uboat.net

  Front page - Fighting the U-boats - Allied Warships

Follow us on Twitter
@uboatnet

Notable events involving Snowdrop include:

18 Jul 1942

Convoy WS 21P.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 18 July 1942.

The convoy was made up of the following troop transports;
Duchess of Atholl (British, 20119 GRT, built 1928), Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Empress of Japan (British, 26032 GRT, built 1930), Oronsay (British, 20043 GRT, built 1925) and Windsor Castle (British, 19141 GRT, built 1922).

On assembly of Oversay the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNethN), HMS Buxton (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Moens, RN) and HMS Georgetown (Lt.Cdr. P.G. MacIver, RNR).

Around 0800O/20, HMS Buxton parted company with the convoy.

Around 2300O/20, HMAS Nepal parted company to proceed to Ponta Delgada, Azores, to fuel. She rejoined the convoy around 0150O/22.

Around 0800O/22, HrMs Tjerk Hiddes parted company with the convoy to proceed to Ponta Delgada, Azores, to fuel. She rejoined the convoy around 0800O/23.

Around 0730Z/25, the destroyer HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. H.G.D. de Chair, RN) joined the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Freetown on 27 July 1942.

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

The convoy departed Freetown in the same composition on 1 August 1942. It was now escorted by the light cruiser HMS Orion, destroyers HMAS Nepal, HrMs Tjerk Hiddes, HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and the minesweeper / sloop Commandant Duboc.

In the morning of 5 August 1942, the American convoy AS 4 joined the convoy. This convoy was made up of the following transports;
American Manufacturer (American, 6678 GRT, built 1941), Empire Oriole (British, 6535 GRT, built 1941), Exhibitor (American, 6736 GRT, built 1940), Hawaiian Shipper (American, 7775 GRT, built 1941), Mormacdale (American, 6976 GRT, built 1942), Santa Cruz (American, 6925 GRT, built 1941), Seatrain Texas (American, 8108 GRT, built 1940), Tarn (Norwegian, 6850 GRT, built 1933) and Zaandam (Dutch, 19141 GRT, built 1922).

On this convoy joining the American escort, made up of the light cruiser Omaha (Capt. T.E. Chandler, USN), AA cruiser Juneau (Capt. L.K. Swenson, USN) and the destroyers USS Somers (T/Cdr. A.C. Wood, USN) and USS Davis (T/Cdr. M.R. Peterson, USN) then parted company.

At 0900Z/6, HMAS Nepal and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes parted company with the convoy and joined the RFA tanker Rapidol (2648 GRT, built 1917) and her escort, the corvette HMS Snowdrop (Lt. P.A. Tinne, RNVR). The destroyers fuelled from the Rapidol in the early hours of 7 August 1942 when off St. Helena. They rejoined the convoy around 1900A/10.

HMS Boreas also parted company on 6 August 1942. She was also to fuel from the Rapidol.

The convoy arrived at Capetown on 12 August 1942.

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

The convoy, now made up of the Duchess of Atholl, Duchess of York, Empire Oriole, Empress of Japan, Exhibitor, Hawaiian Shipper, Oronsay, Tarn, Windsor Castle and Zaandam departed Capetown on 16 August 1942.

The convoy was now escorted by the heavy cruiser HMS Shropshire (Capt. J.T. Borrett, OBE, RN) and the destroyer HMS Duncan (Capt. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO, RN).

Around 1700BC/19, the light cruiser HMS Orion and the destroyers HMAS Nepal and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes joined the convoy. HMS Shropshire then parted company. HMS Duncan had already parted company with the convoy earlier in the day.

Around 1645C/24, HMAS Nepal and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes parted company with the convoy to proceed to Kilindini.

The convoy was dispersed off Aden on 29 August 1942. (1)

28 Feb 1943
HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. Baron D.T. Mackay, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Tobermory together with HMS Oxlip (Lt. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR), HMS Snowdrop (Lt. P.A. Tinne, RNVR), HMS Wren (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN) and HMS St. Marys (Lt. D.B.G. Dumas, RN). (2)

25 Mar 1943

Passage of floating dock AFD 24 from Trinidad to Freetown.

