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1 Mar 1941

Convoy HX 112.

This convoy departed Halifax on 1 March 1941 for the U.K.

On departure from Halifax it was made up of the following merchant vessels; Ahamo (British, 8621 GRT, built 1926), Auris (British (tanker), 8030 GRT, built 1935), Bic Island (Canadian, 4000 GRT, built 1917), Black Condor (British, 5358 GRT, built 1921), Bonde (Norwegian, 1570 GRT, built 1936), Chaucer (British, 5792 GRT, built 1929), City of Oxford (British, 2759 GRT, built 1926), Dalcross (British, 4557 GRT, built 1930), Everleigh (British, 5222 GRT, built 1930), Ferm (British (tanker), 6593 GRT, built 1933), Gloucester City (British, 3071 GRT, built 1919), J.B. White (British, 7375 GRT, built 1919), Korshamn (British, 6673 GRT, built 1920), Lancaster Castle (British, 5172 GRT, built 1937), Lima (Swedish, 3762 GRT, built 1918), Margarita Chandris (Greek, 5401 GRT, built 1920), Mosli (Norwegian (tanker), 8291 GRT, built 1935), Mount Kassion (Greek, 7914 GRT, built 1918), Norefjord (Norwegian, 3082 GRT, built 1920), Reynolds (British, 5113 GRT, built 1927), Silvercedar (British, 4354 GRT, built 1924), Stad Haarlem (Dutch, 4518 GRT, built 1929), Tortu Guero (British, 5285 GRT, built 1921), Trekieve (British, 5244 GRT, built 1919), Venetia (British, 5728 GRT, built 1927) and Westland (Dutch, 5888 GRT, built 1931).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura (A/Capt.(Retd.) H.T.W. Pawsey, OBE, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Bittersweet (A/Lt.Cdr. J.A. Woods, RCNR) and HMCS Fennel (Lt. J.N. Smith, RCNR). The corvettes were however soon detached to return to Halifax.

In the morning of 4 March the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. A.J.L. Phillips, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.F. Wake-Walker CB, OBE, RN) was sighted which provided close cover for the convoy until the morning of 15 March.

In the morning of 5 March 1941, Convoy BHX 112, coming from Bermuda, merged with Convoy HX 112. so the following merchant vessels joined; Beduin (Norwegian (tanker), 8136 GRT, built 1936), British Commodore (British (tanker), 6865 GRT, built 1923), British Sincerity (British (tanker), 8538 GRT, built 1939), Cistula (Dutch (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939), Diloma (British (tanker), 8146 GRT, built 1939), Elona (British (tanker), 6192 GRT, built 1936), Erodona (British (tanker), 6207 GRT, built 1937), Franche-Comte (British (tanker), 9314 GRT, built 1936), Ixion (British, 10263 GRT, built 1912), Katendrecht (Dutch (tanker), 5099 GRT, built 1925), Ocana (British (tanker), 6256 GRT, built 1938), Oilreliance (British (tanker), 5666 GRT, built 1929), Robert F. Hand (British (tanker), 12197 GRT, built 1933), San Cipriano (British (tanker), 7966 GRT, built 1937), Traveller (British, 3963 GRT, built 1922) and Winamac (British (tanker), 8621 GRT, built 1926). Their escort, the armed merchant cruiser HMS California (Capt. C.J. Pope, RAN), then parted company.

At 1620N/14, in position 61°00'N, 24°40'W, HMS Ranpura parted company with the convoy.

At 0720Z/15, HMS Norfolk parted company with the convoy.

Around 1250Z/15, in position 61°01'N, 20°48'W, the destroyers HMS Walker (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN) HMS Vanoc (Lt.Cdr. J.G.W. Deneys, RN), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), HMS Scimitar (Lt. R.D. Franks, OBE, RN), escort destroyer HMS Viceroy (Lt.Cdr. D.P. Trentham, RN) and the corvettes HMS Bluebell (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Sherwood, RNR) and HMS Hydrangea (Lt. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR) joined the convoy. HMS Viceroy was however soon detached while the destroyer HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) also joined (or early on the 16th).

During the night of 15/16 March the German submarine U-110 sighted the convoy and then attacked it damaging the tanker Erodona. Following this attack she was depth charged by HMS Volunteer and HMS Vanoc but she managed to escape without damage. Later that night U-110 made another attack but her torpedoes all missed.

During the night of 16/17 March the German submarine U-99 attacked the convoy resulting in the loss of the following ships; Venetia, Ferm, J.B. White, Korshamn, Beduin. The Franche Comté was damaged during these attacks.

