Leaving Harbour:
The Halifax section of Convoy HX 71 will sail on Thursday, 5th September 1940. The leading ship of the convoy will pass Turple Head at zero hour (14:00, 5th September unless otherwise ordered). The local escort (HMCS Ships Assiniboine and Saguenay) will proceed at zero minus 1 1/2 hours so as to patrol to a depth of 16 miles on an arc 090° - 150° from the inner automatic buoy while the convoy is leaving harbour. The Ocean Escort (HMS Ranpura) is to leave harbour about half an hour after the rear ship of the convoy. Arrangements have been made for aircraft of the RCAF to patrol the area while the convoy is forming up.

Disposition of Escorts after Convoy has formed

Local Escort:
Local Escort will take station in accordance with C.B. 04024, page 54, figure No. 2, HMCS Assiniboine to port and HMCS Saguenay to starboard. After dark or in low visibility destroyers will maintain relative bearings from the convoy and will remain within visibility distance of it. In thick fog they will open out to a safe distance and proceed on the mean course at the speed of the convoy until the fog clears. In clear weather by day, and in bright moonlight, destroyers will zig-zag and proceed at not less that 16 knots.

The object of the local escort being the A/S protection of the convoy they should not normally be detached to round up stragglers. They will, however, be of assistance in this direction after leaving the convoy.

Ocean Escort:
The normal disposition of the Ocean Escort will be between the two centre columns of the convoy and about one cable astern of the line of leading ships, zig-zagging with and at the speed of the convoy. By night the Ocean Escort is free to drop to the rear of the convoy and to close one flank if conditions of light or the position of the moon enhance the possibility of attack from a particular direction. On dark nights or in low visibility, the Ocean Escort should be in line with the leading ships to assist stationkeeping in the convoy.

Air Escort:
Arrangements have been made for aircraft of the RCAF to maintain an outer A/S patrol on 5th September from the time the convoy forms up until dark. A/S air patrol will be carried out on 6th September for as long as is practicable. Aircraft sighting a submarine near the convoy will indicate the fact as laid down in the Merchant Navy Code. If sighting takes place out of sight of the convoy, aircraft will report the position to the base by the method laid down in S.P. 02274(4).

Junction with the Sydney Section:
The Sydney Section (SHX 71) of Convoy HX 71 will sail from Sydney on Friday, 6th September and proceed so as to rendezvous with the Halifax Section in position 44 40N 56 50W at 12:00 GMT on Saturday, 7th September 1940. The Halifax Section will steer for a point 20 miles South of the rendezvous and will haul in as necessary to make contact. If junction is not effected with the Halifax Section on this day, the Sydney Section will proceed from this rendezvous to a point 40 miles Northward of the rendezvous position for the junction of the Halifax and Bermuda Sections (position given below). As there will be no Ocean Escort with the SHX Section, normal D/F procedure will not be available, but the Commodore of SHX Section may be instructed by HMS Ranpura to make his call sign on 500 kc/s. In this event, the convoy call sign is to be transmitted for 30 seconds only.

After junction, the Sydney Section will cease to be termed SHX 71.

Junction with the Bermuda Section:
The Bermuda Section (BHX 71) of Convoy HX 71, escorted by HMS Rajputana, will sail from Bermuda on Wednesday, 4th September 1940 and proceed so as to rendezvous with the Halifax Section in position 42 10N 48 40W at 12:00 GMT on Monday 9th September 1940. The Bermuda Section will pass through this rendezvous, thence following the Ocean Route. The Halifax Section, provided junction with the Sydney Section has been effected, will steer for a position 20 miles North of the rendezvous and will subsequently haul in as necessary to make contact. If, however, contact with the Sydney Section has not been made, the Halifax Section will steer for a position 20 miles North of Bermuda rendezvous and the Sydney Section for a position 40 miles North of this rendezvous.....

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