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ADMIRALTY WAR DIARIES of WORLD WAR 2

 

WEST AFRICA COMMAND, FREETOWN - April to December 1942

 

Transcribed by Don Kindell

HMS Archer, escort carrier, in Freetown on 3rd April 1942
(Ships Photos, click to enlarge)

on to West Africa, January to April 1943
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(for more ship information, go to Naval History Homepage and type name in Site Search)

 

West Africa area, September 1939 to March 1942

 

 

 
 

Areas of Operations (click to enlarge). Only some locations in text are shown

 

Click for Convoy Route Codes, Operation Code Names and Royal Navy  Minelaying


 

ADM199/647

 

Rear Admiral F.H. Pegram, DSO (Flag Officer in Charge, West Africa)

 

 

Enclosure No. 1

 

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE, WEST AFRICA

 

WAR DIARY – MARCH 1942

 

 

Part 1 – OPERATIONS

 

Wednesday, 11th March (n.b. see second entry below).

 

H.M.S. CANTON – H.M.S. PRETORIA CASTLE patrolling H.34 with the object of intercepting S.S. MONTE GORBEA and sending her in under armed guard for examination.

 

I hoisted my flag in H.M.S. EDINBURGH CASTLE with the designation of Flag Officer in Charge, West Africa allocated by Admiralty message timed 2114A/13th March 1942.

 

Thursday, 12th March

 

Convoy O.S. 30 (corrected in ink, as O.S. 20, verified through Hague Convoy Database)(12 ships) arrived at Freetown escorted by H.M.S. BOREAS, H.M.S. SNOWDROP, and H.M.S. AUBRETIA.

 

PRETORIA CASTLE intercepted and boarded S.S. MONTE GORBEA in position 08-52N, 26-00W, as a result of a sighted from CANTON's aircraft, and proceeded to escort her to Bathurst. CANTON parted company to patrol in H.34 (d) for the protection of shipping.

 

Friday, 13th March

 

H.M.S. DESPATCH arrived at Freetown.

 

Saturday, 14th March

 

Convoy S.L. 103 (36 ships), escorted by H.M.S. WIVERN, H.M.S. WALLFLOWER, H.M.S. TAMARISK, H.M.S. BURDOCK, and H.M.S. AUBRETIA sailed from Freetown.

 

Sunday, 15th March

 

PRETORIA CASTLE escorting S.S. MONTE GORBEA, arrived at Bathurst.

 

Monday, 16th March

 

H.M.S. ASTURIAS, wearing the flag of Commander in Chief, South Atlantic, sailed for Simonstown escorted by BOREAS; upon which I transferred my flag ashore. BOREAS subsequently parted company and proceeded to Gibraltar.

 

Tuesday, 17th March

 

PRETORIA CASTLE sailed from Bathurst to patrol in area H. 34 (d).

 

S.S. SCOTTISH PRINCE was torpedoed and sunk within sight of Cape Palmas (Liberia).

 

Wednesday, 18th March

 

CANTON returned to Freetown from Patrol.

 

S.S. BARON NEWLANDS was torpedoed 6 miles south of Grand Cess (Liberia), and ISLE DE BATZ off Cape Palmas; both ships being sunk.

 

Thursday, 19th March

 

H.M.S. BRILLIANT, escorting SOBO sailed from Freetown for Bathurst, arriving 21st.

 

Friday, 20th March

 

S.S. ALLENDE torpedoed and sunk approximately 19 miles south of Cape Palmas.

 

Convoy S.T. 17 (8 ships) sailed from Freetown, escorted by H.M.S. ROMNEY and H.M.S. CROMARTY bound for the Cape.

 

BOREAS arrived at Freetown escorting S.S. DUCHESS OF BEDFORD.

 

In connection with Operation RATION ordered in Admiralty Message time 0135A/20, daily air reconnaissance of Ivory Coast ports were begun by Hudsons and Hurricanes, three ships of the convoy concerned being located at Port Bovet. My 0753Z/23 and 1139Z/30 refer.

 

Saturday, 21st March

 

A conference was held between the General Officer Commanding in Chief, West Africa (General Sir George J. Giffard, K.C.B., D.S.O.), the Air Officer Commanding, West Africa (Air Commodore E.A.B. Rice, C.B.E., M.C.) and myself to discuss matters relating to the war situation as effecting West Africa.

 

H.M.S. DAUNTLESS arrived at Freetown, sailing 22nd for Pointe Noire.

 

Sunday, 22nd March

 

(n.b. top of page chopped)...activity in the vicinity.

 

Monday, 23rd March

 

Convoy S.L. 104 (27 ships) sailed from Freetown, escorted by H.M.S. WILD SWAN, H.M.S. VIOLET, H.M.S. SNOWDROP, H.M.S. BERGAMOT, and F.N.F.L. COMMANDANT DETROYAT.

 

CANTON sailed to patrol H.34 (d), relieving PRETORIA CASTLE.

 

Tuesday, 24th March

 

Convoy O.S. 21 (9 ships) escorted by WIVERN, TAMARISK, THYME, and BOSTON, arrived at Freetown.

 

M.L. 244 carried out three attacks on an A/S contact 180 miles west of Monrovia, subsequently reported she had heard tanks being blown. It is believed these attacks damaged a U boat. My signal times 0631Z/27 refers.

 

Wednesday, 25th March

 

F.N.F.L. SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA sailed for United Kingdom, escorting troopship NEW NORTHLAND as far as Bathurst.

 

PRETORIA CASTLE returned to Freetown from patrol.

 

Thursday, 26th March

 

WIVERN proceeded from Freetown to Cape Palmas to embark survivors from ships recently torpedoed in the vicinity and bring them to Freetown, arriving and sailing on 28th.

 

General Officer Commander in Chief, West Africa called a conference to discuss matters raised at the previous meeting on 21st March.

 

Saturday, 28th March (n.b. no entry for Friday, 27th March)

 

Convoy S.T. 18 (8 ships) escorted by CROMER, POOLE, GENISTA, and COMMANDANT DROGOU, sailed from Freetown.

 

A U boat was sighted on the surface by H.M.T. SARABANDE and a Hudson aircraft in position 04-20N, 14-00W, the aircraft attacked with depth charges, and a further attack was carried out by H.M.T. RUMBA. There were indications that a U Boat had been damaged. My signal timed 2013Z/28 refers.

 

H.M.S. DURBAN, on passage from the Cape to Brooklyn (N.Y.) to refit, sailed from Freetown via the Azores for fuel.

 

Sunday, 29th March

 

WIVERN arrived at Freetown with 144 survivors and sailed for Bathurst.

 

 H.M.S. BELLWORT left Takoradi for Freetown, escorting a small convoy.

 

Monday, 30th March

 

GENISTA, WHITEHAVEN, SEAHAM, and BOSTON left Freetown to join convoy O.S. 22.

 

BELLWORT was damaged by the premature detonation of a depth charge dropped on a doubtful A/S contact, and had subsequently to be towed to Takoradi. One fatal casualty resulted from the accident.

 

S.S. MUNCASTER CASTLE was torpedoed in position 02-00N, 12-02W.

 

PRETORIA CASTLE sailed to patrol area I.34 (b).

 

The pilot and navigator of the B.O.A.C. Flying Boat CLARE on passage from Lisbon to Bathurst reported having sighted a battleship or battlecruiser southbound off the coast of Rio De Oro at 0148Z/30. My signal timed 1605/30, 2325/30, and 0903/31 refer.

 

Tuesday, 31st March

 

H.M.S. GERANIUM reported engaging an unidentified cruiser in position 30-00N, 20-10W, at 1500A/31. This signal was passed by Flag Officer Commanding, North Atlantic (his 2328A/31, not to Admiralty). It is considered the unknown ship may have been F.N.F.L. SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA and Flag Officer Commanding, North Atlantic was informed of this in my signal timed 1028Z/1st April.

 

 


 

 

Enclosure No. 1

 

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE, WEST AFRICA

 

WAR DIARY – APRIL 1942

 

 

PART 1 - OPERATIONS

 

Wednesday, 1st April

 

H.M.S. PRETORIA CASTLE arrived in area I 34 to patrol (a) and (b) east of 26 degrees west.

 

H.M.S. CANTON on passage from H 34 to Freetown.

 

Convoy O.S. 22 (12 ships) arrived at Freetown, escorted by H.M.S. WESTON, H.M.S. TOTLAND, H.M.S. SENNEN, H.M.S. GORLESTON, H.M.S. CYCLAMEN, H.M.S. VIOLET, and H.M.S. SNOWDROP. H.M.S. AUBRETIA left the southbound port of the convoy to search for survivors from S.S. MUNCASTER CASTLE, locating them on 2nd and bringing them to Freetown.

 

H.M.S. BELLWORT, damaged by prematurely fired depth charge, arrived at Takoradi (my previous war diary refers.)

 

Thursday, 2nd April

 

CANTON arrived at Freetown from patrol.

 

In view of recent U boat activity it was decided that ships of under 15 knots should for the present not be sailed independently between West African ports, and that all such ships bound for these ports should be sent to Freetown to await escort. Ships of 15 knows and over should for the same reason be routed to pass at least 150 miles clear of Cape Palmas.

 

Friday, 3rd April

 

Convoy S.L. 105 (27 ships) sailed from Freetown, escorted by H.M.S. PELICAN, H.M.S. DEPTFORD, H.M.S. CLARE, H.M.S. BERGAMOT, and COMMANDANT DROGOU.

 

Convoy A.S. 2, escorted by DEVONSHIRE and ARCHER arrived at Freetown. Also, Captain (D) 12th Destroyer Flotilla in PAKENHAM with INCONSTANT and JAVELIN.

 

S.S. WEST IRMO was torpedoed and sunk 170 miles south east of Cape Palmas, survivors being picked up by COPINSAY.

 

Saturday, 4th April

 

S.S. ALPHACCA was torpedoed 150 miles south of Cape Palmas. 15 were killed and the remainder of the crew and passengers landed at Cape Palmas.

 

ILLUSTRIOUS arrived at Freetown and embarked Martlet aircraft from ARCHER and Swordfish from the R.N. Air Station, Hastings.

 

CANTON sailed for Simonstown to dock, after embarking survivors from MUNCASTER CASTLE brought to Freetown by S.S. ANNA STATHATOS.

 

AJAX arrived at Freetown from the Cape, sailing for the United Kingdom, via Bathurst on 5th.

 

DEVONSHIRE sailed from Freetown, returning the same day after complying with Admiralty message timed 0130A of 4th.

 

Sunday, 5th April

 

AUBRETIA arrived at Freetown with further survivors from MUNCASTER CASTLE.

 

Monday, 6th April

 

Convoy W.S. 17 (29 ships), including ADAMANT, arrived at Freetown escorted by SHROPSHIRE, ALCANTARA, GROVE, WILD SWAN, ALDENHAM, LOOKOUT, KEREN, KARANJA, HYDRANGEA, and COMMANDANT DETROYAT. Also, MALAYA and HERMIONE, escorted by Captain (D) 19th Destroyer Flotilla in LAFOREY, DUNCAN, LIGHTNING, ACTIVE, and ANTHONY.

 

Tuesday, 7th April

 

Convoy A.S. 2 sailed for Capetown, escorted by DEVONSHIRE, ALDENHAM, and GROVE.

 

EXMOOR and CROOME arrived at Freetown from Gibraltar.

 

PRETORIA CASTLE shifted her patrol area to H.34 (c) and (d), keeping east of 26 degrees west.

 

Wednesday, 8th April

 

Convoy S.T. 19 (15 ships) sailed from Freetown, escorted by SNOWDROP, ARRAN, HILDASAY, SHINA, PLADDA, and SHAPINSAY.

 

Thursday, 9th April

 

Convoy W.S. 17 A sailed for Capetown, escorted by MALAYA, HERMIONE, Captain (D) 12th Destroyer Flotilla in PAKENHAM, Captain (D) 19th Destroyer Flotilla LAFOREY, LOOKOUT, LIGHTNING, DUNCAN, ACTIVE, ANTHONY, JAVELIN, and INCONSTANT.

 

Convoy S.L. 106 (20 ships) also sailed, escorted by WESTON, GORLESTON, SENNEN, and TOTLAND.

 

 

(n.b. no entry for 10th April)

 

 

Saturday, 11th April

 

Convoy W.S. 17 B (18 ships), including ADAMANT sailed, escorted by SHROPSHIRE, WILD SWAN, CROOME, HYDRANGEA, EXMOOR, COMMANDANT DROGOU and COMMANDANT DETROYANT.

 

ALCANTARA sailed to join PRETORIA CASTLE on patrol in area H. 34.

 

 

(n.b. no entry for 12th April)

 

 

Monday, 13th April

 

FARNDALE arrived at Freetown.

 

Tuesday, 14th April

 

WILD SWAN was detached from convoy W.S. 18 B to return to Freetown, and HYDRANGEA and COMMANDANT DROGOU to pick up 68 survivors from Cape Palmas and bring them to Freetown.

 

BELLWORT, in tow of COPINSAY, left Takoradi for Lagos to undergo repairs.

 

Wednesday, 15th April

 

FARNDALE sailed for Bathurst.

 

WILD SWAN arrived at Freetown.

 

VIOLENT, escorting troopship S.S. NEW NORTHLAND, left Freetown for Takoradi and Lagos.

 

Thursday, 16th April

 

Convoy S.L. 107 (29 ships) sailed from Freetown, escorted by ROCHESTER, SANDWICH, SCARBOROUGH, and BRADFORD.

 

 

(n.b. no entry to 17th April)

 

 

Saturday, 18th April

 

A Sunderland aircraft on patrol attacked with depth charges, a surfaced U boat in position 10-15N, 18-48W. Two hours later a second attack was carried out, and the U boat probably damaged.

 

Convoy L.S. 2, escorted by AUBRETIA and SNOWDROP arrived at Freetown.

 

Sunday, 19th April

 

Convoy S.T. 20 (15 ships) sailed from Freetown, escorted by WILD SWAN, ROCKROSE, TURCOMAN, and PICT.

 

AUBRETIA and SNOWDROP sailed escorting tankers to join convoy O.S. 24 and subsequently returned to Freetown.

 

Information was received from Accra to the effect that a Pan Air aircraft on trans Atlantic flight had sighted a supply ship with 3 submarines, in position 01-35N, 20-40W, at 0225 on 19th April. ALCANTARA, on patrol in H.34 (d), was therefore ordered to search the northern half of I.34 (b).

 

PRETORIA CASTLE arrived at Freetown from patrol, fuelled and on 20th sailed to search the southern half of H.34 (d).

 

Monday, 20th April

 

GLASGOW, on passage from Cape to Freetown, was diverted to search area I.35 (a) for the reported supply ship. Sunderland aircraft also took part, search H. 35 (c).

 

ALBATROSS arrived at Freetown after refitting in the U.S.A. and embarked 710 Squadron (Walrus) from Hastings.

 

BOREAS arrived at Bathurst after dispersal of from Gibraltar.

 

Tuesday, 21st April

 

WILD SWAN returned to Freetown after dispersal of convoy S.T. 20.

 

Wednesday, 22nd April

 

Convoy O.S. 24 (13 ships) escorted by EGRET, FISHGUARD, FLEETWOOD, and PHILANTE arrived at Freetown.

 

Thursday, 23rd April

 

Information was received from Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, that a Clipper on transatlantic flight had sighted a large supply ship, which acted suspiciously in position 02-47N, 18-37W, at 2205Z/22. It was considered possible that this might have been the supply ship reported on 19th April. GLASGOW was ordered to investigate, and ALCANTARA and PRETORIA CASTLE were informed.

 

WILD SWAN sailed for Bathurst.

 

BRIDGEWATER arrived at Takoradi; sailed on 24th to overtake convoy L.S. 3.

 

Friday, 24th April

 

WILD SWAN and BOREAS left Bathurst to rendezvous with convoy W.S. 18.

 

Sunday, 26th April

 

S.L. 108 (42 ships) escorted by EGRET, FISHGUARD, FLEETWOOD, PHILANTE, HYDRANGEA, and COMMANDANT DROGOU left Freetown.

 

PRETORIA CASTLE reported a ship purporting to be S.S. ANGLO CANADIAN in position 01-17N, 24-34W, 1000Z/26th which she did not have on her shipping plot, ANGLO CANADIAN was known to be elsewhere and PRETORIA CASTLE was informed to this effect, but her report was baseD on a sighting by her aircraft which crashed on landing near the ship and contact was not maintained, my 2245Z/4/5 refers.

 

Monday, 27th April

 

MANXMAN arrived at Freetown and sailed for Simonstown, calling at Takoradi.

 

BRIDGEWATER arrived at Takoradi after leaving convoy L.S. 3 and sailed for Freetown escorting S.S. CUBA.

 

HYDRANGEA and COMMANDANT DROGOU left convoy S.L. 108 to join O.S. 25, subsequently escorting ships bound for the Cape.

 

Convoy S.T. 21 (10 ships) sailed from Freetown, escorted by SNOWDROP and TAMARISK.

 

 

(n.b. no entry for 28th April)

 

 

Wednesday, 29th April

 

Convoy W.S. 18 (20 ships) escorted by GAMBIA, FROBISHER, WILD SWAN, BOREAS, TETCOTT, VAN GALEN, and PETUNIA arrived at Freetown; WILD SWAN and BOREAS subsequently sailing to make rendezvous with MALAYA.

 

Convoy O.S. 25 (10 ships) also arrived Freetown, escorted by BIDEFORD, HASTINGS, LANDGUARD, and LULWORTH.

 

Thursday, 30th April

 

PRETORIA CASTLE returned to Freetown from patrol.

 

Convoy L.S. 3, escorted by ROCKROSE and VIOLET arrived at Freetown.

 

WIVERN arrived at Bathurst, and sailed for Freetown.

