Liverpool to Algiers, Dec 1942

Discussion in 'North Africa & the Med' started by harben1705, Feb 20, 2020.

  1. harben1705

    harben1705 Member

    Trying to find out anything about Ship or Convoy that transported men of 139 Inf Bgde from Liverpool to Algiers 23/24 Dec 1942 (embarked). Pretty sure from records my Grandad made that journey. Part of 46 Division.
     
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    The closest one that meets your dates is one that departed both Clyde (Glasgow) and Liverpool on 26th Dec 1942

    Arnold Hague convoy database - KMF convoys
    Convoy KMF.6
    Depart Clyde on 26 December 1942.
    Arrive Algiers on 3 January 1943.
    Hague's records contain 13 merchants and 8 escorts (9 ships TDS)

    BANFF
    ESCORT 26/12 - 03/01
    BOISSEVAIN (Du)
    52
    14,134
    1937
    2990 TROOPS
    ALGIERS
    CITY OF EDINBURGH (Br)
    23
    8,036
    1938
    STORES FOR MALTA
    GIB TO ALGIERS
    CITY OF PRETORIA (Br)
    12
    8,049
    1937
    STORES FOR MALTA
    GIB TO ALGIERS
    CLARE




    ESCORT 26/12 - 03/01
    DERBYSHIRE (Br)
    22
    11,660
    1935
    3184 TROOPS
    ALGIERS
    EGRET




    ESCORT 26/12 - 03/01
    EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA (Br)
    32
    21,833
    1914
    3566 TROOPS
    ORAN60 DAYS REPAIR
    EXE




    ESCORT 26/12 - 03/01
    FISHGUARD




    ESCORT 26/12 - 03/01
    HERANGER (Nor)
    43
    4,877
    1930
    STORES FOR MALTA
    GIB TO ALGIERS
    LANARKSHIRE (Br)
    53
    9,816
    1940
    STORES FOR MALTA
    GIB TO ALGIERS
    LOYAL




    ESCORT 26/12 - 03/01
    NEA HELLAS (Br)
    31
    16,991
    1922
    3651 TROOPS
    ALGIERS
    ORMONDE (Br)
    21
    14,982
    1917
    2385 TROOPS
    ORAN
    ORONTES (Br)
    42
    20,097
    1929
    3104 TROOPS
    ORAN
    STAFFORDSHIRE (Br)
    11
    10,683
    1929
    2165 TROOPS
    ALGIERS
    STRATHAIRD (Br)
    41
    22,281
    1932
    4065 TROOPS
    ALGIERS
    TEST




    ESCORT 26/12 - 03/01
    VANOC




    ESCORT 02/01 - 03/01
    WINDSOR CASTLE (Br)
    51
    19,141
    1922
    2397 TROOPS
    PHILIPEVILLE

    Formatting has gone a little array but I am sure you can work it out
    TD
     
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  3. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Here is the one TD refers to:

    KMF 6.jpg

    It is a tricky period for convoys generally. The Med had sort of become available again after Operation Torch, leaving the much longer troop convoy routes (WS Series) via South Africa more or less redundant. However, I think KMF 6 still lost two ships to enemy air attack during the voyage.
     
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2020
  4. harben1705

    harben1705 Member

    That’s brilliant.
    Really appreciate this info. Think that’s definitely the convoy he must have been on. Tried trawling the internet, but from what I’m seeing so far, this is the best place to try, am gradually putting his journey throughout war together.
    Thank you again, will mean a lot to my family.
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Page 17 of the 46 Div history.
    139 Bde embarked at Liverpool on Xmas Eve 42.
    The "Derbyshire" gets a mention.
     

    Attached Files:

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  6. harben1705

    harben1705 Member

    Thanks again!!
    My Grandads records says he embarked 23/12/42, disembarked N Africa, 5/1/43.
    I’ve just been looking at images of Derbyshire, it’s lovely to be able to picture these things. As usual, he didn’t talk much about all this when I was younger, he passed away 2002. Now trying to find out as much as I can for my dad & myself.
    I was an armourer in RAF 85-2007, thanks again for the help.
    Thank you for taking the time.
     
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  7. harben1705

    harben1705 Member

    Is 46th Division history to view only available at National Archives?
     
