Mid-Ocean Escort Force

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Mid-Ocean Escort Force (MOEF) referred to the organization of anti-submarine escorts for World War II trade convoys of between Canada and the British Isles.

HMCS Sackville, preserved at Halifax Harbour, is believed to be the only survivor of the MOEF Flower class corvettes
HMCS Sackville, preserved at Halifax Harbour, is believed to be the only survivor of the MOEF Flower class corvettes
United States Coast Guard cutter Ingham, shown here in a post-war configuration, is one of the few larger MOEF escorts to be preserved
United States Coast Guard cutter Ingham, shown here in a post-war configuration, is one of the few larger MOEF escorts to be preserved

Contents

[edit] Background

On the basis of experience during World War I, the Admiralty instituted trade convoys in United Kingdom coastal waters from September, 1939.[1] Anti-submarine escorts were allocated on the basis of perceived threat. Early German Type II submarines from bases in Germany were unable to operate effectively beyond European coastal waters. Following acquisition of bases in Norway and France, German Type IX submarines and German Type VII submarines refueled by German Type XIV submarines operated in the mid-Atlantic beyond the range of patrolling aircraft. Many anti-submarine escorts lacked the endurance to accompany convoys through the mid-Atlantic. HX-129 left Halifax on 27 May 1941 as the first convoy to receive escort for the entire trip.[2] Escorts based in Halifax Harbour handed HX-129 off to escorts based in Newfoundland who subsequently transferred HX-129 to escorts based in Iceland who in turn delivered HX-129 to escorts based in the Western Approaches.

[edit] American Escorts

USS Reuben James was sunk while escorting convoy HX-156
USS Reuben James was sunk while escorting convoy HX-156

In Newfoundland on 9 August 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt agreed to provide American destroyers for the Canada to Iceland portion of HX convoys and westbound ON convoys.[3] HX-150 sailed 16 September 1941 as the first convoy with American escort.[4] ON-18 sailed 24 September as the first westbound convoy with American escort.[5] The Royal Canadian Navy continued to escort the SC convoys and their slower ON counterparts.[6] Canadian escort groups were increased from a nominal strength of four ships to six -- typically one Canadian River class destroyer with five Flower class corvettes.[7]

The Gleaves class destroyer Kearny was torpedoed while escorting Convoy SC-48 on 17 October 1941.[8] Clemson class destroyer Reuben James was torpedoed and sunk on 31 October 1941 while escorting Convoy HX-156.[9] When the United States declared war, American escort groups typically contained five destroyers, although six USCG Treasury class cutters were included within the pool of ships rotating in and out of these escort groups.[10]

[edit] Long-Range Escort Organization

As the United States Navy struggled to find enough destroyers to meet escort needs for both the Pacific and the vulnerable Atlantic coastal shipping, the shorter great-circle route from Newfoundland to the British Isles was considered as a means of eliminating meeting point delays and reducing the number of destroyers required for escort of convoys between Canada and the United Kingdom. Initial proposals by the United States on 24 January 1942 produced in agreement in early February for a Mid-Ocean Escort Force organization of fourteen Escort Groups.[11] American-led Escort Groups were prefixed with the letter "A"; while "B" indicated British-led Escort Groups and "C" designated Canadian-led Escort Groups. Fifteen United States destroyers, fifteen Royal Navy destroyers and twelve Canadian destroyers were to provide the striking power of these escort groups while fifty-two British and forty-nine Canadian Flower class corvettes were to perform the patrolling role. Approximately one-third of the theoretical MOEF escort Group strength of three destroyers and seven corvettes was unavailable at any given time.[12] Half of the unavailable ships needed storm or battle damage repairs,[13] and the remainder were undergoing normal refit and training. The shorter routing away from Iceland eliminated the need for most escorts to attempt maintenance in Iceland's poorly equipped Hvalfjörður anchorage; but the United States was required to maintain an additional force of five destroyers in Iceland to escort ships between trans-Atlantic convoys and United States military occupation bases. The Royal Navy continued to provide an eastern local escort force of Naval trawlers in the Western Approaches while Canada continued to provide a Western Local Escort Force (WLEF) of corvettes, minesweepers, and short-range destroyers between Halifax Harbour and Newfoundland.[14]

