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21 Aug 1943

Convoy UGF 10.

This convoy departed Hampton Roads on 21 August 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels / (troop) transports; Edmund B. Alexander (American, 21329 GRT, built 1905), General George W. Goethals (American, 12093 GRT, built 1942), Hawaiian Shipper (American, 7775 GRT, built 1941), Henry Gibbons (American, 12097 GRT, built 1943), J.W. McAndrew (American, 7997 GRT, built 1940), James Parker (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), Lakehurst (American, 8108 GRT, built 1940), Monterey (American, 18017 GRT, built 1932), Santa Elena (American, 9135 GRT, built 1933), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), Seatrain Texas (American, 8108 GRT, built 1940), Siboney (American, 6938 GRT, built 1918), Sloterdijk (Dutch, 9230 GRT, built 1940) and Thomas H. Barry (American, 11250 GRT, built 1930).

The naval tanker USS Chicopee (T/Cdr. B.F. Brandt, USN) was also part of the convoy as were the naval troopship USS Monticello (T/Capt. B.H. Colyear, USN), naval transports USS Dorothea L. Dix (T/Capt. L.B. Schulten, USN), USS Florence Nightingale (T/Capt. J.W. McColl, Jr., USN), USS Susan B. Anthony (Cdr. T.L. Gray, USNR), USS Anne Arundel (T/Capt. L.Y. Mason, Jr., USN), Thurston (T/Cdr. R.B. Vanasse, USN) and the naval stores ship USS Tarazed (Cdr. R.W. Chambers, USNR).

On departure the convoy was escorted by the battleship USS Texas (Capt. R. Pfaff, USN) and the destroyers USS Mervine (T/Cdr. D.R. Frakes, USN, with COMDESRON 15, T/Capt. C.C. Hartman, USN on board), USS Quick (T/Cdr. P.W. Cann, USN), USS Davison (T/Cdr. J.D. Collett, USN), USS Beatty (T/Cdr. W. Outerson, USN), USS Tillman (T/Cdr. C.S. Hutchings, USN), USS Parker (T/Cdr. J.W. Bays, USN, with COMDESRON 16, T/Capt. T.L. Wattles, USN on board), USS Boyle (T/Cdr. B.P. Field, Jr., USN), USS Champlin (T/Cdr. C.L. Melson, USN, with COMDESDIV 32, T/Capt. J.C. Sowell, USN on board), USS Kendick ( T/Cdr. C.T. Caufield, USN), USS Laub (T/Lt.Cdr. A.G. Hay, USN), USS Mackenzie (T/Cdr. D.B. Miller, USN), USS McLanahan (T/Lt.Cdr. N.C. Johnson, USN), USS Nields (T/Cdr. A.R. Heckey, USN) and USS Ordronaux (T/Cdr. R. Brodie, Jr., USN).

At 1500Q/22, USS Quick parted company with the convoy to proceed to New York.

On 25 August 1943, the destroyers fuelled from USS Chicopee.

On 30 August 1943, the the destroyers of DesRon 15 fuelled from USS Chicopee. These were USS Mervine, USS Davison, USS Beatty and USS Tillman. Also USS Kendrick from DesRon 16 was fuelled. These destroyers were to escort the Bizerta section of the convoy. Also USS Boyle received some fuel.

Around 2100Z/31, the (troop) transports Banfora (British, 9472 GRT, built 1914) and Rhona (British, 8602 GRT, built 1926) escorted by the destroyers HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Sinclair, RN) and HMS Active (Lt.Cdr. P.G. Merriman, RN) joined the convoy coming from Casablanca. The patrol boats USS PC-471 (Lt. G. Washburn, USNR) and USS PC-482 (Lt. N.P. Hallowell, Jr., USNR) had also been with them as escorts but they did not join the convoy but returned to Casablanca.

Around 1630A/1, USS Texas and USS Chicopee parted company to enter Gibraltar. They took HMS Antelope and HMS Active with them as escorts.

Around 1900A/1, the escort carriers HMS Stalker (Capt. H.S. Murray-Smith, RN) and HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN) joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar. They were escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN) and HMS Haydon (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) which also joined the convoy.

