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Notable events involving Simoun include:

5 Sep 1939
A convoy of eleven passenger liners departed the U.K. for destinations in the Atlantic or Mediterranean (or Far East via the Mediterranean).

The convoy (Convoy RED 1, also known as GC 1) was assembled off the Clyde and was made up of the passenger liners / merchant vessels; Britannic (British, 26943 GRT, built 1930), Clan Ferguson (British, 7347 GRT, built 1938), Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Montcalm (British, 16418 GRT, built 1921), Orcades (British, 23456 GRT, built 1937), Orford (British, 19941 GRT, built 1928), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931), Scythia (British, 19761 GRT, built 1920) and Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Vivacious (Cdr. C.R.L. Parry, RN), HMS Vanessa (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Plumer, RN), HMS Vanquisher (Lt.Cdr. K.H. Fraser, RN), HMS Wakeful (Cdr. R.St.V. Sherbrooke, RN) as well as HMS Verity (Lt.Cdr. A.R.M. Black, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. H. Gartside-Tippinge, RN), HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. G.C. Fryer, RN) and HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, RN).

Arond 2300A/5, the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. H.T. Baillie-Grohman, OBE, DSO, RN) departed Portland escorted by the destroyers HMS Exmouth (Cdr. R.S. Benson, RN) and HMS Escapade (Cdr. H.R. Graham, RN). They were joined around 0530A/6 by the destroyers HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Woodhall, RN) and HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. A. St. Clair-Ford, RN) which had come from Plymouth.

Around 1845A/6, HMS Ramillies and her four escorting destroyers joined the convoy after which HMS Vivacious, HMS Vanessa, HMS Witherington and HMS Wolverine parted company. After conducting an A/S sweep astern of the convoy they proceeded to Plymouth where they arrived around noon on the 7th.

Around 1100A/8, HMS Verity, HMS Volunteer, HMS Witherington and HMS Wolverine parted company with the convoy to proceed to Milford Haven where they arrived in the morning of September 10th.

Late in the morning of September 10th, the French destroyers Le Fortune (Cdr. C.M.L. D'Hespel), La Railleuse (Lt.Cdr. J.E.C. Hourcade) and Simoun (Lt.Cdr. F. Hainguerlot) which had departed Gibraltar around 0810A/9, joined the convoy.

Around 1850A/10, the French destroyer Simoun was sent to Gibraltar with despatches. She arrived there around 0710A/11.

Around noon on the 11th, off Gibraltar, the British light cruiser HMS Galatea (Capt. E.G.H. Bellars, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.C. Tovey, CB, DSO, RN) and the French destroyers Tramontaine (Cdr. R.M.J.A. Renault), Tornade (Lt.Cdr. R.G.A. Labat) and Typhon (Lt.Cdr. Y.M.J. Le Hagre).

HMS Ramillies, and the French destroyers Le Fortune and La Railleuse then proceeded to Gibraltar as did the liner Scythia. Apparently the French destroyers, including Simoun, later proceeded again to rejoin the convoy.

HMS Exmouth, HMS Eclipse, HMS Encounter and HMS Escapade most likely detached from the convoy on 12 September as they arrived at Gibraltar on the 14th via Oran.

The French destroyers were relieved near Malta on 14 September 1939 by the destroyers HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.R. Marshall-A'Deane, RN) and HMS Glowworm (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Roope, RN). Also a French convoy (L 2), made up of the merchant vessels Sphinx (French, 11375 GRT, built 1915) and Ville de Strasbourg (French, 7007 GRT, built 1920), which had departed Marseilles on 12 September, joined the convoy for onward passage to Beirut. This French convoy had probably been escorted by the destroyers Maille Breze (Cdr. H.M.E.A. Glotin), Cassard (Cdr. R.A.A. Braxmeyer) and Kersaint (Cdr. G.R.J. Rebuffel) which apparently also joined the convoy. The Durban Castle also detached off Malta at 1000B/14 and entered Valetta.

Around 1600B/15 the Clan Ferguson parted company. She was carrying important stores for Istanbul, Turkey. She was escorted by the destroyer HMS Gallant (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN).

