uboat.net

  Front page - Fighting the U-boats - Allied Warships

Follow us on Twitter
@uboatnet

Notable events involving Eggesford include:

7 Feb 1943
With her work-up programme now completed HMS Dasher (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, DSO, RN) departed the Clyde around 2100A/7 for Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN). (1)

9 Feb 1943
Around 0930A/9, HMS Dasher (Cdr. C.N. Lentaigne, DSO, RN) and HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from the Clyde. (2)

22 Feb 1943
HMS Malaya (Capt. J.W.A. Waller, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. She was escorted by HMCS Athabascan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN), HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN) and FFS La Combattante (Lt.Cdr. A. Patou).

They arrived at Greenock on 23 February 1943. (3)

26 Feb 1943
HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN) conducted underway refuelling exercises with HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN). Upon completion of these HMS Newfoundland conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. (4)

3 Mar 1943
The aircraft carrier HMS Furious (Capt. G.T. Philip, DSC, RN) conducted flying operations off Scapa Flow. She was escorted by the destroyer HMCS Athabascan (Cdr. G.R. Miles, DSO, OBE, RCN) and the escort destroyer HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN). (5)

16 Mar 1943

Combined convoy WS 28 / KMS 11.

This combined convoy was formed off Oversay on 16 March 1943. The convoy was divided into convoys WS 28 and KMS 11 at sea on 21 March 1943.

The combined convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Banfora (British, 9472 GRT, built 1914), Brittanic (British, 26943 GRT, built 1930), Cuba (British, 11420 GRT, built 1923), Duchess of Bedford (British, 20123 GRT, built 1928), Empire Might (British, 9209 GRT, built 1942), Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch, 19429 GRT, built 1930), Monarch of Bermuda (British, 22424 GRT, built 1931), Orion (British, 23371 GRT, built 1935), Ormonde (British, 14982 GRT, built 1917), Orontes (British, 20097 GRT, built 1925), Otranto (British, 20026 GRT, built 1925), Nea Hellas (British, 16991 GRT, built 1922), Perthshire (British, 10496 GRT, built 1936), Rangitata (British, 16737 GRT, built 1929), Reina del Pacifico (17702 GRT, built 1931), Sobieski (Polish, 11030 GRT, built 1939), Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931), Tegelberg (Dutch, 14150 GRT, built 1937), Waipawa (British, 12436 GRT, built 1934), Winchester Castle (British, 20012 GRT, built 1930) and Windsor Castle (British, 19141 GRT, built 1922).

Also the naval auxiliaries HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN), HMS Keren (A/Cdr. S.E. Crewe-Read, RN), HMS Largs (Cdr. E.A. Divers, RNR) and HMS Ulster Monarch (Lt.Cdr. N.A.F. Kingscote, RNR) were part of the convoy.

On assembly off Oversay the following escorts were with the convoy; sloops HMS Wren (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN, with the S.O. 2nd Escort Group on board, Capt. F.J. Walker, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Woodpecker (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) R.E.S. Hugonin, DSC, RN), destroyer HMS Douglas (Lt.Cdr. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Badsworth (Lt. G.T.S. Gray, DSC, RN), HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN), HMS Whaddon (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN), HMS Goathland (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Pumphrey, RN, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and ORP Krakowiak (Lt.Cdr. W. Maracewicz, ORP).

On 21 March the convoy split up into two sections, KMF 11, made up of Banfora, Cuba, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Ormonde, Orion, Nea Hellas, Rangitata, Windsor Castle and HMS Ulster Monarch proceeded to Algiers where it arrived on 23 March 1943 escorted by the original escort minus HMS Douglas which put into Gibraltar on 22 March with damage to her port propeller. After inspection it was apparent that she was able to continue but she was not to exceed 22 knots so it was decided that she could rejoin the convoy. All five escort destroyers also put into Gibraltar to fuel but departed again later the same day to rejoin the convoy. HMS Ulster Monarch also put into Gibraltar.

At 0254/23, the Windsor Castle was torpedoed by a German He.111 from I/KG 26 in position 37°28'N, 01°10'E. The passengers (troops) were taken off by HMS Wren, HMS Eggesford and HMS Whaddon. The last two ships reported to be dangerously overloaded with survivors.