[edit] Initial MOEF Escort Group Composition

USS Benson was one of the modern United States destroyers initially assigned to MOEF and later diverted to escort troop convoys
USS Benson was one of the modern United States destroyers initially assigned to MOEF and later diverted to escort troop convoys
Low-endurance Town class destroyer HMS Leamington was an early member of Escort Group B-2 later replaced by long-range V&W escorts HMS Vanessa and HMS Whitehall
Low-endurance Town class destroyer HMS Leamington was an early member of Escort Group B-2 later replaced by long-range V&W escorts HMS Vanessa and HMS Whitehall
Flower class corvette HMS Dianthus served with Escort Groups A-3 and C-1
Flower class corvette HMS Dianthus served with Escort Groups A-3 and C-1

[edit] Shortage of Destroyers

USS Schenck was one of the low-endurance Wickes class destroyers providing escort to and from Iceland.
USS Schenck was one of the low-endurance Wickes class destroyers providing escort to and from Iceland.

Corvettes had adequate endurance for MOEF assignments, but destroyer fuel economy was poor at trade convoy speed. The escort group leaders were modern destroyers with adequate endurance; but, of the older destroyers allocated to trade convoy escort, only the Clemson subgroup of the Town class destroyers proved suitable for MOEF assignments.[29] Wickes class destroyers were useful for the Canadian WLEF and the American Iceland shuttle; but lacked endurance to stay with a trade convoy for the full distance covered by the MOEF Escort Groups. The Admiralty converted some V and W class destroyers to long range escorts by removing the forward boiler and using the space for additional fuel tanks.[30]

The modern destroyer USS Sims was withdrawn from Iceland in late 1941 to escort USS Yorktown to the Pacific. Sims was sunk at the battle of the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942.
The modern destroyer USS Sims was withdrawn from Iceland in late 1941 to escort USS Yorktown to the Pacific. Sims was sunk at the battle of the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942.

Nineteen modern American destroyers left the Atlantic to escort battleships New Mexico, Mississippi, Idaho, and North Carolina and aircraft carriers Yorktown, Wasp, and Hornet to the Pacific.[31] Remaining American destroyers were diverted from MOEF assignments to troop convoys and in response to the U-boat's Second happy time off the American east coast.[32] Escort Groups A-1 and A-2 were disbanded when their modern American destroyer leaders were assigned elsewhere. Escort Groups A-4 and A-5 were redesignated B-6 and B-7, respectively, when the Royal Navy assigned E and F class destroyers Fame and Firedrake as leaders.[33] Escort Group B-5 was reassigned to Caribbean trade convoys in March of 1942.[34] Beginning in April, the following eleven groups escorted HX convoys, SC convoys, and ON convoys through the winter of 1942-43:

[edit] Escort Group A-3

Escort Group A-3 Leader USS Gleaves
Escort Group A-3 Leader USS Gleaves

Convoy HX-185 was escorted without loss.[35] Gleaves class destroyer Gleaves left the escort group after convoy ON-92 lost seven ships.[36] USCG Treasury class cutters Spencer and Campbell assumed escort leader responsibility. Flower class corvettes Mayflower and Trillium replaced Flower class corvettes Chilliwack, Shediac and Algoma.[37] Convoy HX-190 was escorted without loss.[38] Convoy ON-102 lost one ship torpedoed by U-124.[39] Convoys HX-196 and ON-114 were escorted without loss.[40] Convoy SC-95 lost one ship torpedoed by U-705.[41] Convoy ON-125 was escorted without loss.[42] Flower class corvette Rosthern joined the group.[43] Convoy SC-100 lost 3 ships torpedoed by U-596, U-617 and U-432.[44] Convoys ON-135 and HX-212 were escorted without loss.[45] Flower class corvette Dianthus replaced Flower class corvettes Mayflower and Bittersweet.[46] Convoy ON-145 lost one ship torpedoed by U-518.[47] Flower class corvette Dauphin rotated into the group.[48] Convoys SC-111, ON-156 and HX-223 were escorted without loss.[49] Convoy ON-166 lost eleven ships.[50] Convoy SC-121 lost seven ships.[51] Convoy ON-175 was escorted without loss.[52] Convoy HX-233 lost one ship torpedoed by U-628.[53] The escort group was then redesignated C-5 under Canadian command after the USCG Treasury class cutters were reassigned for conversion to amphibious force flagships.[54]

