT, built 1923) joined the convoy coming from Dakar. The two French minesweeping sloops also proceeded to Dakar.
On 23 March 1944, the transports Cap Cantin and Fort Nashwaak arrived at Bathurst after having been detached from the convoy.
The convoy arrived at Freetown on 25 March 1944. Some ships of the convoy did not enter Freetown but proceed directly to other destinations.
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Convoy KMS 44, made up of the remaining ships, proceeded towards the Mediterranean with the original escort of the combined convoy.
On 17 March 1944, the following transports arrived at Gibraltar; Archangelos, Lorca, Redgate, Slesvig, rescue ship Fastnet and the escort oiler San Tirso arrived at Gibraltar together with the original escort of the combined convoy minus HMS Dittany.
The transports Baron Forbes, Kana, Monkleigh, Radport and Stanhope proceeded directly to Lissabon after the convoy had split. They were possible escorted by HMS Dittany which did not arrive with the other escort at Gibraltar on the 17th but only arrived there on the 20th.
The following ships of the convoy meanwhile directly entered the Mediterranean; Baron Maclay, Bruse Jarl, Carslogie, Empire Nile, Empire Rosalind, Empire Spartan, Empire Spey, Eurybates, Fort Aklavik, Fort Gaspereau, Fort Marin, Fort Nakasley, Fort Richelieu, Helencrest, Hermiston, Janeta, Langleetarn, Leonidas, Matheran, Nanceen, Nurani, Radmanso, Samoa, Topsdalfjord, Urbino and Wyfarer.
On passing Gibraltar they were joined by the transports
Joshua Hendy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Maycrest (British, 5923 GRT, built 1913) and Southgate (British, 4862 GRT, built 1926).
Also a new escort joined for the passage through the Mediterranean, this was made up of the following ships; AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), frigate HMS Barle (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) and the corvettes HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR), HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR), HMS La Malouine (Lt. W.A. Ives, RNR) and (the Yugoslavian) Nada. The submarine HMS Spiteful (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Sherwood, DSC, RCNVR) and the rescue tug HMRT Vagrant also joined the convoy.
On 18 February 1944, the transports Carslogie, Joshua Hendy and Maycrest arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy while the transports
Benito Juarez (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943),
City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922),
Crawford W. Long (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Crosby S. Noyes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Joseph H. Hollister (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Joshua Seney (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Mayo Brothers (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942),
Spindletop (British, 1155 GRT, built 1943),
William Kent (American, 7187 GRT, built 1942) and
Zacapa (American, 5013 GRT, built 1909) joined the convoy coming from Oran.
On 19 February 1944, the transports Fort Gaspereau, Hermiston, Janeta, Leonidas and Zapaca arrived at Algiers after having been detached from the convoy while the transports / tankers
Empire Addison (British, 7010 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Gain (British (tanker), 3738 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Southey (British, 7041 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Wordsworth (British (tanker), 9891 GRT, built 1942),
Esneh (British, 1931 GRT, built 1919),
Fort Ash (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Glenora (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943),
Fort la Traite (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Hermelin (Norwegian, 1683 GRT, built 1940),
Linge (Dutch, 2114 GRT, built 1928),
Meonia (Danish, 5214 GRT, built 1927),
Parame (French, 2337 GRT, built 1918),
Samettrick (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Samuel V. Shreve (British, 1813 GRT, built 1943) and
Solarium (British, 6239 GRT, built 1936) joined the convoy coming from Algiers.
On 20 February 1944, the transports
Brighton (British, 5359 GRT, built 1928),
Fort Rae (British, 7132 GRT, built 1942) and
Lightfoot (British, 1894 GRT, built 1922) joined the convoy coming from Philippeville.
On 20 February 1944, the transports
Bruse Jarl,
Empire Gain,
Fort Rae and
Radmanso arrived at Bone after having parted company with the convoy while the transports
Empire Cameron (British, 7015 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Copperfield (British, 6013 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Viceroy (British, 7803 GRT, built 1943),
Graiglas (British, 4312 GRT, built 1940),
Ousel (British, 1533 GRT, built 1922),
Sammex (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and
Samson (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Bone.
On 21 February 1944, the transports
Empire Spartan,
Empire Spey,
Mayo Brothers,
Nanceen,
Parame and
Solarium arrived at Bizerta as did HMS Colombo after having parted company with the convoy while the transport / tankers
Asa Gray (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Elise (Norwegian (tanker), 7910 GRT, built 1931) and
Meline (Norwegian (tanker), 6983 GRT, built 1918) joined the convoy coming from Bizerta.
On 22 February 1944, the transports
Graiglas,
Topsdalfjord arrived at Malta after having parted company with the convoy as did HMS Spiteful and the Yugoslavian corvette Nada while the tanker
Egero (Norwegian (tanker), 7590 GRT, built 1929), transport
Empire Noble (British, 7125 GRT, built 1944) and the bouy / lighthouse tender
Darien II (British, 459 GRT, built 1892) joined the convoy coming from Malta.
On 22 February 1944, the transports / tankers
Beaconsfield (British, 4635 GRT, built 1938),
Corfell (British, 1802 GRT, built 1934),
Dallington Court (British, 6889 GRT, built 1929),
Destro (British, 3553 GRT, built 1920),
Dunera (British, 11162 GRT, built 1937),
Ekaterini Coumantarou (Greek, 7777 GRT, built 1917),
Empire Grange (British, 6981 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Peak (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Bourbon (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Glenlyon (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Senneville (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942),
Ocean Liberty (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Ocean Vulcan (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Riverton (British, 7307 GRT, built 1943),
Samnebra (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
San Rafael (Panamanian, 5379 GRT, built 1919),
Van der Capelle (Dutch, 7037 GRT, built 1942),
Zaanstroom (Dutch, 1646 GRT, built 1920) departed Augusta to join the convoy while the following transports / tankers parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Augusta;
Asa Gray,
Benito Juarez,
Brighton,
City of Canterbury,
Crawford W. Long,
Crosby S. Noyes,
Empire Addison,
Empire Cameron,
Empire Copperfield,
Empire Rosalind,
Empire Southey,
Empire Wordsworth,
Esneh,
Fort Aklavik,
Fort Ash,
Fort Glenora,
Fort la Traite,
Fort Marin,
Fort Richelieu,
Helencrest,
Hermelin,
Joseph H. Hollister,
Joshua Seney,
Langleetarn,
Lightfoot,
Linge,
Ousel,
Samettick,
Sammex,
Samoa,
Samson,
Samuel V. Shreve,
Southgate,
Spindletop and
William Kent.
On 26 March 1944, the transports Beaconsfield, Corfell, Elise, Empire Noble, Empire Peak, Fort Glenlyon, Ocean Vulcan, Riverton, Samnebra and Van der Capelle arrived at Alexandria after having parted company with the convoy. Also HMS Barle and HMS La Malouine arrived at Alexandria.
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 27 March 1944. 17 Mar 1944 [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Combined convoy OS 70 / KMS 44 ' for 4 March 1944.] (11) 3 May 1944 This convoy departed Hampton Roads on 3 May 1944.