Around 1130A/2, the Oran section of the convoy parted company and entered that port. It was made up of the following ships; Edmund B. Alexander, General George W. Goethals, Hawaiian Shipper, Henry Gibbons, J.W. McAndrew, James Parker, Lakehust, Monterey, Santa Rosa, Seatrain Texas, USS Anne Arundel, USS Dorothea L. Dix, USS Florence Nightingale, USS Monticello, USS Tarazed and USS Thurston. With them the destroyers USS Parker, USS Boyle, USS Champlin, USS Laub, USS MacKenzie, USS McLanahan, USS Nields, USS Ordronaux also entered Oran (Mers-el-Kebir).

The remaining ships continued on towards the east.

Around 2106A/2, the first air attack by enemy aircraft was made on the convoy.

Around 0700A/3, the Algiers section was detached. This was made up of the Banfora, Rhona and USS Susan B. Anthony. Around the same time the destroyer HMS Wishart (Lt. J.A. Holdsworth, RN) joined the convoy coming from Algiers.

At 0730B/4, HMS Stalker and HMS Batter were detached to proceed to Malta. They took HMS Farndale and HMS Haydon with them as escorts. The destroyers HMS Ilex (Lt.Cdr. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN) and HMS Petard (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Egan, RN) had just joined as additional escorts. Around 1115B/4, they were joined by yet another additional escort, the destroyer RHS Vasilissa Olga (Lt.Cdr. G. Blessas).

The remaining ships of the convoy arrived at Bizerta on 4 September 1943.

28 Oct 1943

Convoy KMF 25A

This convoy was formed off Oversay on 28 October 1943.

The convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Almanzora (British, 15551 GRT, built 1914), Anne Arundel (American, 7796 GRT, built 1941), Aorangi (British, 17491 GRT, built 1924), Argentina (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929), Aronda (British, 9031 GRT, built 1941), Dorothea L. Dix (American, 6736 GRT, built 1940), Edmund B. Alexander (American, 21329 GRT, built 1905), Hai Lee (Norwegian, 3616 GRT, built 1934), Hawaiian Shipper (American, 7775 GRT, built 1941), Henry Gibbons (American, 12097 GRT, built 1943), James Parker (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), John Ericsson (American, 16552 GRT, built 1928), Marnix van St. Aldegonde (Dutch, 19355 GRT, built 1930), Monterey (American, 148017 GRT, built 1932), Ruys (Dutch, 14155 GRT, built 1937), Santa Elena (American, 9135 GRT, built 1933), Santa Paula (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), Sloterdijk (Dutch, 9230 GRT, built 1940), Staffordshire (British, 10683 GRT, built 1929), Strathmore (British, 23428 GRT, built 1935), Tegelberg (Dutch, 14150 GRT, built 1937), Thomas H. Barry (American, 11250 GRT, built 1930) and Thurston (American, 6509 GRT, 1942).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the destroyers USS Davison (T/Cdr. J.D. Collett, USN, with COMDESRON 15, T/Capt. C.C. Hartman, USN on board), USS Parker (T/Cdr. J.W. Bays, USN, with COMDESRON 16, T/Capt. C.J. Cater, USN on board), USS Mervine (T/Cdr. D.R. Frakes, USN), USS Boyle (T/Cdr. B.P. Field, Jr., USN), USS Champlin (T/Cdr. C.L. Melson, USN), USS Laub (T/Lt.Cdr. A.G. Hay, USN), USS McLanahan (T/Lt.Cdr. N.C. Johnson, USN), USS Nields (T/Cdr. A.R. Heckey, USN), USS Ordronaux (T/Cdr. R. Brodie, Jr., USN), USS Beatty (T/Cdr. W. Outerson, USN) and USS Tillman (T/Cdr. C.S. Hutchings, USN).

Around 1440A/4, the Strathmore parted company with the convoy to make a short call at Gibraltar. She rejoined the convoy around 1830A/4 having been escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) which also joined the convoy.

Around 0500A/5, USS Davison, USS Laub and USS Tillman parted company to proceed to Oran to fuel. They rejoined the convoy around 1345A/5.

Around 1415A/5, USS Minerve parted company to make rendezvous with the attack cargo ships USS Oberon (T/Cdr. D.G. Greenlee, Jr., USN), USS Andromeda (T/Cdr. W.A. Fly, USN) and the destroyer escorts USS Frederick C. Davis (Lt.Cdr. O.W. Goepner, USNR) and USS Herbert C. Jones (Lt.Cdr. A.W. Gardes, Jr., USN) coming from Oran. They (re)joined the convoy around 1800A/5.