 

 



 

Flag Officer in Charge, West Africa

 

No. 605/0129 dated 22 July 1942

 

 

 

Enclosure No. 1

 

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE, WEST AFRICA

 

WAR DIARY – MAY 1942

 

 

PART 1 – OPERATIONAL

 

Friday, 1st May

 

ALCANTARA patrolling I 34 (a) and (b), east of 26 degrees West.

 

"RRR" received from PATRICIA SKAKEL at 0657 at 0630N, 19-28W. GAMBIA, FROBISHER, ALBATROSS, VAN GALEN, and TETCOTT (all at Freetown) ordered to immediate notice for steam, and a Sunderland aircraft sent out to search. At 0850 PATRICIA SKAKEL amplified her report by saying the ship referred to was of the Scandinavian tanker type. This ship was believed to be FAGERSFEL. PATRICIA SKAKEL subsequently cancelled her "RRR" message. My 1550Z/ 1 refers.

 

HYDRANGEA and SNOWDROP returned to Freetown after dispersal of convoy O.S. 25.

 

BRIDGEWATER and WIVERN also arrived.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYANT sailed, escorting tanker CLAVELLA.

 

Portuguese S.S. ANGOLA arrived at Freetown, was granted Navicert and sailed for Funchal.

 

Saturday, 2nd May

 

COWSLIP arrived Freetown.

 

Sunday, 3rd May

 

MALAYA arrived at Freetown from the Cape, escorted by WILD SWAN and BOREAS.

 

Convoy W.S. 18 (19 ships) sailed, escorted by GAMBIA, FROBISHER, ALBATROSS, WIVERN, VAN GALEN, TETCOTT, and BOREAS.

 

HYDRANGEA, SNOWDROP, and COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived Freetown. Also, ALCANTARA from patrol.

 

Monday, 4th May

 

S.L. 109 (36 ships) sailed, escorted by LANDGUARD, LULWORTH, HASTINGS, BIDEFORD, ROCKROSE, and VIOLET.

 

Tuesday, 5th May

 

Fortress Commander, Freetown, assumed temporarily a degree of readiness appropriate for meeting possible retaliatory action from French territory resulting from Allied Operations against Madagascar.

 

ALCANTARA sailed to patrol I.34 (a) and (b), east of 26 degrees west.

 

WIVERN and BOREAS arrived at Freetown.

 

Wednesday, 6th May

 

Portuguese S.S. LOURENCO MARQUES arrived at Freetown, was examined and sailed with Navicert on 7th for Lisbon.

 

Thursday, 7th May

 

BRITTANY, BARFOUNT, BARFOSS, and BARKING arrived at Freetown, on passage from United Kingdom to Mauritius or West African ports, the three former sailing 10th May.

 

PRETORIA CASTLE sailed from Freetown to join ALCANTARA on patrol in H.34 (d).

 

Friday, 8th May

 

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE arrived at Freetown, escorted by HYDRANGEA and COMMANDANT DETROYAT.

 

Convoy L.S. 4 arrived at Freetown, escorted by TAMARISK and COMMANDANT DROGOU. Also, WIVERN, after proceeding to assistance of EMPIRE ARUN off the port.

 

VELOX left Ponta Delgada for Bathurst.

 

MILFORD sailed from Simonstown for Freetown.

 

Saturday, 9th May

 

O.S. 26 (8 ships) arrived, escorted by IBIS, ABERDEEN, HARTLAND, and AMARANTHUS.

 

MALAYA escorted by WILD SWAN and BOREAS, sailed to northward. My 1611Z/9, FOCNA's 1924B/9, and Admiralty's 2351B/9 refer.

 

ARCHER and WIVERN sailed, returning 10th.

 

Sunday, 10th May

 

VINDICTIVE escorted by SNOWDROP and COMMANDANT DETROYAT sailed for Simonstown via Pointe Noire for fuel, to refit.

 

U.S.A. Task Force 36 (RANGER escorted by a cruiser and five destroyers) arrived off Accra with air reinforcements, subsequently proceeding to Trinidad.

 

Monday, 11th May

 

TAMARISK sailed from Freetown with a small convoy for Bathurst, and WIVERN escorting one ship to Takoradi.

 

COWSLIP arrived Freetown.

 

 

(n.b. no entry for 12th May)

 

 

Wednesday, 13th May

 

S.L. 110 (38 ships) sailed, escorted by DUNNOTTAR CASTLE, IBIS, ABERDEEN, HARTLAND, and PETUNIA. Eight tankers from the West Indies joined this convoy at sea.

 

WILD SWAN and BOREAS parted company with MALAYA to fuel at Bathurst.

 

ARCHER escorted by BRIDGEWATER sailed from Freetown to refit at the Cape.

 

Thursday, 14th May

 

ARETHUSA, on passage to Suez via the Cape, arrived at Freetown from Ponte Delgada, sailing again on 15th.

 

VELOX arrived at Freetown and VIOLET at Takoradi.

 

Friday, 15th May

 

WIVERN arrived at Takoradi, fuelled, and sailed to join convoy L.S. 5.

 

TAMARISK arrived Freetown, and VELOX sailed escorting DUCHESS OF RICHMOND.

 

 

(n.b. no entry for 16th May)

 

 

Sunday, 17th May

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived Lagos for docking.

 

Monday, 18th May

 

S.T. 23 (10 ships) sailed, escorted by HYDRANGEA and TAMARISK.

 

MILFORD arrived from the Cape, sailing on 20th to escort tanker to Bathurst.

 

Tuesday, 19th May

 

O.S. 27 (8 ships) arrived, escorted by CORINTHIAN, LARGS, PELICAN, and CLARE.

 

WIVERN arrived Freetown and ROCKROSE sailed.

 

WILD SWAN and BOREAS left Bathurst to join convoy W.S. 19.

 

Wednesday, 20th May

 

L.S. 5 arrived Freetown, escorted by BRIDGEWATER, AUBRETIA, and VIOLET. Also, LOWESTOFT and DEPTFORD.

 

Thursday, 21st May

 

PRETORIA CASTLE returned to Freetown from patrol. COLOMBO, escorting EMPRESS OF RUSSIA, arrived Freetown from the Cape. ROCKROSE arrived Freetown.

 

ALCANTARA ordered to investigate suspect vessel reported in position 05-15N, 19-09W, at 1145.

 

Friday, 22nd May

 

W.S. 19 (16 ships) arrived, escorted by MAURITIUS, CARNARVON CASTLE, WILD SWAN, BOREAS, VELOX, BELVOIR and HURSLEY. WIVERN and COMMANDANT DROGOU sailed for Bathurst and AMARANTHUS for St. Vincent. ACASTA (Norwegian S.S.) and MILFORD arrived at Bathurst.

 

Saturday, 23rd May

 

ALCANTARA returned to Freetown from patrol.

 

BRIDGEWATER sailed.

 

Sunday, 24th May

 

S.L. 111 (41 ships) sailed, escorted by PELICAN, CLARE, DEPTFORD, and LOWESTOFT.

 

WIVERN and COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived and sailed from Bathurst.

 

PRETORIA CASTLE left Freetown to patrol in G. 34 (d) and H. 34 (b) to cover passage of W.S. 19, S.S. AQUITANIA, S.S. QUEEN MARY, and S.S. QUEEN ELIZABETH.

 

MILFORD arrived from Freetown.

 

 

(n.b. no entry for 25th May)

 

 

Tuesday, 26th May

 

W.S. 19 sailed, escorted by MAURITIUS, ALCANTARA, MILFORD, VELOX, BOREAS, BELVOIR, and HURSLEY; ALCANTARA subsequently parting company to patrol I.36 (c) and J.36 (a) to cover the passage of S.S. QUEEN MARY, AQUITANIA, and QUEEN ELIZABETH.

 

Portuguese S.S. MOUZINHO arrived at Freetown for bunkers and water, sailing 28th with navicert for Bissau.

 

WILD SWAN and LARGS sailed from Freetown escorting EMPRESS OF RUSSIA.

 

Wednesday, 27th May

 

CARNARVON CASTLE left Freetown to patrol H.34 (d).

 

ROCKROSE and ......(n.b. page chopped).

 

Thursday, 28th May

 

CARNARVON CASTLE at 0700 in position 6-40N, 16-50W met Vichy French convoy of 4 ships escorted by sloop ANNAMITE, steering 300 degrees.

 

S.T. 25 (8 ships) sailed, escorted by AUBRETIA, COWSLIP, and M.L.s 261 and 274.

 

A U.S.A. "D.C." bomber, on passage from Bathurst to Freetown, forced landed in French territory in position 9-25N, 13-30W. A Hudson aircraft dropped rubber dinghies for the crew, who were embarked in M.L. 277, which was sent for the purpose from Freetown. Aircraft was destroyed by the crew before leaving.

 

Friday, 29th May

 

WILD SWAN arrived Bathurst, fuelled and sailed again for Ponta Delgada.

 

BRIDGEWATER left Freetown to escort cable ship LADY DENISON PENDER.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYANT sailed from Lagos for Freetown.

 

Saturday, 30th May

 

O.S. 28 (10 ships) arrived in two sections on 30th and 31st May, escorted by WESTON, WELLINGTON, GORLESTON, TOTLAND, and WOODRUFF (fast portion); and WIVERN, AMARANTHUS and COMMANDANT DROGOU (slow portion).

 

VELOX also arrived Freetown.

 

Sunday, 31st May

 

PRETORIA CASTLE boarded Panamanian schooner REINE MARIE STEWART in position 07-30N, 21-11W bound from New York to Lourenco Marques. Ship had been becalmed three weeks and was short of fuel and water. Medical aid was rendered to Master.

 

 


 

 

(n.b. June 1942 of this Diary is not held).

 

 


 

 

 Flag Officer in Charge, West Africa

 

No. 854/0129 dated 18th September 1942

 

 

 

Enclosure No. 1

 

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE, WEST AFRICA

 

WAR DIARY – JULY 1942

 

(Incorporating all War Diaries rendered for July 1942 by subordinate authorities)

 

 

 

PART 1 – OPERATIONAL

 

Wednesday, 1st July

 

VELOX picked up 9 survivors from a Sunderland aircraft missing since 28th June.

 

NELSON and RODNEY, escorted by PENN, QUENTIN, PATHFINDER, and DERWENT arrived at Freetown.

 

MILFORD sailed from Freetown to Rio de Janiero to refit.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU and SNOWDROP arrived at Takoradi.

 

Portuguese S.S. QUANEA arrived at Freetown for examination, sailing 3rd July.

 

Thursday, 2nd July

 

Convoy W.S. 20 (21 ships) arrived, escorted by WIVERN, BRILLIANT, VIMY, BOREAS, VELOX, and BLACKMORE.

 

Friday, 3rd July

 

CARNARVON CASTLE arrived at Freetown. BOREAS sailed for Takoradi escorting one merchant vessel.

 

CORINTHIAN, escorting cable ship JOHN MACKAY, arrived Freetown.

 

Saturday, 4th July

 

Convoy S.T. 28 (7 ships), escorted by WOODRUFF, MOONSHINE, and 2 M.L.s sailed.

 

Sunday, 5th July

 

Convoy S.L. 115 (31 ships) sailed, escorted by LONDONDERRY, LULWORTH, HASTINGS, DERWENT, and BIDEFORD. DERWENT sailed from Freetown to rendezvous with , and escort, DIOMEDE.

 

BURDOCK fuelled at St Vincent.

 

Monday, 6th July

 

Convoy W.S. 20 (20 ships) sailed, escorted by MALAYA, BLACKMORE, WIVERN, VELOX, and BRILLIANT.

 

Tuesday, 7th July

 

DIOMEDE (escorted by DERWENT) arrived at Freetown, sailing 8th for Rosyth, via Gibraltar.

 

Portuguese S.S. JOAO BELO examined at Freetown, granted Navicert, sailing the same day.

 

CARADOC arrived at Freetown, and sailed 8 July for Pointe Noire and Simonstown.

 

DANAE arrived Pointe Noire, fuelled, and sailed for Freetown.

 

Convoy L.S. 10, escorted by AUBRETIA and SNOWDROP arrived, also COMMANDANT DROGOU.

 

ARMERIA left Marshall for Takoradi, escorting one merchant vessel.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT sailed from Freetown for Pointe Noire and the Cape.

 

Wednesday, 8th July

 

EMERALD arrived at Pointe Noire, fuelled, and sailed for Freetown.

 

Convoy O.S. 32 (17 ships) arrived, escorted by IBIS, ENCHANTRESS, WALNEY, ABERDEEN, and BURDOCK.

 

TAMARISK and CROCUS sailed from Freetown.

 

BOREAS left Takoradi to join W.S. 20.

 

LARGS and ASTURIAS arrived at Freetown.

 

Thursday, 9th July

 

HYDRANGEA and COWSLIP arrived at Freetown.

 

AMARANTHUS sailed from Takoradi for Pointe Noire and the Cape.

 

Friday, 10th July

 

CANTON arrived at Freetown from the Cape, via Takoradi, sailing 11th July for United Kingdom to refit.

 

CILICIA, having left Simonstown and proceeded to St Helena to embark H.E. The Governor, sailed with him to Ascension. Fresh provisions were landed for the Ascension garrison, and 250 gallons of lubricating oil for the civil authorities. CILICIA subsequently patrolled northern part of J.34 and J.35 before proceeding to Freetown.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU sailed from Freetown, escorting Cable Ship JOHN MACKAY.

 

Saturday, 11th July

 

BRILLIANT arrived at Pointe Noire for fuel, sailing 12th July to rejoin Convoy W.S. 20.

 

VELOX sailed from Takoradi for Lagos, escorting transport BATORY.

 

SNOWDROP sailed from Freetown to screen ships unloading off Marshall.

 

Sunday, 12th July

 

ASTURIAS sailed from Freetown in company with LARGS to patrol the southern patrol of H.34, and subsequently to St Thomas (W.I.).

 

PENN and QUENTIN sailed from Freetown to reinforce escort of Convoy O.S. 33, subsequent to a U boat attack on the convoy in which three ships were torpedoed.

 

WIVERN arrived Pointe Noire, fuelled, and sailed for Walvis Bay, subsequently to rejoin W.S. 20.

 

AMARANTHUS arrived Point Noire, sailing 14th for Simonstown.

 

TAMARISK, CROCUS, and ASTURIAS carried out trials of oiling at sea from ASTURIAS. CROCUS was fuelled abreast of ASTURIAS, while proceeding at 10 knots under favourable weather conditions. TAMARISK and CROCUS returned to Freetown.

 

Monday, 13th July

 

DANAE and EMERALD arrived at Freetown from Pointe Noire, sailing 14th July for Gibraltar. Both ships carried bullion.

 

BOREAS arrived at Pointe Noire and commenced boiler cleaning.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT also arrived Pointe Noire.

 

CROCUS sailed from Freetown for Trinidad, and CORINTHIAN to relieve COMMANDANT DROGOU escorting JOHN MACKAY.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU returned to Freetown.

 

Tuesday, 14th July

 

Convoy L.S. 11 arrived Freetown, escorted by WOODRUFF and ARMERIA.

 

VELOX, escorting BATORY, sailed from Lagos for Takoradi.

 

COWSLIP left Bathurst to rendezvous with CROCUS and proceed to Trinidad.

 

Wednesday, 15th July

 

Convoy S.L. 116 (29 ships) sailed, escorted by IBIS, ABERDEEN, ENCHANTRESS, and WALNEY.

 

VIMY arrived at Bathurst, sailing 16th for Freetown.

 

Thursday, 16th July

 

United States' WILLIAM F. HUMPHREY sunk by surface raider in position 05-37N, 00-35E at 2142. Two E boats took part. (My 1235/28th July refers)

 

VELOX, escorting BATORY, sailed from Takoradi for Freetown.

 

Friday, 17th July

 

One Vichy French aircraft (Potez 63) carried out a reconnaissance over the vicinity of Bathurst and was engaged by ground defences.

 

Senior Officer, Force F in NELSON, with RODNEY, PATHFINDER, DERWENT, and VIMY sailed from Freetown in compliance with Admiralty message 1915B/7.

 

ARMERIA sailed from Freetown, escorting to the westward; and AUBRETIA to Bathurst.

 

WIVERN and BRILLIANT arrived at Simonstown, sailing 18th July to rejoin W.S. 20 when VIMY was detached and returned to Bathurst.

 

Saturday, 18th July

 

PENN and QUENTIN joined Force F.

 

BURDOCK and 3 M.L.s sailed from Freetown to join O.S. 33.

 

Sunday, 19th July

 

Submerged submarine reported by NELSON in position 15-34N, 20-14W, at 0131Z/19.

 

SNOWDROP returned at Freetown from Marshall.

 

VELOX sailed from Freetown to rendezvous with transport ORIBI and escort her in, arriving 21st.

 

Monday, 20th July

 

O.S. 33 (9 ships) arrived, escorted by PELICAN, ROTHER, SPEY, COMMANDANT DUBOC, and ARMERIA.

 

BOREAS left Pointe Noire and arrived at Banana (Congo), sailing 22nd July escorting the Belgian Brigade in THYSVILLE and LAFONIA to Lagos.

 

TAMARISK sailed from Freetown to relieve CORINTHIAN escorting JOHN MACKAY, CORINTHIAN returning to Freetown.

 

Tuesday, 21st July

 

TAMARISK returned to Freetown with JOHN MACKAY, who later sailed escorted by CORINTHIAN to work on cables off Takoradi.

 

CHESHIRE ordered by Commander in Chief, South Atlantic (n.b. page chopped).

 

Wednesday, 22nd July

 

United States' HONOLULAN torpedoed and sunk in position 08-41N, 22-04W, at 1800. WOODRUFF sent to pick up survivors.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU sailed from Freetown, escorting to westward.

 

AUBRETIA left Bathurst for St Vincent.

