Type II HUNT Class
Escort Destroyer ordered with 15 others of this Type on 20th December 1939 in
the War Emergency Programme. The ship was laid down by Swan Hunter at Wallsend
on 21st December 1940 as Job No J4139 and launched on 25th July 1941 as the
first RN ship to carry this name, that of a Fox-hunt in Hampshire. Build was
completed on 2nd April 1942. After a WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in
March 1942 this destroyer was adopted
by the civil community of Ringwood, Hampshire. She was transferred to the Greek
Navy in 1943 and renamed KRITI as shown in the Chronology.
B a t t l e H o n o u r s
MEDITERRANEAN 1942-43 - SICILY 1943 -
AEGEAN 1943
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge: On a Field Red in front of a hunting horn erect
the sails of a windmill White.
D e t a i l s o f
W a r S e r v i c e
(for more ship information,
go
to
Naval History Homepage
and type name in Site Search)
1 9 4 2
March
Contractors trials and commissioned
for service in 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, Eastern Fleet.
April
2nd - Build completion and commenced
Acceptance Trials
Passage to Scapa Flow on completion of trials and storing.
Deployed at Scapa Flow to work-up for operational service.
Part of escort for HM Battleship KING GEORGE V, US Battleship USS WASHINGTON,
HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruiser KENYA and US
Cruiser WICHITA to provide cover for
transit of Russian Convoys PQ15 to Murmansk and QP11 to Iceland. (Note: Part of screen with HM Destroyers, ESCAPADE,
FAULKNOR, INGLEFIELD, MARNE,
MARTIN, ORIBI, PUNJABI. HM Escort Destroyers BELVOIR, LAMERTON,
MIDDLETON, US Navy destroyers USS MADISON, USS PLUNKETT, USS WILSON AND WAINWRIGHT.
The US Navy ships had been lent to the Home Fleet following RN losses earlier
in 1942)
May
Home Fleet escort duties in
continuation. (Note:
HMS KING GEORGE V was replaced by HMS DUKE OF YORK after being damaged in a collision with HMS PUNJABI which was sunk). For details of all Russian Convoy operations see
CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by R A Ruegg, THE
RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield, CONVOY ! by P Kemp and ARCTIC
CONVOYS by R. Woodman).
On completion of work-up took passage to
Clyde to join escort for military Convoy WS 19
11th - Joined HM Cruiser MAURITIUS,
HM Armed Merchant Cruiser CARNARVON CASTLE and HM Destroyer BELVOIR in NW Approaches as Ocean Escort
during Atlantic passage for military
convoy WS19.
22nd - Detached from WS19 on arrival
at Freetown.
25th - Deployed with HM Cruiser
MAURITIUS, HM Sloop MILFORD and HM Destroyer HURSLEY for escort of WS19 during passage from Freetown to
Cape of Good Hope.
26th - Sailed from Freetown with WS19
as part of Ocean Escort.
June
5th - Remained with ships of WS19 for
passage to Durban when others detached to enter Capetown.
14th - Passage from Durban with HMS
BELVOIR to rejoin WS19 during passage to Durban.
23rd - Detached from WS19 and took
passage to Mombasa to refuel.
Transferred on loan to 5th Destroyer Flotilla in Mediterranean and took
passage to Alexandria.
(Note: This change in deployment was made
following heavy losses and damage to ships of
Mediterranean Fleet in defence of VIGOROUS convoy, defence of Greece and
Crete.)
29th - Joined Flotilla at Alexandria.
July
Deployed for flotilla duties in
eastern Mediterranean
25th - Escorted damaged HM Submarine
PORPOISE to Port Said with HMS BELVOIR
August
29th - Took part in bombardment of
Abu Dabba and received some damage in air attack.
September
Deployed with Flotilla for Tobruk
convoy defence and support of military operation
14th - Escorted Tug BRIGAND from
Alexandria with HM Escort Destroyer ALDENHAM to meet damaged cruiser HMS COVENTRY and damaged destroyer
ZULU on passage from Tobruk.
Established tow of HMS ZULU.
Came under air attacks during which HMS
COVENTRY was hit and sunk. Took
disabled ship in tow but this failed during passage to Alexandria. HMS ZULU sank in position 32.00N 28.56E. (For details of this ill-planned operation which met
with determined opposition see MASSACRE
AT TOBRUK by P Smith and above references).
October
Carried out two diversionary
operations in support of Army advance.
(Operations LIGHTFOOT and SUPERCHARGE - See OFFICIAL MILITARY
HISTORY, MEDITERRANEAN (HMSO).)
November
Deployed for defence of convoys
between Alexandria and Tobruk
17th - Deployed with HM Destroyers
ALDENHAM, BEAUFORT, CROOME. DULVERTON, EXMOOR, BELVOIR, HURWORTH, TETCOTT and Greek PINDOS as
Close Escort for Malta relief
Convoy MW13 (Operation STONEAGE).
