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Notable events involving Premier include:

19 Nov 1944

Operation Handfast.

The object of this operation was to lay air laid mines in the Salhusstrommen, to the south of Haugesund and to attack enemy shipping if encountered.

Around 1700A/19, ' Force 3 ', made up of the light cruiser HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, Senior Officer), escort carriers Premier (A/Capt. R.J. Gardner, RN), HMS Pursuer (A/Capt. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. The Hon. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN), HMS Scorpion (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN) and HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the operation.

The force passed west of the Orkneys and south of the Shetlands before heading towards position 59°15'N, 01°10'E which was reached at 0849A/20. The strike was flown off at that time and consisted of 9 Avengers of 856 Squadron and also 16 Wildcats, 8 of each of the escort carriers. One Avenger however returned with ignition trouble. The strike sighted land at 1015A/20. This was believed to be Utsira Island but it later proved to be Stord Island which was well to the north so the strike had to alter course to the southward coming up of Rovaer Island and Karmo before altering up Karm Sund for the minelay. The defences were thus alterted and one Avenger received a hit from AA fire on the windscreen, injuring the eyes of the pilot and forcing him to break off and return to HMS Premier, jettisoning his mine set at 'safe' en route.

The remainder of the strike turned north over Avaldsnes and proceeded up the Sund in mining formation, laying their seven mines in approximately the pre-arranged position. The close escort fighters engaged shore batteries in the area of the lay, silencing them, and on completion rejoined the Avengers for return to Force 3. All aircraft were landed on by 1128A/20. In addition to the AA damage to the Avenger, 3 Wildcats from HMS Premier had received minor bullet damage from light AA fire.

Force 3 arrived back at Scapa Flow around 2205A/20. (1)

22 Nov 1944

Operation Provident.

The object of this operation was to achieve any of the following objectives;
a) Bomb and destroyer U-boat depot ships,
b) Mining of Stoff, Meloysund or Ramsoyund,
c) A fighter attack on Bardenfoss airfield,
d) Bombing of the ferry service between Banaasjoen and Rorvik,
e) Attack shipping along the coast between Lodingen and Rorvik.

Forces Taking Part:

Around 1600A/22, two forces departed Scapa Flow for operation Provident. These were;
Force 7: made up of the aircraft carrier HMS Implacable (Capt. C.C. Hughes-Hallett, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, CVO, DSO, RN, Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet), light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. R.F. Elkins, OBE, RN), destroyers HMS Myngs (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Scorpion (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN), HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN), HMCS Algonquin (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Piers, DSC, RCN), HMCS Sioux (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN) and HMS Zephyr (Lt.Cdr. J.F.D. Bush, DSC and 2 Bars, RN).

And Force 8 made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. D.K. Bain, DSO, RN), escort carriers Premier (A/Capt. R.J. Gardner, RN), HMS Pursuer (A/Capt. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, DSO, RN), HMS Venus (Cdr. H.G.D. De Chair, DSC with Bar, RN), HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, RN), HMS Volage (Cdr. L.G. Durlacher, OBE, RN) and HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN).

Heavy weather was encountered and ' Force 8 ' abandoned the operation and returned to Scapa Flow on 25 November 1944.

On 27 November 1944 shipping was attacked successfully by aircraft from HMS Indefatigable, the German transports Rigel (3828 GRT, built 1924, former Norwegian) and Korsnes (1795 GRT, built 1936) were sunk between Rosoya and Tjotta. Heavy loss of live occured on board the Rigel was was transporting troops and POW's (mostly Soviet). Over 2500 men lost their lives in this sinking. These ships had been in convoy and had departed Bodo on 26 November. They were escorted by the patrol vessels V 6308 and NT 04 off which the former was heavily damaged.

' Force 7 ' returned to Scapa Flow on 29 November 1944. (2)

6 Dec 1944

Operation Urbane.

The object of this operation was to conduct an anti-shipping raid in the area between Bergen and Stavanger and also lay air laid mines in this area.

Around 1605A/6, Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN, hoised his flag in the aircraft carrier HMS Implacable (Capt. C.C. Hughes-Hallett, RN) after having struck his flag in HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN).