 

Thursday, 23rd July

 

CILICIA arrived Freetown from patrol.

 

A Hudson aircraft was reported as having force landed in approximately 05-03N, 10-00W. RUMBA was ordered to search, and located the aircraft on the beach two miles west of Marshall. Crew were looked after by U.S. Army units.

 

A Sunderland aircraft dropped rations and comforts for three boatloads of survivors from HONOLULAN. Survivors (25) were picked up WOODRUFF soon after.

 

HOLLY sailed from Freetown to dock at Lagos; and SPINDRIFT, EARL KITCHENER, and POSTBOY also sailed for Lagos.

 

VIMY sailed from Bathurst to join Convoy W.S. 21 P.

 

GARMULA torpedoed and sunk in position 05-00N, 14-30W (approximately) at 1730. No distress signal was received, but survivors were sighted and recovered by PICT on patrol at 0400/24th July.

 

A small number of German and Italian prisoners of war escaped from S.S. CAMERONIA in Freetown harbour. 1 was shot escaping, 1 was picked up from the water, and some if not all of the remainder are believed to have drowned.

 

PHOEBE sailed from Freetown to rendezvous for exercises with INDOMITABLE in 01-15S, 07-55W at 0700Z/26th July.

 

LAFOREY, LIGHTNING, and LOOKOUT arrived at Pointe Noire, fuelled, and sailed.

 

Friday, 24th July

 

COWSLIP and CROCUS arrived at Trinidad.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived at Simonstown.

 

HYDRANGEA arrived Freetown.

 

COMMANDANT DUBOC sailed from Freetown escorting to westward.

 

Saturday, 25th July

 

Convoy S.L. 117 (36 ships) sailed, escorted by PELICAN, ROTHER, SPEY, ARMERIA, and TAMARISK.

 

BURDOCK arrived at Freetown, and sailed to join the convoy at sea.

 

CILICIA sailed from Freetown for patrol.

 

AUBRETIA left St Vincent to join Convoy O.S. 34.

 

A Hudson aircraft attacked a U boat on the surface in position 04-07N, 14-10W (My 1649Z, 23 refers). M.L.s 285 and 209 sent to assist in hunting.

 

S.S. TANK EXPRESS torpedoed in position 10-05N, 21-31W.

 

LAERTES torpedoed and sunk by U Boat in approximately 06-00N, 14-17W (My 1231Z/28 refers). 11 survivors picked up by M.L. 302.

 

Sunday, 26th July

 

WOODRUFF ordered to resume search for survivors from HONOLULAN in area 08-10N, 20-21W with aircraft cooperating.

 

FANDANGO relieved BOREAS as escort to THYSVILLE and LAFONIA (Belgian Brigade), BOREAS proceeding to Lagos.

 

Portuguese S.S. CABO VERDE arrived at Freetown, was examined and allowed to proceed the same day with Navicert for Lisbon.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Bathurst, sailing 27th to join O.S. 34.

 

Monday, 27th July

 

Convoy W.S. 21P (5 ships) arrived at Freetown, escorted by ORION, NEPAL, VIMY, and TJERK HIDDES.

 

COWSLIP and CROCUS left Trinidad for St Thomas, arriving 28th July.

 

ASTURIAS and LARGS arrived St Thomas.

 

BOREAS left Lagos for Freetown.

 

SNOWDROP left Freetown, escorting RAPIDOL; BURDOCK and ARMERIA detached from S.L. 117 to escort ABBEYDALE.

 

United States' STELLA LYKES torpedoed in position 06-40N, 25-05W.

 

Tuesday, 28th July

 

INDOMITABLE arrived Freetown, escorted by Captain (D) 19 in LAFOREY, LOOKOUT, and LIGHTNING.

 

Wednesday, 29th July

 

WOODRUFF, after fuelling from tanker with O.S. 34, proceeded to rendezvous with eastbound tanker and escorted her to Freetown.

 

Thursday, 30th July

 

Convoy O.S. 34 (9 ships) arrived, escorted by FOLKESTONE, GORLESTON, ORISSA, and COMMANDANT DUBOC.

 

F.N.F.L. LEOPARD arrived Freetown and sailed escorting HIGHLAND MONARCH to Bathurst.

 

S.S. DANMARK attacked by U Boat, using torpedo and gunfire, and sunk in position 07-00N, 24-19W. All crew picked up (My 1846Z/3 refers).

 

 

(n.b. no entry for 31st July).

 

 


 

 

 

Flag Officer in Charge, West Africa

 

No. 1154/0129 dated 19th November 1942

 

 

 

Enclosure No. 1

 

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE, WEST AFRICA

 

WAR DIARY – AUGUST 1942

 

(Incorporating all War Diaries rendered for August 1942 by subordinate authorities)

 

 

 

PART 1 – OPERATIONAL

 

Saturday, 1st August

 

INDOMITABLE, escorted by Captain (D) 19 in LAFOREY, LOOKOUT, and LIGHTNING sailed.

 

HYDRANGEA escorting tankers for the west sailed.

 

Convoy W.S. 19 P (n.b. pen correction to W.S. 21 P) (5 ships) escorted by ORION, BOREAS, NEPAL, TJERK HIDDES, and COMMANDANT DUBOC sailed.

 

Cape ships from convoy O.S. 34 dispersed. TAMARISK and COMMANDANT DROGOU continued with Takoradi ships. VIMY returning to Freetown.

 

TEWERA sailed for Lagos.

 

Free French destroyer LEOPARD sailed from Bathurst for Freetown.

 

Wellington aircraft made a forced landing alongside M.L. 1044 at Bathurst; the crew was rescued.

 

Portuguese S.S. COLONIAL sailed for Lisbon. Navicert granted.

 

Sunday, 2nd August

 

RAJPUTANA and H.M.I.S. KONKAN arrived from Gibraltar.

 

VELOX escorted S.S. COLUMBIA to join O.S.S. 34 and then proceeded to rendezvous with CHESHIRE to escort her to Freetown.

 

ASTURIAS with LARGS, COWSLIP, and CROCUS left St Thomas escorting floating dock A.F.D. XXV in tow of two tugs.

 

VIMY carried out an attack on an A/S contact 7-01N, 13-23W. No result, whales seen in vicinity next day.

 

S.S. RHESUS sighted a U boat 5-23N, 4-09E.

 

VELOX attacked U boat contact 6-57N, 14-07W.

 

Vichy convoy of 3 ships escorted by A74 or A75 sighted 3-30N, 10-52W.

 

Monday, 3rd August

 

ALCANTARA relieved CORINTHIAN as escort to cable ship JOHN MACKAY. CORINTHIAN proceeding to Takoradi.

 

VIMY and Free French destroyer LEOPARD arrived.

 

POSTBOY, SPINDRIFT, EARL KITCHENER, Yacht FOINHAVEN, tugs EMPIRE FAIRY, EMPIRE GOBLIN sailed from Lagos for Walvis Bay.

 

S.S. HARRY LUCKENBACK sighted U boat 00-14S, 07-09W.

 

Tuesday, 4th August

 

CHESHIRE escorted by VELOX arrived.

 

Convoy S.L. 118 (36 ships) escorted by FOLKESTONE, WELLINGTON, GORLESTON, and LEITH sailed.

 

VIMY sailed escorting S.T. 30A (3 ships) to the south.

 

WOODRUFF sailed to join O.S. 35.

 

Convoy O.S.S. 34 arrived Takoradi escorted by TAMARISK and COMMANDANT DROGOU. TAMARISK left for Victoria. Extra M/S sweep of approach channel, Freetown.

 

Wednesday, 5th August

 

Convoy S.T. 30 (6 ships) escorted by RAJPUTANA, Free French destroyer LEOPARD, and ORISSA sailed.

 

COMMANDANT DUBOC joined S.W. 21P.

 

KONKAN sailed to the westward on escort duty, thence to the Cape via Takoradi.

 

CHESHIRE sailed for U.K.

 

U boat sighted on surface by Hudson aircraft in 4-45N, 4-31W. (my 1417Z/5 refers).

 

Nine prisoners of war escaped from S.S. AQUITANIA. 6 recovered, 3 possibly drowned.

 

Meeting of Port Security Committee to regulate canoe traffic in harbour and around ships and wharves at Lagos.

 

ALCANTARA handed over escort of cable ship JOHN MACKAY to CARADOC and proceeded northward.

 

Aircraft sighted three Vichy merchant vessels 10-13N, 15-52W.

 

Thursday, 6th August

 

BOREAS left W.S. 21P to proceed to St Helena.

 

ORISSA sailed for Marshall.

 

HYDRANGEA dispersed tankers and proceeded to Freetown escorting S.S. SAN MELITO.

 

SNOWDROP escorting R.F.A. RAPIDOL joined by NEPAL and TJERK HIDDES.

 

ARMERIA escorting R.F.A. ABBEYDALE met Fleet Units. ABBEYDALE commenced oiling escorts.

 

Friday, 7th August

 

TAMARISK arrived Victoria and left escorting for Lagos.

 

BOREAS arrived St Helena.

 

WOODRUFF joined O.S. 35.

 

One boat of survivors from S.S. ELMWOOD torpedoed on 27th July in position 5-13N, 23-27W arrived Freetown.

 

Saturday, 8th August

 

SNOWDROP, NEPAL, TJERK HIDDES and R.F.A. RAPIDOL arrived St Helena. Escorts and BOREAS fuelled from RAPIDOL. NEPAL and TJERK HIDDES sailed on completion. SNOWDROP and R.F.A. RAPIDOL sailed for Freetown and BOREAS to join MALAYA and QUEEN ELIZABETH. BOREAS towed target for Military at St Helena.

 

VIMY arrived Freetown.

 

TEWERA arrived Lagos.

 

VELOX sailed from Freetown escorting to the west.

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES detached from O.S. 35 to proceed to Freetown.

 

Portuguese S.S. ANGOLA arrived Freetown for examination.

 

Sunday, 9th August

 

CORINTHIAN attacked A/S contact in 5-58N, 1-26W, available craft sent from Takoradi to search area. No result.

 

TAMARISK arrived Lagos and sailed for Takoradi escorting.

 

BOREAS joined and VIMY sailed from Freetown to join MALAYA and QUEEN ELIZABETH,

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES and HYDRANGEA arrived.

 

O.S. 35 split, WOODRUFF, ERNE, and SANDWICH escorting Southern Portion.

 

M.L. 305 returned from escort in tow – water in petrol.

 

Portuguese S.S. ANGOLA granted Navicert sailed for Funchal and Lisbon.

 

S.S. DALHOUSIE sent out RRRR and reported being attacked in 20-21S, 24-44W.

 

S.S. MALMANGER torpedoed 7-13N, 26-00W.

 

S.S. MENDENAU torpedoed 4-45N, 18-00W, rafts with survivors landed at Robertsport.

 

M.L. 301 blew up whilst on escort duty, 15 survivors brought into Freetown, 3 missing.

 

Monday, 10th August

 

O.S. 35 (18 ships) escorted by ROCHESTER, LEITH, SANDWICH, ERNE, and CHALLENGER. W.S. 21 (12 ships) escorted by HAWKINS, RANPURA, PETARD, CATTERICK, and VELOX arrived Freetown.

 

Dutch submarine O.24 arrived.

 

CORINTHIAN arrived Takoradi.

 

ALCANTARA arrived St Helena to make good engine defect and sailed for Ascension.

 

PAN aircraft sighted submarine three miles from shore between Lome and Anecho, and another 20 degrees off Accra.

 

Tuesday, 11th August

 

S.S. MIRLO torpedoed 06-04N, 26-50W.

 

TAMARISK arrived Takoradi and sailed for Lagos.

 

BURDOCK and ARMERIA escorting ABBEYDALE arrived Gibraltar.

 

CHALLENGER sailed for the Cape.

 

Forty survivors from S.S. STELLA LYKES arrived Bathurst in Portuguese S.S. MARIA AMELIA.

 

Wednesday, 12th August

 

...tankers....arrived Freetown to replenish...(n.b. page chopped)

 

T.S. 14 escorted by CORINTHIAN and COMMANDANT DROGOU sailed from Takoradi.

 

Cape ships of O.S.S. 35 dispersed. WOODRUFF and COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES returned to Freetown.

 

RANPURA, HYDRANGEA, and VELOX sailed.

 

I left Freetown by air for Takoradi, Accra, and Lagos to visit the Naval establishments at Takoradi and Lagos, and to attend the second meeting of the West Africa War Council at Accra.

 

Thursday, 13th August

 

MALAYA, QUEEN ELIZABETH, BOREAS, and VIMY arrived.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU detached from T.S. 14 to join VELOX and RANPURA.

 

TAMARISK arrived Lagos for docking.

 

Life boat marked S.S. HONOLULAN towed into Bathurst.

 

S.S. CRIPPLE CREEK torpedoed in position 4-55N, 18-30W, survivors picked up by ST WISTAN.

 

Friday, 14th August

 

S.L. 119 (28 ships) sailed, escorted by ROCHESTER, LEITH, ERNE, and SANDWICH.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU relieved VELOX as escort to RANPURA to Takoradi. VELOX joined T.S. 14.

 

KONKAN arrived Freetown.

 

HYDRANGEA arrived Bathurst.

 

S.S. SYLVIA DE LARRINAGA torpedoed in position 10-49N, 33-35W.

 

ALCANTARA arrived Ascension. During stay, she stood off at night, returning by day.

 

Saturday, 15th August

 

W.S. 21 (12 ships) sailed, escorted by HAWKINS, PETARD, and CATTERICK.

 

SNOWDROP and R.F.A. RAPIDOL joined T.S. 14.

 

WIVERN parted company with RAMILLIES to oil at St Helena.

 

HYDRANGEA left Bathurst to join O.S. 36.

 

RANPURA and COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Takoradi.

 

Floating Dock A.F.D. XXV having broke its back, was abandoned and set on fire, escort proceeding to Freetown.

 

Sunday, 16th August

 

B.O.A.C. pilot sighted U boat approximately 50 miles north of Port Gentil.

 

WIVERN refuelled at St Helena and rejoined RAMILLIES, when BRILLIANT went to refuel at St Helena and rejoined same day.

 

CROCUS, part of escort to A.F.D. XXV, left ASTURIAS to rendezvous with tanker MARZA and escort to Freetown.

 

VELOX detached from T.S. 14 to search for survivors.

 

Monday, 17th August

 

ST WISTAN arrived Freetown with fifty one survivors from S.S. CRIPPLE CREEK.

 

Sunderland reported to Bathurst as having forced landed between Gambia Float and 200 miles west.

 

Tuesday, 18th August

 

S.T. 31 (13 ships) sailed from Freetown, escorted by ST WISTAN, MORRIS DANCE, and 3 M.L.s.

 

PHILANTE detached from O.S. 36 to search for survivors from Sunderland.

 

O.S. 36 split. WOODRUFF sailed from Freetown to escort southern portion with HYDRANGEA.

 

BOREAS picked up fifteen survivors from ST MIRLO.

 

VELOX abandoned search for survivors and escorted S.S. CORACERO to Freetown.

 

FISHGUARD arrived Freetown.

 

O.S. 36 (5 ships) arrived, escorted by EGRET and BANFF.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Lagos and left for Takoradi.

 

Wednesday, 19th August

 

Vichy convoy of two merchant vessels escorted by A 7 sighted in position 12-43N, 16-59W.

 

T.S. 14 (8 ships) escorted by CORINTHIAN and SNOWDROP arrived Freetown.

 

VELOX and PHILANTE arrived Freetown

 

BOREAS abandoned search for survivors and proceeded to rendezvous with VICEROY OF INDIA.

 

ALCANTARA left Ascension.

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES sailed Freetown, escorting to the west.

 

Thursday, 20th August

 

Aircraft reported U Boat in position 4-45N, 3-15W.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Takoradi and sailed for Lagos.

 

BURDOCK and ARMERIA escorting R.F.A. ABBEYDALE sailed from Gibraltar to rendezvous with QUEEN ELIZABETH.

 

CANNA carried out three attacks on submarine with which she had collided, in position 7-41N, 14-03W.

 

Friday, 21st August

 

VELOX reported submarine in position 7-29N, 14-52W. S.S. CITY OF WELLINGTON torpedoed in this position, VELOX picked up survivors.

 

VANSITTART arrived Bathurst from Gibraltar.

 

RAMILLIES, WIVERN, and BRILLIANT arrived Freetown.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Lagos with defects.

 

Saturday, 22nd August

 

Portuguese S.S. CONGO arrived for examination and navicert, sailing for Funchal and Lisbon.

 

ASTURIAS, LARGS, PATHFINDER, QUENTIN, COWSLIP and VELOX and QUEEN ELIZABETH arrived.

 

CANNA arrived with survivors from Swedish ship.

 

I arrived at Freetown by air after completion of visits in Gold Coast and Nigeria.

 

Sunday, 23rd August

 

BOREAS and HYDRANGEA arrived Freetown.

 

MALAYA and RAMILLIES sailed escorted by WIVERN, BRILLIANT, BOREAS, and VELOX.

 

WOODRUFF parted company with O.S.S. 36 and joined T.S. 15.

 

ALCANTARA investigating report of enemy supply ships and U boats, LEOPARD did not make rendezvous as instructed, and ALCANTARA left the area to rendezvous with ORESTES and proceed to Freetown.

 

Monday, 24th August

 

S.L. 120 (20 ships) sailed escorted by EGRET, PHILANTE, FISHGUARD, and BANFF.

 

VELOX, VIMY, CROCUS arrived Freetown.

 

LARGS sailed for Bathurst.

 

VANSITTART sailed from Bathurst to rendezvous with MALAYA and RAMILLIES.

 

S.S. GUINEA arrived Bathurst from Bissao with nineteen survivors from S.S. ELMWOOD and one from S.S. STELLA LYKES.

