APPENDIX E

Task Organization and relevant material from
CTF 4 Op Plan 1-43 of 28 January, 1943.


TASK ORGANIZATION:

24.1 ALLIED MID-OCEAN TRADE CONVOY ESCORT GROUP
24.2 SERVICE GROUP
24.3 AIR GROUP - Captain Baker, U.S.N.
24.4 AUXILIARY CARRIER GROUP - Senior Commanding Officer.
BOGUE, CARD
24.5 WEATHER PATROL GROUP - District Coast Guard Officer, Boston.
24.6 TASK FORCE TWENTY-FOUR ESCORT CONTROL, ICELAND - Comdt., NOB, Iceland
24.7 TASK FORCE TWENTY-FOUR ESCORT CONTROL, UNITED KINGDOM - Captain Fitz, U.S.N.
24.8 GREENLAND PATROL - Rear Admiral Smith, USCG.
Three 215' Cutters; five 165' Cutters; nine Trawlers; six SC's, and nine miscellaneous vessels.
24.9 NAVAL OPERATING BASE, ARGENTIA - Captain Nelson, U.S.N.
24.12 ALLIED WESTERN SUPPORT FORCE - Commodore Reid, R.C.N.
24.18 CANADIAN WESTERN LOCAL ESCORT FORCE - Rear Admiral Murray, RCN.
24.19 MID-OCEAN ESCORT UNITS AT SEA

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1. (a) Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet Operation Plan 3-42 assigns to Commander Task Force TWENTY FOUR duties which fall under the following three general headings.
1. (a) (1) Duties in connection with North Atlantic Trade Convoys.
    (2) Duties in connection with operations in the Greenland-Labrador-Canadian Arctic Area.
    (3) Duties in connection with miscellaneous operations in the NEWFOUNDLAND AREA and escort operations between NEWFOUNDLAND and the UNITED STATES . . . .

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Some variations in the body of the plan worth noting are:

2. (j) Maintain service of ice information in the North Atlantic and, insofar as practicable, provide limited surface protection and air coverage for fishing vessels in the vicinity of the GRAND BANKS.
  (k) Assume operational control of weather patrol vessels while at sea enroute to, from, and on stations . . . .
3. (c) AIR GROUP
    (1) Provide patrol plane coverage in the coastal and off-shore waters of NEWFOUNDLAND, GREENLAND, and ICELAND as directed.
    (2) Be prepared to maximum extent practicable for special submarine hunting operations and rescue work.
    (3) Maintain a training organization to further the efficiency of the Group.
  (d) AUXILIARY CARRIER GROUP
    (1) Provide air support in escort of convoy operations as directed.
  (e) WEATHER PATROL GROUP
    (1) While proceeding to and from and while on station perform designated services in connection with the reporting of weather in the Western Atlantic in accordance with the provisions of Annex "CHARLIE" . . .

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