Allied Warships

USS Eugene E. Elmore (DE 686)

Destroyer Escort of the Rudderow class

NavyThe US Navy
TypeDestroyer Escort
ClassRudderow 
PennantDE 686 
Built byBethlehem Steel Corp. (Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.A.) 
Ordered 
Laid down27 Nov 1943 
Launched23 Dec 1943 
Commissioned4 Feb 1944 
End service31 May 1946 
History

Decommissioned 31 May 1946.
Stricken 30 June 1968.
Sold in June 1969 and broken up for scrap.

 

Commands listed for USS Eugene E. Elmore (DE 686)

Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

CommanderFromTo
1T/Lt.Cdr. George Lissant Conkey, USN4 Feb 194428 Oct 1944
2Lt.Cdr. Richard F. Creath, USNR28 Oct 1944

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Notable events involving Eugene E. Elmore include:


29 May 1944
German U-boat U-549 was sunk in the mid-Atlantic south-west of Madeira in position 31°13'N, 23°03'W, by depth charges from the US destroyer escorts USS Eugene E. Elmore and USS Ahrens.

1 Jun 1944

Convoy GUF 11.

This convoy departed Naples on 1 June 1944.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Cristobal (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), Frederick Lykes (American, 7773 GRT, built 1940) and Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932).

They were escorted by the destroyers USS Davison (T/Cdr. E.L.E. Ritson, USN, with COMTASKFOR 68 / COMDESRON 15, T/Capt. S.W. DuBois, USN on board), USS Mervine (T/Cdr. D.R. Frakes, USN), USS Quick (T/Cdr. P.W. Cann, USN), USS Tillman (T/Cdr. C.S. Hutchings, USN) and USS Earle (T/Capt. G.O. Hobbs, USN).

Around 2030B/1, the destroyer USS Livermore (T/Cdr. H.E. Siedel, Jr., USN) joined for jammer duty (against German radio controlled bombs).

The convoy proceeded via the Messina Straits.

Around 1300B/2, the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and naval tanker USS Mattaponi (Lt.Cdr. V.J. Banks, USNR) joined coming from Bizerta.

Around 0445B/4, the convoy was off Oran where the (troop) transports James Parker (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939) and Sea Perch (American, 7870 GRT, built 1944) joined. Also the stores ship USS Merak (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Cawthon, USN) joined.

Around 1745A/4, the destroyer escorts USS Ahrens (Cdr. M.H. Harris, USNR) and USS Robert I. Paine (Lt.Cdr. D. Cochran, USN) joined the convoy near Gibraltar.

Around 1815A/4, HMS Colombo, USS Earle and USS Livermore were detached near Gibraltar.

On 5 June 1944, USS Davison, USS Mervine, USS Quick and USS Tillman fuelled from USS Mattaponi.

Around 1500N/8, the destroyer escorts USS Evarts (Lt.Cdr. T.G. Bremer, Jr., USNR, with COMCORTDIV 5, Cdr. R.A. Fitch, USNR on board), USS Wilhoite (T/Lt.Cdr. E.B. Roth, USN) and USS Eugene E. Elmore (T/Lt.Cdr. G.L. Conkey, USN) joined and commenced fuelling from USS Mattaponi. On completion, around 1800N/8, they parted company.

On 9 June 1944, all escorts fuelled from USS Mattaponi.

The convoy arrived at Hampton Roads on 13 June 1944.

24 Jun 1944

Convoy UGS 46.

This convoy departed Hampton Roads on 24 June 1944.

