B-6 Escort Group

B-6 Escort Group was a Royal Navy convoy escort formation created in the spring of 1942 for service with the Mid-Ocean Escort Force, the Allied organization responsible for protecting convoys across the central North Atlantic during the Second World War. Its formation reflected the rapid expansion of the Battle of the Atlantic and the inability of the United States Navy to establish two planned escort groups, designated A4 and A5, because of competing operational commitments. Britain therefore established B6 and B7 to fill the gap. The group was initially led by the modified long-range V-class destroyer HMS Viscount and commanded by Commander John Waterhouse. Its principal supporting vessels were Norwegian-manned Flower-class corvettes transferred from the former Group A4: HNoMS Andenes, HNoMS Eglantine, HNoMS Potentilla and HNoMS Rose. HNoMS Montbretia later joined the formation. These ships represented the multinational character of the Atlantic escort system, in which British, Norwegian, Polish and other Allied naval personnel operated together to defend merchant convoys against German U-boats. B6 began with several relatively uneventful escort assignments, but it soon entered some of the most intense convoy battles of the war. In August 1942 it protected convoy ON 122 during an attack by U-boats of the wolfpack Lohs. Four merchant ships were sunk, although the escorts and supporting aircraft damaged several submarines and contributed to the destruction or withdrawal of others. In September, the F-class destroyer HMS Fame became the senior ship, and Commander Ralph Heathcote assumed the position of Senior Officer of the Escort. The group then took part in the prolonged October battle around convoy SC 104. Eight merchant vessels were lost, but two U-boats were destroyed and two more damaged. Both Fame and Viscount were themselves damaged, after which Lieutenant Commander Christian Monsen of Potentilla took command during the action. B6 endured another severe engagement while escorting ON 144 in November 1942. Sixteen U-boats attacked the convoy, five merchant ships and the corvette Montbretia were sunk, and U-184 was destroyed by Potentilla. Despite the losses, the group’s aggressive defense was credited with preventing a much larger defeat. In December, B6 helped protect HX 217 against the combined German wolfpacks Panzer and Draufgänger. The convoy lost two ships, but the escort response and Allied air action prevented the attackers from achieving greater success. The group continued to expand in early 1943 with the addition of HMS Kingcup and HMS Vervain. During the defense of ON 165 in February, HMS Fame and HMS Viscount destroyed U-69 and U-201, respectively, while two merchant ships were lost. B6 also participated in the defense of HX 227 and later escorted convoys during the renewed German offensive in the autumn of 1943. Its final major operations included the linked convoy battles involving ON 206 and ONS 20, although none of the U-boats destroyed in that action was credited directly to B6 ships. B-6 Escort Group was disbanded in the spring of 1944 during a general reorganization of Allied naval forces before the invasion of Normandy. Over approximately 23 months, it escorted 31 convoys. Nineteen merchant ships were lost while under its broad protection, but more than 900 vessels reached port safely. The formation lost one of its own ships, Montbretia, and was credited with destroying five German U-boats. Its historical significance lies in its sustained contribution to the convoy system, its multinational composition and its role in the defensive campaign that gradually shifted the Battle of the Atlantic in favor of the Allies.

B-6 Escort Group emerged from the wartime expansion of the Mid-Ocean Escort Force. The MOEF had been designed to provide regular protection for Allied convoys crossing the central North Atlantic, where ships were beyond the effective range of much shore-based air cover and particularly exposed to German submarine operations. The original planning framework anticipated American, British and Canadian escort groups. When the United States Navy could not form the planned A4 and A5 groups because of other operational demands, Britain created B6 and B7 as replacement formations in the spring of 1942. B6 was initially organized around HMS Viscount, a modified long-range V-class destroyer. Its supporting ships included Norwegian-manned Flower-class corvettes that had previously served with Group A4: Andenes, Eglantine, Potentilla and Rose. Montbretia joined later. The arrangement gave B6 a mixture of destroyer speed and corvette endurance, suitable for long convoy passages and anti-submarine patrols. The Norwegian participation was part of the wider Allied use of vessels and crews associated with governments and naval forces operating from Britain after the occupation of continental Europe. The group’s first assignments in the summer of 1942 were completed without reported convoy losses, but the operational environment soon deteriorated. During the attack on ON 122 in August, nine U-boats from wolfpack Lohs sank four merchant ships. The escorts and aircraft nevertheless damaged six submarines, several seriously, and helped inflict further losses on German boats attempting to return through the Bay of Biscay. In September, HMS Fame became the senior ship and Ralph Heathcote took over as Senior Officer of the Escort. The October 1942 defense of SC 104 became one of B6’s defining actions. The convoy was attacked by Group Wotan in a five-day battle. Eight merchant ships were sunk, but U-661 and U-353 were destroyed and two other submarines were damaged. Fame and Viscount were both put out of action, leaving Christian Monsen of Potentilla to direct the group during part of the engagement. The following month, B6 escorted ON 144 while it was attacked by a much larger force of sixteen U-boats from Group Kreuzotter. Five merchant ships and Montbretia were lost, but Potentilla destroyed U-184. The group’s determined response was later commended because it was judged to have limited what could otherwise have been a far more serious convoy defeat. In December, B6 defended HX 217 against Group Panzer and the subsequently reinforcing Group Draufgänger. Fame again served as the leading ship, supported by Norwegian corvettes, the Polish destroyer ORP Burza and another British corvette. Two merchant ships were lost over three days, while Allied ships and aircraft destroyed or damaged several attacking submarines. In January 1943, Kingcup and Vervain joined the group, bringing its escort strength to seven warships. The February 1943 battle around ON 165 produced two notable escort successes. Fame destroyed U-69 and Viscount destroyed U-201, while two merchant ships were lost. Later that month and in early March, B6 participated in the defense of HX 227. Poor weather and aggressive escort action disrupted the German attack; two stragglers were lost and two U-boats suffered damage and had to withdraw. After the major convoy battles of May 1943, German submarine operations in the North Atlantic entered a temporary lull, and B6 carried out a series of less eventful missions. The German offensive resumed in the autumn. B6 took part in the defense of ON 206 and ONS 20, part of the last major convoy battle of the campaign. Six U-boats were destroyed for the loss of one merchant ship across the wider action, although no individual destruction was credited to B6’s ships. The North Atlantic route then became comparatively quiet again. B6 continued escort duties until it was disbanded in the spring of 1944 as Allied naval forces were reorganized ahead of the Normandy invasion. In total, the group escorted 31 convoys during a career of roughly 23 months. It lost one escort vessel, Montbretia, while helping more than 900 ships reach harbor and receiving credit for five U-boat destructions.