  8. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Seeing these statistics, what immediately springs to mind is the heavy responsibility of the escort vessels; they had to protect the lives of roughly 27.500 troops.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2020
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  9. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

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  10. SteveDee

    SteveDee Well-Known Member

    My dad sailed to North Africa with KMF 06 on the Boissevain. They (164 Battery) lost all their equipment and a few of their colleagues when the SS Benalbanach (part of KMS 06) was sunk.

    For an idea of what it was like to travel with these convoys, and a few first hand accounts, take a look here: Sergeant ACK-ACK: Operation Torch convoys
     
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  11. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi

    139 inf Bde went to Greece from Italy in December 1944 and was part of ARKFORCE (23rd Armd Bde, 2 Para Bde, 139 Inf Bde, 3 Gk Mtn Bde) responsible for holding onto Athens until 2 Divisions of reinforcements could arrive from Italy and Egypt. 139 Inf Bde was tasked to defend the nearby port of Piraeus. My father was in Athens with 23rd Armd Bde at the same time.

    If if turns out your grandad was still with 139 Inf Bde by then, I have quite a lot of material you might be interested in.

    Gus - RAF Scopey (TG12) 1983-2005.
     
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  12. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Harben1705.

    139 Inf Bde had three Infantry battalions and a bunch of Combat Support and Combat Service Support sub-units in it. Do you know which Regiment or Service your grandfather belonged to?

    The Infantry Battalions were 2/5 Leicesters, 5 Foresters and 16 DLI.

    Regards

    Frank
     
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  13. harben1705

    harben1705 Member

    Thank you.
     
  14. harben1705

    harben1705 Member

  15. harben1705

    harben1705 Member

    Thank you.
    From what I can make out from my Grandads records, he was redesignated 520 Inf Bde Coy 7.4.43 (RASC)
    I know he went to Italy, probably Salerno landing with 46 Division.
    Think he was in Greece 16.3.44 - 27.6.44 part of MEF (Middle East Force?) then to Allied Army Italy 28.6.44
    Have a picture of him on leave in Egypt (In his records says "Leave HRM (Sud?) Egypt. 6th to 10th April 44.
    We have a couple of shell cases with the 46 Div Oak Tree symbol etched into them, and "Africa, Italy, Greece, Austria"
    Just trying to get a more in depth picture of where he went in more detail.
     
  16. harben1705

    harben1705 Member

    He was a driver in RASC. 139 Inf Bde to start with for Torch, then got redesignated to 520 Inf Bde Coy RASC 7.4.43, from his records, went to Italy, Greece, back to Italy then up into Austria with 46 Division to Graz 25.5.46.
    Trying to find out more about his journey.
     
  17. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    War Diary references for 520 Coy RASC 1943 - 1946

    Royal Army Service Corps: 520 Company (RASC) | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 169/11941
    Description:
    Royal Army Service Corps: 520 Company (RASC)
    Date: 1943 Apr.- Dec.
    Held by: The National Archives, Kew
    Legal status: Public Record(s)

    Companies: 520 Coy. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 170/2551
    Description:
    Companies: 520 Coy.
    Date: 1944 Jan.- Dec.
    Held by: The National Archives, Kew
    Legal status: Public Record(s)

    Companies: 520 Coy. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 170/5792
    Description:
    Companies: 520 Coy.
    Date: 1945 Jan.- Dec.
    Held by: The National Archives, Kew
    Legal status: Public Record(s)

    Companies: 520 Coy. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 170/8388
    Description:
    Companies: 520 Coy.
    Date: 1946 Jan.- Apr., June
    Held by: The National Archives, Kew
    Legal status: Public Record(s)


    TD
     
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  18. harben1705

    harben1705 Member

    Thank you for the references.
    Think a trip to Kew may be needed very soon!
     
  19. harben1705

    harben1705 Member

    I’m now wondering if my Grandad stayed with the 139 Inf Bde throughout the war.
    Unfortunately on his records there’s no movements recorded between 6-44 & 9-45.
    Even though he was redesigated 520 Coy RASC, thinking that unit may have stayed with 139 Bde.
    Think I’ll have to visit Kew, to see the 520s war diaries.
     

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