Allied Warships

HMS LST 322 (LST 322)

Tank landing ship of the LST (Mk 2) class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeTank landing ship
ClassLST (Mk 2) 
PennantLST 322 
Built byPhiladelphia Navy Yard (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.) 
Ordered 
Laid down10 Aug 1942 
Launched5 Nov 1942 
Commissioned9 Jan 1943 
End service 
History

Returned to the USN on 2 August 1946.

 
Former nameUSS LST 322

Commands listed for HMS LST 322 (LST 322)

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. John Francis William Fletcher, RNR1 Jul 194323 Jul 1943
2A/Cdr. (emergency) Dyson Standish Hore-Lacy, RN23 Jul 194330 Jun 1944
3Lt.Cdr. Leonard Henry Howard, RNR30 Jun 1944early 1945

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Notable events involving LST 322 include:


10 Mar 1944

Convoy MKS 43.

This convoy departed Port Said on 10 March 1944.

On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Balfe (British, 5369 GRT, built 1920), British Aviator (British (tanker), 6998 GRT, built 1924), British Chemist (British (tanker), 6997 GRT, built 1925), Buccinum (British (tanker), 5237 GRT, built 1910), Cape Hawke (British, 5081 GRT, built 1941), Egero (Norwegian (tanker), 7590 GRT, built 1929), Empire Baron (British, 5894 GRT, built 1926), Glenogle (British, 9513 GRT, built 1920), Mactra (British (tanker), 6193 GRT, built 1936), Samdel (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samneva (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Tide Water (American (tanker), 8886 GRT, built 1930).

The armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt. R.H.C. Crawford, OBE, RNR) and auxiliary minelayer HMS Teviotbank (Cdr.(Retd.) R.D. King-Harman, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) were also part of the convoy.

On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the frigate HMS Inver (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Gray, RNR) and corvette RHS Apostolis.

Around 1700B/10, the Alexandria section of the convoy joined. This section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Belgian Veteran (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), City of Lincoln (British, 8039 GRT, built 1938), Empire Tristram (British, 7167 GRT, built 1942), Fort Gloucester (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Fort St. Paul (British, 7137 GRT, built 1943), Hugh McCulloch (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Maihar (British, 7563 GRT, built 1917), Mandalay (British, 5529 GRT, built 1911), Pegu (British, 7838 GRT, built 1943), Samarina (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sambrake (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sampa (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samphill (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samsylvan (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sutherland (British, 5170 GRT, built 1940) and Wiley Post (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

They were escorted by the corvette HMS Delphinium (Cdr. V.F. Smith, DSO, RD, RNR), A/S whaler HMSAS Southern Sea and the patrol vessel RHS Vasilefs Georgios II.

Around 0900A/16, in position 35°55'N, 15°46'E, the following ships were detached to Augusta;
Balfe, Belgian Veteran, British Aviator, British Chemist, Buccinum, Cape Hawke, Empire Tristram, Fort Gloucester, Fort St. Paul, Hugh McCulloch, Mactra, Maihar, Samarina, Sambrake, Sampa, Samsylvan, Tidewater and Wiley Post. Also HMS Teviotbank was detached.

