36th Escort Group (Royal Navy)
| 36th Escort Group | |
|---|---|
| Active | September 1941-August 1942 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Allegiance | British Empire |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Type | Escort Group |
| Role | Anti-Submarine Warfare |
| Size | ~9 ships |
| Part of | Western Approaches Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Liverpool |
| Engagements |
HG 76 OG 82 HG 84 |
36th Escort Group was a British formation of the Royal Navy which saw action during the Second World War, principally in the Battle of the Atlantic. The group operated mainly on the Gibraltar and South Atlantic convoy routes, and was involved in several convoy battles, including Convoy HG 76, one of the first Allied victories in the Atlantic campaign.
36th Escort Group (36 EG) was formed in October 1941 led by HMS Stork under the command of Cdr FJ "Johnnie" Walker, destined to become Britains most successful anti-submarine warfare commander.
The group comprised 2 sloops, Stork and Deptford (Lt Cdr HR White),and 7 corvettes Convolvulus (Lt RS Connel), Gardenia (Lt Cdr Firth), Marigold (Lt J Renwick), Penstemon (Lt Cdr J Byron), Rhodedendron (Lt Cdr LA Sayers), Samphire (Lt Cdr FT Renny) and Vetch (Lt Cdr HJ Beverley).
36 Escort Group's first convoy was HG 70, a group of 24 ships homebound from Gibraltar, in August 1941. This was uneventful, as no attack developed. The group's next few convoys, to Gibraltar and the South Atlantic, were equally uneventful, giving the group time to drill and practice group exercises.
In December 1941 36 EG escorted HG 76 in company with the escort carrier Audacity and her destroyer consorts. Over a period of 8 days the escort force destroyed 4 U-boats, 3 of them by 36 EG, for the loss of 2 ships and 2 warships, one of which was carrier Audacity. Hailed as a major victory, HG 76 was the first time heavy losses had been inflicted on an attacking U-boat force.
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