[edit] Escort Group B-1

Flower class corvettes Borage, Meadowsweet and Wallflower joined the group; and Venomous was replaced by the long-range V&W escort Watchman.[55] Convoys HX-187, ON-96, HX-193, ON-108, SC-92, ON-119, HX-201, ON-124, HX-206, ON-134, SC-105, HX-215, ON-151, SC-114, ON-162, SC-119, ON-171 and HX-230 were escorted without loss.[56] Convoy ON-178 lost three ships torpedoed by U-415 and U-191.[57]

[edit] Escort Group B-2

Flower class corvette HMS Gentian of Escort Group B-2
Flower class corvette HMS Gentian of Escort Group B-2

Flower class corvettes Campanula, Heather and Mignonette joined the group; and the low-endurance destroyers Leamington and Veteran were replaced by long-range V&W escorts Vanessa and Whitehall.[58] Convoys SC-81, ON-97, SC-86, ON-107, HX-198, ON-118, HX-203, ON-128, HX-208, ON-138, HX-213, ON-148, HX-219 and ON-159 were escorted without loss.[59] Convoy SC-118 lost eight ships.[60] Convoys ON-170, SC-123 and ONS-4 were escorted without loss.[61]

[edit] Escort Group B-3

Low-endurance destroyers Georgetown and Bulldog were replaced by the E and F class destroyer Escapade and the Polish destroyers Burza and Garland.[62] Flower class corvette Orchis replaced Heartsease and the four corvettes with Free French crews (Aconit, Lobelia, Renoncule and Roselys) were assigned to this group.[63] Convoys HX-188, ON-98, HX-194, ON-110, SC-93, ON-121, HX-202, ON-126, HX-207, ON-136, SC-106, ON-146, HX-218, ON-157 and SC-117 were escorted without loss.[64] Convoy ON-167 lost two ships.[65] Convoy HX-228 lost four ships torpedoed by U-221, U-757 and U-444.[66] U-444 was rammed by the group leader Harvester.[67] Harvester was then torpedoed by U-432.[68] U-432 was then sunk by the Aconit.[69] Thornycroft type leader Keppel was assigned as group leader replacement.[70] Convoy ON-174 was escorted without loss.[71] Convoy HX-232 lost three ships torpedoed by U-563 and U-168.[72]

[edit] Escort Group B-4

Flower class corvettes Abelia, Clover and Snowflake joined the group; and the low-endurance destroyer Roxborough was replaced by the Town class destroyer Beverley.[73] Convoys SC-82, ON-99, SC-87, ON-109, HX-199, ON-120, HX-204 and ON-130 were escorted without loss.[74] Convoy HX-209 lost one ship torpedoed by U-254.[75] Convoys ON-140, HX-214, ON-150, HX-220, ON-161 and ON-169 were escorted without loss.[76] Convoy HX-229 lost twelve ships.[77] Convoy ON-176 lost one ship and Beverly was torpedoed by U-188.[78] Convoy HX-234 lost one ship torpedoed by U-306.[79]

[edit] Escort Group B-6

The Norwegian-manned corvettes Andenes, Eglantine, Rose, Potentilla, and Montbretia from Escort Group A-4, and the new leader E and F class destroyer Fame were joined by the long-range V&W escort Viscount, the Town class destroyer Ramsey, and the Flower class corvettes Kingcup and Vervain.[80] Convoys SC-83, ON-101, SC-88, ON-111 and HX-200 were escorted without loss.[81] Convoy ON-122 lost four ships torpedoed by U-605, U-176 and U-438.[82] Convoys HX-205 and ON-132 were escorted without loss.[83] Convoy SC-104 lost seven ships.[84] Convoy ON-144 lost 5 ships torpedoed by U-264, U-184 and U-624.[85] Montbretia was torpedoed by U-262.[86] Convoy HX-217 lost two ships torpedoed by U-524 and U-553.[87] Convoys ON-155, SC-116, ON-165, HX-227, ONS-1 and SC-125 were escorted without loss.[88]