Around 0630A/6, the Anne Arundel, Aorangi, Dorothea L. Dix parted company with the convoy to proceed to Algiers escorted by USS Ordronaux.

Around 0800A/6, the escort destroyers HMS Croome (Lt. H.D.M. Slater, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN), HMS Tetcott (Lt. A.F. Harkness, DSC, OBE, RNR), RHS Kanaris and RHS Themistocles joined the convoy coming from Algiers.

Around 0815A/6, USS Boyle, USS Champlin and USS Nields parted company with the convoy and proceeded to Algiers.

Around 1800A/6, the convoy was attacked in position 37°13'N, 06°12'E by 35 German aircraft from KG.26 (Major Klümper). They attacked with glider bombs and torpedoes. The result of the attack was that the Marnix van St. Aldegonde, Santa Elena and USS Beatty were hit and heavily damaged. USS Parker, USS Tillman and HMS Croome were ordered to assist them. They all sank later, USS Beatty around 2304A/6, the Marnix van St. Aldegonde and Santa Elena sank in the late afternoon / early evening of the following day after attempts to tow them to Philippeville had failed. They actually even collided with each other while under tow. To tow these ships the tugs HMRT Hengist, HMRT St. Day and salvage vessel HMS Salveda were sent out from Philippeville. USS Mervine and the Ruys were detached from the convoy to remain in the area of the attack to take over troops from the damaged ships.

Around 2110A/6, the Hai Lee and Thomas H. Barry were detached from the convoy and proceeded to Philippeville.

Around 0810A/7, USS Oberon and USS Andromeda left the convoy to proceed to Bizerta.

Around 0950A/7, the Palermo/Naples section of the convoy parted company. This section was made up of the Hawaiian Shipper, Henry Gibbons, James Parker, John Ericsson, Monterey, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa, Sloterdijk and Thurston. They were escorted by HMS Colombo, USS Davison, USS McLanahan, USS Frederick C. Davis and USS Herbert C. Jones.

Around 1645A/7, the destroyer USS Wainwright (T/Cdr. W.W. Strohbehn, USN) joined coming from Palermo.

Around 2215A/7, the Hawaiian Shipper, Henry Gibbons, James Parker, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa and Sloterdijk parted company to proceed to Palermo escorted by USS Wainwright.

The Naples section, made up of the John Ericsson, Monterey and Thurston arrived at its destination around 1030A/8 escorted by HMS Colombo, USS Davison, USS McLanahan, USS Frederick C. Davis and USS Herbert C. Jones.

Meanwhile the remaining ships of the convoy had continued eastwards escorted by HMS Haydon, HMS Tetcott, RHS Kanaris and RHS Themistocles.

On 8 November 1943, the Argentina, Aronda and Edmund B. Alexander arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy.

On 9 November 1943, the (troop) transport Devonshire (11275 GRT, built 1939) joined the convoy coming from Taranto.

On 11 November 1943, the Almanzora, Staffordshire, RHS Kanaris and RHS Themistocles arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 12 November 1943.

9 Nov 1943

Convoy MKF 25A.

The Naples section of this convoy departed that place on 9 November 1943. It was made up of the following (troop) transports; John Ericsson (American, 16552 GRT, built 1928), Monterey (American, 148017 GRT, built 1932) and Thurston (American, 6509 GRT, 1942). They were escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN), destroyers USS Davison (T/Cdr. J.D. Collett, USN, with COMDESRON 15, T/Capt. C.C. Hartman, USN on board), USS McLanahan (T/Lt.Cdr. N.C. Johnson, USN) and the destroyer escorts USS Frederick C. Davis (Lt.Cdr. O.W. Goepner, USNR) and USS Herbert C. Jones (Lt.Cdr. A.W. Gardes, Jr., USN).

They all arrived at Palermo later the same day.

