Supporting The Invasion of North Africa
Returning to the East Coast of the United States and arriving at Norfolk on 12 September, Almaack underwent further alterations and repairs before proceeding to New York to load cargo. She sailed on 26 September for Scotland in TF 38. There, at Loch Fyne, the cargo ship participated in training for the invasion of North Africa until 21 October. Five days later, Almaack sailed for her first amphibious operation.
The voyage toward the coast of North Africa proved uneventful until 7 November 1942. Almaack—in column 01 of convoy KMFA1—went to general quarters at 0515, and soon thereafter heard an aircraft close by, on her port hand. At 0538, her watch noted the torpedoing of the nearby transport USS Thomas Stone. Ultimately, at 1800 the section of KMFA1 to which Almaack had been attached was directed to proceed to the waters off Algiers. As she stood toward the coast, she observed navigation lights—still burning but with reduced visibility—at Cape Matifu and Cape Caxine.
Reaching her release position at 2200, Almaack commenced lowering boats at that time, and completed the evolution in a little over an hour, at 2307. At 0145 on Sunday, 8 November 1942, the ship's boats began making their way shoreward, from about eight miles (13 km) off the beachhead. At 0208, all ships in "Charlie" sector stood shoreward to a position two miles (3 km) off "Charlie-Red" beach, where they would ultimately anchor several hours later. In the interim, Almaack's first boat returned from the beach at 0304, shortly before the ship reached her position.
Read more about this topic: USS Almaack (AKA-10)
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