On 25 March 1943, the dock in tow of the tugs HMS Frisky and HMS Zwarte Zee departed Trinidad. Escort was provided by the sloop HMS Milford (Lt.Cdr. G. MacClelland, RN), corvettes HMS Tamarisk (Lt. S. Ayles, RNR), HMS Woodruff (A/Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) and the ASW trawlers HMS Morris Dance (T/Lt. S.A. MacKechnie, RNVR) and HMS Yestor (Lt. R.C. Holt, RNVR). A third tug was also present as stand by tug, this was HMS Oriana.

On 1 April 1943, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (A/Capt.(retd.) J.D. Harvey, RN) and the corvette HMS Amaranthus (T/Lt. W.S. Thomson, RNR) departed Trinidad to overtake and join the 'convoy'. HMS Alcantara was to fuel the oil firing sloop and corvettes at sea during the passage to Freetown. The coal firing trawlers were to coal in Brazilian ports.

On 24 April 1943, the corvette HMS Snowdrop (Lt. P.A. Tinne, RNVR) and the motor launches HMS ML 296 (T/Lt. R.C. Breckenridge, RCNVR), HMS ML 289 (?), HMS ML 287 (T/Lt. J.B. Bramwell, RNVR), HMS ML 281 (T/Lt. P.S. Castle, RNVR), HMS ML 266 (T/Lt. D.R. Beverley, RCNVR) and HMS ML 209 (T/Lt. A.M.C. Scott, RNVR) departed freetown to make rendezvous with the convoy which did at 1130Z/26. ML 281 had however returned to Freetown on the 26th after having been detached due to a defective Asdic installation.

On 27 April 1943, the A/S yacht HMS Virginia (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Dobson, RNR) and corvettes HMS Armeria (Lt. M. Todd, RNR), HMS Cyclamen (Lt. A.G. Scott, RNR) and HMS Thyme (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) departed Freetown to join the convoy which they did early in the evening of the same day.

The dock and it's escorts arrived at Freetown on 28 April 1943.

5 Jun 1943

Combined convoy OS 49 / KMS 16G.

This convoy was assembled off Oversay on 5 June 1943.

On assembly the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arlesford (British, 2472 GRT, built 1922), Antonio (British, 5225 GRT, built 1918), Armadale (British, 5066 GRT, built 1929), Bactria (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928), Baron Forbes (British, 3061 GRT, built 1915), Beaconsfield (British, 4635 GRT, built 1938), Belgian Airman (Belgian, 6960 GRT, built 1942), Biafra (British, 5405 GRT, built 1933), Briarwood (British, 4019 GRT, built 1930), Bruce M. (British, 1887 GRT, built 1927), Canara (British, 7024 GRT, built 1942), Cape Wrath (British, 4512 GRT, built 1940), Celtic Monarch (British, 5824 GRT, built 1929), Charlton Hall (British, 5200 GRT, built 1940), Clan Cameron (British, 7243 GRT, built 1937), Clan Campbell (British, 9545 GRT, built 1943), Clearpool (British, 5405 GRT, built 1935), Congonian (British, 5065 GRT, built 1936), Corvus (Norwegian, 1317 GRT, built 1921), Crackshot (British, 2379 GRT, built 1924), Dago (British, 1993 GRT, built 1917), Dan-Y-Bryn (British, 5117 GRT, built 1940), De la Salle (French, 8400 GRT, built 1921), Dunster Grange (British, 9494 GRT, built 1928), Eastern City (British, 5185 GRT, built 1941), Eastgate (British, 5032 GRT, built 1940), Elg (Norwegian, 4014 GRT, built 1930), Empire Baxter (British, 7024 GRT, built 1941), Empire Friendship (British, 7058 GRT, built 1943), Empire Gat (British, 871 GRT, built 1941), Empire Moon (British, 7472 GRT, built 1941), Empire Ortolan (British, 4970 GRT, built 1919), Empire Simba (British, 5691 GRT, built 1919), Empire Spinney (British, 871 GRT, built 1941), Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943), Empire Thackeray (British, 2865 GRT, built 1942), Empire Valour (British, 1906 GRT, built 1943), Empire Wolfe (British, 2888 GRT, built 1941), Fort Chipewyan (British, 7136 GRT, built 1942), Fort Louisbourg (British, 7130 GRT, built 1942), Gerard Dou (Dutch, 7242 GRT, built 1941), Helmwood (British, 2156 GRT, built 1923), Iddesleigh (British, 5205 GRT, built 1927), Ingleton (British, 7203 GRT, built 1942), Jan (Norwegain, 1946 GRT, built 1920), King Stephen (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928), Lesto (British, 1893 GRT, 1918), Lycaon (British, 7552 GRT, built 1913), Makedonia (Greek, 7044 GRT, built 1942), Makefjell (Norwegian, 1567 GRT, built 1932), Mathurda (British, 8890 GRT, built 1920), Meerkerk (Dutch, 7995 GRT, built 1916), Nebraska (British, 8261 GRT, built 1920), Nyanza (British, 4974 GRT, built 1928), Peebles (British, 4982 GRT, built 1936), Penrith Castle (British, 6369 GRT, built 1929), Princ Andrej (Yugoslavian, 5041 GRT, built 193), Princesa (British, 8731 GRT, built 1918), Rancher (British, 5882 GRT, built 1927), Salland (Dutch, 6447 GRT, built 1920), Sandown Castle (British, 7607 GRT, built 1921), Schiaffino (French, 3236 GRT, built 1920), Silverguava (British, 5305 GRT, built 1927), Somerville (Norwegian, 4265 GRT, built 1929), Speedfast (British, 1898 GRT, built 1924), St. Clears (British, 4312 GRT, built 1936), Sydland (Swedish, 5134 GRT, built 1920), Tahsinia (British, 7267 GRT, 1942), Testbank (British, 5083 GRT, built 1937), Theseus (British, 6527 GRT, built 1908), Urbino (British, 5198 GRT, built 1918), Vernon City (British, 4748 GRT, built 1929), Vinriver (British, 3881 GRT, built 1917) and Wearwood (British, 4597 GRT, built 1930).

