Br=British, Norw=Norwegian, Gr=Greek, Po=Polish, Da=Danish, Am=Amearican, Pa=Panamanian

* I believe this was the Norwegian Astra.

Also mentioned, but not included on A 1 form:
Star of Cairo (station 14), and Volturno (station 24) for Liverpool
Caledonia (Swedish, station 35) for Londonderry (Belfast for route)
Corabella (station 84) for Middlesbrough
Jura for Preston did not sail (scheduled for station 45) - listed in HGF 21.

HG 20 left Gibraltar at 15:00 on Febr. 25-1940 in fair weather, which lasted until pm on the 29th, at which time a strong east/northeast wind and heavy swell from north/northwest necessitated a reduction of speed to 6.5 knots (from 7.5), making good 4.5. An increase to 7 knots was attempted on March 2 and March 3, but several ships could not keep up. However, when the weather improved pm on the 3rd, the convoy was able to maintain a speed of 7.5 knots by day, and 7 knots by night.

On March 4, at 15:58, in 49 54N 8 10W, HMS Leith, escorting ahead of the convoy, reported a contact, and course was altered 80° to port in two 40° turns by emergency signals. HMS Venetia joined Leith in hunting, but no submarine or track of torpedo were seen. Mean course was resumed at 16:25 and zig-zag commenced; the convoy had not been zig-zagging when Leith made contact, due to the slow speed and size of escort (3 ships and 1 aircraft). At 18:15 HMS Deptford reported contact to port and the convoy was turned 80° to starboard, and as Deptford appeared to be crossing the convoy's track in a northeasterly direction, a further turn of 40° was ordered. 20 minutes later Deptford reported that she considered it safe to resume mean course, so this was done and zig-zag restarted (no sub or torpedo track had been seen). Other than these incidents, the voyage was uneventful.

The convoy was split up in Western Approaches and 23 ships proceeded with Rangitata as Commodore Vessel, average speed 6.4 knots.

Corbis parted company for Brest f. o. at 19:30 on March 4 in 49 13N 5 58W.
Cisneros left for Devonport at 07:15 on March 5 in 49 43N 3 56W.
St. Olaves left March 5/6 for Southampton.
Kapetan Stratis left at 03:00 on March 6 for St. Helens.
19 ships remained at Downs.

The Liverpool section consisting of 9 ships arrived at the Bar Light Vessel at 10:30 GMT on March 6-1940.

Escorts:
Ocean: Aberdeen, Deptford, Wishart.
Wild Swan - left at 19:00 on March 4 in 49 8N 6 8W.
HMS Leith, HMS Venetia and HMS Deptford are also mentioned in a report.

Related external link:
HG (& SL) Convoys - In chronological order.

Back to Convoy Index