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Destroyer HMAS Quiberon (G 81)

18 Jul 1942
Around 1000B/18, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Portsmouth for sea trials. She arrived at Portland later the same day. (1)

19 Jul 1942
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) proceeded from Portland to Portsmouth where she arrived around 1800B/19. (1)

22 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900B/22, the destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) and HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) departed Portsmouth for Plymouth where they arrived later the same day. (2)

23 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) and HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow where they were to work-up. (3)

24 Jul 1942
Around 1700B/24, the destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) and HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Plymouth.

They both were to work-up as Scapa Flow following commissioning and having completed a long refit respectively. (3)

17 Aug 1942
Around 1815A/17, the escort carrier HMS Avenger (Cdr. A.P. Colthurst, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth. She was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN).

Off the entrance to the Firth of Forth, HMAS Quiberon parted company with the escort carrier and set course to return to Scapa Flow. (4)

18 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1445A/18, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from escort duty. (5)

20 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her work-up period completed, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Scapa Flow around 0600A/20 for the Clyde where she arrived around 1930A/20. (4)

20 Sep 1942
Around 1130A/20, the light cruiser HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, CB, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) and HMS Partridge (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, OBE, RN) arrived at Pointe Noire from convoy escort duty.

Around 1900A/20, having fuelled, they departed Pointe Noire for Freetown.

On 21 September 1942, they were ordered to search for a German supply ship suspected to be in the area.

At 0300A/23, a ship was sighted right ahead and HMAS Quiberon was ordered to investigate. The ship turned out to be the Portugese Mirandella (5926 GRT, built 1906) bound from Lisbon to Luanda.

At 1300Z/24, HMS Aurora, HMAS Quiberon and HMS Partridge were ordered to search for the Vichy French transport Cephee (5800 GRT, built 1938) to the limit of their endurance.

Around 0400Z/25, HMS Partridge parted company to proceed to Freetown where she arrived on the 26th.

Around 0400Z/26, HMAS Quiberon parted company to proceed to Freetown where she arrived around 1015Z/27 having first made several runs over the D/G range.

Around 1300Z/26, HMS Aurora ended the search and set course to Freetown where she arrived around 1800Z/27. The Vichy-French vessel had not been sighted. (6)

28 Sep 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2300Z/28, the light cruiser HrMs Sumatra (Cdr. J.L. Willinge, RNN), destroyer HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) and the tanker Sinclair H-C (American, 7875 GRT, built 1942) departed Freetown.

Around 1500Z/29, the tanker parted company to proceed to Freetown independently.

HrMs Sumatra and HMAS Quiberon arrived at Bathurst around 1030Z/30. (7)

30 Sep 1942
Around 1700Z/30, the light cruiser HrMs Sumatra (Cdr. J.L. Willinge, RNN) and the destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) and HMS Partridge (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, OBE, RN) departed Bathurst for the U.K. via Gibraltar.

Around 0700Z/1, they joined the troopships Empress of Australia (21833 GRT, built 1914) and Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935) escorted by the destroyers HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) and HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN).

Around 1400Z/1, HMS Griffin and HMS Antelope parted company to join convoy CF 5.

Around 2250Z/2, the troopships parted company to proceed to the U.K. independently for the moment. HrMS Sumatra, HMAS Quiberon and HMS Partridge then set course for Gibraltar where they arrived around 1000A/5. (8)

6 Oct 1942
Around 1930A/6, the light cruiser HrMs Sumatra (Cdr. J.L. Willinge, RNN) and the destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) and HMS Partridge (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, OBE, RN) departed Gibraltar for the Clyde.

Around 0850A/10, in very heavy weather, HMS Partridge reported having lost a men overboard and she turned back to search. She only rejoined around 1700A/10 and reported having lost six crew overboard and that she had been able to recover three of them. The other three could not be found.

Around 2000A/10, the destroyers parted company with HrMs Sumatra in the North Channel and proceeded to the Greenock where they arrived around 0700A/11.

HrMs Sumatra arrived at Holyhead around 0900A/11.

(9)

25 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Having completed a boiler clean and repair period at Greenock, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Greenock around 1530A/25 for Scapa Flow where she arrived around 0900A/26. (9)

27 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (10)

28 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) conducted exercises at Scapa Flow. (10)

8 Nov 1942

Convoy KMS 3.

