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Notable events involving Karl Liebknecht include:

3 Feb 1945

Operation Hotbed, the passage of convoys JW 64 and RA 64 between the U.K. and Northern Russia vice versa.

Convoy JW 64.

This convoy departed the Clyde on 3 February 1945 for Northern Russia.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Adolph S. Ochs (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Arunah S. Abell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Ben F. Dixon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), British Merit (British (tanker), 8093 GRT, built 1942), Byron Darnton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Daniel Willard (American, 7200 GRT, built 1942), Edwin L. Drake (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Empire Flint (British (tanker), 8129 GRT, built 1941), F.T. Frelinghysen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Fort Crevecoeur (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Fort Verscheres (American, 7128 GRT, built 1942), Francis Scott Key (American, 7191 GRT, built 1941), George Steers (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944), Harold L. Winslow (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Hawkins Fudske (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Henry Lomb (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John J. Abel (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), John Wanamaker (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joyce Kilmer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lewis Emery Jr. (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lucerna (British (tanker), 6556 GRT, built 1930), Marie M. Meloney (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Nathan Towson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Neritina (British (tanker), 8228 GRT, built 1943), Skiensfjord (Norwegian, 5922 GRT, built 1922), Townsend Harris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Willard Hall (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943).

On departure from the Clyde the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Zebra (Lt.Cdr. E.C. Peake, RN), sloops HMS Cygnet (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Cowell, DSC, RN), HMS Lapwing (Cdr.(Retd.) E.C. Hulton, RN), HMS Lark (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN) and the corvettes HMS Bluebell (Lt. G.H. Walker, DSC, RNVR), HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. R.S. Mortimer, RNR), HMS Alnwick Castle (A/Lt.Cdr. H.A. Stonehouse, DSC, RNR) and HMS Bamborough Castle (T/A/Lt.cdr. M.S. Work, DSC and Bar, RNR).

On 3 February 1945, the M/S trawler HNoMS Oksoy departed Scapa Flow to join the convoy. The destroyer HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, DSC, RN) was with her and she too joined the convoy.

On 6 February 1945, the RFA tanker Black Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941) joined the convoy as escort oiler. She had departed Scapa Flow on 4 February 1945 escorted by the destroyer HMS Serapis (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and the corvette HMS Denbigh Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G. Butcher, DSC, RNVR) which both also joined the convoy.

On 6 February 1945, the destroyer HMS Whitehall (Lt. J. Monroe, RN) departed Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands to join the convoy.

On 6 February 1945, HMS Zebra arrived at Skaalefjord with defects. She departed the following day to overtake and rejoin the convoy but she was unable to do so and proceeded to Scapa Flow arriving on the 8th.

Around 1500A/12, the White Sea section of the convoy parted company. They were escorted by the Russian destroyers Uritsky, Karl Libknekht, Zivuchij, Zostkij and several smaller vessels.

At 0012A/13, the German submarine U-992 attacked with three torpedoes hitting and damaging the corvette HMS Denbigh Castle. The damaged corvette was towed to the Kola Inlet where she later capsized and was declared a total loss.

The kola Inlet section of the convoy arrived in the Kola Inlet on 13 December 1945.

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Convoy RA 64.

This convoy departed the Kola Inlet on 17 February 1945 for Loch Ewe.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alanson B. Houghton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Benjamin H. Hill (American, 7198 GRT, built 1944), British Promise (British (tanker), 8443 GRT, built 1942), Caesar Rodney (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Charles M. Schwab (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Charles Scribner (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Crosby S. Noves (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Edmund Fanning (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Empire Archer (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Empire Celia (British, 7025 GRT, built 1943), Francis C. Harrington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George H. Pendleton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Henry Bacon (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Henry Villard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Henry Wynkoop (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Idefjord (Norwegian, 4287 GRT, built 1921), J.D. Yeager (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944), James Kerney (American, 7210 GRT, built 1944), John A. Quitman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Ireland (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944), John la Farge (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jose Marti (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joshua W. Alexander (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lebaron Russell Briggs (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Nacella (British (tanker), 8196 GRT, built 1943), Paul H. Harwood (American, 6610 GRT, built 1918), Philip F. Thomas (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), R. Ney McNeely (American, 7198 GRT, built 1944), Samaritan (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Silas Weir Mitchell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Scott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Warren Delano (American, 7210 GRT, built 1944).

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

On departure from the Kola Inlet the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Whitehall, sloops HMS Cygnet, HMS Lapwing, HMS Lark and the corvettes HMS Bluebell, HMS Rhododendron, HMS Alnwick Castle and HMS Bamborough Castle.

Before the convoy departed the escorts conducted an A/S sweep of the area during which the German submarine U-425 was sunk around 0136A/17 by HMS Lark and HMS Alnwick Castle.

Around 1125A/17, the German submarine U-968 torpedoed and damaged HMS Lark. The damaged sloop was towed back to the Kola Inlet but was later declared a total loss.

Around 1148A/17, the Thomas Scott was hit and sunk, also by U-968. All crew and passengers could be picked up.

Around 1528A/17, HMS Bluebell was hit and sunk, by the German submarine U-711. There was only one survivor.

Late on the 18th and on the 19th the convoy was in very heavy weather and the convoy got scattered but was mostly reassembled the following day.

On 23 February 1945, the Henry Bacon, which had not rejoined the convoy, was torpedoed and sunk by German aircraft in position 67°40'N, 05°19'E.

The bulk of the convoy arrived at Loch Ewe on 28 February 1945.

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Cover for these convoys was provided by a force made up of escort carriers HMS Campania (A/Capt. K.A. Short, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), HMS Nairana (Capt. V.N. Surtees, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. G.S. Tuck, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Zambesi (Capt. J.H. Allison, RN, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN), HMS Onslow (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN) and HMS Opportune (Cdr. R.E.D. Ryder, VC, RN). These ships departed Scapa Flow around 1200A/5. They joined the convoy around 1100A/6. The destroyer HMCS Sioux (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN) also joined the convoy coming from Skaalefjord.

Shortly after 2100A/12, the cover force parted company with the convoy and proceeded ahead of it to the Kola Inlet where they arrived around 0200A/13.

The cover force departed the Kola Inlet with the convoy on 17 February 1945.

Also on the 17th, the destroyers HMS Zebra, HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN), departed Scapa Flow to join the convoy at sea.

On 23 February 1945, the destroyers HMS Myngs (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Cavalier (Lt.Cdr. D.T. McBarnet, RN) and HMS Scorpion (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow to join the convoy at sea.

On 25 February 1945, HMS Zealous, HMS Zebra, HMS Opportune arrived at Thorshavn, Faeroer Islands after having parted company with the convoy. HMS Orwell, HMS Savage, HMS Scourge and HMS Serapis arrived there on the 26th. HMS Myngs and HMS Scorpion arrived there on the 27th.

Around 1830A/26, HMS Campania, HMS Nairana, HMS Bellona, HMS Zambesi, Zest, HMS Onslow and HMCS Sioux parted company with the convoy to proceed to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1000A/27. HMS Cavalier also arrived at Scapa Flow on the 27th.

HMS Onslaught arrived in the Clyde on the 27th. (1)

16 Apr 1945

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

Convoy JW 66.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Convoy RA 66.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The convoy arrived in the Clyde on 8 May 1945. (2)

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