It was made up of the following transports / tankers; Albert G. Brown (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1943), Alexander Lillington (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Ammla (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Anson Jones (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Arthur St. Clair (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944), Benjamin D. Wilson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Benjamin H. Latrobe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Benjamin Lundy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Benjamin Williams (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Charles Goodnight (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944), Charles Goodyear (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), David J. Brewer (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Empire Coleridge (British (tanker), 9798 GRT, built 1942), Esso Nashville (American (tanker), 7943 GRT, built 1940), Fitzhugh Lee (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Frederick L. Dau (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), George Matthews (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), George Shiraz (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Gideon Welles (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Henry L. Ellsworth (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1943), Howard A. Kelly (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Irvin McDowell (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), James E. Howard (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), James Harlan (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Hoban (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), James J. Hill (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), James Madison (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), John C. Spencer (American, 7242 GRT, built 1943), John H. Reagan (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), John T. Holt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph Habersham (American, 7199 GRT, built 1943), Joseph Holt (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Joyce Kilmer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Katy (Norwegian (tanker), 6826 GRT, 1931), Kildonan Park (Canadian, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Marshall Elliott (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Memphis City (American, 5686 GRT, built 1921), Norsol (Norwegian (tanker), 8236 GRT, built 1941), O' Henry (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), R.F. Peckham (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Salamis (Norwegian (tanker), 8286 GRT, built 1939), Samavon (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samcolne (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samleven (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samlistar (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Sammex (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samport (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samsoaring (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samspeed (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samstrule (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samtorch (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samtucky (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samtyne (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), Samuel Gorton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Samuel Livermore (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Samwye (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), San Cipriano (British (tanker), 7966 GRT, built 1937), Steel Engineer (American, 5687 GRT, built 1920), Taria (Dutch (tanker), 10354 GRT, built 1939), Thaddeus Kosciuszko (American, 7200 GRT, built 1942), Theodore Sedgwick (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Thomas Hill (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Tibia (Dutch (tanker), 10356 GRT, built 1939), Toltec (Honduran, 5527 GRT, built 1929), Tulsa (American, 5083 GRT, built 1919), Vernon L. Kellogg (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Ward Hunt (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), William D. Moseley (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), William L. Yancey (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William Moultrie (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942).

Also part of the convoy were the LST's; USS LST-548 (Lt. J.B. Brady, USN), USS LST-550 (Lt. V.A. Meehan, USNR), USS LST-561 (Lt. V.W. Foster, USNR), 11715 655 (T/Lt. D.D. Sumrall, USN), USS LST-656 (Lt. F.T. McCahill, USNR), USS LST-664 (Lt. J.R. Burke, USNR), USS LST-665 (Lt. H.L. Jones, USNR), USS LST-690 (Lt.Cdr. E.C. Reif, USNR), USS LST-691 (Lt. J.H. Monroe, USNR), USS LST-692 (Lt. R.B. Carothers, USNR), USS LST-913 (Lt. L.C. Gwin, USNR), USS LST-914 (Lt. A.W. Meyer, USNR), USS LST-994 (Lt. R.P. Gonder, USNR), USS 995 (Lt. G.W. Chamberlain, USNR), USS LST-996 (Lt. C.A. Leach, Jr, USNR), USS LST-997 (Lt. L.R. Dhuyvetter, USNR), USS LST-1019 (Lt. N.C. Ross, USNR), USS LST-1020 (Lt. P.D. Tracy, USNR), USS LST-1021 (Lt. R.W. Erickson, USNR),

The escort carrier HMS Trouncer (Cdr. B.J. Fisher, DSO, RN) (transporting aircraft) was also part of the convoy as was the naval tanker (escort oiler) USS Mattaponi (Lt.Cdr. V.J. Banks, USNR).

On departure from Hampton Roads the convoy was escorted by Task Force 60 which was made up of the cutter USCGC Bibb (Cdr. H.T. Diehl, USCG, with COMTASKFOR 60, T/Capt. R.B. Nickerson, USN, on board) and the destroyer escorts USS Vance (Lt.Cdr. F.V. Helmer, USCG, with COMCORTDIV 45, Cdr. E.J. Roland, USCG, on board), USS Lansing (Cdr. R.F. Rea, USCG), USS Durant (Cdr. C.C. Knapp, USCG), USS Calcaterra (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Howard, USCGR), USS Chambers (Cdr. H.A. Loughlin, USCG), USS Merrill (Cdr. I.J.Stephens, USCG), USS Riley (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Johnson, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 67, T/Cdr. F.G. Gould, USN, on board), USS Leslie L.B. Knox (Lt. J.A. Moffett, USNR), USS McNulty (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Jennings, USNR), USS Metivier (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Maher, USNR), USS George A. Johnson (Lt.Cdr. A. Robinson, USNR), USS Eugene E. Elmore (T/Lt.Cdr. G.L. Conkey, USN), Somali and the sloop Dumont d'Urville.

On 26 June 1944, the transport Tulsa developed engine trouble and was detached to return to Hampton Roads unescorted.

On 28 June 1944, USS Mattaponi refuelled USS Leslie L.B. Knox, USS Riley, USS Metivier, USS Eugene E. Elmore and USS George A. Johnson.

On 3 July 1944, USS Mattaponi refuelled USCGC Bibb.