This convoy departed the U.K. (Clyde) on 8 November 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports;
Alexander Hamilton (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Baltonia (British, 2013 GRT, built 1925), Begum (British, 5843 GRT, built 1922), Belgian Seaman (Belgian, 7023 GRT, built 1941), Benedict (British, 4949 GRT, built 1930), Benledi (British, 5943 GRT, built 1930), Bretwalda (British, 4906 GRT, built 1939), Caithness (British, 4970 GRT, built 1935), Cardium (British (tanker), 8236 GRT, built 1931), Carlton (British, 7210 GRT, built 1942), City of Venice (British, 8762 GRT, built 1924), Coombe Hill (British, 7268 GRT, built 1942), Dahomain (British, 5277 GRT, built 1929), Eastern City (British, 5185 GRT, built 1941), Empire Banner (British, 6699 GRT, built 1942), Empire Centaur (British, 7041 GRT, built 1942), Empire Flamingo (British, 4994 GRT, built 1920), Empire Foam (British, 7047 GRT, built 1941), Empire Prince (British, 7030 GRT, built 1942), Empire Shearwater (British, 4970 GRT, built 1920), Empire Summer (British, 6949 GRT, built 1941), Empire Webster (British, 7043 GRT, built 1942), Empire Wyclif (British, 6966 GRT, built 1941), English Monarch (British, 4557 GRT, built 1924), Forest (British, 4998 GRT, built 1937), Fort Babine (British, 7135 GRT, built 1942), Fort Bourbon (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Chilcotin (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Lac la Ronge (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942), Fort McLeod (British, 7127 GRT, built 1942), Francis Scott Key (American, 7191 GRT, built 1941), Grangepark (British, 5132 GRT, built 1919), Hindustan (British, 5245 GRT, built 1940), Inventor (British, 6210 GRT, built 1935), James Monroe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Marshall (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Kong Sverre (Norwegian, 7238 GRT, built 1941) Luther Martin (British, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Manchester Citizen (British, 5343 GRT, built 1925), Mobile City (British, 6157 GRT, built 1920), Ocean Coast (British, 1173 GRT, built 1935), Ocean Pelgrim (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Valentine (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Victory (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Wayfarer (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Orient City (British, 5095 GRT, built 1940), Prins Harald (Norwegian, 7244 GRT, built 1942), Rajput (British, 5497 GRT, built 1925), Tawali (Dutch, 8178 GRT, built 1931), Thistledale (British, 7241 GRT, built 1942), Thomas Pinckney (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Thomas Stone (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Trentbank (British, 5060 GRT, built 1929), Troubadour (British, 5808 GRT, built 1920) and William M. Stewart (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

The tanker British Chivaldry (British, 7118 GRT, built 1929) was also with the convoy as escort oiler.

The boom carrier HMS Leonian (5424 GRT, built 1936) (A/Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Lundy, OBE, RNR) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from the U.K. the convoy was escorted by the sloops HMS Fowey (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN), HMS Black Swan (Cdr. T.A.C. Pakenham, RN) and the corvettes HMS Campion (Lt.Cdr. H.D. Horwood, RD, RNR), HMS Carnation (Lt. A. Branson, RNR), HMS La Malouine (T/Lt. V.D.H. Bidwell, RNR), HMS Mallow (Lt. W.R.B. Noall, DSO, RNR), HMS Myosotis (Lt. G.P.S. Lowe, RNVR), HMS Nasturtium (Lt. C.D. Smith, DSC, RNR), HMS Stonecrop (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Smythe, RNR), HMCS Lunenburg (T/Lt. W.E. Harrison, RCNVR) and HMCS Weyburn (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T.M.W. Golby, RCNR).

On 20 November 1942, to the West of Gibraltar, the convoy was attacked by the German submarine U-263 which managed to torpedo and sink the Grangepark and Prins Harald.

On 21 November 1942, the Gibraltar section of the convoy of five transports [identity to follow] parted company as did HMS Fowey, HMS Black Swan, HMS Carnation, HMS La Malouine, HMS Mallow and HMS Myosotis. HMCS Lunenburg also proceeded to Gribraltar with defects to her Asdic installation. After repairs she departed again later the same day to rejoin the convoy. The transport Hindustan also made a short stop at Gibraltar before rejoining the convoy.

On 21 November the RFA tankers Dingledale and Brown Ranger departed Gibraltar to join the convoy as did the destroyers HMS Venomous (Cdr. H.W. Falcon-Stewart, RN), HMS Verity, (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN), HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN), sloops HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. W.B. Piggott, OBE, RD, RNR), HMS Enchantress (Lt.Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, RN) and the corvettes HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) and HMS Jonquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RD, RNR).

On 23 November the convoy was joined by the destroyers HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN), HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) coming from Oran. They had conducted an A/S sweep while en-route to join the convoy.

The AA ship HMS Alynbank (A/Capt.(Retd.) H.F. Nash, RN) joined the convoy on 23 November 1942 coming from Oran / Mers-el-Kebir. The minesweepers HMS Brixham (Lt. G.A. Simmers, RNR) and HMS Polruan (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.S. Landers, RNR) also joined the convoy at some time.

The convoy was later split up into several sections, for Oran, Algiers, Bougie and Bone.

The Oran Section of 11 ships and HMS Leonian arrived there (around 1030A) on 23 November 1942 escorted by HMS Quality, HMS Quentin and HMAS Quiberon.

