I .
I\ • I eDaybook , Volume 6 Issue 1 Fall 1999
• Breaching the Westwall: The North African Convoy Run The Daybook Volume 6 Issue 1 Fall1999 In This Issue ...
Museum Events for the Year 2000, Page 3
HTTP://WWW.HRNM.NAVY.MIL, Page 4
Breaching the W estwall: The North Africa Convoy Run, Page 6 Features
The Director's Column- L o < "l History. Wo r I J Even t s. On to the New Year ...... 2 About The Daybook HRNM Staff The Daybook is an authorized publication ofthe Hampton Director Book Reviews ...... 10 Roads Naval Museum (HRNM). Its contents do not Becky Poulliot necessarily reflect the official view of the U.S. Government, The USS Essex and the Birth of the the Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Curator American Navy by Frances Diane Robotti Marine Corps and do not imply endorsement thereof. Book Joe Judge reviews are solely the opinion of the reviewer. Education Specialist & James Vescovi. Reviewed by Joe The HRNM is operated and funded by Commander Bob Matteson Mosier Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. The museum is dedicated to the study of 225 years of naval history in the Hampton Exhibits Specialist Roads region. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to Marta Nelson Better Than Good: A Black Sailor's War 5 p.m. Admission is free. The Dayboo/(s purpose is to Museum Tech./Librarian by Adolph W. Newton with Winston educate and inform readers on historical topics and museum Ofelia Elbo related events . It is written by the staff and volunteers of Eldridge. Reviewed by Jack Robertson the museum. HRNMLPO Questions or comments can be directed to the Hampton EMJ(SWIAW) David Frye Roads Naval Museum editor. The Daybook can be reached Editor of The Daybook at (757) 322-2993, by fax at (757) 445-1867, e-mail at Gordon Calhoun [email protected], or write The Daybook, . · -~ The Museum Sage looks at Hampton Roads Naval Museum, One Waterside Drive, Special Events · ' ~ the War of 1812 and useful Suite 248, Norfolk, VA 23510-1607. The museum Helene Tisdale web sites for the study of can be found on the World Wide Web at Director, HRNHF ~ http://www.hrnm.navy.mil Maj.Gen.Dennis Murphy, maritime and naval The Day Book is published quarterly with a circulation of I ,500. Contact the editor for a free subscription. USMC (Ret) history ...... 12
Cover Photograph: The crew of the Type X U-118 is caught and attacked by Avenger torpedo-bombers. The aircraft operated from the Norfolk-based escort carrier USS Bogue (CVE-6) and were part of a new "hunter killer" ASW squadron. Using data from the super secret ULTRA project, Bogue's air squadron and her Rear Adm. Christopher W. Cole destroyers cleared the way for the huge 84-ship convoy Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic UGS-1 I which had left Hampton Roads a few days eariler bound for North Africa.
1 The Daybook Fall 1999 On to the New Year The Director's Column by Becky Poulliot am certain that all of you have become She will be our largest artifact, and saturated with millenium madness, but our greatest challenge to date. The I as an historian, I have to admit that it successful interpretation of this ship I has been good for business. So, please bear will require all the stamina and with me for a few minutes as we recap the creativity we can muster and I look course of the Hampton Roads Naval forward to increased interest and Museum during its first score of existence. support for the Hampton Roads The Museum opened in 1979 in Norfolk Naval Museum when she arrives Naval Base's Pennsylvania House, a 1907 sometime during Winter, 2000. Jamestown Exposition State House located New volunteers are a must. Five on Admiral's Row. During the course of new recruits just completed the the facility 's history, this two-third' s size required docent training course: replica oflndependence Hall served several Wyndham Curies, Jim Curtin, Ed functions, its most popular being the Hipps, Bill Reidel, and Brent Streit. Officer's Club. If the museum had only They are remarkable in their received a dollar donation for every time we enthusiasm for naval history and heard about the Friday Night Seafood Buffet their promotion of the local region. during the good old days, we would be on Wyndham Curies, an Army Mr. Edward W. Wolcott our way to a healthy endowment. veteran, worked for the Paxton During its early years, the museum Company in Norfolk for 43 years. He has In this overview of the Hampton Roads experienced good attendance (up to 80,000/ served on numerous committees to promote Naval Museum, one name stands out - year) yet paradoxically was little known. the City of Norfolk and is interested in the Edward W. Wolcott. It was he who drew The Base bus tour dropped off hundreds of USS Wisconsin project. Wyndham's area up the papers to incorporate the non-profit visitors per day during the summer. Yet, if of expertise is the Modern Navy. Jim museum support group, the Hampton a visitor wanted to drive to the museum a Curtin served in the Coast Guard. A Roads Naval Historical Foundation in pass had to be obtained, something many railroad buff, he worked for N&P and later 1983. He served as counsel, vice president, people found daunting. By 1989, the Roadway Express, and today serves as and immediate past president of this museum had first-rate permanent exhibits, chapter president of the National Railway organization. a growing collection in ship models and Historical Society, Tidewater Chapter. He It was Mr. Wolcott who tirelessly artwork, yet lacked educational programs hopes to share his interest in the Civil War brought museum issues to the forefront and promotional materials, to include a and local history with museum visitors. Ed both to the Naval and civilian communities. brochure. In that year, the Navy finalized Hippes, a former Naval Academy He would not rest until critical museum the agreement to relocate the museum to professor, is a retired Naval Aviator. A life issues, whether space, signage, or exhibitry Nauticus. member in the Retired Officer Association questions were resolved in our favor. Mr. Today, I think it is fair to say that the and the Virginia PTA, he is also known for Wolcott died on September 6. Not a week Hampton Roads Naval Museum is a his sense of humor. His historical period goes by that our staff does not miss him, completely different organization in terms of interest is the early Navy, its formation, his razor-sharp wit and especially the of what it offers its visitors. Certainly, custom and traditions. Bill Reidel, our kindness and generosity of time that he attendance and public awareness have fourth addition, is so knowledgeable about freely gave to us . We have indeed lost a grown incrementally with the relocation. the Civil War that he started his own friend, and one of the greatest supporters But a more fundamental shift has occurred organization called the Blue & Gray this Museum will ever have. This issue is in what we bring to Hampton Roads as the Education Society. Brent Streit's practice dedicated to his memory. Navy's educational outreach center in the tour, a docent course requirement, unnerved region : hands-on school programs, a his classmates due to its thoroughness. He traveling luncheon lecture series, a is an accomplished teacher, and worked at speakers' bureau, a naval enthusiast's club, Princess Anne High School teaching and of course the core ofthe museum- the chemistry and physics, after a distinguished permanent and temporary exhibits career as a Naval aviator. He enjoys the interpreted by a great volunteer staff. The Revolutionary and Federalist period, and USS Wisconsin is our first order of business has done extensive research on his 18'h in the year 2000. century British tar ancestors.