Around 1000A/16, in position 36°00'N, 15°39'E, the following merchant ships joined coming from Augusta;
British Chancellor (British (tanker), 7085 GRT, built 1921), British Vigour (British (tanker), 5844 GRT, built 1943), Christopher Gadsden (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Daniel H. Lownsdale (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Emma Willard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Empire Stour (British, 4678 GRT, built 1930), English Monarch (British, 4557 GRT, built 1924), Felix Grundy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Fort Chesterfield (British, 7100 GRT, built 1943), Fort Frontenac (British, 7148 GRT, built 1943), Fort Grant (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Frances E. Willard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George F. Patten (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Glenpark (British, 5136 GRT, built 1939), Hannis Taylor (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Horace H. Lurton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Iceland (British, 1236 GRT, built 1914), James M. Wayne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Turner (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), John C. Fremont (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), John Murray Forbes (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph Warren (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Kobad (French (tanker), 7329 GRT, built 1930), Leland Stanford (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Louis McLane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Nicholas Gilman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Norholm (Norwegian (tanker), 9813 GRT, built 1941), Odysseus (Dutch, 1057 GRT, 1922), Pio Pico (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), R.C. Brennan (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Ralph Waldo Emerson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Salawati (Dutch, 6643 GRT, built 1920), Samothrace (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samtampa (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Serula (British, 2187 GRT, built 1918), Slemmestad (Norwegian, 4258 GRT, built 1928), Thomas Stone (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Will R. Wood (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), William R. Davie (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942) and Winslow Homer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942). The boom defence vessel HMS Barova (T/Lt. J.R. Radley, RNR) and Royal Fleet Auxiliary salvage vessel King Salvor (1111 GRT, built 1942) also joined the convoy with this section.

Around 1700A/16, in position 36°26'N, 14°48'E, the following merchant vessels were detached to Malta;
Egero and Glenogle while the following merchant vessels joined coming from Malta;
Forest (British, 4998 GRT, built 1937), Nordlys (British, 3726 GRT, built 1916) and Rhea (French (tanker), 7813 GRT, built 1928). Also joining from Malta was the submarine FFS Curie (Lt. P.J. Chailley).

Around 1345A/17, in position 36°55'N, 11°55'E, the merchant vessel Corstar (British, 2337 GRT, built 1918) joined. She should have joined with the Augusta section but had sailed late.

Around 1600A/17, in position 36°58'N, 11°34'E, the merchant vessel Corchester (British, 2374 GRT, built 1927) joined. She should have joined with the Augusta section but had sailed late.

Around 2230A/17, in position 37°14'N, 10°29'E, the following merchant ships joined coming from Tunis;
Abbazia (Italian, 3706 GRT, built 1912), Belpareil (Norwegian, 7203 GRT, built 1926), Boltonhall (British, 4824 GRT, built 1935), Harpalycus (British, 5629 GRT, built 1935) and Lyminge (British, 2499 GRT, built 1919).

Around 0140A/18, in position 37°20'N, 10°00'E, the following ships were detached to Bizerta;
British Vigour, Christopher Gadsden, Horace H. Lurton and Odysseus.

Around 0200A/18, in position 37°20'N, 09°58'E, the following merchant vessels joined coming from Bizerta;
Chloris (British, 1171 GRT, built 1910), Empire Harp (British (tanker), 861 GRT, built 1942), Stancleeve (British, 5970 GRT, built 1942) and Var (French, 7935 GRT, built 1931). Also joining from Bizerta were the LST's HMS LST 9 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.R. Windle, RNR), HMS LST 62 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S. Rayer, DSC, OBE, RNR), HMS LST 65 (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) L.J. Smith, RD, RNR), HMS LST 322 ( A/Cdr.(Emgy.) D.S. Hore-Lacy, RN), HMS 401 (Lt.Cdr. T.M. Devitt, RNR), HMS 402 (Lt.Cdr. H.E. Sprigge, RNR), HMS 408 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R. Cook, RNR), HMS 409 (A/Lt.Cdr. G.M. Dixon, RANVR), HMS 416 (Lt.Cdr. H.E. Braine, RNR), HMS 419 (T/Lt. H.A. Standfield, RNR), HMS 423 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.M. Thomson, RNR), HMS 428 (T/Lt.Cdr. J.T. Hamlyn, RNR) and HMS 430 (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) W.H. Laws, RD, RNR).

Around 0430A/18, HMS Barova was detached to Bizera due to engine defects.

Around 1545A/18, in position 37°14'N, 07°52'E, the following ships were detached to Bone;
Belpareil, Corchester, Empire Harp, Fort Frontenac, Lyminge, Samothrace, Serula and Stancleeve.

