When we left off, the USS Sway (AM-120) was docked in Bizerte, Tunisia, undergoing routine maintenance, and had been since 21 November. The Sway had completed its participation in Operation Dragoon and had returned to more routine sweeping duties as well as traveling between Italy and North Africa. We pick up with the ship's war journal on 2 December 1944. All entries come from the ship's war journal unless otherwise noted.
2 December 1944
Underway 1000: To La Due Bizerte for annual military inspection by Commander Mine Division Eighteen.
1600: Moored as before.
4 December 1944
0645: Underway from Bizerte, Tunisia, enroute to Golfe Juan, France, through Straits of Bondfacio. On company with USS Symbol, Threat, and Swyft. Symbol Guide. Threat detached and Raven joined Unit at Cagliari, Sardinia. Speed 16 Knots.
Received order from Com. AATB Bizerte, 031530/IR to proceed to Golfe Juan, France. Commander Mine Division Eighteen, embarked in Sway. Now Commander Task Unit 81.19.3.
5 December 1944
5–9 December, anchored Golfe Juan France.
10 December 10 1944
Days operations
00: Under way in company with USS Swift, Symbol, and Raven en route to Madallena, Sardina. 0900: Moored port side to Mal pier, Maddalena Harbor, Sardinia. Set Port Watch.
11–12 December 1944
Moored as before.
13 December 1944
Day's operations:
Moored as before.
1600: Enroute to Bizerte, Tunisia, in company with USS Swift (OTC), USS Symbol. Form DOG speed, 16 Knots.
Orders received and decisions reached.
Received orders from NOIC, Maddalena, in accordance with PHIBS Eight Fleet orders to sail to Bizerte, Tunisia, at 1600 on 13 December 1944. Relieved by Mine Division 21. AM-60 (flagship).
14 December 1944
00: Under way as before, enroute from Mandallena, Sardenia, to Bizerte,Tunisia, in company of USS Swift (OTC), Symbol. Speed, 16 Knots.
1021: Moored port side USS Symbol (AM-123) AATB, Bizerte, Tunisia. Undergoing routine maintenance.
18 December 1944
1700: Commander E. A. Ruth Jr. hauled down his pennant and left ship.
20 December 20, 1944
Under way Bizerte to Oran, in company with USS Swift (AM-122), USS Symbol (AM-123), and USS Threat (AM-124)(OTC).
21–27 December 1944
Moored starboard side to USS Threat (AM-124). North Quay Mers el-Kabir, Algeria. USS Symbol (AM-123), USS Swift (AM-122) moored outboard. 1600: Lieutenant Commander H. E. Ferrill hoisted his pennant as Commander Mine Division Eighteen on the USS Threat (AM-124).
(Creative Commons)
The port was home to a number of French battleships, which the Allies feared would fall into Axis hands. The British Royal Navy launched an attack on the port in July 1940, destroying one battleship and five other vessels. French losses were 1,297 sailors. The British suffered the loss of five aircraft and two sailors. French forces withdrew from the port following the battle, but the attack was widely condemned.
27 December 1944
Day's operations
0800: Departed Mers-el-Kabir, Algeria.
0900: Anchored off Oran, Algeria.
1400: Departed anchorage for convoy sortie station.
1515: Arrived at sortie station. Stood by awaiting formation of convoy.
2000: Completed formation and got underway cruising disposition #2. Assumed station as picket ship #1 bearing 005R 16000 yds. from convoy guide. Escort commander in USS Plunkett (DD-431). Convoy Commodore and SOPA in USS LST-110.
Orders received and decisions reached
Received sailing orders from Commandant Naval Operating Base, Oran, stating route to be followed to the USA.
The convoy mentioned appears to be GUF 18, a fast-moving westbound convoy sailing from Oran on 31 December 1944 and arriving in Norfolk, VA on 11 January 1945.
On 31 December 1945, the USS Sway would set course for the United States. Mine sweeping operations in Europe were winding down. The Sway would spend several months undergoing refit and maintenance before being transferred to the Pacific Fleet.