2 The Daybook Fall 1999 t's In Store for the Year 2000 ~~NA:VAL*MuSEUM ExhibitS Local History. World Events. AlOO Years of Silence Battle of the Atlantic online Exhbits
The Secretary of the Navy has In June, the With the new museum's web page up announced 2000 to be the hundredth museum will and running, we are bringing back anniversary of the submarine force. re-open its ~ some of more popular temporary To mark this occasion, the museum Battle of the exhibits in a new format. Starting in is teaming up with Submarine Force Atlantic January, The Sailors ' Best Friend: Atlantic and Nauticus and will open exhibit. This permanent display will Animals in the US. Navy and Cuba a new exhibit on the history of the have interactive exhibits, artifacts, and Libre!: The Spanish-American War U.S. Submarine Force. Exhibit information on one ofthe most crucial can both be found at opens March 6. campaigns of World War II. www.hrnm.navy.mil. Speaker Programs at the Museum Series Dunderfunk-J oin us for an informal afternoon of food Robert Browning-Coast Guard historian and author of the naval history. On the Civil War history From Cape Charles to Cape Fear: The North fourth Thursday of Atlantic Blockade Squadron. March 9. every other month, the museum sponsors this luncheon lecture Jeffrey Bolster-Professor at the University BLACK gathering. Lunch to be JACKS of New Hampshire and author of Black held at the Painted Jacks: African Seamen in the Age of Sail. Lady. Call 322-2992 June 19. for details and reservations. Melanie Wiggins-Author of U-boat Adventure: First Hand Accounts from World Education Programs-The museum offers programs for all ...,_~--~--- ··~-...... ,..,.. War II. August 16. school age children with special • programs for 3rd and 6th graders. Starting in the spring, the All talks to take place at Pier 26 at Naval Station Norfolk. Lunch museum's 6th grade program will to be served and reservations are required. Call (757) 322- focuse on African-Americans in 2992 to make reservations. the U.S. Navy during WW II. Call Bob Matteson at 322-2986 for more information. ~
3 The Daybook Fall1999 HRNM.Navy .Mil is Now Up and Running
he museum now has its own name on the Internet. Thanks T in large part to Jim Heartwell and Carl Alvers at CINCLANTFL T, the museum's web page has a new, simpler name. Write this down and bookmark it: HTTP://WWW. HRNMNAVYMIL ~
The page currently includes: photos of current exhibits, information on upcoming events, tt" HRNM TdlJie of Conlenh Nelscdpe ..~ EJ . EO: " ;
So, remember: A painbng ofNorfolk's Church's Street Dtstnct shortly afte r Http://www. hrnm. navy.mil~~ WorldWarll Ths J
..... ______... ' ~ Aeb.. rn to pmvicus doc:unert n hstay iat -51•11 .!;)1--Mao•. .J [jJAdOOeP... .. ulli\HRHM EdL .. .::.{i':..:-=c.:P-=··-'-"'<=:::.:..:=:::J 4 The Daybook Fal11999 The Battle of the Atlantic Prepare to Experience the Most Important Naval Campaign of World War II. Opens June 2000 in the Museum's World War II Gallery.
Featuring:
1: qr Interactive Displays
t '*" ,..-f . " .., r:tr Maps and Photographs of the Campaign lJaz:~-!m.e:
r:tr Artifacts from the War Zone
Call 757-322-2987 or visit • http://www.hrnm.navy.mil for more information about this exciting exhibit. 4~~NAVAL*M:us£uM Lor11l History. World Eventl.
5 The Daybook Fall 1999 hen the U.S. Army's 1" time to fully sort out. As a result, combat Division hit the Moroccan supplies would have to come directly CoaDcleadal beach in November 1942, it from the United States. To meet the brought Hampton Roads to monstrous demand, the Atlantic Fleet Headquarlcni W planned a new convoy route. Labeled forefront of the Battle of the Atlantic. The FIFTH NAVAL DISTRICT region would now become a primary player "UG," short for United States-Gibraltar, Office of Port Directo·r in one of the most important campaigns of the new route would funnel ships from NAVAL OPERATING BASE, NORFOLK, VA. World War II. While this area was important the East Coast of the United States to in the early stages, serving as a feeder port ports in North Africa via the central part for shipping traffic and as a major ship of the North Atlantic Ocean. construction and repair port, the vast majority Like all North Atlantic convoys, each SAILING ORDERS ROUTE INSTRUCTIONS of European-bound convoys left out of New "UG" convoy received a name that Breaching the Westwall.. ~- s.a;., Date_____ Convoy No. ____ Hampton Roads' UG convoys to North Africa by Gordon Calhoun York City and to a lesser extent Halifax, Nova. consisted of letters and a number. Fast THE SEALED ENVELOPES ISSUED HEREWITH A.RE TO BE OPENED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTIONS Scotia. convoys, ones that were capable of at PRINTED THEREON. That all changed when the Allies began to least 12 knots and were usually made plan for an offensive move on North Africa. up of military transports and tankers, This move, called Operation Torch, was the received an additional "F" to its name. opening of the long awaited "second front" Slower convoys received an "S" in the European Theatre. The fmal supply designation. These convoys usually At First Port of Call turn. ir• w U. S. Naval A utJw.rity the plan for Torch called for 50,000 troops and consisted of civilian merchant ships entire ccmtents of this folder a1ui all secret matter over 300,000 tons of supplies to be delivered carrying break-bulk cargo, heavy ·ill/rued hereu.ith. from the United States to North Africa within equipment, and spare parts. Numbers were should be able to interrupt further the first 90 days of the operation. assigned in sequential order. UGS-1 1, for disembarkation of supplies, and attack In a perfect world, this would not have example, would be the IJ'h slow convoy shipping bound for the Mediterranean," been necessary as the United States had following the UG route. Doenitz wrote in his war diary. already shipped hundreds of thousands of tons The campaign began with the invasion force Soon after UGF-1 unloaded its soldiers of war materials to England. Unfortunately, leaving Hampton Roads in late October 1942. and cargo in Morocco, Doenitz organized much of it was neatly packed away deep in Usually labeled Task Force 34, this group 20 boats into a wolfpack called Westwa/1 English warehouses and would take some actually was the first of the UG convoys. In to carry out his orders. The ftrst German this case it was boats to arrive on the scene did some labeled UGF-1. significant damage. They sank or damaged The U-boat seven ships including the Norfolk-based command had made destroyer USS Hambleton (DD-455). a decisive error in not While Westwall scored some hits, using any boats to several U-boats failed to get a shot off due resist the Allied to the fierce Allied air cover, that used invasion (see page 8 captured French air bases, and the presence for details on this). of several escorts. One U-boat history notes Adm. Karl Doenitz that some boats were forced to stay ordered as many underwater for over 20 hours at a time, • - boats as he could leaving little time to hunt. The group spare to North Africa adjusted their strategy. All boats in the in an attempt to group pulled back to the west and increased recover from the the distance between each boat's patrol mistake and to zone. The group's zone was centered stop future supply around the Azores Islands, stretching a few attempts. "The U hundred miles west and east of the island boats ... will be too chain. Picture here is just a small section of the 90 plus ship convoy UGS-13 at anchor in Hampton Roads. The convoy headedfor Algeria the next day loaded down with supplies, late to interf~re with The success of UGF-1 contributed spare parts, and fuel for Alliedforces engaged in Sicily. (HRNM photo) the landings but UG continued on page 7
