WINDHUK AKA LEJUNE

Lejune (AP-74) was launched as Windhuk by Bloom Voss Co , Hamburg, Germany, for Deutsche-Afrika Linten in 1936; interned at Santos, Brazil, in December 1939; acquired from Brazil 12 May 1942; placed in ferry commission as Lejune 26 Ma rch 1943, Capt. John T. Bottom, Jr, in command during transfer from Rio de Janerio to Norfolk for conversion; and commissioned 12 May 1944, Capt. L. E. Kelly in command.
As the German Windhuk, the ship had seen action early In World War II as a support vessel and a raider before her internment by the Brazilians. Purchased by the Navy in 1942 and converted to a troop transport, Lejune began service on the transatlantic run in the aftermath of the Normandy invasion. Departing New York 11 June 1944 with 4,460 troops embarked she completed 10 round-trip voyages before the end of the war. In December she transported elements of the 69th Infantry Divi sion, which 5 months later met the Russians at Torgau on the Elbe River. Beginning 21 January 1945, her main port of call became and remained Le Havre, France, even during her period of "Magic Carpet" duty. A total of 19 crossings were made to ports, ranging from Glasgow, Scotland to Oran, Algeria, prior to overhaul at Norfolk beginning 9 May 1946.

Lejune departed the east coast 28 September for naval transport service In the western Pacific. Shanghai and Tsingtao, China, and Yokosuka, Japan, were among her westernmost destinations during four voyages from San Francisco between 19 October 1946 and 1 August 1947. On her last NTS voyage, she arrived New York, her former home port, 29 August but returned to San Francisco 25 September. In all she transported approximately 100,000 troops.

Having served the United States well, this ex-German ship sailed 2 October for Bremerton, Wash., and deactivation. Decommissioned 9 February 1948 and placed in the Pacifc Reserve Fleet at Tacoma, Wash., she was struck from the Navy Register in July 1957. Transferred to the Maritime Administration, she was later scrapped.

Im not sure where I got this information from, but I have just received this email and wondered what your thoughts were on it.

Windhuk was not a Raider and support ship , during the II War. The Windhuk was a normal tourist and cargo ship. My father was on bord at the last trip with the name WINDHUK. Thank's Peter

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Anybody know anything about the Windhuk who could perhaps clarify this matter. Thanks for the information peter. bou;