The salvage vessel Salveda was also with the convoy as was the escort oiler / RFA tanker Oligargh (6897 GRT, built 1918).

On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the destroyer ORP Burza (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) F. Pitulko, ORP), sloop HMS Flores (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Bax, RNN), corvettes HMS Orchis (T/Lt. E.D.A. Dyer, RCNVR), HMS Narcissus (Lt. W.G.H. Bolton, RNR), FFS Aconit, FFS Lobelia, FFS Renoncule, FFS Roselys and the A/S trawler HMS Sapper (T/Lt. R.C. Lees, RNR).

The destroyer HMS Keppel (Cdr. M.J. Evans, OBE, RN) (Cdr. Evans was the Senior Officer of the escort) was unable to join on assembly due to water in her fuel oil, joined at 2030Z/5 in position 55°24'N, 08°12'W.

At 0400Z6, in position 55°07'N, 09°43'W, the escort carrier HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tyrian (Cdr. C.W. Greening, RN) and HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) joined coming from Bangor Bay (Belfast).

At 2000Z/7, the Makefjell straggled from the convoy but she was soon able to rejoin.

On 8 June 1943, HMS Keppel, ORP Burza and HMS Tumult refuelled from the Oligargh taking 134, 61 and 120 tons respectively. At daylight on the 9th, HMS Tyrian also refuelled also taking 120 tons just like her sister ship had done the previous day.

At 1300Z/9, the light cruiser HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) was sighted which subsequently took up a position 35 miles to the eastward of the convoy.

At 0949Z/10, HMS Gambia reported that an enemy flying boat was approaching the convoy. This aircraft almost certainly sighted and reported the convoy. HMS Battler then launched two Seafires but unfortunately they hunted a friendly Whitley aircraft and the German aircraft was able to get away unmolested.

The following day, two seafires from HMS Battler almost attacked an aircraft that did not show IFF but was at the last moment seen to be a Catalina that had been sent for convoy protection from Gibraltar without the convoy being aware of this.

During 11 and 12 June 1943, all escorts, except FFS Renoncule and FFS Roselys were topped off with fuel by the Oligargh.

At 1910Z/12, in position 37°58'N, 12°02'W, the escort destroyer HMS Atherstone (Lt. E.N. Wood, DSC, RNVR) joined as additional escort.

At 2000Z/12, the merchant vessels Baron Forbes and Clearpool parted company with the convoy to proceed to Lisbon. They took HrMs Flores and FFS Roselys with them as escorts.