On 4 July 1944, USS Mattaponi refuelled USS Leslie L.B. Knox, USS Riley, USS Metivier, USS McNulty, USS Eugene E. Elmore and USS George A. Johnson.

At 1108O/4, the tanker Norsol was detached to Horta, Azores escorted by USS Leslie L.B. Knox. At 0419N/5, the escort of the tanker was taken over by the A/S trawler HMS Mazurka (A/Skr.Lt. J. Baxter, RNR) and USS Leslie L.B. Knox then set course to rejoin the convoy which she did around 2026N/5.

On 5 July 1944, USS Mattaponi refuelled USS Durant, USS Lansing, USS Chambers, USS Calcaterra, USS Vance and USS Merrill.

On 7 July 1944, USS Mattaponi refuelled the ships of Hunter Killer Task Group 22.5, the escort carrier USS Wake Island (T/Capt. J.R. Tague, USN) and the destroyer escorts USS Farquhar (Delton E Walter, USNR), USS Fiske (Lt. J.A. Comly, USNR), USS Hill (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Bane, USNR), USS J.R.Y. Blakely (Lt. A.S. Archie, USNR) and USS Douglas L. Howard (Lt.Cdr. W.F. Stokey, USNR). Task Group 22.5 was operating in the area also covering the passage of the convoy.

Around 1900Z/9, in position 34°23'N, 08°47'W, the transport Fort Grahame (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943) joined coming from Casablanca. She had been escorted out by the minesweeping sloops La Gracieuse, La Boudeuse and Commandant Delage.

These three French escort vessels now proceeded to Casablanca escorting HMS Trouncer and the transports / tankers Alexander Lillington, Esso Nashville, George Shiraz, Henry L. Ellsworth, John T. Holt, Joseph Habersham and Samtucky. They arrived at Casablanca on the 10th. With them was also the Dumont d'Urville.

Around 1730Z/10, the transports Socotra (British, 7840 GRT, built 1943) and Teucer (British, 9079 GRT, built 1906) joined coming from Gibraltar. With these ships the AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN), submarine HMS Virtue (Lt. R.D. Cairns, DSC, RN) and rescue tug HMRT Vagrant also joined the convoy.

Around 1650B/12, the destroyer USS Hilary P. Jones (T/Cdr. F.M. Stiesberg, USN) and destroyer escort USS Herbert C. Jones (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Soule, 3rd, USNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1700B/11, the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran Bay Edward N. Hurley (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Edward Richardson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Felix Grundy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Rumsey (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), John B. Hood (American, 7196 GRT, built 1943), John Howland (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Louis McLane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Luctretia Mott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Ponce de Leon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Hart Benton (American, 7187 GRT, built 1943) and Thomas Sumter (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942) while the following ships parted company with the convoy and entered Oran Bay; David J. Brewer, Howard A. Kelly, James E. Howard, Katy, USS LST-561, USS LST-664, USS LST-665, USS LST-691, USS LST-994, USS LST-995 and USS LST-1020. The LST's however later rejoined the convoy.

On 12 July 1944, USS Mattaponi refuelled USS Leslie L.B. Knox, USS Riley, USS Metivier, USS McNulty, USS Eugene E. Elmore and USS George A. Johnson.

Also on 12 July 1944, the following ships joined the convoy off Algiers; Chertsey (British, 6001 GRT, built 1943), Coulgorm (British, 6997 GRT, built 1942), Empire Gain (British (tanker), 3738 GRT, built 1943), Essex Trader (British, 7237 GRT, built 1943), Hai Lee (Norwegian, 3616 GRT, built 1934), Iceland (British, 1236 GRT, built 1914), Lorraine (French (tanker), 9512 GRT, built 1937), Middlesex Trader (British, 7421GRT, built 1942), Ocean Pride (British, 7173 GRT, built 1942), Pan-Maryland (American (tanker), 7701 GRT, built 1938), Prosper Schiaffino (French, 1634 GRT, built 1931), Samstrae (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), Thomas Stone (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and Zaanstroom (Dutch, 1646 GRT, built 1920) with the following transports Fort Grahame and Thomas Hart Benton parted company and entered Algiers harbour.

On 13 July 1944, USS Mattaponi refuelled USCGC Bibb, USS Durant, USS Lansing, USS Vance, USS Calcaterra, USS Chambers and USS Merrill.