6 The Daybook Falll999 UG continuedfrompage 6 mightily to the relative ease of the landings. American and British forces met some resistance from pro-Axis Vichy French naval units, but quickly silenced them. To keep the forward momentum going, Atlantic Fleet organized a slew of convoys to provide the U.S. Army's Western Task Force with supplies and reinforcements. The script called for eight convoys, four fast and four slow, to leave New York and Hampton Roads over the next 95 days from the moment UGF-1 arrived in North Africa. The frrst wave left between November 18, v 1942 and February 19, 1943. It consisted of six convoys. All departed New York. The A ships carried close to 95,000 soldiers plus over \ 1,000,000 tons of supplies. All were heavily escorted, but none went opposed. _j After the scripted convoys, American Teamwork was more than just a buzz word when it came to a successful convoy operation. It was essential. Here, planners had to do some juggling. There was the port director for NOB Norfolk reads out the sailings orders for UGS-1 3 to a diverse group of military and pressure not to abandon other world-wide civil/ian skippers. Behind the port director is the organizational layout of UGS-13. So that every skipper knew his commitments. As a result, some ports were place in the convoy, each would sit in an assigned sea/that corresponded to his ship's placement. (HRNM photo) becoming overtaxed and chaotic. Out of this frustrating experience of the war. "Results of the surfaced U-boat. The American destroyer enviorment, Hampton Roads received the nod the past eight weeks against convoys bound at first attempted to ram U-130. This being to support all the Mediterranean operations. for the Mediterranean were disappointing, and unsuccessful, she dropped six depth charges The baton was officially passed with the main purpose of relieving the military and sank the U-boat ace in a dramatic night convoy UGS-5. The 44 ships and 7 escorts situation in that sea remained unachieved. We action. of UGS-5 left the region on February 15, failed to find a single USA-Mediterranean Radar continued to be a major nemesis for 1943. This convoy faced little opposition. supply convoy," Doenitz wrote in early 1943 the German boats. When the Germans In fact, the biggest problem the UG convoys in his war diary. surfaced to run on diesel engines, American faced at this early stage were Army Doenitz, whose U-boats had sunk all of destroyers picked them up on their radar and commanders who tended to change their six UG merchant ships between November chased them down. This forced the Germans supply and weapons' requests at the blink of 1942 and February 1943, again adjusted his to stay underwater I 0 miles away from a an eye. In addition, supply ships were getting tactics. His original tactic of setting up two convoy. In an attempt to deal with the radar mixed in with troop ships. As a result, the picket lines ofU-boats was tossed in favor of problem, Doenitz ordered his boats to place themselves in front of UGS-6 and attempt ''Hurry up and get your business done. Beer in more submerged attacks. On March 14, UGS-6 passed through the the rear-Good Luck-SCRAM! "-How the Port Director of picket lines of two wolfpacks. Three days later, the Germans attacked. Using the NOB Norfolk ended the captains' conference for UGS-21. submerged tactic, wolfpack Ugverzagt and convoy organizers would not have the proper concentrating wolfpacks closer to the Azores Wohlgemut were able to get five kills. ships ready, forcing delays, waste, and islands. This strategy called for the wolfpacks However, American counter-attacks damaged sometimes general chaos on the docks. to place themselves close enough to Gibraltar almost every one of the 12 boats, which kept Officers in the field got the message and to find the convoy, but far enough away from Allied losses to a minimum. By the 18'\ began to request specific items, as opposed to Allied air bases. Allied land-based aircraft operating out of vague gestures, to supply officials. Supply The first convoy to face this new German Morocco arrived to reinforce the convoy, officials and the Navy efficiently responded plan was UGS-6. Ships left New York and forcing Doenitz to call off the operation. to an emergency request by organizing UGS- Hampton Roads on March 4 for a rendezvous The cancellation of this operation allowed 5 followed by UGS-5A a week later. It was point near Bermuda. In all, UGS-6 consisted the follow-up convoy, UGS-6A, to traverse also decided to keep troop ships in separate of34 cargo ships and five tankers and carried the Atlantic with no opposition. UGS-6A left convoys from supply ships. This decision 329,500 tons of cargo. U-130, an experienced Hampton Roads 15 days after UGS-6 and brought about more efficient order to supply boat with 24 kills under her belt, first spotted arrived in Gibraltar with over 170,000 tons deliveries and allowed troop ships to form UGS-6 a few hundred miles west of the of cargo plus 700 tanks and trucks. more fast convoys. Azores. Three wolfpacks closed in to attack. Despite the lack of success, the German To the U-boat command, interdicting the Shortly after U-130 radioed her sightings, Naval staff continued to press upon the U central Atlantic route was becoming its most USS Champlin's (DD-601) radar picked up UG continued on page 8
7 The Daybook Fall1999 UG continuedfrompage 7 boats to do more. The planning group, who Operation Torch no doubt was getting pressure from higher ups, made a direct connection between the success of the UG convoys and the advance and the U-boat Flotillas of Allied forces towards Italy. Despite his misgivings, Doenitz organized another e Allies chose North Africa in 1942 wolfpack to try to cut the supply line. as the place to open up a "second "Swordfish, " emblem of the 9th U-boat Flotilla. In late March, Atlantic Fleet loosened T:front" in the European theatre largely (Drawing courtesy of Gudmunder Helgason) some of its restrictions placed on the make because it was considered an easier target than Coast to defend against a possible invasion. up of an Atlantic convoy in order to meet the the alternatives (namely France or Norway). Unlike the General Staff, Germany's Naval high demand for combat supplies and Morocco and Algeria were controlled by Staff did consider North Africa, but dismissed reinforcements. At this point in the campaign, Vichy French forces and not the more the possibility as nothing more than rumor. Atlantic Fleet and Army logistics had to experienced and better equipped German Doenitz came under harsh criticism for the supply over 400,000 Allied troops. The forces. The Allies also favored North Africa, blunder and· tried to defend himself. In his ceiling for the number of merchant ships in a particularly the British, to relieve pressure on memoirs Ten Years and Twenty Days, Doenitz single convoy increased to 60 and the Commonwealth forces engaged in heated blamed the German Intelligence Service for minimum speed for a merchant was lowered, combat with Rommell's Afrika Korps in failing to even notice the naval build-up in allowing more ships to qualifY. UGS-7 and Egypt. The landings themselves went very Hampton Roads. Doenitz also wrote that 7 A alone brought 750,000 tons of supplies in well and casualties were relatively light. while his planning staff did receive reports of 96 ships during the first two weeks in April, For the U.S. Army, North Africa was an increased Allied naval activity around I 943. Among the 96 ships, 17 were Norfok easy target. For the U.S. Navy, getting UGF- Gibraltar in the days leading up to Torch, they Naval Shipyard-built tank landing ships 1 and the Army's Western Task Force from incorrectly concluded that it was a convoy (LSTs), which were to be used for the pending Norfolk/Newport News to Casablanca was a bound for the besieged island of Malta. The invasion of mainland Europe. U-boats only nightmare waiting to happen that must have staff also assumed that the Vichy French scored three kills total out of both convoys. caused several officers to lose sleep at night. forces would resist any assault more than they Unlike the amphibious assault on France in actually did. June, 1944, the Allies were nowhere near close As a result of all these reports, Doenitz to controlling the North Atlantic. The elected not to change his overall Atlantic Kreigsmarine still had, on average, 59 boats strategy and believed long after the war that at sea and were quite capable of disrupting he had made the correct decision. He wrote any Trans-Atlantic convoy. The big convoy "In view of the lack of any concrete battles, like HX-229 and SC-122, were still information ... regarding the time and place at several months away. which the enemy meant to land, and in view Fortunately, the nightmare never occurred. of the abundance of points which the long The U-boats only sank a few ships of the coast-line offered for his selection, it was quite invasion task force and these were sunk long impossible to order any precautionary The crew of an unidentified U-boat (possiblyU-664) after the Allies had already landed. This leads concentration of U-boats." ofth e 9th Flotilla prepares to abandon ship after being one to ask where were all ofDoenitz's U-boats In addition to this conclusion was severely damaged by Avengersfrom the Norfolk-based during this major Allied offensive? Doenitz's overall stragetic goals. Doenitz' s carrier USS Card (CVE-11). (HRNM