 

Tuesday, 25th August

 

S.S. VIKING STAR torpedoed in position 6-00N, 14-00W.

 

QUEEN ELIZABETH sailed escorted by PATHFINDER, QUENTIN, and VIMY.

 

BOREAS left MALAYA and arrived Bathurst, left same day to join O.S. 37.

 

Wednesday, 26th August

 

Portuguese S.S. MOUZINHO arrived Freetown for examination and coal.

 

S.S. BEECHWOOD torpedoed in position 5-30N, 14-04W. Master taken prisoner, survivors picked up by R.F.A. FORTOL and brought to Freetown.

 

ASTURIAS sailed from Freetown for patrol.

 

SNOWDROP sailed from Freetown escorting to Trinidad.

 

Having been relieves as escort to MALAYA and RAMILLIES, WIVERN and BRILLIANT proceeded to Bathurst and VANSITTART to Freetown.

 

Thursday, 27th August

 

BRILLIANT and LARGS arrived Bathurst.

 

Friday, 28th August

 

Portuguese S.S. MOUZINHO, examination completed, sailed Freetown for Funchal, Casablanca, and Lisbon.

 

T.S. 15 (9 ships) escorted by WOODRUFF and four M.L.s arrived Freetown.

 

U.S. Aircraft sighted a U boat in position 2-47S, 8-53W.

 

Departures Bathurst, LARGS to join S.L. 120, BRILLIANT for Freetown.

 

BOREAS arrived Freetown from O.S. 37.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU left Lagos for Douala.

 

Saturday, 29th August

 

S.T. 32 (9 ships) escorted by BOREAS, VELOX, and four M.L.s sailed from Freetown.

 

O.S. 37 (11 ships) escorted by LONDONDERRY, SWALE, BIDEFORD, HASTINGS, and LANDGUARD arrived Freetown.

 

Sunday, 30th August

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES and BRILLIANT arrived Freetown.

 

ANTELOPE arrived Bathurst from Gibraltar to join Station.

 

Monday, 31st August

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Douala.

 

WIVERN arrived Freetown.

 

COWSLIP sailed from Freetown.

 

 

 

 

 

Flag Officer in Charge, West Africa

 

No. 1155/0129 dated 19th November 1942

 

 


 

 

Enclosure No. 1

 

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE, WEST AFRICA

 

WAR DIARY – SEPTEMBER 1942

 

(Incorporating all War Diaries rendered for September 1942 by subordinate authorities)

 

 

 

PART 1 – OPERATIONAL

 

Tuesday, 1st September

 

S.S. ILORIN torpedoed off Winneba. Five African survivors landed Legu.

 

M.L. 261 left Freetown for Sherbro River to collect survivors.

 

BRILLIANT and CROCUS sailed from Freetown, escorting.

 

Greek destroyer PINDOS arrived Freetown from Bathurst.

 

AVON VALE and DERWENT arrived Bathurst for fuel, AVON VALE sailed same day.

 

ST WISTAN arrived Takoradi.

 

Air raid practice carried out at Lagos.

 

ASTURIAS joined CARNARVON CASTLE who proceeded to patrol in company in Areas I35 (A) and (B)

 

Wednesday, 2nd September

 

S.S. OCEAN MIST torpedoed in position 00-57N, 04-11W.

 

I left Freetown with three staff officers by air for Natal, travelling by R.A.F. Sunderland to Fisherman's Lake, Liberia, and thence by P.A.A. Clipper. The object of this visit was to confer with Rear Admiral Jonas H. Ingram, United States' Navy, then commanding Task Force 23, United States' Fleet, employed in the South Atlantic. A full report of the meeting was rendered in my submission 839/016 of 17th September 1942.

 

M.L. 261 returned to Freetown from Sherbro River with survivors.

 

M.L. 1066 left Bathurst for Bissao, Portuguese Guinea, to collect five survivors from Sunderland aircraft.

 

DERWENT sailed from Bathurst.

 

RUMBA arrived Takoradi and ST WISTAN sailed.

 

ARRAN sailed from Lagos escorting two tankers.

 

Thursday, 3rd September

 

S.L. 121 (28 ships) escorted by LONDONDERRY, LANDGUARD, HASTINGS, BIDEFORD, COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES, and SWALE left Freetown.

 

CROCUS parted company with MORETON BAY and returned to Freetown.

 

Greek destroyer PINDOS sailed from Freetown to rendezvous with T.S. 16 and proceed with LAFONIA to Bathurst.

 

DERWENT and AVON VALE arrived Freetown from Gibraltar and Bathurst.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU left Douala for Lagos.

 

VELOX arrived Takoradi with S.T. 32 and sailed for Congo River.

 

BOREAS met S.S. JAMES PARKER and escorted her to Freetown.

 

ST WISTAN arrived Takoradi, and RUMBA sailed.

 

Friday, 4th September

 

M.L.s 1209 and 1089 joined from U.K. by freight.

 

WOODRUFF sailed from Freetown, escorting.

 

BOREAS arrived.

 

Complete blackout enforced in Takoradi harbour area as a result of reports of submarines in the vicinity.

 

Saturday, 5th September

 

S.S. MYRMIDON torpedoed in position 00-27N, 06-10W. One hundred and sixteen crew and one hundred and twenty nine passengers taken on board BRILLIANT.

 

R.A.F. reported submarine in position 13-30N, 17-10W. ANTELOPE left Bathurst to investigate and join W.S. 22.

 

Greek destroyer PINDOS arrived Bathurst.

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE escorting Cable ship LADY DENISON PENDER left Capetown for Takoradi via St Helena.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Lagos.

 

WIVERN and VANSITTART sailed from Freetown to rendezvous with FORMIDABLE.

 

M.L. 1066 returned to Bathurst from Bissao with five survivors from Sunderland aircraft.

 

RUMBA and HOLLY arrived Takoradi. ST WISTAN sailed.

 

Independent sailings eastwards from Takoradi suspended by F.O.I.C. West Africa.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Lagos and POLAR V sailed for Takoradi.

 

Sunday, 6th September

 

S.S. TUSCAN STAR torpedoed in position 1-39N, 11-34W. One boatload of survivors picked up on 9th September, two boats unaccounted for.

 

VANSITTART attacked possible submarine contact in position 7-12N, 14-01W.

 

CROCUS arrived Freetown.

 

WOODRUFF and COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES arrived Bathurst.

 

AVON VALE sailed from Freetown escorting to the south.

 

COWSLIP arrived Freetown having failed to meet tanker DAPHNELLA.

 

PINDOS left Bathurst to join W.S. 22.

 

Monday, 7th September

 

Wellington aircraft Marshall to Takoradi reported two submarines in position 04-40N, 02-45W an 04-40N, 02-35W, steering west.

 

Vichy convoy sighted by aircraft in position 3-38N, 11-29W, course 094 degrees, 10 knots, consisting of 4 ships escorted by A72.

 

O.S.38 (12 ships) escorted by ENCHANTRESS, WALNEY, HARTLAND, and ABERDEEN arrived Freetown.

 

S.T. 33 (6 ships) escorted by CROCUS, tug FAVOURITE, and 4 M.L.s sailed from Freetown.

 

WOODRUFF and COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES left Bathurst, escorting to Freetown.

 

COWSLIP arrived Freetown and sailed to overtake S.T. 33.

 

BURDOCK and SNOWDROP arrived Trinidad.

 

RUMBA and HOLLY left Takoradi; POLAR V arrived.

 

Tuesday, 8th September

 

Aircraft reported submarine in position 14-19N, 18-10W.

 

FORMIDABLE, escorted by WIVERN and VANSITTART arrived Freetown.

 

M.L.s 1147 and 1160 joined from U.K. by freight.

 

CLARE arrived Freetown from escorting S.T. 33.

 

VELOX arrived Banana and proceeded to Ango Ango to fuel.

 

BRILLIANT arrived Pointe Noire.

 

AVON VALE dispersed convoy at dusk and proceeded to rendezvous with S.T. 33.

 

PICT arrived Takoradi, and POLAR V sailed.

 

Wednesday, 9th September

 

W.S. 22 (20 ships), escorted by AURORA, CARTHAGE, PARTRIDGE, QUIBERON, ANTELOPE, and PINDOS arrived Freetown.

 

FORMIDABLE, escorted by WIVERN and VANSITTART sailed from Freetown.

 

BRILLIANT left Pointe Noire for Banana, and sailed for Lagos.

 

PATHFINDER, QUENTIN, and SNOWDROP left Trinidad for Freetown.

 

WOODRUFF and COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES arrived Freetown from Bathurst

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU left Lagos for Freetown via Takoradi.

 

ASTURIAS parted company with CARNARVON CASTLE and proceeded to Freetown.

 

CARNARVON CASTLE patrolling in area H.34 (c) and (d).

 

Thursday, 10th September

 

S.T. 34 (5 ships) escorted by WOODRUFF and COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES sailed from Freetown.

 

ARMERIA arrived Freetown.

 

Friday, 11th September

 

S.T. 35 (4 ships) escorted by CORINTHIAN and HYDRANGEA sailed from Freetown.

 

AVON VALE and CROCUS left O.S.S. 38 to return to Freetown.

 

WIVERN and VANSITTART left FORMIDABLE and proceeded to Bathurst.

 

PETUNIA left Gibraltar for Freetown.

 

(n.b. page chopped. Last line unreadable)

 

Saturday, 12th September

 

S.S. LACONIA torpedoed in position 05-05S, 11-35W.

 

S.S. LURIA torpedoed 02-35N, 11-22W. ANTELOPE picked up thirty survivors on 15th September.

 

S.S. TREVILLY torpedoed in position 04-54S, 07-40W. Sunk by gunfire.

 

Pan American aircraft sighted submarine 04-35N, 06-30W.

 

HOLLY arrived Freetown from docking at Lagos.

 

TAMARISK left Lagos for Takoradi.

 

VANSITTART and WIVERN arrived Bathurst.

 

PICT sailed from Takoradi.

 

Sunday, 13th September

 

W.S. 22 (21 ships) escorted by AURORA, ALCANTARA, PARTRIDGE, QUIBERON, PINDOS, DERWENT, ANTELOPE, and BOREAS sailed from Freetown.

 

COWSLIP arrived Takoradi with S.T. 33.

 

BRILLIANT and VELOX arrived Lagos with transports.

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE escorting LADY DENISON PENDER arrived St Helena.

 

TAMARISK arrived Takoradi.

 

AVON VALE arrived Freetown.

 

Monday, 14th September

 

S.S. BREEDIJK torpedoed in position 04-08S, 08-36W. CORINTHIAN picked up thirteen survivors on 18th September; three more boats with thirty seven men missing.

 

B.O.A.C. flying boat CLARE caught fire in the air, in position 14-20N, 17-34W. H.M. ships and aircraft sent to search, also authorities at Dakar asked to search an area within twenty five miles of Dakar. An M.L. recovered six bodies in deflated dinghy and two bags of diplomatic mail on 17th September.

 

S.L. 122 (33 ships) escorted by ENCHANTRESS, WALNEY, ABERDEEN, and CLARE sailed from Freetown.

 

CROCUS arrived Freetown.

 

VANSITTART left Bathurst for Gibraltar and WIVERN to search for survivors of B.O.A.C. CLARE.

 

FANDANGO sailed from Lagos with L.T. 12 and PICT arrived.

 

Tuesday, 15th September

 

Hudson aircraft sighted periscope 293 degrees Cape Sierra Leone 65 miles.

 

Aircraft landed Accra sighted U boat in position 00-40N, 5-15S.

 

Aircraft sighted large submarine 14-08N, 17-38W.

 

American aircraft sighted two U boats 04-40S, 11-00W.

 

Aircraft sighted three Vichy merchant vessels and one destroyer in position 11-00N, 17-47W.

 

HARTLAND sailed from Freetown to overtake S.L. 122.

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE escorting LADY DENISON PENDER sailed from St Helena for Takoradi.

 

TAMARISK left Takoradi for Banana.

 

ANTELOPE left W.S. 22 for Freetown and BOREAS for Takoradi.

 

WIVERN abandoned search for B.O.A.C. CLARE and joined O.S. 39.

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES arrived Freetown.

 

Wednesday, 16th September

 

U.S. Aircraft reported U boat in position 4-00S, 11-40W with fifty persons on deck, and surrounded by four life boats with sixty people in each. Plane wirelessed U.S. Authorities who instructed plane to sink U boat; plane returned, U boat alone, dropped four depth charges and saw U boat belly upwards.

 

Portuguese S.S. LOURENCO MARQUES arrived Freetown for examination and navicerting.

 

I returned to Freetown with my S.O. (I) and S.O. M./M.S. from Natal, South America.

 

HYDRANGEA detached from S.T. 35 to proceed to Forcados.

 

CORINTHIAN arrived Takoradi with S.T. 35 and then proceeded to search for survivors of S.S. LACONIA torpedoed off Ascension on 12th September.

 

CROCUS sailed Freetown escorting.

 

BOREAS and FANDANGO arrived Takoradi; COWSLIP sailed.

 

BRILLIANT and VELOX left Lagos escorting transports to Takoradi.

 

Dutch submarine O.21 arrived Freetown for Gibraltar.

 

Thursday, 17th September

 

Aircraft sighted periscope in position 13-28N, 17-38W.

 

American aircraft sighted U boat in position 04-50S, 12-22W. Aircraft released two bombs and two 350 lb. Depth charges from 1500 feet. Two bombs struck stem and two directly on top. Aircraft circled position for forty minutes; oil, but no further results notes. U boat believed to have been sunk or badly damaged.

 

Aircraft sighted Vichy convoy of seven merchant vessels in position 13-48N, 18-15W.

 

Portuguese S.S. LOURENCO MARQUES granted Navicert, sailed for Funchal and Lisbon.

 

SOUTHERN GEM escorting Dutch submarine sailed from Capetown for Freetown.

 

CROCUS, COMMANDANT DROGOU, and WOODRUFF arrived Freetown.

 

BRILLIANT and VELOX arrived Takoradi.

 

BOREAS and FANDANGO left Takoradi for Lagos escorting.

 

Friday, 18th September

 

U.S. Aircraft sighted Vichy cruiser and destroyer in position 2-00S, 13-00W, which may have been picking up survivors (Italian prisoners) from LACONIA.

 

O.S. 39 (6 ships) escorted by PELICAN, WIVERN, SENNEN, FOLKESTONE arrived Freetown.

 

BRILLIANT left Takoradi to investigate D/F bearing and returned same day, sailing again with VELOX for Freetown escorting transports.

 

WELLINGTON arrived Bathurst escorting R.F.A. DEVON CITY.

 

CORINTHIAN picked up survivors from S.S. BREEDIJK.

 

ANTELOPE arrived Freetown.

 

HYDRANGEA arrived Lagos.

 

S.T. 36 (7 ships) escorted by WOODRUFF, ARMERIA, and CROCUS sailed from Freetown.

 

S.S. TALISMAN landed eighteen survivors from U.S.S. CALIFORNIA at Takoradi who were picked up in position 7-45N, 26-35W.

 

CARTHAGE joined CARNARVON CASTLE on patrol.

 

Saturday, 19th September

 

S.S. QUEBEC CITY torpedoed in position 2-12S, 17-26W.

 

RUMBA arrived Freetown from Monrovia with survivors.

 

CORINTHIAN commenced search for survivors of LACONIA.

 

PETUNIA arrived Freetown from Gibraltar.

 

BOREAS and FANDANGO arrived Lagos, harbour congested.

 

Sunday, 20th September

 

U.S. aircraft sighted submarine in position 00-04N, 06-12W.

 

HYDRANGEA left Lagos escorting L.T. 15 to Takoradi.

 

AURORA, QUIBERON, and PARTRIDGE having left W.S. 22 arrived Pointe Noire for fuel and thence to Freetown.

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE escorting cable ship LADY DENISON PENDER arrived Takoradi. LADY DENISON PENDER had survivors from S.S. VIMEIRA, sunk on 11th August in position 9-20N, 28-30W, and S.S. SYLVIA DE LARRINAGA, sunk on 14th August. VIMEIRA's survivors were picked up by SYLVIA LARRINAGA on 12th August, who were in turn picked up by S.S. SIRANGER on 11th September and transferred to LADY DENISON PENDER on 19th September. SOUTHERN PRIDE picked up two lifeboats (no survivors) from S.S. MYRMIDON in position 3-35N, 1-31W.

 

ST WISTAN arrived Takoradi.

 

FANDANGO sailed from Lagos for Accra and Takoradi.

 

Monday, 21st September

 

U.S. Aircraft sighted U boat 8 miles south of Grand Popo.

 

L.S. 7 (6 ships) escorted by COWSLIP and one M.L. arrived Freetown.

 

M.L. 244 broke down at sea, water in petrol, and was towed into Freetown by a tug.

 

BOREAS left Lagos for Pointe Noire. H.M. Netherlands Ship SUMATRA, DECOY and GRIFFIN arrived and sailed same day for Freetown.

 

TAMARISK arrived Banana.

 

COWSLIP arrived Freetown.

 

CORINTHIAN arrived Ascension and sailed with a small convoy for Freetown.

 

Tuesday, 22nd September

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE escorting LADY DENISON PENDER left Takoradi to mend Accra cable and proceed Freetown.

 

HYDRANGEA arrived Takoradi.

 

ANTELOPE sailed Freetown escorting to the West.

 

I arrived back in Freetown by air from Ascension via Accra after my visit with Rear Admiral Jonas H. Ingram, United States' Navy.

 

Wednesday, 23rd September

 

S.S. BRUYERE torpedoed in position 4-55N, 17-16W.

 

T.S. 19 (3 ships) escorted by VELOX and BRILLIANT and 7 tankers escorted by PATHFINDER, QUENTIN, and SNOWDROP arrived Freetown.