On 13 July 1944, the transports Chertsey and Essex Trader arrived at Bougie after having straggled from the convoy.

On 13 July 1944, the transport Middlesex Trader arrived at Bone after having been detached from the convoy.

On 14 July 1944, the tankers Empire Harbour (British (tanker), 797 GRT, built 1943), Suderholm (Norwegian (tanker), 4908 GRT, built 1917) and Vittorino Zanibon (Italian (tanler), 1622 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Bizerta. Also the new (British) escort joined the convoy, this was made up of the sloop Pheasant and the corvettes Alisma, Saxifrage and Spiraea.

When the above ships joined the convoy the following transports / tankers parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bizerta Hai Lee, Mattaponi, San Cipriano and Tibia. Also all the USN escort vessels and the naval tanker proceeded to Bizerta as did HMS Caledon and the French Somali. Also the LST's had entered Bizerta.

On 14 July 1944, the transport Thomas Stone arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy. Around the same time the transport Prosper Schiaffino must also have left the convoy. She arrived at Sfax on 15 July 1944.

On 15 July 1944, the tanker Thomas F. Cunningham (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Malta. HMS Virtue arrived at Malta after having been detached from the convoy.

On 15 July 1944, the transports / tankers Algorab (Dutch, 4938 GRT, built 1921), Fort la Prairie (British, 7138 GRT, built 1943), Fort Venango (British, 7166 GRT, built 1943), Joseph Goldberger (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1943), Kobad (French (tanker), 7329 GRT, built 1930), Marit Maersk (Greek (former Danish), 1894 GRT, built 1938) and Samesk (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944) departed Augusta to joined the convoy.

On 16 July 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy; Albert G. Brown, Benjamin H. Latrobe, Charles Goodyear, Coulgorm, Edward N. Hurley, Edward Richardson, Empire Gain, Felix Grundy, Fitzhugh Lee, George Matthews, Gideon Welles, Iceland, Irvin McDowell, James Hoban, James Rumsey, John B. Hood, John Howland, Joseph Holt, Joyce Kilmer, Joseph Goldberg, Marshall Elliott, Memphis City, Ocean Pride, Pan-Maryland, Salamis, Samavon, Samsoaring, Samstrule, Samuel Gorton, Samuel Livermore, Taria, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Theodore Sedgwick, Thomas Hill, Thomas Sumter, Toltec, Vittorino Zanibon, Ward Hunt, William D. Moseley, William L. Yancey, William Moultrie and Zaanstroom.

The Empire Harbour arrived at Catania on the same day.

On 19 July 1944, the following transports Marit Maersk, Samcolne, Samleven, Sammex arrived at Alexandria after having parted company with the convoy. Also HMS Alisma and HMS Saxifrage arrived at Alexandria.

On 20 July 1944, the following transport / tankers arrived at Port Said; Algorab, Ammla, Anson Jones, Arthur St. Clair, Benjamin D. Wilson, Benjamin Lundy, Benjamin Williams, Charles Goodnight, Empire Coleridge, Fort la Prairie, Fort Venango, Frederick L. Dau, James Harlan, James Madison, John C. Spencer, John H. Reagan, Joseph Goldberger, Kildonan Park, Kobad, Lorraine, Louis McLane, Lucretia Mott, O'Henry, Ponce de Leon, R.F. Peckham, Samesk, Samlista, Samport, Samspeed, Samstrae, Samtorch, Samtyne, Samwye, Socotra, Steel Engineer, Suderholm, Teucer, Thomas F. Cunningham and Vernon L. Kellogg. Also HMS Pheasant and HMS Spiraea arrived at Port Said.

14 Jul 1944

Convoy GUS 46.

This convoy departed Port Said on 14 July 1944.

On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the following ships; Algonquin Park (Canadian, 7130 GRT, 1942), Ben F. Nixon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Charles Scribner (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Clan Macaulay (British, 10492 GRT, built 1936), Clement Clay (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Elise (Norwegian (tanker), 7910 GRT, built 1931), Francis N. Blanchet (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George Chaffey (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Gulfpoint (American (tanker), 6972 GRT, built 1920), Henry Bacon (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Hoegh Silverlight (Norwegian, 5197 GRT, built 1936), Jacob Perkins (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944), James D. Trask (American, 7210 GRT, built 1944), James Monroe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph Francis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Nonsuco (American, 5212 GRT, built 1938), Ole Bull (Norwegian, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Robert Luckenbach (American, 8152 GRT, built 1919), Samhorn (British, 7253 GRT, built 1943), Thomas L. Clingman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Nuttall (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William Coddington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William Patterson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942).