At 1300Z/13, in position 36°21'N, 10°26'W, the convoy split up into convoy OS 49 which was to proceed to Freetown and convoy KMS 16G which was to proceed to Gibraltar / enter the Meditteranean.

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

Convoy OS 49 was made up of the following merchant vessels; Bactria, Briarwood, Celtic Monarch, Congonian, Dan-Y-Bryn, De la Salle, Dunster Grange, Elg, Empire Simba, Fort Louisbourg, Ingleton, Lycaon, Makedonia, Meerkerk, Nebraska, Penrith Castle, Princ Andrej, Princesa, Salland, Sandown Castle, Schiaffino, Silverguard, Sydland, Theseus, Urbino, Vernon City and Wearwood.

Of the escorts HMS Keppel, ORP Burza, HMS Orchis, HMS Narcissus, FFS Aconit and FFS Lobelia remained with convoy OS 49.

At 2125Z/13, in position 34°26'N, 10°10'W, the Silverguava was forced to stop to make engine repairs. She rejoined the convoy around noon on the 15th.

At 0800Z/14, in position 33°26'N, 9°49'W, the Gibraltar and Casablanca sections joined convoy OS 49.

The Gibraltar section, made up of the merchant vessels City of Auckland (British, 8336 GRT, built 1914), Clan MacBean (British, 5000 GRT, built 1918), Collegian (British, 7886 GRT, built 1923), Daldorch (British, 5571 GRT, built 1930), Manchester Citizen (British, 5343 GRT, built 1925) and Ocean Vanity (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942) had departed Gibraltar on 12 June and was escorted by the destroyer HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Merriman, RN) and the A/S trawler HMS Foxtrot (T/Lt. J.B. Bald, RNVR).

The Casablanca section, made up of the merchant vessels Chelma (French, 4968 GRT, built 1920), Fort Jemseg (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Steele (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Grand Quevilly (French, 2844 GRT, built 1914) and Medie II (French, 5078 GRT, built 1922) had departed Casablanca on 13 June 1943 escorted by the patrol vessels USS PC-480 (Lt.(jg) F.W. Meyers, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-481 (Lt. D.R. Stoneleigh, USNR).

These patrol vessels then returned to Casablanca arriving on the 14th, taking the merchant vessels Dan-Y-Bryn and Ingleton with them.

On 19 June 1943, in position 19°15'N, 18°00'W, the merchant vessel Palacio (British, 1346 GRT, built 1927) and two ML's (unidentified) joined the convoy coming from Port Etienne.

At 2330Z/19, ORP Burza was detached to fuel at Dakar. She rejoined at 1300Z/20. HMS Keppel then left the convoy to also fuel at Dakar. The commanding officer of ORP Burza was then temporary the senior officer of the escort. HMS Keppel rejoined around 2100Z/20.

Around 1630Z/20, the following merchant vessels parted company to proceed to Dakar; Chelma, Fort Jemseg, Fort Steele, Grand Quevilly, Medie II and Palacio. They were escorted by the two (unidentified) ML's.

At 2000Z/20, in position 14°15'N, 17°53'W, with some delay, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Dakar; Fort Douglas (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Johilla (British, 4042 GRT, built 1937), Liss (Norwegian (tanker), 5932 GRT, built 1921) and Santa Margarita (American, 6507 GRT, built 1942). They were escorted by the corvettes HMS Snowdrop (T/Lt. W.A. Burnett, RNVR) and Commandant d'Estienne d'Orves which also joined the convoy.

At 0700Z/21, the corvette HMS Bellwort (A/Lt.Cdr. N.F.R. Gill, RNR) joined the convoy.

At 1000Z/21, in position 12°25'N, 17°38'W, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Bathurst; Empire Barrie (British, 7168 GRT, built 1942) and Empire Cougar (British, 5758 GRT, built 1919). They were escorted by the A/S trawler HMS Inkpen (T/Lt. H. Vernon, RNR) and three (unidentified) ML's. The Bactria was detached to Bathurst.

Starting at daylight on the 21st, some merchant vessels of the convoy were detached to proceed independently to their destinations.

On 23 June 1943 the remaining 16 ships of the convoy and the escort arrived at Freetown.