photo) The short answer is that the Germans made number one priority was to sink as many The success ofthese Hampton Roads/New a very serious strategic error. When one digs Allied merchant ships as possible, wherever York convoys helped Allied forces defeat the deeper one finds some finger pointing. they may be. He even had a formula drawn Afrika Korps in Tunisia. Close to 2,000.000 Krovetten Kapitan Hesseler, Doenitz' s son up that indicated how many ships he needed tons of supplies and equipment were in-law and commanding officer of U-107, to sink in order to win in the Atlantic. He did successfully rushed to the front. The delivery asks the same question in his landmark not think North Africa was the best place of these supplies should not be history The U-boat in the Atlantic. where his boats could further this goal. underappreciated as the Germans, for a time. According to his research, the German However, whatever Doenitz may have had the upper hand against the inexperienced General Staff had reached the conclusion believed in 1942 or in 1958 (when he wrote American Army. In stark contrast, British air that no second front was possible in 1942. his memoir), the damage caused by this error and naval units decimated convoys supporting Nonetheless, the staff had considered was very serious. The end result was that Axis forces. In 1942 and 1943, the British several locations where the Allies might the Germans made an error on the scale of ·sank 2,000,000 tons of shipping. land including Norway, Spain, and France, the Battle of Stalingrad (which also With the Axis defeat close at hand in North but never even thought about North Africa. happened in November 1942). The Anglo Africa, Allied planners looked towards a Hitler actually considered Norway to be the American force was able to land without tougher task than Torch: Sicily. Codenamed main target and ordered U-boats home from serious opposition and gained a valuable Husky, the Allies agreed to invade Italy via their successful raids off the American East foothold in the European Theater. D UG continued on page 9
8 The Daybook Fall 1999
, TRACK CHART OF ASSAULT CONVOYS
·~ 4 "':. '>
- ~---/ ------... ,.:::;·>/" ;;;;~. :.~--- ~ u''-...... '· .;;:;.'" .,.-'' ~ ...... ,. • • •t •v .:~• --- -.....___ "'A.')f>'t.l,.,...... '-"' : ~~ -~ '',, .-·.:-~": > <~~-~I, J. • •~ . (i:~~-:,~:.. ;__ ... , ;...... ~ .;;;? oo .R . ~} >', --- :'\:1 •• r:· )\ ',-:.._ _ --"--~~~~ -.._,.-/ · ~:;.c, "'.. ~ .... ••• 7 ..~ :; -,0t,:_.!-;j;------··~-~~ _H.,, ... ) 0--.~ ' \) ~ . ;:·:~;:.~::-.·· --] ( This map shows the routes of convoys UGF-9 and UGF-9A (sometimes called UGF-9 112), two highly successful fast troop convoys that carried the 45th Divison. The UG route (which stood for United States-Gibraltar) originated in one of two ports: New York or Hampton Roads. (National Archives) UG continued from page 8 Sicily in hopes ofknocking her out of the war. Henry. Forty-five more ships plus their escorts NAS Oceana. The air squadrons were labeled UGF-7 and 8 left New York carrying joined the armada from New York for a total "composite squadrons" as they were a mixed elements of the 36th Infantry Division and 82nd of 129 merchants and 19 destroyers. This was bag of aircraft. They generally used older Airborne Division in early April. UGF-7 A the largest World War II convoy to date. It naval aircraft such as Wildcats, Avenger and 8A left Hampton Roads a month later covered over 70 square miles of ocean and torpedo bombers, and Dauntless dive carrying the remaining elements of the 36th. took close to 12 hours to get together. bombers. The make-up and numbers varied These troop convoys were relatively small, As added insurance, Atlantic Fleet gave greatly from squadron to squadron. largely due to the fact a ship had to be capable UGS-8A additional protection beyond her The Norfolk-based USS Card (CVE-1 I) of at least 16 knots to qualify. For example, destroyer screen. To solve the "air-gap" was one of the first of these ships. She formed UGF-8A only had 12 troopships and two problem in the Battle of the Atlantic, Atlantic up one of these groups with three destroyers. tankers. Once again, the Germans failed to Fleet assembled a new type of AS W squadron, Atlantic Fleet had Card support UGS-8, a locate any ofthese troop convoys and the only called "hunter-killer," around a single escort supply convoy bound for Algeria. The losses were due to mechanical breakdowns. carrier. The use of escort carriers was a more convoy went unseen and made it to its To feed the ground offensive, Atlantic aggressive strategy as the squadron operated destination with no trouble. Fleet dropped its previous restriction of 60 semi-independently from the convoy. These The convoy went unopposed as the U boats continued to be baffled. "Convoys between the USA and the Mediterranean had now been running at regular intervals for almost six months. We were well acquainted with the times of their departure and arrival on each side of the Atlantic, but still knew very little about their routes," the Germans wrote in May 1943. It was not through a lack of trying that the Germans had failed because they had an average of 15 boats comitted to the UG route. It is very likely that convoys received information on U-boat positions via the super secret ULTRA project that had cracked the German naval codes. The next of the Husky convoys was UGS- The Norfolk-based USSBogue (CVE-6) was one of the most effective anti-submarine weapons in the Allied 9 that left New York on May 28, 1943. Ten arsenal. This carrier, her planes, and escorts are credited with I 3 submarine kills. (HRNM) escorts guarded sixty-four merchants. Joining merchants to a convoy. UGS-8A at first "baby flattops" were considerably smaller them off the coast of Bermuda was another assembled in Hampton Roads, but to due its than their larger cousins and carried an air "hunter-killer" squadron led by the Norfolk sheer size, Atlantic Fleet moved its anchorage wing of only about 15 to 20 aircraft. based USS Bogue (CVE-7). Working with out beyond Cape Henry. Eight-four ships Many of the aircraft in these "hunter-killer" intelligence provided by spies, the Germans joined nineteen escorts assembled off Cape groups were based either at NAS Norfolk or UG convoys continuedfrompage 14
9 The Daybook Fall1999 Book Reviews The USS Essex and the Birth of the American Navy by Frances Diane Robotti & James Vescovi Reviewed by Joe Mosier e USS Essex and the Birth ofthe New vacillation toward its navy." Such documents American Navy is an unfortunate work. as are in the public record indicate that I The authors, Frances Diane Robotti Stoddert was a reluctant office-holder in the and James Vescovi, have attempted a popular first place. Three years in Adams' cabinet history of the U.S. Navy during the period had left him fatigued and worried about his 1798 - 1815. They use the frigate Essex as a financial future. His staying on at the start of metaphor for those dramatic early years which Jefferson's administration was acknowledged saw the young navy fight three wars. The by all to be merely a transitional service. If frrst ofthese conflicts was a strictly naval affair the authors have documentation to support betwe~n the United States and France. At the their view, a footnote would have been most There was no "wrongly" about it. Decatur start of this so-called Quasi-War, America had appropriate. As historian and Public was in fact very outspoken in his resistance no navy. In an effort to build one quickly, Television talking head, Doris Kearns to Barron' s reinstatement as it would have put Congress authorized citizens to construct new Goodwin has said, "Footnotes provide the him above many officers who had performed warships or convert merchant ships through reader with building blocks to understand the heroically during the War of 1812 while a joint subscription effort rather like building author's thought process." Very frequently Barron was ashore in Copenhagen. a sports stadium today. In Virginia, for in USS Essex we are confronted by statements According to the authors, "William example, merchants in Norfolk, Richmond, and claims, the understanding or acceptance Bainbridge acted as umpire." Bainbridge was Petersburg and Williamsburg subscribed of which is hampered by the lack of footnotes. in fact Decatur's second in the duel and shared funds to convert the brig Augusta into the brig A second source of frustration for this any striped-shirt responsibilities with Barron's of-war Richmond The good citizens of Salem, reader was the uneven narrative flow of the second, Jesse D. Elliott. The