On 24 November German aircraft torpedoed and sank the Trentbank (which was to proceed to Bougie) in position 36°40'N, 01°11'E.

The Algiers Section arrived there on 24 November 1942 escorted by HMS Alynbank, HMS Enchantress, HMS Coreopsis, HMS Jonquil, HMS Brixham and HMS Polruan.

The convoy was joined on 24 November by some escorts coming from Algiers. These were the escort destroyers HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC, RN), HMS Wheatland (Lt.Cdr. R. de L. Brooke, DSC, RN), HMS Blean (Lt. N.J. Parker, RN) and the corvettes HMS Convolvulus (A/Lt.Cdr. R.F.R. Yarde-Buller, RNVR) and HMS Vetch (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.J. Beverley, DSO, DSC, RNR). Also the motor minesweepers HM MMS 9, HM MMS 47, HM MMS 80, HM MMS 81, HM MMS 135 and HM MMS 184 joined the convoy for passage to Bone.

The Bougie section of KMS 3 arrived there on 25 November 1942. [Details to follow.]

The Bone section of KMS 3 was attacked by enemy aircraft near Cap de Fer around 1400A/25. No damage was reported.

The Bone section of KMS 3 arrived there on 26 November 1942. [Details to follow.]

14 Nov 1942

Convoy KMF 3.

This convoy departed the U.K. (Clyde) on 14 November 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports;
Andes (British, 25689 GRT, built 1939), Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built 1913), Borinquen (American, 7114 GRT, built 1931), Christiaan Huygens (Dutch, 16287 GRT, built 1927), Coamo (American, 7057 GRT, built 1925), Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914), Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929), Mariposa (American, 18152 GRT, built 1931), Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929), Rangitiki (British, 16698 GRT, built 1929), Scythia (British, 19761 GRT, built 1920), Staffordshire (British, 10683 GRT, built 1929), Strathaird (British, 22281 GRT, built 1932), Strathallan (British, 23722 GRT, built 1938) and Windsor Castle (British, 19141 GRT, built 1922).

On departure from the U.K. the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Scimitar (Lt.Cdr. C.G. Cuthbertson, DSC, RNR), sloops HMS Folkestone (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, OBE, RN), HMS Weston (Cdr. L.F. Durnford-Slater, RN), HMS Wellington (Lt. L.G. Toone, RN), HMS Gorleston (Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN), HMS Totland (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN) and the corvette HMS Azalea (Lt. G.C. Geddes, RNR).

On 15 November 1942, HMS Scimitar parted company.

On 20 November 1942, the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN), HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) joined.

Around 1500A/21, the Oran Section of the convoy parted company. The Oran Section was made up of the Andes, Borinquen and the Rangitiki. They arrived at Oran around 1730A/21 escorted by HMS Milne, HMS Quality, HMS Quentin and HMAS Quiberon.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Algiers on 22 November.

18 Nov 1942
Around 1530Z/18, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.E. Creasy, DSO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral A.L.St.G. Lyster, CB, CVO, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN), HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN) and HMS Bulldog (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, DSO, RN) departed Gibraltar and proceeded to the westward.

Around 1645Z/19, the destroyers HMS Westcott (Cdr. I.H. Bockett-Pugh, DSO, RN), HMS Malcolm (A/Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN) and escort destroyer HNoMS Glaisdale (Lt.Cdr. T. Horve, RNorN) joined and HMS Milne, HMS Quality, HMS Quentin and HMAS Quiberon parted company. These four destroyers were to join convoy KMF 3 proceeding from the U.K. to the western Mediterranean. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy KMF 3 ' for 14 November 1941.]

On 20 November 1942, HMS Bulldog, HMS Beagle, HMS Westcott, HNoMS Glaisdale and HMS Malcolm fuelled from HMS Duke of York.

Around 1055Z/21, HMS Opportune was detached to search for a reported submarine. She rejoined around 1300Z/21.

Around 0915A/22, the destroyer HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Limbourne (Cdr. C.B. Alers-Hankey, DSC, RN) joined. HMS Bulldog and HMS Westcott then parted company.

Around 1800A/22, HMS Beagle parted company.

Around 0600A/23, HMS Malcolm parted company.

Around 0800A/23, HNoMS Glaisdale parted company.

HMS Duke of York, HMS Victorious, HMS Opportune, HMS Matcheless and HMS Limbourne arrived at Greenock shortly before noon on 23 November 1942. (11)

21 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN), HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) arrived off Oran with convoy KMF 3.

HMS Milne then proceeded to Gibraltar while the other three destroyers proceeded to Mers-el-Kebir. (12)

22 Nov 1942
Around 0800A/22, HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN), HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Mers-el-Kebir for Oran where they were to fuel.

Great difficulty was experienced at Oran with entering the harbour and getting alongside the oiler due to scuttled ships inside the harbour.