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

Convoy KMS 16G was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arlesford, Antonio, Armadale, Beaconsfield, Belgian Airman, Biafra, Bruce M., Canara, Cape Wrath, Charlton Hall, Clan Cameron, Clan Campbell, Corvus, Crackshot, Dago, Eastern City, Eastgate, Empire Baxter, Empire Friendship, Empire Gat, Empire Moon, Empire Ortolan, Empire Spinney, Empire Stalwart, Empire Thackeray, Empire Valour, Empire Wolfe, Fort Chipewyan, Gerard Dou, Helmwood, Iddesleigh, Jan, King Stephen, Lesto, Makefjell, Mathurda, Nyanza, Peebles, Rancher, Somerville, Speedfast, St. Clears, Tahsinia, Testbank and Vinriver.

The Salveda and Oligrargh were also part of convoy KMS 16G.

Of the escorts HMS Battler, HMS Tyrian, HMS Tuscan, HMS Atherstone, FFS Renoncule and HMS Sapper remained with convoy KMS 16G.

At 1930Z/13, the destroyer HMS Velox (Lt. G.B. Barstow, RN) joined coming from Gibraltar followed at 2130Z/13 by the escort destroyer HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.E.C.G. Baines, RN).

At 1000Z/14, HMS Battler parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead of it to Gibraltar. She took HMS Tyrian and HMS Tumult with her as escorts. HMS Battler arrived at Gibraltar around 1730Z/14. Both destroyers then rejoined the convoy which arrived at Gibraltar around midnight during the night of 14/15 June. (3)

28 Jun 1943
Argo conducted A/S exercises off Freetown with HMS Snowdrop (T/Lt. W.A. Burnett, RNVR), HMS Turcoman (T/Lt. R.F. Pembry, RNR), HMS Buttermere (Lt. J.D.E. Lewis, RNR) and HMS Wastwater (T/Lt. W.J.L. Storey, RNVR). (4)

29 Jun 1943
Argo conducted A/S exercises off Freetown with HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Snowdrop (T/Lt. W.A. Burnett, RNVR). (4)

28 Jul 1943

Convoy SL 134.

This convoy departed Freetown on 28 July 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aleksandar I (Yugoslavian, 5948 GRT, built 1927), Anna (Greek, 5173 GRT, built 1919), Baron Inchcape (British, 7005 GRT, built 1917), Cape Clear (British, 5085 GRT, built 1939), City of Yokohama (British, 7341 GRT, built 1922), Clan MacIlwraith (British, 4839 GRT, built 1924), Clan Murray (British, 5953 GRT, built 1918), Dunelmia (British, 5207 GRT, built 1929), Elorn (French, 5482 GRT, built 1930), Empire Barrie (British, 7168 GRT, built 1942), Empire Geraint (British, 6991 GRT, built 1942), Empire Grebe (British, 5736 GRT, built 1918), Empire Plover (British, 6109 GRT, built 1920), Empire Ruskin (British, 7037 GRT, built 1942), Empire Torrent (British, 7076 GRT, built 1942), Essex Trader (British, 7237 GRT, built 1943), Ettrickbank (British, 5138 GRT, built 1937), Fort Ellice (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Fort Halkett (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Jemseg (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Steele (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Jaarstroom (Dutch, 2480 GRT, built 1922), King Stephen (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928), Kohistan (British, 5884 GRT, built 1930), Liberian (British, 5129 GRT, built 1936), Lida (Polish, 1387 GRT, built 1938), Lombardy (British, 3379 GRT, built 1921), Mahout (British, 7921 GRT, built 1925), Malancha (British, 8124 GRT, built 1937), Markhor (British, 7917 GRT, built 1929), Ocean Fame (British, 7173 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Pilgrim (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Trader (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Volunteer (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Princ Andrej (Yugoslavian, 5041 GRT, built 1930), Royal Star (British, 7900 GRT, built 1919), Sheridan (British, 4665 GRT, built 1918), Silverlaurel (British, 6142 GRT, built 1939), Stancleeve (British, 5970 GRT, built 1942), Testbank (British, 5136 GRT, built 1937), Telesfora de Larrinaga (British, 5780 GRT, built 1920), Testbank (British, 5083 GRT, built 1937) Ville d'Amiens (British (former French), 6975 GRT, built 1924) and Waterland (Dutch, 6847 GRT, built 1922).