Around 2300A/6, the force for this operation, made up of the aircraft carrier HMS Implacable (with Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN on board), escort carriers HMS Trumpeter (A/Capt. K.S. Colquhoun, RN), Premier (A/Capt. R.J. Gardner, RN), light cruiser HMS Diadem and the destroyers HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zambesi (Lt.Cdr. W. Scott, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, RN), HMCS Algonquin (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Piers, DSC, RCN), HMCS Sioux (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. H. Øi), HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Serapis (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow.

The force then proceeded towards temporary position NN (59°15'N, 01°10'E) which was reached around 1030A/7. A dawn Mosquito reconnaissance along the coast between Bergen and Stavanger had found no suitable shipping targets for Implacable's strike aircraft, so it was decided to postpone that part of the operation and to continue with the minelaying mission on its own.

The mining strike, consisting of 12 Avengers of 856 and 846 Squadrons from HMS Premier and 14 Wildcats from HMS Trumpeter was flown off around 1230A/7. They were able to make a good landfall near Utsira Island and the strike split into various sections around 1345A/7. All 12 mines from the Avengers were seen to fall in their assigned positions close south of the Salhus lighthouse, but one mine was dropped at 'safe' and the parachute of another failed to open fully. During the lay the Wildcats attacked flak batteries and shore installations in the vicinity. On completion of the strike the aircraft set course to return to the escort carriers. During the return passage a Wildcat was seen to ditch in position 59°18'N, 03°20'E and the pilot was sighted in his dinghy, apparently unharmed. The ASR aircraft had already returned to its base with engine trouble and as the dinghy lay in a German minefield a destroyer could not be sent. Prolonged searches during the night and the following day proved fruitless and the pilot (T/Lt.(A) W.S. Vittle RNVR) was lost in unfortunate circumstances. The remaining aircraft were all flown in by 1510A/7. Four Wilcats and one Avenger were found to have been damaged by enemy AA fire.

The next day, 8 December 1944, after again receiving a negative report from the Mosquito reconnaissance, two reconnaissance strikes were flown off by HMS Indefatigable in an endeavour to locate and attack targets between Bergen and Stavanger. Two R-boats were attacked and set on fire during the second strike in the Bomlafjorden, R-59 was heavily damaged while R-56 later foundered after having burt out. After the aircraft had landed on the force set course to return to Scapa Flow where it arrived around 1050A/9. HMS Diadem had already arrived at Scapa Flow around 2045A/8 after having parted company with the force around 1555A/8.

On their return, Vice-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, KCB, RN, transferred his flag back to HMS Diadem striking it in HMS Implacable. (3)

12 Dec 1944

Operation Lacerate.

The object of this operation was to lay air laid mines in either;
a) Ramsoyund,
b) Aaramsund or
c) Skatestrommen.

Ships taking part in the operation were the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. D.K. Bain, DSO, RN), escort carriers Premier (A/Capt. R.J. Gardner, RN), HMS Trumpeter (A/Capt. K.S. Colquhoun, RN) and the destroyers HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zephyr (Lt.Cdr. J.F.D. Bush, DSC and 2 Bars, RN), HMCS Algonquin (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Piers, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Sioux (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN).

The mines were laid in Ramsoyund on 14 December 1944. Also a number of targets in the area were strafed. Three night counter attacks were made on the force by JU 88 torpedo bombers, one of which was shot down.

The Force returned to Scapa Flow on 16 December 1944. (4)

10 Jan 1945

Operations Spellbinder and Gratis

Operation Spellbinder was carried out in two parts, part I was an anti-shipping raid in the Egersund area and part II was a minelay near Utsira Island.

Operation Gratis was the laying of an air laid minefield in Karm Sund.

Around 2200A/10, ' Force 1 ', made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. C.F.W. Norris, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN) and HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, DSC, RN) and ' Force 2 ', made up of the fast minelayer HMS Apollo (Capt. J.A. Grindle, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Carron (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Wilkinson, DSC, RN) departed Scapa Flow for operation Spellbinder.

They proceeded in company until 1100A/11 when they split up to the north of the Shetlands. ' Force 2 ' remained in that vicinity until 1508A/11 when course and speed were adjusted so as to arrive in the laying position at midnight. ' Force 1 ' set course for the Egersund area, aiming to arrive off the coast at about 2215A/11.

