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27 Jun 1942

Convoy operations PQ 17 / QP 13

Convoys to and from Northern Russia

On 27 June 1942 Convoy PQ 17 departed Reykjavik Iceland bound for northern Russia. This convoy was made up of the following merchant ships;

American
Alcoa Ranger (5116 GRT, built 1919), Bellingham (5345 GRT, built 1920), Benjamin Harrison (7191 GRT, built 1942), Carlton (5127 GRT, built 1920), Christopher Newport (7191 GRT, built 1942), Daniel Morgan (7177 GRT, built 1942), Exford (4969 GRT, built 1919), Fairfield City (5686 GRT, built 1920), Honomu (6977 GRT, built 1919), Hoosier (5060 GRT, built 1920), Ironclad (5685 GRT, built 1919), John Witherspoon (7191 GRT, built 1942), Olopana (6069 GRT, built 1920), Pan Atlantic (5411 GRT, built 1919), Pan Kraft (5644 GRT, built 1919), Peter Kerr (6476 GRT, built 1920), Richard Bland (7191 GRT, built 1942), Washington (5564 GRT, built 1919), West Gotomska (5728 GRT, built 1919), William Hooper (7177 GRT, built 1942), Winston-Salem (6223 GRT, built 1920),

British
Bolton Castle (5203 GRT, built 1939), Earlston (7195 GRT, built 1941), Empire Byron (6645 GRT, built 1941), Empire Tide (6978 GRT, built 1941), Hartlebury (5082 GRT, built 1934), Navarino (4841 GRT, built 1937), Ocean Freedom (7173 GRT, built 1942), River Afton (5479 GRT, built 1935), Samuel Chase (7191 GRT, built 1942), Silver Sword (4937 GRT, built 1920),

Dutch
Paulus Potter (7168 GRT, built 1942),

Panamanian
El Capitan (5255 GRT, built 1917), Troubadour (6428 GRT, built 1920),

The Russian tankers Azerbaidjan (6114 GRT, built 1932), Donbass (7925 GRT, built 1935),

The British (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tanker Grey Ranger (3313 GRT, built 1941).

Also with the convoy was a British rescue ship
Zaafaran (1559 GRT, built 1921).

The US merchants Exford and West Gotomska had to return both arrived back damaged at Reykjavik on 30 June. The first one due to ice damage and the second one due to damaged engines.

Escort was provided by the minesweepers HMS Britomart (Lt.Cdr. S.S. Stammwitz, RN), HMS Halcyon (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Corbet-Singleton, DSC, RN), HMS Salamander (Lt. W.R. Muttram, RN), A/S trawlers HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. L.J.A. Gradwell, RNVR), HMS Lord Austin (T/Lt. O.B. Egjar, RNR), HMS Lord Middleton (T/Lt. R.H. Jameson, RNR) and HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RD, RNR) and the submarine HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN).

The convoy was joined at sea by a close escort force made up of the following warships; destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN / in command of the close escort of the convoy) , HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Ewing, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Leamington (Lt. B.M.D. L’Anson, RN), escort destroyers HMS Ledbury (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Hill, RN), HMS Wilton (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN), corvettes HMS Lotus (Lt. H.J. Hall, RNR), HMS Poppy (Lt. N.K. Boyd, RNR), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR), HMS La Malouine (T/Lt. V.D.H. Bidwell, RNR), Auxiliary AA ships HMS Palomares (A/Capt.(rtd.) J.H. Jauncey, RN) and HMS Pozarica (A/Capt.(rtd.) E.D.W. Lawford, RN) and submarine HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN). Also two more British rescue ships sailed with this force to join the convoy at sea; Rathlin (1600 GRT, built 1936) and Zamalek (1567 GRT, built 1921).

The RFA tanker Grey Ranger, which was to fuel the escorts, was now sailing independent from the convoy, she was escorted by the destroyer HMS Douglas (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN). Another RFA tanker, the Aldersdale, had now joined the convoy. It had originally been intended that the Aldersdale would take the role the Grey Ranger was now performing but Grey Ranger had been damaged by ice to the north of Iceland so both tankers swapped roles.

Meanwhile on June 26th the Archangel section of the return convoy QP 13 had departed that port. This section was made up of 22 merchant ships;

American
American Press (5131 GRT, built 1920), American Robin (5172 GRT, built 1919), Hegira (7588 GRT, built 1919), Lancaster (7516 GRT, built 1918), Massmar (5828 GRT, built 1920), Mormacrey (5946 GRT, built 1919), Yaka (5432 GRT, built 1920),

British
Chulmleigh (5445 GRT, built 1938), Empire Mavis (5704 GRT, built 1919), Empire Meteor (7457 GRT, built 1940), Empire Stevenson (6209 GRT, built 1941), St. Clears (4312 GRT, built 1936),

Dutch
Pieter de Hoogh (7168 GRT, built 1941),

Panamanian
Capira (5625 GRT, built 1920), Mount Evans (5598 GRT, built 1919),

Russian
Alma Ata (3611 GRT, built 1920), Archangel (2480 GRT, built 1929), Budenni (2482 GRT, built 1923), Komiles (3962 GRT, built 1932), Kuzbass (3109 GRT, built 1914), Petrovski (3771 GRT, built 1921), Rodina (4441 GRT, built 1922), Stary Bolshevik (3794 GRT, built 1933)

They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A. de W. Kitcat, RN), ORP Garland (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) H. Eibel), the corvettes HMS Starwort (Lt.Cdr. N.W. Duck, RD, RNR), HMS Honeysuckle (Lt. H.H.D. MacKillican, DSC, RNR), the auxiliary AA ship HMS Alynbank (A/Capt.(rtd.) H.F. Nash, RN) and a local escort of four minesweepers; HMS Bramble (Capt. J.H.F. Crombie, DSO, RN), HMS Seagull (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Pollock, RN), HMS Leda (A/Cdr.(rtd.) A.H. Wynne-Edwards, RN) and HMS Hazard (Lt.Cdr. J.R.A. Seymour, RN).

the next day (27th) the Murmask section of convoy QP 13 also went to sea. This was made up of 12 merchant ships;

American
City of Omaha (6124 GRT, built 1920), Heffron (7611 GRT, built 1919), Hybert (6120 GRT, built 1920), John Randolph (7191 GRT, built 1941), Mauna Kea (6064 GRT, built 1919), Nemaha (6501 GRT, built 1920), Richard Henry Lee (7191 GRT, built 1941),

British
Atlantic (5414 GRT, built 1939), Empire Baffin (6978 GRT, built 1941), Empire Selwyn (7167 GRT, built 1941),

Panamanian
Exterminator (6115 GRT, built 1924), Michigan (6419 GRT, built 1920),

They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, DSO, RN), HMS Volunteer (Lt. A.S. Pomeroy, RN), the minesweepers HMS Niger (Cdr.ret.) A.J. Cubison, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Hussar (Lt. R.C. Biggs, DSC, RN), the corvettes HMS Hyderabad (Lt. S.C.B. Hickman, RN), FFS Roselys and the A/S trawlers Lady Madeleine (T/Lt. W.G.Ogden, RNVR) and St. Elstan (Lt. R.M. Roberts, RNR). Also three Russian destroyers (Grozniy, Gremyashchiy and Valerian Kyubishev) joined the escort of convoy QP 13 as far as 30 degrees East.

To cover these convoy operations a close cover force departed Seidisfjord, Iceland around midnight during the night of 30 June / 1 July to take up a position to the north of convoy PQ 17. This force was made up of the British heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Norfolk (Capt. E.G.H. Bellars, RN), as well as the American heavy cruisers USS Tuscaloosa (Capt. L.P. Johnson, USN) and USS Wichita (Capt. H.W. Hill, USN). They were escorted by the British destroyer HMS Somali (Capt. J.W.M. Eaton, DSO, DSC, RN) and the American destroyers USS Rowan (Lt.Cdr. B.R. Harrison, Jr., USN) and USS Wainwright (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Gibbs, USN).

A distant cover force had meanwhile sailed from Scapa Flow late on the 29th to take up a cover position north-east of Jan Mayen Island. This force was made up of battleships HMS Duke of York (Capt. C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN, with the Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet, Admiral Sir J. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN on board), USS Washington (Capt. H.H.J. Benson, USN, with Rear-Admiral R.C. Griffen, USN on board), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. H.C. Bovell, CBE, RN, with Vice-Admiral Sir B. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN, second in command Home Fleet on board), heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN), light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN). They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN, Capt. 8th Destroyer Flotilla), HMS Escapade (Lt.Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), HMS Martin (Cdr. C.R.P. Thomson, RN), HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, DSC, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN), HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett, RN) and HMS Wheatland (Lt.Cdr. R.de.L Brooke, RN). The destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt. H.T. Armstong, DSC and Bar, RN, Capt. 17th Destroyer Flotilla), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, RN), USS Mayrant (Cdr. C.C. Hartman, USN) and USS Rhind (Lt.Cdr. H.T. Read, USN) meanwhile arrived at Seidisfiord, Iceland from Scapa Flow to fuel before joining the Battlefleet at sea later.

Earlier on the 29th Force X, which was to act as a decoy convoy to fool the Germans (Operation ES), had departed Scapa Flow. This force was made up of; the auxiliary minelayers HMS Southern Prince (A/Capt. J. Cresswell, RN), HMS Agamemnon (Capt.(rtd.) F. Ratsey, RN) , HMS Port Quebec (A/Capt.(rtd.) V. Hammersley-Heenan, RN) , HMS Menestheus (Capt.(rtd.) R.H.F. de Salis, DSC and Bar, OBE, RN) and four merchant vessels (colliers ?). They were escorted by the light cruisers HMS Sirius (Capt. P.W.B. Brooking, RN), HMS Curacoa (Capt. J.W. Boutwood, RN), minelayer HMS Adventure (Capt. N.V. Grace, RN), destroyers HMS Brighton (Cdr.(rtd). C.W.V.T.S. Lepper, RN), HMS St. Marys (Lt.Cdr. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN), HMAS Nepal (Cdr. F.B. Morris, RAN), HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys. RNethN), the escort destroyers Oakley (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN), Catterick (Lt. A. Tyson, RN), and 4 A/S trawlers.

On 1 July 'Force X' was divided into two parts. One part was made up of the four auxiliary minelayers, HMS Sirius, HMS Adventure, HMS Brighton, HMS St. Marys, HMAS Nepal and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes. The other part was made up of the remaining ships of 'Force X'.

'Force X' sailed eastward twice, on 30 June and 2 July, to about position 61°30’N, 01°30’E but was not spotted by the Germans. On 2 July 1942, HMAS Nepal and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes were detached from 'Force X' to proceed to Portsmouth and Liverpool respectively. There they were to undergo post work up repairs before they would join the Eastern Fleet.

First contact with the enemy occurred on 1 July 1942 when escorts from convoy PQ 17 twice attacked German submarines that were spotted on the surface several miles from the convoy. These were U-456 that was depth charged by HMS Ledbury and sustained light damage and U-657 that was depth charged by HMS Ledbury and HMS Leamington, she sustained no damage. That evening convoy PQ 17 also suffered its first attack from the air. Nine torpedo aircraft approached the convoy at about 1800 hours in position 73°30’N, 04°00’E. Some dropped torpedoes but they exploded wide of the convoy. One aircraft was shot down, most likely by the destroyer USS Rowan which was en-route from the cruiser force to the convoy to fuel from the Aldersdale.

The next night the convoy ran into for which persisted until the forenoon of the 3rd. In the afternoon of 2 July, U-255 made a torpedo attack on one of the escorts, HMS Fury, two torpedoes were fire but both missed. Fury then counter attacked with depth charges but U-255 sustained no damage. At more or less the same time U-376 was also depth charged by two or three escorts, she was not damaged. Shortly afterwards U-334 was also depth charged but she also escaped without damage.

On the 3rd several U-Boats were in contact for short periods but three were driven off by the escorts in the afternoon. When the mist cleared shadowing aircraft soon regained contact on the convoy.

By the early morning of the 4th convoy PQ 17 was about 60 nautical miles north of Bear Island where it sustained its first loss. Just before 0500 hours the new American merchant vessel Christopher Newport was torpedoed by a single aircraft. Damage was serious and the ship was finished off by the British submarine HMS P 614 which was part of the convoys escort while the rescue ship Zamalek took off the crew. The ship however remained afloat and was finally finished off by U-457.

In the evening of the 4th German aircraft made a successful attack on the convoy hitting the British merchant vessel Navarino, the American merchant William Hooper and the Russian tanker Azerbaidjan. The Azerbaidjan was able to proceed at 9 knots and in the end reached port. The other two ships had to be sunk, most of their crews were picked up by the rescue vessels. William Hooper in fact remained afloat and was finally finished off by U-334.

The situation was now as follows. Convoy PQ 17 was now about 130 nautical miles north-east of Bear Island and had just come through the heavy air attack remarkably well. The convoy discipline and shooting had been admirable and a substantial toll had been taken on the enemy. Rear-Admiral Hamilton was still covering the convoy with his cruiser force some ten miles to the north-eastward, with orders by the Admiralty to do so until ordered otherwise. Some 350 miles to the westward the main cover force was cruising in the area south-west of Spitzbergen.