They then left Oran around 1700A/22 for an A/S sweep for the approaching convoy KMS 3 which they were to join later.

The A/S sweep was concluded at 2359A/22 and the destroyers then joined convoy KMS 3.

For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy KMS 3 ' for 8 November 1942.] (12)

23 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430A/23, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), departed Oran for A/S patrol in that area. (12)

24 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700A/24, the light cruisers HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Argonaut (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN), HMS Sirius (Capt. P.W.B. Brooking, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN) and HMS Ithuriel (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill-Crichton, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Mers-el-Kebir for Algiers. At sea they were joined by HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) which had been on A/S patrol.

They arrived at Algiers around 1630A/24. The destroyers did not enter harbour though but remained out in the bay on A/S patrol. They also provided smoke cover for transports anchored in the bay. (12)

25 Nov 1942
Around 2215A/25, ' Force Q ', made up of the light cruisers HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Argonaut (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN), HMS Sirius (Capt. P.W.B. Brooking, RN) departed Algiers for Bone. In the bay they were to be joined by the destroyers HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) and HMS Ithuriel (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill-Crichton, DSO, DSC, RN).

However, HMS Quentin and HMS Ithuriel failed to make contact.

The cruisers and HMAS Quiberon proceeded towards Bone. Around 0300A/26, they were ordered to return to Algiers where they arrived around 0830A/26. (13)

26 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1900A/26, ' Force Q ', made up of the light cruisers HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Argonaut (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN), HMS Sirius (Capt. P.W.B. Brooking, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN), HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) and HMS Ithuriel (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Maitland-Makgill-Crichton, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Algiers for Bone where they arrived around 0830A/27. (13)

30 Nov 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800A/30, ' Force Q ', made up of the light cruisers HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Argonaut (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN), HMS Sirius (Capt. P.W.B. Brooking, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Algiers for Bone where they arrived around 0800A/1. (14)

1 Dec 1942

Attack by ' Force Q ' on Italian / German ' Convoy H '.

Around 1745A/1, ' Force Q ', which was made up of the light cruisers HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Argonaut (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN), HMS Sirius (Capt. P.W.B. Brooking, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quentin (Lt.Cdr. A.H.P. Noble, DSC, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Bone to intercept an Italian/German convoy in the Sicilian Narrows. This convoy, designated ' Convoy H ', had sailed from Palermo and was heading towards Bizerte, consisted of Italian transports Aspromonte (976 GRT, built 1922), Aventino (3794 GRT, built 1907), Puccini (2422 GRT, built 1928), Aspromonte (976 tgr) and the German KT 1 (850 GRT, built 1942). This convoy was escorted by the Italian destroyers Nicoloso da Recco, Camicia Nera, Folgore and the Italian torpedo boats Procione and Clio.

Force Q, which had proceeded at high speed to intercept, attacked the convoy on the night of 1/2 December. All four transports and the Folgore were sunk, while Nicoloso da Recco and Procione sustained severe damage. The British suffered no damage. [Details of the action hopefully to follow at a later date.]

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The following morning however, while returning to Bone, the ships of ' Force Q ' were 50 nautical miles bearing 048° from Cap de Guarde (Algeria) when they came under attack, first from German torpedo bombers of KG.26, then by a formation of 13 Ju-88s belonging to II FK.

Around 0630A/2, in the predawn light conditions, HMS Quentin was hit in the side by a 500-kg bomb, which made the British believe they had been torpedoed. Her conditions appeared immediately to be desperate, the crew was removed by HMAS Quiberon while she too was attack by the planes, which damaged her with near-misses. HMS Quentin sank within 4 minutes (Around 0640 hrs) in position 37°32'N, 08°32'E. There were 20 dead. 8 Officers and 174 other ranks were taken on board HMAS Quiberon.

' Force Q ' arrived back at Bone around 0930A/2.

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Now we shall describe some of the events relating to the daily activities of Axis air forces against Force Q, extracted from the reports made to OBS (Commander in Chief South 'Feldmarschal Kesselring, Commander Luftflotte II').

As soon as the attack on the Italian/German convoy became known, II FK received the order to take off. Therefore, in the early morning hours, at 0315 hours, from Sardinian airports left 12 He.111 torpedo bombers of I/KG.26 and 4 Ju-88s torpedo bombers of III/KG.26. These were followed shortly by aircraft from Sicily who, between 0437-0447 hours could put in the air 13 Ju-88 bombers of KG.54 in 3 groups, of 3, 4 and 6 planes respectively.

The first to attack the British ships were the torpedo bombers but, due to poor weather, they reported attacking a convoy of La Galite island. In the official bullettin #371 of 4 December 1942 is stated 'sunk an escort vessel, HMS PC-74 and attacked a cruiser with unseen effect due to fog. The majority of the aircraft failed to find the target due to inclement weather'.