The French armed merchant cruiser Quercy was also part of the convoy.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the destroyer ORP Burza (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) F. Pitulko), escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN), sloop HMS Rochester (Cdr. H.V. King, OBE, RN, Senior Officer of the A/S escort) and the corvettes HMS Azalea (Lt. G.C. Geddes, RNR), HMS Balsam (Lt. J.E.L. Peters, RNVR), HMS Mignonette (Lt. H.H. Brown, RNR) and HMS Snowdrop (T/Lt. W.A. Burnett, RNVR).

The corvette HMS Burdock (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Lynes, RD, RNR) sailed a day late (29th) to overtake and join the convoy.

At dawn on the 29th, the Lida and Stancleeve were found to be missing from the convoy. These ships had to part company during the night and both returned to Freetown with defects on the 30th.

Around 1400Z/28, HMS Burdock joined the convoy.

Around 1900Z/28, in position 10°58'N, 17°10'W, the Dunelmia, Fort Halkett, King Stephen and Testbank were detached from the convoy to proceed independently to destinations in South America. During this passage the Fort Halkett was sunk by the German submarine U-185.

Around 0500Z/1, in position 14°43'N, 17°47'W, the Quercy parted company with the convoy to proceed to Dakar independently in contrary to her sailing orders as she was supposed to only part company later at the rendezvous point with the ships coming from Dakar.

Around 0630Z/1, the Dakar section of the convoy joined. It was made up of the merchant vessels Fort Douglas (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942) and Hoggar (French, 5146 GRT, built 1923) and the tug Empire Oberon (British, 242 GRT, built 1943). With them was the corvette HMS Geranium (T/Lt. A.R.J. Tilston, DSC, RNR) and two ML's. HMS Geranium joined the convoy. The ML's, which were to have escorted the Quercy to Dakar returned with the Empire Oberon which was found to be unable to keep up with the convoy.

Around 0800Z/1, ORP Burza was detached to Dakar to effect repairs to a defective boiler joint. At the same time HMS Blackmore was detached to St. Vincent.

Around 2000Z/1, the Jaarstroom was detached to Dakar as she was unable to keep up with the convoy.

Around 0130Z/2, ORP Burza rejoined the convoy having effected repairs at Dakar.

Around 0600Z/2, HMS Snowdrop was detached to convoy OS 52.

Around the same time the RFA tanker Fortol (2629 GRT, built 1917) joined the convoy coming from convoy OS 52. Her escort, the corvette HrMs Friso (Lt.Cdr. P.L.M. van Geen, RNN) returned to convoy OS 52.

Around 1600Z/3, the merchant vessel Chelma (French, 4968 GRT, built 1920) joined the convy from Port Etienne. She was escorted to thee rendezvous by the sloop La Grandiere which did not join the convoy.

Around 1900Z/3, HMS Blackmore rejoined the convoy coming from St. Vincent.

On 6 August 1943, HMS Rochester and HMS Azalea fuelled from the Fortol.

On 7 August 1943, HMS Balsam and HMS Geranium fuelled from the Fortol.

On 8 August 1943, HMS Blackmore and HMS Burdock fuelled from the Fortol.

On 9 August 1943, ORP Burza and HMS Mignonette fuelled from the Fortol.

Around 1000Z/9, the Chelma, Elorn, Hoggar parted company with the convoy to proceed to Casablanca. To escort them to this place the patrol vessels USS PC-472 (Lt. M. Beerman, USNR), USS PC-480 (Lt.(jg) F.W. Meyers, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-482 (Lt. N.P. Hallowell, Jr., USNR) had come out from Casablanca.

Around 1725Z/9, in position 33°58'N, 09°33'W, the Fortol escorted by HMS Blackmore parted company to proceed to Gibraltar.

Around 0600Z/10, in position 35°13'N, 09°50'W, the light (AA) cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN) joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar.

Around 1700Z/10, in position 35°58'N, 10°40'W, the escort destroyer HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.C. Beatty, RN) joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar. She was to have joined earlier but while en-route to rendezvous with the convoy had been diverted to search the area near position 35°35'N, 06°57'W where an SOS signal from an aircraft had been sent from around 2200Z/9. She had abandoned her search, having found nothing, around 0927Z/10 and then set course to join the convoy.