Now turning to the Germans. The approval of the Führer to sail the heavy ships to attack the convoy had still not been obtained. The Tirpitz and Admiral Hipper meanwhile had joined the Admiral Scheer at the Alternfjord but noting further could be done without the Führer’s approval.

Meanwhile at the Admiralty it was known that German heavy surface units had gone to sea from Trondheim (battleships Tirpitz and heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper) and Narvik (pocket battleships Lützow and Admiral Scheer) but they had not been detected at sea. Fearing an attack on the convoy by these ships was imminent the convoy was ordered to scatter at 2123/4. Shortly before that the close cover force had been ordered to withdraw to the west as it was obviously no match for the German heavy ships.

The Admiralty decision was conveyed to Rear-Admiral Hamilton in the following three signals;
Most immediate. Cruiser force withdraw to the west at high speed. (2111B/4)
Most immediate. Owning to threat of surface ships, convoy is to disperse and to proceed to Russian ports. (2123B/4)
Most immediate. My 2323B/4. Convoy is to scatter. (2136B/4)
To Rear-Admiral Hamilton these signals could only mean that further information the admiralty had been hoping for had indeed come in and was of such a nature as to render imperative the drastic measures now ordered. Actually the reason for use of high speed by the cruisers was due to the massing of enemy submarines between 11°E and 20°E and the order to scatter was intended merely as a technical amendment of the term disperse that was used in the previous signal. This could not be known by the recipients, and the cumulative effect of these three signals – especially as the last one had a more important marking as the middle one – was to imply that pressing danger was actually upon them. As Commander Broome put it he expected to see the cruisers open fire and the enemy’s mast appear on the horizon at any moment. In this belief he decided to take the destroyers of his escort group to reinforce the cruiser force, and ordered the two submarines to stay near the convoy when it scattered and to try to attack the enemy, while the rest of the escorting ships were to proceed independently to Archangel.

At 2215/4 Commander Broome passed the signal to scatter to Commodore Dowding. The convoy was then in position 75°55’N, 27°52’E. Commander Broome then departed with the destroyers of the close screen to join the cruiser force of Rear-Admiral Hamilton.

Rear-Admiral Hamilton received the Admiralty orders at 2200/4. HMS Norfolk had just flown off her aircraft on an ice patrol. He therefore stood to the eastward for half an hour while attemps were made to recall it but these were without success and at 2230 hours the force turned to a westerly course at 25 knots steering to pass to the southward of the convoy so as to be between it and the probable direction of the enemy. An hour later they passed the merchant vessels which were now on widely divergent courses.

Rear-Admiral Hamilton was much concerned at the effect of the apparent desertion of the merchant ships had on morale. Had he been aware that the Admiralty had no further information of the enemy heavy units then he himself possessed he would have remained in a covering position until the convoy was widely dispersed.

As time went on without further developments Rear-Admiral Hamilton became more and more puzzled as to what have led to the sudden scattering of the convoy. But whatever the reason, the orders for his own force were clear, so he remained his westerly course at 25 knots. Thick fog was encountered soon after midnight, which persisted with brief intervals till 0630/5. Commander Broome, equally mystified by the course of events, soon began to feel that his place was with the merchant ships but he thought Rear-Admiral Hamilton was acting on fuller information then himself. As soon as the fog lifted sufficiently for visual signalling he informed the Rear-Admiral of his last hurried instructions to PQ 17 and requested that they should be amplified or amended as nessesary.

Actually Rear-Admiral Hamilton, who was still under the impression that enemy surface forces were in close proximity, argued that once the convoy had been scattered the enemy would leave it to their air forces and submarines to deal with it (and this was exactly what the Germans did). He feared the enemy surface forces would be ordered to deal with his force and reinforced by Commander Broome’s destroyers he felt that he could fight a delaying action, and had a good chance of leading the enemy within reach of the aircraft of HMS Victorious and possibly the heavy ships of the force of the Commander-in-Chief.

At 0700/5, while in position 75°40’N, 16°00’E, Rear-Admiral Hamilton reduced to 20 knots and at 0930 hours set course for Jan Mayen Island. It was not until that forenoon that the situation as regards the enemy heavy ships was made clear to him. Meanwhile he had to decide what to do with Commander Broome’s destroyers. Accordingly he ordered them to fuel from HMS London and HMS Norfolk. By 1630 hours the fueling of HMS Ledbury, HMS Wilton, USS Rowan and HMS Keppel had been completed. At 1740 hours a German Focke Wulf aircraft made contact and correctly reported the force in position 74°30’N, 07°40’E. Having been located, Rear-Admiral Hamilton broke wireless silence and at 1830/5 informed the Commander-in-Chief of his position, course, speed and the composition of his force. This was the first time the Commander-in-Chief was informed of the fact the Commander Broome’s destroyers with with the force of Rear-Admiral Hamilton, a fact which he regretted.

The Commander-in-Chief, having spent 4 July cruising about 150 nautical miles north-west of Bear Island, had turned to the south-westward in the early morning of the 5th, and was then on his way back to Scapa Flow some 120 nautical miles south-west of the force of Rear-Admiral Hamilton. Shortly afterwards there came news at last of the German heavy ships. The Russian submarine K-21 reported at 1700/5 the Tirpitz, Admiral Scheer and eight destroyers in position 71°25’N, 23°40’E, steering course 045°. She claimed to have hit the Tirpitz with two torpedoes. An hour or so later, at 1816 hours, a reconnoitring aircraft reported eleven strange ships in position 71°31’N, 27°10’E steering 065°, speed 10 knots. And finally HMS P 54 (Lt. C.E. Oxborrow, DSC, RN), at 2029/5 reported the Tirpitz and Admiral Hipper escorted by at least six destroyers and eight aircraft in position 71°30’N, 28°40’E steering a course of 060° at a speed of 22 knots.

Actually the cruise of the German ships was of short duration. Hitler’s permission to lauch the operation had only been obtained in the forenoon of the 5th and the executive order was given at 1137 hours. Rear-Admiral Hamilton’s cruisers were then known to be moving to the westward and Admiral Tovey’s covering force was some 450 miles away from the convoy. It seemed there would be no immediate danger for the German heavy ships provided they could approach the merchant ships unseen and engage them for a time as short as possible. But the Allied sighting reports were intercepted and the Naval Staff calculated that Admiral Tovey would be able to close sufficiently to launch an air attack before they would be able to return to port I they continued operations against the merchant ships after 0100/6. Air and U-boat attacks were meanwhile taking a heavy toll on the convoy and it did not seem that it was worth the risk. At 2132/5 orders were given to abandon the operation. At 2152 hours, while in position 71°38’N, 31°05’E the German ships reversed course and returned to Altafjord.

During the night of 5/6 July the Admiralty made three signals to the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet suggesting that the Tirpitz might be ‘reluctant to go as far as the convoy’ if the battlefleet was sighted steering to the eastward, and that aircraft from HMS Victorious might be able to attack her if she had ben damaged by the Russian submarines. The latter appeared to Admiral Tovey unlikely, for as it seemed certain that the Tirpitz, especially if damaged, would not be sailed down the Norwegian coast until adequate fighter cover and seaward reconnaissance were available. However, arrangements were made for the fleet to reverse its course if the approach of enemy aircraft was detected and at 0645/6 course was altered back to the north-eastward. An hour later an enemy aircraft passed over the fleet above the clouds but endeavours to attract its attention by gunfire and fighters were unsuccessful. That forenoon Rear-Admiral Hamilton’s force joined the fleet at 1040/6. Weather was unsuitable for air reconnaissance and Admiral Tovey felt that nothing was to be gained by continuing to the north-eastward. Rear-Admiral Hamilton’s cruisers and eight destroyers were detached to Seidisfjord at 1230 hours and the battlefleet turned to the southward again shortly afterwards. All ships reached harbour on the 8th.

The last news of the enemy ships came on 7 July, when a British aircraft working from Vaenga, near Murmansk, reported the Tirpitz, Admiral Scheer and Admiral Hipper and some destroyers followed by an oiler from a neighbouring fjord turning out of Lang Fjord in Arnoy (70°N, 20°30’E). By this time the Allied ships were well on their way home but an attempt to attack the enemy was once again made by submarines. Anticipating their return to Narvik, HMS Sturgeon (Lt. M.R.G. Wingfield, RN) and FFS Minerve (Lt. P.M. Sonneville) had been ordered on 6 July to leave the main patrol line and to patrol to the mouth of the Vest Fjord on the 7th and the 8th, one at a time, in case the Tirpitz should pass on the outside of the Lofoten Islands, owning to her heavy draught due to possible damage. Nothing came of this, however, nor of a further patrol carried out by HMS Sturgeon on the night of 9/10 July close inshore some 70 nautical miles north of Trondheim in case of any German ships going to that port.

Now back to the ships of convoy PQ 17. The sudden order to scatter came to Commodore Dowding as an unpleasant surprise. Like Rear-Admiral Hamilton and Commander Broome he did not doubt that it heralded the immediate appearance of enemy heavy ships, and as the escorting destroyers parted company to join the cruisers, he signalled to HMS Keppel ‘Many thanks, goodbye and good hunting’ to which Commander Broome replied ‘It’s a grim business leaving you here’. It was indeed a grim business and the gravity of the situation was clear to all. Weather attack by surface craft developed in a few minutes or by aircraft and submarines during the next few days, the plight of the individual merchant ships – deprived of mutual support of their escort - was parlous in the extreme.

The convoy scattered as laid down in the instructions, in perfect order, though it must have been apparent to the ships that had to turn to the south-west that they were heading towards where the most trouble might be expected. The merchant ships proceeded mostly alone, or in groups of two or three. The anti-aircraft ships HMS Palomares and HMS Pozarica each took charge of a group, each collecting also two or three minesweepers or corvettes to act as a screen. They joined company the next day and proceeded towards Novaya Zemlya. HMS Salamander accompanied two merchantmen and a rescue ship. HMS Daniella was escorting the submarines, HMS P 614 and HMS P 615. She stood them clear of the convoy, when they separated to patrol in its wake, while the corvette went on by itself. At first the different groups spread on courses ranging from north to east, a few steering afterwards for Archangel, most seeking shelter in Novaya Zemlya. But less than half the merchant ships reached even ‘horrid Zembla’s frozen realms’, for 17 in addition to the oiler Aldersdale and the rescue ship Zaafaran were sunk during the next three days by bombing aircraft and U-boats. The bulk of the losses took place on the 5th while the ships were still far to the north, six being sunk by bombs and six were torpedoed by submarines. One ship was bombed on the 6th. Four were torpedoed by U-boats off the south-west coast of Novaya Zemlya between the evening of the 6th and the early morning of the 8th.

By the 7th of July, most of the escort, the rescue ship Zamalek and five merchant ships, the Ocean Freedom, Hoosier, Benjamin Harrison, El Capitan and Samual Chase, had reached Matochkin Strait. Commodore Dowding, whose ship the River Afton had been sunk by a U-boat on the 5th, arrived in HMS Lotus, which had rescued him and 36 survivors, including the Master after 3.5 hours on rafts and floats. After a conference on board HMS Palomares, these merchantmen were formed into a convoy into a convoy and sailed that evening, escorted by the two AA ships, HMS Halcyon, HMS Salamander, HMS Britomart, HMS Poppy, HMS Lotus and HMS La Malouine and three A/S trawlers. The Benjamin Harrison soon got separated in fog and returned to the Matochkin Strait but the remainder were still in company when the fog temporarily cleared during the forenoon of the 8th, and course was shaped to pass east and south of Kolguyev Island. It was an anxious passage, much fog and ice was encountered and U-boats were known to be about. From time to time boatloads of survivors from other ships already sunk were encountered and picked up. A remainder of the fate that might be in store for any of them. During the night of 9-10 July some 40 bombers carried out high level attacks on this small convoy. The attacks lasted for four hours, the Hoosier and El Capitan were sunk by near misses some 60 nautical miles north of Cape Kanin. Four aircraft are believed to have been shot down. The attacks ended at 0230/10 and half an hour later two Russian flying boats appeared. The surviving ships arrived at Archangel the next day, 11 July. Three ships out of thirty-seven were now in port, not a very successful convoy so far. Things were however not that bad as Commodore Dowding thought at that moment. The rescue ship Rathlin with two merchant ships, the Donbass and the Bellingham had arrived on the 9th, having shot down an aircraft the day before, and before long the news of other ships sheltering in Novaya Zemlya came in.

At his special request, Commodore Dowding, despite all he had been through, left Archangel in HMS Poppy on 16 July, in company with HMS Lotus and HMS La Malouine, to form these merchant ships into a convoy and bring them to Archangel. After a stormy passage they arrived at Byelushya Bay on the 19th. There 12 survivors from the merchant Olopana were found. During the day the coast was searched and in the evening the Winston Salem was found agound and later the Empire Tide was found at anchor. The next morning Motochkin Strait was entered and five merchant ships were found at anchor, the Benjamin Harrison, Silver Sword, Troubadour, Ironclad and the Azerbaidjan. A Russian icebreaker (the Murman) was also there as was a Russian trawler (the Kerov). Also, one of the escorts of convoy PQ 17 was found there, the British A/S trawler Ayrshire.