HMS Apollo, HMS Zealous and HMS Carron approached the Norwegian coast from the north-westward at 30 knots, in fine clear weather, making use of the beam of the enemy consol beacon situated in position 58°37'5"N, 05°37'8"E. Course was altered to 090° at 2336A/11 and Utsira light was seen shortly afterwards.

Starshell from ' Force 1 ', engaged 100 miles to the southward, was observed at 2343A/11. Five minutes later ' Force 2 ' reduced speed to 20 knots and HMS Zealous and HMS Carron proceeded ahead to make a smokescreen between the laying position and them mainland.

Between 2357A/11 and 0020A/12, HMS Apollo laid 156 mines in three lines as follows;
Line 1 of 52 mines - Between 59°15'00"N, 05°01'06"E and 59°15'00"N, 05°04'21"E.
Line 2 of 55 mines - Between 59°14'51"N, 05°06'06"E and 59°13'39"N, 05°00'00"E.
Line 3 of 49 mines - Between 59°13'15"N, 05°07'54"E and 59°12'51"N, 05°04'48"E.
The mines were laid at a depth of 30 feet and flooders were set to operate on 19 February 1945.

On completion of this unobserved lay ' Force 2 ' retired at high speed to the northward and then set course to return to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1450A/12.

' Force 1 ' had picked up Utsira Island by radar at 1940A/11 and an hour later course was altered to close the convoy route south of Stavanger. The ships were positioned in line ahead.

At 2215A/11, ' Force 1 ' altered course to starboard to run down the coast, keeping 10 miles to seaward and parallel to the shipping route. At the same time they were picked up and held by enemy shore radar.

At 2312A/11, when opposite Egersund, radar contact was made with a convoy close inshore and apparently making for Egersund. Course was altered towards the target and fire was opened with starshell at 2341A/11. The appearance of a radar echo on the starboard bow, which was classified as a U-boat, somewhat complicated the movements of ' Force 1 '.

During the ensuing engagement the enemy shore batteries joined in, but although they registered several straddles and near misses they achieved no hits. Rear-Admiral McGrigor reported that out of eight ships which made up the convoy, including escorts, one, probably an escort, escaped into Egersund after being hit. Of the remaining seven, one large merchant vessel was sunk and another one was left blazing to the waterline. One small merchant vessel, or escort, was seen to turn turtle. One M-class minesweeper blew up after running itself ashore in flames. The other three ships were left on fire of which one was seen to blow up when ' Force 1 ' was retiring.

' Force 1 ' withdrew to the west at 0027A/12, altering to the northward when well clear of enemy radar. They made rendezvous with ' Force 3 ' at 0800A/12. At 0910A/12, a shadowing JU 88 was shot down by fighters from HMS Trumpeter. One of the fighters was damaged and had to ditch the pilot being recovered by HMS Zodiac. The Combat Air Patrol was kept busy during the forenoon investigating bogeys, but no enemy attack developed and at 1400A/12, ' Force 3 ' was detached for operation Gratis. ' Force 1 ' then headed for Scapa Flow, passing east of the Shetlands, and arrived at 2205A/12.

' Force 3 ', made up of the light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. R.F. Elkins, OBE, RN), escort carriers Premier (A/Capt. R.J. Gardner, RN), HMS Trumpeter (Cdr. K.S. Colquhoun, RN) and the destroyers HMS Opportune (Cdr. R.E.D. Ryder, VC, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN), HMS Zodiac (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, DSC, RN) and HMS Cavendish (Cdr. R.H. Maurice, DSO, RN) had departed Scapa Flow at 1130A/11, to rendezvous with ' Force 1 ', and, having been detached on the 12th, proceeded west-about round the Shetlands and through Fair Isle Channel for the flying off position in 59°15'N, 01°10'E.