At 1722Z/12, when the convoy was in position 40°12'N, 15°58'W, HMS Azalea reported contact on an enemy FW 200 aircraft. The escort closed up to provice better AA protection for the convoy. At 1750Z/12, the enemy aircraft was seen to jettison some bombs well clear of the port quarter of the convoy and at 1815Z/12, the escorts resumed their previous stations.

At 1925Z/12, the enemy aircraft commenced a bombing run at a height of 10000 feet from the port beam of the convoy. HMS Scylla opened a rapid and accurate fire. The enemy bombs fell between the second ship of the second column and the leading ship of the third column causing no damage. At 1950Z/12, HMS Scylla reported her radar screen clear of enemy aircraft.

At 1141Z/13, HMS Scylla reported contact on an enemy FW 200 aircraft. The position of the convoy at 1200Z/13 was 42°12'N, 16°15'W.

At 1306Z/13, this aircraft made a bombing run from the port quarter of the convoy at a height of 15000 feet. HMS Scylla's AA fire was impressive and the bombs again missed, falling 70 feet astern of the Royal Star which was the leading ship of the 7th column.

Around 2100Z/13, in position 43°30'N, 16°17'W, HMS Scylla parted company to join the combined convoy OS 53 / KMS 22.

At 1105Z/14, a FW 200 aircraft was sighted and it was driven off by the Liberator air escort / patrol which scored some hits on it. At 1200Z/13, the convoy was in position 45°07'N, 16°47'W.

At 1215Z/14, in position 44°58'N, 16°46'W, the light cruiser HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) closed the convoy to cover it against surface attack. At 1223Z/13, she reported a FW 200 in sight and directed the relief Liberator air escort / patrol to it. The enemy made off and was not seen again.

Around 2000Z/15, in position 47°40'N, 15°13'W, six ships of the convoy, capable of 12 knots, were detached to proceed ahead escorted by HMS Burdock (S.O.) and HMS Brissenden. The ships in question were the Ettrickbank, Mahout, Malancha, Markhor, Royal Star and Silverlaurel.

At 0600Z/16, in position 50°04'N, 15°32'W, HMS Bermuda parted company with the convoy to proceed to Plymouth.

At 1320Z/17, the Empire Geraint was detached to proceed to Avonmouth escorted as far as 07°00'W by HMS Geranium.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 18 August 1943 after which the ships proceeded to their respective destinations. (5)

25 Sep 1943
HMS Snowdrop (T/Lt. W.A. Burnett, RNVR), HMS Arran (T/Lt. D.S. Hutton, RNR) and HMS Turcoman (T/Lt. E.W. Hawcroft, RNVR) conducted a convoy defence exercise off Freetown. (4)

30 Sep 1943
Le Centaure conducted A/S exercises off Freetown with HMS Snowdrop (T/Lt. W.A. Burnett, RNVR) and aircraft. (4)

10 Jul 1944

Convoy SL 164.

This convoy departed Freetown on 10 July 1944.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Calumet (British, 7268 GRT, built 1923), Chateauroux (British, 4765 GRT, built 1921), Cordillera (British, 6865 GRT, built 1920), Empire Archer (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Empire Austen (British, 7057 GRT, built 1942), Empire Highway (British, 7166 GRT, built 1942), Fort Remy (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Hopecrown (British, 5180 GRT, built 1937), Jersey City (British, 6686 GRT, built 1942), MacGreggor Laird (British, 4992 GRT, built 1930), Princesa (British, 8731 GRT, built 1918), Settler (British, 6202 GRT, built 1939), Silverguava (British, 5305 GRT, built 1927), Tyndareus (British, 11361 GRT, built 1916), Ville de Strasbourg (British, (former French), 7007 GRT, built 1920), Vinriver (British, 3881 GRT, built 1917) and Waiotapu (British, 6035 GRT, built 1913).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the frigates HMS Ballinderry (Lt.Cdr. E.F. Aikman, RNR), HMS Inver (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR), corvettes HMS Snowdrop (T/Lt. C.A. Boardman, RNVR), HMS Willowherb (Lt. A. Hague, RNR) and the patrol vessel HMS Kilmelford (T/Lt. H. Brown, RNR).