Commodore Dowding wasted no time. A conference was held that forenoon and in the evening all ships sailed, the Commodore leading in the Russian icebreaker Murman. The Empire Tide, which had a lot of survivors from sunken ships aboard joined the convoy early the next day. The Winston Salem was however still aground with two Russian tugs standing by. Much fog was encountered during the passage which was uneventful except for two U-boat alarms. The escort was reinforced by HMS Pozarica, HMS Bramble, HMS Hazard, HMS Leda, HMS Dianella and two Russian destroyers on the 22th. The convoy arrived safe at Archangel on the 24th.

Four days later (on the 28th) the Winston Salem was finally refloated. She managed reached harbour as the last ship of the ill-fated PQ 17 convoy making a total of 11 survivors out of a total of 35 ships. It was realised afterwards by the Admiralty that the decision to scatter the convoy had been premature.

The disastrous passage of convoy PQ 17 tended to throw into the background the fortunes of the westbound convoy, QP 13. This convoy of 35 ships sailed in two parts from Archangel and Murmansk and joined at sea on 28 June under Commodore N.H. Gale. Thick weather prevailed during most of the passage, but the convoy was reported by enemy aircraft on 30 June while still east of Bear Island and again on 2 July. No attacks developed, the enemy focus was on the eastbound convoy. That afternoon the ill-fated convoy PQ 17 was passed.

After an uneventful passage, convoy QP 13 divided off the north-east coast of Iceland on 4 July. Commodore Gale with 16 merchant ships turned south for Loch Ewe while the remaining 9 merchant ships continued round the north coast of Iceland for Reykjavik. At 1900/5 these ships formed into a five column convoy. They were escorted by HMS Niger (SO), HMS Hussar, FFL Roselys, HMS Lady Madeleine and HMS St. Elstan. They were now approaching the north-west corner of Iceland. The weather was overcast, visibility about one mile, wind north-east, force 8, sea rough. No sights had been obtained since 1800/2 and the convoys position was considerably in doubt. At 1910/5 Commander Cubison (C.O. HMS Niger) suggested that the front of the convoy should be reduced to two columns in order to pass between Straumnes and the minefield off the north-west coast of Iceland. This was the first the convoy Commodore had heard of the existence of this minefield. Soon afterwards, Commander Cubison gave his estimated position at 2000/5 as 66°45’N, 22°22’W and suggested altering course 222° for Straumnes Point at that time. This was done. About two hours later, at 2200 hours, HMS Niger which had gone ahead to try to make landfall leaving HMS Hussar as a visual link with the convoy, sighted what she took to be North Cape bearing 150° at a range of one mile and ordered the course of the convoy to be altered to 270°. Actually what HMS Niger sighted was a large iceberg but this was not realised for some time. At 2240/5 HMS Niger blew up and sank with heavy loss of life, including Commander Cubison. Five minutes later a last signal from her, explaining her mistaken landfall and recommending a return to course 222° was handed to the convoy Commodore. But it was too late, already explosions were occurring amongst the merchant ships. The westerly course had led the convoy straight into the minefield. Considerable confusion prevailed, some thinking that a U-boat attack was in progress, other imagining a surface raider. Four ships were sunk, the Heffron, Hybert, Massmar and the Rodina and two were seriously damaged, the John Randolph and the Exterminator. Good rescue work was carried out by the escorts, especially the FFL Roselys which picked up 179 survivors from various ships. Meanwhile HMS Hussar had obtained a shore fix, led out the remaining merchant ships, which reformed on a southerly course for Reykjavik where they arrived without further misadventure.

5 Jul 1942
The British merchant River Afton is torpedoed and sunk north-east of Kola in position 75°57'N, 43°00'E by German U-boat U-703. HMS Lotus (Lt. H.J. Hall, RNR) later picks up 33 survivors.

2 Sep 1942

Operation EV, convoy operations to and from northern Russia, convoy's PQ 18 and QP 14.

Convoy PQ 18 from Loch Ewe to the Kola Inlet and convoy QP 14 from the Kola Inlet to Loch Ewe.

Convoy PQ 18 departed Loch Ewe on 2 September 1942 and arrived in the Kola Inlet on 21 September 1942.

On departure from Loch Ewe it was made up of the following merchant vessels; Africander (Panamanian, 5441 GRT, built 1921), Atheltemplar (British (tanker), 8992 GRT, built 1930), Campfire (American, 5671 GRT, built 1919), Charles R. McCormick (American, 6027 GRT, built 1920), Dan-Y-Bryn (British, 5117 GRT, built 1940), Empire Baffin (British, 6978 GRT, built 1941), Empire Beaumont (British, 7044 GRT, built 1942), Empire Morn (British, 7092 GRT, built 1941), Empire Snow (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941), Empire Stevenson (British, 6209 GRT, built 1941), Empire Trinstram (British, 7167 GRT, built 1942), Esek Hopkins (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Gateway City (American, 5432 GRT, built 1920), Goolistan (British, 5851 GRT, built 1929), Hollywood (American, 5498 GRT, built 1920), John Penn II (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Kentucky (American, 5446 GRT, built 1921), Lafayette (Russian, 5887 GRT, built 1919), Macbeth (Panamanian, 4941 GRT, built 1920), Mary Luckenbach (American, 5049 GRT, built 1919), Meanticut (American, 6061 GRT, built 1921), Nathaniel Greene (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Faith (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Oliver Ellsworth (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Oregonian (American, 4862 GRT, built 1917), Oremar (American, 6854 GRT, built 1919), Patrick Henry (American, 7191 GRT, built 1941), Sahale (American, 5028 GRT, built 1919), San Zotico (British (tanker), 5582 GRT, built 1919), Schoharie (American, 4971 GRT, built 1919), St. Olaf (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Temple Arch (British, 5138 GRT, built 1940), Virginia Dare (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Wacosta (American, 5432 GRT, built 1920), White Clover (Panamanian, 5462 GRT, built 1920) and William Moultrie (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942).

The RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tankers Black Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941) and Grey Ranger (3313 GRT, built 1941) were also part of the convoy. These ships were known as ' Force Q '.

As was the rescue ship Copeland (British, 1526 GRT, built 1923).

The merchant vessel Beauregard (American, 5976 GRT, built 1920) had also sailed with the convoy but soon returned to Loch Ewe with engine trouble.

On departure from Loch Ewe the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Campbell (A/Cdr. E.C. Coats, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Mackay ( Lt. J.B. Marjoribanks, RN), escort destroyers HNoMS Eskdale (Lt.Cdr. S. Storheill), HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN) and the A/S trawlers HMS Arab (T/Lt. F.M. Procter, RCNVR), HMS Duncton (T/Lt. J.P. Kilbee, RNR), HMS Hugh Walpole (T/Lt. J. Mackenzie, RNR), HMS King Sol (Lt. P.A. Read, RNR) and HMS Paynter (Lt. R.H. Nossiter, RANVR).

On 6 September 1942 the escort was reinforced by the destroyers HMS Montrose (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Phipps, OBE, RN), HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) and HMS Walpole (Lt. A.S. Pomeroy, RN) which came from Hvalfjord.

On 7 September 1942 three ships which had taken passage in this convoy arrived at Reykjavik, Iceland, these were the Gateway City, Oremar and San Zotico. Also the five A/S trawlers had parted company with the convoy.

Also on this day eight more merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Reykjavik, these were the; Andre Marti (Russian, 2352 GRT, built 1918), Exford (American, 4969 GRT, built 1919), Komiles (Russian, 3962 GRT, built 1932), Petrovski (Russian, 3771 GRT, built 1921), Richard Bassett (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Stalingrad (Russian, 3559 GRT, built 1931), Sukhona (Russian, 3124 GRT, built 1918) and Tblisi (Russian, 7169 GRT, built 1912).

The Richard Bassett however soon returned to Reykjavik.

Also with this section were three motor minesweepers which were to be transferred to the Russian Navy, these were MMS 90 (Skr. J. Dinwoodie, RNR), MMS 203 ( Skr. J.H. Petherbridge, DSC, RNR) and MMS 212 ( T/Lt. W.J. Walker, RNVR).

These ships were escorted by the destroyers HMS Malcolm (A/Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN), HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy) Lord Teynham, RN), HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. A.H.T. Johns, RN), minesweepers HMS Gleaner (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Hewitt, DSC, RN), HMS Harrier (Cdr. A.D.H. Jay, DSC, RN), corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Bluebell (Lt. G.H. Walker, RNVR), HMS Bryony (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Stewart, DSC, RNR), HMS Camellia (T/Lt. R.F.J. Maberley, RNVR), A/S trawlers HMS Cape Argona (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.R. Pate, RNR), HMS Cape Mariato (T/Lt. H.T.S. Clouston, RNVR), HMS Daneman (T/Lt. G.O.T.D. Henderson, RNVR), HMS St. Kenan (Lt. J. Mackay, RNR) and the AA ships HMS Alynbank (A/Capt.(Retd.) H.F. Nash, RN) and HMS Ulster Queen (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.K. Adam, RN).

When the Reykjavik section joined the convoy the escort destroyers HNoMS Eskdale and HMS Farndale parted company and proceeded to Hvalfjord. HMS Walpole also returned to Hvalfjord with defects as did HMS Amazon. After repairs, HMS Amazon proceeded to Akureyri.

HMS Campbell and HMS Mackay arrived at Hvalfjord on the 9th, having been detached from the convoy escort. They later went on to Akureyri.

Around 0615A/8 the minesweepers HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. W.L. O'Mara, RN) departed Seidisfjord escorting the submarines HMS P 614 (Lt. D.J. Beckley, RN) and HMS P 615 (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN). All three ships joined the convoy shortly after noon on the 9th.

Around 2100A/8, ' Force A ', made up of the destroyers HMS Onslow (Capt H.T. Armstrong, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Ewing, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. M.L. Power, OBE, RN), HMS Ashanti (Cdr. R.G. Onslow, DSO, RN), HMS Eskimo (Cdr. E.G. Le Geyt, RN), HMS Somali (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) departed Akureyri for Spitsbergen where they were to refuel from ' Force P ' (see below).

Around 2145A/8, ' Force B ', made up of the AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Martin (Cdr. C.R.P. Thomson, DSO, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN), HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.deW. Kitcat, RN) and the ' Carrier Force ' made up of the escort carrier HMS Avenger (Cdr. A.P. Colthurst, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Wheatland (Lt.Cdr. R.de.L Brooke, RN) and HMS Wilton (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN) departed Seidisfjord to join the convoy which they did around 2200A/9.

Around 2230A/9, HMS Echo parted company with the convoy to return to Hvalfjord as did HMS Montrose which proceeded to Akureyri. Both destroyers arrived at their destinations on the 10th.

' Force A ', made up of the destroyers HMS Onslow, HMS Offa, HMS Onslaught, HMS Opportune, HMS Ashanti, HMS Eskimo, HMS Somali and HMS Tartar, arrived at Spitsbergen on the 11th, fuelled from ' Force P ' and departed P.M. to join convoy PQ 18 which they did in the morning of the 13th.

Meanwhile HMS Scylla, HMS Milne, HMS Marne, HMS Martin, HMS Meteor and HMS Intrepid parted company with the convoy at 1130A/11 to proceed to Spitsbergen to fuel from ' Force P '. The other destroyers / escort destroyers with the convoy fuelled from ' Force Q '.

HMS Scylla, HMS Milne, HMS Marne, HMS Martin, HMS Meteor and HMS Intrepid completed fuelling in the morning of the 13th and they rejoined the convoy around 1400A/13. The escort was complete then.

Meanwhile the convoy, had been picked up again by German aircraft on the 12th. Also at 2109A/12, the destroyer HMS Faulknor attacked a contact ahead of the convoy with depth charges in position 75°04'N, 04°49'E, this meant the end of the German submarine U-88.

On 13 September the convoy was heavily attacked by the enemy resulting in the loss of ten of the merchant vessels; by U-boat (U-408) Stalingrad and the Oliver Ellsworth and by German aircraft the Wacosta, Oregonian, Macbeth, Africander, Empire Stevenson, Empire Beaumont, John Penn and Sukhona.

On 14 September the German submarine U-457 hit the tanker Atheltemplar. The tanker burst into flames and was abandoned by her crew. HMS Harrier tried to scuttle the tanker with gunfire but failed to do so and she was last seen heavily on fire but still afloat. The capsized wreck was sunk by the German submarine U-408 in the afternoon.

Early in the afternoon the German submarine U-589 was hunted by Swordfish aircraft from HMS Avenger and she was sunk in position 75°40'N, 20°32'E with depth charges by HMS Onslow.

The German airforce also attacked the convoy on this day but concentrated initially on attacking the escort instead of the merchant ships. The HMS Avenger was heavily attacked but she was not hit though she had a lucky escape during a dive bomb attack. Torpedoes fired at her were dropped from long range due to effecive fire from her close escort, the escort destroyers HMS Wheatland and HMS Wilton and the AA ship HMS Ulster Queen which had also come to her aid.