[edit] Escort Group B-7

Escort Group B-7 Leader HMS Duncan
Escort Group B-7 Leader HMS Duncan

Flower class corvette Loosestrife from Escort Group A-5, and the new leader E and F class destroyer Firedrake were joined by Town class destroyers Chesterfield and Ripley and by Flower class corvettes Alisma, Coreopsis, Jonquil, Pink and Sunflower.[89] Convoys HX-186, ON-94, HX-192, ON-106, SC-91, ON-117, SC-103, ON-142 and HX-216 were escorted without loss.[90] Convoy ON-153 lost three ships torpedoed by U-610, U-356 and U-621.[91] Group leader Firedrake was torpedoed by U-211.[92] D class destroyer Duncan was assigned as group leader replacement;[93] and new River class frigate Tay joined the group.[94] Convoys SC-115, ON-164, SC-120 and ON-173 were escorted without loss.[95] Convoy HX-231 lost three ships torpedoed by U-635, U-630 and U-706.[96] Convoy ONS-5 lost eleven ships.[97]

[edit] Escort Group C-1

Corvette Buctouche was replaced by Flower class corvettes Battleford, Chilliwack, Orillia and Primrose.[98] Convoy HX-189 was escorted without loss.[99] Convoy ON-100 lost three ships torpedoed by U-94 and U-124.[100] Convoys HX-195 and ON-112 were escorted without loss.[101] Convoy SC-94 lost ten ships.[102] Group leader Assiniboine and Flower class corvettes Dianthus, Nasturtium and Primrose were replaced by destroyer St. Laurent and Flower class corvettes Eyebright, Napanee, Kenogami and Shediac.[103] Convoys ON-123, SC-99, ON-133, HX-211, ON-143 and SC-110 were escorted without loss.[104] Flower class corvettes Orillia, Chambly and Eyebright rotated out of the group.[105] Convoy ON-154 lost thirteen ships.[106] Convoy HX-222 lost one ship torpedoed by U-268.[107] Flower class corvette Chilliwack was replaced by new River class frigate Itchen.[108] Convoys ONS-2 and SC-127 were escorted without loss.[109]

[edit] Escort Group C-2

Town class destroyer HMS Broadway of Escort Group C-2.
Town class destroyer HMS Broadway of Escort Group C-2.

Convoys SC-84, ON-103 and SC-89 were escorted without loss.[110] Destroyer Burnham replaced destroyer St. Laurent; and Flower class corvette Dauphin joined the group.[111] Convoy ON-113 lost three ships torpedoed by U-552, U-607 and U-132 while Town class destroyer St. Croix sank U-90.[112] Convoys HX-201 and ON-119 were escorted without loss.[113] Convoy SC-97 lost two ships torpedoed by U-609 while Morden sank U-756.[114] Convoys ON-129 and SC-102 were escorted without loss.[115] Destroyer Sherwood replaced destroyer Burnham; and Flower class corvettes Pictou and Primrose replaced Flower class corvettes Dauphin and Brandon.[116] Convoy ON-139 lost two ships torpedoed by U-443.[117] Flower class corvette Orillia joined the group.[118] Convoys SC-108, ON-149 and SC-113 were escorted without loss.[119] New River class frigates Lagan and Waveney joined the group.[120] Convoys ON-160, HX-225 and ON-179 were escorted without loss.[121]

[edit] Escort Group C-3

Convoys ON-93, HX-191, ON-104 and SC-90 were escorted without loss.[122] Flower class corvette Camrose was replaced by corvette Agassiz.[123] Convoy ON-115 lost two ships torpedoed by U-552 and U-553 while Skeena and Flower class corvette Wetaskiwin sank U-588.[124] Convoys HX-202, ON-121, SC-98, ON-131, HX-210 and ON-141 were escorted without loss.[125] Convoy SC-109 lost one ship torpedoed by U-43 and Saguenay was irreparably damaged when depth charges blew off its stern following a collision.[126] Town class destroyer Burnham replaced Saguenay. Flower class corvettes Wetaskiwin, Sackville, Galt and Agassiz were replaced by corvettes Bittersweet, Eyebright, La Malbaie and Mayflower. New River class frigate Jed joined the group.[127] Convoys ON-152, HX-221, ON-163, HX-226, ON-172, SC-124 and ON-180 were escorted without loss.[128]