Around 2100A/18, in position 37°10'N, 07°00'E, the following ships were detached to Phillipeville;
Fort Chesterfield and Fort Grant.

Around 0800A/19, in position 37°01'N, 05°07'E, the merchant vessel Empire Gareth (British, 2847 GRT, built 1942) joined the convoy coming from Bougie.

Around 2000A/19, in position 36°54'N, 03°11'E, the following ships were detached to Algiers;
Abbazia, Boltonhall, British Chancellor, Chloris, Corstar, Felix Grundy, Iceland, James M. Wayne, James Turner, Kobad, Louis McClane, Nicholas Gilman, Norholm, Rhea, Salawati, Samtampa, Var and Winslow Homer. The King Salvor was also detached to Algiers.

Around 2100A/19, in position 36°53'N, 03°00'E, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Algiers.
Baron Tweedmouth (British, 3357 GRT, built 1927), Coombe Hill (British, 7268 GRT, built 1942), Coxwold (British, 1124 GRT, built 1938), Fort de Troyon (French, 5131 GRT, built 1919), Imperial Monarch (British, 5831 GRT, built 1926), Ioannis Frangos (Greek, 3442 GRT, built 1912), Mont Everest (French, 5183 GRT, built 1918), Northleigh (British, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Sneland I (Norwegian, 1791 GRT, built 1922) and Ville de Djidjelli (French, 1132 GRT, built 1907).

Around 2130A/20, in position 36°00'N, 00°44'W, the following ships were detached to Oran;
Daniel H. Lownsdale, Emma Willard, Empire Stour, Frances E. Willard, George F. Patten, Hannis Taylor, John C. Fremont, John Murray Forbes, Joseph Warren, Leland Stanford, Mont Everest, Pio Pico, R.C. Brennan, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Stone, Ville de Djidjelli, Will R. Wood and William R. Davie. Also the patrol vessel RHS Vasilefs Georgios II was detached to Mers-el-Kebir.

Around 2200A/20, in position 35°51'N, 00°51'W, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Algiers.
Fort Reliance (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Homer Lea (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jade (British, 930 GRT, built 1938), Merchant Royal (British, 5008 GRT, built 1928) and Samos (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943). Also the French armed merchant cruiser Quercy and American naval tug USS ATR 47 (Lt.(jg) H.L. Lane, USNR) joined the convoy.

Around 2345A/20, the AA cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. G.R. Waymouth, RN) joined the convoy coming from Mers-el-Kebir.

The convoy arrived in Gibraltar Bay in the early hours of 22 March 1944. (1)

22 Mar 1944

Convoy MKS 43(G).

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 22 March 1944.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Ashbury (British, 3901 GRT, built 1924), Astrid (Norwegian, 2861 GRT, built 1942), Belgian Trader (British, 2890 GRT, built 1942), Blairdevon (British, 3282 GRT, built 1925), Bridgepool (British, 4845 GRT, built 1924), Cetus (Norwegian, 2614 GRT, built 1920), Coombe Hill (British, 7268 GRT, built 1942), Cragpool (British 5133 GRT, built 1928), Drakepool (British, 4838 GRT, built 1924), Empire Baron (British, 5894 GRT, built 1926), Empire Brutus (British, 7233 GRT, built 1943), Empire Cadet (British (tanker), 813 GRT, built 1942), Empire Gareth (British, 2847 GRT, built 1942), Empire Mariott (), Empire Simba (), Empire Thackeray (British, 2865 GRT, built 1942), Fairwater (British, 4108 GRT, built 1928), Forest (British, 4998 GRT, built 1937), Fort Reliance (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Grainton (British, 6341 GRT, built 1929), Gudrun Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937)), Innerton (British, 5276 GRT, built 1919), Ioannis Frangos (Greek, 3442 GRT, built 1912), Lisbeth (Norwegian, 2732 GRT, built 1922), Manchester Exporter (British, 5277 GRT, built 1918), Mandalay (British, 5529 GRT, built 1911), Pandorian (), Samdel (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samneva (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samos (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samphill (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Slemmestad (Norwegian, 4258 GRT, built 1928), Snar (Norwegian, 3176 GRT, built 1920), Sutherland (British, 5170 GRT, built 1940), Thysville (Belgian, 8351 GRT, built 1922), Tudor Prince (British, 1914 GRT, built 1940) and Yearby (British, 5666 GRT, built 1929).