 

S.L. 123 (28 ships) escorted by PELICAN, AVON VALE, FOLKESTONE, SENNEN, and COWSLIP sailed from Freetown.

 

WOODRUFF and ARMERIA from O.S.S. 39 joined CORINTHIAN.

 

BOREAS arrived Pointe Noire.

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES sailed Freetown escorting Dutch submarine O.21 to Pointe Noire.

 

HYDRANGEA left Takoradi for Lagos; ARRAN and FANDANGO arrived.

 

TAMARISK left Banana for Pointe Noire.

 

Thursday, 24th September

 

BOREAS left Pointe Noire for Matadi and TAMARISK arrived.

 

PATHFINDER and QUENTIN sailed Freetown for Gibraltar.

 

COWSLIP left S.L. 123 to tow Sunderland to Freetown.

 

FANDANGO and ARRAN left Takoradi.

 

R.A.F. Takoradi sighted Vichy sloop A.72 anchored off Port Bouet, who fired upon aircraft.

 

HYDRANGEA arrived Lagos.

 

Friday, 25th September

 

ANTELOPE rendezvoused with O.S. 40 and escorted S.S. ROSEWOOD to Bathurst.

 

WIVERN sailed from Freetown to rendezvous with CORFU and C.F. 5

 

Tug AIMWELL took over tow of Sunderland from COWSLIP who proceeded to join O.S. 40.

 

CROCUS arrived Recife.

 

Dutch cruiser SUMATRA, DECOY, and GRIFFIN arrived Freetown.

 

AVON VALE left S.L. 123 to join O.S. 40.

 

HYDRANGEA and SKUDD VI left Lagos for Takoradi with L.T. 16.

 

BOREAS arrived Matadi.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Marshall.

 

ST WISTAN sailed from Lagos.

 

Saturday, 26th September

 

PARTRIDGE and ARMERIA arrived Freetown.

 

ARRAN and FANDANGO arrived Lagos.

 

Sunday, 27th September

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE escorting LADY DENISON PENDER, joined T.S. 20.

 

AMARANTHUS left Capetown for Freetown via Pointe Noire escorting ROBERTS.

 

WIVERN joined C.F.5 escorted by CORFU.

 

CROCUS left Recife for Freetown.

 

HYDRANGEA and SKUDD VI arrived Takoradi; former sailed for Lagos.

 

QUIBERON arrived Freetown, also CORINTHIAN and WOODRUFF with Ascension convoy.

 

O.S. 40 (9 ships) escorted by WESTON, TOTLAND, HYDERABAD, and HONEYSUCKLE arrived Freetown.

 

PARTRIDGE and ARMERIA sailed from Freetown escorting to the north.

 

Monday, 28th September

 

Vichy Aircraft, considered Glenn Martin, made reconnaissance of Jeswang, Bathurst; A/A engaged, no result.

 

Hudson aircraft sighted periscope wake in position 11-18N, 17-46W.

 

Wellington aircraft sighted U boat on surface at 14-30N, 17-53W.

 

Hurricane aircraft sighted two U boats in position 14-02N, 17-05W.

 

PETUNIA sailed from Freetown for Marshall.

 

TAMARISK arrived Lagos.

 

MILFORD left Rio de Janeiro for Freetown.

 

AVON VALE and COWSLIP arrived Freetown.

 

SUMATRA and QUIBERON sailed from Freetown for Bathurst.

 

Tuesday, 29th September

 

S.S. EMPIRE AVOCET torpedoed in position 05-11N, 12-43W.

 

Aircraft sighted Vichy A72, Bougainville class, in position 05-59N, 01-46E, course 060 degrees, 13 knots.

 

S.T. 37 (14 ships) escorted by WOODRUFF sailed from Freetown.

 

CARTHAGE escorted by WIVERN detached from C.F.5 arrived Freetown.

 

BOREAS left Matadi for Lagos.

 

PETUNIA picked up survivors from S.S. BRUYERE and returned to Freetown.

 

ANTELOPE sailed from Bathurst to join PARTRIDGE and ARMERIA.

 

GRIFFIN and DECOY sailed from Freetown for Bathurst.

 

HYDRANGEA arrived Lagos to dock.

 

Wednesday, 30th September

 

S.S. SIAM II torpedoed in position 3-05N, 15-46W.

 

T.S. 20 (9 ships) escorted by SOUTHERN PRIDE and 4 M.L.s arrived Freetown.

 

PARTRIDGE and ANTELOPE arrived Bathurst.

 

DECOY parted company with GRIFFIN and proceeded south to reported position of submarine, transferred survivors of S.S. QUEBEC CITY from Aldecoa, recovered survivors from S.S. BRUYERE and returned to Freetown.

 

PETUNIA with defects and AVON VALE arrived Freetown.

 

SUMATRA and QUIBERON arrived Bathurst, and left with PARTRIDGE for Gibraltar.

 

SNOWDROP sailed from Freetown for Marshall.

 

WIVERN and VELOX escorting C.F. 5 sailed from Freetown.

 

DRAGON left Marshall for Takoradi.

 

TAMARISK left Lagos for Takoradi with L.T. 17.

 

Independent sailings between Takoradi and Lagos resumed on instructions of R.A.W.A.

 

ARRAN arrived Lagos; FANDANGO sailed for escort duty.

 

 


 

 

Enclosure No. 1

 

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE, WEST AFRICA

 

WAR DIARY – OCTOBER 1942

 

(Incorporating all War Diaries rendered for October 1942 by subordinate authorities)

 

 

 

PART 1 – OPERATIONAL

 

Thursday, 1st October

 

H.M.S. AVON VALE sailed from Freetown for Pointe Noire and H.M.S. DECOY arrived from Bathurst.

 

Dutch Cruiser SUMATRA with H.M.S. QUIBERON and H.M.S. PARTRIDGE joined H.M.S. GRIFFIN and H.M.S. ANTELOPE who were escorting EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA and ORION. GRIFFIN and ANTELOPE subsequently parted company to join convoy C.F. 5.

 

A Hudson aircraft attacked a "U boat" with depth charges in position 3-35N, 07-30W.

 

S.S. BARON OGILVY (3391 G.T.) torpedoed in position 2-30N, 14-30W.

 

One U boat sighted in position 01-06N, 04-53W and two more in position 00-45N, 03-53W.

 

H.M.S. SNAKEFLY sailed from Lagos for Freetown on completion of repairs.

 

Friday, 2nd October

 

H.M.S. SNOWDROP arrived Marshall to screen ships unloading.

 

GRIFFIN and ANTELOPE joined Convoy C.F. 5, but latter was subsequently detached to escort HAI LEE to Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. TAMARISK arrived Takoradi from Lagos.

 

F.S. COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES arrived Pointe Noire.

 

H.M.S. CORINTHIAN and H.M.S. COWSLIP sailed Freetown for Ascension Island on escorting duties and were joined by SNOWDROP from Marshall.

 

H.M.S. ASTURIAS sailed from Freetown for patrol accompanied by H.M.S. BRILLIANT to intercept Spanish MONTE GURUGU.

 

CHRISTIAN HUYGENS escorted by H.M.S. BOREAS arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M. Tug PRUDENT and Netherlands submarine O 21 arrived and sailed Point Noire on passage to the Cape.

 

Saturday, 3rd October

 

Convoy S.L. 124 (25 ships) sailed from Freetown, escorted by H.M. Ships WESTON, TOTLAND, DECOY, HONEYSUCKLE, and HYDERABAD.

 

H.M.S. AVONVALE joined convoy S.T. 37 which arrived Takoradi with H.M.S. WOODRUFF and F.S. COMMANDANT DROGOU. AVON VALE subsequently sailed from Takoradi for Point Noire.

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM with Netherlands submarine K 15 arrived Freetown from the Cape.

 

CHRISTIAN HUYGENS escorted by BOREAS sailed Takoradi for Lagos with Belgian Brigade from Matadi.

 

GRIFFIN parted company with Convoy C.F. 5 to proceed to Bathurst.

 

COWSLIP parted company with CORINTHIAN being relieved by SNOWDROP and returned to Freetown.

 

H.M.S. ROYAL SOVEREIGN, H.M.S. DUNCAN, and H.M.S. ANTHONY arrived Freetown from the Cape.

 

One Vichy convoy of 4 ships, escorted by Sloop A.75 sighted in position 04-16N, 08-09W. Course 053 degrees, speed 10 knots, sighted by aircraft on patrol. Another Vichy convoy of 4 ships escorted by one sloop and one submarine in position 16-03N, 17-20W. Course 360 degrees, speed 10 knots, was sighted by an aircraft.

 

H.M.S. COPINSAY and H.M.S. SNAKEFLY and M.L.s 244, 305, and 290 arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. SKUDD VI carried out "L" and "S.A." search of Q.C.B. 116 at Takoradi with negative result.

 

Sunday, 4th October

 

(n.b. top of page chopped)....sailed for Freetown.

 

H.M.S. Ships WIVERN and VELOX parted company with Convoy C.F. 5 and proceeded to Bathurst.

 

COWSLIP recovered survivors from EMPIRE AVOCET.

 

CROCUS arrived Freetown and GRIFFIN arrived Bathurst.

 

WOODRUFF sailed Takoradi escorting SILVER WILLOW to Freetown.

 

Vichy French S.S. ST BRIETAL sighted by aircraft off Tabou.

 

Aircraft reported sighting one destroyer escorting an 8000 ton merchant vessel in position 14-23N, 17-50W.

 

AVON VALE sailed from Takoradi.

 

BOREAS escorting CHRISTIAN HUYGENS arrived Lagos, where 2455 troops were disembarked.

 

H.M.S. FANDANGO arrived River Congo and sailed escorting ALEXANDRE ANDRE to Takoradi.

 

Monday, 5th October

 

ANTELOPE sailed Bathurst escorting ROSEWOOD to join convoy S.L. 124. After making rendezvous with this convoy she proceeded to Freetown with LAFONIA.

 

DECOY parted company with Convoy S.L. 124 and proceeded to Bathurst.

 

COWSLIP arrived Freetown subsequently sailing in company with CROCUS to hunt a U boat.

 

BOREAS escorting CHRISTIAN HUYGENS sailed Lagos for Takoradi.

 

PETUNIA attacked by U boat and missed by five torpedoes. (German's claimed sinking U.S.S. MISSISSIPPI at same time and place.)

 

American aircraft sighted one U boat in position 3-18N, 2-52W an another in position 02-10N, 20-10W.

 

H.M.S. CARNARVON CASTLE made rendezvous with ASTURIAS before proceeding with BRILLIANT to Freetown.

 

Tuesday, 6th October

 

SNOWDROP parted company with CORINTHIAN to return to Freetown.

 

H.M.S. VIMY and H.M.S. BURDOCK arrived Gibraltar from Trinidad with tanker convoy. VIMY requiring docking for repairs.

 

GRIFFIN sailed Bathurst for Freetown.

 

BOREAS parted company with CHRISTIAN HUYGENS off Takoradi and proceeded to Pointe Noire.

 

AVON VALE arrived Pointe Noire for fuel and sailed for Banana.

 

H.M.S. TAMARISK and COMMANDANT DROGOU sailed from Takoradi escorting convoy T.S. 21.

 

Netherlands submarine K 15 escorted by H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM sailed Freetown to the U.S.A. via Bermuda.

 

AVON VALE arrived Banana.

 

CORINTHIAN arrived Ascension Island.

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES sailed Pointe Noire for Matadi.

 

WIVERN arrived Bathurst and sailed escorting HAI LEE to Freetown (Troop movements).

 

ANTELOPE parted company with LAFONIA to assist CROCUS in hunting a U boat, with which she had already been in action.

 

CROCUS attacked U boat by ramming, subsequently engaging her with gun fire before ramming again and finally dropping two depth charges, which were seen to explode close to the U boat. It is considered that this U boat was destroyed, by this action 07-57N, 14-11W. (n.b. U 333 – not sunk)

 

One U boat was sighted by U.S. CINCINNATI in position 01-40N, 21-34W and another by an U.S. aircraft in the same position.

 

S.S. ANDALUCIA STAR (14,943 G.T.) torpedoed in position 6-38N, 15-40W.

 

MORRIS DANCE, COPINSAY, SNAKEFLY, and SKUDD VI sailed from Takoradi.

 

ROBERTS received orders to join Convoy T.S. 21.

 

Wednesday, 7th October

 

GRIFFIN arrived Freetown from Bathurst and sailed to overtake ROYAL SOVEREIGN.

 

CARNARVON CASTLE with BRILLIANT in company arrived Freetown.

 

ANTELOPE arrived Freetown with LAFONIA.

 

ROYAL SOVEREIGN escorted by DUNCAN and ANTHONY sailed from Freetown for U.S.A.

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES arrived and sailed from Matadi escorting military transport to Lagos with Belgian troops.

 

VELOX arrived Bathurst.

 

AVON VALE sailed Banana escorting H.T. BERGENSFIORD to Lagos.

 

Vichy French S.S. GRAND QUEVILLY escorted by sloop A.75 sighted in ..(n.b. bottom of page chopped)...54W. Course 185 degrees, speed 10 knots.

 

Thursday, 8th October

 

ANTELOPE sailed Freetown escorting two merchant ships to Bathurst.

 

WIVERN arrived Freetown escorting HAI LEE.

 

BOREAS arrived Pointe Noire and sailed for Matadi.

 

WOODRUFF arrived Freetown from Takoradi.

 

SOUTHERN GEM parted company with Netherlands submarine K 15 to escort JOHN PAGE to Freetown.

 

COWSLIP and CROCUS arrived Freetown.

 

PETUNIA arrived Freetown with 250 survivors from ANDALUCIA STAR.

 

S.S. GLENDENE (4413 G.T.) torpedoed in position 04-34N, 17-36W.

 

Submarine periscope sighted in position 07-09N, 15-30W by S.S. WELSH TRADER. U.S. aircraft reported sighting submarine in position 4-30N, 01-10W.

 

Friday, 9th October

 

DECOY sailed Bathurst to rendezvous with S.S. ORANSAY.

 

Convoy S.T. 38 (9 ships) sailed from Freetown escorted by WIVERN, BRILLIANT, and SOUTHERN PRIDE.

 

PETUNIA sailed Freetown to search for survivors.

 

BOREAS arrived Banana from Pointe Noire and sailed for Lagos escorting LEOPARDVILLE. (n.b. here and subsequent as recorded. Ship was LEOPOLDVILLE).

 

H.M.S. MILFORD arrived Freetown after refitting at Rio de Janeiro.

 

ROBERTS and AMARANTHUS joined convoy T.S. 21, subsequently AMARANTHUS parted company to proceed to Takoradi.

 

S.S. ORONSAY torpedoed in position 04-29N, 20-52W.

 

SNOWDROP made four attacks on U boat in position 05-40N, 16-27W.

 

BRILLIANT parted company with Convoy S.T. 38 and proceeded to search for survivors from S.S. ORONSAY.

 

ANTELOPE arrived Bathurst.

 

Aircraft sighted lifeboat with 20 survivors in position 05-44N, 10-10W.

 

Saturday, 10th October

 

SOUTHERN GEM parted company with S.S. JOHN PAGE and set course to join convoy S.T. 38.

 

VELOX passed orders to ANTELOPE and proceeded to St Vincent.

 

ANTELOPE passed orders to VELOX and proceeded to Bathurst.

 

BRILLIANT met S.S. NEA HELLES and proceeded to Freetown.

 

AVON VALE arrived Lagos, escorting BERGENSFIORD.

 

CORINTHIAN sailed from Ascension to search for survivors from DUCHESS OF ATHOLL.

 

DECOY commenced search for survivors from ORONSAY.

 

HYDRANGEA sailed from Lagos for Takoradi escorting DRUPA.

 

AMARANTHUS arrived Takoradi.

 

ANTELOPE arrived Bathurst.

 

S.S. DUCHESS OF ATHOLL torpedoed in position 07-03S, 11-12W.

 

Spanish S.S. MANU boarded by AMARANTHUS in position 03-48N, 03-30W. Ship's papers were found to be in order.

 

Sunday, 11th October

 

DRUPA escorted by HYDRANGEA in collision with CISTULA between Lagos and Takoradi. DRUPA and HYDRANGEA returned to Lagos.

 

NEA HELLES escorted by BRILLIANT arrived Freetown. BRILLIANT subsequently sailed to search for survivors of ORONSAY.

 

SOUTHERN GEM joined Convoy S.T. 38.

 

VELOX arrived St. Vincent

 

AVON VALE sailed Lagos for Takoradi, escorting BERGENSFIORD.

 

ANTELOPE sailed Bathurst to join convoy W.S. 23.

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES arrived Lagos.

 

CORINTHIAN picked up survivors from DUCHESS OF ATHOLL.

 

Vichy French aircraft carried out short reconnaissance of Freetown.

 

S.S. AGAPENOR (7392 G.T.) torpedoed in position 06-53N, 15-23W.

 

Monday, 12 the October

 

PETUNIA arrived Freetown.

 

DECOY abandoned search for survivors from ORONSAY and returned to Freetown.

 

ANTELOPE joined convoy W.S. 23.

 

BOREAS arrived Lagos with LEOPARDVILLE.

 

VELOX sailed St. Vincent to join Convoy W.S. 23.

 

AVON VALE arrived Takoradi from Lagos and sailed escorting to Freetown.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU detached from Convoy T.S. 21 to rendezvous with CORINTHIAN.

 

AURORA carried out bombardment practices off Freetown screened by MILFORD.

 

WIVERN carried out an attack on U boat in position 03-37N, 07-07W.

 

Large merchant vessel, burning navigation lights, sighted by M.L. 272 at 2230 in position 05-02N, 00-16W, course 250 degrees, speed 16 knots. M.L. was unable to overhaul and identify.