From what said above, it is unlikely the ship identified as PC-74 was HMS Quentin. This destroyer was then attacked by 3 Ju-88s of I.KG.54 and the crews reported obtaining one 500-kg bomb hit in the side of a destroyer, leaving her dead in the water. The second wave, consisting of 4 more Ju-88s, dropped their bombs on HMS Quentin, which already had the stern underwater, while the 3rd wave, with 6 Ju-88s of III/KG.54, bombed HMAS Quiberon which was seen to stop and trailing a large oil slick. The aircraft then proceeded to Bone to attack harbour targets.

Now about the Italian 130th Gruppo torpedo bombers we (uboat.net) previously erroneously credited with sinking HMS Quentin.

At 0855 hours, well over 2 hours after HMS Quentin had been hit by the Ju-88s of I.KG.54, on orders of the Air Force Command, Sardinia, 8 S.79 torpedo bombers took off from Elmas airfield to search for, and attack, Force Q. 5 planes belonged to the 283th Squadriglia (Major Franco Melley) and 3 to the 280th Squadriglia (Capt Giuseppe Cimicchi). Once in the air, Major Melley's plane had engine trouble & abotrted the mission, while the remaining 7 planes carried on in single formation. While approaching the British ships, they were attacked by Spitfires, covering their return. North of Bizerte POs Hamblin and Lindsay, of 242 Sqn, attacked first, followed by Wing Cdr Hugo, CO of #322 Wing. Between them, they shot down 4 of the torpedo bombers. The remaining 3 dropped their torpedoes, reported overly optimistically to have hit a cruiser and a freighter. PO Hamblin was shot down by the defensive armament of the torpedo bombers, he parachuted out but was not recovered.

2 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1700A/2, ' Force Q ', made up of the light cruisers HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Argonaut (Capt. E.W.L. Longley-Cook, RN), HMS Sirius (Capt. P.W.B. Brooking, RN) and the destroyer HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Bone for Algiers where they arrived around 0730A/3. (15)

3 Dec 1942
Around 1900A/3, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Algiers for Oran / Mers-el-Kebir.

She did not enter Oran / Mers-el-Kebir the following morning but joined ' Force H ' at sea around 0945A/4. ' Force H ' had just left the harbour for a sortie. (16)

7 Dec 1942
HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) commenced boiler cleaning at Gibraltar. Also some repairs were undertaken. Boiler cleaning and repairs were completed on 13 December 1942. She also had a docking. (16)

12 Dec 1942

Convoy KMF 5.

This convoy departed the U.K. (Clyde) on 12 December 1942.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports;
Arundel Castle (British, 19118 GRT, built 1921), Cameronia (British, 16297 GRT, built 1920), Circassia (British, 11136 GRT, built 1937), Duchess of Richmond (British, 20022 GRT, built 1928), Duchess of York (British, 20021 GRT, built 1929), Dunnottar Castle (British, 15007 GRT, built 1936), Empire Tide (British, 9248 GRT, built 1941), Empress of Canada (British, 21517 GRT, built 1922), Exiria (American, 6533 GRT, built 1941), Irénée du Pont (American, 6125 GRT, built 1941), Manchester Trader (British, 5671 GRT, built 1941), Strathallan (British, 23722 GRT, built 1938) and Zoella Lykes (American, 6829 GRT, built 1940).

On departure the convoy was escorted by the aircraft carrier HMS Argus (Capt. G.T. Philip, RN), destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN), HMS Lightning (Cdr. H.G. Walter, DSC, RN), sloops HMS Folkestone (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, OBE, RN), HMS Weston (Cdr. L.F. Durnford-Slater, RN), HMS Wellington (Lt. L.G. Toone, RN), HMS Gorleston (Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN), HMS Totland (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN) and the frigate HMS Waveney (Lt.Cdr. A.E. Willmott, DSC, RNR).

HMS Wellington parted company on 13 December 1942 and proceeded to Londonderry due to weather damage she had sustained.

on the 17th it was reported that the Irénée du Pont was returning to the Clyde due to weather damage.

The convoy passed through the straits of Gibraltar during the morning of 20 December 1942. The convoy had been delayed due to adverse weather conditions being encountered on passage from the U.K.

The Gibraltar section of the convoy of seven transports then joined the convoy.
These were the following transports;
Ajax (British, 7540 GRT, built 1931), Clan Lamont (British, 7250 GRT, built 1939), Elisabeth Bakke (British, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Gloucester (British, 8532 GRT, built 1941), Pardo (British, 5400 GRT, built 1940) and Silverlaurel (British, 6142 GRT, built 1939).
This section had been escorted to the rendezvous by the destroyer HMS Verity, (Lt.Cdr. R. Horncastle, RN), minesweeper HMS Hussar (Lt. R.C. Biggs, DSO, DSC, RN) and corvette HMS Nasturtium (Lt. C.D. Smith, DSC, RNR) which also joined the convoy. On these ships joining HMS Totland and HMS Waveney then parted company with the convoy and entered Gibraltar. Both had defects due to weather damage.