Also part of the convoy were the armed merchant cruisers HMS Alaunia (Capt. R.H.C. Crawford, OBE, RNR), Quercy (French), monitor HMS Roberts (A/Capt.(Retd.) R.E.C. Dunbar, RN), LST's HMS LST 9 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.R. Windle, RNR), HMS LST 62 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S. Rayer, DSC, OBE, RNR), HMS LST 65 (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) L.J. Smith, RD, RNR), HMS LST 322 ( A/Cdr.(Emgy.) D.S. Hore-Lacy, RN), HMS 401 (Lt.Cdr. T.M. Devitt, RNR), HMS 402 (Lt.Cdr. H.E. Sprigge, RNR), HMS 408 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R. Cook, RNR), HMS 409 (A/Lt.Cdr. G.M. Dixon, RANVR), HMS 416 (Lt.Cdr. H.E. Braine, RNR), HMS 419 (T/Lt. H.A. Standfield, RNR), HMS 423 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.M. Thomson, RNR), HMS 428 (T/Lt.Cdr. J.T. Hamlyn, RNR), HMS 430 (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) W.H. Laws, RD, RNR) and naval tug USS ATR 47 (Lt.(jg) H.L. Lane, USNR).

The escort oiler Scottish American (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1920) and rescue ship Fastnet (British, 1415 GRT, built 1928) were also part of the convoy.

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by escort carrier HMS Striker (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN), frigate HMS Exe (Cdr. C.E.E. Paterson, RN), corvettes HMS Berkeley Castle (T/Lt. F.A. Darrah, RNVR), HMS Clarkia (A/Lt.Cdr. J.O. Williams, RNR) and the A/S trawler HMS Fusilier (T/Lt. F.M. Phillips, RNVR).

The convoy merged with convoy SL 152 coming from Freetown around 1700Z/23.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 152 ' for 13 March 1944.] (2)

14 Jul 1944

Convoy UGS 48.

This convoy departed Hampton Roads on 14 July 1944.

It was made up of the following transports / tankers; Alexander Martin (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Andrew Furuseth (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Athelvictor (British (tanker), 8320 GRT, built 1941), Augustin Stahl (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944), British Harmony (British (tanker), 8453 GRT, built 1941), British Pride (British (tanker), 7106 GRT, built 1931), British Respect (British (tanker), 8479 GRT, built 1943), Calvin Coolidge (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Cape Hawke (British, 5081 GRT, built 1941), Carole Lombard (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944), Charles W. Wooster (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Colin P. Kelly Jr. (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Cornelius Harnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), D.L. Harper (British (tanker), 12223 GRT, built 1933), David Lubin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Donacilla (British (tanker), 8113 GRT, built 1939), Edward Livingston (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Egda (Norwegian (tanker), 10050 GRT, built 1939), Empire Emerald (British (tanker), 8032 GRT, built 1941), Empire Nerissa (British, 7096 GRT, built 1942), Empire Rangoon (British, 6988 GRT, built 1944), Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943), Esek Hopkins (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Esso Concord (American (tanker), 7698 GRT, built 1940), Finley Peter Dunne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George H. Dern (American, 7181 GRT, built 1943), George Read (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), George Uhler (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Henry George (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James McCosh (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Turner (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), John Banvard (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), John Barton Payne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Dickinson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Morton (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), John P. Holland (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Stevens (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Jose Bonifacio (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph N. Teal (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joshua A. Leach (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Leland Stanford (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Leopold Damrosch (American, 7207 GRT, built 1943), Levi Woodbury (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Linn Boyd (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), M. Michael Edelstein (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Maria Mitchell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Nueva Granada (Norwegian (tanker), 9968 GRT, built 1937), Oliver Loving (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944), Oscar S. Straus (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1944), Park Holland (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Rachel Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Rivercrest (British, 7008 GRT, built 1944), Samgallion (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samsylarna (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Sidney Sherman (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Thomas B. Reed (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Cresap (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Heyward (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Thomas W. Owen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Tweedsmuir Park (Canadian, 7143 GRT, built 1943), Vacport (British (tanker), 6774 GRT, built 1930), Walt Whitman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), William R. Day (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943) and Zachary Taylor (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942).