 

Tuesday, 13th October

 

Convoy T.S. 21 (13 ships) arrived Freetown from Takoradi, escorted by TAMARISK, ROBERTS, COMMANDANT DROGOU, COPINSAY, and MORRIS DANCE.

 

AURORA carried out naval bombardment practices off Freetown.

 

MILFORD and SNOWDROP sailed escorting to Bathurst.

 

U Boat sighted by U.S. aircraft in position 07-10S, 13-44W.

 

Portuguese S.S. JOAO BELO arrived Freetown for examination and navicerting.

 

Wednesday, 14th October

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU made rendezvous with CORINTHIAN.

 

Convoy S.T. 38 escorted by WIVERN arrived Takoradi.

 

WIVERN sailed from Takoradi escorting BERGENSFIORD to Freetown.

 

BOREAS sailed Lagos for Freetown.

 

HYDRANGEA and COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES sailed from Lagos escorting LEOPARDVILLE to Takoradi.

 

BRIDGEWATER arrived Bathurst.

 

SOUTHERN GEM arrived Takoradi.

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE sailed from Freetown, escorting to the West.

 

Portuguese S.S. QUANZA arrived Freetown for examination of grant of navicert.

 

Portuguese JOAO BELO sailed Freetown after a navicert had been granted.

 

One U boat was sighted by BRILLIANT in position 4-35N, 18-00W. and another by an American Clipper aircraft in position 3-53N, 18-05W.

 

Thursday, 15th October

 

VELOX joined Convoy W.S. 23.

 

AMARANTHUS sailed Takoradi escorting NORVIC to Lagos.

 

CORINTHIAN and COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Freetown.

 

AVON VALE arrived Freetown.

 

MILFORD and SNOWDROP arrived off Bathurst and escorted small convoy to Freetown.

 

HYDRANGEA and COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES arrived Takoradi escorting LEOPARDVILLE.

 

Portuguese S.S. MARIA AMELIA arrived Freetown for examination and the granting of a navicert.

 

ASTURIAS patrolling area H. 34 (A) to the east of 27-00W.

 

Friday, 16th October

 

Convoy W.S. 23 arrived Freetown, consisting of nine ships and escorted by ANTELOPE, VELOX, KANARIS, and PUCKERIDGE.

 

Convoy S.L. 125 (44 ships) sailed from Freetown escorted by PETUNIA, WOODRUFF, COWSLIP, CROCUS, and COMMANDANT DROGOU.

 

BOREAS on passage from Lagos to Freetown was diverted to search for survivors from ORONSAY.

 

ARMERIA arrived Bathurst from Gibraltar.

 

AMARANTHUS arrived Lagos escorting NORVIC.

 

DECOY sailed Freetown for Bathurst.

 

Portuguese S.S. QUANZA and S.S. MARIA AMELIA sailed from Freetown, navicerts having been granted to both ships.

 

Saturday, 17th October

 

BRIDGEWATER and ARMERIA sailed Bathurst escorting ships to join Convoy S.L. 125.

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE dispersed convoy and proceeded to rendezvous with AMERICAN SUN.

 

MILFORD and SNOWDROP arrived Freetown from Bathurst.

 

BRILLIANT picked up 267 survivors of ORONSAY and returned to Freetown.

 

BOREAS abandoned search for survivors of ORONSAY and returned to Freetown.

 

Sunday, 18th October

 

SOUTHERN GEM sailed Takoradi for Lagos escorting.

 

WIVERN arrived Freetown escorting BERGENSFIORD.

 

BOREAS arrived Freetown and BRILLIANT sailed to the North.

 

SNOWDROP sailed from Freetown escorting to the North.

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE rendezvoused with AMERICAN SUN and escorted her to Freetown.

 

Swiss S.S. MALOJA on arrival at Takoradi, reported that she had been stopped by a U boat in position 01-10N, 02-43E.

 

ST MELANTE arrived Lagos with PINZON.

 

CARNARVON CASTLE escorted by BRILLIANT and WIVERN sailed for United Kingdom with ORONSAY and DUCHESS OF ATHOLL survivors.

 

Monday, 19th October

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Bathurst.

 

ARMERIA parted company with BRIDGEWATER and returned to Freetown.

 

AMARANTHUS and COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES sailed Takoradi for Freetown.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU sailed Bathurst to rendezvous with SNOWDROP.

 

BRIDGEWATER joined S.L. 125.

 

CORINTHIAN sailed from Freetown escorting to the west.

 

SOUTHERN GEM arrived Lagos escorting STUYVESANT.

 

WIVERN detached by CARNARVON CASTLE to proceed to Bathurst.

 

Tuesday, 20th October

 

BRILLIANT detached by CARNARVON CASTLE to return to Freetown.

 

SOUTHERN GEM sailed Lagos for Takoradi.

 

Survivors recovered from ORONSAY by ARMERIA.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU from Bathurst made rendezvous with SNOWDROP.

 

BRILLIANT picked up 61 ORONSAY survivors and returned to Freetown.

 

Convoy W.S. 23 (10 ships) sailed Freetown escorted by DURBAN, DESPATCH, CARTHAGE, MILFORD, AVON VALE, TAMARISK, and KANARIS.

 

WIVERN arrived Bathurst.

 

Aircraft reported sighting on Vichy merchant vessel in position 09-40N, 15-20W, course 120 degrees.

 

Wednesday, 21st October

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE arrived Freetown escorting AMERICAN SUN.

 

SOUTHERN GEM arrived and sailed Takoradi.

 

WIVERN sailed Bathurst for Gibraltar.

 

VELOX and PUCKERIDGE sailed Freetown to carry out an A/S patrol off the harbour.

 

BRIDGEWATER parted company with Convoy S.L. 125 to proceed to St. Vincent.

 

CYCLAMEN arrived and sailed Point Noire.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived Pointe Noire from the Cape and sailed to rejoin GUARDIAN on passage to Freetown.

 

Thursday, 22nd October

 

VELOX and PUCKERIDGE returned to harbour after carrying out A/S patrol off Freetown.

 

SOUTHERN GEM sailed from Takoradi to join Convoy W.S. 23.

 

BRIDGEWATER met BARON NAPIER off St. Vincent and escorted her to Freetown.

 

HYDRANGEA and COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES arrived Freetown from Takoradi.

 

BURDOCK arrived Bathurst from Gibraltar.

 

Convoy T.S. 22 (7 ships) arrived Freetown escorted by ARRAN, ST WISTAN, and M.L. 287.

 

Convoy S.T. 39 (14 ships) sailed from Freetown, escorted by SOUTHERN PRIDE, ST WISTAN, Chasseurs Nos. 42 and 43, and M.L.s 296, 244, 271, and 209.

 

Friday, 23rd October

 

EMPIRE PUMA detached by AMARANTHUS and proceeded to Pointe Noire.

 

VELOX and PUCKERIDGE sailed from Freetown escorting to Bathurst.

 

SOUTHERN GEM joined convoy W.S. 23 and AVON VALE was detached to proceed to Marshall to pick up survivors.

 

PHOEBE was hit port side forward by torpedo from U boat, 4 miles off Pointe Noire, where she subsequently proceeded into harbour. AMARANTHUS attacked this U boat, which was considered to be damaged and possibly sunk.

 

Portuguese S.S. CABO VERDE arrived at Freetown for examination and the granting of a navicert.

 

Aircraft reported sighting a U boat in position 04-40N, 01-00W.

 

SIRIUS arrived Pointe Noire from Cape Town.

 

Saturday, 24th October

 

AMARANTHUS arrived from Lagos and SIRIUS sailed for Freetown.

 

ROBERTS sailed from Freetown for Gibraltar, escorted by ANTELOPE and HYDRANGEA.

 

CORINTHIAN joined convoy S.T. 39.

 

VELOX and PUCKERIDGE arrived Bathurst.

 

BOREAS sailed from Freetown with QUEEN OF BERMUDA.

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE detached from S.T. 39 to proceeded to Takoradi.

 

TAMARISK sailed Takoradi to join Convoy C.F. 7.

 

AVON VALE embarked survivors at Marshall and proceeded to Freetown.

 

Portuguese S.S. CABO VERDE sailed from Freetown after navicert had been granted to Funchal and Lisbon.

 

A Vichy French Convoy of four merchant ships escorted by one destroyer reported in position 11-19N, 17-51W, course 192 degrees and speed 8 knots.

 

DURBAN arrived Takoradi for minor repairs.

 

Sunday, 25th October

 

AVON VALE arrived Freetown.

 

AMARANTHUS sailed from Pointe Noire to join Convoy W.S. 23.

 

BRILLIANT and AVON VALE sailed from Freetown.

 

SNOWDROP and COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Bathurst and BURDOCK sailed to rendezvous with ROBERTS.

 

SOUTHERN GEM parted company with W.S. 23 to proceed to Pointe Noire.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived Pointe Noire.

 

U.S. Aircraft sighted U boat in position 04-25N, 03-05W.

 

Monday, 26th October

 

SNOWDROP sailed from Bathurst to join ROBERTS.

 

BURDOCK joined ROBERTS and ANTELOPE proceeded to Bathurst.

 

BRILLIANT and AVON VALE arrived Bathurst and sailed again for Gibraltar.

 

BOREAS arrived Bathurst and sailed again in company with ANTELOPE for Gibraltar.

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE arrived Takoradi.

 

BRIDGEWATER arrived Freetown from the United Kingdom.

 

VELOX and PUCKERIDGE sailed from Bathurst to Gibraltar.

 

Aircraft reported U boat in position 10-50N, 17-30W.

 

Tuesday, 27th October

 

HYDRANGEA arrived at Bathurst.

 

TAMARISK joined Convoy C.F. 7.

 

CORINTHIAN arrived Takoradi escorting Convoy S.T. 39.

 

Convoy F.T. 1 (Freetown – Trinidad) sailed from Freetown, consisting of 9 ships escorted by CANNA, COPINSAY, and MORRIS DANCE.

 

U.S. Aircraft sighted U boat in position 04-05S, 09-55W.

 

Chasseurs No. 42 and 43 arrived Takoradi.

 

ARROW and ACTIVE arrived at Pointe Noire from Convoy C.F. 7 for fuel and sailed again later to rejoin Convoy.

 

Wednesday, 28th October

 

SOUTHERN GEM arrived Pointed Noire.

 

CYCLAMEN arrived Freetown escorting GUARDIAN for the South.

 

SIRIUS arrived at Freetown from Pointe Noire.

 

Thursday, 29th October

 

SIRIUS sailed from Freetown for Gibraltar.

 

RUNSWICK BAY sailed from Freetown for docking at Lagos.

 

U.S. Aircraft reported sighting U boat in position 01-00N, 04-55W.

 

CORINTHIAN, SOUTHERN PRIDE, RUMBA, and Chasseurs No. 42 and 43 sailed from Takoradi.

 

FANDANGO arrived Lagos on escort duty.

 

KELT arrived Pointe Noire from Lagos and sailed for Port Gentil.

 

Friday, 30th October

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE joined Convoy C.F. 7 and TAMARISK proceeded to Lagos.

 

HYDRANGEA and COMMANDANT DROGOU sailed from Bathurst escorting to Freetown.

 

ARMERIA and CYCLAMEN sailed from Freetown escorting GUARDIAN to the North.

 

Aircraft on patrol reported sighting Vichy French Sloop A.75 and GRAND QUEVILLY in position 03-41N, 01-11W, course 250 degrees, speed 8 knots.

 

CORINTHIAN arrived Lagos escorting THYSVILLE and BRITISH PRINCESS.

 

Saturday, 31st October

 

Submarine P.552 arrived at Freetown.

 

CORINTHIAN sailed from Lagos escorting CAP PADORAN to Freetown.

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES sailed from Freetown escorting to Pointe Noire.

 

ANTELOPE, BOREAS, BRILLIANT, AVON VALE, VELOX, and PUCKERIDGE arrived Gibraltar.

 

Portuguese S.S. ANGOLA and S.S. COLONIAL arrived Freetown for examination and the granting of navicerts.

 

 

 


 

 

 

Enclosure No. 1

 

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE, WEST AFRICA

 

WAR DIARY – NOVEMBER 1942

 

(Incorporating all War Diaries rendered for November 1942 by subordinate authorities)

 

 

 

PART 1 – OPERATIONAL

 

Sunday, 1st November

 

H.M.S. MILFORD left Walvis Bay escorting OLTENIA II to Pointe Noire.

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM left Pointe Noire on escort duty to Lagos via Duala.

 

H.M.S. HYDRANGEA and F.F.S. COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Freetown with T.S. 25.

 

H.M.S. TAMARISK arrived Lagos.

 

Portuguese S.S. ANGOLA sailed Freetown for Funchal having been granted navicert.

 

S.S. GEORGES THATCHER (U.S.) torpedoed in position 2-20S, 8-16E. Forty eight survivors picked up by F.F. Chasseur 43.

 

Monday, 2nd November

 

H.M.S. SNOWDROP, H.M.S. BURDOCK, and H.M.S. ROBERTS arrived Gibraltar.

 

H.M. Ships SHROPSHIRE, HECLA, ARROW, ACTIVE, AMARANTHUS, and SOUTHERN PRIDE arrived Freetown with C.F. 7 (4 ships).

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN PRIDE carried out attack on U boat in position 02-33S, 9-11E.

 

R.A.F. plane on flight to Liberia sighted unidentified merchant ship in position 6-00N, 4-55W source 090 degrees, speed 12 knots.

 

Tuesday, 3rd November

 

H.M.S. TAMARISK left Lagos escorting CISTULA to Congo River. F.F.S. COMMANDANT DETROYAT left Pointe Noire for Boma.

 

T.S. 23 arrived from Takoradi.

 

Aircraft reported sighting 2 merchant ships in position 9-40N, 15-45W, speed 8 – 10 knots, course 180 degrees, and one destroyer and two merchant ships in position 12-30N, 17-50W, course 160 degrees, speed 10 knots.

 

U.S. Aircraft reported sighting U boat in position 1-50N, 7-50W.

 

M.L.s 279, 277, 1065, H.M.S. SPANIARD arrived Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. BENGALI left Lagos escorting DRUPA to Takoradi.

 

Chasseurs 42 and 43 arrived Pointe Noire from Takoradi, COMMANDANT DETROYAT sailed for Boma.

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM sailed Libreville escorting S.S. PIERRE LOTI to Duala and Lagos.

 

S.S. DAGOMBA torpedoed in position 2-26N, 19-00W.

 

Wednesday, 4th November

 

H.M. Ships SHROPSHIRE, HECLA, BRIDGEWATER, ARROW, ACTIVE sailed with C.F. 7 (5 ships).

 

S.T. 40 sailed for Takoradi.

 

S.S. COLONIAL (Portuguese) sailed fro Funchal after being granted navicert.

 

PINTO, EMPIRE PAT arrived towing SHELL V.

 

SOUTHERN PRIDE sailed to rendezvous with W.S. 24.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived Boma and sailed for Port Noire.

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM arrived Duala.

 

H.M.S. BURDOCK sailed Gibraltar for Freetown.

 

M.L. 279 sailed Bathurst.

 

S.S. OUED GROU torpedoed in position 4-33N, 4-49E. Four officers and twenty nine of the crew landed at Brase. Three Africans missing.

 

H.M.S. KELT and M.L. 263 arrived Lagos.

 

Thursday, 5th November

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM left Duala for Lagos.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived Pointe Noire from Boma and sailed again for Boma.

 

EMPIRE SAM (tug) and TUZLA (vehicular ferry) arrived Freetown.

 

NEW TORONTO torpedoed in position 5-57N, 2-30E at 2010, whilst escorted by M.L. 263. Eighty four survivors picked up. U Boat sighted by D.C. 3 on surface 12 miles east of Cape St Paul.

 

Collier NUPE in vicinity of Cotonol was about to be attacked by U boat on surface when sighted by civil plane which carried out dummy attack forcing U boat to submerge.

 

H.M.S. BENGALI arrived Takoradi.

 

M.L.s 285, 1019, 244, 1041, 1209, H.M.S. BENGALI sailed to search for submarine reported by Catalina aircraft in position 17 miles 140 degrees Takoradi, whilst on passage Lagos to Bathurst. Negative result.

 

R.A.F. reported Vichy merchantman off Tabu, course 275 degrees, 6 knots.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived Point Noire escorting transport CUBA from Boma and sailed again for Malela.

 

Friday, 6th November

 

H.M.S. CORINTHIA arrived Freetown from Lagos.

 

H.M.S. MILFORD arrived Pointe Noire from Walvis Bay.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived Pointe Noire.

 

H.M.S. MILFORD and COMMANDANT DETROYAT left Takoradi on escort to North.

 

CAP PADARAN – SANTA CECILLIA arrived Freetown.

 

Military Accra reported that four canoes had been attacked by U boat 6 to 8 miles south of Keta, two being sunk.

 

U boat sighted by aircraft 5-37N, 1-05E.

 

U boat sighted on surface 5-50N, 1-15E.

 

U boat sighted by aircraft 5-37N, 01-04E.

 

U boat reported by M.L. 263 110 degrees, 30 miles from Accra.

 

Aircraft reported Vichy destroyer in position 6-05N, 01-22E.

 

Owing to U boat activity in the area all shipping at Accra was ordered to be convoyed to Takoradi forthwith. H.M.S. BENGALI, M.L. 285, and 244 detailed as escort.

 

M.L. 1209, 1041, 1052, 285, H.M.S. ST WISTAN arrived Takoradi.

 

M.L. 263 arrived Lagos with survivors from S.S. TORONTO.

 

H.M.S. RUNSWICK BAY sailed Lagos with H.M. Ships FANDANGO, KELT, and M.L.s 263 and 1042 to search for further survivors.

 

H.M.S. MILFORD arrived Pointe Noire escorting OLTENIA II from Walvis Bay.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT escorting CUBA and S.S. SILVER ASH left Pointe Noire for Takoradi and Lagos.