In the afternoon the merchant vessel Mary Luckenbach was torpedoed. She exploded and completely vaporised due to her cargo of 1000 tons of TNT. There were no survivors.

On September 15th, German aircraft could not inflict damage to the convoy though some ships had narrow escapes. The U-boats could be kept at bay by the escorts.

In the early hours of the 16th, the German submarine U-457 tried to attack the convoy but she was depth charged and sunk by HMS Impulsive in position 75°05'N, 43°15'E.

Shortly before noon the destroyers HMS Offa and HMS Opportune conducted depth charge attacks on the German submarines U-255 and U-378 during which the former sustained some damage.

Around 1530A/16, HMS Scylla, HMS Avenger, Milne, Marne, Martin, Meteor, Faulknor, Fury, Impulsive, Intrepid, HMS Onslow, HMS Offa, HMS Onslaught, HMS Opportune, HMS Ashanti, HMS Eskimo, HMS Somali, HMS Tartar, HMS Wheatland, HMS Wilton, HMS Alynbank, HMS P 614 and HMS P 615 parted company with PQ 18 to join the westbound convoy QP 14 (see below) which they did the following morning. The two RFA tankers from ' Force Q ' were also with them.

On September 17th, the Russian destroyers Gremyashchiy, and Sokrushitelny joined the convoy escort.

On September 18th, the Russian destroyers Valerian Kyubishev and Uritsky joined the convoy as did the British minesweepers HMS Britomart (Lt.Cdr. S.S. Stammwitz, RN), HMS Halcyon (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Corbet-Singleton, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Hazard (Lt.(Retd.) G.C. Hocart, RNR), HMS Salamander (Lt. W.R. Muttram, RN) joined the convoy escort. Also on this day the merchant vessel Kentucky was lost due to a German air attack.

The convoy arrived at Archangelsk on 21 September 1941. Some delay having been experienced due to heavy weather on the 19th.

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Convoy QP 14 departed Archangelsk on 13 September 1942 and arrived at Loch Ewe on 26 September 1942.

On departure from Archangelsk it was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alcoa Banner (American, 5035 GRT, built 1919), Bellingham (American, 5345 GRT, built 1920), Benjamin Harrison (American, 2191 GRT, built 1942), Deer Lodge (American, 6187 GRT, built 1919), Empire Tide (British, 6978 GRT, built 1941), Harmatris (British, 5395 GRT, built 1932), Minotaur (American, 4554 GRT, built 1918), Ocean Freedom (British, 7173 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Voice (British, 7174 GRT, built 1941), Samuel Chase (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Silver Sword (British, 4937 GRT, built 1919), Tobruk (Polish, 7048 GRT, built 1942), Troubadour (Panamanian, 6428 GRT, built 1920), West Nilus (American, 5495 GRT, built 1920) and Winston Salem (American, 6223 GRT, built 1920).

The rescue vessels Rathlin (British, 1600 GRT, built 1936) and Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1921) were also part of the convoy.

On departure from Archangelsk the convoy was escorted by the (Russian) destroyer Kuibyshev, Uritski, escort destroyers HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN), minesweepers Britomart, HMS Bramble (Capt. J.H.F. Crombie, DSO, RN), Halcyon, Hazard, HMS Leda (A/Cdr.(Retd.) A.H. Wynne-Edwards, RN), Salamander, HMS Seagull (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Pollock, RN), corvettes HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.G. Rankin, RNR), HMS La Malouine (T/Lt. V.D.H. Bidwell, RNR), HMS Lotus (Lt. H.J. Hall, RNR), HMS Poppy (Lt. N.K. Boyd, RNR), A/S trawlers HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. L.J.A. Gradwell, RNVR), HMS Lord Austin (T/Lt. O.B. Egjar, RNR), HMS Lord Middleton (T/Lt. R.H. Jameson, RNR), HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RD, RNR), and the AA ships HMS Palomares (A/Capt.(rtd.) J.H. Jauncey, RN) and HMS Pozarica (A/Capt.(rtd.) E.D.W. Lawford, RN).

In the morning of the 17th, HMS Scylla, HMS Avenger, Milne, Marne, Martin, Meteor, Faulknor, Fury, Impulsive, Intrepid, HMS Onslow, HMS Offa, HMS Onslaught, HMS Opportune, HMS Ashanti, HMS Eskimo, HMS Somali, HMS Tartar, HMS Wheatland, HMS Wilton, HMS Alynbank, HMS P 614 and HMS P 615 joined the convoy. The two RFA tankers from ' Force Q ' were also with them.

Also on the 17th, the Kuibyshev, Uritski, Britomart, Halcyon, Hazard and Salamander parted company with the convoy to join the escort of convoy PQ 18 (see above).

On the 18th (or early on the 19th ?) the destroyers HMS Fury and HMS Impulsive were detached from the convoy for Spitsbergen. They rejoined the convoy around 1700A/19 having escorted the RFA tanker Oligarch from Spitsbergen to the convoy. The destroyer HMS Worcester was also with them.

On 20 September U-boats began to attack the convoy and the minesweeper HMS Leda was torpedoed and sunk around 0530A/20 by U-435 in position 76°30'N, 05°00'E. She sank around 0700A/20.

Shortly after noon, the submarines HMS P 614 and HMS P 615 also parted company with the convoy to proceed to Lerwick but they first swept astern of the convoy to try to attack shadowing enemy submarines. HMS P 614 attacked U-408 with four torpedoes thinking to have sunk the enemy but this was not the case.

Later that day the merchant vessel Silver Sword was torpedoed and sunk by U-255. The Silver Sword did not sink immediately, her wreck was scuttled by gunfire from the destroyer HMS Worcester.

And finally on the 20th, the destroyer HMS Somali was torpedoed and damaged around 1850A/20 by the U-703. The ship was taken in tow towards Akureyri or Seidisfjord by her sistership HMS Ashanti and screened by HMS Opportune, HMS Eskimo and HMS Intrepid but HMS Somali finally breaking in two around 0230A/24 when the weather conditions had worsened. Both halves sank quickly.

Also on this day, Rear-Admiral Burnett transferred his flag from HMS Scylla to HMS Milne. HMS Scylla, HMS Avenger, HMS Fury, HMS Wheatland and HMS Wilton parted company to proceed to Seidisfjord where they arrived on 22 September. The destroyer HMS Onslaught was detached to escort the staggler Troubadour. They later joined the remainder of ' Force P ' (RFA tanker Blue Ranger, destroyer HMS Windsor and the escort destroyers HMS Cowdray and HMS Oakley) which had departed Spitsbergen. On 22 September they joined HMS Somali under tow by HMS Ashanti and the escorting destroyers HMS Opportune, HMS Eskimo and HMS Intrepid.

Three German submarines were attacked by the A/S escort on 20 September, these were U-378 by a Swordfish aircraft from HMS Avenger, U-212 by HMS Ashanti and finally U-255 by HMS Eskimo. All submarines managed to escape without damage.

On 21 September a Catalina (RAF(Norwegian) 330Sq./Z) attacked the German submarine U-606 but the aircraft is shot down by the enemy.

Early on 22 September, HMS Milne detached from the convoy to proceed to Seidisfjord where she arrived in the evening.

On 22 September the German submarine U-435 again attacked the convoy and managed to sink the merchant vessels Bellingham, Ocean Voyce and the RFA tanker Grey Ranger.

On 23 September, HMS Onslow, HMS Offa, HMS Worcester and the two rescue ships, were detached to Seidisfjord arriving there later on the same day.

Also on 23 September, HMS Scylla, HMS Avenger, HMS Milne, HMS Wheatland and HMS Wilton departed Seidisfjord for Scapa Flow where they arrived on the 24th.

The staggler Troubadour was detached from ' Force P ' on the 24th to proceed to Akureyri.

On 24 September, HMS Marne was detached to proceed to Seidisfjord to land the survivors that she had picked up from the Catalina aircraft that had been shot down on 21 September by U-606. She rejoined the convoy later the same day. HMS Onslow, HMS Offa, HMS Worcester and the two rescue ship left Seidisfjord to rejoin the convoy which they did on the 25th.

On the 25th, HMS Martin was detached to escort the staggler Winston Salem while HMS Ayrshire was detached to Seidisfjord with defects.

Around 2115A/25, HMS Ashanti, HMS Intrepid, HMS Onslaught and HMS Opportune arrived at Scapa Flow. HMS Eskimo arrived around 0700A/26. Following the sinking of Somali they had detached from ' Force P ' on the 24th.

On the 26th, HMS Faulknor, HMS Onslow, HMS Offa, HMS Marne, HMS Meteor, HMS Tartar, HMS Impulsive, HMS Worcester, HMS Blankney, HMS Middleton, HMS Bramble, HMS Seagull and the tankers Oligarch and Black Ranger were detached to Scapa Flow where they arrived on the same day.

The convoy arrived at Loch Ewe on the 26th.

The staggler Winston Salem arrived at Loch Ewe the following day after which HMS Martin proceeded to Scapa Flow arriving around 1930A/27.

' Force P ', Blue Ranger escorted by HMS Windsor, HMS Cowdray and HMS Oakley arrived at Scapa Flow on the 27th.

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To provide cover and support for this convoy four forces were deployed.

' Force P ' was the Spitsbergen refueling force. It was made up of the RFA tankers Blue Ranger (3417 GRT, built 1941) and Oligarch (6894 GRT, built 1918) and departed Scapa Flow on 3 September escorted by the destroyer HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. D.H.F. Hetherington, DSC, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Bramham (Lt. E.F. Baines, RN), HMS Cowdray (Lt.Cdr. C.W. North, RN), and Oakley (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN).

On 4 September the destroyer HMS Worcester (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Juniper, RN), coming from Seidisfjord, Iceland, relieved HMS Bramham which then proceeded to Seidisfjord. She later went on to Akureyri.

' Force P ' arrived at Spitsbergen (Lowe Sound) on 10 September. [For futher movements of ' Force P ' see the text above and below.]

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There was also the ' Cruiser Force ' was was to provide close cover for the convoys during their passage through the most dangerous area. Also two ships of the force were to land stores, personnel and dogs on Spitsbergen (Operation Gearbox II). It was made up of the heavy cruisers HMS Norfolk (Capt. E.G.H. Bellars, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral S.S. Bonham-Carter, CB, CVO, DSO, RN), HMS London (Capt. R.M. Servaes, CBE, RN), HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN), HMS Suffolk (Capt. R. Shelley, CBE, RN), light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN) and the destroyers HMS Echo, HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Bulldog (Cdr. M. Richmond, OBE, DSO, RN). They departed Hvalfjord around 1145Z/14.

Around 1330A/15, they were joined in position 67°40'N, 19°55'W by HMS Amazon coming from Akureyri.

Around 1200A/16, HMS Cumberland and HMS Eclipse were detached for operation Gearbox II.

In the evening of the 16th the destroyers were fuelled by the cruisers. Due to these ships having to be available to intercept and engage German surface forces in case these would come out to attack the convoys the fuel levels in the destroyers were kept as high as possible. HMS Bulldog was fuelled by HMS Norfolk, HMS Echo was fuelled by HMS London, HMS Amazon was fuelled by HMS Suffolk.

At 0600A/17, HMS Eclipse was detached by HMS Cumberland to patrol to seaward while HMS Cumberland went on to Barentsburg. She anchored there around 1420A/17 and the first boat with stores was underway at 1445A/17. At 1900A/17, HMS Eclipse came alongside to fuel. This was completed at 2110A/17 and she got underway. At 2145A/17 weighed and departed Barentsburg to rejoin the other cruisers which she did around 0600A/18.

At 2200A/17, HMS Sheffield parted company with the other cruisers for her part in Operation Gearbox II. She anchored off Barentsburg around 1530A/18 and commenced disembarking. At 1930A/18, HMS Eclipse went alongside to fuel which was completed at 2105A/18. HMS Sheffield and HMS Eclipse departed the fjord around 2130A/18. They rejoined the other ships around 1050A/19.

Meanwhile in the late afternoon / early evening of the 17th, HMS Amazon, HMS Bulldog and HMS Echo were fuelled by ' Force P ' which had come out of the fjords. The destroyers were again topped off by ' Force P ' in the later morning / afternoon of the 18th.

The ' Cruiser Force ' returned to Hvalfjord around 1730Z/22.

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And finally there was the ' Distant Cover / Battlefleet Force '. This force was made up of the battleships HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral B.A. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN, 2nd in Command, Home Fleet), HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.E. Creasy, DSO, RN), light cruiser HMS Jamaica (Capt. J.L. Storey, RN), destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. J.E. Broome, RN), HMS Campbell, HMS Mackay, HMS Montrose and the escort destroyer HMS Bramham. They departed from Akureyri around 1700Z/11 to provide cover for convoy PQ 18. The destroyers had sailed a little earlier presumably to conduct an A/S sweep off the fjord first.

They returned to Akureyri around 0900Z/14 except for HMS Bramham which had been detached to proceed to Hvalfjord.

