SS Pennland - Clyde to Suez 1941

Discussion in 'North Africa & the Med' started by Brian Smith, Dec 9, 2013.

  1. Brian Smith

    Brian Smith Junior Member

    SS Penland sailed from the Clyde as part of convoy WS 5B in January 1941 arriving Suez March 1941.

    I have done a google search and found bits of information - mainly on her change of name, basic outline of the convoy from convoyweb and sinking in April 1941.

    Does anyone have any information on the Pennland from and including embarkation of troops to disembarkation for the trip from Clyde to Suez please.

    Thank you Brian
     
  2. RemeDesertRat

    RemeDesertRat Very Senior Member

    From the winston specials by Archie munroe;
    Pennland arrived at the Clyde on 5th Jan. Sailing was delayed for 4 days due to heavy fog. In the meantime troops disembarked and took part in route marches to relieve boredom.
    Sailed on the 11th Jan. At 2330.
    1130 next day convoy formed up off Orsay, comprising 7 columns with 3 ships in each.
    Pennland carried mainly british units including;
    Two general hospitals,
    150 nurses,
    250 reinforcement officers,
    250 RN,
    and an Australian machine gun company to assist with air defence.
    During the voyage Pennland made several zigzagging mistakes and was put at the rear of the column.
    Convoy reached Freetown on the 25th and left on the 29th.

    Pennland is not mention again until 18th march when it was to proceed to alexandria to embark troops for operation Lustre, the movement of troops to Greece. The index has Pennland sunk 25/4/41.
     
  3. Brian Smith

    Brian Smith Junior Member

    Reme Desert Rat many thanks for that a good bit of background, cheers Brian
     
  4. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

  5. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Brian,
    Could you clarify what exactly you are looking for on Pennland?

    I have quite a lot of info on convoy WS5 (ADM 199/1136) and the Pennland sinking (WO 361/183).
    SS Pennland was sunk during Operation Demon (evacuation of Greece) by bombing as TD says above.
     
  6. Brian Smith

    Brian Smith Junior Member

    Hi Tricky Dicky and Mike thank you - I have the ADM 237/266 file on convoy WS5B - a bit disappointing as covers mainly January (nothing in to February and March) and focuses on reports from 2 ships Naiao and Highlander.

    I have read reports from Australian Troops on this convoy sailing from Liverpool and just wondered if anyone had come across anything on the Pennland from that personal perspective on embarkation, sailing, shore leave disembarkation etc. As well as any official documentation which adds to the understanding of the voyage.

    It has been suggested to me I download the sailing card from National Archives but not sure what this may provide.

    Cheers Brian
     
  7. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Brian,

    ADM 199/1136 seems to cover the duration of the convoy but is mainly reports from escort vessels. There are a few 'order of convoy' diagrams that include Pennland but no mention of shore leave or any personal accounts other than thoughts of escort vessel COs, so I don't know if it would be of much interest to you. Email me if you want to see a few pages.
    I gather you are not looking for anything on Pennland after arrival in Suez?
     
  8. Brian Smith

    Brian Smith Junior Member

    Hi Mike thank you for the offer and the email. No just the convoy WS5B run. Also thanks for checking re RMT. Cheers Brian
     
  9. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Operation 'Demon' the evacuation of Greece by the British Fleet 24-29 April 1941......

    19 transports were involved. The following were sunk by the bombers of the German FK VIII the destroyers Diamond and Wryneck and the transports Costa Rica, Pennland, Slamat and Ulster Prince.
     
  10. SMLE

    SMLE Junior Member

    Hello REME,

    Do you know if there is any more details ref which hospitals were aboard the Penland?

    I am trying to trace which ship 13 General Hospital were on. I know it was convoy WS5b and I think I've narrowed it down to Penland or Cameronia.

    Many thanks.

    Carl
     

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