[edit] Escort Group C-4

Convoys ON-95, SC-85, ON-105, HX-197, ON-116 and SC-96 were escorted without loss.[129] Destroyer St. Francis was replaced by Town class destroyer St. Croix and Flower class corvettes Lethbridge, Prescott and Eyebright were replaced by corvettes Amherst, Celandine and Sherbrooke.[130] Convoy ON-127 lost six ships;[131] and Ottawa was torpedoed by U-91.[132] Convoys SC-101 and ON-137 were escorted without loss.[133] Convoy SC-107 lost fifteen ships.[134] Destroyer St. Croix was replaced by Town class destroyer Churchill and Flower class corvette Arvida was replaced by corvettes Brandon and Collingwood.[135] Convoys ON-147, SC-112 and ON-158 were escorted without loss.[136] Convoy HX-224 lost two ships torpedoed by U-456.[137] Convoys ON-177 and HX-235 were escorted without loss.[138]

[edit] Spring of 1943

River class Frigate HMS Swale of Escort Group B-5
River class Frigate HMS Swale of Escort Group B-5

Escort Group B-5 returned to MOEF with G and H class destroyer Havelock, Flower class corvettes Pimpernel, Godetia, Saxifrage, Buttercup and Lavender and with new River class frigate Swale replacing the old destroyers.[139] Convoy ON-168 was escorted without loss.[140] Convoy SC-122 lost 8 ships.[141] Convoy SC-126 was escorted without loss.[142]