HMS Anson, HMS Duke of York, HMS Jamaica, HMS Keppel, HMS Campbell, HMS Mackay and HMS Montrose departed again around 0630Z/19 to provide cover for convoy QP 14. The destroyer HMS Broke (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Layard, RN) had meanwhile joined them at Akureyri and sailed with them. Once again the destroyers joined off the fjord presumable having conducted an A/S sweep of the fjord first.

The ' Battlefleet Force ' arrived at Hvalfjord around 2100Z/22.

12 Nov 1942
German U-boat U-660 was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north of Oran, in position 36°07'N, 01°00'W, by depth charges from the British corvettes HMS Lotus (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Hall, DSC, RNR) and HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, RNR).

17 Jan 1943

Convoy JW 52.

This convoy departed Loch Ewe on 17 January 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Atlantic (British, 5414 GRT, built 1939), Cornelius Barnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Dan-Y-Bryn (British, 5117 GRT, built 1940), Delsud (American, 4982 GRT, built 1919), El Oriente (Panamanian, 6012 GRT, built 1910), Empire Baffin (British, 6978 GRT, built 1941), Empire Clarion (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Empire Portia (British, 7058 GRT, built 1942), Empire Snow (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941), Empire Tristram (British, 7167 GRT, built 1942), Gulfwing (American (tanker), 10217 GRT, built 1928), Nicholas Gilman (British, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Faith (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942) and Temple Arch (British, 5138 GRT, built 1940).

The RFA tanker Oligarch (6894 GRT, built 1918) was also with the convoy.

On departure from Loch Ewe, around 1500A/17, the convoy was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Blankney (Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Ledbury (Lt. D.R.N. Murdoch, RN), HMS Middleton (Lt. C.S. Battersby, RN), minesweeper HMS Britomart (Lt.Cdr. S.S. Stammwitz, RN), corvettes HMS Lotus (Lt. H.J. Hall, DSC, RNR), HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, RNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Northern Pride (T/Lt. A.L.F. Bell, RNR) and HMS St. Elstan (Lt. R.M. Roberts, RNR).

Around 1215A/21, the destroyers HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Offa (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. J. Mowlam, DSO, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), ORP Piorun (Cdr. T. Gorazdowski), HMS Beagle (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN) and HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Lee, RN) joined the convoy in position 69°14'N, 03°24'W coming from Seidisfjord which the had around 0700A/21. HMS Blankney, HMS Ledbury and HMS Middleton were detached to Seidisfjord at 1220A/21 where they arrived on 22 January.

Also on 21 January the Empire Baffin was detached from the convoy to proceed to Akureyri where she arrived on 23 January. She was unable to keep up with the convoy.

On 23 January 1943, HMS Bulldog was fuelled by the Oligarch taking 74 tons.

Around 1215A/23, the convoy was sighted by a German reconnaissance aircraft.

Around 1225A/24, in position 73°18'N, 27°40'E, the convoy was attacked by four German HE 115 torpedo bombers. No damage was sustained though HMS Bulldog had to evade and two of the attackers were shot down by AA fire, one by HMS Bulldog and the other by combined fire from HMS Matchless and ships of the convoy.

U-boats were also in contact with the convoy. U 302 was driven off before she could attack around 0434B/24. At 2008B/24, U 622 fired four torpedoes at the convoy but no hits were obtained.

Arounf 0820B/25, U 622 was driven off by air cover. Around 1130A/25, a shadowing aircraft that had just been relieved dropped a bomb before returning home but no damage was inflicted as the bomb fell wide. It was ORP Piorun that was being attacked.

The convoy arrived in the Kola Inlet in the afternoon of the 27th January 1943.

HMS Britomart had towed in by HMS Lotus due to condenser trouble. They were screened by HMS St. Elstan.

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To provide close cover for the convoy ' Force R ' was deployed.

' Force R ', made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Kent (Capt. A.E.M.B. Cunninghame-Graham, RN, flying the flag of Rear Admiral L.H.K. Hamilton, CB, DSO and Bar, RN) and the light cruisers HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) and HMS Bermuda (Capt. T.H. Back, RN) departed Seidisfjord on 21 January.

At 0832B/24, the German submarine U 625 fired four torpedoes at HMS Kent and HMS Bermuda. No hits were obtained. The attack appeared to be unobserved.

' Force R ' arrived in the Kola Inlet around 0300A/26.

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To provide distant cover for the convoy a ' Battleforce ' was deployed.

The ' Battleforce ', which departed Scapa Flow on 21 January, was made up of the battleship HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir B. Fraser, CB, KBE, RN), light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. A.W. Clarke, RN) and the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Montrose (A/Cdr. W.J. Phipps, OBE, RN).

On 22 January the destroyers HMS Queenborough (Cdr. E.P. Hinton, DSO and Bar, MVO, RN), HMS Raider (Lt.Cdr. K.W. Michell, RN), ORP Orkan (Cdr. S. Hryniewiecki) and HMS Echo (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) arrived at Seidisfjord to fuel. They departed later the same day to join the Battleforce which they did around 0700A/17 in approximate position 66°12'N, 11°50'W. The original destroyer screen was then detached. HMS Inglefield and HMS Montrose to Akureyri and HMS Faulknor and HMS Eclipse were to return to Scapa Flow.

Around 1250A/23, the ' Battleforce ' was sighed by a German reconnaissance aircraft.

During the morning of the 24th, HMS Anson fuelled HMS Echo. An attempt by HMS Sheffield to fuel ORP Orkan failed.

Around 0330A/27, the ' Battleforce ' arrived at Akureyri. (1)

1 Mar 1943

Convoy RA 53.

This convoy departed the Kola Inlet on 1 March 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Calobre (Panamanian, 6891 GRT, built 1919), Chester Valley (American, 5078 GRT, built 1919), Cornelius Harnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Dan-Y-Bryn (British, 5117 GRT, built 1940), Delsud (American, 4982 GRT, built 1919), El Oriente (Panamanian, 6012 GRT, built 1910), Empire Archer (British, 7031 GRT, built 1941), Empire Clarion (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Empire Emerald (British, 8032 GRT, built 1941), Empire Snow (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941), Empire Tristram (British, 7167 GRT, built 1942), Executive (American, 4978 GRT, built 1920), Gulfwing (American (tanker), 10217 GRT, built 1928), J.L.M. Curry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Jefferson Myers (American, 7582 GRT, built 1920), John H.B. Latrobe (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Mossovet (Russian, 2981 GRT, built 1935), Nicholas Gilman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Faith (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Oremar (American, 6854 GRT, built 1919), Puerto Rican (American, 6076 GRT, built 1919), Ralph Waldo Emerson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Richard Basset (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Richard Bland (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), San Cipriano (British (tanker), 7966 GRT, built 1937), Temple Arch (British, 5138 GRT, built 1940), Vermont (American, 5670 GRT, built 1919), West Gotomska (American, 5728 GRT, built 1918) and Yorkmar (British, 5612 GRT, built 1919).

The RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) tanker Oligarch (6894 GRT, built 1918) was also part of the convoy.

On departure the close escort was made up of the AA cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN), destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, RN), ORP Orkan (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S. Hryniewiecki), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Obdurate (Lt.Cdr. C.E.L. Sclater, DSO, RN), HMS Obedient (Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN), HMS Faulknor (Capt. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN), HMS Fury (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Eclipse (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Inglefield (Cdr. A.G. West, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSC, RN), HMS Intrepid (Cdr. C.A.de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.C. Brodrick, RN), corvettes HMS Bergamot (Lt. R.T. Horan, RNR), HMS Lotus (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Hall, DSC, RNR), HMS Poppy (Lt. N.K. Boyd, RNR), Starwort and the A/S trawlers HMS Northern Pride (T/Lt. A.L.F. Bell, RNR) and HMS St. Elstan (Lt. R.M. Roberts, RNR).

On the 2nd the convoy was reported by the German submarine U 255 on 2 February 1943 which then commenced shadowing the convoy. Later in the day U 622 and U 629 also made contact with the convoy but were driven off. In the afternoon U 657 also made contact but soon lost it. In the evening the German submarine U 622 was depth charged by some ships of the convoy escort.

Early in the afternoon U 657 was driven off and depth charged but she escaped without damage.

In the late afternoon of 3 March the German submarine U 355 made a torpedo attack on the convoy but no hits were obtained. Following this attack the German submarine was depth charged by HMS Bergamot but she managed to escape without damage.

On 4 March U 255 was twice driven off before she could attack. Early in the day U 622 was detected and depth charged by the escort but she managed to escape without damage. The shortly before noon U 657 and shortly after noon U 355 both had the same experience.

Early on the 5th the convoy was also reported by German air reconnaissance.

In the morning of the 5th the German submarine U 255 made a torpedo attack. The British merchant Executive was sunk and the American merchant Richard Brand was hit and damaged. The torpedo did not explode but went right through the ship making a hole on both sides. The damaged ship was able to remain with the convoy for the moment though.

Around 1400A/5, the convoy was attacked by German Ju.88 aircraft but no damage was done.

On the 6th the destroyer HMS Vivacious (Lt.Cdr. R. Alexander, RN) and escort destroyers HMS Ledbury (Lt. D.R.N. Murdoch, RN), HMS Meynell (Lt. B.M.D. I'Anson, RN) and HMS Pytchley (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) departed Akureyri to join the convoy which they did only on the 9th having been delayed by ice and bad weather. HMS Vivacious had also smashed her Asdic dome while en-route.

Around 1900A/6, the destroyers HMS Faulknor, HMS Eclipse, HMS Impulsive and HMS Opportune parted company with the convoy to proceed to Seidisfjord to fuel. They arrived at Seidisfjord around 2015A/8.

On the 7th, the destroyers HMS Intrepid, HMS Boadicea, HMS Obdurate and HMS Obedient parted company with the convoy to proceed to Seidisfjord to fuel.

Around 0740A/9, HMS Scylla was detached to Akureyri where she arrived around 1140A/10.

In the morning of the 9th, HMS Vivacious, HMS Ledbury, HMS Meynell and HMS Pytchley joined the convoy while HMS Intrepid, HMS Boadicea, HMS Obdurate and HMS Obedient arrived at Seidisfjord to fuel. HMS Ledbury joined a straggler, the Cornelius Harnett to escort her to Seidisfjord where they arrived around 0900A/10.

Also on the 9th the American merchant vessel J.L.M. Curry broke up in heavy weather and sank. Apparently her hull had developed cracks earlier. Her crew was picked up by HMS St. Elstan.

HMS Faulknor, HMS Eclipse, HMS Impulsive and HMS Opportune departed Seidisfjord around 1430A/9 to rejoin the convoy which they did around 1930A/9 in position 66°38'N, 11°24'W.

Around 2220A/9, HMS Eclipse and HMS Impulsive were detached to go to the assistance of the Puerto Rican, a straggler, which had been torpedoed by U 586. They searched the area for the ship but it had sunk in about 15 minutes and no survivors were found. eventually on 12 March one survivor, wearing a survival suit, was picked up from a raft by HMS St. Elstan.

On these destroyers joining, HMS Milne, ORP Orkan, HMS Orwell and HMS Inglefield detached from the convoy to proceed to Akureyri to fuel. They arrived around 1445A/10. Except for HMS Inglefield which turned back and rejoined the convoy around 0248A/10.

Around 0835A/10, HMS Vivacious was detached to Seidisfjord due to fuel shortage.

Around 0940A/10, HMS Meynell and HMS Pytchley were detached to Seidisfjord to fuel.

Besides that, on the 10th, the merchant vessel Richard Bland, which had been damaged earlier, (see above), was again sighted by U 255 after having straggled from the convoy. The submarine now managed to sink her. HMS Eclipse and HMS Impulsive which were about to rejoin the convoy after their fruitless search for survivors of the Puerto Rican were ordered to search for survivors.

Around 2130A/10, HMS Milne and ORP Orkan departed Akureyri to search for stragglers from the convoy. HMS Orwell departed later but was ordered to rejoin the convoy.

The merchant vessel John H.B. Latrobe was towed to Seidisfjord as she had defective steering by the destroyer HMS Oppurtune which had been detached from the convoy around 2050A/10. They were escorted by HMS St. Elstan. They arrived at Seidisfjord around 2100A/11.

HMS Vivacious and HMS Pytchley also departed Seidisfjord and rejoined the convoy around 0600A/11.

Around 1035A/11, HMS Fury was detached to Seidisfjord to fuel. She was ordered to take the Oligarch with her.

Around the same time HMS Bergamot, HMS Lotus and HMS Starwort left the convoy to fuel at Seidisfjord. After doing so they left Seidisfjord later on the 11th to rejoin the convoy.

HMS Poppy also parted company with the convoy, but later then the other corvettes. She too went to Seidisfjord but did not rejoin the convoy afterwards as she was held back, together with the two A/S trawlers to escort the Oligarch.

HMS Boadicea escorting the Cornelius Harnett departed Seidisfjord on the 11th to rejoin the convoy.

Around 1600A/11, HMS Eclipse rejoined the convoy.

Around 2200A/11, HMS Fury rejoined the convoy.