authors claim, Massachusetts, came together to fund work. Barbara W. Tuchman wrote in an essay " ... Decatur had made his officers sign pledges construction of a new 3 Essex. entitled " In Search of History": "One of the that they would not engage in duels to settle difficulties in writing history is the problem their scores." In fact, the so-called Decatur of how to keep up suspense in a narrative Plan, did not prohibit dueling but merely whose outcome is known ... .I found that if required that junior officers seek Decatur's one writes as of the time, without using the approval of the duel before it could be fought. benefit of hindsight, resisting always the Lastly in this paragraph, the authors write of temptation to refer to events still ahead, the "the reprobation of Congress". Congress did suspense will build itself up naturally." Had fail to adjourn the morning after Decatur's the authors been as strict as Ms. Tuchman in death because of some members' objection avoiding the temptation to "write ahead", this to dueling. It did adjourn the following day description of the subscription effort and work would have been far more readable. A for his funeral. His casket was followed in construction of the frigate. While my own particularly egregious example comes at the procession by the President, his cabinet view is that many subscribers found the climax of Essex's career, the battle off members and the members of both House and guaranteed six percent return on their Valparaiso in which the frigate was finally Senate. While the whole Decatur-Barron investment quite attractive, Robotti and captured by the Royal Navy during the War aside is tangential to the story of Essex, four Vescovi stress the merchants' patriotism. of 1812. In the middle of the fight, the misinterpretations in one long paragraph does Whatever the motivation, the end result was a authors take a four-page excursion to describe not bode well for the rest of the work. fine ship which served the nation well. the diplomatic efforts of American envoy Joel The USS Essex and the Birth ofthe American It is in describing the career of the frigate R. Pointsett. The book is replete with this Navy is a small, duodecimo-sized volume. and the navy in which she operated that the sort ofserpentine wandering that proved more This means that the illustrations are authors come up short. This reviewer was put distracting than illuminating. correspondingly small, generally 3 X 3.5 off by three aspects of the book. First, the The third irritation was the fact that all inches. This detracts from what could be an authors chose to write without footnotes. This too often the authors just got their facts wrong. attractive volume. On whole this reviewer becomes problematic because they also make By way of example, consider their recounting can recommend the work only to those who a number ofstatements which require defense. of the duel between James Barron and wi II go on to read better organized and crafted For example, Navy Secretary Benjamin Stephen Decatur. The authors state that standard histories of the same period. For Stoddert is said to have "resigned the office "Barron wrongly believed that Decatur had those who do decide to read it, use a library because he was disgusted with the country's spoken out against his return to the navy." copy and save the cost. ~
10 The Daybook Fall 1999 Better Than Good: A Black Sailor's War by Adolph W. Newton with Winston Eldridge Reviewed by Jack Robertson
ll you colored boys got cut marks martial, which cost him thirty days in the somewhere." brig and loss of a month's pay. A " Well, this is one Negro that Newton's narrative takes the reader to a doesn't have any cut marks, and I'm not number of bases, stateside, overseas, and going to say it again!" shipboard. It's the story of a black enlisted With that exchange at his pre-induction man, in the wartime white man 's Navy, who physical, Adolph Newton ran into one of tried to learn and do his job, keep his nose the first of many racial confrontations, and clean and move up through the ranks. All other overt and covert signs of hostility, he that, while trying to punch holes in the color would experience in a Navy which had barrier and make friends with his fellow received a mandate to integrate from sailors. President Franklin Roosevelt in 1942. His first overseas base is Gammadodo, Adolph Newton was a seventeen year Milne Bay, New Guinea. He then went on old Baltimore boy who wanted to join up to Samar, Leyte, The Philippines, where he and help win his country's war. Knowing had the experience of being kamikazed and that with three older brothers already in forced to abandon ship on Christmas Day force. To make it worse, shipboard life, as service, his parents would not agree to his 1944. After that experience, he said "War far as racial tension went, had not improved going. He lied about his age, forged their gave us all a 'don't give a damn' attitude. that much. But, he was in for a hitch, so off signatures to his enlistment papers, and You live today-to hell with tomorrow! to many foreign ports of call: Gibraltar, boarded a train for Great Lakes Training Today is yesterday's tomorrow!" A strange Naples, Greece, Turkey, Beirut, then home Station. He soon found out that everybody philosophy, but one any combat veteran can again for a while before shoving off for the was not eager for his help, or his presence! relate to. Caribbean and San Juan, St. Croix, and St. From Samar, on to Tacloban where, for Thomas. On shore leave in each of these the first time, he makes a good friend of ports, Newton and his friends found time Adolph W. Nc\Vton with Winston one of his white shipmates, named for a few beers, a few women, and a few Eldridge. Beller than Good: A Wickline, the coxswain on their LCM. shore patrols or local minions of the law. Black 5)ailor 's War. Annapolis. Wickline becomes his aegis in many Some encounters wind up with a captain's confrontations. It was also in Leyte that mast and a couple with a summary court MD: Naval Institute Press. 1999. Newton had a nighttime meeting with Adm. martial. 182 pages. ISBN 1-55750-649-3. William " Bull" Halsey, under unusual When he is not pursuing the racial aspects $25.95 circumstances, and got a " four-star" of a situation, Newton's story is a good apology for being inconvenienced. He was chronicle of the life of the enlisted man in still there when word came of a big bomb the World War II Navy. In fact, it could At San Diego' s Point Lorna Small Boat being dropped on Hiroshima, and the also be pretty well applied to the other Base, he was recommended for Advanced Japanese surrender. Shortly, Adolph branches of the service. Some of his Diesel Engine School in San Francisco, run Newton was discharged and happy to be escapades brought an "ain't it the damn by the International Harvester Company. on his way home to Baltimore. Here he truth" from this reviewer, who spent a On arrival there, he was told that "colored" hoped to get a job as a diesel mechanic- a couple of years in the Army Air Corps. could not attend the school- it was against job that the Navy had trained him for. Veterans of the other services could do the company policy. It was a rude awakening to find that the same. The book is an easy read and eye So, early in his military career, Newton civilian world was still segregated and no one opener as to the trials and tribulations of the learned that survival in the predominately was hiring black diesel mechanics- veteran African-Americans who served during World white Navy would depend on standing up or not. So, after a try at a few odd jobs, and War II. for his rights, speaking out on the truth, and some months of idleness and drinking cheap Today, Adolph Newton probably chuckles not backing down from anybody. But, early wine, Newton decided the service was not as to himself and says, "well, one of my boys on, he had learned that you do not "smart bad as he had thought it was. made it! " One of his sons is a lieutenant mouth" a chief, and when your He went to the recruiting office and re commander, now serving as an executive commanding officer speaks, you don' t talk, enlisted. Next stop, Norfolk, Virginia, duty officer on one of the Navy's ships. D you listen! Both of those axioms he on board the USS Donner (LSD-20). He has Jack Robertson ts a docent at the museum. author of breached at Point Lorna and wound up with few kind words to say about Norfolk with Block the Chesapeake, and crew member of B-24s a captain' s mast and a summary court its segregated life and "unfriendly" police during World War II.
