SECRET.
 
     
  REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS FROM 29TH APRIL, 1943 TO 4TH MAY, 1943.
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
  FROM . . . . THE COMMANDING OFFICER, H.M.S. PENN.  
  Date     . . . . 8th May, 1943.                                                         No. 974/21.
  TO   . . . . . . THE SENIOR OFFICER, THIRD ESCORT GROUP, H.M.S. OFFA.  
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
     
  Submitter:  
  (1)  H.M.S. PENN was at sea from April 29th to May 4th 1943, as part of the 3rd Escort Group.  
     
  (2)  I have nothing special to report during this period but should like to make the following general observations.  
   
  (3)  Destroyers are heavy on oil fuel and I consider that support groups' movements should be arranged so that they are not sent long distances from Base to meet a convoy, or from one convoy to another, as their first need on meeting a convoy is a large amount of fuel.  Until more oilers with Buoyant Hose Equipment are available, this takes a considerable time and under bad weather conditions the group cannot be fuelled.  
     
  (4)  A Surface Warning R.D.F. set is just as important as "Asdic" Equipment, and an Escort vessel not so fitted is less than 50% efficient at night.  Moreover a destroyer is herself a comparatively vulnerable and valuable target.  
     
     
     
     
                                                                                       
                                                                                        Lieutenant-Commander, R.N.  
                                                                                         COMMANDING OFFICER.