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Notable events involving LST 65 include:

21 Dec 1943

Convoy MKS 35.

This convoy departed Port Said on 21 December 1943.

On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the transports / tankers; City of Eastbourne (British, 5563 GRT, built 1923), City of Exeter (British, 9654 GRT, built 1914), City of Lyons (British, 7063 GRT, built 1926), Empire Prowess (British, 7058 GRT, built 1943), Empire Rosalind (British, 7290 GRT, built 1943), Fort Carlton (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942), Fort Senneville (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Vestal (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Samsteel (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Swiftarrow (American (tanker), 8207 GRT, built 1921).

On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the frigate HMS Barle (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR) and the corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR) and HMS La Malouine (Lt. W.A. Ives, RNR).

On 22 December 1943 the following transports departed Alexandria to join the convoy; Fort Bell (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Fort Bourbon (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Connolly (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Fort Fidler (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Fort la Traite (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Louisbourg (British, 7130 GRT, built 1942), Fort St. Regis (British, 7140 GRT, built 1943), Fort Sturgeon (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Kepong (British, 1874 GRT, built 1916), Newbrough (British, 5255 GRT, built 1941), Norfjell (Norwegian (tanker), 8129 GRT, built 1942), Nurani (British, 5414 GRT, built 1941) and Petter (Norwegian (tanker), 9109 GRT, built 1935).

They were escorted by the corvettes HMS Bryony (T/Lt. T. Hand, RNR) and HMS Myosotis (T/Lt. R. Lugg, RNR) which also joined the convoy.

On 26 December 1943, the the following transports / tankers departed Augusta to join the convoy; Afghanistan (British, 6992 GRT, built 1940), Auk (British, 1338 GRT, built 1921), Benjamin Huntington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), British Respect (British (tanker), 8479 GRT, built 1943), British Restraint (British (tanker), 8448 GRT, built 1943), Empire Franklin (British, 7292 GRT, built 1941), Empire Sunbeam (British, 6711 GRT, built 1941), Fort Reliance (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Gabriel Duval (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), George Shiras (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Houston Volunteers (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joel Chandler Harris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Steele (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Marion McKinley Bovard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Newton D. Baker (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Peter Minuit (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Thorsholm (Norwegian (tanker), 9937 GRT, built 1937) and William H. Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

On 27 December 1943, the following transports arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy; Fort Bell, Fort Bourbon, Fort Connolly, Fort Fiddler, Fort la Traite, Fort Senneville, Fort St. Regis, Fort Sturgeon and Newbrough.

The ships leaving and proceeding to Augusta, were most likely, escorted to and from the rendezvous with the convoy by the torpedo boats Sagittario, Animoso and the M/S trawler HMS Inchmarnock (T/Lt. C.G.V. Corneby, RNR).

On 27 December 1943, the Kepong arrived at Malta after having been detached from the convoy while the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Malta; Avon Coast (British, 1036 GRT, built 1923) and Ocean Coast (British, 1173 GRT, built 1935).

On 28 December 1943, the transport Bradburn (British, 4736 GRT, built 1930) joined coming from Tunis.

On 28 December 1943, the Afghanistan, Auk, Avon Coast, Benjamin Huntington, British Respect, British Restraint, Fort Reliance, Gabriel Duval, Norfjell, Petter, Swiftarrow, Thorsholm and William H. Jackson arrived at Bizerta after having been detached from the convoy while the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Amos Kendall (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Betty Zane (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Cap-Penide (French, 1320 GRT, built 1938), Empire Chivalry (British, 6007 GRT, built 1937), Empire Clive (British, 7069 GRT, built 1941), Felipe de Neve (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Francis Amasa Walker (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James Iredell (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Joseph E. Brown (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Kemp P. Battle (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and San Amado (British (tanker), 7316 GRT, built 1935). The tank landing ships HMS LST 65 (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) L.J. Smith, RD, RNR) and HMS LST 407 (?) also joined the convoy as did the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN).

On 29 December 1943, the transports John Wise (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942) and Southgate (British, 4862 GRT, built 1926) joined coming from Bone. Also joining from Bone was the rescue tug HMRT Mindful.

On 29 December 1943, the transports Betty Zane and Houston Volunteers arrived at Philippeville after having been detached from the convoy.

On 29 December 1943, the transport Sulev (British (former Estonian), 2233 GRT, built 1908) departed Bougie and joined the convoy.

On 30 December 1943, the Amos Kendall, Cap-Pinede, Empire Clive, Joel Chandler Harris, John Wise, Kemp P. Battle, Marion McKinley Bovard and Newton D. Baker arrived at Algiers after having been detached from the convoy while the tanker Empire Harbour (British (tanker), 797 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Algiers.

On 31 December 1943, the Empire Harbour, Felipe de Neve/, Francis Amasa Walker, George Shiras, James Iredell, John Steele, Joseph E. Brown and Peter Minuit arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy while the transports / tankers British Engineer (British (tanker), 6993 GRT, built 1922), Fort Walsh (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943), Orminster (British, 5712 GRT, built 1914), Pencarrow (British, 4841 GRT, built 1921) and Souliotis (Greek, 4299 GRT, built 1917) joined the convoy coming from Oran.

The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 1 January 1944.

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)