Three tugs were sailed to go to the damaged ship assistance, Salvestor from Algiers, Hengist from Gibraltar and Restive from Oran.

Also the destroyer HMS Loyal (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, DSC, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC and Bar, RN), which were on A/S patrol off Algiers were ordered to proceed to the convoy. Also the destroyer HMS Eskimo (Capt. J.W.M. Eaton, DSO, DSC, RN) and escort destroyers HMS Calpe (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC, RN) and HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN) were ordered to do the same sailing from Oran.

At 1027/3, it was reported that Windsor Castle was abandoned and slowly sinking and the HMS Loyal had taken off the crew. HMS Whaddon and HMS Eggesford were proceeding to Algiers covered by HMS Douglas.

At 1621/3, Windsor Castle was still afloat and HMS Farndale was ettempting to take her in tow. The ship however sank suddenly at 1724/3. HMS Eskimo, HMS Loyal, HMS Calpe, HMS Farndale, Hengist and Restive then proceeded to Oran while HMS Lamerton and Salvestor proceeded to Algiers.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WS 28, made up of Brittanic, Duchess of Bedford, Empire Might, Monarch of Bermuda, Orontes, Otranto, Perthshire, Reina del Pacifico, Sobieski, Strathnaver, Tegelberg, Waipawa, Winchester Castle, HMS Bulolo, HMS Keren and HMS Largs.

To escort these ships the destroyers HMS Malcolm (Cdr. J.M. Money, RN) and HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR) sailed from Casablanca on 20 March and the destroyers HMS Wolverine (Lt. I.M. Clegg, RN) and HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) sailed from Gibraltar also on 20 March. They joined the convoy in the morning of March 21st after which the convoy split up.

Another destroyer, HMS Ashanti (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), departed Gibraltar on 21 March and she joined the convoy later the same day.

On 22 March the transport Empire Might reported a fire in her stokehold rendering her immobile. She was then towed to Dakar by HMS Ashanti.

The remainder of convoy WS 28 arrived at Freetown on 27 March 1943.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Convoy WS 28 departed Freetown for South Africa on 30 March 1943.

The composition of the convoy was the same on departed as in which it had arrived at Freetown three days earlier.

Escort was provided on departure from Freetown by the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. D.P. Evans, RN), destroyers HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN), HMS Quadrant, HMS Malcolm, HMS Witch and HMS Wolverine.

At 2359Z/30, HMS Ulster Monarch overtook and joined the convoy coming from Freetown.

At 0600A/4, HMS Redoubt and HMS Quadrant parted company with the convoy to refuel at Pointe Noire. They rejoined the convoy at 1212B/5.

At 1300B/5, HMS Malcolm, HMS Witch and HMS Wolverine were detached.

At 1420B/5, HMS Racehorse (Cdr. A.F. Burnell-Nugent, DSC, RN) and HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Fell, RN) joined the escort.

On the 11th the convoy split up, Britannic, Duchess of Bedford, Monarch of Bermuda, Tegelberg, Waipawa and Winchester Castle went to Capetown apparently escorted by HMS Redoubt and HMS Relentless. HMS Largs and HMS Ulster Monarch went to Simonstown, as did HMS Kenya and HMS Quadrant and HMS Racehorce.

The destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. S.H. Carlill, DSO, RN), HMS Rotherham (Lt. J.R.L. Moore, RN) and HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN) joined the remainder of the convoy (Orontes, Otranto, Perthshire, Reina del Pacifico, Sobieski, Strathnaver, HMS Bulolo and HMS Keren) which arrived at Durban on 14 April 1943.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On 15 April the 'Capetown section' of the convoy departed from there, it was made up of the same ships as that had arrived at Capetown but apparently without the Britannic. HMS Largs joined the convoy off Simonstown. Escort was provided by HMS Kenya, HMS Quadrant, HMS Redoubt and HMS Relentless.

Around noon on the 18th the 'Capetown section' joined up with the 'Durban section' which had departed from there escorted by HMAS Napier (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, DSC, RAN) and HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN) which also joined the convoy as escorts. HMS Quadrant parted company and proceeded to Durban.