On 11 November 1943, the Palermo section of the convoy departed that place. It was made up of the three (troop) transports that had earlier made up the Naples section as well as the Hawaiian Shipper (American, 7775 GRT, built 1941), Henry Gibbons (American, 12097 GRT, built 1943), James Parker (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), Santa Paula (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932) and Sloterdijk (Dutch, 9230 GRT, built 1940). Escort was provided by the AA cruiser HMS Colombo, destroyers USS Davison, USS Parker (T/Cdr. J.W. Bays, USN, with COMDESRON 16, T/Capt. C.J. Cater, USN on board), USS Mervine (T/Cdr. D.R. Frakes, USN), USS Laub (T/Lt.Cdr. A.G. Hay, USN), USS McLanahan, USS Tillman (T/Cdr. C.S. Hutchings, USN), USS Edison (T/Cdr. H.A. Pearce, USN) and USS Wainwright (T/Cdr. W.W. Strohbehn, USN).

Also on 11 November 1943, the Augusta section departed that place. It was made up of the (troop) transports Aronda (British, 9031 GRT, built 1941), Derbyshire (British, 11660 GRT, built 1935), Dominion Monarch (British, 27155 GRT, built 1939), Edmund B. Alexander (American, 21329 GRT, built 1905), Leopoldville (11509 GRT, built 1929), Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922) and Ville d'Oran (British, 10172 GRT, built 1936).

They were escorted by the escort destroyers ORP Slazak (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) R. Nalecz-Tyminski, ORP), HMS Atherstone (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Wood, DSC, RNVR), HMS Catterick (Lt.Cdr. A. Tyson, RN) and HMS Cleveland (Lt.Cdr. J.K. Hamilton, RN).

The two sections joined company around 1100A/12.

At 0120A/13, the Derbyshire parted company to proceed to Philippeville escorted by USS Laub. The destroyer rejoined around 0800A/13, having taken with her the Thomas H. Barry (American (tanker), 11250 GRT, built 1930).

Around 0900A/13, USS Parker and USS McLanahan parted company to proceed ahead to Algiers to fuel.

Around 1200A/13, USS Mervine and USS Laub parted company to proceed to Algiers.

Around 1530A/13, USS Tillman parted company to proceed to Algiers.

Around 1615A/13, the (troop) transports Ancon (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), Anne Arundel (American, 7796 GRT, built 1941) and Argentina (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929). Also joining the convoy were the destroyers USS Nields (T/Cdr. A.R. Heckey, USN), USS Ordronaux (T/Cdr. R. Brodie, Jr., USN) and the destroyer escorts USS Frederick C. Davis and USS Herbert C. Jones.

Around the same time the Aronda and Ville d'Oran parted company and proceeded to Algiers.

Around 1645A/13, USS Parker rejoined the convoy.

Around 2020A/13, USS Mervine and USS Tillman rejoined the convoy. ORP Slazak and HMS Cleveland then parted company to proceed to Algiers.

Around 2045A/13, HMS Atherstone and HMS Cattistock parted company to proceed to Algiers.

Around 2315A/13, USS Laub rejoined the convoy.

Around 0820A/14, the Oran section of the convoy joined. It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Dorothea L. Dix (American, 6736 GRT, built 1940) and Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1929). Also the destroyers USS Boyle (T/Cdr. B.P. Field, Jr., USN) and USS Champlin (T/Cdr. C.L. Melson, USN) joined. USS Wainwright, USS Edison, USS Frederick C. Davis and USS Herbert C. Jones were then detached and proceeded to Oran.

Around 2010A/14, USS Davison parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead of it to Gibraltar to fuel.

Around 0500A/15, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Carnarvon Castle (Capt.(Retd.) E.W. Kitson, RN) and the troop transport Orbita (British, 15495 GRT, built 1915) departed Gibraltar to join the convoy which they did around 0600A/15.

Around 0615A/15, USS Davison departed Gibraltar to rejoin the convoy which she did around 0745A/15.

Around 0645A/15, HMS Colombo arrived at Gibraltar after having been detached from the convoy.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 23 November 1943.

23 Apr 1944

Convoy UGS 40.

This convoy departed Hampton Roads on 23 April 1944.

