Convoys HX 229/SC 122 - Convoy HX 229

Convoy HX 229

HX 229 was also eastbound, and sailed from New York on 8 March, with 40 ships and the local escort. A further 34 ships which should have been included were delayed due to congestion at New York; they sailed the following day as HX 229A. The first few days of the convoy were uneventful; HX 229 met its Mid-Ocean Escort Force on the 14th and the local escort departed. The ocean escort was B4 Escort group from St Johns, of 4 destroyers and a corvette. It was led on this occasion by Cdr GJ Luther of HMS Volunteer, as its regular leader was in dock for repairs; Luther had recently joined the group and this was only his second crossing. The other ships of B4 were destroyers Beverley, Mansfield and Witherington, and corvette Anemone, although Witherington had to detach on the 15th, to be replaced by the corvette Pennywort for the crossing.