At 2000C/20, the destroyers parted company to return to Aden.

At 1015D/24, the armed merchant cruisers HMS Canton (A/Capt. G.N. Loriston-Clarke, RN) and HMS Chitral (A/Capt.(Retd.) G.W. Hoare-Smith, RN) joined the convoy to take over the escort. They had sailed from Kilindini on 22 April. HMS Kenya parted company with the convoy at noon and set course for Kilindini where she arrived on 25 April to join the Eastern Fleet.

At 2300D/27, HMS Chitral parted company with the convoy following which she proceeded to Bombay where she arrived on 1 May 1943.

On 30 April 1943 the convoy was dispersed off Aden. HMS Canton arrived at Aden later on the same day.

21 Apr 1943

Convoy GUS 6A.

This convoy departed Algiers on 21 April 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Fort Ellice (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Harry Lane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), J.E.B. Stuart (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), John Steele (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Walker (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Matthew Maury (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Rufus W. Peckham (American, 7200 GRT, built 1942), William A. Graham (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), William A. Richardson (American, 7258 GRT, built 1942), William C. Endicott (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), William Cullen Bryant (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Zebulon Pike (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

The damaged submarine HMS Torbay (Lt. R.J. Clutterbuck, RN) in tow of the tug Hengist was also part of the convoy as was the RFA tanker Dingledale (8145 GRT, built 1941).

On departure from Algiers the convoy was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN), corvette HMS Pentstemon (T/Lt. D.C. Williams, RNVR) and the minesweepers HMS Bude (Lt. F.A.J. Andrew, RN), HMS Rhyl (Cdr. L.J.S. Ede, DSO, RN) and HMS Fantome (Capt. J.W. Boutwood, RN).

On 22 April 1943, following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Oran / Mers-el-Kebir; Exchange (American, 6737 GRT, built 1940), Fluor Spar (American, 5562 GRT, built 1919), George Davis (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942) and William M. Stewart (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

Also joining was the motor minesweeper HMS MMS 20 (T/Lt. H.A. Ledeboer, RNR) for passage to Gibraltar.

The escort was reinforced by the destroyer HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Liddesdale (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Mackenzie, RNR).

On 23 April 1943, the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar; Artemis Ward (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Esso Bayonne (American (tanker), 7698 GRT, built 1937), Joel Chandler Harris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Rhea (French (tanker), 7813 GRT, built 1928) and Tide Water (American (tanker), 8886 GRT, built 1930).

Also joining from Gibraltar were the fleet tanker USS Enoree (T/Cdr. W.S. Campbell, USN) and the destroyers USS Charles Ausburne (T/Cdr. L.K. Reynolds, USN) and USS Spence (T/Cdr. H.J. Armstrong, Jr., USN).

HMS Torbay, still being towed by the Hengist, and MMS 20 then parted company and entered Gibraltar.

On the 24th the Casablanca section of the convoy joined, it was made up of the following merchant vessels; Caleb Strong (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Elorn (French, 5482 GRT, built 1930), Empire Cobbett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John M. Schofield (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Richard H. Alvey (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Robert F. Stockton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and William F. Cody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

They were escorted by the destroyers USS Stevenson (T/Cdr. F.E. Wilson, USN, with COMDESRON 19, T/Capt. J. Connor, USN, on board), USS Stockton ( T/Cdr. R.E. Braddy, Jr., USN), USS Ringgold (T/Cdr. T.F. Conley, Jr., USN), USS Schroeder (T/Cdr. B.L. Austin, USN), USS Foote () and USS Claxton (T/Cdr. H.F. Stout, USN) which then joined the convoy relieving the British escorts which then proceeded to Gibraltar where they arrived on the 25th, except HMS Boreas which arrived at Casablanca on the 24th.

During 1 May 1943, USS Enoree fuelled all eight destroyers.

The convoy arrived in Hampton Roads on 8 May 1943.

1 May 1943
Around 1815B/1, HMS Trespasser (Lt. R.M. Favell, RN) departed from Gibraltar for her 3rd war patrol (1st in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol off Southern France.