It was made up of the following transports / tankers; Abangarez (American, 4538 GRT, built 1909), Abraham Lincoln (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Albino Perez (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Alexander Lillington (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Alfred Moore (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), Ben F. Dickson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Ben H. Miller (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Benjamin Huntington (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Carter Braxton (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Charles A. Dana (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Charles A. Wickliffe (American (tanker), 7218 GRT, built 1943), Clement Clay (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Colin P. Kelly Jr. (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Conrad Weiser (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Cornelius Gilliam (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Cornelius Harnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Dwight W. Morrow (American, 7225 GRT, built 1943), Eastgate (British, 5032 GRT, built 1940), Elijah White (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Empire Alliance (British (tanker), 9909 GRT, built 1943), Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943), Esso Concord (American (tanker), 7698 GRT, built 1940), Fernbrook (Norwegian, 4633 GRT, built 1932), Fort Venango (British, 7166 GRT, built 1943), Francis M. Smith (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George H. Dern (American, 7181 GRT, built 1943), George Matthews (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Henry Watterson (American, 7225 GRT, built 1943), Irvin MacDowell (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), James Barbour (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James J. Pettigrew (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), James M. Gillis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James W. Fannin (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), James Whitcomb Riley (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Janet Lord Roper (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Banvard (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), John Dickinson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John F. Myers (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Fiske (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Jay (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Stevens (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), John W. Griffiths (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Joseph Hooker (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Joseph Leidy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph N. Teal (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Junecrest (British, 6945 GRT, built 1942), Kobad (French (tanker), 7329 GRT, built 1930), Laurentide Park (British, 7136 GRT, built 1942), Magdala (Dutch (tanker), 8248 GRT, built 1931), Neocardia (British (tanker), 8211 GRT, built 1943), Noah Webster (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Pan-Rhode Island (American (tanker), 7742 GRT, built 1941), Peter Minuit (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Peter Zenger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Reverdy Johnson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Robert H. Harrison (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Salamis (Norwegian (tanker), 8286 GRT, built 1939), Samdaring (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), Samderry (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), Samdonard (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samfairy (British, 7255 GRT, built 1944), Samfield (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samgallion (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samharle (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samkansa (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samlea (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Sampenn (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samspelga (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Stephen A. Douglas (American, 7219 GRT, built 1942), Thomas L. Clingman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Nuttall (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Thomas W. Bickett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Timothy Dwight (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Van Laer Black (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), William B. Giles (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), William H. Aspinwall (American, 7194 GRT, built 1943), William H. Moody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William Mulholland (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), William Patterson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and Zachery Taylor (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942).

On departure from Hampton Roads, around 0430Q/23, the convoy was escorted by Task Force 61 which was made up of the cutter USCGC Campbell (Cdr. S.F. Gray, USCG, with COMTASKFOR 61, T/Capt. J.C. Sowell, USN on board), destroyers USS Dallas ( Lt.Cdr. J.W. Coolidge, USNR, with COMDESDIV 60, T/Cdr. N.C. Barker, USN, on board), USS Ellis (Lt. P. Cutler, USNR), escort destroyers USS Evarts (Lt.Cdr. T.G. Bremer, Jr., USNR, with COMCORTDIV 5, Cdr. R.A. Fitch, USNR on board), USS Wyffels (Lt. S.N. Gleis, USNR), USS Decker (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Cody, Jr., USNR), USS Dobler (Lt. E.F. Butler, USNR), USS Walter S. Brown (Lt. L.C. Burdett, USNR), USS Wilhoite (Lt.Cdr. E.B. Roth, USN), USS Cockrill (Lt.Cdr. S. Farnham, USNR), Tunesien and patrol vessel Cimeterre.

The naval tanker USS Chicopee (Cdr. C.O. Peak, USNR) was also with the convoy.

Around 1030Q/23, the escort destroyer USS Smartt (Lt. E.R. Wepman, USNR) joined.

Around 2000Q/23, the transport Eastgate suffered engine failure. She was detached to return to Hampton Roads unescorted.

Around 2302Q/23, the transport Timothy Dwight and USS Cockrill collided. Both sustained damage and were detached to return to Hampton Roads escorted by USS Dobler. USS Dobler was ordered to rejoin the convoy later.

Around 1900Q/24, the destroyer Bernadou (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Meredith, USNR) joined the convoy having been sent to replace USS Cockrill.

Around 2000Q/24, the transport Fort Venago developed engine trouble and was detached to return to Hampton Roads unescorted.