Two MTB's from Lerwick had been detailed to rendezvous with ' Force 3 ', to act as Air Sea Rescue craft in the event of a ditching to the east the flying off position. They made rendezvous at 0915A/13, just short of the flying off position. In view of the good weather conditions, flying off commenced immediately and by 0930A/13, the strike, made up of six Avengers from 846 Squadron and eight Wildcats from HMS Trumpeter and six Avengers from 856 Squadron and eight Wildcats from HMS Premier, was airborne. Departure was taken at 0938A/13 and a good landfall was made on Utsira Island. At about 1130A/13 the 12 Avengers laid their mines in the channel between Salhus light and a position 500 yards to the northward. Only light flack was encountered and all aircraft returned safely to the carriers being landed on by 1150A/13. ' Force 3 ' then returned to Scapa Flow arriving there at 2100A/13.

The German convoy attacked by ' Force 1 ' was made up of the transports Bahia Camarones (8551 GRT, built 1918), Charlotte (4404 GRT, built 1908) and Wesermarsch (1923 GRT, built 1943). They were escorted by the minesweepers M-456, M-436, M-306, M-273 and M-253. The submarine U-427 was also with the convoy and she fired torpedoes at ' Force 1 ' but all mised. The Bahia Camarones, Charlotte and M-273 were sunk. (5)

10 Feb 1945

Operation Selenium.

This operation had two objects, the first object was to destroy enemy shipping between Bud and Kvatholm. The second object was to lay air mines at Skateströmmen (near Maloy).

At 2300A/10, ' Force 1 ', made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. J.G.Y. Loveband, RN), light cruiser HMS Dido (Capt. R.F. Elkins, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Myngs (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Scorpion (Cdr. C.W. McMullen, DSC, RN) and HMS Savage (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Malins, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), departed Scapa Flow and proceeded east of the Orkneys and the Shetlands, aiming to reach their operation area for the first part of the operation after dark on the 11th.

at 0900A/11, ' Force 2 ', made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire (Capt. G.M.B. Langley, OBE, RN), escort carriers HMS Premier (A/Capt. R.J. Gardner, RN), HMS Puncher (Capt. R.E.S. Bidwell, RCN) and the destroyers HMS Cavendish (Cdr. R.H. Maurice, DSO, RN), HMS Cavalier (Lt.Cdr. D.T. McBarnet, RN), HMS Zebra (Lt.Cdr. E.C. Peake, RN) and HMS Scourge (Lt.Cdr. G.I.M. Balfour, RN), departed Scapa Flow. They followed the same route as ' Force 1 ', adjusting course and speed so as to make rendezvous with ' Force 1 ' after their anti-shipping sweep in position 62°23'N, 02°00' between 0500A/12 and 0700A/12, when the forces were to join under air cover from the escort carriers. Rendezvous was effected at 0700A/12 and the Commanding Officer of HMS Devonshire assumed overall command. ' Force 1 ' had encountered no enemy vessels during their anti-shipping sweep during the night of 11/12 February. At 1000A/12 the air strike was flown off in ideal weather conditions.

The air laid lay was planned for eight mines, but only seven Avengers of 856 Squadron on board HMS Premier were serviceable, and these, together with four Wildcats from the same escort carrier and a further twelve from HMS Puncher, took departure at 1017A/12 from position 62°16'N, 01°48'E. Shortly afterwards one of the Avengers was forced to return with a heavy oil leak, but the remainder made landfall on Vaagso Island and, continuing up Faa Fjord, laid five mines in the channel at Skatestrommen. One aircraft was unable to release its mine and jettisoned it later at ' safe '. Little opposition was encountered and all aircraft returned to the escort carriers, being landed on by 1151A/12. One Wildcat from HMS Premier was found to have been hit by flak and two from HMS Puncher fired two short bursts from its guns in the process by accident, causing five casualties and damaging a Barracuda parked on the starboard side of the flight deck.

When all aircraft of the strike had been recovered the combines fores retired to Scapa Flow, using the same route as on the outwards passage. HMS Norfolk and HMS Dido were detached at 1735A/12 to return at high speed unescorted. They arrived at Scapa Flow at 0330A/13. The remaining ships arrived around 1050A/13. (6)

19 Mar 1945

Operation Cupola.

The object of this operation was to lay air laid mines in the southern entrance to the Askenvold anchorage (61°19'5"N, 05°04'E).