On departure exercises were carried out, first A/S exercises with HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN) and later exercises with aircraft. (6)

25 May 1943
The light cruisers HMS Cleopatra (Capt. J.F. Stevens, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J. Power, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Euryalus (Capt. E.W. Bush, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. A.F. Pugsley, DSO, RN) and HMS Nubian (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Malta.

HMS Cleopatra departed Malta later the same day for Algiers escorted by the destroyer HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN), HMS Oakley (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN) and HMS Whaddon (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN). (7)

26 May 1943
Late in the evening, HMS Cleopatra (Capt. J.F. Stevens, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.J. Power, CB, CVO, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) arrived at Algiers.

HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN), HMS Oakley (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN) and HMS Whaddon (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN) had been detached around 0515B/26. (8)

29 May 1943
Around 1745B/29, HMS Trespasser (Lt. R.M. Favell, RN) departed from Algiers for her 4th war patrol (2nd in the Mediterranean). She is to patrol off Southern France.

On departure A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN) and HMS Whaddon (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN). (6)

11 Jun 1943

Operation Corkscrew.

Capture of Pantellaria and Lampedusa.

From Sfax, ' Convoy A ' sailed for the landings on Pantelleria. This convoy was made up the headquarters ship HMS Largs (Cdr. E.A. Divers, OBE, RNR, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGregor, RN), landing ships HMS Princess Beatrix (Cdr.(Retd.) T.B. Brunton, DSC, RN) and HMS Queen Emma (Capt.(Retd.) G.L.D. Gibbs, DSO and Bar, RN). They were escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN), HMS Lauderdale (Lt. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN) and HMS Whaddon (Lt.Cdr. J.B. Palmer, RN).

From Sousse, departed ' Convoy B ' and ' Convoy C '.
' Convoy B ' was made up of the landing ship HMS Royal Ulsterman (Lt.Cdr. W.R.K. Clark, DSC, RD RNR), 20 LCI(L)'s and 2 ML's. They were escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Lamerton (Lt.Cdr. C.R. Purse, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Wheatland (Lt.Cdr. R.deL. Brooke, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN).
' Convoy C ' was made up of landing ship HMS Misoa (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Grace, DSC, RD, RNR), gunboat HMS Aphis ( Lt.Cdr. F.Y. Bethell, RN), and 21 LCI(L)'s, 4 LCF's and 2 ML's. They were escorted by the minesweepers HMS Clacton (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) L.S. Shaw, RNR), HMS Polruan (Lt. C.D. Sampson, RNVR), HMS Rhyl (Cdr. L.J.S. Ede, DSO, RN), HMS Stornoway (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.R. Fraser, RNR) and the M/S trawlers HMS Hoy (T/Lt. G.H. McNair, MBE, RNVR), HMS Inchcolm (Skr. A.C. Whitcombe, RNR), HMS Mull (T/Lt. R.R. Simpson, RNR) and HMS Rysa (T/Lt. J.H. Cooper, RNVR).

From Malta departed the bombardment / cover force which was made up of the light cruisers HMS Aurora (Commodore W.G. Agnew, CB, RN), HMS Newfoundland (Capt. W.R. Slayter, DSC, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. G.C.P. Menzies, RN), HMS Penelope (Capt. G.D. Belben, DSC, AM, RN) and the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. R.M.J. Hutton, DSO, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC, RN), HMS Loyal (Lt.Cdr. H.E.F. Tweedie, DSC, RN), HMS Jervis (Capt. A.F. Pugsley, DSO, RN), HMS Nubian (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN), HMS Troubridge (Capt. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN) and RHS Vasilissa Olga (Lt.Cdr. G. Blessas).

Eight motor torpedo boats and / or motor gun boats were also set to patrol in the area.

All forces sailed on 10 June to be off Pantellaria on 11 June 1944.

A final bombardment was then carried out and also aircraft from North African air bases carried out attacks. The island surrendered shortly before noon without further fighting. Rear-Admiral McGregor transferred his flag to HMS Tartar. HMS Largs, landing ships, landing craft and escorts were then ordered to proceed to Sousse.

