Convoy air cover 20.12.42-09.01.43 in Med

Dear Sirs,

I am looking to research a very specific topic, the Allied air cover provided for Convoy KMF-5 when it entered the Mediterranean between 20 December 1942and 9 January 1943.

This convoy officially ended on 22 December 1942 when the Circassia docked at Bone in Algeria – however, two ships forming part of this convoy, the Strathallan and the Cameronia, were torpedoed on 21st and 22nd December respectively,. The former sank the following day but the Cameronia miraculously made it to Bougie.

After initial repairs the Cameronia sailed to Algiers on 30th December 1942 arriving there in the early hours of new years day.

Then the Cameronia then set sail for Gibraltar on 5th January 1943 arriving there on the 9th January.

1. Could anyone please provide me with details of the squadrons, bases that they flew from etc of the aircraft (there were at least some Hudsons) that provided the air cover on the 21st-22nd subsequent to the torpedoing of the Strathallan. Was there anything else ?

2. Could anyone tell me what air cover was provided for the Cameronia (I know some Hudsons were about but what squadron (608 from Blida ????) what numbers etc and any other air cover Spitfires ? Anything ?

3. Same question for the journey from Bougie to Algiers

4. Same question for the journey from Algiers to Gibraltar.

5. If you tap in “Cameronia” onto the Amazon.com website and scroll down until you see a book called THE MAW THE HUNT FOR THE HUDSON BOMBERS you will see that on page 124 there was supposed Hudson cover for the Cameronia (albeit the date is wrong – it says 31st but she was torpedoed on the 22nd) when it was torpedoed. The German aircraft do not mention any. What I find incredible is how an aircraft that is supposed to be providing air cover can fail to spot an attack going on beneath it – Any answers anyone ?

6. Finally, how does a Hudson detect submarines at night ? Did it have rdf fitted ?

Answers toany of these questions will be much appreciated – I am just finishing off some research into this Convoy -My Dad was onboard the Cameronia at the time.

Many thanks

GBKIWI