HMS Laforey and HMS Lightning also made a call at Gibraltar before rejoining the convoy. Both fuelled, discharged stores brought out from the U.K., and made a few small repairs to weather damage, before proceeding to rejoin the convoy.

HMS Argus left the convoy and proceeded to Gibraltar. Escorted by the destroyers HMS Vanoc ( A/Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, RN), HMS Wishart (Cdr. H.G. Scott, RN) and HMS Wivern (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, RN) which had gone out to make rendezvous with convoy to escort the carrier into harbour.

The transports Manchester Citizen and Zoella Lykes, which had lost contact with the convoy due to the weather conditions, arrived at Gibraltar on 20 December 1942.

On 20 December 1942, the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Mers-el-Kebir to make rendezvous with the convoy and then take the Oran section of the convoy with them to Oran the following day. They made rendezvous with the convoy around 1700A/20. The Oran section made up of the Duchess of Richmond, Duchess of York, Empress of Canada, Elisabeth Bakke, Exiria, Pardo and Silverlaurel parted company with the convoy around 0200A/21.

Around 0230A/21, the German submarine U-562 managed to torpedo and damage the troop transport Strathallan in position 36°52'N, 00°34'W. The destroyers HMS Laforey, HMS Lightning, HMS Verity and sloop HMS Folkestone remained with the damaged ship. The destroyers HMAS Quiberon, HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN), HMS Pathfinder and HMS Meteor later jouned them. Also the tug HMRT Restive (Lt. D.M. Richards, RNR), salvage vessel King Salvor and two trawlers came out to render assistance.

On 21 December 1942, the Algiers section of 8 (troop) transports parted company. The destroyer HMS Eskimo (Capt. J.W.M. Eaton, DSO, DSC, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC, RN) had come out from Algiers to escort this section. The Algiers section arrived at Algiers later the same day escorted by HMS Eskimo, HMS Lamerton, HMS Weston, HMS Gorleston, HMS Hussar and HMS Nasturtium.

Also on 21 December 1942, the light cruiser HMS Aurora (Capt. W.G. Agnew, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, RN), destroyer HMS Quality (Lt.Cdr. G.L. Farnfield, DSO, RN) and escort destroyers HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC, RN) and HMS Wheatland (Lt.Cdr. R. de L. Brooke, DSC, RN) joined the convoy as escorts.

Around 0630A/22, the troop transport Cameronia, which was to proceed to Bone, had been hit by an aircraft torpedo in position 37°03'N, 05°24'E. An hour later it was reported that she was making for Bougie escorted by HMS Scylla and HMS Wheatland which later parted company to rejoin the convoy. From Bougie the tug Hengist and the M/S trawlers HMS Inchcolm (Skr. A.C. Whitcombe, RNR), HMS Mull (Lt. J. Plomer, RCNVR) and HMS Rysa (T/Lt. J.H. Cooper, RNVR) were sent to her assitance.

On 22 December 1942, the Bone section arrived there escorted by HMS Aurora, HMS Scylla, HMS Quality, HMS Lamerton and HMS Wheatland.

[Further research regarding this convoy is required.]

14 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1830A/14, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Gibraltar for Mers-el-Kebir where she arrived the following day. (16)

17 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730A/17, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Algiers to conduct an A/S patrol off the bay.

Around 1730A/17, she was joined by HMS Panther (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Jocelyn, RN) which had left Algiers harbour 15 minutes before. (16)

18 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0935A/18, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) returned to Algiers from patrol.

She departed again for A/S patrol around 1435A/18.

Around 2000A/18, she was joined by HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) which had departed harbour around 1945A/18. (16)

19 Dec 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800A/19, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) returned to Algiers from patrol. (16)

20 Dec 1942
HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Mers-el-Kebir to make rendezvous with convoy KMF 5 coming from the U.K. / Gibraltar and then take the Oran section of the convoy with them.

Rendezvous with the convoy was made around 1700A/20 and the destroyers joined the convoy for the moment.

The Oran section parted company with the convoy around 0200A/21.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy KMF 5 ' for 12 December 1942.] (17)

21 Dec 1942
Around 0600A/21, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) and HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN) are ordered to proceed to the assistance of the damaged troopship Strathallan.

They arrived at Mers-el-Kebir later the same day after the troopship sank. (16)

22 Dec 1942
Around 1600A/22, HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) and HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Mers-el-Kebir / Oran escorting the troopship Duchess of Richmond (British, 20022 GRT, built 1928) which had on board the survivors from the troopship Strathallan (British, 23722 GRT, built 1938) that had been sunk the day before.

