The Western Local Escort Force answered the increased patrol and convoy demands of the Second Happy Time. Flowers, Bangors, and some upgraded Town-class destroyers supplied its ships. Destroyers later moved into the Western Support Force to reinforce the regular escort groups. The local organisation comprised roughly eight escort groups and three or four support groups. A convoy retained its own escort, while intelligence about approaching submarines could bring additional support. For a merchant crew, the arrival of larger destroyers was reassuring firepower and a warning that a wolf pack might lie ahead.
Notable Point · 26:59-29:09
Western support forces reinforced threatened convoys
Regular escorts stayed with convoys while support groups could reinforce routes threatened by submarine concentrations.