River class frigates brought two significant advantages to MOEF. Their numbers allowed the older escorts time to refit with modern sensors like 10-centimeter radar and modern anti-submarine weapons like the Hedgehog projector. Destroyers replaced by new frigates were formed into mobile support groups able to move rapidly to convoys coming under attack.[143] Through 1943, new escort carriers became available to increase the surveillance capability of support groups.[144] As the winter weather cleared, new long-range B-24 Liberator patrol bombers extended surveillance into the mid-Atlantic.[145]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Hague 2000 p.23
  2. ^ van der Vat (1988) p.187
  3. ^ van der Vat (1988) p.205
  4. ^ Morison (1975) p.86
  5. ^ Morison (1975) p.90
  6. ^ van der Vat (1988) p.208
  7. ^ van der Vat (1988) p.209
  8. ^ Morison (1975) p.93
  9. ^ Morison (1975) p.94
  10. ^ Blair (1996) p.448
  11. ^ Blair (1996) pp.457-9
  12. ^ Milner (1985) p.109
  13. ^ Middlebrook (1975) p.40
  14. ^ van der Vat (1988) p.262
  15. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  16. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  17. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  18. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  19. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  20. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  21. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  22. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  23. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  24. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  25. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  26. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  27. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  28. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  29. ^ Milner (1985) p.98
  30. ^ Lenton&Colledge (1968) p.79
  31. ^ Blair (1996) pp.750-1
  32. ^ Blair (1996) pp.460
  33. ^ Milner (1985) p.99
  34. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124
  35. ^ Hague 2000 p.128
  36. ^ Milner 1985 pp.109&113-6
  37. ^ Milner (1985) pp.290-1
  38. ^ Hague 2000 p.128
  39. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.139
  40. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128&158
  41. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.157
  42. ^ Hague 2000 p.158
  43. ^ Milner (1985) pp.290-1
  44. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.162
  45. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128&158
  46. ^ Milner (1985) pp.290-1
  47. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.167
  48. ^ Milner (1985) pp.290-1
  49. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128,135&158
  50. ^ Hague 2000 p.158
  51. ^ Hague 2000 p.135
  52. ^ Hague 2000 p.158
  53. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.207
  54. ^ Silverstone 1968 p.373
  55. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.227
  56. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128,135&158
  57. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.206
  58. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.227
  59. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128,135&158
  60. ^ Hague 2000 p.135
  61. ^ Hague 2000 pp.135,159&163
  62. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.227
  63. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.227
  64. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128,135&158
  65. ^ Hague 2000 p.158
  66. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.198
  67. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.198
  68. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.198
  69. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.198
  70. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.206
  71. ^ Hague 2000 p.159
  72. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.206
  73. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.227
  74. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128,135&158
  75. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.166
  76. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128&158
  77. ^ Hague 2000 p.158
  78. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.205
  79. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.206
  80. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.227
  81. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128,135&158
  82. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.157
  83. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128&158
  84. ^ Hague 2000 p.135
  85. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.177
  86. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.177
  87. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.180
  88. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128,135,158&163
  89. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.227
  90. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128,135&158
  91. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.182
  92. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.182
  93. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.212
  94. ^ Gannon 1989 pp.118-9
  95. ^ Hague 2000 pp.135&158-9
  96. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.204
  97. ^ Hague 2000 p.163
  98. ^ Milner (1985) p.285
  99. ^ Hague 2000 p.128
  100. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.139
  101. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128&158
  102. ^ Hague 2000 p.135
  103. ^ Milner (1985) p.285
  104. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128,135&158
  105. ^ Milner (1985) p.287
  106. ^ Hague 2000 p.158
  107. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.188
  108. ^ Milner (1985) p.287
  109. ^ Hague 2000 pp.135&163
  110. ^ Hague 2000 pp.135&158
  111. ^ Milner (1985) pp.287-8
  112. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.150
  113. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128&158
  114. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.160
  115. ^ Hague 2000 pp.135&158
  116. ^ Milner (1985) pp.287-8
  117. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.188
  118. ^ Milner (1985) pp.287-8
  119. ^ Hague 2000 pp.135&158
  120. ^ Milner (1985) pp.287-8
  121. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128&158
  122. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128,135&158
  123. ^ Milner (1985) pp.288-9
  124. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.152
  125. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128,135&158
  126. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.167
  127. ^ Milner (1985) pp.288-9
  128. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128,135&158-9
  129. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128,135&158
  130. ^ Milner (1985) pp.289-90
  131. ^ Hague 2000 p.158
  132. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.161
  133. ^ Hague 2000 pp.135&158
  134. ^ Hague 2000 p.135
  135. ^ Milner (1985) pp.289-90
  136. ^ Hague 2000 pp.135&158
  137. ^ Rohwer&Hummelchen 1992 p.190
  138. ^ Hague 2000 pp.128&159
  139. ^ Middlebrook 1976 appendix
  140. ^ Hague 2000 p.159
  141. ^ Hague 2000 p.135
  142. ^ Hague 2000 p.135
  143. ^ Gretton 1974 pp.173-4
  144. ^ Gannon 1989 p.365
  145. ^ Middlebrook 1976 p.53

[edit] References

  • Blair, Clay (1996). Hitler's U-Boat War: The Hunters 1939-1942. Random House. ISBN 0-394-58839-8. 
  • Gannon, Michael (1989). Black May. Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-017819-1. 
  • Gretton, Peter (1974). Crisis Convoy. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-925-1. 
  • Hague, Arnold (2000). The Allied Convoy System 1939-1945. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-019-3. 
  • Lenton, H.T. and Colledge J.J. (1968). British and Dominion Warships of World War II. Doubleday and Company. 
  • Middlebrook, Martin (1976). Convoy. William Morrow and Company. 
  • Milner, Marc (1985). North Atlantic Run. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-450-0. 
  • Morison, Samuel Eliot (1975). History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Volume I The Battle of the Atlantic 1939-1943. Little, Brown and Company. 
  • Rohwer, J. and Hummelchen, G. (1992). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939-1945. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-105-X. 
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1968). U.S. Warships of World War II. Doubleday and Company. 
  • van der Vat, Dan (1988). The Atlantic Campaign. Harper & Row. ISBN 0-06-015967-7.