At 0700B/16, the Britannic, Duchess of Bedford, Montcalm, Reina del Pacifico and Strathaird were detached to Port Said.

The Orcades, Orford and Orion arrived at Alexandria in the evening of the 16th. HMS Galatea did not enter but went to the west to make rendezvous with the destroyers HMS Griffin and HMS Garland of which the former was towing the later after she had been damaged by her own depth charges.

31 Oct 1940
The destroyer HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN), which was on patrol to the east of Gibraltar sighted five Vichy French destroyers at 0610/31 (Bordelais, Brestois, L'Alcyon, Simoun and Tempête) proceeding westwards to pass the Strait of Gibraltar possibly bound for Casablanca.

The battlecruiser HMS Renown (Capt C.E.B. Simeon, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral J.F. Somerville, KCB, DSO, RN), battleship HMS Barham (Capt G.C. Cooke, RN) and the destroyers HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN), HMS Fortune (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN) and HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.R. Marshall A'Deane, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Gibraltar at 0830/31 to the westward to intercept. Destroyers which were on patrol to the eastward of Gibraltar were ordered to join HMS Renown to the west of Gibraltar. These were HMS Wishart (Cdr. E.T. Cooper, RN), HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, RN) and HMS Gallant (Lt.Cdr. C.P.F. Brown, RN).

HMS Griffin was ordered to shadow the Vichy French ships.

HMS Renown, HMS Barham, HMS Wishart, HMS Encounter, HMS Firedrake, HMS Forester, HMS Fortune, HMS Fury, HMS Gallant and HMS Greyhound returned to Gibraltar at 1000/1. (1)

29 Mar 1941
Around 2300A/29, the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.F. de Salis, RN (Capt. D.8)), HMS Fearless (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Tancock, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. T.C. Robinson, RN) departed Gibraltar to sweep along the North African coast towards Oran to search for Vichy-French merchant vessels and try capture them.

At 0830A/30, in approximate position 35°32'N, 01°44'W, the Vichy French convoy K 42 was sighted made up of the merchant vessels Azrou (2998 GRT, built 1931), Bankok (8056 GRT, built 1919), Cap Varela (7677 GRT, built 1922) and San Diego (6013 GRT, built 1930). They were escorted by the destroyer Simoun.

The convoy made off towards the coast and eventually entered Nemours [now Ghazaouet]. When HMS Fearless closed she was taken under fire by French shore batteries. HMS Sheffield returned fire but eventually the British withdrew.

At 1217A/30 and 1301A/30, the British were attacked by French aircraft but they did not obtain any hits. HMS Sheffield sustained some minor damage by a near miss.

Around 2250A/30, HMS Sheffield, HMS Faulknor, HMS Fearless, HMS Forester and HMS Fury returned to Gibraltar. (2)

5 Nov 1943

Convoy SR 7.

This convoy departed Freetown on 5 November 1943.

It was made up of the troop transport Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915).

The armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) were also part of the convoy.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Isis (Cdr. B. Jones, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Malcolm (Lt. I.M. Clegg, RN) and the frigate HMS Ness (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.H. Marchington, RNVR).

The convoy arrived at Dakar on the 7th and departed from there after having spent a few hours in port but now joined by the battleship Lorraine.

Around 1630Z/11, the Lorraine was detached to Casablanca. The destroyer Simoun and La Grandiere had come out from Casablanca to escort her in.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 12 November 1943. (3)

7 Nov 1943

Convoy GUS 21.

This convoy departed Port Said on 7 November 1943.

On departure from Port Said this convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Algenib (Dutch, 5483 GRT, built 1937), British Character (British (tanker), 8453 GRT, built 1941), City of Bristol (British, 8424 GRT, built 1943), City of Capetown (British, 8046 GRT, built 1937), City of Kimberley (British, 6169 GRT, built 1925), Fort Connolly (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Fort Remy (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Franklin K. Lane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George E. Pickett (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Hoegh Silverstar (Norwegian, 5415 GRT, built 1938), John F. Steffen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lublin (Polish, 1409 GRT, built 1932), Ocean Traveller (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Samos (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sampenn (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sun-Yat-Sen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Wilson P. Hunt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the frigate HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR) and minesweeper HMS Rye (A/Lt.Cdr. J.A. Pearson, DSC and Bar, RNR).