 

Saturday, 7th November

 

H.M.S. TAMARISK arrived off Congo River and proceeded to Pointe Noire.

 

H.M.S. HYDRANGEA and COMMANDANT DROGOU completed boiler cleaning at Freetown.

 

Aircraft reported U boat in position 4-21N, 3-18W.

 

M.L.s 1006, 1019, 285, 278, 244, 263, 272, H.M.S. BENGALI arrived Takoradi. M.L.s 1052 and 1041 left.

 

R.A.F. reported convoy S.T. 41 seven hours late with H.M.S. MORRIS DANCE five hours astern.

 

Aircraft reported submarine which submerged in position 4-21N, 3-18W.

 

H.M.S. Ships FANDANGO, KELT, RUNSWICK BAY, M.L. 1042 returned to Lagos.

 

H.M.S. TAMARISK arrived Pointe Noire from Lagos.

 

Sunday, 8th November

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES arrived Pointe Noire from Freetown.

 

H.M.S. TAMARISK left Pointe Noire escorting to Lagos.

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM arrived Lagos.

 

H.M.S. TRUANT and Netherlands submarine K.14 arrived Freetown from the Cape.

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN PRIDE rendezvoused with W.S. 24 and escorted TAMAROA to Freetown.

 

H.M.S. ARMERIA and H.M.S. CYCLAMEN arrived Gibraltar with GUARDIAN.

 

Convoy F.T.T. 2 sailed for Trinidad escorted by H.M.S. TURCOMAN and M.L.s 290, 271, 261.

 

U.S. Aircraft sighted U boat in position 5-25S, 11-51W.

 

S.S. WEST HUMHAW torpedoed in position 4-19N, 2-44W, crew were rescued by M.L. 281.

 

S.S. BENALDER ex convoy S.T. 41 torpedoed in the same position. B.D.V. BARBRAKE, Harbour tug, M.L. 261 sent to assist H.M.S. MORRIS DANCE in towing to Takoradi. Operation successful.

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM arrived Lagos.

 

H.M. Ships FANDANGO and KELT arrived with Forcados Convoy.

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES arrived Pointe Noire from Freetown and H.M.S. DRAGON from Capetown.

 

H.M.S. TAMARISK sailed escorting OLTENIA II from Pointe Noire to Lagos.

 

S.S. MALOJA torpedoed in position 11-25N, 27-00W.

 

Monday, 9th November

 

H.M.S. CORINTHIAN and COMMANDANT DROGOU sailed Freetown with S.T. 41.

 

H.M. Ships AMARANTHUS and ASTURIAS sailed Freetown on patrol.

 

H.M.S. HOLCOMBE arrived Bathurst from north and sailed again to rendezvous with H.M.S. SOUTHERN PRIDE.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived Lagos.

 

S.S. CERINTHUS torpedoed in position 12-27N, 27-27W.

 

H.M.S. ST WISTAN and BENGALI left Takoradi.

 

R.A.F. sighted Vichy sloop A.75 and merchant vessel MONTE VISO at Loma.

 

Native report of submarine on the surface off Cape Nun.

 

H.M.S. DRAGON sailed Pointe Noire for Duala.

 

Tuesday, 10th November

 

H.M.S. HOLCOMBE rendezvoused with H.M.S. SOUTHERN PRIDE and escorted to Freetown.

 

H.M. Submarine P 552 sailed for Capetown.

 

H.M.S. BURDOCK arrived Bathurst. H.M.S. MILFORD arrived Takoradi.

 

S.S. START POINT torpedoed in position 13-12N, 27-27W.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived Lagos with S.S. SILVER ASH.

 

H.M. Ships FANDANGO and KELT arrived with NIGERIAN.

 

Wednesday, 11th November

 

H.M.S. MILFORD left Takoradi escorting CUBA to Lagos.

 

H.M.S. BURDOCK left Bathurst escorting to Freetown.

 

H.M. Submarine P.614 arrived Freetown from United Kingdom for A/S training.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT left Lagos escorting to Takoradi.

 

R.A.F. reported U boat in position 04-50N, 3-55W course 360 degrees, proceeding in direction of Port Bouet.

 

Reporting Officer, Calabar, report civil aircraft sighted U boat in position 4-27N, 7-52E.

 

Aircraft reports U boat in position 14-30N, 17-43W.

 

R.A.F. reported Vichy sloop A.75 in position 4-32N, 00-48W, course 237 degrees.

 

H.M.S. BENGALI and H.M.S. ST WISTAN arrived Lagos with T.L.D.M. 1

 

H.M. Ships FANDANGO, KELT, PICT, and ST WISTAN sailed with T.L.D.M.1.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT and H.M.S. BENGALI sailed with L.T. 18.

 

H.M.S. DRAGON arrived Duala for courtesy visit in accordance with Commander in Chief, South Atlantic signal timed 1317C of 2nd November 1942.

 

Thursday, 12th November

 

H.M.S. MILFORD arrived Lagos with CUBA.

 

H.M.S. TAMARISK arrived Lagos with OLTENIA II from Pointe Noire.

 

H.M.S. HOLCOMBE and H.M.S. SOUTHERN PRIDE arrived Freetown with TAMAROA.

 

H.M.S. BRIDGEWATER parted company with C.F. 7 proceeding to Ponta Delgada for fuel.

 

6 Vichy merchant ships, 2 escort vessels, 1 aircraft sighted by aircraft in position 16-10N, 16-50W, course 190 degrees, 6 knots.

 

B.O.A.C. Aircraft sighted 4 empty lifeboats in position 5-00N, 1-19W.

 

Friday, 13th November

 

H.M.S. BRIDGEWATER arrived Ponta Delgada for fuel.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived Takoradi from Lagos.

 

H.M.S. HOLCOMBE and H.M.S. HYDRANGEA sailed Freetown with S.T. 42 (6 ships).

 

H.M.S. BURDOCK arrived Freetown from Bathurst.

 

H.M. Submarine TRUANT and Royal Netherlands Submarine K.14 sailed Freetown for United Kingdom.

 

H.M.S. BRIDGEWATER sailed Ponta Delgada for Freetown.

 

H.M.S. CORINTHIAN and COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Takoradi with S.T. 41.

 

U boat report from Reporting Officer Forcados, reporting fisherman had observed U boat on surface in vicinity of Ramos Bar.

 

H.M.S. Ships PICT and ST WISTAN arrived Lagos with convoy from Freetown.

 

H.M.S. DRAGON sailed Duala for Lagos on conclusion of courtesy visit.

 

Saturday, 14th November

 

H.M.S. CORINTHIAN, F.F.S. COMMANDANT DROGOU and COMMANDANT DETROYAT sailed Takoradi with T.S. 24.

 

U boat reported by aircraft in position 15-04N, 18-23W.

 

H.M.S. DRAGON arrived Lagos.

 

Sunday, 15th November

 

H.M.S. HYDRANGEA parted company with S.T. 42 to tow M.L. 209 to Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. CORINTHIAN parted company with T.S. 24 to proceed to Pointe Noire.

 

Vichy merchant ship CAPE LOPEZ reported by aircraft in position 13-54N, 16-33W.

 

Monday, 16th November

 

West Africa Area became separate Command under Rear Admiral F.H. Pegram, D.S.O. with title of Flag Officer Commanding, West Africa. Northern and southern limits of Command being from 20N to 10S, western limit being a line drawn from 20N, 40W to Ascension Island and thence a line drawn in direction of 40S, 26W to southern limit.

 

Royal Netherlands submarine K.14 sailed after battery defects had been made good.

 

H.M. Ships MILFORD and TAMARISK sailed Lagos escorting troopships to Freetown.

 

Tuesday, 17th November

 

H.M.S. HYDRANGEA turned over tow of M.L. 209 to ORFASY and rejoined convoy T.S. 42.

 

U.S. Aircraft reported sighting U boat in position 5-53N, 1-10E.

 

H.M.S. ARRAN arrived Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. ORFASY, M.L.s 209 and 265 arrived Takoradi.

 

M.L.s 285, 244, and 272 arrived Pointe Noire from T.L.D.M. 1.

 

H.M.S. FANDANGO and KELT arrived Banana.

 

Wednesday, 18th November

 

H.M. Ships HOLCOMBE and HYDRANGEA arrived Takoradi with S.T. 42.

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES left Pointe Noire for Boma (docking).

 

H.M.S. COPINSAY arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. PICT sailed from Lagos on escort duty.

 

Thursday, 19th November

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES arrived Boma.

 

H.M.S. CORINTHIAN arrived Pointe Noire.

 

U boats reported by British Consul, St. Vincent, to be using Janella Bay, San Antonio, 17-07-00N, 24-59-30W anchoring between sunset and sunrise.

 

Report received from Angola that member of submarine crew landed in plain clothes and visited German Consulate.

 

H.M. Ships FANDANGO and KELT sailed Banana for Pointe Noire escorting tankers.

 

Friday, 20th November

 

H.M.S. KHYBER arrived from United Kingdom.

 

COMMANDANT DROGOU, COMMANDANT DETROYANT, and H.M.S. MORRIS DANCE arrived Freetown with T.S. 24 (8 ships).

 

H.M.S. HOLCOMBE sailed Takoradi for Lagos escorting.

 

H.M.H.S. TJITJALENKA arrived.

 

U boat reported by Reporting Officer, Keta, four miles to east of Keta.

 

H.M.S. PICT arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M. Ships FANDANGO and KELT arrived Pointe Noire escorting tankers.

 

Chasseur 43 and M.L. 285 sailed Pointe Noire for Quiconque Bay.

 

Saturday, 21st November

 

H.M.S. MILFORD arrived escorting troopships (L.S. 8)

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM left Lagos escorting tankers to Takoradi.

 

H.M. Ships HOLCOMBE and ST WISTAN arrived off Lagos and proceeded south escorting T.L.D.M. 2.

 

H.M.S. CORINTHIAN left Pointe Noire to tow S.S. COLUMBINE.

 

H.M.S. AMARANTHUS left H.M.S. ASTURIAS on patrol and proceeded to Freetown.

 

U.S. Cruiser MILWAUKEE encountered blockade runner in position 00-54N, 22-34W. Ship scuttled herself on cruiser approaching. Prisoners were taken – name of ship ANNALISSE ESSBERGER.

 

H.M. Ships FANDANGO and KELT left Pointe Noire escorting 3 tankers to Takoradi.

 

Distress message received from S.S. COLUMBINE adrift in position 253 degrees 290 miles from Pointe Noire, M.L.s sent to act as screen failed to locate H.M.S. CORINTHIAN.

 

(n.b. bottom of page chopped).

 

Saturday, 22nd November

 

H.M.S. BRIDGEWATER joined...(n.b. top of page chopped)..Freetown.

 

H.M.S. DRAGON sailed Freetown for Pointe Noire.

 

H.M.S. HYDRANGEA left Takoradi with T.S. 25.

 

H.M.S. ARMERIA and H.M.S. CYCLAMEN left Gibraltar for Freetown.

 

H.M.S. BURDOCK and COMMANDANT DROGOU carried out A/S exercised with submarine P.614.

 

H.M.S. NORTHERN DAWN and COVENTRY CITY arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M. Ships ORFASY, HYDRANGEA, PICT, and M.L. 265 arrived.

 

Monday, 23rd November

 

H.M.S. CORINTHIAN located S.S. COLUMBINE and commenced tow to Pointe Noire.

 

H.M. Ships BURDOCK and SOUTHERN PRIDE sailed escorting LADY DENNISON PENDER to Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN PRIDE carried out A/S exercises with Submarine P.614.

 

U boat attacked by U.S. Aircraft in position 7-45N, 15-20W.

 

Tuesday, 24th November

 

H.M.S. AMARANTHUS arrived Freetown.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT and H.M.S. RUMBA sailed with S.T. 44 (5 ships).

 

H.M. Ships SPANIARD, MAGNOLIA, SOUTHERN GEM, ST ZENO, CANNA, Tugs EMPIRE PAT and EMPIRE SAM and Floating Crane arrived Takoradi.

 

R.A.F. reported aircraft crashed 220 degrees, 11 miles, Takoradi, M.L. 274 depatched to rescue but was recalled when aircraft was located on the beach.

 

H.M. Submarine P.552 arrived Pointe Noire from Freetown.

 

Wednesday, 25th November

 

H.M.S. BRIDGEWATER arrived Freetown.

 

H.M.S. CORINTHIAN arrived Pointe Noire with S.S. COLUMBINE.

 

H.M. Ships HOLCOMBE and ST WISTAN arrived Lagos with T.L.D.M. 2 and left for Takoradi.

 

COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES left Boma and arrived Pointe Noire.

 

H.M.S. CANNA and H.M.S. COPINSAY left Lagos.

 

Thursday, 26th November

 

H.M.S. BRIDGEWATER left Freetown on escort duty.

 

H.M.S. CYCLAMEN left H.M.S. ARMERIA and proceeded to join LADY DENNISON PENDER.

 

H.M. Ships FANDANGO and KELT arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM proceeded to search for crashed aircraft in position 2-35N, 4-10W instructed to return through amended position 0-21N, 2-22W – Negative result.

 

H.M. Submarine P .552 sailed Pointe Noire for Simonstown.

 

Friday, 27th November

 

H.M.S. CYCLAMEN relieved H.M.S. BURDOCK as escort to LADY DENNISON PENDER.

 

H.M.S. HOLCOMBE arrived Takoradi from Lagos.

 

H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM returned Takoradi from searching for aircraft.

 

S.S. POLYDORUS torpedoed in position 9-01N, 25-38W.

 

H.M. Ships CANNA and COPINSAY arrived Lagos with 8 ships from Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. NORTHERN ISLES arrived Pointe Noire from Takoradi escorting.

 

Chasseur 43 arrived and sailed Port Gentil escorting.

 

Saturday, 28th November

 

H.M.S. ARMERIA arrived Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. MILFORD sailed Freetown escorting to Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. ARMERIA sailed Bathurst to rendezvous with H.M.S. BRIDGEWATER and convoy.

 

H.M.S. MILFORD and H.M.S. KYHBER carried out A/S exercises with Submarine P.614.

 

H.M. Ships HOLCOMBE and ST WISTAN arrived Takoradi.

 

Sunday, 29th November

 

H.M.S. TAMARISK carried out A/s exercise with P.614.

 

H.M.S. HYDRANGEA arrived Freetown with T.S. 25.

 

H.M.S. BURDOCK arrived Bathurst.

 

COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived Takoradi with S.T. 44.

 

H.M. Ships HOLCOMBE, SOUTHERN GEM, and COMMANDANT DETROYAT sailed from Takoradi with T.S. 26.

 

H.M.S. COPINSAY sailed from Lagos for Takoradi with troopship CAP PADARAN.

 

Monday, 30th November

 

H.M.S. ARMERIA joined convoy FTT.3 and H.M.S. BRIDGEWATER proceeded to search for survivors of S.S. POLYDORUS.

 

Portuguese S.S. MOUZINHO arrived Freetown for examination.

 

 

 

PART II – GENERAL

 

Operation TORCH had resulted in the weakening of Freetown escort forces to a considerable degree.

 

2. West African ports were placed in a state of readiness against attack during the days preceeding and following the opening of the North African campaign.

 

3. An American submarine carried out reconnaissance patrol off Dakar during this period.

 

4. The cessation of O.S. and S.L. convoys brought about a reduction in shipping on the West African coast until ships dispersed from the O.N. convoys started to arrive independently.

 

5. SOUTHERN GEM was the only ship to carry out an attack during the month. This occurred on 2nd November, whilst escorting from Pointe Noire to Duala. A U boat was known to be in the vicinity as GEORGE THATCHER had been torpedoed some eighty miles away the previous day; this is some doubt as to whether the contact was a submarine.

 

6. The arrival of P.614 had given a definite "filip" to A/S training at Freetown.

 

7. Runs on the A/S attack Teacher are most desirable for exercising the A/S teams of our ships, but no matter how intensively carried out, are not comparable with training on a real target.

 

8. Training commenced on 17th November and six days A/S exercises were arranged. Ships participating being one sloop, four corvettes, one trawler, one whaler, one Bangor Class minesweepers, and four Motor Launched.

 

9, In addition to these A/S practices, the opportunity has been taken to exercise R.D.F. sets of corvettes on a submarine target with satisfactory results. Ranges of up to 7000 yards have been obtained with the submarine fully surfaced. Exercises with R.A.F. aircraft have also been carried out on two occasions and during all practices R/T communications between ships and aircraft were exercised to the fullest extent with good results.

 

10. Sea conditions for asdic operations have without exception proved to be good. It is earnestly hoped that a submarine will be available for these most valuable and indeed essential exercises. The majority of the asdic ratings in sloops have not operated with a submarine for a considerable period and the results have consequently been disappointing. An improvement has already been shown by ships which have exercised on more than one occasion.

 

11. A Battle Practice and Pattern IV Target have arrived and it is intended to carry out Low Angle Shoots. No High Angle Targets have been available for this month.

 

12. H.M. Ships SNOWDROP and COWSLIP proceeded to United Kingdom for refit and COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES docked at Boma. This is the first occasion of this dock being used by an escort vessel and it is now hoped to use it regularly commencing in the New Year.

 

13. Considerable number of our destroyers and corvettes are due to annual refit, but owning to many being detached for Operation TORCH, it is not possible to spare any more until reliefs arrive.

 

14. During the month under review, 71 vessels arrived in the port. 10 from O.N and O.N. (S) convoys, 1 ex W.S. convoy, 13 T.S. Convoy, 3 L.S. Convoy, 4 in C.F. and 6 in T.