They arrived at Algiers around 0830A/23. They detroyers however did not enter the harbour and set course to return to Mers-el-Kebir where they arrived around 1600A/23. (16)

28 Dec 1942

Convoy TM 1.

This convoy of tankers departed Trinidad on 28 December 1942.

It was made up of the following tankers;
Albert L. Ellsworth (Norwegian, 8309 GRT, built 1937), British Dominion (British, 6983 GRT, built 1928), British Vigilance (British, 8093 GRT, built 1942), Cliona (British, 8375 GRT, built 1931), Empire Lytton (British, 9807 GRT, built 1942), Minister Wedel (Norwegian, 6833 GRT, built 1930), Norvik (Panamanian, 9555 GRT, built 1938), Oltenia II (British, 6394 GRT, built 1928) and Vanja (Norwegian, 6198 GRT, built 1929).

On departure from Trinidad the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Havelock (Cdr. R.C. Boyle, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMS Godetia (Lt. A.H. Pierce, OBE, RNR), HMS Pimpernel (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Thornton, RNR) and HMS Saxifrage (Lt. N.L. Knight, RNR).

The convoy was sighted on 3 January 1943 by the German submarine U-514.

It was quickly recognised as an important convoy from the Carribean to North Africa so the BDU decided to go ' all in ' and a patrol line of u-boats was deployed to intercept and destroy this important convoy.

A wolfpack (Delphin) was deployed, made up of the following u-boats; U-134, U-181, U-381, U-436, U-442, U-511, U-522, U-571, U-575 and U-620.

On 3 January 1943, U-514, sighted and reported the convoy which she later attacked damaging the the British Vigilance. Following this attack HMS Havelock engaged the u-boat with gunfire which then evaded and started a new attack but the lone torpedo fired missed. Following this attack she lost contact with the convoy. The British Vigilance was abandoned and the floating wreck was only sunk on 24 January 1943 by the U-105.

On 5 January 1943, the escorts fuelled from the Cliona.

The convoy was again sighted on around 1320A/8 by U-381 which brings on three more boats from the patrol line which were the closest. These were U-571, U-436 and U-575.

At 1810A/8, U-571 also made contact with the convoy.

At 2037A/8, U-436 also made contact with the convoy.

U-436 was the first to attack, at 2137A/8 she managed to torpedo and damage the Albert L. Elsworth and torpedo and sink the Oltenia II.

Following the attack HMS Havelock closed to investigate and spotted the attacker which quickly submerged and was subsequently depth charged sustaining damage.

The Albert L. Elsworth is finally sunk by gunfire from U-436 at 1943A/9.

Shortly after her depth charge attack on U-436, HMS Havelock obtained a radar contact on what was thought to be another enemy submarine. Starshell was fired and when it lit up the sky another surfaced submarine was sighted only about 1000 yards away. The enemy crash dived and was depth charged. This was U-381 which was not damaged.

At 2229A/8, U-575 also made contact with the convoy.

One minute later U-571, which was about to attack, was spotted by HMS Pimpernel and attack with gunfire. The submarine then dived and was attacked with depth charges sustaining no damage.

At 2303A/8, U-575 attacked with five torpedoes claiming three hits but in fact none were obtained.

At 0345A/9, U-442 made contact with the convoy.

At 0519A/9, having made contact with the convoy U-522 attacked with four torpedoes. The Minister Wedel and Norvik were both damaged in this attack.

Around 0530A/9, U-522 was depth charged by HMS Saxifrage and HMS Havelock but she sustained no damage.

At 0535A/9, U-575 attacked again with five torpedoes claiming four hits but in fact again none were obtained.

At 0606A/9, U-571 regained contact on the convoy.

At 0627A/9, U-442 attacked and torpedoed and damaged the Empire Lytton.

At 0709A/9, U-571 was attacked with depth charged by HMS Havelock. She sustained some damage. HMS Havelock had been standing by the crippled Minister Wedel and Norvik when she got an RDF contact at a range of 5000 yards. When she closed to investigate the target disappeared and was almost immediately picked up on Asdic.

At 0738A/9, U-381 attack a stationary damaged tanker but obtained no hits.

Later on the 9th, the damaged Norvik and Minister Wendel were finished off by the U-522 and the Empire Lytton by the U-442.

Two more u-boats had sighted the convoy on this day, U-181 (at 1206A/9) and U-620 (time not known) but were unable to attack.

Meanwhile, at 1143A/9, U-134 had also obtained contact on the convoy and later started a submerged daylight attack.

At 1430A/9, U-134 attacked the Vanja with torpedoes but the tanker was able to evade.

Following this attack HMS Godetia and HMS Pimpernel attacked with depth charges causing considerable damage to the attacker which had to abandon her patrol due to this damage.

At 1154A/10, U-620 obtained contact with the convoy.

At 1200A/10, U-571 regained contact with the convoy but was unable to attack and lost contact again.