Around 0200A/12, HMS Orwell joined. She had encountered another straggler, the Oremar, en-route.

Around 0400A/12, HMS Meynell joined.

Around 1315A/12, HMS Inglefield, HMS Ledbury, HMS Bergamot, HMS Lotus and HMS Starwort rejoined the convoy. HMS Inglefield however remained briefly with the convoy as she was detached to Scapa Flow almost immediately.

Around 2000A/12, HMS Faulknor, HMS Fury, HMS Eclipse and HMS Orwell were detached to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 1330A/13.

On the 13th, HMS Impulsive arrived at Seidisfjord with survivors and HMS Milne also arrived there having searched for stragglers. ORP Orkan which had also been searching for stragglers proceeded direct to Scapa Flow arriving there on the 15th.

Also on the 13th, HMS Vivacious, HMS Ledbury, HMS Meynell and HMS Pytchley detached from the convoy and proceeded to Scapa Flow where they arrived on the 14th.

Two of the merchant vessels arrived at Loch Ewe on the 13th apparently having proceeded ahead of the convoy.

On the 14th, HMS Boadicea detached from the convoy to proceed to the Clyde where she arrived on the 15th.

and HMS Starwort detached from the convoy and proceeded to Londonderry arriving there on the 15th.

HMS Bergamot detached with the Clyde section of the convoy (5 ships). After having delivered them off the Clyde on the 15th, HMS Bergamot continued on to Liverpool where she arrived later on the 15th.

The Loch Ewe section of the convoy (16 ships) arrived there on the 15th.

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To provide distant cover for this convoy the ' battlefleet ' departed Akureyri around 0600N/2. The ' battlefleet ' was made up of the battleships HMS King George V (Capt. T.E. Halsey, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Admiral J.C. Tovey, KCB, KBE, DSO, RN, C-in-C Home Fleet), HMS Howe (Capt. C.H.L. Woodhouse, CB, RN), light cruiser HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslaught (Cdr. W.H. Selby, RN), HMS Offa (Cdr. R.A. Ewing, DSC, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. E.N.V. Currey, DSC, RN), ORP Piorun (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) T. Gorazdowski), HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC, RN) and HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Burnett, DSC, RN).

They arrived in their covering position to the north of the convoy route on the 4th.

On the 5th they left the covering position for Scapa Flow where they arrived on the 6th minus HMS Glasgow and HMS Forester which had been detached to Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands on the 5th. These two ships arrived there on the 6th. HMS Forester then fuelled from HMS Glasgow and they departed for Scapa Flow later the same day.

HMS Glasgow and HMS Forester arrived at Scapa Flow on the 7th.

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A cruiser, close cover, Force was also deployed. It was known as ' Force R ' and was made up of the light cruiser HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, OBE, RN) and the heavy cruisers HMS Cumberland (Capt. A.H. Maxwell-Hyslop, AM, RN) and HMS Norfolk (Capt. E.G.H. Bellars, RN).

They had departed the Kola Inlet around 1100C/2 and arrived at Seidisfjord around 0700A/7.

After fuelling they departed again around 1615A/8 to continue to provide cover for the convoy.

On the 9th they set course to proceed to Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0500A/11. (2)

4 Apr 1943
HMS H 34 (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Upshur, HNoMS St. Albans (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill, RNorN), HMS Lotus (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Hall, DSC, RD, RNR). (3)

27 May 1943
HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Londonderry with HMS Poppy (T/Lt. D.R.C. Onslow, RNR), HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, DSC, RNR), HMS Lotus (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Hall, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.F. Tognola, RNR) and HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.E.T. Christie, OBE, DSC, RN). (4)

28 May 1943

Towage of AFD 18 from Oban to Oran.

In the late evening of 28 May 1943 the Floating Dock AFD 18 departed Oban for Oran. The dock was being towed by the tug HMS Bustler.

Escort was provided by the sloop HMS Chanticleer (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Bristowe, DSO, RN) and the corvettes HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.F. Tognola, RNR), HMS Lotus (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Hall, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Poppy (T/Lt. D.R.C. Onslow, RNR) and HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, DSC, RNR).

Cover during part of the passage was to be provided by the AA cruiser HMS Charybdis (Capt. G.A.W. Voelcker, RN) which departed Plymouth on 31 May.

The tow experienced difficulties and much delay.

This resulted in that some of the escorts had not enough fuel to reach Gibraltar and on 7 June they were all relieved by the destroyer HMS Boreas (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.E.C.G. Baines, RN) which had departed Gibraltar on 5 June. Later the corvette HMS Cyclamen (?) and the A/S trawlers HMS Huddersfield Town (A/Skr.Lt. J.H. Consadine, DSC, RNR) and HNoMS Molde also joined. These too had departed Gibraltar on 5 June.

AFD 18 towed by HMS Bustler and escorted by HMS Bulldog, HMS Cyclamen, HMS Huddersfield Town and HNoMS Molde finally arrived at Oran on 12 June 1943. HMS Melbreak meanwhile had parted company arriving at Gibraltar on 13 June.

22 Jun 1943
HMS H 32 (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Lotus (Lt. H.J. Hall, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Trent (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Rankin, DSC, RNR) and HMS Fusilier (T/Lt. F.M. Phillips, RNVR). (5)

26 Jun 1943

Convoy KMS 19

This convoy was assembled near Oversay on 26 June 1943.

It was made up of the following transports; Aelbert Cuyp (Dutch, 7086 GRT, built 1942), Atlantic City (British, 5133 GRT, built 1941), Cape Howe (British, 6999 GRT, built 1943), Chertsey (British, 6001 GRT, built 1943), City of Delhi (British, 7443 GRT, built 1925), City of Newcastle (British, 6921 GRT, built 1915), Coxwold (British, 1124 GRT, built 1938), Defender (British, 8078 GRT, built 1915), Empire Archer (British, 7031 GRT, built 1942), Empire Falstaff (British, 7067 GRT, built 1943), Empire Farmer (British, 7049 GRT, built 1943), Empire Florizel (British, 7056 GRT, built 1943), Empire Grange (British, 6981 GRT, built 1943), Empire Nerissa (British, 7096 GRT, built 1942), Empire Newton (British, 7037 GRT, built 1942), Empire Perdita (British, 7028 GRT, built 1943), Fort Charnisay (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Fort Fork (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Grahame (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Fort Howe (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Pembina (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Walsh (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943), Fort Yale (British, 7132 GRT, built 1942), Forthbank (British, 5057 GRT, 1929), Frans van Mieris (Dutch, 7170 GRT, built 1942), Harlesden (British, 7273 GRT, built 1943), Jade (British, 930 GRT, built 1938), Jersey Hart (British, 7275 GRT, built 1943), John Bakke (Norwegian, 4718 GRT, built 1929), Lambrook (British, 7038 GRT, built 1942), Lochee (British, 964 GRT, built 1937), Middlesex Trader (British, 7421 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Vengeance (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Viking (British, 7174 GRT, built 1941), Ocean Virtue (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942) and Pacific Exporter (British, 6734 GRT, built 1928).

Six LST's were also part of the convoy, these were; HMS LST 63 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. V. Elsom, RNR), HMS LST 64 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Mackinnon, RNV), HMS LST 164 (?), HMS LST 198 (?), HMS LST 200 (?) and HMS LST 418 (?).

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Fishguard (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR), destroyer HMS Clare (Lt.Cdr. G.S. Grant, RNR), frigate HMS Dart (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wright, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Bluebell (Lt. G.H. Walker, RNVR), HMS Camellia (T/Lt. R.F.J. Maberley, RNVR), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.F. Tognola, RNR), HMS Lotus (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Hall, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Poppy (T/Lt. D.R.C. Onslow, RNR) and HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, DSC, RNR).

Distant cover for the convoy during part of the voyage when the convoy passed the Bay of Biscay area was provided by the light (AA) cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN).

On passing Gibraltar on the 6th July 1943, the tugs Empire Minnow, Hudson and Weazel joined the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Bone on 9 July 1943.

4 Aug 1943

Convoy GTX 5.

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 4 August 1943.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Avristan (British, 7266 GRT, built 1942), Charles M. Hall (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), City of Lyons (British, 7063 GRT, built 1926), Contractor (British, 6004 GRT, built 1930), Forresbank (British, 5155 GRT, built 1925), Fort Aklavik (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Fort Pine (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), George Shiraz (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Hannis Taylor (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Levernbank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925), Limburg (Dutch, 345 GRT, built 1928), Marit Maersk (Greek (former Danish), 1894 GRT, built 1938), Nurjehan (British, 5424 GRT, built 1923) and Pierre Laclede (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942).

The tugs Empire Ace (British, 274 GRT, built 1942) and Empire Denis (British, 274 GRT, built 1943) were also part of the convoy.

Also taking passage in the convoy were the minesweepers HMS BYMS 11 (T/Lt. L. Hutchinson, RNR), HMS BYMS 14 (T/Lt. E.D.J. Cox, RNR), HMS BYMS 24 (T/A.Skr.Lt. A.H.V. Winfield, RNR) and HMS BYMS 209 (T/Lt. P.H. Shorter, RNR).

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Farndale (Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN), HMS Calpe (Lt.Cdr. H. Kirkwood, DSC, RN), HMS Haydon (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Watkin, RN) and the corvettes HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.F. Tognola, RNR), HMS Lotus (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Hall, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Poppy (T/Lt. D.R.C. Onslow, RNR) and HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, DSC, RNR).

On 5 August 1943, the Pierre Laclede was detached to Oran while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Oran; Argonne (French, 2115 GRT, built 1920), Gulfdisc (American (tanker), 7140 GRT, built 1938), Lawton B. Evans (American, 7197 GRT, built 1943) and Thomas Nelson Page (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

HMS Farndale also made a brief stop at Oran and most likely escorted the ships leaving and joining the conyoy.

On 6 August 1943, the Charles M. Hall, George Shiras, Hannis Taylor as well as the Empire Ace and Empire Denis were detached to Algiers while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Oran; Alexander White (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Atlantic Coast (British, 890 GRT, built 1934), Beacon (American (tanker), 10388 GRT, built 1921), Como (British, 1295 GRT, built 1910), Corvus (Norwegian, 1317 GRT, built 1921), Defender (British, 8078 GRT, built 1915), Henry Middleton (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Iceland (British, 1236 GRT, built 1914), Isaac Coles (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), James Monroe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Lochee (British, 964 GRT, built 1937), Lucretia Mott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Nacella (British (tanker), 8196 GRT, built 1943), Ocean Vigour (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Ousel (British, 1533 GRT, built 1922), Peter J. McGuire (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935), Spero (Norwegian, 3619 GRT, built 1919) and Stephen C. Foster (American, 7196 GRT, built 1943). Also joining from Algiers were the submarine HMS Trespasser (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Favell, RN) and the mooring vessel HMS Moorfly (?).

HMS Haydon and HMS Dianella also made a brief stop at Algiers and most likely escorted the ships leaving and joining the convoy.

On 7 August 1943, the merchant vessel Chateau Latour (French, 1912 GRT, built 1914) joined the convoy off Bougie.

Also on 7 August the Chateau Latour and Como were detached to Philippeville.

When to the west of Bone, the German submarine U-371 attacked the convoy and torpedoed and sank the Contractor.

Also on 7 August the Corvus, Fort Aklavik and Lawton B. Evans were detached to Bone while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Bone; Empire Scout (British, 2185 GRT, built 1936), Gallium (French, 1775 GRT, built 1924), Good Gulf (Panamanian (tanker), 7805 GRT, built 1938), Janine (French, 2345 GRT, built 1918) and Lewant (Polish, 1942 GRT, built 1930).

On 8 August 1943 the following merchant vessels were detached to Bizerta Alexander White, Argonne, Empire Scout, Good Gulf, Henry Middleton, Isaac Coles, James Monroe, Lucretia Mott, Nacella, Peter J. McGuire, Stephen C. Foster and Thomas Nelson Page while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Bizerta; Diloma (British (tanker), 8146 GRT, built 1939), Empire Prospero (British, 6766 GRT, built 1943), Frontenac (Norwegian (tanker), 7350 GRT, built 1928), Ocean Viking (British, 7174 GRT, built 1941) and Ocean Wanderer (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942).

Also on 8 August 1943, the following merchant vessels were detached to Tunis; Gallium, Lochee, Ocean Vigour, Ousel and Spero.

On 9 August 1943, the following merchant vessels arrived at Sousse after having been detached from the convoy; Atlantic Coast and Janine.

On 9 August 1943, the following ships were detached to Malta; Gulfdisc and Iceland as well as HMS BYMS 11, HMS BYMS 14, HMS BYMS 24, HMS BYMS 209 and HMS Moorfly.

The following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Malta; Afghanistan (British, 6992 GRT, built 1940), City of Newcastle (British, 6921 GRT, built 1915), Custodian (British, 5881 GRT, built 1928), Falkefjell (Norwegian (tanker), 7927 GRT, built 1931), Fort Augustus (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Gaspereau (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943) and Forthbank (British, 5057 GRT, 1929).

The following merchant vessel joined the convoy coming from Sicily (Augusta / Syracuse); Benreoch (British, 5818 GRT, built 1921).