On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Fleetwood (Cdr. W.B. Piggott, DSC and Bar, OBE, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Anemone (Lt. J.B. Sparkes, RNR) and HMS Coltsfoot (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.W. Rayner, RNVR).

On 15 July 1944, the following ships departed Alexandria and joined the convoy; Changte (British, 4324 GRT, built 1925), Charles Bullfinch (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Empire Airman (British (tanker), 9813 GRT, built 1942) and Tobruk (Polish, 7048 GRT, built 1942).

They were escorted by the minesweeper HMS Hazard (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Smith, RN).

On 18 July 1944, the following ships departed Augusta to join the convoy; Cape Howe (British, 6999 GRT, built 1943), Clausina (British (tanker), 8083 GRT, built 1938), Empire Grange (British, 6981 GRT, built 1943), Esso Baltimore (American (tanker), 7940 GRT, built 1938), Fort Columbia (British, 7155 GRT, built 1942), Francis Marion (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Franz Klasen (Panamanian (tanker), 12425 GRT, built 1932), George K. Fitch (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Manning (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), King S. Woolsey (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Longwood (British (tanker), 9463 GRT, built 1930), Moses Austin (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Norheim (Norwegian (tanker), 9816 GRT, built 1941), Norholm (Norwegian (tanker), 9813 GRT, built 1941), Ocean Faith (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Paine Wingate (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Roald Amundsen (Norwegian, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Tide Water Associated (American (tanker), 8906 GRT, built 1930), Tristram Dalton (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Valldemosa (British, 7222 GRT, built 1935) and William M. Stewart (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

On 19 July 1944, the following ships arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy; Clan Macaulay, Elise, Empire Airman, Joseph Francis and Tobruk.

On 19 July 1944, the Changte arrived at Malta after having parted company with the convoy while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Malta; British Power (British (tanker), 8451 GRT, built 1936) and Cochrane (British, 7203 GRT, built 1923).

On 20 July 1944, the Gulfpoint arrived at Bizerta after having parted company with the convoy while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Crosby S. Noyes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943, Empire Bombardier (British (tanker), 8202 GRT, built 1943) and the netlayer HMS Guardian (Capt.(Retd.) H.A.C. Lane, OBE, RN). Also the current escort was relieved by Task Force 60 which was made up of the cutter USCGC Bibb (Cdr. H.T. Diehl, USCG, with COMTASKFOR 60, T/Capt. R.B. Nickerson, USN, on board) and the destroyer escorts USS Vance (Lt.Cdr. F.V. Helmer, USCG, with COMCORTDIV 45, Cdr. E.J. Roland, USCG, on board), USS Lansing (Cdr. R.F. Rea, USCG), USS Durant (Cdr. C.C. Knapp, USCG), USS Calcaterra (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Howard, USCGR), USS Chambers (Cdr. H.A. Loughlin, USCG), USS Merrill (Cdr. I.J.Stephens, USCG), USS Riley (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Johnson, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 67, T/Cdr. F.G. Gould, USN, on board), USS Leslie L.B. Knox (Lt. J.A. Moffett, USNR), USS McNulty (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Jennings, USNR), USS Metivier (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Maher, USNR), USS George A. Johnson (Lt.Cdr. A. Robinson, USNR) and USS Eugene E. Elmore (T/Lt.Cdr. G.L. Conkey, USN). Also part of Task Force 60 was the naval tanker (escort oiler) USS Mattaponi (Lt.Cdr. V.J. Banks, USNR). Additional escorts were the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and the destroyer escort USS Frederick C. Davis (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Robbins, Jr., USNR). This last ship was for jamming duties against German guided bombs.

Around 0345B/21, the transport Steel Inventor (American, 5686 GRT, built 1920) and the rescue tug HMRT Hengist joined the convoy coming from Bone.

Around 0700B/22, the following ships were detached to Algiers; British Power, Cape Howe, Empire Grange, Fort Columbia, Ocean Faith and HMS Guardian while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers; British Chemist (British (tanker), 6997 GRT, built 1925), British Governor (British (tanker), 6840 GRT, built 1926), Gallia (Norwegian (tanker), 9974 GRT, built 1939), Henry Dundas (British (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1937), Oscar Underwood (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944) and Samshire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943).

Around 0610B/23, HMS Colombo was detached to Oran.

Around 0630B/23, USS Frederick C. Davis was also detached from the convoy.

Around 0700B/23, the following ships were detached to Oran; Crosby S. Noyes, Francis Marion, James Jackson, James Manning, King S. Woolsey, Moses Austin, Paine Wingate, Roald Amundsen and Tristram Dalton while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran; Fort Frederick (British, 7135 GRT, built 1942), George P. McKay (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Hugh M. Smith (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Armstrong (American, 7196 GRT, built 1943), Meyer Lissner (American, 7207 GRT, built 1943), Peter Trimble Rowe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Sherwood Anderson (American, 7207 GRT, built 1943).

Around 1000B/24, the following ships were detached to Gibraltar; Algonquin Park and Samhorm.

Around 1915B/24, the following ships were detached to Casablanca; Cochrane, Franz Klasen and Samshire while the following ships joined the convoy from Casablanca; Athelchief (British (tanker), 10000 GRT, built 1939), Booker T. Washington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Fort George (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), George Shiraz (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), John T. Holt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jonathan Edwards (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Pan-Maine (American (tanker), 7237 GRT, built 1936). These ships had been escorted from Casablanca to the rendezvous with the convoy by the minesweeping sloop La Boudeuse and the patrol vessels Le Ruse, L'Ardent and Le Resolu which then escorted the ships that were detached arriving at Casablanca on the 25th.

During 27 July 1944, USS Mattaponi fuelled USCG Bibb, USS Riley, USS Leslie L.B. Knox, USS McNulty, USS Metivier, USS George A. Johnson and USS Eugene E. Elmore.

Around 0900N/29, the tanker Henry L. Ellsworth (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from the Azores. She had been escorted to the rendezvous by the A/S trawler HMS Kingston Amber (T/Lt. R. Adams, RNR).

During 1 August 1944, USS Mattaponi fuelled USS Riley, USS Leslie L.B. Knox, USS McNulty, USS Metivier, USS George A. Johnson and USS Eugene E. Elmore.

Around 0830P/7, the convoy commenced to split up into two sections. The ' New York / Delaware ' section of 13 ships was escorted by USCG Bibb, USS Vance, USS Lancing, USS Durant, USS Calcaterra, USS Chambers and USS Merrill. The bulk of the convoy made up the ' Chesapeake Bay ' section which was escorted by USS Riley, USS Leslie L.B. Knox, USS McNulty, USS Metivier, USS George A. Johnson and USS Eugene E. Elmore.

The ' New York ' section arrived at it destination in the afternoon of 8 August 1944. The ' Delaware ' section (made up of one ship, the John T. Holt) had parted company with it around 1730P/7 and arrived it its destination later on the 7th, escorted by USS Chambers.

The ' Chesapeake Bay ' section, which included USS Mattaponi arrived at its destination on 8 August 1944.

20 Jul 1944
The AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), cutter USCGC Bibb (Cdr. H.T. Diehl, USCG, with COMTASKFOR 60, T/Capt. R.B. Nickerson, USN, on board), destroyer escorts USS Vance (Lt.Cdr. F.V. Helmer, USCG, with COMCORTDIV 45, Cdr. E.J. Roland, USCG, on board), USS Lansing (Cdr. R.F. Rea, USCG), USS Durant (Cdr. C.C. Knapp, USCG), USS Calcaterra (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Howard, USCGR), USS Chambers (Cdr. H.A. Loughlin, USCG), USS Merrill (Cdr. I.J.Stephens, USCG), USS Riley (Lt.Cdr. D.H. Johnson, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 67, T/Cdr. F.G. Gould, USN, on board), USS Leslie L.B. Knox (Lt. J.A. Moffett, USNR), USS McNulty (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Jennings, USNR), USS Metivier (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Maher, USNR), USS George A. Johnson (Lt.Cdr. A. Robinson, USNR) and USS Eugene E. Elmore (T/Lt.Cdr. G.L. Conkey, USN), USS Frederick C. Davis (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Robbins, Jr., USNR) and the naval tanker (escort oiler) USS Mattaponi (Lt.Cdr. V.J. Banks, USNR) departed Bizerta to join convoy GUS 46.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy GUS 46 ' for 14 July 1944.

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Destroyers of World War Two

Whitley, M. J.


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