On departure from Hampton Roads the convoy was escorted by the destroyer USS Moffett (T/Cdr. G.H. Richards, Jr., USN, with COMTASKFOR 62, T/Capt. C.M.E. Hoffman, USN on board) and the escort destroyers USS Amick (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Barsumian, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 15, T/Cdr. F.C.B. McCune, USN, on board), USS Atherton (T/Lt.Cdr. M. Kelly, Jr., USN), USS Booth (Lt. F.O. Moorman, USNR), USS Carroll (T/Lt.Cdr. F.W. Kuhn, USN), USS Cooner Lt.Cdr. T.L. Bergen, USNR), USS Eldridge (Lt. W.K. Vanallen, USNR), USS William T. Powell (Lt. J.L. Davenport, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 66, Cdr. G.F. Adams, USNR, on board), USS Buckley (Lt.Cdr. B.M. Abel, USNR), USS Reuben James (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Isaacs, USNR), USS Spangenberg (T.H.P. Whitney, USNR), USS Alexander J. Luke (T/Lt.Cdr. J.V. Cameron, USN), USS Robert I. Paine (Lt.Cdr. D. Cochran, USNR).

The naval stores ships USS Yukon (Lt.Cdr. V.J. Barnhart, USNR) and USS Merak (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Cawthon, USN) were also part of the convoy as were the naval tankers USS Maumee (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Ballard, USNR), USS Winooski (Lt.Cdr. T.B. Christenson, USNR), USS Chiwawa (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Goza, USNR) and USS Cowanesque (Cdr. L.S. McKenzie, USNR).

On 18 July 1944, the six destroyer escorts of CortDiv 66 fuelled from USS Maumee.

On 21 July 1944, USS Moffett fuelled from USS Maumee.

On 22 July 1944, the six destroyer escorts of CortDiv 66 fuelled from USS Maumee.

On 23 July 1944, the six destroyer escorts of CortDiv 15 fuelled from USS Maumee.

On 27 July 1944, USS Moffett and the six destroyer escorts of CortDiv 66 fuelled from USS Maumee.

On 28 July 1944, the following ships parted company with the convoy to proceed to Casablanca; Calvin Coolidge, John Barton Payne and Samgallion while the French naval tanker Var joined the convoy coming from Casablanca. She had been escorted to the rendezvous by the patrol vessels L'Emporté and L'Enjoue which then returned to Casablanca with the three ships that had parted company with the convoy.

Around noon on 29 July 1944, the merchant vessel Pacheco (British, 1405 GRT, built 1927), submarines HMS Truant (Lt. E.C. Croswell, DSC, RN) and HMS Visigoth (Lt. J.R.H. Haddow, DSC, RN) as well as the rescue tug HMRT Vagrant joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar.