Around 1100A/19, the escort carriers HMS Searcher (Capt. J.W. Grant, DSO, RN), HMS Premier (A/Capt. R.J. Gardner, RN), HMS Queen (A/Capt. K.J. D'Arcy, DSO, RN), light cruiser ana (Capt. V.N. Surtees, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. G.S. Tuck, DSO, RN, Senior Officer for the operation) and the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.W.S. Browning, OBE, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN), HMS Serapis (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), HMCS Haida (A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Welland, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN) departed Scapa Flow for the operation.

They were to arrive in position 'AA' (61°52'N, 01°45'E) at 0700A/20 but bad weather was encountered on the way and the operation had to be postponed to the afternoon.

Around 1325A/20, the strike, composed of eight Avengers of 856 Squadron from HMS Premier and twenty Wildcats from HMS Searcher commenced flying off. They took departure at 1353A/20 from position 61°52'N, 01°54'E. Landfall was made at the correct location at 1420A/20, with the weather just beginning to lift on the coast and good visibility in the Leads. The Avengers turned north when over Bygdefeld, a conspicuous hill to the south of Askevold. The approach was made to the laying position unopposed, and at 1429A/20 seven mines were laid in the shipping channel, close south of Prestoy Island. One aircraft was unable to release its mine due to material failure and returned with it to the carrier.

The fighters, in close support, also experienced little resistance to their stafing of shore targets. All aircraft returnend safely to the carriers in rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.

The force returned to Scapa Flow around 1350A/21.

Result of this operation was that the enemy had to divert shipping to pass to the west of Atloy Island resulting in an attack on a convoy by MTB's on March 26th. (7)

16 Apr 1945

Operation Roundel, the passage of convoys JW 66 and RA 66 between the U.K. and Northern Russia vice versa.

Convoy JW 66.

This convoy departed the Clyde on 16 April 1945 for Northern Russia.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Albert C. Ritchie (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), August Belmont (American, 7240 GRT, built 1944), Benjamin H. Hill (American, 7198 GRT, built 1944), British Respect (British (tanker), 8479 GRT, built 1943), Cecil N. Bean (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), David B. Johnson (American, 7198 GRT, built 1944), Empire Garrick (British (tanker), 8128 GRT, built 1942), John Gibbon (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944), Joshua Thomas (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Keith Palmer (American, 7244 GRT, built 1944), Kong Haakon VII (Norwegian, 7073 GRT, built 1942), Kronprinsen (Norwegian, 7073 GRT, built 1942), Laurelwood (British, 7347 GRT, built 1929), Linn Boyd (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Lord Delaware (American, 7200 GRT, built 1942), Nelson W. Aldrich (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Owen Wister (American, 7240 GRT, built 1943), Park Benjamin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Renald Fernald (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Samaritan (American, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Stevenson Taylor (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William D. Byron (American, 7210 GRT, built 1944), William Tyler Page (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Woodbridge N. Ferris (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943).

The RFA tanker Black Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941) and Blue Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941) were also with the convoy.

The rescue vessel Copeland (British, 1526 GRT, built 1923) was also with the convoy.

On departure from the Clyde the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Cygnet (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Cowell, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMS Alnwick Castle (A/Lt.Cdr. H.A. Stonehouse, DSC, RNR), HMS Bamborough Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H. Vernon, RNR) and HMS Farnham Castle (Lt. W.E. Warwick, RNR).

On 17 April 1944, the frigates HMS Loch Shin (Cdr. J.P. de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Loch Insh (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.W.C. Dempster, RNVR), HMS Cotton (Lt.Cdr. I.W.T. Beloe, RN), HMS Goodall (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Fulton, RNVR) and HMS Antigua (A/Lt.Cdr. E.L. Donkin, RNR) departed Scapa Flow to join the convoy.

On 19 April 1945, the corvettes HMS Honeysuckle (T/Lt. J.A. Wright, RNR), HMS Lotus ( T/Lt. T.S. Cox, RNVR), HMS Oxlip (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.K. Craig, RNVR) and HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. R.S. Mortimer, RNR) departed Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands to join the convoy. Also departing from there were sixteen Russian submarine chaser [identity currently unkown to us] which were to join the convoy for passage to Northern Russia.