11 The Sage 's War Message
ilitary historians can be a cynical neutral shipping bound for Napoleonic bunch. We loved to critique, we France, that the war was truly M enjoy finding the "true cause" unnecessary. of a war, and most of all, we love to second One of the grossest example is calling guess and kick around military officers and the War of 1812 "Mr. Madison's War." politicians who are no longer alive to defend President James Madison may have their reputations. We were not always this written the letter to Congress requesting bad. Up until the 1950's, military histories a declaration of war, but he most certainly were full of life and patriotism. The more was not the only person demanding it. A recent trend in military history is the quest War of 1812 history by the name Mr. for "secret'' or other discovered "truths" about Madison 's War starts chapter one about Madison's designs on Canada and only eventually gets around to discussing the maritime problem much later in the book. The author makes the Virginia native out to be an American Genghis Khan. Here is what "Mr. Madison" said in his war message to Congress:
"Against this crying enormity, which Great Britain would be so prompt to avenge if committed against herself, the United States have in vain exhausted remonstrance and expostulations. And that no proof might be wanting of their conciliatory dispositions, and no pretext left for a continuance ofthe practice, the British Government was formally assured CJhe ~useum Sage ofthe readiness ofthe United States to enter into arrangements such as could not be The above is just an excerpt as Madison's wars. In large part one can point to the rejected, if the recovery of British subjects message goes on for six pages. Not once uncertainties of the Korean and Vietnam War were the real and the sole object. The did he mention Canada. What he was as an explanation for motive. communication passed without effect. speaking about was the before mentioned Modem histories ofthe War of 1812 are British cruisers have been in the practice Orders in Council. The proclamation some of the ugliest of this type of modem also of violating the rights and the peace of allowed British warships to stop any neutral scholarship, second only to modem histories our Coasts. They hover over and harass our ship (mostly American) thought to be of the Spanish-American War. These entering and departing commerce. To the heading for France. This document was on historians claim that the war at the time was most insulting pretensions they have added top of the insulting British practice of considered "unnecessary" and quote several the most lawless proceedings in our very "impressement," whereby British officers prominent contemporary personalities at the harbors; and have wantonly spilt American seized sailors vaugely suspected of being a time that supports this view. blood within the sanctuary of our territorial British citizen. At least I ,000 Americans, The cynics' statements inevitably point to jurisdiction. The principles and rules possibly many more, were taken off their America's alleged imperialist attitude towards enforced by that nation when a neutral ships by the British and put to work on a Canada as the real cause of the war and that nation, against armed vessels of British one. the "Free Trade and Sailors Rights" slogan belligerents hovering near her coasts, and The fact that the British repealed the was nothing more than empty words. They disturbing her commerce, are well known. policy at the same time as the Americans point out that nothing in the Treaty of Ghent When called on, nevertheless by the United declared war is one of the great ironies of (the treaty that officially ended the war) States, to punish the greater offences the war. However, it should be pointed out mentioned "free trade and sailors rights." committed by her own vessels, her that the British had several opportunities to They also point out that since the British lifted Government has bestowed on their repeal this policy before 1812, but failed to the Orders in Council, the document which commanders, additional marks of honor do so. Opposition parties in the British proclaimed that Britain had the right to seize and confidence. " War Message continued on page 13
12 The Daybook Fa111999
War message continued from page 12 parliament frequently warned their of 1812 and found a peaceful solution. While history about a government institution and government of the American anger over the the British did not have an official policy of still provide a fair analysis of the subject. To policy. Even as early as 1810, the British had seizing American sailors, they continued to Shining Sea by Stephen Howarth (who is a golden opportunity to repeal the Orders insist to have the right seize American British by the way) is an outstanding example when the French repealed their maritime merchant ships if they felt the Americans were of a U.S. Navy history that falls into this policy against the Americans. Yet the British violating a Jaw. This happened frequently off category. decided to continue. the coast of Africa in the 19th century, for If President Madison's reasons for war What the cynics are also blind to is the example. are not enough, listen to another president: longer-term impact that a small American The War of 1812 is considered by many to Navy had on the British attitude towards be a draw. That is, neither the Americans nor "The wealthy man who cares only f or American shipping and sailors. On numerous the British gained anything from the war. The mercantile prosperity, and the cultivated man occasions after the War of 1812, the problem Sage presents the idea that it was not a tie. who forgets that nothing cah atone for the of "Free Trade and Sailor Rights" came up. All too often, the sole criteria for winning a loss of the virile fighting virtues, both also The problem was not localized to the early war is based on how much territory was forget that, though war is evil, an inglorious part of the nineteenth century. conquered. This is why some military or urljustifiable peace is a worse evil. " Despite the language of the Treaty of historians consider other wars like the Ghent that caiJed for "friendship and universal Korean War and the 1991 war with Iraq Teddy Roosevelt wrote these words in the peace" between the British and the "draws" and not victories. Where this introduction to his history on the War of 1812. Americans, the two nations butted heads imperialistic attitude came from is worth A war is won if its goals are achieved. The several more times over the next hundred investigating someday. goal of the War of 1812 was to gain fmal years. In many cases, war was almost Maybe patriotism is dead among respect of the British on the high seas. This, declared, but both sides remembered the War historians. It is possible to be patriotic in a we accomplished with flying colors. D Naval History Web Pages he Internet has become the researcher' s new best friend as it is T making information more uboat.net-This web site is extremely accessible. There are literally thousands of •e•e•n"¥' &ii•n••" useful for anyone doing research on [lt{otl~~~,. web pages on maritime history. From time · ,.r. ,.; ·:t:.:i ...... World War II U-boats or the Battle of ... __,._j!