Convoy SC 122
Departed New York City on March 5-1943 and arrived Liverpool on the 24th.

This Convoy was sailed within a few days of HX 229 and remained in its vicinity throughout the voyage. The escort consisted of HMS Havelock, Senior Officer, one frigate and five corvettes reinforced for a period by one US destroyer. Two of these ships and the rescue ship had H/F D/F and very good results were obtained. R.D.F. results, on the other hand, were disappointing, and few attacks were made by the surface escort.

The first attack on the Convoy, on the night 16th/17th, was preceded by a B-bar signal, made from a position estimated as close ahead of the Convoy. In the attack which followed four ships were hit; two of these were in the third column, one being hit on the port side and one on the starboard. Air cover was provided the next day but, during a short period when no aircraft was present, at 1354, one ship was torpedoed in excellent visibility. The torpedo track was seen and after the attack an asdic contact was attacked by two of the escort.

In this Convoy communication and co-operation between air and surface escort were excellent. Many attakcs and sightings by the former being the result of H/F D/F bearings obtained by the latter. As an example of this the following is quoted from the Senior Officer's report:

"1845/19 - Aircraft called "Roman" on 2410 K/cs and asked if we had anything for him. He later told us that he was patrolling independently but would remain with us until 0200.

1850/19 - Aircraft told to investigate H/F D/F bearing 287° 10 miles.

1926/19 - Aircraft reported that he had attacked U-boat 280° 45 miles.

2150/19 - Aircraft told to investigate H/F D/F bearing 224° 5-10 miles.

2236/19 - Aircraft reported that he had investigated 224°, made two contacts which had disappeared and found a straggler bearing 215° 45 miles.

2336/19 - After further H/F D/F bearings in the same area the aircraft was told to look again at a distance of between 3 and 10 miles and reported a U-boat bearing 240° from the Convoy 9 miles. Aircraft attacked U-boat and the tracer could be clearly seen from Havelock bearing 225°.

0142/20 - On being asked by aircraft if we had any further instructions for him he was told to investigate astern.

0155/20 - Aircraft reported straggler bearing 225° 14 miles and also a contact on the same bearing distant 20 miles. The aircraft then reported that he was leaving."