On the 25th the russian destroyers Uritsky, Karl Libknekht, Valerian Kyubishev, Zarkij, Zostkij, Derzkij and Dostojnyj joined the convoy as did some smaller Russian vessels.

The convoy arrived in the Kola Inlet on 26 April 1945.

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Convoy RA 66.

This convoy departed the Kola Inlet on 29 April 1945 for the Clyde.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Benjamin Schlesinger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Byron Darnton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Charles A. McAllister (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Dolabella (British (tanker), 8142 GRT, built 1939), Eleazar Lord (American, 7247 GRT, built 1944), Eloy Alfaro (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Empire Stalwart (British, 7045 GRT, built 1943), Fort Boise (British, 7151 GRT, built 1943), Fort Massac (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943), Fort Yukon (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Grace Abbott (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Henry Lomb (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James M. Gillis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John McDonough (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lawrence J. Brengle (American, 7209 GRT, built 1944), Leo J. Duster (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Nicholas Biddle (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), San Venancio (British (tanker), 8152 GRT, built 1942), Stage Door Canteen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), W.R. Grace (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Willard Hall (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), William Pepper (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William Wheelwright (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944) and Windfred L. Smith (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943).

The RFA tanker Black Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941) and Blue Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941) were also with the convoy.

The rescue vessel Copeland (British, 1526 GRT, built 1923) was also with the convoy.

On departure from the Kola Inlet the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Cygnet and the corvettes HMS Alnwick Castle, HMS Bamborough Castle, HMS Farnwick Castle, HMS Honeysuckle, HMS Lotus, HMS Oxlip and HMS Rhododendron.

The convoy arrived in the Clyde on 8 May 1945. HMS Lotus had parted company on the 7th and arrived at Liverpool on the 8th.

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Cover for these convoys was provided by a force made up of escort carriers HMS Vindex (A/Cdr. J.D.L. Williams, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, CBE, RN), HMS Premier (A/Capt. R.J. Gardner, RN), light cruiser HMS Bellona (Capt. G.S. Tuck, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Zephyr (Capt. J.H. Allison, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Zealous (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Zest (Lt.Cdr. R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN), HMS Zodiac (Lt.Cdr. H.R. Rycroft, DSC, RN), HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. H. Øi), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Thorpe, DSO, RN), HMCS Haida (A/Lt.Cdr. R.P. Welland, DSC, RCN), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.V.W. Groos, RCN) and HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN).

Around 1500B/17, HMS Vindex, HMS Premier, HMS Zealous, HMS Zephyr, HMS Zest, HMS Zodiac, HNoMS Stord, HMS Offa and HMCS Huron departed the Clyde to overtake and join the convoy which they did around 1200B/18.

Around 2030B/18, HMS Bellona joined the convoy coming from Scapa Flow which she had departed earlier in the day.

On 19 April 1944, the destroyers HMCS Haida and HMCS Iroquois departed Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands to join the convoy. With them was also HMCS Huron which had fuelled at Skaalefjord after having been detached from the convoy earlier.

Around 0700B/25, HMS Vindex, HMS Premier, HMS Bellona, HMS Zealous, HMS Zest, HMS Zodiac, HMCS Haida, HMCS Huron and HMCS Iroquois parted company to proceed ahead of the convoy to the Kola Inlet where they arrived at midninght.

The cover force, still made up of HMS Vindex, HMS Premier, HMS Bellona, HMS Zealous, HMS Zephyr, HMS Zest, HMS Zodiac, HNoMS Stord, HMS Offa, HMCS Haida, HMCS Huron and HMCS Iroquois departed the Kola Inlet with convoy RA 66 on 29 April 1945.

Around 1300B/4, HMS Zealous, HMS Zephyr, HMS Zest, HMS Zodiac, HNoMS Stord, HMS Offa were detached to proceed at best speed to Scapa Flow where they arrived on the 5th.

Around 1730B/4, HMS Bellona also parted company with the convoy to proceed at best speed to Scapa Flow where she arrived around 1545B/5.

Around 2330B/6, HMS Vindex, HMS Premier, HMCS Haida, HMCS Huron and HMCS Iroquois arrived at Scapa Flow. (8)