Corvette Command Campaign March-April 1942 [6]

 

March 1942

HMCS Windflower

Slow convoy (SC/74) of 54 merchant ships from ST JOHNS to LIVERPOOL.

21st-22nd March 

Convoy departs ST JOHNS in teeth of violent storm, with high seas and gale force winds making life very uncomfortable for ship's complement. No chance of a U-Boat attack, though, so ship's complement in good spirits. 

23rd-24th March

After a rough twenty four hours the weather improves but convoy now shrouded in thick sea fog, with visibility reduced and chance of collision an ever present worry. CO orders constant RADAR watch and extra lookouts on the bridge. 

24th - 27th March

Weather improves as sea mist clears due to stiff breeze, with initial heavy swell giving way to calm conditions. Convoy makes good progress and U-Boats seem to have been caught napping, as ASDIC and RADAR both report no contacts. W/O intercepts indicate that E/S concentrating on US East Coast, with the Yanks taking a beating. At least Jerry has left us alone for a change!

28th March - 2nd April

Weather now very good with clear skies, light breeze and calm seas. No E/S detected and convoy making good progress. C/O orders all hands to drill for 4'' gun practice while visibility is good. 4'' crew are given a hard time by P/O Blanchet but results not bad, with near miss on smoke float at medium and long range.

3rd - 4th April

Weather deteriorates in Western Approaches, with heavy swell and gusting wind, bringing snow showers and hail. Coastal Command air cover keeps the U-Boats at bay. Good show!

5th April

Arrive LIVERPOOL with no losses and a very happy ship!

That as a very uneventful convoy, with the only U-Boat encounter on the first turn, when the weather prevented an attack. In fact, I got so used to turning over blank counters that I decided to give the 4'' gun some practise, just to keep them busy. HMCS Windflower gained 3VP's for major allied victory and, as this was the sixth convoy, the ASDIC, RADAR and D/C got to roll for an upgrade, with the latter two moving up to Level 4 and Level 3 respectively. I was surprised that the ASDIC Operator didn't get an upgrade but I fluffed the D6 roll, so there you go. That was definately a milk run!