18th - Under air attack during which
HM Cruiser ARETHUSA was torpedoed and returned in tow to
Alexandria.
19th - Detached from MW13 on arrival
in Malta and returned to Alexandria with the other ships of
Close Escort.
21st - Arrived at Port Said after
series of unsuccessful air attacks on passage.
December
Coastal convoy defence in
continuation.
25th - At Alexandria for Xmas period.
1 9 4 3
January
Deployed at Alexandria with Flotilla
in support of Army operations and defence of coastal convoys.
14th - Took part in sinking of
Italian submarine NARVALO with HM Destroyer PAKENHAM. Submarine was carrying ammunition and fuel to Tripoli.
February
Part of escort for Convoy XT3
(Alexandria - Tripoli).
19th - Took part in the sinking of
U562 with HM Destroyer ISIS and aircraft in position 32.57N 20.5E,
NW of Benghazi). There were no survivors. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P
Kemp
Transferred to 22nd Destroyer Flotilla,
Mediterranean Fleet.
March to April
Convoy defence and support duties in
Eastern Mediterranean in continuation.
May
8th - Deployed with HM Escort
Destroyers ALDENHAM, DULVERTON, LAMERTON, WILTON, ZETLAND, Greek KANARIS and Fleet destroyers to
blockade Cape Bon
area in order to intercept craft evacuating
enemy troops from North Africa. (Operation RETRIBUTION - See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett).
12th - Took part in landing operation
on island of Zembra off Tunisia with HMS ALDENHAM and Greek Escort Destroyer
KANARIS (Ex HMS HATHERLEIGH).
Returned to Malta with personnel captured on Zembra. (See THE LAST DESTROYER by F A Mason).
June
Escort and support duties based in
Malta. Nominated
for support of allied landings in Sicily (Operation HUSKY).
(For details see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, Naval Staff History) and
BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser
July
Joined Support Force East for escort
for assault convoys and support of landings. Deployed as part of Escort Group R Passage to Alexandria.
6th - Sailed from Alexandria as part
of escort for military convoy MWF36
7th - Detached from MWF36 and
returned to Alexandria.
9th - Sailed from Alexandria as part
of escort for military follow-up convoy MWS36. Detached from MWS36 and took passage to Syracuse Deployed for HUSKY support duties and convoy defence.
August
Flotilla duties in continuation for
HUSKY support.
September
Detached for duty in LEVANT HUNT
Flotilla for support of military operations in Aegean to occupy islands after surrender of Italian forces. (Note: Italian troops formed the garrison of Leros,
Cos and other islands. The German theatre
commander was determined to hold these islands by sending German troops by sea
to take over their defence).
Deployed for defence of convoys taking troops to Aegean islands and for patrol
to intercept
invasion craft. Based at Alexandria.
October
Aegean support in continuation.
16th - Sailed from Alexandria as
screen for HM Cruiser AURORA with HM Destroyers PENN, JERVIS, and Greek Escort Destroyer MIAOULIS (Ex HMS
MODBURY).
Carried out interception patrol off east
coast of Kalymnos and Leros with Greek MIAOULIS.
Engaged Italian E-Boats and Sloop off Port Akti, Kalymnos sinking UJ2109 (Ex
HM Minesweeper WIDNES) used for escort duties. Came under air attack and escaped without damage. Landed stores at Leros.
17th - Laid up in Turkish waters till
nightfall. Deployed
with HM Destroyers JERVIS, PENN and Greek MIAOULIS for support of shore operations.
18th - Laid up in Turkish waters
during daylight to avoid air attacks.
After nightfall carried cut reconnaissance of Pserimos Island. During subsequent bombardment of Cos hit by return
fire and damaged forward. Withdrew
to meet HMS AURORA.
19th - Passage to Alexandria from
Scarpanto with HMS AURORA, HMS PENN, HMS JERVIS and Greek MIAOULIS.
20th - Under repair.
23rd - Sailed from Alexandria with
HMS AURORA and HMS ALDENHAM.
24th - Embarked troops from HMS
PHOEBE whilst laid up in Turkish waters during daylight.
25th - Landed troops in Leros with
HMS ALDENHAM. After relief by HMS AURORA, HM Destroyers PATHFINDER, EXMOOR and BLENCATHRA returned to Alexandria.
November
2nd - Transferred to Royal Hellenic
Navy and renamed KRITI.
Remained in 22nd Destroyer Flotilla.
W a r S e r v i c e a s
H H e l M S K R I T I
December
On completion
of work-up for service at Alexandria took passage to Algiers.
1 9 4 4
January
Deployed for
convoy escort from ports in North Africa to Naples in preparation for planned allied landings at Anzio.
(Operation
SHINGLE - see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, Naval Staff History and BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser for details
of all ships involved.).
Nominated for
service with Southern Attack Force (X-ray) under US Navy command for support of landings by US VI Corps.
