QUEEN ELIZABETH-Class battleship ordered from Armstrongs in 1913 and laid down on 20th October that year. The cost of this ship, quoted as  £2,945,709, was met by the Federated Malay States. The ship was launched on 18th March 1915 as the first RN ship to bear the name and her build was completed on 1st February 1916. During WW1 she took part in the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

 JUTLAND  1916 - ATLANTIC 1940-41 - CALABRIA  1940 - MEDITERRANEAN 1940-41 - MALTA  CONVOYS  1941-42 - ENGLISH CHANNEL  1944.

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field Red, a Tiger passant Gold holding a Malay Kris proper.

 

M o t t o

Malem Fero Malis: 'I bring evil to the evil.'

 

 

D e t a i l s   o f   W a r   S e r v i c e

 

September             Deployed with Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria as part of the 1st Battle Squadron with

                                HM Battleships WARSPITE and BARHAM.

                11th        Sailed from Alexandria to carry out gunnery exercises in company with HM Battleships

                                WARSPITE and BARHAM, HM Cruisers DEVONSHIRE, SUSSEX, ARETHUSA and                         

                                PENELOPE and HM Destroyers AFRIDI, GURKHA, MOHAWK and SIKH. In the evening

                                MALAYA and PENELOPE returned to Alexandria.

 

October

                                Nominated for transfer to the Indian Ocean with HM Aircraft Carrier GLORIOUS for                            

                                convoy defence and the interception of raiders.

                9th          Sailed from Alexandria to carry out exercises in company with HM Battleships WARSPITE

                                and BARHAM, HM Aircraft Carrier GLORIOUS, HM Cruiser PENELOPE and HM

                                Destroyers BULLDOG, DAINTY, DARING, DUNCAN, GALLANT, GIPSY and                     

                                GRAFTON. At the end of the exercises MALAYA, GLORIOUS, BULLDOG and DARING                  

                                detached for Aden.

                16th        Arrived at Aden.

                                Carried out anti raider sweeps from Aden.

                               

November              Continued anti-raider patrols, particularly for the German Panzerschiff ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE off

                                Socotra Island.

                10th        Sailed from Aden with GLORIOUS and BULLDOG to carry out anti-raider patrol in the Gulf

                                of Aden.

                16th        Joined at sea by HM Battleship RAMILLIES and HM Destroyer DELIGHT.

                18th        At Aden with RAMILLIES, GLORIOUS, BULLDOG, DARING and DELIGHT, where they were

                                designated Force J.

                                (Note: On 15/11/39 the ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE had sunk the British merchant SS Africa

                                Shell off Lorenco Marques and on 16/11/39 west of Durban she stopped the Dutch merchant

                                MV Mapia. When the CinC East Indies received this news he immediately formed hunting

                                groups to search for the raider in the Indian Ocean, Force J being one. However following                 

                                the interception of the Mapia, GRAF SPEE moved back into the Atlantic)

                                Force J continued anti raider patrols in the Gulf of Aden.

 

December              Nominated for service in the Atlantic.

                8th          Sailed from Aden escorted by HM Destroyers HMAS VENDETTA and WATERHEN.

                11th        Arrived at Suez.

                14th        Arrived at Malta.

                21st         Sailed from Malta escorted by HM Destroyers DELIGHT, DIANA and WATCHMAN.

                24th        Arrived at Gibraltar, where she refuelled. Sailed later the same day for Halifax escorted by                  

                                WATCHMAN.

                26th        WATCHMAN detached and returned to Gibraltar.

 

1 9 4 0

 

January

                                Deployed for Atlantic convoy defence.

                2nd         Arrived at Halifax.

                14th        Sailed from Halifax and joined HM Destroyers HMCS OTTAWA and SAGUENAY                             

                                escorting convoy HX 16.

                15th        HMCS OTTAWA and SAGUENAY detached from convoy HX 16 and MALAYA remained

                                as ocean escort.

                23rd        Detached from convoy HX 16

                30th        Sailed from Halifax in company with HM Battleship VALIANT, HM Cruiser                           

                                ENTERPRISE, HM Destroyers HUNTER, HMCS FRASER, OTTAWA, RESTIGOUCHE                      

                                and ST LAURENT escorting Canadian troop convoy TC3 bringing Canadian troops to      

                                the UK. (Note: The convoy comprised the liners AQUITANIA, EMPRESS OF BRITAIN,                   

                                Polish CHOBRY, MONARCH OF BERMUDA and EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA.)

 

February

                1st           HUNTER, HMCS FRASER, OTTAWA, RESTIGOUCHE and ST LAURENT detached                         

                                from convoy TC3.

                4th          ENTERPRISE detached from convoy TC3.

                5th          At 0825 hours, 650 miles west of Malin Head HM Destroyers DARING, DIANA, FAME,                    

                                FAULKNOR, FEARLESS, FIREDRAKE, FORESIGHT, FORTUNE, FOXHOUND, FURY,                     

                                KELVIN, KINGSTON joined convoy TC3.