Following these attacks the escorts encountered U-99's sister boat U-100. HMS Scimitar depth charged her causing damage. The U-boat than surfaced and was then rammed and sunk by HMS Vanoc. Six survivors were picked up from the enemy submarine.

Shortly afterwards U-99 was depth charged by HMS Walker. The U-boat was damaged and had to surface. HMS Walker was able to pick up 40 survivors from the U-boat including it's famous Commanding Officer Otto Kretschmer.

On the 18th, HMS Bluebell was detached.

On the 19th, HMS Walker, HMS Sardonyx and HMS Scimitar were detached.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on the 20th.

15 Nov 1941
HMCS Bittersweet (A/Lt.Cdr. J.A. Woods, RCNR) picks up 11 survivors from the British merchant Larpool that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-208 about 150 nautical miles east-south-east of Cape Race on 2 November.

22 Mar 1942
HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Reading (Lt.Cdr. D.V. Clift, RN), HMS Richmond (Lt.Cdr. A.F.L. Evans, RN), HMCS Bittersweet (A/Lt.Cdr. J.A. Woods, RCNR) and HMCS Chilliwack (T/Lt. L.L. Foxall, RCNR). (1)

28 Aug 1942
HMS H 43 (Lt. J.C.Y. Roxburgh, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Babbitt, HMCS Bittersweet (A/Lt.Cdr. J.A. Woods, RCNR) and aircraft. (2)

23 Jan 1943
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMS Burnham (Lt.Cdr. T. Taylor, DSC, RN) and HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Waterhouse, DSO, RN). (3)

7 May 1943

Convoy HX 238.

This convoy departed New York on 7 May 1943.

It was made up of the following transports / tankers; Atlanta City (American, 5686 GRT, built 1921), Basil (British, 4913 GRT, built 1928), Bernard N. Baker (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Bralanta (Norwegian (tanker), 9608 GRT, built 1936), British Fidelity (British (tanker), 8465 GRT, built 1938), Cyrus Field (British (cable ship), 1288 GRT, built 1924), Daphnella (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1938), Edward N. Hurley (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Edwin M. Stanton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Egero (Norwegian (tanker), 7590 GRT, built 1929), Elizabeth Bakke (Norwegian, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Elmer A. Sperry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Empire Nugget (British (tanker), 9807 GRT, built 1942), Evita (Norwegian (tanker), 6346 GRT, built 1927), Fort Acton (British, 7122 GRT, built 1942), Franz Klasen (Panamanian (tanker), 11194 GRT, built 1932), Glenogle (British, 9513 GRT, built 1920), Kaldfonn (Norwegian (tanker), 9931 GRT, built 1936), Levernbank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925), Lista (British, 3671 GRT, built 1920), Miralda (British (tanker), 8013 GRT, built 1936), Montevideo (Norwegian, 4639 GRT, built 1928), Morgenen (Norwegian (tanker), 7093 GRT, built 1930), Noesaniwi (Dutch, 6737 GRT, built 1936), Norvinn (Panamanian, 6322 GRT, built 1930), O.B. Sorensen (Norwegian (tanker), 7919 GRT, built 1931), Pan-Maryland (American (tanker), 7701 GRT, built 1938), Philipp Barbour (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Ralph Waldo Emerson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Robert E. Peary (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935), Southern Sun (American (tanker), 8893 GRT, built 1931) and William J. Worth (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

The escort carrier HMS Fencer (Capt. E.W. Anstice, RN), carrying new aircraft was also part of the convoy. She was not able to operate aircraft.

On departure from New York the convoy was escorted by the corvettes HMCS Lethbridge (T/Lt.Cdr. W. Woods, RCNR), HMCS Oakville (T/Lt. H. Farncomb, RCNVR) and the minesweeper HMCS Brockville (Lt. R.C. Chenoweth, RCNVR).

On 9 May 1943, the following merchant vessels departed Halifax to join the convoy Aedanus Burke (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Alcedo (Panamanian, 1392 GRT, built 1937), Argolicos (Greek, 4786 GRT, built 1921), Bruarfoss (Icelandic, 1580 GRT, built 1927), Cavina (British, 6907 GRT, 1924), City of Glasgow (British, 5321 GRT, 1920), City of Kimberley (British, 6169 GRT, built 1925), Emma Willard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Fort Abitibi (British, 7122 GRT, built 1942), Manchester Commerce (British, 5343 GRT, built 1925), Tjisalak (Dutch, 5787 GRT, built 1917) and Troubadour (Norwegian, 5808 GRT, built 1920).

They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Chelsea (Lt.Cdr. J.E.R. Wilford, RNR) and the corvettes HMCS Shawinigan (T/Lt. C.P. Balfry, RCNR), HMCS Sudbury (T/Lt. D.S. Martin, RCNR) and the minesweeper HMCS Milltown (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Marshall, RCNVR).

