In November 1942, Britain and America launched Operation TORCH, the ambitious invasion of French North African colonies of Morocco and Algeria. To convey 70,000 troops and their equipment required 350 merchant ships crossing the U-boat infested North Atlantic from the USA and 250 more sailing south from British ports. The need for a high level of protection for these meant withdrawing large numbers of escorts from the routine trade convoys. Amongst those left without adequate defence were RB 1 and SC 107, both eastbound from America, and SL 125, northbound from Freetown. All three were at sea at the same time as the TORCH convoys.

Introduction -- Operation Maniac -- Prelude to Torch -- A bunch of violets -- Ambushed -- Crescendo -- Reinforcements -- Commodore down -- The US Cavalry arrives -- Freetown bound -- Battleaxe strikes -- An evening 'party' -- A rare gale -- Panic stations -- The last miles -- Conclusions.