The Beacon was detached to Sicily.

The following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Tripoli; Evviva (Norwegian, 1597 GRT, built 1921), Fort Cataraqui (British, 7130 GRT, built 1942), Fort Chambly (British, 7130 GRT, built 1942), Fort Maurepas (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Garoet (Dutch, 7118 GRT, built 1917), Kalarand (British, 1496 GRT, built 1906) and Kola (British, 1538 GRT, built 1924).

The Lewant was detached to Tripoli.

At 1200B/10, HMS Trespasser was detached to proceed to Beirut independently.

On 14 August 1943 the following merchant vessels arrived at Alexandria after having been detached from the convoy; Afghanistan, Benreoch, City of Newcastle, Custodian, Defender, Empire Prospero, Forresbank, Fort Augustus, Fort Chambly, Fort Gaspereau, Fort Maurepas, Forthbank, Kalarand, Kola, Limburg, Ocean Viking and Ocean Wanderer.

Also the following escorts arrived at Alexandria; HMS Farndale, HMS Calpe, HMS Dianella and HMS Lotus.

HMS Haydon proceeded to Haifa.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Port Said on 15 August 1943.

4 Oct 1943
HMS Lotus (Lt. C.S. Thomas, RNR) picked up survivors while on escort duty for convoy UGS.18 Leaving Hampton Roads on the 15th September for Port Said arriving 13th October 1943. Ship SS Fort Fitzgerald bound from New York to Alexandria, the ship was near Cape Tenes, west of Algiers (36deg42N/01deg17E). when she was severely damaged by German aircraft and had to be sunk the following day by one of the escorting destroyers. Several of the crew were killed and survivors dropped off in Algiers. (6)

20 Feb 1944

Convoy JW 57.

This convoy departed Loch Ewe on 20 February 1944.

On departure the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alexander White (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Byron Darnton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Caesar Rodney (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Charles Bulfinch (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Charles M. Schwab (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Daphnella (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1938), Edward Sparrow (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Empire Carpenter (British, 7025 GRT, built 1943), Empire Celia (British, 7025 GRT, built 1943), Empire Nigel (British, 7067 GRT, built 1943), Fort Brule (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort McMurray (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Romaine (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Henry B. Brown (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Henry Lomb (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jefferson Davis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John A. Donald (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John A. Quitman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Langdon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Rudledge (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), John Sharp Williams (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Stevenson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John W. Powell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Woolman (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Joshua W. Alexander (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lord Delaware (American, 7200 GRT, built 1942), Louis D. Brandeis (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Lucerna (British (tanker), 6556 GRT, built 1930), Marie M. Meloney (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Mijdrecht (Dutch (tanker), 7493 GRT, built 1931), Nathan Towson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Nathaniel Alexander (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Ocean Strength (British, 7173 GRT, built 1942), Philip F. Thomas (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Richard M. Johnson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Robert Eden (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Robert J. Collier (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Stevenson Taylor (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Hartley (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and William H. Webb (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

The rescue ship Copeland (British, 1526 GRT, built 1923) and the escort oilers British Valour (British (tanker), 6952 GRT, built 1927) and San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935) were also part of the convoy.

The Russian patrol vessels BO-208, BO-209, BO-211 and minesweepers T-118, T-119 and T-120 were also part of the convoy.

On departure from Loch Ewe the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Keppel (Cdr. I.J. Tyson, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.W. Hawkins, RN), HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), corvettes HMS Bluebell (Lt. G.H. Walker, DSC, RNVR), HMS Burdock (Lt. H.M. Collier, RNR), HMS Camellia (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.H. Lyons, RNVR), HMS Dianella (T/Lt. J.F. Tognola, RNR), HMS Lotus (Lt. C.S. Thomas, RNR), HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. O.B. Medley, RNVR) and the minesweepers Hydra (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.T.J. Wellard, RNR), HMS Loyalty (Lt.Cdr. James Edward Maltby, RNR), Orestes (Lt.Cdr. A.W.R. Adams, RN) and Rattlesnake (Lt.Cdr. A.E. Coles, RD, RNR).

Around 1600A/21, the light cruiser HMS Black Prince (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN), escort carrier HMS Chaser (Capt. H.V.P. McClintock, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, RN) departed Scapa Flow to join the convoy which they did around 1400A/21. HMS Verulam and HMS Vigilant then parted company to refuel at Skaalefjord after which they were to rejoin the convoy which they did on 23 February. HMS Beagle also fuelled at Skaalefjord on 21 February before rejoining the convoy.

On 21 February 1944, HMS Loyalty was detached from the convoy to proceed to Scapa Flow with defects.

On 22 February 1944, 12 Home Fleet destroyers departed Skaalefjord to join the convoy. These were the following; HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Mahratta (Lt.Cdr. E.A.F. Drought, DSC, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Savage (Cdr. M.D.C. Meyrick, DSO, RN), HMS Serapis (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Swift (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Gower, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Leonard, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. the Hon. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN), HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. P. Bekenn, RN). With them was also Support Group B 1 which was made up of the frigate HMS Glenarm (Lt.Cdr. W.R.B. Noall, DSO, RNR), HMS Byron (Lt. K.G.L. Southcombe, RN) and the destroyers HMS Wanderer (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Whinney, DSC, RN) and HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. G.H.D. Williams, RN).

On these ships joining, HMS Hydra, HMS Orestes, HMS Rattlesnake were detached from the convoy to proceed to Skaalefjord. HMS Burdock and HMS Dianella also parted company to proceed to the Clyde and Londonderry respectively.

On 23 February 1944, the convoy is sighted by the German air reconnaissance.

Around 0815A/25, the German submarine U-362 is driven with gunfire by HMS Beagle and HMS Verulam. She is subsequently depth charged by the same destroyers.

Around 0928A/25, the German submarine U-601 is sunk by a British Catalina flying boat (210 Sqn RAF/M) in position 70°26'N, 12°40'E.

Around 2055A/25, the destroyer HMS Mahratta was torpedoed and sunk by the German U-boat U-990 in position 71°12'N, 13°30'E. There were only 16 survivors. The U-boat was subsequently depth charged by HMS Beagle and HMS Vigilant but escaped without damage.

Around 0007A/26, the German submarine U-956 attacked HMS Beagle with a T-5 homing torpedo which missed. Following this attack she was attack with gunfire and depth charges by HMS Serapis and sustained some light damage.

Around 0442A/26, U-990 was depth charged by esoprt vessels but was not damaged.

Around 0750A/26, a Swordfish (816 Sqn FAA/Y) from HMS Chaser attacked the German U-boat U-312. She was not damaged. She was subsequently depth charged by HMS Beagle and HMS Vigilant but again escaped without damage.

Around 0846A/26, the German submarine U-366 attacked the destroyers HMS Beagle and HMS Vigilant with a T-5 homing torpedo which missed. She was subsequently depth charged by these destroyers.

Around 1240A/26, a Swordfish (816 Sqn FAA/F) from HMS Chaser attacked the German U-boat U-315 with rockets. She was lightly damaged. She was subsequently depth charged by escorts but was not damaged.

Around 1416A/26, a Swordfish (816 Sqn FAA/G) from HMS Chaser attacked U-366 which escaped without damage.

Around 1037A/27, U-312 attack escort vessels with a T-5 homing torpedo which missed. She was subsequently depth charged by HMS Beagle and HMS Vigilant but was not damaged.

Around 1058A/27, U-366 attacked HMS Beagle with a T-5 homing torpedo which missed. She was subsequently depth charged by HMS Beagle and HMS Verulam but was not damaged.

Around 1634A/27, U-362 attacked the destroyer HMS Onslaught with a T-5 homing torpedo which missed. She was subsequently depth charged by the destroyer but was not damaged.

On 28 February 1944, the convoy split into two sections. Ten of the merchant vessels split off to proceed to the White Sea escorted by two Russian destroyers and four minesweepers. They arrived off the mouth of the Dvina river on 29 February 1944. The remainder of the convoy had entered to Kola Inlet later on the 28th.

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Cover for the convoy was provided by ' Force 1 ' which was made up of the heavy cruiser HMS Berwick (Capt. N.V. Grace, RN) and the light cruisers HMS Jamaica (Capt. J. Hugh-Hallett, DSO, RN) and ORP Dragon (Kmdr.por. (Cdr.) S.T. Dzienisiewicz). ' Force 1 ' departed Scapa Flow around 0730A/24.

Around 1600A/25, ORP Dragon parted company and returned to Scapa Flow the following day.

HMS Berwick and HMS Jamaica returned to Scapa Flow around 1000A/29.

24 Mar 1944
HrMs O 9 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Lotus (Lt. C.S. Thomas, RNR). (7)

25 Mar 1944
HrMs O 9 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Lotus (Lt. C.S. Thomas, RNR). (7)

27 Mar 1944

Convoy JW 58.

This convoy departed Loch Ewe on 27 March 1944 and arrived in the Kola Inlet on 4 April 1944.

On departure the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Andrew Carnegie (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Arunah S. Abell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Barbara Frietchie (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Benjamin H. Latrobe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Benjamin Schlesinger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Charles Gordon Curtis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Charles Henderson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Dolabella (British, 8142 GRT, built 1939), Edward P. Alexander (American, 7201 GRT, built 1943), Empire Prowess (British, 7058 GRT, built 1943), Fort Columbia (British, 7155 GRT, built 1942), Fort Hall (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943), Fort Kullyspell (British, 7190 GRT, built 1943), Fort Vercheres (British, 7128 GRT, built 1942), Fort Yukon (British, 7153 GRT, built 1943), Francis Scott Key (American, 7191 GRT, built 1941), Francis Vigo (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George Gale (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), George M. Cohan (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George T. Angell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Grace Abbott (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Hawkins Fudske (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Henry Villard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), James Smith (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), John B. Lennon (American, 7198 GRT, built 1943), John Carver (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Davenport (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John McDonogh (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph N. Nocollet (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joshua Thomas (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joyce Kilmer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Julien Poydras (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lacklan (British (tanker), 8670 GRT, built 1929), Morris Hillquit (American, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Nicholas Biddle (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Noreg (Norwegian (tanker), 7605 GRT, built 1931), Pierre S. Dupont (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Thomas Sim Lee (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Townsend Harris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), W.R. Grace (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William D. Byron (American, 7210 GRT, built 1944), William Matson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William McKinley (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), William Moultrie (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), William Pepper (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William S. Thayer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

The rescue vessel Rathlin (British, 1600 GRT, built 1936) was also with the convoy.

On departure from Loch Ewe the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Westcott (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Cowell, DSC, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt.Cdr. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN), HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr J.H. Eaden, DSC and Bar, RN), minesweepers Rattlesnake (Lt.Cdr. A.E. Coles, RD, RNR), Orestes (Lt.Cdr. A.W.R. Adams, RN), HMS Onyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.C.L. Gaussen, RNVR) and the corvettes HMS Bluebell (Lt. G.H. Walker, DSC, RNVR), HMS Honeysuckle (T/Lt. J.A. Wright, RNR), HMS Lotus (Lt. C.S. Thomas, RNR), HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. O.B. Medley, RNVR) and HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, RNR).

On 28 March 1944, the light cruisers HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, flying the flag of flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, CB, RN), USS Milwaukee (T/Capt. C.F. Fielding, USN), escort carriers HMS Activity (Capt. G. Willoughby, RN), HMS Tracker (A/Capt. J.H. Huntley, RN) and the destroyers HMS Venus (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson DSO, RN), HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Serapis (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill) departed Scapa Flow to join the convoy which they did on 29 March.

The sloops HMS Starling (Capt. F.J. Walker, CB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Wild Goose (Lt.Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Whimbrel (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, DSC, RNR), HMS Wren (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR) and HMS Magpie (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Abram, RN) departed Scapa Flow also on 28 March to join the convoy which they too did on 29 March.

On 29 March 1944, the destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Leonard, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. P. Bekenn, RN), HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.W. Hawkins, RN), HMS Keppel (Cdr. I.J. Tyson, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) departed Skaalefiord, Iceland and joined the convoy.

On 29 March 1944, the German submarine U-961 was sunk near the convoy by HMS Starling.

Also on 29 March, two more merchant ships joined the convoy, these were the Gilbert Stuart (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and John T. Holt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) coming from Reykjavik, Iceland. The merchant vessel Eloy Alfaro (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944) had also sailed with them but had to return and proceeded to Seidisfjord before she could join the convoy due to ice damage. She arrived at Seidisfjord on the 30th. These ships were escorted by the frigate HMS Fitzroy (Lt. C.D.C. McNeil, RNVR) and the minesweepers HMS Chamois (T/A/Lt.Cdr. D.P. Richardson, RNVR) and HMS Chance (T/Lt. P.P. Lees, RNVR). These escorts did not join the convoy.

Also on 29 March the minesweepers HMS Rattlesnake, HMS Onyx, HMS Orestes and the corvette HMS Starwort parted company with the convoy. The minesweepers proceeded to Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands arriving there later the same day. HMS Starwort proceeded to Londonderry arriving the on the 30th.