20th - Sailed
from Naples and deployed with US Cruiser USS BROOKLYN, HM Cruiser PENELOPE, US destroyers USS CLEAVES, USS PLUNKETT, USS NIBLACK,
USS WOOLSEY, USS
MAYO, USS TRIP, USS LUDLOW, USS
EDISON, HM Escort Destroyer CROOME and Greek
Escort
Destroyer THEMISTOCLES for escort of assault convoy.
22nd - Provided
support with ships of Southern Attack Force.
Under
air attacks including minelaying (See above references).
February
Deployed for
defence of military convoys and gunfire support of SHINGLE landings
March
Resumed
Flotilla duties based at Algiers for convoy defence and patrol in central and
eastern
Mediterranean.
April to June
Flotilla duties
In continuation.
July
Nominated for
support of planned allied landings in South France under US Command. Prepared for support operations. (Operation DRAGOON - See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE
CLOSELY, INVASION OF
THE SOUTH OF FRANCE (HMSO) and
BRITISH INVASION FLEETS.).
August
Passage to
Naples for escort of S Assault convoys
12th - Sailed
from Naples as escort of Convoy SF2 (DELTA) with US Escort Destroyer USS CURRIER, HM Fleet Minesweepers ANTARES, ARCTURUS,
BRAVE, RINALDO, SPANKER and five US
Navy Patrol Craft.
(Note: This convoy comprised 38
Landing Craft (Infantry)).
14th - Arrived
in Assembly position AN off DELTA Sector.
22nd - Released
from US Command and resumed Flotilla duties.
September
Convoy defence
and patrol in continuation.
October
Transferred to
British Aegean Force based at Alexandria for support of military operations to re-occupy Aegean islands and Greek mainland. (Operation MANNA - see above references and
MEDITERRANEAN AND MIDDLE EAST MILITARY
HISTORY Vol VI (Part D) (HMSO).
Deployed for
interception of German evacuation craft.
Deployed
at Athens after allied entry.
November
Transferred to
Greek 12th Flotilla at Piraeus. Deployed for
support of military operations and convoy defence.
December
Military support
operations deployment in continuation.
1 9 4 5
January to
March
Deployed in
Aegean and Greek coastal areas for convoy defence and support of military operations.
April
1st - Carried
out bombardment of Rhodes with HM Destroyer KIMBERLEY and sister ship HMS CATTERICK.
May
After VE Day
transferred on loan to Royal Hellenic Navy.
June to August
Under Greek
naval control.
P o s
t W a r N o t e s
HMS HURSLEY remained with the Royal Hellenic Navy as HHelMS
KRITI until 12th December 1959 when she reverted to RN control and was placed
on the Disposal List. The ship was sold for breaking-up in Greece on 27th April
1960 and towed to ship-breakers later that year.
Addendum
CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS
of HMS HURSLEY
by Don Kindell
These convoy lists have not been cross-checked
with the text above
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Date convoy sailed
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Joined convoy as escort
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Convoy No.
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Left convoy
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Date convoy arrived
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10/04/42
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28/04/42
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PQ 015
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28/04/42
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05/05/42
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28/04/42
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28/04/42
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QP 011
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28/04/42
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07/05/42
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01/12/42
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01/12/42
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MW 014
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05/12/42
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05/12/42
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07/12/42
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07/12/42
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ME 011
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09/12/42
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11/12/42
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06/12/42
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09/12/42
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MW 015
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10/12/42
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09/12/42
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17/12/42
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17/12/42
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ME 012
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20/12/42
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20/12/42
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28/12/42
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28/12/42
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MW 018
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02/01/43
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02/01/43
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07/01/43
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07/01/43
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MW 019
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11/01/43
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11/01/43
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13/01/43
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13/01/43
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ME 015
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18/01/43
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18/01/43
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27/01/43
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27/01/43
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ME 016
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28/01/43
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01/02/43
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17/05/43
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22/05/43
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KMS 014X
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26/05/43
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26/05/43
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08/06/43
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14/06/43
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GTX 002
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unknown
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19/06/43
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24/06/43
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24/06/43
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MKS 016
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29/06/43
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29/06/43
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05/07/43
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05/07/43
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MWF 036
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10/07/43
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10/07/43
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10/07/43
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10/07/43
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MWF 037
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13/07/43
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13/07/43
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13/07/43
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13/07/43
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MEF 037
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17/07/43
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17/07/43
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04/09/43
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05/09/43
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MKS 024
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unknown
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13/09/43
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20/09/43
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21/09/43
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XIF 001
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24/09/43
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24/09/43
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17/09/43
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25/09/43
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MKF 024
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29/09/43
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07/10/43
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06/10/43
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06/10/43
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XIF 002
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09/10/43
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09/10/43
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and possibly as HHelMS
KRITI
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22/11/43
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unknown
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MKS 032
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unknown
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03/12/43
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(Note on Convoys)
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