The cruisers and fleet destroyers then proceeded to Lampedusa. Bombandment of that island commenced at 2245/11 and continued throughout the 12th. Also air bombardments were carried out. The island surrendered in the evening.

Weather was to bad to land at Lampion Island but the island appeared to be uninhabited.

The surrender of Linosa Island was accepted by HMS Nubian.

The forces that were still at sea were then dispersed. (9)

16 Jun 1943
The battleship HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN) departed Algiers for Gibraltar. She was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Tynedale. (10)

17 Jun 1943
HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN), HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt. R.C. Watkin, RN) and HMS Tynedale arrived at Gibraltar from Algiers. (10)

16 Jul 1943
At 0617B/16, HMS Cleopatra (Capt. J.F. Stevens, RN) was torpedoed amidships and heavily damaged off Sicily in position 37°06'N, 16°04'E by the Italian submarine Alagi.

HMS Cleopatra was part of ' Force Q ' at that time together with her sister ship HMS Euryalus (Capt. E.W. Bush, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Quilliam (Capt. S.H. Carlill, DSO, RN), HMS Quail (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Jenks, RN). They had been operating east of Sicily during the night.

At 0920B/16, HMS Cleopatra was joined by the tug HMS Oriana.

At 0940B/16, the escort destroyer HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN) and minesweepers HMS Poole (Lt. W.L.G. Dutton, RNR) and HMS Seaham (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Brett, RNR) joined as A/S screen.

HMS Euryalus, HMS Quilliam and HMS Quail remained with HMS Cleopatra until about 1530B/16 when they set course to proceed to Malta arriving around 1645B/16. Around the same time the Oriana parted company to return to Syracuse.

HMS Cleopatra limped into Malta around 1800B/16.

One officer and twenty-one ratrings were killed in the attack.

24 Sep 1943

Convoy MKS 26.

This convoy departed Alexandria on 24 September 1943.

It was made up of the following ships; Badarpur (British, 8079 GRT, built 1922), Clan Murdoch (British, 5950 GRT, built 1919), Delane (British, 6054 GRT, built 1938), Diplodon (British (tanker), 8149 GRT, built 1941), Drammensfjord (Norwegian, 5339 GRT, built 1920), Empire Capulet (British, 7044 GRT, built 1943), Fort Cadotte (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943), Fort Frederick (British, 7135 GRT, built 1942), Fort George (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Fort Glenlyon (British, 7132 GRT, built 194), Fort Lawrence (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), George Gipp (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Glenogle (British, 9513 GRT, built 1920), Highland Prince (British, 7043 GRT, built 1942), R.C. Brennan (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Talma (British, 10000 GRT, built 1923) and Thistlemuir (British, 7237 GRT, built 1942).

The convoy was escorted by the corvettes HMS Hyderabad (T/Lt. T. Cooper, RNR), HMS Spiraea (Lt. A.H. Pierce, OBE, RNR), HMS Delphinium (Cdr. V.F. Smith, DSO, RD, RNR) and the minesweeper HMAS Gawler (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) W.J. Seymour, RAN). The corvettes HMS Oxlip (Lt. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR) and HMS Coltsfoot (T/Lt. G.W. Rayner, RNVR) were unable to depart on time due to defects. HMS Delphinium and HMAS Gawler were sailed in their place. Both corvettes were able to proceed after repairs to overtake and join the convoy relieving their substitutes which then returned to Alexandria.

On 28 September 1943, the following ships departed Malta to join the convoy; African Prince (British, 4653 GRT, built 1939), Benreoch (British, 5818 GRT, built 1921), Coxwold (British, 1124 GRT, built 1938), Derwenthall (British, 4934 GRT, built 1940), Duke of Athens (British, 5217 GRT, built 1940), Empire Nerissa (British, 7086 GRT, built 1943), Empire Rosalind (British, 7290 GRT, built 1943), Fort Augustus (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Charnisay (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Fort Howe (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Poplar (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort St. James (British, 7128 GRT, built 1942), Fort Stager (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Fort Walsh (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943), Gudrun Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937), Harpagus (British, 7172 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Valley (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Stanhill (British, 5969 GRT, built 1942), Ulla (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930) and Vittorino Zanibon (Italian (tanker), 1622 GRT, built 1943).