Around 1945A/29, the AA cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. G.R. Waymouth, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1845B/30, the following ships were detached to Oran; Andrew Furuseth, John Banvard, John Stevens, Oscar S. Strauss, USS Yukon, USS Merak, USS Winooski, USS Chiwawa and USS Cowanesque while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran; Andrew Hamilton (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Christopher Gale (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), Henry W. Longfellow (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Jonathan Elmer (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Joseph Warren (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Robert Treat Paine (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and Will R. Wood (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943).

Around 1700B/31, the following ships were detached to Algiers; Andrew Hamilton, British Pride, Empire Nerissa, Jonathan Elmer, Joseph Warren, Thomas B. Reed, Thomas Heyward and Will R. Wood while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Alexandre Andre (Belgian (tanker), 5261 GRT, built 1928), Empire Highway (British, 7166 GRT, built 1942), Fort Carlton (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942), Fort Columbia (British, 7155 GRT, built 1942), Hardingham (British, 7269 GRT, built 1942), Narva (British, 1575 GRT, built 1937), Samlamu (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samuel V. Shreve (British, 1813 GRT, built 1943), Stanhill (British, 5969 GRT, built 1942) and Van Honthorst (Dutch, 6140 GRT, built 1943) as did the landing ship HMS LST 322 (Lt.Cdr. L.H. Howard, RNR).

During the night of 31 July / 1 August 1944, the convoy was attacked by enemy aircraft but no damage was sustained.

Around 2000B/1, the Esso Concord and HMRT Vagrant were detached to Bone while the Vito (Norwegian, 5181 GRT, built 1937) and the rescue tug HMRT Charon joined coming from Bone.

Around 0645B/2, the following ships were detached to Benghazi; British Harmony, British Respect, Colin P. Kelly Jr., Donacilla, George H. Dern, James McCosh, John Morton, Levi Woodbury, Narva, Samuel V. Shreve, Thomas Cresap, Walt Whitman, William R. Day and Zachary Taylor as well as LST 322 while the merchant vessel Mirabeau B. Lamar (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) joined the convoy coming from Bizerta.

Also, HMS Delhi and all American escort vessels as well as the naval tanker USS Maumee arrived at Bizerta after having been relieved by a group of British escort vessels, these were the following; sloops HMS Deptford (Lt.Cdr. H.R. White, RN), HMS Amethyst (?), corvette HMS Campion (Lt. T.F. Alderman, RNR) and the A/S whaler HMSAS Southern Maid (?).

On 3 August the following ships were detached to Malta; Empire Highway and Pacheco. Also detached to Malta were HMS Truant and HMS Visigoth. They were escorted there by HMS Campion which afterwards rejoined the convoy.

On 4 August the following ships were detached to Augusta; Alexandre Andre, Athelvictor, Christopher Gale, Cornelius Harnett, D.L. Harper, David Lubin, Egda, Empire Emerald, Empire Stalwart, Esek Hopkins, Finley Peter Dunne, Fort Carlton, Fort Columbia, Hardingham, Henry George, Henry W. Longfellow, James Turner, John Dickinson, John P. Holland, Joseph N. Teal, Leland Stanford, Maria Mitchell, Mirabeau B. Lamar, Nueva Granada, Robert Treat Paine, Stanhill, Van Honthorst and Var while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Augusta; Empire Splendour (British, 7335 GRT, built 1942) and Trevanion (British, 7371 GRT, built 1944).

On 4 August 1944, the convoy was attacked by one or two enemy torpedo bombers which hit and heavily damaged the Samsylarna in position 33°05'N, 20°16'E. HMSAS Southern Maid remained behind to assist and she also took off the crew. The derelict ship was later towed to Benghazi.

On 7 August 1944, the following ships were detached to Alexandria; Cape Hawke, Carola Lombard, Empire Splendour and Rachel Jackson. They took HMS Deptford with them.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 8 August 1944 escorted by HMS Amethyst and HMS Campion.

Sources

  1. ADM 53/118801 + ADM 53/119227 + ADM 199/321 + ADM 199/1428
  2. ADM 53/118801 + ADM 199/321

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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