At 1830A/10, U-620 attacked with four torpedoes but obtained no hits. She was subsequently depth charged by HMS Saxifrage.

At 2112A/10, U-522 attacked with four torpedoes but no hits were obtained.

At 2318A/10, U-571 again made contact with the convoy and started an attack.

At 2340A/10, U-522 attack with two torpedoes. The British Dominion was damaged.

At 2341A/10, U-522 was spotted and fired up by the Vanja. The u-boat submerged and was then depth charged by HMS Havelock but she sustained no damage.

At 2345A/10, U-571 fired a torpedo at an escort vessel but no hit was obtained.

At 2353A/10, U-571 fired three torpedoes at the Cliona but again no hits were obtained. Following this attack she was depth charged by HMS Havelock but sustained no damage.

At 0232A/11, U-620 fired one torpedo at an escort vessel but it missed. Another torpedo was fired at the damaged British Dominion and the tanker sank soon afterwards.

At 0450A/11, U-511 had obtained contact on the convoy.

At 0630A/11, U-511 attacked with four torpedoes but no hits were obtained.

Around 0700A/11, the destroyer HMAS Quiberon (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) joined coming from Gibraltar and soon afterwards a Catalina flying boat was also sighted.

Around 1200A/11, the destroyers HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) also joined.

At 1230A/11, U-511 regained contact with the convoy but was driven off and then lost contact.

Around 0930A/14, what was left of convoy TM 1 arrived at Gibraltar.

8 Jan 1943

Convoy KMF 7.

This convoy departed U.K. waters on 8 January 1943.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports;
Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936), Bergensfjord (Norwegian, 11015 GRT, built 1913), Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Leopoldville (Belgian, 11509 GRT, built 1929), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915), Otranto (British, 20026 GRT, built 1925), Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931) and Sobieski (British, 11030 GRT, built 1939).

The repair ship HMS Wayland (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.S. Carson, RN) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from the U.K. the convoy was escorted by the sloops HMS Folkestone (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, OBE, RN), HMS Weston (Cdr. L.F. Durnford-Slater, RN), HMS Wellington (Lt. L.G. Toone, RN), HMS Gorleston (Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN), HMS Totland (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Woodhouse, RN) and the frigate HMS Wear (Cdr. E. Wheeler, RD, RNR).

On 15 January 1943, HMS Wayland parted company and entered Gibraltar. HMS Weston made a short stop at Gibraltar to disembark stores. She rejoined the convoy on the 16th. During the time HMS Weston was not with the convoy the destroyer HMS Vanoc ( A/Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, RN) took her place.

On the 16th also the escort destroyer HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC, RN) joined coming from Gibraltar.

Around 1500A/16, the Franconia and Reina del Pacifico parted company with the convoy to proceed to Oran escorted by the destroyer HMAS Quiberon (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) which had escorted the tanker Gulfport (American, 8081 GRT, built 1942) from Oran to the rendezvous with the convoy. The Gulfport then joined the convoy for passage to Algiers.

The convoy arrived at Algiers on 17 January 1943.

9 Jan 1943
Around 1430A/9, the destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Gibraltar to make rendezvous with the heavily attacked convoy TM 1 en-route from Trinidad to Gibraltar.

Around 2230A/9, the destroyers HMS Pathfinder (Cdr. E.A. Gibbs, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) and HMS Penn (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RN) also departed Gibraltar to join the escort of this convoy.

On this day the corvettes HMS Pentstemon (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J. Byron, DSC, RNR), HMS Samphire (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Renny, DSC, RD, RNR) and the rescue tug HMS Nimble also departed to join the escort of this convoy / search for casualties.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy TM 1 ' for 28 December 1942.] (16)

14 Jan 1943
Around 0930A/14, HMAS Quiberon (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) arrived at Gibraltar with convoy TM 1.

After having fuelled she departed around 1900A/14 for Mers-el-Kebir together with HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN). HMS Ashanti however had to return shortly afterwards due to defects. (18)

15 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800A/15, HMAS Quiberon (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) arrived at Mers-el-Kebir. (18)

16 Jan 1943
Around 1200A/16, HMAS Quiberon (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Mers-el-Kebir escorting the tanker Gulfport (American, Gulfport (American, 8081 GRT, built 1942) to a rendezvous with convoy KMF 7.

Rendezvous was made around 1500A/16, when the tanker joined the convoy and HMAS Quiberon set course for Oran escorting the troop transports Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923) and Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931). They arrived at Oran later the same day.

[For more info this convoy see the event ' Convoy KMF 7 ' for 8 January 1943.] (18)

17 Jan 1943
Around 1800A/17, HMAS Quiberon (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) departed Mers-el-Kebir for A/S patrol in the bay. (18)

18 Jan 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800A/18, HMAS Quiberon (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN) returned to Mers-el-Kebir from A/S patrol. (18)

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