• 1944

  Disbandment before the Normandy invasion

  [1]Escort Group B6en.wikipedia.org

  B6 was disbanded during the spring 1944 reorganization of Allied escort forces before Operation Overlord.

• 1943

  Escort strength expanded

  [1]Escort Group B6en.wikipedia.org

  HMS Kingcup and HMS Vervain joined B6 in January, raising the group’s operational strength to seven escort vessels.

• 1943

  Battle of ON 165

  [1]Escort Group B6en.wikipedia.org

  In February, HMS Fame and HMS Viscount destroyed U-69 and U-201 while B6 defended ON 165.

• 1942

  Formation within the Mid-Ocean Escort Force

  [1]Escort Group B6en.wikipedia.org

  B6 was established in the spring of 1942 as a British replacement for planned American escort groups that could not be formed because of other naval commitments.

• 1942

  First North Atlantic convoy assignments

  [1]Escort Group B6en.wikipedia.org

  The newly formed group began escorting convoys across the central North Atlantic, initially completing several assignments without loss.

• 1942

  Battle around convoy ON 122

  [1]Escort Group B6en.wikipedia.org

  B6 defended ON 122 against wolfpack Lohs. Four merchant ships were sunk, while numerous U-boats were damaged and additional German submarine losses followed during their return passage.

• 1942

  Battle of SC 104

  [1]Escort Group B6en.wikipedia.org

  During the five-day battle from 12 to 17 October, SC 104 lost eight ships, while B6 contributed to the destruction of U-661 and U-353. HMS Fame and HMS Viscount were damaged.

• 1942

  Defense of ON 144

  [1]Escort Group B6en.wikipedia.org

  B6 fought off a large U-boat attack in November. Five merchant ships and Montbretia were lost, but U-184 was destroyed by HMS Potentilla.

• 1942

  Defense of HX 217

  [1]Escort Group B6en.wikipedia.org

  B6 helped protect HX 217 against two successive German wolfpacks. Two merchant ships were sunk, while Allied action caused several U-boat losses or serious damages.

A wartime multinational naval escort formation focused on protecting merchant shipping through the most hazardous central section of the North Atlantic convoy route.

• 1943Final North Atlantic convoy battles

  Central North Atlantic

  B6 continued operations during the renewed German submarine offensive, including the defense of ON 206 and ONS 20.

  Outcome. The wider action destroyed six U-boats for one merchant ship lost, although no submarine destruction was directly credited to B6 vessels.

  Source
• 1942North Atlantic convoy escort campaign

  Central North Atlantic

  B6’s principal operational role was the repeated escort of Allied merchant convoys between North America and the United Kingdom, with emphasis on anti-submarine defense in the mid-ocean zone.

  Outcome. The group escorted 31 convoys over approximately 23 months, despite substantial losses in several major convoy battles.

  Source

• 1944

  Disbandment during pre-invasion reorganizationStrategy

  Background

  Allied naval forces were reorganized in preparation for the invasion of Normandy.

  Action taken

  B6 was dissolved and its resources were absorbed into the wider restructuring of escort forces.

  Aftermath

  The group ended its service after escorting 31 convoys and contributing to the safe arrival of more than 900 vessels.

  Source

• 1942

  Creation of replacement escort groupsStrategy

  Background

  The planned American escort groups A4 and A5 could not be created because the United States Navy had other operational commitments.

  Action taken

  Britain formed B6 and B7 to maintain the intended strength of the Mid-Ocean Escort Force.

  Aftermath

  B6 entered service in the central North Atlantic and became a regular participant in convoy protection and anti-submarine warfare.

  Source

• 1942

  Transfer of operational command during SC 104Strategy

  Background

  HMS Fame and HMS Viscount were damaged during the battle around SC 104.

  Action taken

  Lieutenant Commander Christian Monsen of HMS Potentilla assumed command of the escort group during the engagement.

  Aftermath

  B6 maintained an aggressive defense despite the loss of its two principal senior ships.

  Source

1. 1Escort Group B6en.wikipedia.org