On 13 July 1944, the merchant vessels Briarwood (British, 4019 GRT, built 1930) and Finisterre (French, 1158 GRT, built 1909) departed Dakar to join the convoy.

On 15 July 1944, the merchant vessel Paul de Rousiers (French, 3548 GRT, built 1942) departed Port Etienne to join the convoy.

On 20 July 1944, the merchant vessels Dunav (Yugosalvian, 4369 GRT, built 1912) and Keilehaven (Dutch, 2968 GRT, built 1919) departed Casablanca to join the convoy. They were escorted by the minesweeping sloop La Boudeuse and the patrol vessel L'Eveille. On these ships joining the Finisterre and Paul de Rousiers parted company with the convoy to proceed to Casablanca escorted by the two French warships. HMS Kilmelford was also with them. They arrived at Casablanca on 22 July 1944.

On 21 July 1944, the convoy merged with convoy MKS 55(G) coming from the Mediterranean.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; English Prince (British, 7275 GRT, built 1943), Ernebank (British, 5388 GRT, built 1937), Hermiston (British, 4813 GRT, built 1939), Highland Prince (British, 7043 GRT, built 1942), James J. Pettigrew (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Marpessa (Dutch (tanker / escort oiler), 7408 GRT, built 1927), Merchant Prince (British, 5229 GRT, built 1939), Middlesex Trader (British, 7421GRT, built 1942), Nicolaos Michalos (Greek, 4342 GRT, built 1913), Ocean Verity (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ottinge (British, 2818 GRT, built 1940), Peribonka (British, 5673 GRT, built 1937), Samguadie (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samsette (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samuta (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Stad Arnhem (Dutch, 3819 GRT, built 1920), Strategist (British, 6255 GRT, built 1937) and Ulla (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930).

The rescue ship Fastnet (British, 1415 GRT, built 1928) was also with this convoy.

Convoy MKS 55(G) was escorted by the frigates HMS Exe (Cdr. C.E.E. Paterson, RN), HMS Ascension (Lt.Cdr. A. Wilkinson, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Berkeley Castle (T/Lt. F.A. Darrah, RNVR), HMS Carisbrooke Castle (T/Lt. W.H. Forster, RNR), HMS Dumbarton Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.F. Broadhead, RNR) and HMS Hadleigh Castle (Lt. C. Sandeman, RN).

The original escort of convoy SL 164 and the merchant vessels Dunav, Empire Highway, Vinriver and Waiotapu then parted company and proceeded to Gibraltar where they arrived on 23 July 1944. HMS Snowdrop did not part company with the convoy though as she was to return to the U.K. to refit.

Around 1945B/22, the escort carrier HMS Fencer (A/Capt. W.W.R. Bentinck, OBE, RN) joined the convoy.

The escort oiler Marpessa later parted company with the convoy to join the southbound combined convoy OS 84 / KMS 58.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 31 July 1944. Some ships had parted company on 29 July 1944 to proceed ahead of the main convoy.

20 Dec 1944
HMS Vitality (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Seabear (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.R. Patton, RNVR), HMS Alnwick Castle (A/Lt.Cdr. H.A. Stonehouse, DSC, RNR), HMS Loch Craggie (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.L.L. Davies, RNVR) and HMS Snowdrop (Lt. J.B. Hogg, RNR). (6)

21 Dec 1944
HMS Vitality (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Snowdrop (Lt. J.B. Hogg, RNR), HMS Alnwick Castle (A/Lt.Cdr. H.A. Stonehouse, DSC, RNR) and HMSAS Good Hope (T/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Dryden-Dymond, SANF(V)). (6)

23 Dec 1944
HMS Upshot (Lt. A.J. Boyall, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Loch Craggie (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.L.L. Davies, RNVR) and HMS Snowdrop (Lt. J.B. Hogg, RNR). (7)

28 Dec 1944
HMS Vitality (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS St. Helena (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.G. Pardoe-Matthews, RNR), HMS Seabear (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.R. Patton, RNVR), HMS Snowdrop (Lt. J.B. Hogg, RNR) and HMS Eday (T/Lt. G.G. Chisholm, RNVR). (6)

29 Dec 1944
HMS Vitality (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Tobermory with HMS Oakham Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.H. Lyons, RNVR) and HMS Snowdrop (Lt. J.B. Hogg, RNR). (6)