It was made up of the following transports / tankers;
Albert C. Ritchie (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Andrew Briscoe (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944),
Andrew Furuseth (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
Andrew Pickens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Brand Whitlock (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Caleb Strong (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Calvin Coolidge (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Charles Crocker (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Charles Scribner (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Daniel H. Lownsdale (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Daniel Huger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Eastgate (British, 5032 GRT, built 1940),
Edward H. Crockett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944),
Edward Rutledge (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
Elbridge Gerry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Emma Willard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Collins (British (tanker), 9796 GRT, built 1942)),
Empire Dickens (British (tanker), 9819 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Emerald (British (tanker), 8032 GRT, built 1941),
F. Marion Crawford (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
Felix Grundy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Coulonge (British, 7136 GRT, built 1943),
Francisco Coronado (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
George F. Patten (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
George W. Campbell (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943),
Hannis Taylor (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Henry Bacon (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
Henry D. Thoreau (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Henry George (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Jacob Perkins (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944),
James McCosh (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
James Turner (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
John Murray Forbes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
John S. Casement (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Johns Hopkins (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943),
Jose J. Acosta (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
King Stephen (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928),
Kong Haakon VII (Norwegian, 7073 GRT, built 1942),
Lawrence J. Brengle (American, 7209 GRT, built 1944),
Leland Stanford (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Levi Woodbury (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943),
Louis McLane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Mary Lyon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Miguel Hidalgo (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Nonsuco (American, 5212 GRT, built 1938),
Norden (Norwegian (tanker), 8440 GRT, built 1931),
Norfjell (Norwegian (tanker), 8129 GRT, built 1942),
Norsol (Norwegian (tanker), 8236 GRT, built 1941),
Nueva Granada (Norwegian (tanker), 9968 GRT, built 1937),
Ocean Vestal (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Ole Bull (Norwegian, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Pocahontas (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935),
Richard H. Alvey (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942),
Robert Dale Owen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Robert Howe (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943),
Robert Luckenbach (American, 8152 GRT, built 1919),
Samdee (British, 7253 GRT, built 1943),
Samhope (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944),
Samjack (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944),
Samtampa (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Samtroy (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Samuel Johnston (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943),
Thomas Cresap (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943),
Thomas Nelson Page (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Thorstein Veblen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Timothy Dwight (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
William Coddington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
William M. Eastland (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944),
William R. Davie (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
William W. Mayo (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and
Woodbridge N. Ferris (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943).
The naval tanker USS Chepachet (Cdr. H.R. Adams, USNR), stores ship USS Merak (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Cawthon, USN), attack cargo ship USS Betelgeuse (T/Cdr. J.F. Grube, USN) and the LSI(L)'s USS LCI(L)-562 (Lt.(jg) S.M. Ruffin, USNR), USS LCI(L)-563 (Ens. P. App, USNR), USS LCI(L)-581 (Lt.(jg) R.P. Mulligan, USNR), USS LCI(L)-582 (Lt.(jg) D. Radford, USNR), USS LCI(L)-583 (Lt. W.J. Sharp, Jr., USNR), 21649 584 (Lt.(jg) T.M. Smagala, USNR), USS LCI(L)-585 (Lt.(jg) J.L. Thomas, USNR), USS LCI(L)-586 (Lt.(jg) J.S. Murtha, USNR), USS LCI(L)-664 (Lt.(jg) J. Kennedy, USNR), USS LCI(L)-665 (Lt.(jg) O.E. Neidlinger, USNR), USS LCI(L)-666 (Ens. J.E. Earls, USNR), USS LCI(L)-667 (Lt.(jg) J.L. Dowd, USNR), USS LCI(L)-668 (Lt.(jg) J.B. Snapp, USNR), USS LCI(L)-669 (Lt.(jg) I.S. Bookman, USN), USS LCI(L)-670 (Lt.(jg) T.M. Hoban, USNR) and USS LCI(L)-671 (Lt.(jg) J.H. Carmona, USNR).
On departure from Hampton Roads the convoy was escorted by Task Force 62 which was made up of the cutter USCGC Spencer (Cdr. W.C. Capron, USCG, with COMTASKFOR62, T/Capt. C.L. Winecoff, USN, on board), destroyers USS Paul Jones (T/Cdr. G.P. Unmacht, USN, which was also COMDESDIV 58), USS Barker (T/Lt.Cdr. R.G. Colbert, USN), USS Bulmer (T/Lt.Cdr. G.T. Baker, USN), and the destroyer escorts USS Amick (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Barsumian, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 15, T/Cdr. F.C.B. McCune, USN, on board), USS Atherton (T/Lt.Cdr. M. Kelly, Jr., USN), USS Booth (T/Cdr. D.W. Todd, USN), USS Carroll (T/Lt.Cdr. F.W. Kuhn, USN), USS Cooner Lt.Cdr. T.L. Bergen, USNR), USS Eldridge (Lt. W.K. Vanallen, USNR) and USS Neunzer (Lt. V.E. Gex, USNR).
Around 0930Z/6, the Norden was detached to Bermuda as she was unable to maintain the convoys speed.
Around 0030Z/7, in position 32°40'N, 61°18'W, the Felix Grundy was detached to Bermuda with defects. She was escorted by USS Paul Jones and USS Bulmer. The destroyers rejoined the convoy around 1400Z/8 in position 33°17'N, 55°18'W.
Around 0730Z/16, in position 36°34'N, 26°40'W, the transport Charles A. Wickliffe (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from the Azores. She had been escorted to the rendezvous by the auxiliary A/S trawler HMS Kingston Amber (T/Lt. R. Adams, RNR) which then proceeded to return to the Azores taking the transport Pocahonatas with her.
Around 1700Z/17, in position 34°20'N, 19°53'W, the transports Elbridge Gerry, F. Marion Crawford and Levy Woodbury were detached to proceed ahead of the main convoy to Oran where they were to disembark troop which they had on board after which they were to rejoin the convoy. They were escorted by USS Amick, USS Cooner and USS Bulmer. they arrived at Oran on 21 May before the main convoy passed. after having disembarked the troops they rejoined the convoy later on 21 May.
At 0551B/20, the transports Robert Howe and Nonusco collided in position 35°36'N, 07°38'W. The Robert Howe lost a man overboard and sustained damage in such a nature that she had to part company with the convoy. The Nonusco was holed well above the waterline and would be able to continue with the convoy in normal weather conditions.
Around 0830B/20, the Casablanca section of the convoy joined. This was made up of the following transports;
Charles Schiaffino (French, 3664 GRT, built 1930) and Gouverneur General Lepine (French, 3509 GRT, built 1923). They had been escorted to the rendezvous by the patrol vessel / sloop Amiral Mouchez and the patrol vessels USS PC-473 (Lt. A.W. Silverstein, USNR) and USS PC-474 (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Hummer, USNR).
On these ships joining the following transports / tankers parted company to proceed to Casablanca with the same escort that had escorted the Casablanca section;
Edward Rutledge,
Empire Dickens,
President de Vogue,
Robert Dale Owen and
Timothy Dwight.
Around 1045B/20, USS Barker parted company with the convoy to proceed to Gibraltar to pick up paperwork and a liason officer and then rejoin the convoy which she did around 1455B/20.
Around 1500B/20, the rescue tug HMRT Athlete joined the convoy to assist the damaged Robert Howe during the remainder of the passage to Gibraltar. The transport Charles A. Wickliffe also parted company for Gibraltar shortly afterwards.
Around 1645B/20, the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), submarine HMS Vox (Lt. J.M. Michell, RN) and rescue tug HMRT Nimble joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar. Also joining the convoy were the transports City of Keelung (British, 5186 GRT, built 1919) and Palermo (British, 2797 GRT, built 1938).
On 21 May 1944 (around 1945B/21), the following ships were detached to Oran;
Andrew Furuseth,
Caleb Strong,
Calvin Coolidge,
Edward H. Crockett,
George F. Patten,
John S. Casement,
Kong Haakon VII,
Leland Stanford,
Palermo,
William R. Davie,
USS Chepachet,
USS Merak,
USS Betelgeuse while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran;
Cushing Eells (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Dux (Norwegian, 1590 GRT, built 1934),
Edwin L. Godkin (American, 7198 GRT, built 1943),
Esso Charleston (American (tanker), 7949 GRT, built 1938),
Henry Ward Beecher (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Laura Keene (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Levi Woodbury (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943),
Robert H. Harrison (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942) and
William A. Graham (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942). Also the destroyers USS Madison (T/Cdr. D.A. Stuart, USN) and USS Hilary P. Jones (T/Cdr. F.M. Stiesberg, USN) joined the convoy for jamming duty against German radio controlled guided bombs.
Around 0800B/22, the Eastgate was detached from the convoy to proceed ahead to Algiers to pick up a new (British) Commodore for the convoy. She was escorted by USS Bulmer. They were to rejoin the convoy in the evening when the convoy would pass Algiers.
On 22 May 1944 (around 1930B/22), the following ships were detached to Algiers;
Andrew Pickens,
Charles Schiaffino,
Cushing Eells,
Gouverneur General Lepine,
John Murray Forbes,
Louis McLane and
Norsol while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers;
Barfleur (French, 3259 GRT, built 1938),
Empire Noble (British, 7125 GRT, built 1944),
Empire Unicorn (British, 7067 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Carlton (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Chesterfield (British, 7100 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Cumberland (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Frobisher (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Sambre (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and
Samphire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943).
Around 2200B/23, USS Madison and USS Hilary P. Jones were detached.
On 23 May 1944 (around 2300B/23), the Samphire and HMRT Nimble were detached to Bone while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bone;
Empire Marlowe (British, 6768 GRT, built 1941),
Fort Lennox (British, 7149 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Pembina (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Harlesden (British, 7273 GRT, built 1943) and
Sampford (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943).
On 24 May 1944 (around 1100B/24), the following ships were detached to Bizerta;
Andrew Briscoe,
Barfleur,
Nueva Granada,
Robert H. Harrison and all the LCI(L)'s while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bizerta;
Empire Lass (British (tanker), 813 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Spartan (British, 7009 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943),
Henry Groves Connor (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Lawrence D. Tyson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
North Devon (British, 3658 GRT, built 1924) and
Ocean Valour (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942).
Also the current escort, was replaced by a new escort which was made up of the sloops HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. W.B. Piggott, DSC and Bar, OBE, RD, RNR), HMS Amethyst (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, DSO, RN), minesweeper HMS Hazard (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Smith, RN), minesweeping sloop Commandant Bory (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, DSO, RN) and the corvettes HMS Anemone (Lt. J.B. Sparkes, RNR) and HMS Convolvulus (A/Lt.Cdr. R.F.R. Yarde-Buller, RNVR).
On 25 May 1944, the Empire Lass and HMS Vox were detached to Malta while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Malta;
Elise (Norwegian (tanker), 7910 GRT, built 1931) and
Polartank (Norwegian (tanker), 6356 GRT, built 1930).
On 26 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy;
Daniel H. Lownsdale,
Daniel Huger,
Dux,
Edwin L. Godkin,
Elbridge Gerry,
Emma Willard,
Empire Collins,
Empire Emerald,
Empire Noble,
Empire Stalwart,
Empire Unicorn.,
F. Marion Crawford,
Fort Carlton,
Fort Chesterfield,
Fort Cumberland,
Fort Frobisher,
Fort Lennox,
Fort Pembina,
George W. Campbell,
Hannis Taylor,
Harlesden,
Henry George,
Henry Groves Conner,
Henry Ward Beecher,
James McCosh,
James Turner,
Johns Hopkins,
King Stephen,
Laura Keene,
Levi Woodbury,
Mary Lyon,
Norfjell,
North Devon,
Sambre,
Samhope,
Sampford,
Samuel Johnston,
Thomas Cresap,
Thomas Nelson Page,
William A. Graham,
William M. Eastland and
Woodbridge N. Ferris.
On 28 May 1944, HMS Amethyst parted company with the convoy to return to Bizerta. The corvette HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR) joined the convoy on 28 May 1944.
On 29 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy;
City of Keelung,
Empire Spartan,
Miguel Hidalgo,
Polartank,
Richard H. Alvey,
Samtampa and
Thorstein Veblen. Also HMS Fleetwood, HMS Anemone, HMS Convolvulus and Commandant Bory arrived at Alexandria.
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 30 May 1944 escorted by HMS Bergamot. 8 Jun 1944 This convoy departed Port Said on 8 June 1944.
On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the transports / tankers;
Baron Belhaven (British, 6591 GRT, built 1925),
Cerion (British, 2588 GRT, built 1938),
Clydefield (British (tanker), 7365 GRT, built 1928),
Empire Almond (British, 6860 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Wordsworth (British (tanker), 9891 GRT, built 1942),
Eurybates (British, 6276 GRT, built 1928),
Fort Walsh (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943),
Mactra (British (tanker), 6193 GRT, built 1936),
Murena (Dutch (tanker), 8252 GRT, built 1931),
Pierre L'Enfant (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Samariz (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and
Samblade (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943).
On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by sloop HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. W.B. Piggott, DSC and Bar, OBE, RD, RNR) and the corvette HMS Anemone (Lt. J.B. Sparkes, RNR).
On 9 June 1944, the following transports / tankers departed Alexandria to join the convoy;
Crista (British, 2590 GRT, built 1938),
Empire Cobbett (British (tanker), 9811 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Nugget (British (tanker), 9807 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Spartan (British, 7009 GRT, built 1942),
Eridan (French, 9928 GRT, built 1928),
Fort Clatsop (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943),
Hermelin (Norwegian, 1683 GRT, built 1940) and
Noesaniwi (Dutch, 6737 GRT, built 1936).
The minesweepers RHS Karteria, RHS Salaminia, RHS Afroussa and RHS Leros also departed Alexandria and joined the convoy for passage westwards.
They were escorted by the minesweeper HMS Hazard (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Smith, RN) and the corvettes HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR) and HMS Convolvulus (A/Lt.Cdr. R.F.R. Yarde-Buller, RNVR).
On 13 June 1944, the following ships departed Augusta to join the convoy;
A.P. Hill (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Andrew Briscoe (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944),
Chiswick (British, 6006 GRT, built 1943),
Djebel Aures (French, 2835 GRT, built 1929),
Empire Gale (British, 7089 GRT, built 1941),
Facto (Norwegian, 1522 GRT, 1921),
Fort de Douaumont (French, 5266 GRT, built 1918),
Fort Gaspereau (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Maisonneuve (British, 7128 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Pembina (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
George Davis (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
Gylfe (Norwegian (tanker), 6129 GRT, built 1930),
Hoegh Hood (Norwegian (tanker), 9351 GRT, built 1936),
Iceland (British, 1236 GRT, built 1914),
James Moore (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943),
John Trumbull (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Kepong (British, 1874 GRT, built 1916),
King Stephen (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928),
Kiungchow (British, 2653 GRT, built 1921),
Laurent Meeus (Belgian (tanker), 6429 GRT, built 1930),
Lincoln Steffens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Lochee (British, 964 GRT, built 1937),
Ocean Gipsy (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942),
Ocean Rider (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942)),
Robert T. Hill (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943),
Samhope (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944),
Svanholm (Norwegian, 696 GRT, built 1917),
Tabitha Brown (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Tore Jarl (Norwegian, 1514 GRT, built 1920) and
Woodbridge N. Ferris (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943).
On 14 June 1944, the following ships arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy;
Baron Belhaven,
Cerion,
Crista,
Empire Corbett,
Empire Nugget,
Empire Spartan,
Empire Wordsworth,
Fort Clatsop,
Hermelin,
Macrtra,
Pierre L'Enfant and
Samblade.
On 14 June 1944, the following transports arrived at Malta after having been detached from the convoy;
Empire Almond and Eridan while the tug Empire Titania (British, 258 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy from Malta.
On 14 June 1944, the Djebel Aures arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy.
On 15 June 1944, the following ships arrived at Bizerta after having been detached from the convoy;
Facto,
Murena,
Tore Jarl and the four Greek (YMS-class) minesweepers while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bizerta;
Badjestan (British, 5573 GRT, built 1928) and
Empire Summer (British, 6949 GRT, built 1941). The rescue tug
HMRT Charon also joined the convoy as did the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN).
On 16 June 1944, the following ships arrived at Bone after having been detached from the convoy;
Empire Titania,
Fort Gaspereau,
Fort Maissoneuve,
Kopong,
Kiungchow and
Ocean Gypsy while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bone;
Empire Ballad (British, 6700 GRT, built 1942) and
Hardingham (British, 7269 GRT, built 1942).
On 16 June 1944, the following ships arrived at Philippeville after having been detached from the convoy as they were straggling;
Fort de Douaumont and
Svanholm.
On 17 June 1944, the following ships arrived at Algiers after having been detached from the convoy;
Badjestan,
Chiswick,
Empire Summer,
Fort Pembina,
Gylfe,
Hardingham,
Hoegh Hood,
Iceland,
Laurent Meeus,
Ocean Rider,
Samhope and HMS Colombo while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers;
Alex (British, 3932 GRT, built 1914),
Belgian Trader (British, 2890 GRT, built 1942),
Cape Howe (British, 6999 GRT, built 1943),
Clausina (British (tanker), 8083 GRT, built 1938),
Empire Gareth (British, 2847 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Anne (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Gouverneur General Lepine (French, 3509 GRT, built 1923) and
Ville de Majunga (British (former French), 6174 GRT, built 1931).
On 18 June 1944, the following ships arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy;
A.P. Hill ,
Andrew Briscoe,
Cape Howe,
Clydefield,
Fort Anne,
George Davis,
James Moore,
John Trumbull,
Lincoln Steffens,
Robert T. Hill and
Tabitha Brown while the transport Sinnington Court (British, 6910 GRT, built 1928) joined the convoy coming from Oran.
The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 20 June 1944. 12 Jun 1944 This combined convoy was assembled off Oversay on 12 June 1944.
It was made up of the following transports;
Baharistan (British, 5479 GRT, built 1928),
Baron Fairlie (British, 6706 GRT, built 1925),
Baron Tweedmouth (British, 3357 GRT, built 1927),
Caduceus (British, 4364 GRT, built 1927),
Cap Cantin (British (former French), 3317 GRT, built 1933),
Cape Breton (British, 6044 GRT, built 1940),
City of Worcester (British, 5469 GRT, built 1927),
Clan Matheson (British, 5613 GRT, built 1919),
Deido (British, 3894 GRT, built 1928),
Empire Buckler (British, 7046 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Galahad (British, 7046 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Prospero (British, 6766 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Zephyr (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941),
Fort Chambly (British, 7130 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Columbia (British, 7155 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Kullyspell (British, 7190 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Stager (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943),
Framlington Court (British, 4888 GRT, built 1924),
Govert Flinck (Dutch, 7178 GRT, built 1942),
Hilversum (Dutch, 3717 GRT, built 1920),
Isipingo (British, 7069 GRT, built 1930),
Jenny (Norwegian, 4706 GRT, built 1928),
Keilehaven (Dutch, 2968 GRT, built 1919),
Llanberis (British, 5055 GRT, built 1928),
Ottinge (British, 2818 GRT, built 1940),
Philips Wouwerman (Dutch, 7089 GRT, built 1943),
Radmanso (Swedish, 4280 GRT, built 1914),
Sansu (British, 5446 GRT, built 1939) and
Souliotis (Greek, 4299 GRT, built 1917).
The tanker (escort oiler) Esturia (British (tanker), 6968 GRT, built 1914) was to join later at sea after having parted company with the combined convoy SL 161 / MKS 51.
The rescue ship Syrian Prince (British, 1990 GRT, built 1936) was also with the combined convoy.
On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the escort carrier HMS Searcher (Capt. G.O.C. Davies, RN), destroyer HMS Highlander (Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, VRD, RNVR), frigates HMS Bayntun (Lt.Cdr. L.P. Bourke, RNZNR), HMS Foley (A/Lt.Cdr. C.A.H. Bird, RNVR), HMS Helmsdale (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMS Kenilworth Castle (Lt. J.J.Allon, RNR) and HMS Portchester Castle (Lt. A.G. Scott, RNR).
On 13 June 1944, the Baron Tweedmouth arrived in the Clyde and the Jenny arrived at Liverpool after having forced to return to the U.K.
On 16 June 1944, the Caduceus arrived in the Clyde after having forced to return to the U.K.
The Empire Prosepero was detached en-route to Horta, Azores.
Around 0500Z/22, HMS Searcher, HMS Highlander and HMS Foley parted company with the convoy to join the combined convoy SL 161 / MKS 51 which they did around 0920Z/22. HMS Highlander and HMS Bayntun then parted company to rejoined the combined convoy OS 80 / KMS 54, most likely tanking the tanker (escort oiler) Esturia with them.
Also on 22 June the convoy split into convoy OS 80 and KMS 54.
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Convoy OS 80, towards Freetown, was made up of the following transports;
Cap Cantin,
Deido,
Empire Buckle,
Empire Galahad,
Hilversum,
Ispingo,
Llanberis,
Sansu and
Souliotis.
They were joined on 22 June 1944 by the transports
Empire Foam (British, 7047 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Gale (British, 7089 GRT, built 1941),
Fort Vermillion (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942),
King James (British, 5122 GRT, built 1925) and
King Stephen (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928). These ships had departed Gibraltar on 21 June together with the new escort for convoy OS 80 which was made up of the frigates HMS Rother (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Ballinderry (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Aikman, RNR), HMS Inver (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) and the patrol vessel HMS Kilmelford (T/Lt. H. Brown, RNR).
On 23 June 1944, the transports
Agen (French, 4186 GRT, built 1921),
Argyll (British, 4897 GRT, built 1939),
Chelma (French, 4968 GRT, built 1920),
Montaigne (French, 2770 GRT, built 1920) and
Paul de Rousiers (French, 3548 GRT, built 1942) joined coming from Casablanca which they had departed the day before. They were escorted by the destroyer Trombe, minesweeping sloop La Boudeuse and the patrol vessel / sloop Amiral Mouchez. The French escort vessels did not join the convoy.
On 30 June 1944, the
Agen,
Cap Cantin,
Chelma,
Montaigne,
Paul de Rousiers and
Souliotis arrived at Dakar after having been detached from the convoy while the transports Charles Schiaffino (French, 3664 GRT, built 1930) and Hoggar (French, 5146 GRT, built 1923) joined the convoy coming from Dakar.
Convoy OS 80 arrived at Freetown on 1 July 1944 though some of the ships proceeded to other destinations independently.
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Convoy KMS 54 proceeded towards the Straits of Gibraltar. This convoy was made up of the transports
Baharistan,
Baron Fairly,
Cape Brenton,
City of Worcester,
Clan Matheson,
Empire Zephyr,
Esturia,
Fort Chambly,
Fort Columbia,
Fort Kullyspell,
Fort Stager,
Framlington Court,
Govert Flinck,
Keilehaven,
Ottinge,
Philips Wouderman,
Radmanso and
Syrian Prince.
On 23 June 1944, the
Cape Breton,
Empire Zephyr,
Esturia and
Syrian Prince arrived at Gibraltar together with the original escort of the convoy;
HMS Highlander,
HMS Bayntun,
HMS Foley,
HMS Helmsdale,
HMS Kenilworth Castle and
HMS Portchester Castle.
From Gibraltar / Casablanca the transports / tankers
Gallia (Norwegian (tanker), 9974 GRT, built 1939),
Henry Dundas (British (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1937),
John Howland (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943),
John Stagg (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and
Paul H. Harwood (American (tanker), 7192 GRT, built 1918) joined the convoy.
Escort was now provided by the 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), HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR), HMS Coltsfoot (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.W. Rayner, RNVR), HMS Convolvulus (A/Lt.Cdr. R.F.R. Yarde-Buller, RNVR) and RHS Apostolis.
On 24 June 1944, the transports Cape Brenton and John Howland arrived in Oran Bay after having parted company with the convoy while the transports / tanker Alexander J. Dallas (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943),
Darien (Panamanian, 3683 GRT, built 1924),
Fomalhaut (French, 5795 GRT, built 1936),
Garonne (Norwegian (tanker), 7113 GRT, built 1931),
George Davis (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
James Moore (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943),
John Trumbull (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Lincoln Steffens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Sidi-Brahmin (British, 2439 GRT, built 1910) and
Tabitha Brown (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy. With them came also the tug AST-76 (Army tug) and the salvage vessel USS Restorer (Lt. C.M. Boyd, USNR).
On 25 June 1944, the transports Fomalhaut, Fort Stager, Keilehaven and Sidi-Brahmin arrived at Algiers after having parted company with the convoy while the transports / tanker
Esneh (British, 1931 GRT, built 1919),
Laurent Meeus (Belgian (tanker), 6429 GRT, built 1930),
Ocean Faith (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Samesk (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944) and
Sheaf Crown (British, 4868 GRT, built 1929) joined the convoy. With them the AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN) also joined the convoy.
USS Restorer was soon detached to Dellys.
On 26 June 1944, the transport Ottinge arrived at Philippeville after having been detached from the convoy.
On 26 June 1944, the transports
Anatina (Norwegian, 4986 GRT, built 1939) and
William M. Stalwart (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) joined the convoy coming from Bone. With these ships the M/S trawler HMS Ruskholm (T/S.Lt. R.V. Brown, RNVR) also joined the convoy.
On 27 June 1944, the transport Darien as well as HMS Caledon and HMS Ruskholm arrived at Bizerta after having parted company with the convoy while the transports / tankers
Chloris (British, 1171 GRT, built 1910),
Corchester (British, 2374 GRT, built 1927),
David Holmes (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Usk (British, 3229 GRT, built 1918)),
Monte Cucco (Italian, 834 GRT, built 1943),
Norrisia (British (tanker), 8246 GRT, built 1944) and
Samual V. Shreve (British, 1813 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Bizerta.
On 27 June 1944, the transport Radmanso arrived at Tunus (La Goulette) after having parted company with the convoy.
On 28 June 1944, the transport Monte Cucco arrived at Malta after having parted company with the convoy while the tanker Badarpur (British, 8079 GRT, built 1922) joined the convoy coming from Malta.
On 29 June 1944, the transports / tankers
Alexander J. Dallas,
Chloris,
Corchester,
Empire Usk,
Esneh,
Fort Columbia,
Fort Kullyspell,
Framlington Court,
Gallia,
George Davis,
Govert Flinck,
Henry Dundas,
James Moore,
John Stagg,
John Trumbull,
Laurent Meeus,
Lincoln Steffens,
Ocean Faith,
Paul H. Harwood,
Samesk,
Samuel V. Shreve,
Sheaf Crown,
Tabitha Brown and
William M. Stewart arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy as did the tug AST-76. RHS Apostolis also proceeded to Augusta.
The following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Augusta;
Bantria (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928),
Empire Brook (British, 2852 GRT, built 1941),
Morialta (British, 1379 GRT, built 1940),
Ninella (British (tanker), 8134 GRT, built 1943),
Northia (British (tanker), 8211 GRT, built 1944),
President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935),
Samblade (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Tobruk (Polish, 7048 GRT, built 1942) and
Wallace E. Pratt (American (tanker), 7991 GRT, built 1937).
On 2 July 1944, the following transports arrived at Alexandria;
Bantria,
Empire Brook and
Morialta. With these ships the escorts Fleetwood, Hazard, Anemone and Bergamot also arrived at Alexandria.
On 3 July 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Alexandria;
Anatina,
Badarpur,
Baharistan,
Baron Fairly,
City of Worcester,
Clan Mathesonn,
David Holmes,
Fort Chambly,
Garonne,
Ninella,
Norissia,
Northia,
Philips Wouderman,
President de Vogue,
Samblade,
Tobruk and
Wallace E. Pratt . With these ships the escorts Coltsfood and Convolvulus also arrived at Alexandria. 8 Jul 1944 This convoy departed Port Said on 8 July 1944.
On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the transports / tankers;
Arizonan (American, 5816 GRT, built 1920),
Badarpur (British (tanker), 8079 GRT, built 1922),
Clydebank (British, 5156 GRT, built 1925),
Empire Mist (British, 7241 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Outpost (British, 6978 GRT, built 1943),
English Prince (British, 7275 GRT, built 1943),
Ernebank (British, 5388 GRT, built 1937),
Falkefjell (Norwegian (tanker), 7927 GRT, built 1931),
Fort Connolly (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Ellice (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942),
Highland Prince (British, 7043 GRT, built 1942),
Horace Mann (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
James J. Pettigrew (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Ocean Pelgrim (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942),
Ocean Verity (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935),
Robert L. Hague (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944),
Samguadie (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944),
Samsette (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Samuta (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943),
Samwash (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and
Thorshavn (Norwegian (tanker), 6869 GRT, built 1930).
On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the frigates HMS Evenlode (Cdr. V.F. Smith, DSO, RD, RNR), HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RD, RNR) and the corvette HMS Delphinium (T/Lt. S. Rule, RNVR).
On 9 July 1944, the transports / tankers
British Power (British (tanker), 8451 GRT, built 1936),
Buccinum (British (tanker), 5237 GRT, built 1910),
Elise (Greek, 1986 GRT, built 1919),
Empire Clarion (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Frobisher (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Kyklades (Greek, 7157 GRT, built 1941),
Morialta (British, 1379 GRT, built 1940) and
Strategist (British, 6255 GRT, built 1937) joined the convoy coming from Alexandria. They were escorted by the corvette HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR) and the A/S whaler HMSAS Southern Sea (Lt.Cdr. M.R.J. Terry-Lloyd, SANF).
On 13 July 1944, the transports / tankers;
British Chemist (British (tanker), 6997 GRT, built 1925),
Cromarty (British, 4974 GRT, built 1936),
Empire Flame (British, 7069 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Moonrise (British, 6854 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Torrent (British, 7076 GRT, built 1942),
F.A.C. Muhlenberg (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Hall (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943),
Framlington Court (British, 4888 GRT, built 1924),
Gallia (Norwegian (tanker), 9974 GRT, built 1939),
Haym Salomon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Henry Dundas (British (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1937),
Henry W. Longfellow (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Isaac Sharpless (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
John H. Eaton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Nailsea Moor (British, 4926 GRT, built 1937),
Oscar Underwood (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944)),
Peter Trimble Rowe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Robert M.T. Hunter (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Samuel V. Shreve (British, 1813 GRT, built 1943) and
Steel Inventor (American, 5686 GRT, built 1920) departed Augusta to join the convoy.
On 14 July 1944, the transports / tankers;
Arizonan,
Badarpur,
Buccinum,
Empire Clarion,
Empire Mist,
Empire Outpost ,
Falkefjell,
Fort Frobisher,
Kyklades,
Morialta,
President de Vogue,
Samwash and
Thorshavn arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy.
On 14 July 1944, the tanker British Power arrived at Malta after having been detached from the convoy.
On 15 July 1944, the transports
Clydebank and
Horace Mann arrived at Bizerta after having been detached from the convoy. Joining from Bizerta were the following transports
Baron Herries (British, 4574 GRT, built 1940),
Chateau Latour (French, 1912 GRT, built 1914),
Empire Gat (British, 871 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Planet (British, 4290 GRT, built 1923),
Orpheus (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944) and
Radmanso (Swedish, 4280 GRT, built 1914). Also joining from Bizerta was the AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN).
On 16 July 1944, the transports
Empire Planet and Steel Inventor arrived at Bone after having been detached from the convoy while the transports Lucia C. (Italian, 6123 GRT, built 1922), Middlesex Trader (British, 7421 GRT, built 1942) and Nicolaos Michalos (Greek, 4342 GRT, built 1913) joined coming from Bone.
On 17 July 1944, the transports / tankers
Baron Herries,
British Chemist,
The following transports joined the convoy off Algiers;
Fort Colville (British, 7153 GRT, built 1943),
Glaisdale (British, 3777 GRT, built 1929),
Gouverneur General Lepine (French, 3509 GRT, built 1923),
Jobshaven (Dutch, 3528 GRT, built 1916),
Jonathan Worth (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943),
Meyer Lissner (American, 7207 GRT, built 1943)
Sidi-Brahim (British (former French, 2427 GRT, built 1910) and
Ville d'Ajaccio (French, 2444 GRT, built 1929).
On 17 July 1944, the transports
Chateau Latour,
Empire Gat,
F.A.C. Muhlenberg,
Gouverneur General Lepine,
Haym Salomon,
Henry W. Longfellow,
Isaac Sharpless,
Jobshaven,
John H. Eaton,
Jonathan Worth,
Meyer Lissner,
Peter Trimble Rowe,
Robert M.T. Hunter,
Sidi-Brahim and
Ville d'Ajaccio arrived at Oran Bay after having been detached from the convoy. The transport Merchant Prince (British, 5229 GRT, built 1939) joined the convoy from Oran Bay.
On 19 July 1944, the following transports arrived at Gibraltar;
Empire Flame,
Empire Moonrise,
Empire Torrent,
Fort Colville,
Fort Connolly,
Fort Ellice,
Framlington Court,
Glaisdale,
Nailsea Moor,
Ocean Pelgrim and
Radmanso. With them were the escort vessels HMS Evenlode, HMS Usk, HMS Bergamot, HMS Delphinium and HMSAS Southern Sea.
The remaining transports joined convoy MKS 55G for further passage to the U.K. 13 Jul 1944 This combined convoy assembled off Oversay on 13 July 1944.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Adrastus (British, 7905 GRT, built 1923),
Ashbury (British, 3901 GRT, built 1924),
Astrid (Norwegian, 2861 GRT, built 1942),
Bactria (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928),
Baron Tweedmouth (British, 3357 GRT, built 1927),
Benedick (British, 6978 GRT, built 1928),
Bestik (Norwegian, 2684 GRT, built 1920),
Bornholm (British, 3177 GRT, built 1930),
Capitaine Paul Lemerle (French, 4945 GRT, built 1925),
Clan Chattan (British, 7262 GRT, built 1937),
Empire Addison (British, 7010 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Clive (British, 7069 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Derwent (British, 4026 GRT, built 1930),
Empire Fal (British, 4880 GRT, built 1914),
Empire Melody (British, 2283 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Pakeha (British, 8115 GRT, built 1910),
Empire Peacock (British, 6098 GRT, built 1919),
English Monarch (British, 4557 GRT, built 1924),
Fort Lawrence (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943),
Fresno Star (British, 7998 GRT, built 1919),
Geologist (British, 6202 GRT, built 1944),
Glaucus (British, 7596 GRT, built 1921),
Harberton (British, 4585 GRT, built 1930),
Harpalycus (British, 5629 GRT, built 1935),
Maihar (British, 7563 GRT, built 1917),
Novasli (Norwegian, 3204 GRT, built 1920),
Pacheco (British, 1405 GRT, built 1927),
Samcebu (British, 7253 GRT, built 1944),
Samfinn (British, 7253 GRT, built 1944),
Silverlarch (British, 5064 GRT, built 1924) and
Tweedbank (British, 5627 GRT, built 1930).
The rescue ship Gothland (British, 1286 GRT, built 1932) was also part of the convoy.
On assembly the convoy was escorted by the escort carrier HMS Fencer (A/Capt. W.W.R. Bentinck, OBE, RN), destroyer HMS Hesperus (Cdr. G.V. Legassick, RD, RNR), frigates HMS Cotton (Lt.Cdr. I.W.T. Beloe, RN), HMS Gardiner (A/Lt.Cdr. W.G.H. Bolton, DSC, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Flint Castle (T/Lt. S.G. Wright, RNVR), HMS Oxford Castle (T/Lt. H.E. Holden, DSC, RNR), HMS Rushen Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Warwick, DSC and Bar, RNR) and HNoMS Tunsberg Castle (?).
On assembly the Empire Fal and Tweedbank collided and the returned to port.
On 21 July 1944, the merchant vessel Empire Chamois (British, 5684 GRT, built 1918) joined the convoy coming from the Azores.
Around 0615B/22, HMS Fencer parted company with the convoy to join the combined convoy SL 164 / MKS 55 which she did around 1945B/22. She was escorted by HMS Cotton which did not join this convoy but returned to convoy OS 83/ KMS 57.
On 23 July 1944 the convoy split into convoy OS 83 bound for Freetown and convoy KMS 53 bound for the Mediterranean.
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Convoy OS 83 was made up of the merchant vessels;
Adrastus,
Bactria,
Bornholm,
Clan Chattan,
Empire Chamois,
Empire Clive,
Empire Pakeha,
Fresno Star,
Harberton and
Silverlarch.
These were joined by the merchant vessels
Beckenham (British, 4636 GRT, built 1937),
Empire Flame (British, 7069 GRT, built 1941),
Empire Moonrise (British, 6854 GRT, built 1941),
Nailsea Moor (British, 4926 GRT, built 1937) and
Radmanso (Swedish, 4280 GRT, built 1914) coming from Gibraltar which they had departed earlier that day.
These ships had been escorted by the frigates HMS Aire
(A/Lt.Cdr. N.K. Boyd, DSC and Bar, RNR), HMS Odzani (Lt.Cdr. L.A. Sayers, RD, RNR), corvette HMS Bellwort (T/A/Lt.Cdr. L.V. Banks, RNVR) and the patrol vessel HMS Kilmington (T/Lt. D.D. Humphreys, RNVR) which now formed the escort of this convoy towards Freetown.
on 24 July 1944, the merchant vessel Samstrudy (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944) departed Casablanca to join the convoy. She was escorted by the patrol vessel / sloop Amiral Mouchez. On this ship joining the convoy, the Hamberton parted company to proceed to Casablanca escorted by the Amiral Mouchez. They arrived at Casablanca on 25 July.
On 31 July 1944, the Bactria and Empire Clive arrived at Dakar having been detached from the convoy while the merchant vessel Slesvig (British, 3098 GRT, built 1938) had joined the convoy coming from Dakar.
The convoy arrived at Freetown on 2 August 1944. Some ships of the convoy did not enter Freetown but proceed directly to other destinations.
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Convoy KMS 57 proceeded towards the Straits of Gibraltar. This convoy was made up the merchant vessels
Ashbury,
Astrid,
Baton Tweedmouth,
Benedick,
Bestik,
Capitaine Paul Lemerle,
Empire Addison,
Empire Derwent,
Empire Derwent,
Empire Melody,
Empire Peacock,
English Monarch,
Fort Lawrence,
Geologist,
Glaucus,
Harpalycus,
Maihar,
Novasli,
Pacheco,
Samcebu and
Samfinn.
The rescue ship Gothland was also with them.
Escort was provided by the escort from combined convoy OS 83 / KMS 57.
On 25 July 1944, the Baron Tweedmouth, Benedick, Pacheco and Gothland arrived at Gibraltar together with the original escort of the convoy.
Off Gibraltar the merchant vessels
Alexandre Andre (Belgian (tanker), 5261 GRT, built 1928),
Antonio (British, 5225 GRT, built 1918),
Empire Highway (British, 7166 GRT, built 1942),
Fort Colville (British, 7153 GRT, built 1943),
Parame (French, 2337 GRT, built 1918) joined the convoy as did a new escort which was made up of the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), frigates HMS Evenlode (Cdr. V.F. Smith, DSO, RD, RNR), HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR), HMS Delphinium (T/Lt. S. Rule, RNVR) and the A/S whalers HMSAS Protea (Lt. A. Thomas, DSC, SANF) and HMSAS Southern Sea (Lt.Cdr. M.R.J. Terry-Lloyd, SANF).
On 26 July 1944, the Empire Derwent and Parame arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy while the merchant vessels
Aztec (Hunduran, 5511 GRT, built 1929),
Chateau Latour (French, 1912 GRT, built 1914),
Dromus (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938),
Elias Boldinot (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943),
James E. Howard (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943),
Joel Chandler Harris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
Silverster Gardiner (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943),
Smith Thompson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942),
William H. Wilmer (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943) and the net tender USS Pepperwood (Lt. E.F. McLaughlin, USNR) and the self propelled fuel barge USS Gauger (Lt. G.V. Davis, USNR) joined the convoy.
On 27 July 1944, the Alexandre Andre, Astrid, Capitaine Paul Lemerle, Chateau Latour, Empire Highway, Empire Melody, Fort Lawrence, Silverster Gardiner, Smith Thompson and William H. Wilmer arrived at Algiers after having been detached from the convoy while the merchant vessels
Avon Coast (British, 1036 GRT, built 1923),
Empire Tern (British, 2479 GRT, built 1919),
Fort Grahame (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943),
Fort Hall (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943) and
James J. Maguire (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939) joined the convoy.
On 28 July 1944, the Empire Tern arrived at Algiers after having been detached from the convoy while the merchant vessel Kola (British, 1538 GRT, built 1924) joined the convoy.
Around 0555B/29, HMS Colombo parted company wth the convoy and set course for Malta where she arrived around 1850B/29.
On 30 July 1944, the Antonio, Aztec, Dromus, Joel Chandler Harris and Novasli arrived at Bizerta after having been detached from the convoy while the merchant vessel George F. Patten (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy.
On 30 July 1944, the Bestik arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy.
On 30 July 1944, Avon Coast and Fort Colville arrived at Malta after having been detached from the convoy.
On 30 July 1944, the merchant vessels
Albert G. Brown (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1943),
Destro (British, 3553 GRT, built 1920),
Evviva (Norwegian, 1597 GRT, built 1921),
Fort Clatsop (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943),
James J. Hill (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942),
Ocean Vulcan (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Samconon (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), and
Zaanstroom (Dutch, 1646 GRT, built 1920) departed Augusta to join the convoy. With them was also the frigate HMS Awe (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR) which also joined the convoy.
On 31 July 1944, the
Ashbury,
Elias Boldinot,
Empire Peacock,
English Monarch,
Fort Grahame,
Fort Hall,
George F. Patten,
Harpalycus,
James E. Howard,
James J. Maguire,
Kola and
Samcebu,
Samfinn,
Silvester Gardiner and
Smith Thompson as well as USS Pepperwood and
USS Gauger all arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy.
On 3 August 1944, the Fort Clatsop, James J. Hill, Ocean Vulcan and Zaanstroom arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy. With them the HMS Awe, HMS Evenlode and HMS Usk also arrived at Alexandria.
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 4 August 1944. 25 Jul 1944 [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Combined convoy OS 83/ KMS 57 ' for 13 July 1944.] 15 Oct 1944 This combined convoy assembled in the North Channel on 15 October 1944.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels thoough some of these only joined later during the passage through the Irish Sea;
Adviser (British, 6348 GRT, built 1939),
Alder Park (Canadian, 7141 GRT, built 1944),
Ashbury (British, 3901 GRT, built 1924),
Badjestan (British, 5573 GRT, built 1928),
Baron Forbes (British, 3061 GRT, built 1915),
Belgian Trader (British, 2890 GRT, built 1942),
Bosphorus (Norwegian, 2111 GRT, built 1934),
Cape Sable (British, 4398 GRT, built 1936),
City of Lyons (British, 7063 GRT, built 1926),
Conakrian (British, 4876 GRT, built 1937),
Elizabethville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922),
Empire Camp (British, 7046 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Confidence (British, 5023 GRT, built 1925),
Empire Flag (British, 7024 GRT, built 1943),
Empire Kangaroo (British, 6219 GRT, built 1919),
Fernbank (Norwegian, 4333 GRT, built 1924),
Fort Finlay (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942),
Hardanger (Norwegian, 4000 GRT, built 1924),
Hermelin (Norwegian, 1683 GRT, built 1940),
Jonathan Holt (British, 4963 GRT, built 1943),
King Stephen (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928),
Lagarto (British, 5072 GRT, built 1917),
Mantola (British, 8963 GRT, built 1921),
Miguel de Larrinaga (British, 5231 GRT, built 1924),
Nairnbank (British, 5155 GRT, built 1925),
Ocean Vanity (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942),
Ottinge (British, 2818 GRT, built 1940),
Pandorian (British, 4159 GRT, built 1941),
Ragnhild (Norwegian, 2833 GRT, built 1941),
Robert Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937),
Rodsley (British, 5000 GRT, built 1939),
Samfoyle (British, 7255 GRT, built 1944),
St. Rosario (British, 4312 GRT, built 1937),
Tudor Star (British, 7199 GRT, built 1919) and
Umgeni (British, 8180 GRT, built 1942).
Also taking passage in the convoy were the submarines HMS Trident (Lt. A.J.W. Pitt, DSO, RN), HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Sea Scout (Lt. J.W. Kelly, RN) as well as 9 LCT's which were towed by some of the merchant vessels; These 9 LCT's were the following; HM LCT 480 (T/S.Lt. G.R. Sample, RNVR) which was being towed by the City of Lyons, HM LCT 488 (T/S.Lt. A.P.P. Thomas, RNVR) and HM LCT 489 (?) which were being towed by the Samfoyle, HM LCT 491 (T/Lt. W.C. Gray, RNVR) and HM LCT 7015 (T/S.Lt. D.H. Condick, RNVR) which were being towed by the Fort Finlay, HM LCT 494 (T/Lt. J. DSC, Murts, RNVR) and HM LCT 7014 (T/A/S.Lt. J. Farrell, RNVR) which were being towed by the Nairnbank and the HM LCT 7022 (?) and HM LCT 7023 (?) which were being towed by the Ocean Vanity.
The convoy was escorted by and the sloop HMS Fowey (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Newey, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Allington Castle (A/Lt.Cdr. P.A. Read, RNR) and HMS Knaresborough Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.F. Marchant, RNR).
The convoy encountered poor weather and by the 17th it had even worsened. Some of the landing craft were now suffering from the weather conditions. Due to the extreme weather conditions the convoy hove to A.M. on the 18th and additional escorts were requisted.
Late in the afternoon of the 18th, HM 480 had to be abandoned by her crew due to the damage she had sustained and water she had shipped from the weather, loose cargo and defective welds. The crew was picked up from Carley floats around 2200A/18 by HMS Allington Castle. She sank to the south of Ireland around 2330A/18 after having been scuttled with gunfire.
HM 488 had sustained damage during the night of the 17th/18th. Around 1000A/18, she slipped her tow and got underway under her own power to try to make for Milford Haven. More and more water entered the landing craft and when a pump failed it became apparent that she most likely would go down. HMS Knaresborough Castle then closed and it was attempted to abandon the landing craft. Some of the crew was taken off but ten men remained on board during the night of 18/19 and tried to keep the ship afloat. By 0415A/19 the ship had to be abandoned as it was about to sink. Red flares were fired and HMS Knaresborough Castle closed. While doing so the landing craft sank and only one of the ten men on board could be picked up. The other nine, including the landing craft's Commanding Officer drowned.
HM LCT 491 got into trouble during the early afternoon of the 18th and as a result she slipped her tow as did HM LCT 7015. By mid afternoon of the 18th she had shipped a very heavy sea which damaged the welding around the door in the bow. More big seas followed and the ship was shipping a lot of water. Around 0100A/19, HMS Allington Castle closed. Around 0330A/19, HM LCT 491 started to sink. HMS Allington Castle went alongside and managed to take off the entire crew.
HM LCT 494 parted her tow around 0845A/18. She was last seen during the afternoon of that day while under her own power. She must have sunk in the evening with the loss of the entire crew.
HM LCT 7014 also slipped her tow in the morning of the 18th and got underway under her own power. By noon power had been lost and she sank not long afterwards. Part of her crew were picked up by the rescue ship, from convoy ON 260, Dundee (British, 1541 GRT, built 1934) but nine men, including the Commanding Officer lost their lives.
HM LCT 7015 also slipped her tow around 1500A/18. She was not seen afterwards and disappeared with her entire crew.
Meanwhile the frigates HMS Tobago (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.H.L. May, OBE, RNVR) and HMS Zanzibar (T/Lt. F.F. Parker, RNVR) were ordered to detach from convoy HX 312 and join convoy OS 92 / KMS 66.
Three more escorts were also ordered to join, these were the escort destroyer HMS Blankney (Lt. B.H. Brown, RN) corvettes HMCS Huntsville (T/Lt. C.B. Hermann, RCNVR) and HMS Kingcup (T/Lt. T. Cooper, DSC, RNR).
Also on the 19th the City of Lyons parted company with the convoy due to damage sustained. She arrived at Milford Haven the following day.
P.M. on the 19th, HMS Kingcup reported proceeding to Falmouth with HM LCT 7022 and HM LCT 7023. Later the two landing craft were abandoned. HMS Kingcup took on board their crews and proceeded at best possible speed to Falmouth to land an injured men. The frigate HMS Drury (Lt.Cdr. N.J. Parker, RN) was ordered to stand by the two landing craft. Later HMS Kingcup returned with their crews and the landing craft were reboarded.
A.M. on the 20th found the convoy badly scattered.
P.M. on the 20th the Lagarto reported being in distress with weather damage and also having lost a men overboard. HMS Knaresborough Castle was also not in contact with the convoy. A signal was sent to requist more additional escorts. HMS Drury was then ordered to relieve HMS Allington Castle. Lagarto put into Falmouth.
A.M. on the 21st HMS Trident reported that a wire had fouled one of her propellers. HMS Knaresborough Castle was able to rejoin the convoy.
By P.M. on the 22nd, all ships had rejoined the convoy except four.
A.M. on the 23rd a signal was received from FOCNA (Flag Officer Commanding North Atlantic) that the Lisbon / Huelva section of the convoy was to part company on passing 39°N and proceed independently. They did so A.M. on the 24th.
A.M. on the 25th, the Empire Confidence and Nairnbank arrived independently at Gibraltar. P.M. on the 25th the Rodsley also arrived at Gibraltar.
On 25 October the convoy split into convoy OS 92 which continued on towards Freetown and KMS 66 which set course for the Mediterranean.
The three original escorts and the three submarines arrived at Gibraltar P.M. on the 26th.
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Convoy OS 92 was made up of the merchant vessels;
Conakrian,
Empire Camp,
Empire Flag,
Jonathan Holt and
Tudor Star.
They were joined by the following merchant vessels coming from Gibraltar which they had departed on the 24th;
Cromarty (British, 4974 GRT, built 1936),
Empire Austen (British, 7057 GRT, built 1942),
Empire Stour (British, 4678 GRT, built 1930) and
Euryades (British, 5801 GRT, built 1913). They were escorted by the frigates HMS Ballinderry (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Aikman, RNR) and HMS Inver (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RD, RNR) which now took over the escort of convoy OS 92.
Also joining at the rendezvous were the merchant vessels Charles Schiaffino (French, 3664 GRT, built 1930) and Chelma (French, 4968 GRT, built 1920) coming from Casablanca which they had left on the 24th together with thee merchant vessels Cape Hawke (British, 5081 GRT, built 1941), Sarah Orne Jewitt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944) and Vancouver City (British, 7261 GRT, built 1942) which joined convoy KMS 66. They were escorted by the French patrol vessels patrol vessels L'Effronté and Le Resolu. These two French patrol vessels returned to Casablanca on the 26th with the Ragnhild.
On 1 November 1944, the Charles Schiaffino and Chelma arrived at Dakar after having been detached from the convoy. With them was also the Empire Stour which had engine defects.
The convoy escorts and some of the merchant vessels arrived at Freetown on 4 November 1944. Some of the merchant vessels continued on independently to their destinations.
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Convoy KMS 66 proceeded towards the Straits of Gibraltar. This convoy was made up of the merchant vessels Adviser,
Alder Park,
Belgian Trader,
Bosphorus,
Cape Hawke,
Cape Sable,
Elizabethville,
Empire Confidence,
Empire Kangaroo,
Fernbank,
Fort Finlay,
Hardanger,
Hermelin,
King Stephen,
Mantola,
Miguel de Larrinaga,
Nairnbank,
Ocean Vanity,
Ottinge,
Robert Maersk,
Rodsley,
Samfoyle,
Sarah Orne Jewitt,
St. Rosario,
Umgeni and
Vancouver City.
The convoy passed Gibraltar on the 26th. On passing the Strait the following merchant vessels were detached; Miguel de Larrinaga, Ottinge and St. Rosario. These three merchant ships had all sustained weather damage and put into Gibraltar to effect repairs. Also the three submarines and three original escorts put into Gibraltar.
The convoy was joined by a new escort made up of the frigate HMS Usk (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.B. Medlycott, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR) and Nada. Also the merchant vessel Thysville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922) joined the convoy.
On 27 October 1944, the merchant vessel Sarah Orne Jewitt was detached to Oran while the merchant vessel Jamaique (French, 10123 GRT, built 1922) joined the convoy coming from Oran.
On 28 October 1944, the merchant vessel Rodsley was detached to Algiers while the merchant vessel Samaffric (British, 7210, built 1944) joined the convoy coming from Algiers.
On 29 October 1944, the merchant vessels Fort Grahame (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Fort Pitt (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942) and Lyminge (British, 2499 GRT, built 1919) joined the convoy coming from Bone.
On 30 October 1944, the merchant vessel Belgian Trader was detached to Algiers while the tanker Liss (Norwegian (tanker), 5932 GRT, built 1921) joined the convoy coming from Algiers.
On 31 October 1944, the tanker British Destiny (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Malta. The corvette Nada parted company and proceeded to Malta.
On 31 October 1944, the merchant vessels / tankers Cistula (Dutch (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939), Sambre (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Samsperrin (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944) departed Augusta to join the convoy.
On 1 November 1944, the merchant vessels
Cape Hawke,
Cape Sable,
Empire Kangaroo,
Fort Finlay,
Fort Grahame,
King Stephen,
Lyminge,
Ocean Vanity,
Samaffric and
Vancouver City arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy.
On 4 November 1944, the merchant vessels Fernbank, Hardanger, Nairnbank and Sambre arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy.
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 5 November 1944. 2 Jan 1945 22 Mar 1945 23 Mar 1945 Sources ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Stonecrop (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Smythe, RNR), HMS La Malouine (T/Lt. V.D.H. Bidwell, RNR), HMS Mallow (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.T.S. Clouston, RNVR), HMS Myosotis (T/Lt. R. Lugg, RNR), HMS Keppel (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Clover (Lt. P.H. Grieves, RNR) and HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR). (6)
HMS H 44 (Lt. P.S. Beale, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Keppel (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Erne (Lt.Cdr. E.D.J. Abbot, DSC, RN) and HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RD, RNR). (6)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, VRD, RNVR) and HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR). (7)
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, VRD, RNVR), HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR), HMS Lowestoft (A/Cdr.(Retd.) L.H. Phillips, RN) and HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR). (7)
HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises in Lough Foyle with HMS Lowestoft (A/Cdr.(Retd.) L.H. Phillips, RN), HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) and HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR). (8)
HMS Upstart (Lt. P.C. Chapman, DSC and Bar, RN) conducted A/S exercises in Lough Foyle with HMS Trent (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Rankin, DSC, RNR), HMS Test (Lt.Cdr.(retired) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR), HMS Teviot (Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN), HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) and HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR). (8)Combined convoy OS 48 / KMS 15G.
HMS Syrtis (Lt. M.H. Jupp, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Oxlip (Lt. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR), HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. O.B. Medley, RNVR) and HMS Hyderabad (T/Lt. T. Cooper, RNR). (9)Convoy KMS 18B.
Combined convoy OS 52 / KMS 21G.
Combined convoy OG 92 / KMS 24.
Convoy KMS 30.
Convoy MKS 35.
Convoy GUS 29.
Convoy MKS 42
Combined convoy OS 70 / KMS 44.
The AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), frigate HMS Barle (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) and the corvettes HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR), HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR), HMS La Malouine (Lt. W.A. Ives, RNR) and (the Yugoslavian) Nada, submarine HMS Spiteful (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Sherwood, DSC, RCNVR) and the rescue tug HMRT Vagrant departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMS 44.
Convoy UGS 41.
Convoy MKS 52.
Combined convoy OS 80 / KMS 54.
Convoy MKS 55.
Combined convoy OS 83 / KMS 57.
The AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), frigates HMS Evenlode (Cdr. V.F. Smith, DSO, RD, RNR), HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR), HMS Delphinium (T/Lt. S. Rule, RNVR) and the A/S whalers HMSAS Protea (Lt. A. Thomas, DSC, SANF) and HMSAS Southern Sea (Lt.Cdr. M.R.J. Terry-Lloyd, SANF) departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMS 57.
Combined convoy OS 92 / KMS 66.
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Woodcock (A/Lt.Cdr. S.J. Parsons, DSC, RN) and HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR). (12)
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with aircraft and later with HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR) and HMS Willowherb (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.A. Shillan, RNVR). (13)
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Jonquil (T/Lt. V.J. Andersen, RNZNVR) and HMS Bergamot (A/Lt.Cdr. W. McInnes, RNR). (13)