<. ~ ~ ~- ...... to time, the Sage will point out a few that the Atlantic. The site includes he has found useful in his research. information about individual U-boats, We must note that since The Daybook is their records, their captains, and even the O....r J ,I50,.h.rsa dayl Over 6,520 p•gesl ,A;_,"N'!:.l.'!K'!Ir.Hii.wJ an official Navy publication, we can not flotilla emblems. The best part of this lhe boals .__..... •\ll..t!._ot, I '}U;-J_Jt.__ officially endorse any site nor can we be site is the U-boat search engine. A [Etf ~~~'i'iil He.tdlines :!": ..,!~':uJ;..~-'-~ Plus. 11011 !hi then hnalin~'to htfe arc Mt responsible for the content. However, these ··- .• :::1" I i'.:v_ ~ ·· .-plat lflgl he '!!.t;;,:i_c;~ ,3gl researcher can type in any U-boat hull Lr.s.'.;;.'~~~~ f•.d~.o..i<.4j i:\ New 1 Adclt4 2 ,_ anclll•ltltr nltrnhng ftilurn sites we believe will be helpful. number and receive a plethora of L\U~_;.j!;!!, telhe \.~1,. ,.. ~<'li::lJLI'!•:;II't'. in11 -~--~•-'1r;:·~= Additionally, the Sage would like to information and statistics. All of this I ~~ ~ -~~-~-0.~~~:~-k ~-~~!'~~~~~~~'Mill ltll h~.~~;-~• '~ mention that the printed word, i.e. books " ~-· --·- tinro;u;;~~--- ·~ ~ O>J... !ll _..,z. information is free too. The designers .!!!'!!l£!-·.. . l !ll-•• · l.o · -·~1!1-. .... lln.-.~ . ; ,..,,... and primary source documents, are still by of this web page are to be commended far and away the best reference sources.il1,b. for their hard work. l#iri rtfiiMM Wi£1 .hzlxl
www.history.navy.mil-This is the site of the Naval Historical Center in Washington, D.C. with which our museum is affiliated. This site has information about the activities of Navy's history agency and the various branches of the TODAYINU.S.NAVAl. illSTORY: Center. It has a "Frequently Asked Questions" section for various topics on NnTember 10 Naval history. The Photographic Branch section has a selective list of the Center's 1 i75 - Cong:-eu ..- ~: ts I¢ raise tw~ bat'..aliC>~:s ('fContwtfllai Mannes, t s tal'~dur.g Mot"me Corps. photographic collection and information on how to order. The page also includes a section on declassified Navy documents and information on how to make a "Freedom oflnformation" request for documents that have yet to be declassified.
13 The Daybook Fall1999 "We assume that in each case the patrol line was circumvented after being located ahead ofthe convoy by high-flying aircraft. In this part of the Atlantic, the widest possible avoiding action can be carried out without substantially lengthening the convoy route. As we were unable at present to intercept enemy aircraft radar, there is no point in sending any more boats into the mid-Atlantic for the purpose ofintercepting UG and GU convoys. "-A German report on U-boats vs.
the u G convoys, late 194 3 QroQP .. • • • GroQP • ~;;.at ~. c. GroiiJ) • 0 •• ~r;t>tt r;;;. ._ --- - ...\f> ~ - · - - -"-' _~>v.c . d cr. c. UG convoys continued from page 9 U+-21+-n~n n"'"'"n+-n-al--...n lol+-lu--..121-131 organized a 16-boat wolfpack, named Trutz, convoy except that a French / ~1 '\. ;" ,f "- and formed them in a patrol line with the north tanker broke radio silence 1 • ~ ~ 12+-22\-32\4.2 bZ-62+-;2-82--+'92 l02~ll~l2z-'>-l32 end anchored near the Azores. and was torpedoed. Unknown to the Germans, Bogue's group UGF-9, a troop convoy I /J i I had been give unprecedented freedom to chase made up of 25 fast attack lS +- 273':. ('3 5~ +- 6~73- 83 -93 103/ 11~12$-133 down possible targets. Atlantic Fleet decided transports, three cruisers, and 0 to cut Bogue loose while UGS-9' s escorts kept 19 destroyers, proved to be 14_U_.~-1-' \44. H...,_M~ 74 _,.. M '?t4 l~+-U4-lU__,..U4 Croup " :I ~~:. OroQ,p " :r "• watch over the flock by themselves. Atlantic the finishing touch for the f i Fleet knew about Trutz' s positions and ordered Husky operation. The 45'h 65 .... - 66 _,5 -56 _...95 106 _,.115-.. 126 -U5 Ci. C~ the convoy to sail further south. After many Division loaded troops and GC.\ days of waiting for the convoy to show up, combat stores at Newport 66-6676- 8& _,6 lOG -116 ---+1!6 -136 Doenitz ordered Trutz to first decrease the News. Due to poor port ~ space between boats in the patrol line. He facilities in the 01.....,_ 61-77--;o Bf -i? 107 -117+-127 ~f a.c. • fi.Oar C otv~~odore then gave up and ordered his boats to fall back Mediterranean, the Army Y .c. • fioe Ocanodore and refuel from U-488, a Type XIV tanker U decided to load out the 45th 0 .c. • ~~!lYOJ" C o!.~~dC're G.C. • Group Col!llod.o.re The flag signaling chart for convoy UGS-16. Iffollowed correctly, the boat. Soon after they arrived at the refueling in such a way that the convoy commodore could relay his orders to all the ships in a short amount zone, U-7 58 reported that they had finally division would be all set to of time (National Archives) found some Allied ships. It was automatically go for the amphibious assault. This was the operation was another flawless success. assumed that this was UGS-9. Unfortunately, similar to what they did for Torch except that This was largely due to operations of Core's for the Germans, it was Bogue and her four it was not a chaotic mad house on the docks. ASW group that sank two boats, U-67 and destroyers. For the Husky convoys, supply officers stuck the milch cow boat U-487. Even though the Bogue's aircraft pounced on four boats. to their schedules. Germans had 16 boats at sea looking for the Two boats were damaged. One, U-217, was The convoy left the region on June 8, I 943 convoy, none got within I 50 miles. sunk, and one, U-603, got very lucky and and went rather smoothly. A neutral merchant Despite the flawless success of UGS- I 1, escaped. An Avenger dropped three depth vessel was spotted and promptly warded off the commodore had some gripes. He bombs on 603. Two bombs missed and one on the 1 Ith. Neutral flagged ships were complained about the lack of experienced hit the U-boat and skidded off. The boat that always a danger because they often were merchant captains. Then he commented that initially spotted the American squadron, U- German ships in disguise. Atlantic Fleet the Army had a better handle on logistics than 758 , was spotted herself running northeast at informed the convoy commodore of a possible the Navy. Finally, and most notably, he high speed. U-boat within 150 miles of the convoy on June recommended the British "be removed from Much to the shock of the American pilots 18. The commodore changed course to the our operations" as he claimed they were who attacked, U-7 58 was one ofthe frrst boats south and avoided any contact. getting in the way. to receive the deadly quad 20mm anti-aircraft Starting with the next convoy, UGS-I I, Seventy-nine ships of UGS-12 left two gun. The boat damaged four Allied aircraft Hampton Roads became the exclusive port for weeks after UGS- I 1 with Bogue's group before being forced to retire by American ships heading for Italy. Thirty-seven ships providing support. Bogue's aircraft swept the destroyers. Bogue's aircraft attacked and sank arrived from New York to join the 61 ships Azores region and sank the minelaying U- one final boat, the Type X minelaying/ already anchored off the coast of Virginia 