                7th          Arrived in Clyde with TC3 and detached

                27th        Sailed from the Clyde with embarked gold bullion for transfer to Canada in company with                  

                                Armed Merchant Cruiser ASCANIA escorted by HM Destroyers FAME, FAULKNOR,                     

                                FORESTER, FURY and MOHAWK.

 

March

                                Passage to Halifax.

                4th          Arrived at Halifax. On arrival deployed with Halifax Escort Force for Atlantic convoy                          

                                defence.

                10th        Sailed from Halifax and joined HM Destroyers HMCS SAGUENAY and SKEENA                                

                                escorting convoy HX 26.

                11th        SAGUENAY and SKEENA detached from convoy HX 26 and MALAYA remained                              

                                as ocean escort.

                22nd       Detached from HX 26 and returned to Halifax.

                                Nominated for transfer to Mediterranean

 

April

                               

                3rd          Sailed from Halifax escorted by HM Destroyer HMCS ST LAURENT. At 1800 hours took                  

                                over escort of convoy HX 32 from HM Destroyers HMCS RESTIGOUCHE and                    

                                SAGUENAY. RESTIGOUCHE, SAGUENAY and ST LAURENT then detached from HX 32.

                14th        Detached from HX 32 for Gibraltar.

                19th        Arrived at Gibraltar.

                28th        At 1600 hours, sailed from Gibraltar for Alexandria in company with HM Battleship ROYAL

                                SOVEREIGN escorted by HM Destroyers VELOX, WATCHMAN and HMAS VENDETTA and

                               WATERHEN.

                29th        Off Algiers they were joined by a French battle group of 3 battleships, 4 cruisers and 3                      

                                destroyers.

                30th        Off Bizerte, HM Destroyers HMAS STUART and VAMPIRE joined. Later in the Sicilian Channel HM

                                Cruiser ORION and HM Destroyers DECOY and DEFENDER joined.

 

May

                1st           Off Malta VELOX and WATCHMAN detached.                          

                3rd          At 1820 hours arrived at Alexandria.

                                Deployed with HM Battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN to provide cover for passage of                           

                                convoys in eastern Mediterranean.

 

June

                                Joined 1st Battle Squadron and deployed with Fleet for convoy defence and offensive                       

                                operations against enemy shipping in eastern Mediterranean.

                                (Note: During this period extensive exercises were carried out by Mediterranean Fleet units

                                in anticipation of the outbreak of hostilities with Italy. Italy declared war at 0001hours on

                                11/6/40)

                12th        At 0230 hours sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleship WARSPITE, HM Aircraft Carrier

                                EAGLE screened by HM Destroyers DAINTY, HASTY, ILEX, JANUS, JUNO, NUBIAN and HMAS

                                STUART, VAMPIRE and VOYAGER to carry out a sweep west along the African coast.

                                At 0840 hours, HM Cruiser CALEDON joined the fleet at sea.

At 1325 hours, HM Cruiser CALYPSO joined the fleet at sea and HM Destroyer MOHAWK joined later.

At 1840 hours, HM Destroyers HAVOCK, HEREWARD, HERO, HOSTILE, HYPERION and IMPERIAL

                                joined the fleet.

                                At 1953 hours, HMAS STUART, VAMPIRE and VOYAGER detached from the fleet. Later HM

                                Destroyer DIAMOND joined the fleet.

                14th        Returned to Alexandria.

 

July

                4th          Took part in negotiations with French Fleet after capitulation of France.

                                (Operation CATAPULT - See RELUCTANT ENEMIES by W Tute).

                7th          At 2330 hours sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN, HM

                                Aircraft Carrier EAGLE screened by HM Destroyers DAINTY, DEFENDER, HASTY, HYPERION, ILEX,

                                JANUS, JUNO and HMAS VAMPIRE and VOYAGER as Force C to provide cover for transit of two

                                convoys (MF1/fast 13 knot and MS1/slow 9 knot) from Malta (Operation MA5)

                                (Note: This was a repeat of Operation MA3 that was cancelled on 28th June due to engagement with

                                Italian destroyers. See following references.)

                8th          During the day, the fleet was under air attacks from a total of 126 high level bombers. In one attack fire

                                control cables were damaged by near misses and repaired.

                                At 1600 hours, cruiser GLOUCESTER received a direct hit on her bridge.

                                At 1515 hours, a Sunderland reported an Italian Fleet of 2 battleships, 6 cruisers and 7 destroyers, 100

                                miles north west of Benghazi, sailing north. On receipt of the report the Mediterranean Fleet altered

                                course in an attempt to cut off the Italians from their base at Taranto.

                9th          At 1515 hours off Punta Stilo the two fleets sighted each other. EAGLE, covered by GLOUCESTER,

                               was detached and the Battleships with their destroyer screens worked up to  full speed to engage the

                               Italian Fleet. At 1552 hours 30 miles west of Punta Stilo WARSPITE and the Italian Battleship GIULIO

                                CESARE opened fire on each other and so the Battle of Calabria commenced. