| Navy | The US Navy |
| Type | Patrol craft |
| Class | PC-461 |
| Pennant | PC-482 |
| Built by | Defoe Shipbuilding Co. (Bay City, Michigan, U.S.A.) |
| Ordered | 26 Dec 1940 |
| Laid down | 16 Feb 1942 |
| Launched | 9 Apr 1942 |
| Commissioned | 30 Apr 1942 |
| End service | 15 Jul 1944 |
| History | Transferred to France on 15 July 1944 being renamed L'Enjoue Torpedoed and sunk on 9 January 1945 off Cape Spartel, Morocco in position 35.56N, 05.49W by the German submarine U-870 Hit by U-boat |
| U-boat Attack | See our U-boat attack entry for the USS PC-482 |
Commands listed for USS PC-482 (PC-482)
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.
| Commander | From | To | |
| 1 | Lt.Cdr. Howard H Hansen, USNR | 30 Apr 1942 | Mid 1942 |
| 2 | Ens. Leslie W. Bennett, USNR | Mid 1942 | Early 1943 |
| 3 | Lt. Norwood Penrose Hallowell, Jr., USNR | Early 1943 | 4 Oct 1943 |
| 4 | Lt.Cdr. Donald W Hunter, USNR | 4 Oct 1943 | 15 Jul 1944 |
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Notable events involving PC-482 include:
25 Apr 1943
USS PC-482 picks up 36 survivors from the French merchant Rouennais, which sank after hitting a mine laid by the German U-boat U-455 about 17 nautical miles north of Casablanca in position 34°02'N, 07°27'W.
2 Dec 1943
Convoy SL 142.
This convoy departed Freetown on 22 November 1943.
On departure from Freetown the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Balfe (British, 5369 GRT, built 1920), Baron Elgin (British, 3942 GRT, built 1933), Cape Wrath (British, 4512 GRT, built 1940), Egton (British, 4363 GRT, built 1938), Empire Foam (British, 7047 GRT, built 1941), Empire Pibroch (British, 7046 GRT, built 1942), Empire Swale (British, 5452 GRT, built 1937), Fordsdale (British, 11023 GRT, built 1924), Gerard Dou (Dutch, 7242 GRT, built 1941), Janeta (British, 4312 GRT, built 1929), Katanga (Belgian, 5183 GRT, built 1917), Lycaon (British, 7552 GRT, built 1913), North Leigh (British, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Royal Star (British, 7900 GRT, built 1919), San Tirso (British (tanker), 6266 GRT, built 1913), Silverlarch (British, 5064 GRT, built 1924), Silverlaurel (British, 6142 GRT, built 1939), Temple Arch (British, 5138 GRT, built 1940), Troilus (British, 7422 GRT, built 1921), Umberleigh (British, 4950 GRT, built 1927) and William Hawkins (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942).
The rescue tug Thames was also part of the convoy.
On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Merriman, RN), sloop HMS Enchantress (Lt.Cdr. E.D.J. Abbot, DSC, RN), corvettes HMS Bellwort (A/Lt.Cdr. N.F.R. Gill, RNR), HMS Columbine (T/Lt. J.C. Grose, RNR) and the A/S whaler HMS Southern Gem (T/Lt. P.H. Riseley, RNVR).
On 3 December 1943, the Umberleigh arrived back at Freetown after having been forced to return .
On 4 December 1943, HMS Southern Gem was detatched as was the William Hawkins which arrived at Bathurst later the same day.
On 5 December 1943, the Lycaon arrived at Dakar after having been detached from the convoy while the merchant vessels Djebel Aures (French, 2835 GRT, built 1929) and Rutenfjell (Norwegian, 1334 GRT, built 1935) departed Dakar to join the convoy as did the submarine tender Jules Verne.
Also on 5 December 1943, HMS Bellwort was detached and joined southbound convoy OS 59.
On 12 December 1943, the merchant vessels Belgian Crew (Belgian, 7048 GRT, built 1943), Fort Frobisher (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Thistlemuir (British, 7237 GRT, built 1942) and Tilemachos (Greek, 3658 GRT, built 1921) departed Casablanca to join the convoy. They were escorted by the patrol vessels USS PC-480 (Lt. F.W. Meyers, Jr., USNR), USS PC-481 (Lt. N.W. Roeder, USNR) and USS PC-482 (Lt. D.W. Hunter, USNR).
On these ships joining the Djebel Aures and Jules Verne were detached to Casablanca where they arrived on 13 December 1943 escorted by the three above mentioned patrol vessels.
On 14 December 1943, the convoy merged with convoy MKS 33(G) coming from the Mediterranean.
This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Anadyr (British, 5321 GRT, built 1930), Baron Forbes (British, 3061 GRT, built 1915), Blackheath (British, 4637 GRT, built 1936), Boltonhall (British, 4824 GRT, built 1935), Ceronia (British (tanker), 4955 GRT, built 1929), City of Lancaster (British, 3041 GRT, built 1924), Debrett (British, 6244 GRT, built 1940), Egholm (British, 1327 GRT, built 1924), Empire Faith (British, 7061 GRT, built 1941), Empire Gareth (British, 2847 GRT, built 1942), Empire Trent (British, 5006 GRT, built 1927), Errington Court (British, 4913 GRT, built 1925), Masirah (British, 6578 GRT, built 1919), Norman Monarch (British, 7005 GRT, built 1943), Rancher (British, 5882 GRT, built 1927), Rippingham Grange (British, 10365 GRT, built 1943), Robert Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937), Schiaffino (British, 3236 GRT, built 1920), Spurt (Norwegian, 2061 GRT, built 1918) and Tarantia (British, 7268 GRT, built 1942).
The rescue ship Fastnet (British, 1415 GRT, built 1928) and the headquarters ship HMS Hilary (Capt.(Retd.) J.F. Paget, RN) were also with the convoy.
Convoy MKS 33(G) was escorted by the destroyers HMS Highlander (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN), HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), frigates HMS Avon (Lt.Cdr. P.G.A. King, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Abelia (Lt. R.I. Floris, RNZNR), HMS Asphodel (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR), HMS Clover (Lt. P.H. Grieves, RNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Northern Spray (Lt. F.A.J. Downer, RNR) and HMS Northern Sun (T/Lt. H. Meredith, RNVR).
The original escort of convoy SL 142 then parted company and proceeded to Gibraltar where they arrived on 14 December 1943.
Around 1120Z/17, the escort carrier HMS Fencer (Capt. E.W. Anstice, RN) joined the convoy.
During 20/21 December 1943, the escort was reinforced by the destroyers Hurricane, Wanderer, Watchman and the frigate Glenarm.
On 22 December 1943, in bad weather conditions the Baron Forbes straggled from the convoy.
On 23 December 1943, HMS Hilary was detached to Milford Haven where she arrived on 26 December 1943.
Around 1700Z/24, HMS Fencer, HMS Walker and HMS Abelia were detached from the convoy to proceed ahead with three of the merchant vessels (the Troilus was one of them). HMS Fencer arrived at Greenock on 26 December 1943, HMS Walker and HMS Abelia arrived at Londonderry also on the 26th.
On 25 December 1943, the Tilemachos straggled from the convoy.
The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 27/28 December 1943.
6 Dec 1943
Convoy GUS 24.
This convoy departed Port Said on 6 December 1943.
On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the transports; Katy (Norwegian, 6825 GRT, built 1931), Lowlander (British, 8059 GRT, built 1925), Mahlon Pitney (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Robert Morris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Samariz (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samblade (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samdak (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samkansa (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Urbino (British, 5198 GRT, built 1918).
On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the minesweeper HMS Rye (A/Lt.Cdr. J.A. Pearson, DSC and Bar, RNR) and the A/S trawler HMS Wolborough (T/Lt. G.A. Hartnell, RNR).
On 7 December 1943, the following transports joined coming from Alexandria; Afghanistan (British, 6992 GRT, built 1940), Avristan (British, 7266 GRT, built 1942), Blairclova (British, 5083 GRT, built 1938), Corstar (British, 2337 GRT, built 1918), Egret (British, 1391 GRT, built 1937), Empire Addison (British, 7010 GRT, built 1942), Empire Glory (British, 7290 GRT, built 1943), Fort Frederick (British, 7135 GRT, built 1942), George M. Pullman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Gudrun Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937), Hindustan (British, 5245 GRT, built 1940), Horace Bushnell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Hughli (British, 6589 GRT, built 1943), Ocean Liberty (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Sambrake (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sofala (British, 1031 GRT, built 1937) and Tynebank (British, 4651 GRT, built 1922).
They were escorted by the frigate HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Gloxinia (Lt. M.C. English, RNR), HMS Primula (Lt. G.H. Taylor, RNR) and the A/S whaler HMSAS Southern Maid (?).
On 8 December 1943, the Lowlander arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy with engine trouble.
On 10 December 1943, the Egret arrived at Benghazi after having been detached from the convoy.
On 11 December 1943, the convoy was sighted by enemy reconnaissance aircraft but no attack developed.
Also on 11 December 1943, the following transports / tankers departed Augusta to join the convoy; Antonia (Dutch (tanker), 3357 GRT, built 1938), Athelviking (British (tanker), 8779 GRT, built 1926), Baron Stranraer (British, 3668 GRT, built 1929), Empire Deed (British, 6766 GRT, built 1943), Empire Success (British, 5988 GRT, built 1921), Fort Lac la Ronge (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942), Hermelin (Norwegian, 1683 GRT, built 1940), Lord Byron (British, 4118 GRT, built 1934) and Somerville (Norwegian, 4265 GRT, built 1929).
On 12 December 1943, the following transports arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy; Afghanistan, Blairclova, Corstar, Empire Addison, Empire Glory, Fort Frederick, Gudrun Maersk, Katy, Ocean Liberty, Sambrake and Sofala.
Also on 12 December 1943, the submarines HMS Shakespeare (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) and HMS Unseen (Lt. M.L.C. Crawford, DSC and Bar, RN) joined the convoy coming from Malta. The following day, after having passed through the Sicilian Narrows, HMS Univeral and HMS Unseen parted company with the convoy and proceeded on patrol.
On 14 December 1943, the following transports / tankers joined the convoy off Bizerta; A.P. Hill (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Alexander Graham Bell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), American Trader (American (tanker), 8862 GRT, built 1923), Anson Jones (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Belgian Fisherman (Belgian, 4714 GRT, built 1918), Caleb Strong (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Emma Willard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Empire Coleridge (British (tanker), 9798 GRT, built 1942), Empire Dickens (British (tanker), 9819 GRT, built 1942), Esek Hopkins (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Fanny Brunner (Italian, 2464 GRT, built 1925), Fort Lajoie (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Walsh (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943), Francis L. Lee (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), George B. McClellan (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), George Matthew (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Grace Abbott (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Haym Salomon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Henry Middleton (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Horace Binney (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Isaac Coles (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Isaac Sharpless (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James W. Fannin (American, 7244 GRT, built 1942), John A. Rawlins (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), John Hathorn (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Sergeant (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), John Walker (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Joseph Alston (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Joshua Seney (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Josiah Parker (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Leland Stanford (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Mayo Brothers (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Nettuno (Italian, 5088 GRT, built 1916), Orient City (British, 5095 GRT, built 1940), Prosper Schiaffino (French, 1634 GRT, built 1931), Richmond Mumford Pearson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Robert Dale Owen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Stanford Newel (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Star (Norwegian, 1531 GRT, built 1922), Thomas Nelson Page (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Townsend Harris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William D. Pender (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943) and William R. Davie (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942).
The AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) and the rescue tug HMS Hengist also joined the convoy coming from Bizerta.
On 14 December 1943, the following ships were detached to Bone; Belgian Fisherman, Fort Lac la Ronge, Hermelin and Star while the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Bone; British Vigour (British (tanker), 5844 GRT, built 1943), Eleazar Wheelock (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Empire Zephyr (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941), Esso Providence (American (tanker), 9059 GRT, built 1921), Srbin (Yugoslavian, 928 GRT, built 1913) and William Coddington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
On 14 December 1943, the following ships were detached to Philippeville; British Vigour and Fanny Brunner while the following transport joined the convoy coming from Philippeville; Lago (Norwegian, 2552 GRT, built 1929).
On 14 December 1943, the Empire Zephyr arrived at Bougie after having straggled from the convoy.
On 15 December 1943, the following ships were detached to Algiers; Antonia, Empire Deed, Prosper Schiaffino and Srbin while the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Andrea Gritti (Italian, 6404 GRT, built 1943), Enrico (Italian, 1817 GRT, built 1909), Gryfevale (British, 4434 GRT, built 1929), Marie-Louise le Borgne (French, 1263 GRT, built 1903), Moses Brown (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Myriel (British (tanker), 3560 GRT, built 1913), Ocean Courier (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Orminster (British, 5712 GRT, built 1914), Pencarrow (British, 4841 GRT, built 1921), Ronan (British, 1489 GRT, built 1938) and Thomas Stone (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942).
The rescue tug HMS Hengist also arrived at Algiers.
On 16 December 1943, the following ships were detached to Oran / Mers-el-Kebir; Alexander Graham Bell, Empire Success, Enrico, Fort Walsh, George Matthews, Henry Middleton, John Hathorn, John Walker, Joseph Alston, Marie-Louise le Borgne, Mayo Brothers, Orminster, Pencarrow, Ronan, Stanford Newell, Thomas Nelson Page and William D. Pender while the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Oran / Mers-el-Kebir; Aztec (Hunduran, 5511 GRT, built 1929), Crosby S. Noyes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Edward N. Hurley (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Esso Nashville (American (tanker), 7943 GRT, built 1940), Gulfpoint (American (tanker), 6972 GRT, built 1920), John S. Copley (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Mirabeau B. Lamar (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Pan-Delaware (American (tanker), 8128 GRT, built 1918) and Tulsa (American, 5083 GRT, built 1919).
On joining the convoy the John S. Copley was torpedoed and damaged by the German submarine U-73 which in turn was herself sunk following the attack by patrolling destroyers.
On 17 December 1943, the following ships were detached to Gibraltar; American Trader, Baron Stranraer, Esso Providence, Gryfevale, Hindustan, Hughli, Lago, Lord Byron, Myriel, Orient City, Tynebank and Urbino while the following transports joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar; Karamea (British, 10530 GRT, built 1928) and Robert M.T. Hunter (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943). HMS Colombo and HMS Shakespeare also arrived at Gibraltar.
At 1000A/18, a new, American escort joined the convoy and at 1030A/18, the British escort parted company and proceeded to Gibraltar where they all arrived later the same day.
The new American escort (Task Force 64) had departed Casablanca around 1530A/17 and was made up of the destroyers USS Stevenson (T/Cdr. F.E. Wilson, USN, with COMTASKFOR 64 / COMDESRON 19, T/Capt. J. Conner, USN on board), USS Stockton (T/Cdr. R.E. Braddy, Jr., USN), USS Thorn (T/Cdr. E. Brumby, USN), USS Turner (T/Cdr. H.S. Wygant, Jr., USN), destroyer escorts USS Sturtevant (Lt. J.M. Mertz, USNR), USS Blair (Lt. A.J. Laborde, USNR), USS Brough (Lt. J.A. Rector, Jr., USNR), USS Inch (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Frey, USNR), USS Stanton (T/Lt.Cdr. C.S. Barker, Jr., USN) and USS Swasey (Lt. H.M. Godsey, USNR).
Around 1430A/18, the Casablanca section of the convoy joined in position 35°24'N, 08°03'W. It was made up of the transports Felix Grundy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Fitzhugh Lee (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Turner (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942) and Richard S. Ewell (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943). The naval tanker USS Housatonic (T/Cdr. A.R. Boileau, USN) was also with them. They were escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Jacob Jones (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Johnson, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 3, T/Cdr. N. Adair, Jr., USN on board), USS Hammann (Lt.Cdr. J.D. Miller, Jr., USNR), USS Robert E. Peary (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Bennett, USNR) and the patrol vessels USS PC-482 (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Hunter, USNR), USS PC-481 (Lt. N.W. Roeder, USNR), USS PC-480 (Lt. F.W. Meyers, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-473 (Lt. D.F. Welch, USNR). The destroyer escorts joined the convoy while the patrol vessels returned to Casablanca taking the following transports / tankers from the convoy with them; Esso Nashville, Fort Lajoie, Gulfpoint and Nettuno. They all arrived at Casablanca on the 19th.
During the morning of 24 December 1943, USS Stevenson, USS Stockton, USS Thorn and USS Turner fuelled from USS Housatonic.
At 1100P/30, USS Housatonic parted company to proceed to Bermuda. To escort her the destroyer escorts USS Darby (Cdr. D.D. Humphreys, USNR) and USS Alger (Lt.Cdr. D.B. Poupeney, USNR) had joined shortly before.
At 1115Q/1, the convoy was split into the ' Delaware section ' and the ' New York section '. The New York section was made up of 31 ships and was escorted by USS Stevenson, USS Stockton, USS Thorn, USS Turner, USS Inch, USS Stanton and USS Swasey. The remaining ships (23) made up the ' Delaware section and were escorted by USS Jacob Jones, USS Hammann, USS USS Robert E. Peary, USS Sturtevant, USS Blair and USS Brough.
The New York section arrived at its destination during the night of 2/3 January 1944. The last of the escort to anchor was USS Turner. She dropped anchor around 0215Q/3. Around 0616Q/3, USS Turner suffered a massive explosion and burned. Survivors could be picked up by pilot boats and small boats from other ships of Task Force 64. 15 officers and 123 men did not survive the internal explosions and subsequent sinking of the ship.
The Delaware section of the convoy also arrived at its destination during the night of 2/3 January 1944.
14 Mar 1944
Convoy UGS 36.
This convoy departed Hampton Roads on 14 March 1944.
It was made up of the following transports / tankers; A.J. Cermak (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), B.F. Shaw (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), British Diligence (British (tanker), 8408 GRT, built 1937), Charles Crocker (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Dilworth (American (tanker), 7045 GRT, built 1920), Donacilla (British (tanker), 8113 GRT, built 1939), E. Kirby Smith (American, 7193 GRT, built 1943), Edward Bruce (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Edward Burleson (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Edwin L. Godkin (American, 7198 GRT, built 1943), Elisha Mitchell (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), Erodona (British (tanker), 6207 GRT, built 1937), Frederick C. Howe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Frithjof Nansen (Norwegian, 7177 GRT, built 1943), George Bancroft (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), George H. Pendleton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George M. Bibb (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943), Henry Baldwin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Henry W. Longfellow (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Hoke Smith (American, 7199 GRT, built 1943), Howell E. Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Ignace Paderewski (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Iroquois (British (tanker), 8937 GRT, built 1907), James McHenry (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), James Rumsey (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Jared Ingersoll (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), John A. Brown (British (tanker), 10455 GRT, built 1938), John Catron (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Sedgwick (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Trumbull (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jubal A. Early (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), K.I. Luckenbach (American, 7822 GRT, built 1918), Kemp P. Battle (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Kronprinsessen (Norwegian, 7244 GRT, built 1941), Lawrence D. Tyson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lincoln Steffens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Louis Hennepin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lucretia Mott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Macuba (Dutch (tanker), 8249 GRT, built 1931), Marion McKinley Bovard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Nathan Clifford (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Norfjell (Norwegian (tanker), 8129 GRT, built 1942), Norwegian (British, 6366 GRT, built 1921), Oliver Hazard Perry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Patrick C. Boyle (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Paul H. Harwood (American (tanker), 7192 GRT, built 1918), Peter Cartwright (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Petter (Norwegian (tanker), 9109 GRT, built 1935), Robert R. Randall (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Samannan (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), Samarkand (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samburgh (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samcleve (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samgara (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samida (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samleven (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samlyth (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samois (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samstrule (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samtyne (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), Samuel Moody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Silas Weir Mitchell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Solor (Norwegian (tanker), 8262 GRT, built 1938), Stephen C. Foster (American, 7196 GRT, built 1943), Sun (American (tanker), 9002 GRT, built 1928), Sun Yat-Sen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Tarleton Brown (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Theodoric Bland (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Thomas Donaldson (American, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Thomas Heyward (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Trondheim (Norwegian (tanker), 8258 GRT, 1939), Walter Releigh (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), William B. Wilson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William D. Moseley (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), William F. Cody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), William H. Dall (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William L. Yancey (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Woodrow Wilson (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943). The LST's USS LST-27 (Lt.Cdr, L.J. Kirstine, USCG), USS LST-28 (Lt. W.N. Finley, Jr., USNR), USS LST-32 (Lt. G.P. Mulloy, USNR), USS LST-74 (Lt. S.A. Siebenthal, USN), USS LST-140 (Lt.(jg) R.W. Mickelsen, USNR), USS LST-141 (Lt. E.H. Pottle, Jr., USNR), USS LST-173 (Lt. B.J. Barber, USR), USS LST-174 (Lt. A.J. Asche, USNR), USS LST-177 (Lt.Cdr. S.H.P. Read, USNR), USS LST-178 (Lt. L.L. Bernard, USNR), USS LST-210 (Lt. R.K.W. McCoy, USNR), USS LST-262 (Lt. V.M. Hill, USCG), USS LST-265 (Lt. G.F. Sparks, Jr., USNR), USS LST-266 (Lt. L.A. Bolon, USNR), USS LST-519 (Ens. F.L. Brimmer, USN), USS LST-525 (Lt. J.R. Stevens, USN), USS LST-526 (Lt.(jg) J.W. Keeshan, USNR), USS LST-538 (Ens. H.W. Williams, USN), naval tanker USS Escalante (Cdr. C.L. Kiewert, USNR) and stores ship USS Polaris (8222 GRT, built 1939, T/Cdr. C.R. Miller, USN) were also part of the convoy.
On departure from Hampton Roads, around 0430Q/23, the convoy was escorted by Task Force 64 which was made up of the destroyers USS Decatur (Lt. D.G. Wright, USNR, with COMTASKFOR 64, Capt. H.S. Berdine, USCG on board), USS Whipple (T/Lt.Cdr. S.E. Woodard, USN, with COMDESDIV 57, on board), USS Alden (Lt. W. Herkness, 2nd, USN), USS John D. Edwards (Lt. R.A. Norelius, USNR), USS John D. Ford (T/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Slaughter, USN), destroyer escorts USS Sellstrom (Cdr. W.L. Maloney, USCG, with COMCORTDIV 23, Cdr. F.P. Vetterick, USNR, on board), USS Ramsden (Lt.Cdr. S.T. Baketel, USCGR), USS Mills (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Muzzy, USCG), USS Rhodes (Cdr. E.A. Coffin, Jr., USCG), USS Savage (Cdr. O.C. Rohnke, USCG), USS Tomich (Lt. C.B. Brown, USNR), USS Sloat (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Cashman, USNR) and the French patrol vessel Sabre.
Around 1130Z/14, USS Sellstrom parted company to proceed the Portsmouth Navy Yard to effect repairs to her sound gear. She rejoined the following day.
Around 1600Z/14, the tanker Petter parted company to proceed to New York.
Around 1200Z/15, the transport Charles Crocker parted company to return to the USA. USS Tomich was ordered to escort her and then rejoin the convoy.
Around 1400Z/15, USS Sellstrom rejoined the convoy.
Around 1200Z/16, the destroyer escort USS Richey (Cdr. P.DuP. Mills, USCG) joined the convoy. She had been unable to depart with the convoy on the 14th.
Around 0800Z/17, USS Tomich rejoined the convoy.
During 17 March 1944, USS Decatur, USS Whipple, USS Alden, USS John D. Edwards, USS John D. Ford and Sabre fuelled from USS Escalante.
Around 0225Z/18, radar contact was obtained on two vessels which proved to be the transport Oregon (French, 7705 GRT, built 1929) and her escort, the minesweeper USS Despite (Lt.(jg) F.T. Peck, Jr., USNR), coming from Bermuda. The transport subsequently joined the convoy and the minesweeper returned to Bermuda.
On 20 March 1944, USS Sloat fuelled from USS Escalante.
On 23 March 1944, USS Whipple and USS Alden fuelled from USS Escalante.
Around 1300Z/24, Hoke Smith and Iroquois were detached from the convoy to proceed to the Azores. They were escorted by USS John D. Edwards whivh had first fuelled from USS Escalante.
On 26 March 1944, USS Decatur fuelled from USS Escalante.
Around 1330Z/27, USS John D. Edwards rejoined the convoy.
Around 1545Z/27, USS John D. Ford was detached from the convoy to proceed ahead to Gibraltar to obtain written orders and other paperwork so that the Task Force would to be able to operate in the Mediterranean. Before parting company she fuelled from USS Escalante.
At 0554Z/28, the transport A.J. Cermak and USS Richey collided but damage to both was minor.
On 28 March 1944, USS Decatur, USS Whipple and USS Alden fuelled from USS Escalante.
At 0330Z/29, USS John D. Ford collided with the British auxiliary A/S trawler HMS Kingston Agate (T/Lt. R.J. Langley, RANVR) in Gibraltar harbour. The destroyer sustained extensive damage and one of her crew was killed and five were wounded. USS Alden was then detached to take over the duties of USS John D. Ford.
Around 0800Z/29, the transport Dumfries (British, 5149 GRT, built 1935) joined the convoy coming from Casablanca. She had been escorted to the rendezvous by the patrol vessel / sloop Amiral Mouchez, corvette Commandant Detroyat and the patrol vessels USS PC-480 (Lt.(jg) J.K. Miller, USNR) and USS PC-482 (Lt. D.W. Hunter, USNR) which then set course to return to Casablanca taking the transports Edward Burleson, Edwin L. Godkin, Howell E. Jackson, Oliver Hazard Perry, Oregon and USS Escalante with them. They arrived at Casablanca on 30 March 1944.
Around 2320Z/29, USS Alden rejoined from Gibraltar.
Around 2330Z/29, USS John D. Edwards parted company with the convoy to proceed to Gibraltar to refuel and then rejoin the convoy.
Around 0940Z/30, the Gibraltar section of the convoy joined. This was made up of the transports Angelo (British, 2199 GRT, built 1940), Don (British, 1037 GRT, built 1924) and Morialta (British, 1379 GRT, built 1940). At the same time USS Polaris parted company to proceed ahead of the main convoy to Oran. To escort her the destroyers USS Hilary P. Jones (T/Cdr. F.M. Stiesberg, USN) and USS Charles F. Hughes (T/Lt.Cdr. J.C.G. Wilson, USN) had arrived on the scene.
Around 1000Z/30, USS Decatur briefly stopped in Gibraltar Bay to embark a British liaison officer.
Around 1100Z/30, British (controlled) escorts joined the convoy, these were the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. H.W. Williams, RN), frigate HrMs Johan Maurits van Nassau (Cdr. A. de Booy, RNethN), sloops HMS Amethyst (Lt.Cdr. S.C. Tuke, DSO, RN), HMS Black Swan (Cdr.(Retd.) R.C.V. Thomson, DSC, RN), HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. H.R. White, RN) and the corvettes HMS Campion (Lt. T.F. Alderman, RNR) and HrMs Friso (Lt.Cdr. Goslings, RNethN). Also the submarine HMS Sirdar (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) and motor minesweeper MMS 300 (T/A/Skr.Lt. J.W. Lawn, RNVR) joined for passage. The rescue tug HMRT Mindful also joined. The American minesweeper USS Speed (Lt. R.C. Dryer, USNR) joined the convoy for jamming duties (against German radio guided bombs).
Around 1100Z/31, the following ships were detached to Oran; A.J. Cermak, Dilworth, Frithjof Nansen, James Rumsey, John Catron, John Sedgwik, Norfjell, Patrick C. Boyle, Peter Cartwright, Samuel Moody, Stephen C. Foster, Walter Raleigh and William L. Yancey. From the escort, USS Richey and Sabre were also detached to Oran.
At the same time the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran; Fort Dauphin (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), George Abernethy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John C. Fremont (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942) and Titus (Dutch, 1712 GRT, built 1930).
Around 0300A/1, the convoy was attacked by about 20 German aircraft in approximate position 36°52'N, 01°43'E. They attacked with bombs and torpedoes. Two enemy aircraft were claimed to have been shot down. The Jared Ingersoll was hit by a torpedo. USS Mills picked up the crew and together with HRMT Mindful then effected the salvage of the ship. The damaged ship arrived at Algiers later the same day.
Around 1030Z/1, USS Richey rejoined from Oran after having effected repairs there.
Around 1145Z/1, the following ships were detached to Algiers; Donacilla, Fort Dauphin, Solor and Woodrow Wilson. HMS Black Swan was also detached to Algiers.
At the same time the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran; Atle Jarl (Norwegian, 1173 GRT, built 1919), Corstar (British, 2337 GRT, built 1918), Fort Gaspereau (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Indiana (Panamanian, 5617 GRT, built 1917), Ocean Fame (British, 7173 GRT, built 1942) and Ulla (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930).
Around 1130Z/2, the transport Coulgorm (British, 6997 GRT, built 1942) joined the convoy coming from Philippeville.
Around 1630Z/2, the transport Don was detached to Bone while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bone; Bruse Jarl (Norwegian, 1890 GRT, built 1923), Fort Frobisher (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort la Prairie (British, 7138 GRT, built 1943), Fort Sturgeon (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Jan Lievens (Dutch, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Lidvard (Norwegian, 4785 GRT, built 1939) and Serula (British, 2187 GRT, built 1918).
Around 0115Z/3, USS Mills rejoined the convoy from Algiers.
Around 0515Z/3, the Bizerta section of the convoy made up of the following ships parted company with the convoy; B.F. Shaw, British Diligence, George Abernethy, John A. Brown, Kemp B. Battle, Lawrence D. Tyson, Paul H. Harwood, Titus and William H. Dall. Also the complete American escort proceeded to Bizerta as did all the LST's and HMS Colombo. The tanker Luminetta (British (tanker), 6159 GRT, built 1927) joined the convoy coming from Bizerta.
On 3 April 1944, the transport Empire Grebe (British, 5736 GRT, built 1918) joined the convoy coming from Tunis.
On 4 April 1944, the Indiana, HMS Sirdar and HMMS 300 arrived at Malta while the transport Eridan (French, 9928 GRT, built 1928) joined the convoy coming from Malta.
On 4 April 1944, the following ships departed Augusta to join the convoy; Blackheath (British, 4637 GRT, built 1936), Empire Guinevere (British, 7072 GRT, built 1942), Empire Southey (British, 7041 GRT, built 1942), Empire Unicorn (British, 7067 GRT, built 1943), Fort Chesterfield (British, 7100 GRT, built 1943), Fort Fidler (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Fort Frontenac (British, 7148 GRT, built 1943), Fort Glenora (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943), Fort Grant (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Fort Lennox (British, 7149 GRT, built 1943), Fort Meductic (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Harlesden (British, 7273 GRT, built 1943), Samshire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samsteel (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Samcleve (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943).
On 5 April 1944, the following ships arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy; Angelo, Atle Jarl, Bruse Jarl, Corstar, Coulgorm, E. Kirby Smith, Empire Grebe, Erodona, Fort Frobisher, Fort Gaspereau, Fort la Prairie, Fort Sturgeon, George Bancroft, George M. Bibb, Henry Baldwin, Henry W. Longfellow, Ignace Paderewski, James McHenry, Jan Lievens, John C. Fremont, John Trumbull, Lincoln Steffens, Lucretia Mott, Macuba, Marion McKinley Bovard, Morialta, Ocean Fame, Samannan, Samleven, Samstrule, Samtyne, Serula, Sun, Sun-Yat-Sen, Tarleton Brown, Theodoric Bland., Trondheim, Ulla, William D. Moseley and William F. Cody.
On 8 April 1944, the following ships arrived at Alexandria after having parted company with the convoy; Blackheath, Empire Guinevere, Empire Southey, Empire Unicorn, Eridan, Fort Chesterfield, Fort Fidler, Fort Frontenac, Fort Glenora, Fort Grant, Fort Lennox, Fort Meductic, Frederick C. Howe, Harlesden, Samlyth, Samshire, Samsteel and Stancleeve. Also the following escorts arrived at Alexandria; HrMs Johan Maurits van Nassau, HMS Amethyst and HMS Deptford.
The remaining ships in the convoy arrived at Port Said on 9 April 1944.
25 Mar 1944
Convoy GUS 35.
This convoy departed Port Said on 25 March 1944.
On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the transports; Bellerophon (British, 9019 GRT, built 1906), Chippewa Park (British, 7138 GRT, built 1943), Clan Cameron (British, 7243 GRT, built 1937), Empire Conrad (British, 7009 GRT, built 1942), Empire Daring (British, 7059 GRT, built 1943), Eridan (French, 9928 GRT, built 1928), Fort Cumberland (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), George Sharswood (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Joseph Reynolds (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Samcree (British, 7210 GRT, built 1943), Samnid (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Van Honthorst (Dutch, 6140 GRT, built 1943) and Wendell Phillips (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).
On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the corvette HMS Jonquil (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.W. Tretheway, RNR) and the A/S whaler HMSAS HMSAS Southern Isles (Lt. J.K. Mallory, SANF).
On 26 March 1944, the following transports departed Alexandria to join the convoy; Anna Odland (Norwegian, 4980 GRT, built 1939), Atlantic City (British, 5133 GRT, built 1941), Belgian Sailor (Belgian, 7028 GRT, built 1942), Empire Beatrice (British, 7046 GRT, built 1943), Fort Erie (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943), Fort Souris (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Henry Gilbert Costin (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Henry H. Blood (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Ocean Glory (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Perak (British, 1188 GRT, built 1906), Samaritan (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samphire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Temple Inn (British, 5218 GRT, built 1940).
They were escorted by the frigate HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RD, RNR), sloop HMS Fowey (A/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Newey, RNR) and the A/S whaler HMSAS Protea (Lt. A. Thomas, DSC, SANF).
On 31 March 1944, the following transports / tankers departed Augusta to join the convoy; Alexander Graham Bell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Blairesk (British, 3300 GRT, built 1925), British Pride (British (tanker), 7106 GRT, built 1931), Charlton Hall (British, 5200 GRT, built 1940), City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), Cyrus W. Field (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), David G. Farragut (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Djebel Aures (French, 2835 GRT, built 1929), Empire Austen (British, 7057 GRT, built 1942), Empire Capulet (British, 7044 GRT, built 1943), Empire Copperfield (British, 6013 GRT, built 1943), Empire Traveller (British (tanker), 8201 GRT, built 1943), Empire Trent (British, 5006 GRT, built 1927), Everleigh (British, 5222 GRT, built 1930), Far (Norwegian, 2475 GRT, built 1921), Frederick Banting (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Hugh Williamson (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Jacques Cartier (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James B. Richardson (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), James Guthrie (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Fairfield (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John H. Eaton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John P. Holland (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph E. Brown (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph H. Hollister (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lewant (Polish, 1942 GRT, built 1930), Mary Wilkins Freeman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Novasli (Norwegian, 3204 GRT, built 1920), Robert Y. Hayne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Sambay (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sestriere (Italian, 7992 GRT, built 1942), Walter Forward (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943), William Cushing (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), William Sturgis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William Thornton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
These ships have been escorted to the rendezvous with the convoy by the escort destroyer HMS Wilton (Lt. G.G. Marten, DSC, RN), the torpedo boat Indomito (C.C.(Lt.Cdr.) E.F. Perucca), and the corvettes Gabbiano and Cormorano.
On the Augusta section joining the following ships of the convoy were detached to Augusta where they arrived on 1 April 1944 escorted by the ships that had brought out the Augusta section; Belgian Sailor, Empire Beatrice, Empire Conrad, Empire Daring, Fort Cumberland, Fort Erie, Fort Souris, Ocean Glory, Perak, Samcree, Samphire, Temple Inn and Van Honthorst.
On 1 April the Eridan arrived at Tripoli after having been detached from the convoy.
On 1 April 1944, the landing ship HMS Royal Scotsman (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) R.C. Gervers, RN) and the transport Samovar (British, 7219 grt, built 1943) departed Malta to join the convoy.
Around 1900B/2, the AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN) joined the convoy near Bizerta. Also from Bizerta came the transport Solarium (British, 6239 GRT, built 1936).
at 0035A/3, the minesweeper USS Seer (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Walker, Jr. USNR) joined as additional escort.
On 3 April 1944, the following transports arrived at Bizerta after having been detached from the convoy; Blairesk, City of Canterbury, Cyrus W. Field, Djebel Aurus, Hugh Williamson, Joseph H. Hollister and Mary Wilkins Freeman.
On 2 April 1944, the following transports departed Tunis to join the convoy; Caudebec (French, 1471 GRT, built 1910), Christopher Gadsen (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Pilar de Larrinaga (British, 7352 GRT, built 1918), Thomas R. Marshall (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Umberleigh (British, 4950 GRT, built 1927) and Zacapa (American, 5013 GRT, built 1909). Also with them was the boom defence vessel HMS Barova (T/Lt. J.R. Radley, RNR) and the salvage vessel USS Extricate (Lt. C.H. Rooklidge, USNR).
The Empire Trent was detached to Tunis arriving there on 3 April 1944.
On 2 April 1944, the following transports departed Bone to join the convoy; Samforth (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Samothrace (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943).
On 3 April 1944, the following transports arrived at Bone after having been detached from the convoy; Alexander Graham Bell, Empire Copperfield, Everleigh, Far, Jacques Cartier, Lewant, Novasli and Robert Y. Hayne.
On 3 April 1944, the following transports departed Philippeville to join the convoy; Jeanne Schiaffino (French, 1032 GRT, built 1922) and William J. Bryan (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
Also on 3 April the sloop HMS Black Swan (Cdr.(Retd.) R.C.V. Thomson, DSC, RN) joined the convoy coming from Algiers.
On 4 April 1944, the following transports / tankers departed Algiers to join the convoy; British Chancellor (British (tanker), 7085 GRT, built 1921), Empire Collins (British (tanker), 9796 GRT, built 1942), Jacinth (British, 650 GRT, built 1937), James Shields (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Hathorn (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Morton (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Norsol (Norwegian (tanker), 8236 GRT, built 1941), Nuculana (British (tanker), 8179 GRT, built 1942), Pan Aruba (Norwegian, 9231 GRT, built 1931), Pan Delaware (American, 8128 GRT, built 1918), Sagittaire (French, 7706 GRT, built 1929), Samchess (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944) and Star (Norwegian, 1531 GRT, built 1922).
The following transports / tankers parted company with the convoy and arrived at Algiers on 4 April 1944; Atlantic City, British Pride, Caudebec, Clan Cameron, Empire Capulet, James Guthrie, Jeanne Schiaffino, Samaritan and William J. Bryan. HMS Royal Scotsman and USS Extricate also proceeded to Algiers.
On 5 April 1944, the following transports departed Oran to join the convoy; A.P. Hill (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Daniel H. Hill (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), David L. Swain (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), Edwin Markman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Egton (British, 4363 GRT, built 1938), Empire Damsel (British (tanker), 784 GRT, built 1942), Houston Volunteers (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John E. Schmeltzer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph T. Robinson (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), Joshua Hendy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lambert Cadwalader (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), Norfjell (Norwegian (tanker), 8129 GRT, built 1942), Richard Jordan Gatling (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Robert F. Stockton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Samclyde (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samdon (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samtweed (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Pinckney (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942) and William T. Barry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
The following transports parted company with the convoy and arrived at Oran on 5 April 1944; Christopher Gadsen, Star and William Thornton.
Around 1400A/5, HMS Caledon parted company with the convoy to proceed to Oran.
Around 1555A/5, USS Seer parted company with the convoy to proceed to Oran.
Around 1030A/6, The USN Task Force 63 joined the convoy and took over the escort duties from the current escort which was then detached. Task Force 63 was made up of the destroyers USS Nelson (T/Cdr. T.D. McGrath, USN, with COMTASKFOR 63 also COMDESRON 17, T/Capt. A.C. Murdaugh, USN on board), USS Glennon (T/Cdr. C.A. Johnson, USN), USS Jeffers (T/Cdr. Leo William Nilon, USN), USS Butler (T/Cdr. M.D. Matthews, USN, with COMDESDIV 34, T/Capt. W.L. Benson, on board), USS Gherardi (T/Cdr. N.R. Curtin, USN), USS Herndon T/Cdr. G.A. Moore, USN), USS Shubrick (T/Cdr. W. Blenman, USN) and the escort destroyers USS Jordan (Cdr. F.C. Billing, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 52, T/Cdr. C.R. Simmers, USN), USS Newman (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Meyer, USNR), USS Liddle (T/Cdr. R.M. Hinckley, Jr., USN), USS Kephart (Cdr. I.H. Cammarn, USNR) and USS Cofer (Lt.Cdr. A.P. Chester, USNR).
On 6 April 1944, the following transports departed Gibraltar to join the convoy; John W. Mackay (British (cable laying ship, 4049 GRT, built 1922) and Largs Bay (British (damaged), 14182 GRT, built 1921).
The following transports / tanker parted company with the convoy and arrived at Gibraltar on 6 April 1944; British Chancellor, Charlton Hall, Chippewa Park, Empire Austen, Jacinth, Joshua Hendy, Pilar de Larrinaga, Solarium and Umberleigh. HMS Barova was also detached to Gibraltar.
On 6 April 1944, the following transports / tanker departed Casablanca to join the convoy. Linda (Danish, 962 GRT, built 1936) and Oregon (French, 7705 GRT, built 1929). The naval tanker USS Escalante (Cdr. C.L. Kiewert, USNR) was also with them. They joined the following day and had been escorted out of Casablanca by the patrol vessels; USS PC-471 (Lt. G.B. Calkins, USNR), USS PC-474 (Lt. H.C. Hummer, USNR), USS PC-480 (Lt.(jg) J.K. Miller, USNR) and USS PC-482 (Lt. D.W. Hunter, USNR).
The following transports were detached to Casablanca escorted by the four patrol vessel listed above; Egton, Empire Damsel, Frederick Banting, Sambay, Samchess and Samovar. They arrived at Casablanca on 8 April 1944.
On 11 April 1944, the transport James Schureman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) joined the convoy near Horta, Azores.
On 12 April 1944, USS Escalante fuelled all twelve escort vessels.
On 15 April 1944, the Richard Jordan Gatling straggled from the convoy. USS Jeffers was ordered to screen her. The Richard Jordan Gatling arrived at Bermuda on 21 April 1944. USS Jeffers had been relieved earlier that day by HMCS Q 090 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.C. Campbell, RCNVR). USS Jeffers then set course to rejoin the convoy which she did the following day shortly before the 'New York' section arrived at New York.
On 16 April 1944, USS Escalante fuelled USS Nelson and USS Newman.
On 17 April 1944, the Bellerophon and Samforth parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bermuda as the Bellerophon had engine (boiler) defects and the Samforth had uncontrollable leaks. they were escorted by USS Newman. They arrived at Bermuda on 20 April 1944. USS Newman had been relieved around dawn that day by HMCS Q 100 (T/Lt. D.A. Dobson, RCNVR). USS Newman then set course to rejoin the convoy which she did in the evening.
On 19 April 1944, USS Escalante parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bermuda. To escort her the destroyer escorts USS Dennis (Lt.Cdr. S. Hansen, USNR) and USS Eversole (T/Lt.Cdr. G.E. Marix, USN) had joined. They arrived at Bermuda on 20 April 1944.
On 21 April 1944, the convoy split into two sections. 14 ships with 4 escorts set course to proceed to Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. 35 ships with the remaining 7 escorts proceeded towards New York / Philadelphia.
The four escorts for this section were the following; USS Gherardi, USS Herndon, USS Liddle and USS Kephart.
The 'Chesapeake Bay' section arrived there on 22 April 1944.
The 'New York / Philadelphia ' section was escorted by USS Nelson, USS Glennon, USS Butler, USS Shubrick, USS Jordan, USS Newman and USS Cofer.
Around dusk the George Sharswood parted company to proceed to Philadelphia.
The remaining ships of this section arrived at New York on 22 April 1944.
14 May 1944
Combined convoy OS 77 / KMS 51.
This combined convoy was assembled off Oversay on 14 May 1944.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Afghanistan (British, 6992 GRT, built 1940), Amstelkerk (Dutch, 4457 GRT, built 1929), Badjestan (British, 5573 GRT, built 1928), Beckenham (British, 4636 GRT, built 1937), Belgian Trader (British, 2890 GRT, built 1942), Biafra (British, 5405 GRT, built 1933), City of Khios (British, 5574 GRT, built 1925), Cragpool (British 5133 GRT, built 1928), Defender (British, 8078 GRT, built 1915), Drakepool (British, 4838 GRT, built 1924), Dunelmia (British, 5207 GRT, built 1929), Eloy Alfaro (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Empire Caxton (British, 2873 GRT, built 1942), Empire Foam (British, 7047 GRT, built 1941), Empire Mariott (British, 5970 GRT, built 1941), Fort Tadoussac (British, 7129 GRT, built 1941), Gascony (British, 4716 GRT, built 1925), King Frederick (British, 5106 GRT, built 1920), Madras City (British, 5080 GRT, built 1940), Marquesa (British, 8979 GRT, built 1918), Menelaus (British, 10307 GRT, built 1923), Mount Rhodope (Greek, 5182 GRT, built 1919), Nairnbank (British, 5155 GRT, built 1925), New Brooklyn (British, 6546 GRT, built 1920), Norbryn (Norwegian, 5089 GRT, built 1922), Nordeflinge (British, 2873 GRT, built 1942), Pendeen (British, 4174 GRT, built 1923), Port Darwin (British, 8063 GRT, built 1918), Stad Arnhem (Dutch, 3819 GRT, built 1920), Stanhope (British, 2337 GRT, built 1919), Tiba (Dutch, 5239 GRT, built 1938) and Tjimanoek (Dutch, 5628 GRT, built 1911).
The rescue ship Melrose Abbey (British, 1924 GRT, built 1929) was also part of the convoy.
On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the escort carriers HMS Attacker (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, DSO, MVO, RAN), HMS Hunter (Capt. H.H. McWilliam, RN), HMS Stalker (Capt. H.S. Murray-Smith, RN), frigates HMS Towy (Cdr. H.V. King, DSO, OBE, RN), anguilla, HMS Antigua (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Knaresborough Castle (Lt. J.R. Freeman, RNR), HMS Tintagel Castle (Lt. R. Atkinson, DSC and Bar, RNR) and HMS Smilax (Lt. A. Branson, RNR). Additional escorts were the frigates HMCS Matane (A/Cdr. A.F.C. Layard, DSO, RN), HMCS Stormont (T/Skr.Lt. G.A. Myra, RCNR) and HMCS Swansea (A/Cdr. C.A. King, DSO, DSC, RCNR). These additional escorts remained with the convoy until 19 May.
The Stanhope was detached to return to the U.K. on the 16th being unable to keep up with the convoy.
On 15 May 1944, the frigate HMS Jed (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Miller, DSC, RNR) departed Londonderry to overtake and join the convoy.
On 17 May 1944, the corvette HMS Leeds Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Hodson, DSC, RNVR) departed Londonderry to overtake and join the convoy.
The escort oiler Esturia (ritish (tanker), 6968 GRT, built 1914) later joined the convoy at sea. She came from the combined convoy SL 157 / MKS 48.
On 24 May 1944, the convoy split into convoy OS 77 bound for Freetown and convoy KMS 51 bound for the Mediterranean.
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Convoy OS 77 towards Freetown was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amstelkerk, Dunelmia, Marquesa, Menelaus, Mount Rhodope, Nairnbank, New Brooklyn and Port Darwin.
On 23 May 1944, the following merchant vessels departed Gibraltar to join the convoy when it split up; Domby (British, 5582 GRT, built 1932), Empire Glen (British, 6316 GRT, built 1941), Empire Guinevere (British, 7072 GRT, built 1942), Empire Southey (British, 7041 GRT, built 1942), Fort Paskoyac (British, 7134 GRT, built 1934), Harmattan (British, 4558 GRT, built 1930), Van Ostade (Dutch, 2890 GRT, built 1942) and Zypenberg (Dutch, 4973 GRT, built 1920). They were escorted by the sloops HMS Leith (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and HMS Sandwich (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. Clemence, RNR) which joined the convoy and took over from the original escorts.
On 23 May 1944, the following merchant vessels departed Gibraltar to join the convoy when it split up; Empire Archer (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Empire Dickens (British (tanker), 9819 GRT, built 1942) Empire Duchess (British, 7067 GRT, built 1943), Finistere (French, 1158 GRT, built 1909), Fort Ash (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Fort Glenora (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943), Medie II (French, 5078 GRT, built 1922) and President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935). They were escorted by the patrol vessel / sloop Amiral Mouchez, minesweeping sloops La Gracieuse and the patrol vessels USS PC-473 (Lt. A.W. Silverstein, USNR) and USS PC-482 (Lt. D.W. Hunter, USNR). These escorts did not join the convoy but set course to return to Casablanca. The six transports joined convoy OS 77 while the two tankers joined convoy KMS 51.
On 24 May 1944, the patrol vessel HMS Kilmartin (T/Lt. E.H.G. Hope, RNVR) departed Casablanca to join the convoy.
On 30 May 1944, the following transports departed Dakar to join the convoy; Tynemouth (British, 3168 GRT, built 1940), Vendome (French, 4192 GRT, built 1920) and Vinriver (British, 3881 GRT, built 1917). They were escorted by the corvette Commandant Drogou and the minesweeping sloops Annamite and Chevreul. These escorts did not join the convoy but proceeded to Dakar taking the transports Empire Southey, Finistere, Medie II and Nairnbank with them.
Convoy OS 77 arrived at Freetown 2 June 1944. Some ships from the convoy did not enter Freetown but continued on to their destinations independently and some ships of the convoy had already been detached before reaching Freetown.
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Convoy KMS 51 towards the Mediterranean was made up of the following merchant vessels; Afghanistan, Bajestan, Beckenham, Belgian Trader, Biafra, City of Khios, Cragpool, Defender, Drakepool, Dunelmia, Eloy Alfaro, Empire Caxton, Empire Foam, Empire Mariott, Esturia, Fort Tadoussac, Gascony, King Frederick, Madras City, Melrose Abbey, Norbryn, Nordeflinge, Pendeen, Stad Arnhem, Tiba and Tjimanoek. The tankers Empire Dickens and President de Vogue had joined from Casablanca [see above].
The convoy was escorted by HMS Attacker, HMS Hunter, HMS Stalker, HMS Tovy, HMS Anguilla, HMS Antigua, HMS Knaresborough Castle, HMS Leeds Castle, HMS Tintagel Castle and HMS Smilax.
The entire convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 25 May 1944.
The convoy continued its passage on 28 May 1944. It was now made up of the following ships; Afghanistan, Bajestan, Beckenham, Belgian Trader, Charles A. Wickliffe (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943), City of Khios, Cragpool, Defender, Eloy Alfaro, Empire Caxton, Empire Foam, Empire Gareth (British, 2847 GRT, built 1942), Empire Mariott, Empire Strength (British, 7355 GRT, built 1942), Fort Tadoussac, Gascony, Hopestar (British, 5267 GRT, built 1936), King Frederick, Madras City, Norbryn, Nordeflinge, President de Vogue, Robert Howe (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), Stad Arnhem, Tiba and Tjimanoek.
The submarines HMS Trenchant (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN), HMS Vivid (Lt. J.C. Varley, RN), Junon and Atalante were also tanking passage eastwards in this convoy.
The convoy was now escorted by the frigate HMS Usk (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Pattinson, DSC, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Delphinium (Cdr. V.F. Smith, DSO, RD, RNR), HMS Hyderabad (Lt. G.H. Taylor, RNR), KB Nada [Yugoslavian corvette] and the auxiliary A/S whalers HMSAS Protea (Lt. A. Thomas, DSC, SANF) and HMSAS Southern Sea (Lt.Cdr. M.R.J. Terry-Lloyd, SANF). The destroyer L'Alcyon was also with the convoy.
On 29 May 1944, the following ships were detached to Oran; Empire Gareth, Norbryn, Stad Arnhem and the submarine Atalante while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran; Albert A. Michelson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Askeladden (Norwegian, 2496 GRT, built 1920), Dwight W. Morrow (American, 7225 GRT, built 1943), Edward H. Crockett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), George W. McCrary (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), James Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John S. Casement (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John S. Pillsbury (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Sergeant (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Palermo (British, 2797 GRT, built 1938) and William Blount (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).
On 30 May 1944, the following ships were detached to Algiers; Belgian Trader, Cragpool, Edward H. Crockett, Empire Caxton, Empire Foam, Empire Strenght, Palermo, Mount Blount and the submarine Junon while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Andrew Pickens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Campidoglio (Italian, 3702 GRT, built 1910), Chiswick (British, 6006 GRT, built 1943), Empire Clarion (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Fort Gaspereau (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Marin (British, 7159 GRT, built 1943), John Murray Forbes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Louis McLane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Marathon (Norwegian, 7208 GRT, built 1930), Monte Grappa (Italian, 834 GRT, built 1943), Ocean Gallant (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Samoa (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samsteel (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Stancleeve (British, 5970 GRT, built 1942), Star (Norwegian, 1531 GRT, built 1922) and Titus (Dutch, 1712 GRT, built 1930).
On 31 May 1944, the convoy was attacked by 41 German Ju-88 aircraft from II./KG.76 I. and III./KG 77 operating from Southern France. The Nordeflinge was hit by bombs and sank in position 37°02'N, 03°47'E.
On 31 May 1944, the Montegrappa arrived at Bougie after having been detached from the convoy.
On 1 June 1944, the Askeladden arrived at Bone after having been detached from the convoy while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bone; Abel Stearns (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Iceland (British, 1236 GRT, built 1914), Ocean Rider (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Traveller (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Sampan (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Samphire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943).
On 1 June 1944, the following ships were detached to Bizerta; Badjestan, John S. Casement, John Sergeant, Titus and the destroyer L'Alcyon while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Facto (Norwegian, 1522 GRT, 1921), George Davis (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), George Handley (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John B. Hood (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), John Cropper (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Kemp P. Battle (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Laurent Meeus (Belgian (tanker), 6429 GRT, built 1930), Lincoln Steffens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Marion McKinley Bovard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Samuel Griffin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).
Early on 2 June 1944, the convoy merged with convoy UGS 42.
Convoy KMS 51 was at that moment made up of the following ships; Abel Stearns, Afghanistan, Albert A. Michelson, Andrew Pickens, Beckenham, Campidoglio, Charles A. Wickliffe, Chiswick, City of Khios, Defender, Dwight W. Morrow, Eloy Alfaro, Empire Clarion, Empire Mariott, Facto, Fort Gaspereau, Fort Marin, Fort Tadoussac, Gascony, George Davis, George Handley, George W. McCrary, Hopestar, Iceland, James Jackson, John B. Hood, John Cropper, John Murray Forbes, John S. Pillsbury, Kemp P. Battle, King Frederic, King S. Woolsey, Laurent Meeus, Lincoln Steffens, Louis McLane, Madras City, Marathon, Marion McKinley Bovard, Ocean Gallant, Ocean Rider, Ocean Traveller, President de Vogue, Robert Howe, Samoa, Sampan, Samphire, Samsteel, Samuel Griffin, Stancleeve, Star, Tiba and Tjimanoek.
The submarines HMS Traveller and HMS Vivid were also part of the convoy.
They were escorted by the frigates HMS Jed, HMS Usk, corvettes HMS Delphinium, HMS Hyderabad, HMS Smilax and the auxiliary A/S whalers HMSAS Protea and HMSAS Southern Sea.
23 May 1944
Combined convoy OS 78 / KMS 52.
This combined convoy was assembled off Oversay on 23 May 1944.
It was made up of the following transports; Adviser (British, 6348 GRT, built 1939), Alex (British, 3932 GRT, built 1914), Baron Elgin (British, 3942 GRT, built 1933), Carslogie (British, 3786 GRT, built 1924), Clunepark (British, 3491 GRT, built 1928), Dago (British, 1993 GRT, built 1917), Empire Falcon (British, 4970 GRT, built 1918), Empire Wolfe (British, 2888 GRT, built 1941), Fort Churchill (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Godfrey B. Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929), Historian (British, 5074 GRT, built 1924), Hopecrest (British, 5099 GRT, built 1935), Inverbank (British, 5149 GRT, built 1924), Lago (Norwegian, 2552 GRT, built 1929), Mathilda (Norwegian, 3650 GRT, built 1920), Nailsea Moor (British, 4926 GRT, built 1937), Northleigh (British, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Redgate (British, 4323 GRT, built 1929), Robert Morris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Stanhope (British, 2337 GRT, built 1919), Stuyvesant (Dutch, 4249 GRT, built 1918), Thistleford (British, 4781 GRT, built 1928), Troilus (British, 7422 GRT, built 1921) and Yearby (British, 5666 GRT, built 1929).
The rescue ship Pinto (British, 1346 GRT, built 1928) was also with the combined convoy.
On assembly off Oversay the convoy was escorted by the escort carrier HMS Activity (Capt. C. Wauchope, DSC, RN), frigates HMS Ascension (Lt.Cdr. A. Wilkinson, RNR), HMS Evenlode (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.B. Medlycott, RNR), HMS Exe (Cdr. C.E.E. Paterson, RN) and the corvettes HMNZS Arabis (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Seelye, RNZNVR), HMS Berkeley Castle (T/Lt. F.A. Darrah, RNVR), HMS Carisbrooke Castle (T/Lt. W.H. Forster, RNR), HMS Dumbarton Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.F. Broadhead, RNR) and HMS Hadleigh Castle (Lt. C. Sandeman, RN).
The transport Stanhope had to return to the U.K. arriving in the Clyde on 25 May 1944.
The tanker Scottish American (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1920) later joined at sea having parted company with convoy MKS 49. This ship was to refuel the escorts.
Around 1030Z/27, HMS Activity, HMS Ascension, HMS Carisbroke Castle and HMS Hadleigh Castle parted company with the convoy to temporary join northbound combined convoy SL 158 / MKS 49 which they did around 1540Z/28.
Around 1505Z/29, HMS Activity, HMS Ascension, HMS Carisbroke Castle and HMS Hadleigh Castle parted company with combined convoy SL 158 / MKS 49 taking the escort oiler Scottish American (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1920) with them. They rejoined combined convoy OS 78 / KMS 52 around 1650Z/30.
On 30 May 1944, HMNZS Arabis parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Bermuda arriving there on 6 June 1944.
Around 0300Z/3, HMS Activity, HMS Ascension and HMS Berkeley Castle parted company with combined convoy OS 78 / KMS 52 to join northbound combined convoy SL 159 / MKS 50 which they did around 0600Z/3. HMS Ascension and HMS Berkeley Castle then immediately parted company again to rejoin combined convoy OS 78 / KMS 52.
On 4 June 1944, the convoy split into convoy OS 78 and KMS 52.
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Convoy OS 78, towards Freetown, was made up of the following transports; Clunepark, Godfrey B. Holt, Northleigh and Stuyvesant.
They were joined by the following transports coming from Gibraltar; Appledore (British, 5218 GRT, built 1929), Fort Glenyon (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Fort Thompson (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Ittersum (Dutch, 5199 GRT, built 1938) and Ocean Vanity (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942).
With these ships came also the new escort for this convoy which was made up of the sloop HMS Enchantress (Lt.Cdr. E.D.J. Abbot, DSC, RN), frigate HMS Ness (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.H. Marchington, MBE, RNVR) and the patrol vessel HMS Kilbirnie (T/Lt. E.R.H. Seddon, RNVR).
Also from Casablanca the the following transports joined on the 4th or the 5th; Gabriel Guist'Hau (French, 2325 GRT, built 1918), Lodestone (British, 4877 GRT, built 1938), Samdart (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944) and Samderwent (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944).
These ships had departed Casablanca on the 4th , escorted by the patrol vessels USS PC-473 (Lt. A.W. Silverstein, USNR), USS PC-475 (Lt. W.W. Devine, Jr., USNR) and USS PC-482 (Lt. D.W. Hunter, USNR) which did not join the convoy and returned to Casablanca on the 5th.
On 11 June 1944, the transport Slesvig (British, 3098 GRT, built 1938) departed Dakar to join the convoy.
On 11 June 1944, the Clunepark, Gabriel Guist'Hau and Northleigh arrived at Dakar after having been detached from the convoy.
Convoy OS 78 arrived at Freetown on 14 June 1944. Actually only the Slesvig and Stuyvesant arrived at Freetown with the escort. The other ships proceeded to other destinations independently.
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Convoy KMS 52 proceeded towards the Straits of Gibraltar. This convoy was made up of the transports / tanker; Adviser, Alex, Baron Elgin, Carslogie, Dago, Empire Falcon, Empire Wolfe, Fort Churchill, Historian, Hopecrest, Inverbank, Lago, Mathilda, Nailsea Moor, Pinto, Redgate, Robert Morris, Scottish American, Thistleford, Troilus and Yearby.
On 6 June 1944, the Carslogie, Empire Wolfe, Pinto, Scottish American and Thistleford arrived at Gibraltar together with the original escort of the convoy; HMS Exe, HMS Ascension, HMS Berkeley Castle, HMS Carisbrooke Castle, HMS Dumbarton Castle and HMS Hadleigh Castle.
From Gibraltar / Casablanca the transports / tanker; Benjamin Tay (British, 1814 GRT, built 1943), British Governor (British (tanker), 6840 GRT, built 1926), David Holmes (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1943), Empire Dickens (British (tanker), 9819 GRT, built 1942) and Sheaf Crown (British, 4868 GRT, built 1929) joined the convoy.
Escort was now provided by the escort carriers HMS Attacker (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, DSO, MVO, RAN), HMS Hunter (Capt. H.H. McWilliam, RN), AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN), escort destroyer RHS Kriti, frigates HMS Evenlode (which had remained with the convoy), HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR), HMS Shiel (Lt. H.P. Crail, DSC, RNR), HMS Gloxinia (Lt. D. Perry, DSC, RNR), HMS Primula (T/Lt. E.N. Wilding, RNVR), HMS Smilax (Lt. A. Branson, RNR) and A/S trawler HMS Wolborough (T/Lt. G.A. Hartnell, RNR).
On 7 June 1944, the following ships arrived at Oran Bay after having been detached from the convoy; HMS Attacker, HMS Hunter, Benjamin Tay and Sheaf Crown.
On 7 June 1944, the following transports / tanker joined coming from Oran Bay; Anglo-African (British, 5601 GRT, built 1929), Bourgogne (French (tanker), 9357 GRT, built 1937), Bret Harte (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Corchester (British, 2374 GRT, built 1927), Daniel H. Hill (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Empire Gareth (British, 2847 GRT, built 1942), Empire Wyclif (British, 6966 GRT, built 1941), Felix Grundy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George G. Meade (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), James Rumsey (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Josiah Bartlett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Louisa M. Alcott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Luther Martin (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Norbryn (Norwegian, 5089 GRT, built 1922), Roger Williams (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Sarah Orne Jewett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Tobruk (Polish, 7048 GRT, built 1942), Tristram Dalton (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and Zacapa (American, 5013 GRT, built 1909).
Also joining from Oran Bay were the LST's USS LST-602 (Lt. J.H. Mehus, USNR) and USS LST-603 (Lt. W.B. Sweet, USN).
On 8 June 1944, the following transports were detached to Algiers; Alex, David Holmes, Empire Gareth, Hopecrest, Mathilda and Norbryn.
On 8 June 1944, the following transports joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Chateau Latour (French, 1912 GRT, built 1914), Corfell (British, 1802 GRT, built 1934), Elise (Greek, 1986 GRT, built 1919), Empire Gain (British (tanker), 3738 GRT, built 1943), Empire Strength (British, 7355 GRT, built 1942), Empire Valour (British, 1906 GRT, built 1943), Gezina (Norwegian, 1828 GRT, built 1917), Hardingham (British, 7269 GRT, built 1942), Ingertre (Norwegian, 2462 GRT, built 1921), Jennings (British, 1148 GRT, built 1943), Lucia C. (Italian, 6123 GRT, built 1922), Ocean Vulcan (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Odysseus (Dutch, 1057 GRT, 1922), Oregon (French, 7705 GRT, built 1929), Palermo (British, 2797 GRT, built 1938), Samaye (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samuel V. Shreve (British, 1813 GRT, built 1943), Thistledale (British, 7241 GRT, built 1942) and Ulla (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930). With these ships was also the salvage vessel USS Tackle (Lt. D.V. van Sand, USNR) which also joined the convoy.
On 9 June 1944, the transport Lago arrived at Philippeville after having been detached from the convoy.
On 9 June 1944, the transports Dago, Elise, Hardingham, Ingertre, Lucia C., Samaye and Samuel V. Shreve arrived at Bone after having been detached from the convoy.
On 9 June 1944, the following transports joined coming from Bone. Beaconsfield (British, 4635 GRT, built 1938), Empire Candida (British, 2908 GRT, built 1943), Nordnes (Norwegian, 4147 GRT, built 1932), Ousel (British, 1533 GRT, built 1922) and Skagerak (Norwegian, 4244 GRT, built 1936).
On 10 June 1944, the following transports arrived at Bizerta after having parted company with the convoy; Baron Elgin, Corchester, Empire Gain, Gezina, Jennings, Sarah Orne Jewett and Zacapa.
Also HMS Caledon, RHS Kriti, USS LST-602 and USS LST-603 arrived at Bizerta the same day after having been detached from the convoy.
On 10 June 1944, the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Andrew W. Moore (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), British Chemist (British (tanker), 6997 GRT, built 1925), Edward Burleson (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Egbert Benson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Empire Noble (British, 7125 GRT, built 1944), Empire Unicorn (British, 7067 GRT, built 1943), Fort Chesterfield (British, 7100 GRT, built 1943), Fort Cumberland (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Fort Frobisher (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), George Leonard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John W. Brown (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Meline (Norwegian (tanker), 6983 GRT, built 1918) and Richard Rush (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943).
On 10 June 1944, the transport Oregon arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy.
On 11 June 1944, the transports Empire Falcon, Empire Strength, Palermo and Yearby arrived at Malta after having been detached from the convoy. Also the escorts HMS Evenlode and HMS Smilax arrived at Malta.
On 11 June 1944, the transports / tanker; Destro (British, 3553 GRT, built 1920), Empire Collins (British (tanker), 9796 GRT, built 1942), Fort Beausejour (British, 7151 GRT, built 1943), Fort Marin (British, 7159 GRT, built 1943), Fort Meductic (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Kyklades (Greek, 7157 GRT, built 1941), Marit Maersk (Greek (former Danish), 1894 GRT, built 1938), Ocean Gallant (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Port Melbourne (British, 9142 GRT, built 1914), Sambre (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Trajanus (Dutch, 1712 GRT, built 1930) departed Augusta to join the convoy.
On 12 June 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy; Andrew Moore, Anglo-African, Beaconsfield, Bourgogne, Bret Harte, Chateau Latour, Cornfell, Daniel H. Hill, Edward Burleson, Egbert Benson, Empire Dickens, Empire Valour, Empire Wyclif, Felix Grundy, Fort Frobisher, George G. Meade, George Leonard, James Rumsey, John W. Brown, Josiah Barlett, Louisa M. Alcott, Luther Martin, Nailsea Moor, Ocean Vulcan, Odysseus, Ousel, Redgate, Richard Rush, Roger Williams, Thistledale, Tobruk, Tristram Dalton and Ulla. With these ships also USS Tackle had proceeded to Augusta.
On 15 June 1944, the following transports arrived at Alexandria; Fort Beausejour, Fort Chesterfield, Fort Marin, Fort Meductic and Trajanus. With them also HMS Gloxinia, HMS Primula and HMS Wolborough arrived at Alexandria.
On 16 June 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Port Said; Adviser, British Chemist, British Governor, Destro, Empire Collins, Empire Noble, Empire Unicorn, Fort Churchill, Fort Cumberland, Historian, Inverbank, Kyklades, Marit Maersk, Meline, Nordnes, Ocean Gallant, Port Melbourne, Robert Morris, Sambre, Skagerak and Troilus. With them HMS Dart and HMS Shiel arrived at Port Said.
12 Jun 1944
Convoy UGS 45.
This convoy departed Hampton Roads on 12 June 1944.
It was made up of the following transports / tankers; Anna Howard Shaw (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Betty Zane (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Carrillo (American, 5013 GRT, built 1911), Cartago (American, 4732 GRT, built 1908), Charles Piez (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Chatham C. Lyon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Daniel Carroll (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Denewood (British, 7280 GRT, built 1943), Eclipse (British (tanker), 9767 GRT, built 1931), Empire Rock (British, 7061 GRT, built 1943), Esso Baltimore (American (tanker), 7940 GRT, built 1938), Felipi de Bastrop (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944), Francis Marion (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Franz Klasen (Panamanian (tanker), 12425 GRT, built 1932), Gulfcoast (American, 7140 GRT, built 1937), Henry Baldwin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Henry Jocelyn (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Heywood Broun (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Hoegh Silverstar (Norwegian, 5415 GRT, built 1938), Hugh M. Smith (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Kerney (American, 7210 GRT, built 1944), John A. Donald (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John B. Ashe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Jay (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John M. Parker (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Joseph Goldberger (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1943), Joseph H. Martin (American, 7199 GRT, built 1943), Joseph McKenna (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph S. Emery (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph Warren (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Justin S. Morrill (American, 7194 GRT, built 1943), Kobad (French (tanker), 7329 GRT, built 1930), Langdon Cheves (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Longwood (British (tanker), 9463 GRT, built 1930), Louis D. Brandeis (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Lucretia Mott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Mary M. Dodge (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Matthew B. Brady (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Meyer Lissner (American, 7207 GRT, built 1943), Moses Austin (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Mount Revelstoke Park (Canadian, 7144 GRT, built 1943), Nassarius (British (tanker), 8246 GRT, built 1944), Nathan Hale (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Norheim (Norwegian (tanker), 9816 GRT, built 1941), Norholm (Norwegian (tanker), 9813 GRT, built 1941), Paine Wingate (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Ponce de Leon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Roald Amundsen (Norwegian, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Sambay (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samcono (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samcree (British, 7210 GRT, built 1943), Samcrest (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samdak (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samearn (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samettrick (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samforth (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samfreedom (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samingoy (British, 7255 GRT, built 1944), Samouse (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samshire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samsmola (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), Samstrae (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), Samteviot (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), Samtruth (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Smith Thompson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Stevenson Taylor (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Theodore Foster (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Thomas F. Cunningham (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943), Valldemosa (British (tanker), 7222 GRT, built 1935), Washington Irving (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), William A. Richardson (American, 7258 GRT, built 1942), William D. Hoard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William E. Pendleton (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943).
The naval tanker USS Cossatot (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Glenwright, USNR) was also with the convoy.
On departure from Hampton Roads the convoy was escorted by Task Force 66 which was made up of the cutter USCGC Taney (Cdr. H.J. Wuensch, USCG, with COMTASKFOR 66, T/Capt. W.H. Duvall, USN, on board), destroyer escorts USS Pride (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Buxton, USCG, with COMCORTDIV 46, Cdr. R.G. French, USCG, on board), USS Mosley (Lt.Cdr. E.P. MacBryde, Jr., USCGR), USS Newell (Cdr. R.J. Roberts, USCG), USS Falgout (Cdr. H.A. Meyer, USCG), USS Lowe (Cdr. J.A. Alger, Jr., USCG), USS Joseph E. Campbell (Lt. J.M. Robertson, 2nd, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 21, T/Capt. L.M. Markham, Jr., USN, on board), USS Chase (Lt.Cdr. G.O. Knapp, 2nd, USNR), USS Laning (Lt.Cdr. Shuman, Jr., USNR), USS Barber (Lt. E.T.B. Sullivan, USNR), USS Fessenden (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Dobbs, USNR) and the patrol vessel Coutelas.
Around 1900Q/13, the transport Thomas Stone (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) joined the convoy having been unable to departed with the convoy when it departed from Hampton Roads. She was sailed later on the 12th to overtake and join the convoy.
Around 1900Q/14, the escort carrier HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN) (in an aircraft ferry role) joined the convoy coming from New York which she had departed on 13 June. She was escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Burrows (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Graham, USNR) and USS Loy (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Pond, Jr., USNR) which also joined the convoy.
On 16 June 1944, USS Cossatot fuelled USS Joseph E. Campbell, USS Loy, USS Chase, USS Barber and USS Laning.
On 18 June 1944, USS Cossatot fuelled the Coutelas.
Around 0800O/21, in position 33°31'N, 35°35'W, the transport Henry Baldwin was detached to the Azores. She was escorted by USS Falgout and USS Lowe. The destroyer escorts rejoined the convoy around 0945N/23.
During 21 June 1944, USS Cossatot fuelled USS Joseph E. Campbell, USS Loy, USS Laning, USS Barber, USS Chase, USCGC Taney and the Coutelas.
At 1738O/21, the tanker Valldemosa suffered an engine breakdown. USS Joseph E. Campbell was ordered to standby the stricken ship which was able to get underway later to rejoin the convoy which they did on 25 June.
At 1825N/23, the tanker Franz Klasen suffered an engine breakdown. USS Burrows was ordered to standby the stricken ship which was able to get underway later to rejoin the convoy which they did on 25 June.
Around 1400Z/26, the Casablanca section of the convoy broke off. This was made up of the following ships; Samconan, Samshireiu, Smith Thompson and HMS Queen. To escort them there the the minesweeping sloops La Boudeuse, La Gracieuse and the patrol vessels USS PC-482 (Lt. D.W. Hunter, USNR) and L'Indiscret. These escorts had departed Casablanca earlier on the 26th. They returned with the Casablanca section of the convoy on 27 June 1944.
During 26 June 1944, USS Cossatot fuelled USS Joseph E. Campbell, USS Loy, USS Chase, USS Laning and USS Barber.
Around 0745A/27, USS Fessenden and USS Falgout were ordered to proceed to Gibraltar. The firs one was to escort an Italian submarine from Gibraltar to Bermuda and the second was to pick up a liason officer and then rejoin the convoy.
Around 1300A/27, the transport Samcrest was detached to Gibraltar.
Around 1500A/27, the transport Patrick Henry (American, 7191 GRT, built 1941) and the rescue tug HMRT Athlete joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar. Also USS Falgout rejoined.
Around 1700B/28, the following ships were detached to Oran; Betty Zane, Cartago, Gulfcoast, Hugh M. Smith, Joseph Warren, Lucretia Mott and Ponce de Leon.
Around 1800B/28, the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran; Andrew Briscoe (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944), Asa Gray (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Bret Harte (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Cape Howe (British, 6999 GRT, built 1943), Crosby S. Noyes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Dallington Court (British, 6889 GRT, built 1929), Empire Bombardier (British (tanker), 8202 GRT, built 1943), George F. Patten (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jonathan Worth (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), Robert F. Stockton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Robert T. Hill (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Tristram Dalton (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), William G. Fargo (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Woodbridge Ferris (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943). Also joining from Oran were the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), destroyers USS Madison (T/Cdr. D.A. Stuart, USN), USS Livermore (T/Cdr. H.E. Siedel, Jr., USN) and the naval tug USS ATR-1 (Lt.(jg) H.L. MacGill, USN).
At 0800B/29, the transport Samfreedom parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead of it to Algiers to embark a British convoy commodore. She was escorted by USS Joseph E. Campbell. They rejoined the convoy around 1400B/29 together with three other ships joining from Algiers, these were the following; Crackshot (British, 2379 GRT, built 1924), Lucia C. (Italian, 6123 GRT, built 1922) and Motia (Italian, 2336 GRT, built 1918).
Around 1700B/29, the following ships were detached to Algiers; Bret Harte, Jonathan Worth, Meyer Lissner, Samstrae and Thomas F. Cunningham.
Around 1340B/30, the Lucia C. was detached to Philippeville.
Around 1900B/30, HMRT Athlete was detached to Bone while the transport Ocean Trader (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942) joined the convoy coming from Bone.
Around 0100B/1, USS Madison and USS Livermore were detached to westbound convoy GUS 44.
At 0730B/1, British escorts joined the convoy. These were the frigate HMS Shiel (Lt. H.P. Crail, DSC, RNR, with Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR, (S.O. 49th Escort Group) on board), minesweeper HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. W.L. O'Mara, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMS Gloxinia (Lt. D. Perry, DSC, RNR) and HMS Primula (T/Lt. E.N. Wilding, RNVR). With them the transport Hjalmar Wessel (Norwegian, 1742 GRT, built 1935) also joined;
The entire current escort and the naval tanker USS Cossatot then proceeded to Bizerta as did the following ships of the convoy; Crosby S. Noyes, Empire Bombardier, Longwood, Nassarius and William E. Pendleton.
On 2 July 1944, the following ships departed Augusta to join the convoy; Empire Baxter (British, 7024 GRT, built 1941), John Stagg (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Thistledale (British, 7241 GRT, built 1942) and Vasco (British, 2878 GRT, built 1939).
On 3 July 1944, following ships arrived at Augusta after having parted company with the convoy; Andrew Briscoe, Asa Gray, Cape Howe, Carrillo, Charles Piez, Chatham C. Lyon, Crackshot, Dallington Court, Daniel Carroll, Empire Rock, Esso Baltimore, Francis Marion, Franz Klasen, George F. Patten, Henry Jocelyn, Hjalmar Wessel, James Jackson, John Jay, Joseph Goldberger, Joseph H. Martin, Joseph McKenna, Joseph S. Emery, Justin S. Morrill, Kobad, Langdon Cheves, Louis D. Brandeis, Moses Austin, Motia, Norheim, Norholm, Ocean Trader, Paine Wingate, Patrick Henry, Roald Amundsen, Robert F. Stockton, Robert T. Hill, Theodore Foster, Tristram Dalton, Valldemosa, Washington Irving, William G. Fargo Woodbridge N. Ferris and USS ATR-1.
On 6 July 1944, the following ships arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy; Samdak, Samouse, Samtruth, Thistldale and Vasco. The corvettes HMS Gloxinia and HMS Primula also arrived at Alexandria.
The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 7 July 1944 escorted by HMS Shiel and HMS Sharpshooter.
24 Jun 1944
Convoy GUS 44.
This convoy departed Port Said on 24 June 1944.
On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the following transports / tankers; Baron Herries (British, 4574 GRT, built 1940), British Governor (British (tanker), 6840 GRT, built 1926), British Tradition (British (tanker), 8443 GRT, built 1942), Cardinal Gibbons (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Fernbrook (Norwegian, 4633 GRT, built 1932), George K. Fitch (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jan Slievens (Dutch, 7178 GRT, built 1942), John Fitch (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Lewis Emery Jr. (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Malvina (Dutch (tanker), 8249 GRT, built 1932), Meonia (Danish, 5214 GRT, built 1927), Oscar Underwood (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944), Sampford (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sherman O Houghton (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944), Wayne Macveach (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William M. Meredith (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943).
On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the frigate HMS Shiel (Lt. H.P. Crail, DSC, RNR, with Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR, (S.O. 49th Escort Group) no board) and minesweeper HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. W.L. O'Mara, DSC, RN).
On 25 June 1944 the following transports joined the convoy coming from Alexandria; Empire Lionel (British, 7030 GRT, built 1942), Fort Meductic (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Nathaniel Macon (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943) and Samphire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943). They were escorted by the corvettes HMS Gloxinia (Lt. D. Perry, DSC, RNR) and HMS Primula (T/Lt. E.N. Wilding, RNVR) which also joined the convoy.
On 28 June 1944 the following transports / tankers departed Augusta to join the convoy; Beaconsfield (British, 4635 GRT, built 1938), Beckenham (British, 4636 GRT, built 1937), Charles A. Warfield (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Cistula (Dutch (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939), Edward N. Hurley (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Edward Richardson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Edwin L. Godkin (American, 7198 GRT, built 1943), Empire Cobbett (British (tanker), 9811 GRT, built 1942), Empire Harbour (British (tanker), 797 GRT, built 1943), Empire Nugget (British (tanker), 9807 GRT, built 1942), Empire Stength (British, 7355 GRT, built 1942), Empire Wordsworth (British (tanker), 9891 GRT, built 1942), Fort Clatsop (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943), Furnifold M. Simmons (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), Hopestar (British, 5267 GRT, built 1936), Houston Volunteers (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph T. Robinson (American, 7196 GRT, built 1943), Kola (British, 1538 GRT, built 1924), Louis McLane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), M.M. Guhin (American, 7180 GRT, 1943), Mactra (British (tanker), 6193 GRT, built 1936), Madras City (British, 5080 GRT, built 1940), Moray Coast (British, 687 GRT, built 1940), Moses Rogers (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Pronto (Norwegian, 2201 GRT, built 1920), Regent Lion (British (tanker), 9551 GRT, built 1937), Sun (American (tanker), 9002 GRT, built 1928), Thomas Hart Benton (American, 7187 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Sumter (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Trondheim (Norwegian (tanker), 8258 GRT, 1939), Walter E. Ranger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Zaanstroom (Dutch, 1646 GRT, built 1920).
The following transports / tankers were detached to August where the arrived on 28 June 1944; British Tradition, Empire Lionel, Fort Meductic, George K. Fitch, Jan Lievents, Malvina, Oscar Underwood, Sampford and Samphire.
On 29 June 1944, the transport Robert Newell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Malta.
On 30 June 1944, the transport Meonia arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy.
On 30 June 1944, the transports Baron Herries , Empire Harbour, Furnifold M. Simmons and Hopestar arrived at Benghazi after having been detached from the convoy while the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Benhazi; Haakon Hauan (Norwegian (tanker), 6582 GRT, built 1935), Jobshaven (Dutch, 3528 GRT, built 1916), Murena (Dutch (tanker), 8252 GRT, built 1931), Neritina (British (tanker), 8228 GRT, built 1943) and Tarleton Brown (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943).
Also the current escort, which arrived at Bizerta on 30 June 1944, was relieved by a new escort which was made up of the AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN), the cutter USCGC Ingham (Cdr. K.O.A. Zittel, USCG, with COMTASKFOR 65, T/Capt. W.R. Headden, USN on board) and the escort destroyers USS Price (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Higgins, Jr., USNR, with COMCORTDIV 58, T/Cdr. E.E. Garcia, USN on board), USS Stanton (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Tiffany, USNR), USS Strickland (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Hopkins, USNR), Forster (Lt. J.N. Clayton, USNR), Stockdale (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Luther, USNR), Hissem (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Low, USNR), USS Otter (Lt.Cdr. D.M. Kerr, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 62, T/Cdr. J.F. Bowling, Jr., USN), USS Hubbard (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Mabley, USNR), USS Hayter (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Theriault, USNR), USS Varian (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Petrie, USNR), USS Scroggings (T/Lt.Cdr. H. Kriloff, USN) and USS Jack W. Wilke (T/Cdr. R.D. Lowther, USN).
Around 0037B/1, the destroyers USS Madison (T/Cdr. D.A. Stuart, USN) and USS Livermore (T/Cdr. H.E. Siedel, Jr., USN) joined for jammer duty (against German radio controlled bombs).
Around 0415B/1, the transports Beaconsfield, Kola and Pronto were detached to Bone. Later the Jobshaven was detached to Philippeville.
Around 0550B/1, the rescue tugs HMRT Mindful and HMRT Aspirant joined the convoy.
Around 0643B/2, the transports / tankers Beckenham, British Governor, Fort Clatsop and Zaanstroom as well as HMRT Mindful were detached to Algiers.
Around 0715B/2, the transports / tankers Bourgogne (French (tanker), 9357 GRT, built 1937), Empire Dickens (British (tanker), 9819 GRT, built 1942), Empire Falcon (British, 4970 GRT, built 1918), Fomalhaut (French, 5795 GRT, built 1936) and Peribonka (British, 5673 GRT, built 1937) joined coming from Algiers.
Around 0410B/3, HMS Caledon parted company with the convoy to proceed to Gibraltar.
At 0620B/3, USS Madison and USS Livermore parted company to proceed to Oran Bay taking the transports Edward N. Hurley, Edward Richardson, Edwin L. Godkin, Joseph T. Robinson, Louis McClane, M.M. Guhin, Moses Rogers, Tarleton Brown, Thomas Hart Benton and Thomas Sumter with them. Around the same time the following transports joined from Oran Bay; Belgian Airman (Belgian, 6960 GRT, built 1942), Gulfcoast (American, 7140 GRT, built 1937) and Samhope (7210 GRT, built 1944). Also joining were the naval tanker USS Merrimack (T/Capt. R.A. MacKerracher, USN), stores ship USS Polaris (T/Cdr. C.R. Miller, USN) and the tug USS Cocopa (Lt. J.C. Hutcheson, USNR) which was towing the damaged destroyer USS Laub (T/Cdr. A.C. Roessler, USN).
Around 0815A/4, the following transports Empire Strength, Moray Coast and Peribonka were detached to Gibraltar.
At 1740A/4, the following tankers Haakon Hauan, Neritina and Trondheim were detached to Casablanca escorted by the minesweeping sloop La Boudeuse and the patrol vessels L'Eveille and USS PC-482 (Lt. D.W. Hunter, USNR).
Around the same time the transports Hopecrest (British, 5099 GRT, built 1935) and Sambanka (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944) as well as the tug USS Cherokee (Lt. L.G. Johnson, USN) which was towing the damaged destroyer escort USS Barr (Lt.Cdr. P.T. Dickie, Jr., USNR) joined coming from Casablanca. They had been escorted to the rendezvous by the same escorts that were now escorting the above listed vessels to Casablanca.
On 6 July 1944, all escorts fuelled from USS Merrimack.
Around 0400O/9, USS Menges parted company to contact the ships joining from the Azores. Around 0800O/9 she returned with the tanker Norsol (Norwegian (tanker), 8236 GRT, built 1941) as well as the tug USS Carib (Lt. A.T. Terrio, USN) which was towing the damaged destroyer escort USS Menges (Lt.Cdr. F.M. McCabe, USCG). These ships had been escorted to the rendezvous by the A/S trawler HMS Paynter (T/Lt. T.B.S. Brown, RNVR). HMS Paynter did not join the convoy.
Around 0615Q/16, when in position 35°31'N, 65°40'E, USS Merrimack parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bermuda. To escort her to that place the escort destroyers USS Jesse Rutherford (Lt.Cdr. B.M. Henry, USNR), USS Traw (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Kilbreth, Jr., USNR) and USS Leland E. Thomass (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Rosenberg, USNR) had joined. They arrived at Bermuda around 2130Q/16.
Around 1320Q/16, the three tugs with their tows were detached to Bermuda. To escort them the escort destroyers USS Price and USS Stockdale. They arrived at Bermuda around 2000Q/17. The two destroyer escorts remained out patrolling of Bermuda and arrived at Bermuda around 0600Q/18.
Around 1900Q/16, the ' Chesapeake Bay Section ' of the convoy made up of 15 transports / tankers parted company. They were escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Hubbard (which now had COMCORTDIV 62 on board), USS Hayter, USS Scroggings and USS Jack W. Wilke. The ' Chesapeake Bay Section ' entered Chesapeake Bay in the morning of the 17th. The four destroyer escorts then proceeded to New York.
Around 0800Q/17, the ' Delaware Section ' of the convoy, which was made up of thee tankers (Gulfcoast, Norsol and Sun), parted company escorted by USS Varian. Around 0348Q/18, the tankers entered the swept channel and USS Vervain parted company to proceed to New York where she arrived in the afternoon.
The bulk of the convoy arrived at New York in the morning of 18 July 1944.