With them was also the damaged light cruiser HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN).

The Malta section was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Eggesford (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Austin, RN), HMS Chiddingfold (Lt. T.M. Dorrien-Smith, RN) and the corvettes HMS Alisma (Lt. G. Lanning, RANVR), HMS Jonquil (T/Lt. R.W. Tretheway, RNR) and HMS Vetch (Lt. K.M.B. Menzies, RNR).

On these ships joining the convoy both escort destroyers returned to Malta taking the following ships of the convoy with them; Badarpur, Clan Murdoch, Diplodon, Empire Capulet, Fort Cadotte, Fort Frederick, Fort George, Fort Glenlyon, Fort Lawrence, Glenogle, Highland Prince and Talma.

HMS Jonquil and HMS Vetch proceeded to Tripoli taking the Thistlemuir with them.

HMS Alisma joined the main body of the convoy as additional escort towards Gibraltar.

On 29 September 1943, the Fanad Head (British, 5038 GRT, built 1941) joined the convoy coming from Tunis.

On 29 September 1943, the following ships parted company with the convoy and arrived at Bizerta; Empire Rosalind, Fort Walsh, Gudrun Maersk, John Howland and Ulla while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Charles Goodyear (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Crista (British, 2590 GRT, built 1938), Empire Perdita (British, 7028 GRT, built 1943), Marigot (French, 4047 GRT, built 1932), Miriam (British, 1903 GRT, built 1912) and Richard Henry Lee (American, 7191 GRT, built 1941).

On 30 September 1943, the Empire Commerce (British, 3722 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy from Bone.

On 30 September 1943, the following ships were detached to Philippeville; Crista, Derwenthall, Empire Perdita and Fort Charnisay while the Henry Wynkoop (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) joined the convoy coming from Philippeville.

Around midnight during the night of 30 September / 1 October 1943, the German submarine U-410 attacked the convoy sinking the Fort Howe and heavily damaging the Empire Commerce. The aft part of the latter ship sank while the front part was towed to Bone.

On 2 October 1943, the following ships of the convoy were detached to Algiers; Coxwold, Fort Stager, Marigot, Miriam, Vittorino Zanibon and HMS Alisma while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Abangarez (American, 4538 GRT, built 1909), Franka (Yugoslavian, 5273 GRT, built 1918) and Waipawa (British, 12436 GRT, built 1934). Also joining were the motor minesweepers HMS MMS 13 (T/Lt. A.E. Durham, RNVR) and HMS MMS 118 (A/Skr.Lt. J. Smith, DSC, RNR).

On 3 October 1943, the following ships of the convoy were detached to Oran; Abangarez, Charles Goodyear, George Gipp, Henry Wynkoop, John Howland, R.C. Brennan and Richard Henry Lee while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Oran; Dalemoor (British, 5835 GRT, built 1922), Empire Spey (British, 4292 GRT, built 1929), Kingsborough (British, 3368 GRT, built 1928) and Van Ostade (Dutch, 2890 GRT, built 1942).

The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 4 October 1943.

12 Apr 1945
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Eggesford (Lt. G.H. Evans, RN) and HMS Woodruff (Lt. W.K. Tadman, RNR). (11)

22 Apr 1945
HMS Vampire (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Gibraltar with HMS Eggesford (Lt. G.H. Evans, RN) and another vessel [unable to read the name in the logbook of HMS Vampire]. (11)

3 Jul 1945
HMS Belfast (Capt. R.M. Dick, CBE, DSC, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Malta. Also refuelling at sea exercises were carried out during which HMS Eggesford (Lt. G.H. Evans, RN) was fuelled. (12)

28 Jul 1945
Around 1800C/28, the light cruiser HMS Belfast (Capt. R.M. Dick, CBE, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Bleasdale (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T.G. Clarke, DSC, RNVR), HMS Cowdray (A/Lt.Cdr. D.J. Beckley, DSO, DSC, RN) HMS Eggesford (Lt. G.H. Evans, RN) departed Suez for Aden where they arrived around 1200C/31. En-route exercises had been carried out. (12)