 

 


 

 

Flag Officer Commanding, West Africa

 

No. 236/129 dated 2nd March 1943

 

Enclosure No. 1

 

FLAG OFFICER IN CHARGE, WEST AFRICA

 

WAR DIARY – DECEMBER 1942

 

(Incorporating all War Diaries rendered for December 1942 by subordinate authorities)

 

 

 

PART 1 – OPERATIONAL

 

Tuesday, 1st December

 

H.M.S. CORINTHIAN sailed from Pointe Noire for Rio de Janeiro.

 

H.M.S. BURDOCK and M.L. 271 sailed from Bathurst escorting S.S. PINZON.

 

H.M.H.S. ATLANTIS and 3 ships ex convoy O.N. 142 arrived Freetown.

 

H.M.S. PHOEBE escorted by F.S. COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES, COMMANDANT DROGOU, M.L.s 244 and 272 sailed from Pointe Noire for Takoradi.

 

Wednesday, 2nd December

 

Chasseur 43 arrived Duala and sailed for Pointe Noire.

 

H.M.S. KELT sailed from Takoradi for Lagos.

 

H.M.H.S. ATLANTIS sailed for Clyde Convoy S.T. 45 (10 ships) sailed escorted by H.M.S. KELT.

 

Portuguese ship MOVZINHO with Navicert sailed for St. Vincent.

 

H.M.S. ASTURIAS sailed Freetown to carry out blockade runner patrol.

 

Thursday, 3rd December

 

H.M.S. HYDRANGEA with convoy C.F. 8 arrived Freetown.

 

H.M.S. CYCLAMEN arrived Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. PICT sailed Freetown for Marshall.

 

H.M.S. HYDRANGEA sailed on escort duties.

 

M.L.s 1006 and 1041 arrived Lagos from Takoradi.

 

Friday, 4th December

 

H.M.S. KELT arrived Lagos from Takoradi escorting tanker ATHELVICTOR.

 

M.L. 266 sailed from Lagos on escort duties.

 

Arrived Freetown from Takoradi convoy T.S. 26 (7 ships) escorted by H.M. Ships TAMARISK and SOUTHERN GEM and F.F.S. COMMANDANT DETROYAT.

 

H.M.S. MILFORD arrived Freetown.

 

H.M.S. BURDOCK and M.L. 271 arrived Freetown.

 

From Takoradi sailed H.M.S. COPINSAY.

 

Saturday, 5th December

 

U.S. Aircraft reported sighting U boat 4 miles south of Accra.

 

Chasseur 43 arrived Pointe Noire with defects.

 

H.M.S. RUMBA sailed from Takoradi.

 

M.L. 274 arrived Takoradi.

 

M.L.s 251 and 277 sailed Freetown for Bathurst.

 

Sunday, 6th December

 

H.M.S. BRIDGEWATER arrived Freetown.

 

H.M. Ships PHOEBE, COMMANDANT DROGOU, COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES, and M.L.s 272, 244, and 266 arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M. Ships BUTSER, DUNKERY, DUNCTON, and BIRDLIP arrived Bathurst.

 

H.M. Ships MILFORD, TAMARISK, AMARANTHUS, YESTOR, and ARRAN sailed Freetown for Trinidad escorting convoy F.T.T. 4 (9 ships).

 

H.M.S. CYCLAMEN rendezvoused with H.M.S. ASTURIAS on patrol.

 

Monday, 7th December

 

H.M.S. PHOEBE sailed from Takoradi.

 

M.L. s 265 and 296 arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. ARMERIA arrived Freetown from Bathurst.

 

M.L.s 261 and 290 sailed from Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. HYDRANGEA, F.F.S. COMMANDANT DROGOU, and M.L.s 274 and 273 arrived and sailed Takoradi for Freetown with H.M.S. PHOEBE.

 

H.M.S. ST WISTAN sailed Freetown for Bathurst.

 

M.L.s 1014 and 1018 sailed Lagos for Takoradi.

 

H.M. Ships SPHENE, ST LOMAN, KYBER, STELLA POLARIS, and NORTHERN CHIEF arrived Takoradi from Freetown.

 

 U boat reported in 15-00N, 23-32W off Pedra Badejo Bay, St Jago, Cape Verde Islands.

 

H.M. Ships ST ZENO, NORTHERN DAWN, and COVENTRY CITY arrived Pointe Noire escorting H.M. Ships MAGNOLIA and BARBRAITE (n.b. BARBRAKE ?), and Turkish ferry vessel TUZLA with tugs.

 

Tuesday, 8th December

 

F.F.S. COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES and H.M. Ships NORWICH CITY, STELLA POLARIS, and M.L.s 302 and 209 sailed from Takoradi.

 

M.L. 274 arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M. Ships DUNCTON, DUNKERY, BUTSER, and ST WISTAN sailed from Bathurst on escorting duties.

 

Wednesday, 9th December

 

F.F.S. COMMANDANT DETROYAT and H.M.S. SOUTHERN GEM sailed Freetown for Gibraltar.

 

Convoy S.T. 46 (6 ships) sailed for Takoradi escorted by H.M. Ships CAPE WARWICK, LE TIGER, ARCTIC EXPLORER, and INDIAN STAR.

 

H.M. Ships RUMBA, COPINSAY, M.L. 1018 and 1014 arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M. Ships RUMBA, COPINSAY, ST LOMAN, SPHENE, KYBER with tugs BOLD and INTEGRITY sailed Takoradi.

 

Thursday, 10th December

 

Aircraft reported sighting U Boat in 4-32N, 2-15W.

 

H.M.S. ORFASY sailed Freetown for Marshall.

 

H.M.S. ILEX sailed.

 

H.M.S. ARRAN arrived Freetown from escort duties.

 

H.M.S. BIRDLIP arrived Bathurst.

 

M.L.s 281 and 279 arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. COPINSAY, M.L. 1052, M.L. 1019 sailed from Takoradi for Lagos escorting.

 

H.M. Ships NORWICH CITY and STELLA POLARIS arrived Lagos from Takoradi escorting 4 ships and sailed for Walvis Bay escorting transport HAI LEE to Matadi.

 

Friday, 11th December

 

Sailed from Pointe Noire, H.M. Ships ST ZENO, NORTHERN DAWN, NORTHERN DUKE, and COVENTRY CITY escorting H.M. Ships MAGNOLIA and BARBRAKE and Turkish TUZLA.

 

H.M.S. WISTAN (n.b. ST WISTAN) arrived Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. COPINSAY and M.L. 1019 and 1052 arrived Lagos from Takoradi.

 

M.L. 278 sailed Lagos for Takoradi escorting.

 

H.M.S. RUMBA arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. PORTSDOWN sailed Freetown for Bathurst.

 

M.L.s 296 and 244 sailed Takoradi for Freetown.

 

Saturday, 12th December

 

M.L. 278 arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. ST WISTAN and M.L.s 261 and 290 sailed Bathurst for Freetown.

 

H.M.S. MORRIS DANCE arrived Trinidad.

 

H.M.S. BELLWORT arrived Capetown.

 

Sunday, 13th December

 

H.M.S. RUMBA and M.L.s 278, 244, and 296 sailed Takoradi for Freetown escorting T.S. 27.

 

H.M.S. BELLWORT sailed Capetown for Pointe Noire.

 

Lieutenant Grocock, R.N. (staff of Captain (D)) arrived Lagos from Freetown.

 

Aircraft reported sighting U boat in 4-32N, 2-15W.

 

Monday, 14th December

 

H.M. Ships PORTSDOWN and ILEX arrived Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. ARRAN sailed from Freetown.

 

H.M.S. INKPEN sailed from Freetown on escort duty.

 

H.M. Ships PHOEBE, BRIDGEWATER, and ARMERIA sailed from Freetown for Pernambuco.

 

M.L. 1016 arrived Pointe Noire and M.L.s 271 and 289 sailed for patrol.

 

H.M.S. CORINTHIAN arrived Rio de Janeiro for docking.

 

H.M. Ships ST LOMAN, SPHENE, KYBER, and NORTHERN CHIEF arrived Pointe Noire escorting tugs BOLD, INTEGRITY, WARLOCK and 2 merchant vessels from Takoradi.

 

H.M. Ships STELLA POLARIS and NORTHERN CITY (n.b. NORWICH CITY) (escorting H.M.T. HAI LEE) arrived Banana.... (n.b. bottom of page chopped )

 

Tuesday, 15th December

 

H.M.S. ST WISTAN arrived Freetown.

 

H.M.S. BREDON sailed Freetown for Marshall.

 

H.M. Ships DUNKERY, DUNCTON, and BUTSER arrived Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. SARABANDE sailed from Lagos on escort duty.

 

H.M. Ships ST LOMAN and NORTHERN CHIEF sailed from Pointe Noire for Walvis Bay escorting H.M. Tug BOLD and three merchant vessels.

 

H.M. ships KYBER and SPHENE sailed from Pointe Noire for Walvis Bay escorting H.M. Tugs INTEGRITY and EMPIRE WARLOCK and Crane Lighter No. 3.

 

Wednesday, 16th December

 

M.L.s 271 and 289 rendezvous with H.M.S. RUMBA escorting T.S. 27.

 

H.M. Ships ARRAN and INKPEN arrived Freetown.

 

H.M.S. HOLCOMBE sailed from Freetown escorting H.M.T. ORDUNA for Gibraltar.

 

H.M.S. ILEX sailed from Bathurst to rendezvous with convoy F.T.T. 5 H.M. ships LE TIGER and ARCTIC EXPRESS.

 

Thursday, 17th December

 

H.M.S. DESPATCH sailed Freetown for Lagos.

 

H.M. Ships ST WISTAN, ARRAN, BURDOCK, INKPEN, and M.L.s 261, 302, 187 sailed with convoy F.T.T. 5 (7 ships for Trinidad). M.L. 261 to visit Bassao.

 

H.M.S. PORTSDOWN with M.L.s 1044 and 1066 sailed from Freetown for Bathurst escorting one merchant vessel.

 

H.M. Ships LADY ELSA and WELLARD sailed from Freetown for Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. BREDON arrived Marshall.

 

U.S. Aircraft arrived Accra reporting sighting 2 periscopes in 3-25N, 2-20W at 1330.

 

H.M.S. VIVIANA arrived Takoradi.

 

Friday, 18th December

 

H.M.S. RUMBA with M.L.s 244, 296, 289, 271, and 278 arrived Freetown escorting convoy T.S. 27 (5 ships).

 

H.M. Ships DUNKERY, DUNCTON, and BUTSER sailed from Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. SARABANDE returned to Lagos from escort duty.

 

H.M.S. VIVIANA sailed from Takoradi.

 

Saturday, 19th December

 

M.L.s 281 and 279 sailed from Takoradi for Freetown.

 

M.L. 261 arrived Bissao.

 

H.M. Ships MILFORD, AMARANTHUS, and YESTOR arrived Trinidad with Convoy F.T.T. 4.

 

H.M.S. DESPATCH arrived Lagos where her Commanding Officer will hold enquiry into the cause of the explosion which occurred on 5th December.

 

Sunday, 20th December

 

F.S. COMMANDANT DROGOU sailed Freetown for Bathurst escorting S.S. PADARAN.

 

H.M.S. FANDANGO sailed Freetown for Marshall.

 

H.M.S. BELLWORT arrived and departed Pointe Noire.

 

H.M.S. ILEX arrived Bathurst.

 

M.L. 1016 sailed Lagos for Port Harcourt.

 

Monday, 21st December

 

H.M.S. PORTSDOWN with M.L.s 1044 and 1066 arrived Bathurst from escort duties.

 

H.M.S. ships DUNKERY and DUNCTON arrived Freetown and commenced boiler cleaning.

 

F.S. COMMANDANT DETROYAT arrived Gibraltar escorting S.S. HUDSON and LAFONIA.

 

M.L.s 302 and 287 arrived Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. HOLCOMBE arrived Freetown from escort duties.

 

M.L. 261 sailed Bissao for Bathurst.

 

H.M. Ships PHOEBE, BRIDGEWATER, and ARMERIA arrived Pernambuco.

 

H.M.S. BUTSER arrived Robertsport.

 

H.M.S. TURCOMAN arrived Marshall for Cape Palmas.

 

At Lagos, Naval Board of Enquiry opened on board H.M.S. DESPATCH dealing with the explosion in the Marine Harbour on 5th December.

 

H.M. Ships CAPE WARWICK and INDIAN STAR sailed from Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. BELLWORT arrived Banana from Pointe Noire and sailed for Takoradi escorting H.M.T. HAI LEE.

 

Tuesday, 22nd December

 

H.M.S. PORTSDOWN sailed from Bathurst on patrol.

 

F.S. COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Bathurst.

 

F.S. COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES sailed Freetown with M.L.s 290, 296, and 271 escorting S.T. 49 (4 ships) from Lagos.

 

H.M. Ships LADY ELSA and WELLARD arrived Takoradi.

 

M.L. 261 arrived Bathurst from Bissao.

 

Board of Enquiry second day sitting on H.M.S DESPATCH at Lagos.

 

Wednesday, 23rd December

 

On dispersal of convoy F.T.T. 5 H.M.S. BURDOCK proceeding to Ponta del Carda, H.M.S. ARRAN to St. Vincent, H.M.S. INKPEN to Freetown.

 

H.M. Ships PHOEBE, BRIDGEWATER, and ARMERIA sailed Pernambuco for Trinidad.

 

M.L. 1016 arrived Lagos from Port Harcourt.

 

Board of Enquiry concluded on board H.M.S. DESPATCH at Lagos.

 

Thursday, 24th December

 

F.S. COMMANDANT DROGOU sailed Bathurst for Freetown.

 

H.M. Ships HOLCOMBE and HYDRANGEA sailed Freetown escorting convoy S.T. 50 (2 ships).

 

H.M.S. ILEX sailed Bathurst to rendezvous with convoy W.S. 25.

 

H.M.S. DESPATCH sailed Lagos for Freetown.

 

H.M.S. BELLWORT arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M. Ships LADY ELSA and WELLARD sailed from Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. ASTURIAS arrived Freetown from patrol.

 

Friday, 25th December

 

H.M.S. HOLCOMBE attacked R.D.F. and A/S contact.

 

M.L.s 277 and 251 sailed Bathurst on patrol.

 

H.M.S. BELLWORT sailed Takoradi for Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. PORTSDOWN arrived Bathurst.

 

Saturday, 26th December

 

H.M.S. ARRAN arrived St. Vincent.

 

F.S. COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Freetown from Bathurst.

 

Portuguese ship LOURENCO MARQUES arrived Freetown for examination.

 

Flag Officer in Charge, West Africa, arrived Bathurst en route for Dakar by air but returned to Freetown without proceeding to Dakar.

 

Sunday, 27th December

 

F.S. COMMANDANT DROGOU, H.M.S. BIRDLIP, and M.L.s 289 and 209 carried out full calibre shoot. COMMANDANT DROGOU sailed Freetown.

 

H.M.S. DESPATCH arrived Freetown from Lagos.

 

M.L. s 296, 271, and 290 arrived Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. ARRAN sailed St. Vincent for Bathurst.

 

Portuguese ship LOURENCO MARQUES sailed Freetown for Funchal.

 

H.M.S. LADY ROSEMARY sailed from Freetown.

 

Monday, 28th December

 

H.M. Ships WOODRUFF and CROCUS arrived Bathurst and sailed to rendezvous with Convoy W.S. 25A

 

F.S. COMMANDANT D'ESTIENNE D'ORVES and H.M.S. ORFASY arrived Lagos.

 

H.M. Ships FANDANGO and BIRDLIP sailed Freetown for Bathurst.

 

H.M. Ships DUNKERY and DUNCTON sailed Freetown for patrol.

 

M.L.s 1076, 1077, 1160, and 1089 sailed Freetown to carry out A/S Sweep.

 

H.M. Submarine P 614 sailed Freetown for patrol.

 

Tuesday, 29th December

 

Convoy W.S. 25A arrived Freetown.

 

H.M. Ships ALCANTARA, HOLCOMBE, HYDRANGEA with F.S. COMMANDANT DROGOU arrived Freetown escorting convoy C.F. 10 (4 ships).

 

H.M. Ships DUNKERY and DUNCTON (from patrol) and BUTSER arrived Freetown.

 

H.M.S. TURCOMAN sailed Marshall for Cape Palmas.

 

H.M.S. ROCKWOOD arrived Bathurst and sailed.

 

H.M.S. BALUCHISTAN arrived Bathurst.

 

Wednesday, 30th December

 

Convoy W.S. 25 A sailed.

 

H.M. Ships PHOEBE, BRIDGEWATER, and ARMERIA arrived Trinidad.

 

H.M. Ships HOLCOMBE, HERFORTDSHIRE, and RUMBA sailed Freetown escorting Convoy S.T. 51 (2 ships) for Takoradi and Lagos.

 

H.M. Ships FANDANGO and BALUCHISTAN with M.L.s 261 and 251 arrived Bathurst and sailed for Freetown.

 

H.M.S. BELLWORT arrived Bathurst from Takoradi.

 

H.M.S. BIRDLIP arrived Bathurst.

 

H.M.S. ILEX arrived Freetown a.m. and sailed p.m. to rendezvous with convoy W.S. 25.

 

Thursday, 31st December

 

Convoy W.S. 25 (9 ships) arrived Freetown escorted by H.M. Ships QUILLIAM, ILEX, ROCKWOOD, WOODRUFF, and CROCUS, CARNARVON CASTLE, and CHESHIRE,

 

Convoy F.T.T. 6 (17 ships) sailed for Trinidad escorted by H.M. Ships PICT, ST WISTAN, HYDRANGEA, DUNKERY, DUNCTON, INKPEN, and F.S. COMMANDANT DROGOU.

 

H.M.S. CORINTHIA sailed Rio de Janiero for Freetown on completion of docking.

 
 

on to West Africa, January to April 1943
or back to Admiralty War Diaries

revised 17/1/12