On 30 March four German shadowing aircraft were shot down by fighters from the escort carriers which themselves lost two aircraft.

On 31 March the German submarine U-673 was damaged by HMS Beagle and aircraft from HMS Tracker.

On 2 April two German shadowing aircraft were shot down by fighters from the escort carriers. Also the German submarine U-360 was sunk by Hedgehog attack from HMS Keppel.

On 3 April the German submarine U-288 was sunk by aircraft from the escort carriers.

ON 4 April, the convoy (39 ships) was split into two sections, one proceeded to the Kola Inlet arriving later the same day with the original escort. The other (with 10 ships), with a local escort which joined on this day to the White Sea where it arrived on the 6th. This local escort was made up of the Russian destroyers Gremyashchiy, Razumniy, Razyarenniy and Valerian Kyubishev.

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Distant cover for this convoy was provided by a battleforce known as ' Force 1 ', it departed Scapa Flow around 1200A/30 and was made up of the battleships HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, GCB, KBE, RN), HMS Anson (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO and Bar, RN flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, DSO, CVO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), light cruiser HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslaught (Cdr. the Hon. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN), HMS Javelin (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN), ORP Piorun (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) T. Gorazdowski), HMCS Algonquin (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Piers, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Sioux (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN).

Around 0250A/31, the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Undaunted (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Mackenzie, RD, RNR) and HMS Ursa (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, DSC, RN) joined coming from Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands.

Around 0340A/31, the original destroyer screen were detached to Skaalefjord arriving there later the same day.

On 2 April ' Force 1 ' proceeded to join ' Force 2 ' coming from Scapa Flow for the upcoming Operation Tungsten. (8)

4 Apr 1944
The light cruiser HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, flying the flag of flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, CB, RN), USS Milwaukee (T/Capt. C.F. Fielding, USN), escort carriers HMS Activity (Capt. G. Willoughby, RN), HMS Tracker (A/Capt. J.H. Huntley, RN), destroyers HMS Venus (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson DSO, RN), HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Serapis (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill), HMS Saumarez (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Leonard, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. P. Bekenn, RN), HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.W. Hawkins, RN), HMS Keppel (Cdr. I.J. Tyson, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Westcott (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Cowell, DSC, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt.Cdr. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN), HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr J.H. Eaden, DSC and Bar, RN), sloops HMS Starling (Capt. F.J. Walker, CB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Wild Goose (Lt.Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Whimbrel (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, DSC, RNR), HMS Wren (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR), HMS Magpie (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Abram, RN) and the corvettes HMS Bluebell (Lt. G.H. Walker, DSC, RNVR), HMS Honeysuckle (T/Lt. J.A. Wright, RNR), HMS Lotus (Lt. C.S. Thomas, RNR) and HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. O.B. Medley, RNVR) arrived in the Kola Inlet with convoy JW 58.

28 Apr 1944

Convoy RA 59 / Operation FZ.

This convoy departed the Kola Inlet on 28 April 1944. The passage of this convoy to the U.K. was known as Operation FZ.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Andrew Carnegie (American, 7176 GRT, 1942), Arunah S. Abell (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Benjamin H. Latrobe (American, 7176 GRT, 1942), Benjamin Schlesinger (American, 7176 GRT, 1944), Charles Henderson (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Dolabella (British (tanker), 8142 GRT, built 1939), Edward P. Alexander (American, 7201 GRT, 1942), Fort Brule (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Fort Columbia (British, 7155 GRT, built 1942), Fort Hall (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943), Fort Kullyspell (British, 7190 GRT, built 1943), Fort Yukon (British, 7153 GRT, built 1943), Francis Scott Key (American, 7191 GRT, 1941), Francis Vigo (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), George Gale (American, 7176 GRT, 1942), George M. Cohan (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), George T. Angell (American, 7176 GRT, 1944), Gilbert Stuart (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Grace Abbott (American, 7191 GRT, 1942), Hawkins Fudske (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Henry Villard (American, 7176 GRT, 1942), James Smith (American, 7181 GRT, 1942), John B. Lennon (American, 7198 GRT, 1943), John Carver (American, 7176 GRT, 1942), John Davenport (American, 7176 GRT, 1942), John McDonogh (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), John T. Holt (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Joseph N. Licollet (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Joshua Thomas (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Joyce Kilmer (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Julien Poydras (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Lapland (British, 2897 GRT, built 1942), Morris Hillquit (American, 7210 GRT, 1944), Nicholas Biddle (American, 7191 GRT, 1943), Noreg (Norwegian (tanker), 7605 GRT, built 1931), Pierre S. DuPont (American, 7176 GRT, 1942), Robert Eden (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Thomas Sim Lee (American, 7191 GRT, 1942), Townsend Harris (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), William D. Byron (American, 7210 GRT, 1943), William Matson (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), William McKinley (American, 7200 GRT, 1943), William Moultrie (American, 7177 GRT, 1942), William Pepper (American, 7176 GRT, 1943) and William S. Thayer (American, 7176 GRT, 1943).

On departure from the Kola Inlet the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. McGrigor, CB, DSO, RN), escort carriers HMS Activity (Capt. G. Willoughby, RN), HMS Fencer (A/Capt. W.W.R. Bentinck, OBE, RN), destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. M. Richmond, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Ulysses (Lt.Cdr. R.J. Hanson, DSO, DSC, RN), HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN), HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, RN), HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr J.H. Eaden, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.W. Hawkins, RN), HMS Keppel (Cdr. I.J. Tyson, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Westcott (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Cowell, DSC, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt.Cdr. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN), frigates HMCS Cape Breton (T/Lt.Cdr. A.M. McLarnon, RCNR), HMCS Grou (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.G. Dupont, RCNR), HMCS Outremont (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H. Freeland, DSO, RCNR) and HMCS Waskesiu (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Fraser, RCNR) and the corvette HMS Lotus (Lt. C.S. Thomas, RNR).

The Russian destroyers Gremyashchiy, Razyarenniy, minesweepers T 112, T 114, T 119 and the patrol vessels BO 201, BO 204, BO 205, BO 207, BO 209 and BO 212 were also with the convoy but later returned.

Not long after departure the convoy was sighted by the German air reconnaissance. The German U-boats U-277, U-278, U-307, U-313, U-315, U-354, U-387, U-636, U-674, U-711, U-739 and U-959 were waiting for the convoy in two patrol lines.

Around 0015B/30, U-739 was attack with gunfire and subsequently depth charges while trying to close the convoy.

Around 1956B/30, the William S. Thayer was torpedoed and sunk by U-307 which was subsequently depth charged by HMS Milne and HMS Beagle but escaped without damage.

Around 2013B/30, U-636 was depth charged by HMS Boadicea and sustained damage resulting in her being forced to abandon her patrol.

Around 2124B/30, U-387 fired a T-5 torpedo at one of the escorts but it did not hit the target.

Around 2138B/30, U-387 fired another T-5 torpedo at one of the escort but it did not hit the target. Following this attack she was depth charged by HMCS Waskesiu but escaped without damage.

Around 2156B/30, a Swordfish aircraft ('F' from 842 Squadron FAA, from HMS Fencer) tried to attack U-315 but was driven off by AA fire.

Around 2206B/30, U-711 fired a T-5 torpedo at one of the escorts but it did not hit the target.

Around 2212B/30, U-711 fired a torpedo at one of the merchant vessels but it did not hit the target.

Around 2245B/30, U-387 fired another T-5 torpedo at one of the escorts but it did not hit the target.

Around 2347B/30, U-387 fired another T-5 torpedo at one of the escorts but it did not hit the target.

Around 0013B/1, U-711 attacked the convoy with one torpedoes which missed.

Around 0041B/1, U-387 attacked the convoy with two torpedoes which both missed.

Around 0247B/1, U-277 was sunk by a Swordfish aircraft ('C' from 842 Squadron FAA, from HMS Fencer) in position 73°24'N, 15°32'E.

Around 0404B/1, U-387 was detected and attacked by a Swordfish aircraft ('H' from 842 Squadron FAA, from HMS Fencer). The submarine was not damaged by the two bombs that were dropped by the aircraft.

Around 0445B/1, U-354 was detected and attacked by a Swordfish aircraft ('F' from 819 Squadron FAA, from HMS Activity). The submarine made a crash dive and escaped undamaged.

Around 0947B/1, U-278 fired a torpedo at one of the merchant vessels but it did not hit the target.

Around 1140B/1, a Wildcat fighter from HMS Activity (from 833 Squadron FAA) shot down a German BV 138 reconnaissance aircraft.

Around 1206B/1, U-278 fired another T-5 torpedo at two of the escorts but it did not hit either of them. Following this attack she was depth charged by HMCS Cape Breton during which some damage was sustained.

Around 1640B/1, U-307 fired a T-5 torpedo at one of the escorts but it did not hit the target.

Around 1715B/1, U-307 was detected and depth charged by HMCS Cape Breton and HMCS Outremont. She was able to escape undamaged.

Around 2230B/1, U-307 fired a T-5 torpedo at one of the escorts but it did not hit the target.

Around 2330B/1, U-307 was detected and depth charged by HMS Westcott and HMS Wrestler. She was able to escape undamaged.

On 1 May 1944, U-959, which was lost the following day, reported having made two torpedo attacks with T-5 torpedoes on escort vessels which both missed.

Around 0247B/2, U-674 was sunk with rockets by a Swordfish aircraft ('B' from 842 Squadron FAA, from HMS Fencer) in position 70°32'N, 04°37'E.

Around 1030B/2, U-307 fired a T-5 torpedo at one of the escorts but it did not hit the target.

Around 1137B/2, U-387 was detected and attacked by a Swordfish aircraft ('A' from 842 Squadron FAA, from HMS Fencer). The submarine was not damaged by the bombs / depth charges that were dropped by the aircraft.

Around 1351B/2, U-711 fired a T-5 torpedo at one of the escorts but it did not hit the target.

Around 1645B/2, U-959 was sunk by depth charges from a Swordfish aircraft ('K' from 842 Squadron FAA, from HMS Fencer) in position 69°20'N, 00°20'W.

Around 1753B/2, U-307 was detected and attacked by a Swordfish aircraft ('H' from 842 Squadron FAA, from HMS Fencer). The submarine was not damaged by the rockets hat were fired by the aircraft. Shortly afterwards U-307 was depth charged by one of the escorts but she was again not damaged.

Around 0332/3, U-278 was detected and attacked by two Swordfish and one Wildcat aircraft (all from 842 Squadron FAA, from HMS Fencer). She shot down the Wildcat and was then able to escape through crash diving.

Around 0811B/3, U-387 was detected and attacked by a Swordfish aircraft ('G' from 842 Squadron FAA, from HMS Fencer). The submarine was not damaged by the six rockets hat were fired by the aircraft.

Around 1100B/3, U-387 was detected and attacked by a Swordfish aircraft ('G' from 842 Squadron FAA, from HMS Fencer). The submarine was not damaged by the six rockets that were fired by the aircraft.

Around 1100B/3, U-711 was detected and attacked by a Swordfish aircraft ('K' from 842 Squadron FAA, from HMS Fencer). The aircraft was driven off by AA fire from the U-boat.

Around 1124B/3, U-711 was detected at periscope depth and attacked by a Swordfish aircraft ('B' from 842 Squadron FAA, from HMS Fencer). The submarine was not damaged by the two rockets that were fired by the aircraft.

Around 2230B/3, HMS Fencer, with Russian and American naval personnel on board, parted company to proceed to the Clyde. She was escorted by HMS Walker, HMS Whitehall and HMS Boadicea. They arrived at Greenock around around 1900B/5.

At the same time HMS Diadem, with American naval personnel on board, parted company to proceed to the Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Ulysses, HMS Verulam and HMS Virago. They arrived at Scapa Flow around 1500B/4.

Around 1300B/4, HMS Activity, with American naval personnel on board, parted company to proceed to the Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Milne, HMS Marne, HMS Matchless, HMS Meteor and HMS Musketeer. They arrived at Scapa Flow around 0600B/5.

On 6 May 1944, the convoy split to proceed to several destinations on the west coast of the U.K. with most ships arriving at their destinations the following day.

Also on 6 May 1944, HMS Keppel, HMS Westcott, HMS Wrestler, HMS Beagle and HMS Inconstant were detached from the convoy and they arrived in the Clyde later the same day.

Also on 6 May 1944, HMCS Cape Breton, HMCS Grou, HMCS Outremont and HMCS Waskesiu were detached from the convoy and they arrived at Londonderry the following day.

8 Dec 1944
HMS Vitality (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Campbeltown with HMS Tintagel Castle (Lt. R. Atkinson, DSC and Bar, RNR), HMS Poppy (Lt. H. Roach, RNR) and HMS Lotus (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.B. Bald, MBE, RNVR). (9)

4 Mar 1945
Around 1700A/4, HMS Battler (A/Capt. H. Norman, RN) departed Liverpool for Greenock where arrived around 1115A/5. She was escorted by HMS Lotus (T/Lt. T.S. Cox, RNVR).

HMS Battler was to join the carrier training group based in the Clyde area. (10)

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. (11)