Around 1930Q/25, USS Dobler rejoined the convoy.

On 29 April 1944, USS Chicopee fuelled the following escort vessels; USCGC Campbell, USS Walter S. Brown, USS Dobler, USS Decker, USS Ellis, USS Dallas, USS Bernadou, USS Wilhoite and the Cimeterre.

On 1 May 1944, USS Chicopee fuelled the following escort vessels; USS Evarts, USS Wyfels, USS Smartt, USS Inch (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Frey, USN), USS Snowden (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Swanson, USNR), USS Frost (J.H. McWhorter, USNR), USS Huse (R.H. Wanless, USNR), USS Barber (Lt. E.T.B. Sullivan, USN). The last five of these destroyer escorts were not escorts of the convoy but members of hunter-killer group (Task Group 21.15) operating in the area.

Around 0530O/2, the transport Samdonard broke down. Repairs were expected to take four hours. USS Decker was ordered to standby the stricken ship. They rejoined around 0800N/3.

Around 1200N/3, the transports Charles A. Wickliffe and George Matthews were detached to the Azores escorted by USS Walter S. Brown until position 36°20'N, 28°37'W after which USS Walter S. Brown rejoined the convoy around 2000N/5.

Between 1515Z/7 and 1800Z/7, USS Dallas and USS Bernadou were fuelled by USS Chicopee

Around 1900Z/7, the transports George H. Dern, James Whitcomb Riley, John Stevens, Stephen A. Douglas, Thomas W. Bickett, William B. Giles and William Mulholland were detached to proceed ahead of the main convoy to Oran / Mers-el-kebir where they were to discharge personnel and then to rejoin the convoy. They were escorted by USS Dallas, USS Ellis and USS Bernadou. They arrived at their destination on 10 May 1944.

Around 1015A/8, the tanker Esso Concord and the transports Alexander Lillington, Elijah White, Henry Watterson, Irvin MacDowell and Joseph Hooker were detached to Casablanca. They were escorted by the minesweeping sloop La Boudeuse and the patrol vessels USS PC-472 (Lt.Cdr. P.A. Dallis, Jr., USNR), USS PC-473 (Lt. A.W. Silverstein, USNR) and USS PC-480 (Lt. J.K. Miller, USNR). They arrived at Casablanca the following day.

At 0800B/9, USS Dobler was detached to Gibraltar with a medical case she had taken off from James W. Fannin. She rejoined the convoy later the same day.

Also in the moning of the 9th, USS Chicopee refuelled the Cimeterre.

Around 1300B/9, the tanker Kobad was detached to Gibraltar where she arrived later the same day.

Around 1500B/9, Hengist joined the convoy as rescue tug.

Around 1515B/9, the transport Joseph N. Teal was detached to Gibraltar where she arrived later the same day. The reason was engine trouble and she was no longer able to keep up with the convoy.

At 0220B/10, the destroyer USS Benson (T/Cdr. J.B. Williams, USN) and the minesweepers USS Steady (Lt.Cdr. B. Orella, USNR) and USS Sustain (Lt. J.E. Lindeman, Jr., USNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1615B/10, the transports / tankers Alfred Moore, Dwight W. Morrow, James Barbour, John Fiske, John Jay, Joseph Leidy, Noah Webster, Pan-Rhode Island, Peter Minuit, Reverdy Johnson, Robert H. Harrison and the naval tanker USS Chicopee were detached to Oran / Mers-el-Kebir.

Around the same time the transports George H. Dern, Gezina (Norwegian, 1828 GRT, built 1917), Grenville M. Dodge (American, 7194 GRT, built 1942), James Whitcomb Riley, John Stevens, Louisa M. Alcott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Samuel Moody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Stephen A. Douglas, Thomas W. Bickett, William B. Giles and William Mulholland joined the convoy coming from Oran / Mers-el-Kebir.

Around 1630B/10, the AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN) joined the convoy coming from Oran / Mers-el-Kebir.

Aroud 1800B/10, USS Dallas, USS Ellis and USS Bernadou rejoined the convoy coming from Oran / Mers-el-Kebir.

Around 1900B/10, the destroyers USS Champlin (T/Cdr. F.E. Fleck, Jr., USN) and USS Laub (T/Cdr. A.C. Roessler, USN) joined the convoy temporarily.

