UG convoys

1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 The UG convoys were a series of east-bound trans-Atlantic convoys from the United States to Gibraltar carrying food, ammunition, and military hardware to the United States Army in North Africa and southern Europe during World War II.

These convoys assembled in Hampton Roads near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay and terminated in various North African locations as Axis forces retreated from 1942 through 1945.

The United States Navy provided a few escorts to HX and SC convoys from September 1941 through April 1943.

UG convoys were established as a second, more direct, supply route to support the invasion of North Africa.

Thereafter, fast and slow eastbound and westbound convoys on this southern route were given four separate numbering sequences beginning with 2.

With UGF 12 sailing Hampton Roads 1 July 1944, the interval was set at 27 days, at which it remained the rest of the war.

[1] There were no losses from these convoys during the Atlantic portion of their voyage, but five ships were lost within the Mediterranean Sea: The United States Navy provided all escorts between Hampton Roads and Gibraltar, although some of the destroyer escorts providing anti-submarine screens for these convoys had United States Coast Guard crews.