On these ships from Halifax joining, most likely on 10 May, the Cyrus Field parted company with the convoy to proceed, with the original escort, to Halifax where they arrived on 11 May 1943.

On 12 May 1943, the merchant vessels Stephen A. Douglas (American, 7219 GRT, built 1942) and Wendell Phillips (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) sailed from St.John's, Newfoundland to join the convoy.

They were escorted by the destroyers HMCS Skeena (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN), corvettes HMCS Algoma (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Harding, RCNR), HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMCS Eyebright (T/Lt. H.L. Quinn, RCNVR), HMCS Galt (T/Lt. A.M. Kirkpatrick, RCNVR), HMCS Mayflower (Lt. V. Browne, RCNR), HMCS Pictou (T/Lt. P.T. Byers, RCNR) and the A/S trawler HMS Northern Sun (T/Lt. W.G.N. Aplin, RNR). The rescue tug HMS Samsonia was also with them. They joined the convoy on 13 May 1943. On these ship joining HMS Chelsea, HMCS Shawinigan, HMCS Sudbury and HMCS Milltown were detached to proceed to St. John's.

On the 14th the destroyer HMS Burnham (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN) and corvette HMCS La Malbaie (T/Lt. J.S. Davis, RCNVR) departed St. John's to overtake and join the convoy.

Around 0415A/20, HMS Fencer and HMCS Skeena to proceed to Belfast and Londonderry respectively.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 21/22 May 1943.

31 May 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Northern Sky (T/Lt. O.B. Egjar, RNR), HMCS Pictou (T/Lt. P.T. Byers, RCNR), HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR) and HMCS Eyebright (T/Lt. H.L. Quinn, RCNVR). (4)

1 Jun 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. J.A. Spender, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS La Malbaie (T/Lt. J.S. Davis, RCNVR), HMCS Mayflower (Lt. V. Browne, RCNR) and HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR). (5)

8 Jul 1943
HMS H 32 (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Fame (Cdr. R. Heathcote, DSO, RN), HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Landguard (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) T.S.L. Fox-Pitt, RN), HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMCS Mayflower (Lt. V. Browne, RCNR) and HMCS La Malbaie (T/Lt. J.S. Davis, RCNVR). (6)

18 Aug 1943
HMS P 511 (Lt. R.H. Bull, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMCS Pictou (T/Lt. P.T. Byers, RCNR), HMCS Saskatchewan (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN) and HMCS Mayflower (Lt. V. Browne, RCNR). (7)

19 Aug 1943
HMS H 32 (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Pictou (T/Lt. P.T. Byers, RCNR), HMCS Bittersweet (T/Lt. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMCS Saskatchewan (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN) and HMCS Mayflower (Lt. V. Browne, RCNR). (8)

8 Mar 1944
HMS H 34 (Lt. R.L. Jay, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Prince Rupert (T/Lt.Cdr. R.W. Draney, RCNR), HMCS Napanee (T/Lt. S. Henderson, RCNR), HMCS Saskatchewan (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN), HMCS Bittersweet (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMCS Waskesiu (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Fraser, RCNR) and HMCS Outremont (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H. Freeland, DSO, RCNR). (9)

12 Apr 1944
HrMs O 9 (Lt. R.W. van Lynden, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMCS Bittersweet (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMCS La Malbaie (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.S. Davis, RCNVR), HMCS Prince Rupert (T/Lt.Cdr. R.W. Draney, RCNR), HMCS Saskatchewan (T/Lt.Cdr. A.H. Easton, DSC, RCNR), HMCS Eyebright (T/Lt. H.L. Quinn, RCNVR), HMCS Napanee (T/Lt. S. Henderson, RCNR) and HMCS Forrest Hill (T/Lt. E.U. Jones, RCNVR). (10)

13 Apr 1944
HMS H 28 (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Bittersweet (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.B. Brooks-Hill, RCNVR), HMCS Napanee (T/Lt. S. Henderson, RCNR), HMCS Saskatchewan (T/Lt.Cdr. A.H. Easton, DSC, RCNR), HMCS Prince Rupert (T/Lt.Cdr. R.W. Draney, RCNR), HMS Bickerton (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO and 2 Bars, RN) and HMS Kempthorne (Lt.Cdr. A. Brown, RD, RNR) (11)

10 Feb 1945
HMCS Bittersweet (Skr./Lt. F.C. Smith, RCNR) completed a refit at Halifax, Nova Scotia.

13 Mar 1945
HMS Upright (Lt. J.A.L. Wilkinson, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Bermuda with HMCS Bittersweet (Skr.Lt. F.C. Smith, RCNR). (12)

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