On the 8th the following merchant vessels departed Alexandria and joined the convoy; Alexander H. Stephens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Cerion (British, 2588 GRT, built 1938), Euryades (British, 5801 GRT, built 1913), Fort Cadotte (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943), Fort Glenlyon (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929), Ocean Valentine (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Samhain (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Starstone (British, 5702 GRT, built 1938).

They were escorted by corvette HMS Gloxinia (Lt. M.C. English, RNR) and A/S whaler HMSAS Protea (Lt. A. Thomas, DSC, SANF) which also joined the convoy.

On 12 November 1943, the Lublin arrived at Bari after having detached from the convoy earlier.

Also on 12 November 1943, the Cerion, Euryades, Fort Cadotte, Fort Connolly, Fort Remy and Ocean Valentine arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy.

Departing Augusta on the 12th to join the convoy were the following merchant vessels; Carrillo (American, 5013 GRT, built 1911), Charles Gordon Curtis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Esek Hopkins (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), James Monroe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Jay (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Noah Webster (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Pierre S. Dupont (American, 7176 GRT, 1942), Roger Moore (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Samuel Ashe (American, 7177 GRT, 1942), Thomas Cresap (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Todd (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Thorshov (Norwegian (tanker), 9955 GRT, built 1935), Walter E. Ranger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Walter Reed (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William Floyd (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and William S. Thayer (American, 7176 GRT, 1943).

The attack transport USS Samuel Chase (Capt. R.C. Heimer, USCG) also joined coming from Augusta.

Thorshov however did not join (or only brielfy) but turned back to Augusta.

On 12 November 1943, the following ship joined coming from Malta; Lynghaug (Norwegian, 2829 GRT, built 1919). Also joining from Malta were the AA cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) and the submarine HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN).

Also on the 12th, HMS Gloxinia was detached to Malta to make some repairs after which she was to rejoin the convoy which she did around 1345A/13.

Around 2055A/13, HMS Rye parted company.

Around 2110A/13, HMS Trident dropped astern of the convoy due to engine trouble. HMSAS Protea was also detached from the convoy to escort her. They were soon able to rejoin.

On 14 November 1943, the following ships arrived at Bizerta after having been detached from the convoy; British Character, Esek Hopkins, James Monroe, Noah Webster, Pierre S. Dupont, Walter Reed and the USS Samuel Chase while the following ships joined the convoy off Bizerta; Abraham Lincoln (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Andrew Moore (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Benjamin Franklin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Carter Braxton (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Cornelius Harnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Daniel H. Hill (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Erinna (Dutch (tanker), 6233 GRT, built 1936), Ethan Allen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Frithjof Nansen (Norwegian, 7177 GRT, built 1943), James Barbour (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joel R. Poinsett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Fiske (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Mannington (British, 1127 GRT, built 1943), Sidney Sherman (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943) and Thomas W. Bickett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

Later on the 14th the merchant vessel George W. Childs (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) departed Bone and joined the convoy.

On 15 November 1943, the Mannington arrived at Bougie after having been detached from the convoy.

On 16 November 1943, the Llangibby Castle arrived at Algiers after having been detached from the convoy while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Artemas Ward (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Edwin M. Stanton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Empire Day (British, 7242 GRT, built 1941), John Langdon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Knute Rockne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lou Gehrig (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Paul de Rousiers (French, 3548 GRT, built 1942), Solomon Juneau (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Ville de Bougie (French, 1237 GRT, built 1907).

On 17 November 1943, the following merchant vessels arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy; Carrillo, Charles Gordon Curtis, Paul de Rousiers, Samuel Ashe, Thomas Todd, Ville de Bougie, Walter E. Ranger, William Floyd and William S. Thayer.

The following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Oran; Archbishop Lamy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Atenas (American, 4962 GRT, built 1909), Bernard Carter (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Brandywine (American (tanker), 11401 GRT, built 1943), Cornelius Gilliam (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Edward Bates (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James M. Wayne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jonathan Edwards (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph Warren (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Nicholas Gilman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Reverdy Johnson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and William Rawle (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942).