Around 0200B/11, USS Champlin and USS Laub parted company with the convoy.

At 1500B/11, the transports Charles A. Dana, Colin P. Kelly Jr., Louisa M. Alcott, Samderry, Samdonard and Samfield were detached to Algiers and the transports Fort Michipicoten (British, 7152 GRT, 1943), Odysseus (Dutch, 1057 GRT, 1922), Port Melbourne (British, 9142 GRT, built 1914) and Srbin (Yugoslavian, 928 GRT, built 1913) joined coming from Algiers.

Between 2100B/11 and 2144B/11, the convoy was attacked by between 40 to 60 German aircraft but no damage was done.

Around 1730B/12, the transports Chloris (British, 1171 GRT, built 1910), Essex Trader (British, 7237 GRT, built 1943), Fort Astoria (British, 7189 GRT, built 1943), Fort La Baye (British, 7166 GRT, built 1943), Norman Monarch (British, 7005 GRT, built 1943) and Ocean Gypsy (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942) joined the convoy coming from Bone.

The transport Cap-Pinede (French, 1320 GRT, built 1938) had joined the convoy already earlier coming from Philippeville.

Around 1800B/12, HMS Hengist was detached to Bone.

Around 2200B/12, USS Benson and USS Sustain were detached to return to Oran.

Around 0157B/13, USS Evarts, USS Dobler, USS Walter S. Brown< and USS Bernadou were detached to hunt a reported submarine.

Around 0533B/13, USS Steady was detached to Bizerta.

Around 0600B/13, the U.S. escort was relieved by a British escort. The U.S. escort then proceeded to Bizerta taking the transports Empire Stalwart, Fort La Baye, Gezina, Magdala and Srbin with them to Bizerta. HMS Caledon also proceeded to Bizerta. The four escorts that had been detached earlier for the U-Boat hunt arrived at Bizerta later the same day after the hunt had been called off.

The British escort that joined was made up of the sloops HMS Pheasant (Cdr. W.E.J. Eames, DSC, RN), HMS Bideford (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.J. Beverley, DSO, DSC, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Alisma (Lt. G. Lanning, RANVR), HMS Saxifage (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Renwick, DSO, RNR) and HMS Spiraea (Lt. A.H. Pierce, OBE, RNR). They had the transports Djebel Aures (French, 2835 GRT, built 1929) and Norelg (Norwegian, 6103 GRT, built 1920) with them which also joined the convoy.

On 13 May 1944, the transport Cap-Pinede arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy.

On 14 May 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy; James W. Fannin and Port Melbourne.

The James W. Fannin was only briefly at Malta as she later rejoined the convoy.

On 15 May 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy; Abangarez, Abraham Lincoln, Ben H. Miller, Benjamin Huntington, Carter Braxton, Chloris, Conrad Weiser, Cornelius Gilliam, Djebel Aures, Empire Alliance, Essex Trader, Fort Astoria, Fort Michipicoten, George H. Dern, Grenville M. Dodge, James W. Fannin, James Whitcomb Riley, Janet Lord Roper, John Banvard, John Dickinson, John Stevens, Norman Monarch, Ocean Gipsy, Odysseus, Salamis, Samgallion, Samkansa, Samuel Moody, Stephen A. Douglas, Thomas W. Bickett, Van Laer Black, William B. Giles, William Mulholland and Zachery Taylor.

From Augusta the transports Ocean Messenger (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942) and Pronto (Norwegian, 2201 GRT, built 1920) joined the convoy.

On 18 May 1945, the Neocardia, Norelg, Ocean Messenger, Pronto, Samfairy and William H. Moody arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy. HMS Pheasant, HMS Alisma and HMS Spiraea also arrived at Alexandria.

On 19 May 1945, the Albino Perez, Ben F. Dixon, Clement Clay, Cornelius Harnett, Fernbrook, Francis M. Smith, James J. Pettigrew, James M. Gillis, John F. Myers, John W. Griffiths, Junecrest, Laurentide Park, Peter Zenger, Samdaring, Samharle, Samlea, Sampenn, Samspelga, Thomas L. Clingman, Thomas Nuttall, William H. Aspinwall and William Patterson arrived at Port Said escorted by HMS Bideford and HMS Saxifrage.

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.

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