613, U-527, and just missed getting a third, refueling U-118, before the group return to Beach. U-648, which was able to escape. While a Hampton Roads. UGS-I I 's commodore noted that few of few possible sonar contacts were picked up, The sucess of Bogue's squadron the merchant ship captains had any experience the U-boats made no attacks and no ships of ncouraged Atlantic Fleet to organize two traveling in a large group. In an attempt to the convoy were lost. The central Atlantic more "hunter-killer" groups. Along with fix this problem, the commodore conducted theater of the Battle of the Atlantic was truly Bogue and Card, USS Santee (CVE-29) and a crash course in convoy operations the becoming a hunting ground for the Allies, not Core ( CVE-13) were also selected to form morning the convoy left the region. It was the Axis. new ASW groups. They all operated out of not a pretty sight as ships went in every UGS-13 left Hampton Roads with 82 ships Hampton Roads. different direction during the first change and Card assisting. USS Card had a bit more Santee provided continuous cover for the in course drill. Training continued until frustrating time in her operations than 70-ship UGS-1 0, the last of the New York there was at least a little bit of cohesion. previous escort carrier groups. Her aircraft convoys. This would have been a flawless Besides the somewhat comical training, UG convoys continued on page 15
14 The Daybook Fall1999 UG convoys continued from page 14 missed U-117, U-66, U-262, and at frrst U- was now supporting both 664. The Germans, however, were the ones the offensive into Italy and experiencing the most frustrations. The a planned invasion of experience of U-664 is a prime example. southern France. After weeks offmding nothing, 664 spotted As the final destination what the captain thought was a tanker His of the UG route moved boat fired three torpedoes at the target, but closer towards Axis-held all missed. The ship they fired at was not a territories, the Germans tanker, but Card whose crew was oblivious made preparations to use that they had just been shot at. A few weeks aircraft against them. The later, Card's aircraft later discovered and 104-ship UGS-36, that sank 664. had left the region in late In addition to the carrier-based aircraft, February 1944 was ULTRA, HD/DF direction finding spotted and attacked by a equipment, and land-based aircraft made it lone U-boat. It was even more difficult for a U-boat to get close quickly driven off by a to a convoy. U-232, U-95l,and U-435were British destroyer escort. all sunk by land based aircraft operating out The next morning, 20 JU- of Morocco while searching for UGS-13. 88 bombers attacked at T~e Germans seriously contemplated dawn near Algeria. Only surrendering the central Atlantic to the Allies. one merchant was "We assume that in each case the patrol torpedoed. Escorts line was circumvented after being located downed two planes before ahead of the convoy by high-flying aircraft. the attack ended. In this part of the Atlantic, the widest possible Twenty-six aircraft The 75-ship UGS-37 steams into the Mediterranean enroute to Sicily and avoiding action can be carried out without attacked UGS-37 off the southern France, 1944. As the UG route expanded towards enemy held substantially lengthening the convoy route. coast of Algeria on April territory, the convoys were increasingly attacked by German bombers. (U.S. As we were unable at present to intercept II. The 60-ship convoy Navy photo) enemy aircraft radar, there is no point in was protected by 13 escorts including five that the initiative the way they did against the sending any more boats into the mid-Atlantic were equipped with radio jamming gear. One Great Britain-bound HX and SC convoys. for the purpose of intercepting UG and GU ofthe more feared weapons the Germans had The UG route was the first big loss for the convoys," one German naval staff member developed was an air dropped, radio U-boats in the Atlantic. wrote. controlled glide bomb. The jamming Hampton Roads' geography contributed Additional kills by Bogue, four more in equipment was to be used in an attempt to to the victory. The ancient Chinese military the months of August and September, only make the bomb miss its target. The planes thiJker'Sun T2l..l wlde .h h:Eb:x:k The Art added to the problem. The hunter-killer attacked in early evening and hit the two of War that the best battle is the one you do groups also found and destroyed almost every destroyers before being driven off. not fight. Because of Hampton Roads ' one of the milch cow boats, which further USG-38 arrived in the Mediterranean from location, the convoys were able to start restricted operations in the central Atlantic. Hampton Roads in the first week of April further away from U-boat bases making it For all practical purposes, Doenitz gave up 1944 where she picked up reinforcements. harder for them to find. When ULTRA and the central Atlantic by early 1944. On April 20, 21 bombers flew just above HF/DF located U-boats, the convoys had As the Allied advance in the the water and raced towards the Allied room to maneuver in hundreds of miles of Mediterranean slowly lurched forward, the convoy. They achieved a tactical surprise open sea. Secondly, the size of Hampton UG route was extended to meet combat and hit four merchants with torpedoes Roads' harbor allowed Atlantic Fleet to needs. A call went out to increase the tempo before escorts could even sound an alarm. assemble a large number of ships under a .. of the campaign. The Army demanded that The destroyer USS Lansdale (DD-426) was protective anchorage. the Navy send aUG convoy out of Hampton hit, the second time in as many months, and The route was also successful because Roads at least once a week, instead of I 0 to was lost. the Navy was flexible in its thinking. 20 days, with at least 80, instead of 60, The attack on USG-38 was the last UG Atlantic Fleet had to balance the supply merchant ships. The Navy succeeded in convoy to meet opposition. Before the end needs of the Army with the ever-changing meeting the first part of the demand. But due of the war, 53 more convoys with an battleground. To meet the larger supply to a lack of vessels, it was frequently not able average of about 70 ships to a convoy left demands the Fleet increased the size and to fmd 80 ships. Hampton Roads for the front in central frequency of the convoys. The Fleet also Twenty-one convoys, UGS-14 through 35 Europe. The UG route was a critical used a combination of aggressive ASW left Hampton Roads over the course of the element to the war in the European Theatre. hunting with the escort carrier squadrons three months of 1943 and frrst three months Despite a concentrated effort to interdict the together with the traditional, yet proven, close of 1944. By the spring of 1944, the UG route route, the Germans never were able to gain escort system.~ 15 The Daybook Fall1999
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COHVCIY ESC~T PIE~S .:O~ . , 1'1\ In Our Next Issue .... (iF The "Germ " Experiment (iF IfLooks Could Kill: The Sage Looks at Naval Architecture (iF Book Reviews: Desert Shield at Sea by Marvin Pokrant and FDR and the U.S. Navy edited by Edward J Marolda 16