The French submarine Perle also joined the convoy.

On 18 November 1943, the following merchant vessels arrived at Gibraltar after having been detached from the convoy; Carter Braxton, City of Bristol, City of Capetown, City of Kimberley, Ocean Traveller, Samhain, Samos and Starstone. Also detached from the convoy were the AA cruiser HMS Delhi and submarines HMS Trident and Le Perle.

The following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar; Fort Albany (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943) and Frans van Mieris (Dutch, 7170 GRT, built 1942).

Off Gibraltar the destroyer Simoun, minesweeping sloop Commandant Delage and patrol vessel USS PC-480 (Lt. F.W. Meyers, Jr., USNR) joined.

Around 1630A/18, HMS Dart, HMS Gloxinia, HMS Rye and HMSAS Protea were relieved by the destroyer escorts USS Evarts (Lt.Cdr. T.G. Bremer, Jr., USNR, with COMCORTDIV 5, T/Cdr. C.M.E. Hoffman, USN, on board), USS Wyffels (Lt. C.S. Farmer, USNR), USS Decker (Lt.Cdr. D.M. Kerr, USNR), USS Dobler (Lt. R.E. Parker, USNR), USS Smartt (Lt. B.H. Katschinski, USNR) and USS Walter S. Brown (Lt. T.H.P. Whitney, USNR). The original escorts then proceeded to Gibraltar where they arrived later the same day.

Around 0740A/19, the Casablanca section joined the convoy. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Elorn (French, 5482 GRT, built 1930) and Harpalyce (British, 7269 GRT, built 1942). Also with this section was the naval tanker USS Chiwawa (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Goza, USNR). They were escorted by the destroyers USS Gillespie (T/Cdr. J.S. Fahy, USN), USS Hobby (T/Cdr. G.W. Pressy, USN, with COMDESDIV 38, T/Capt. C.L. Winecoff, USN, on board) and USS Kalk (T/Lt.Cdr. H.D. Fuller, USN).

At 0830A/19, the Lynghaug was detached to Casablanca escorted by Simoun, Commandant Delage and USS PC 480. They arrived at Casablanca later the same day.

At 1215Z/21, the escort carrier USS Santee (T/Capt. H.F. Fick, USN) and the destroyers USS Bainbridge (T/Lt.Cdr. H.C. Transue, USN), USS Simpson (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Sedgwick, USNR) and USS MacLeish (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Winkel, USNR) joined the convoy so that the destroyers could refuel from USS Chiwawa. Fuelling operations however had to be abandoned due to the rough sea. Only USS MacLeish had been refuelled.

On 21 November 1943, USS Bainbridge and USS Simpson fuelled from USS Chiwawa which subsequently also topped off USS MacLeish.

Around 1600Z/21, USS Santee, USS Bainbridge, USS Simpson and USS MacLeish parted company with the convoy.

On 23 November 1943, USS Chiwawa first refuelled USS Kalk, then USS Gillespie and finally USS Hobby.

On 24 November 1943, USS Chiwawa refuelled the destroyer escorts in the following order; USS Evarts, USS Decker, USS Smartt, USS Walter S. Brown, USS Dobler and USS Wyffels.

On 27 November 1943, USS Chiwawa first refuelled USS Hobby, then USS Gillespie and finally USS Kalk.

At 1914Q/3, USS Chiwawa left the convoy for Norfolk, Virginia due to an urgent medical case. She proceeded unescorted. She arrived at Norfolk in the afternoon of 4 December 1943.

Around 0720Q/4, the Chesapeake Bay section of the convoy (21 ships) parted company to proceed to its destination. Escort for this section was proviced by USS Hobby, USS Gillespie and USS Kalk. It arrived in Chesapeake Bay in the morning of 5 December 1943.

Around 0800Q/4, the Delaware section of the convoy parted company. Escort for this section was provided by USS Wyffels and USS Dobler. It arrived in the Delaware estuary in the morning of 5 December 1943.

The New York section of the convoy, with the remaining four destroyer escorts, arrived at its destination in the morning of 5 December 1943.

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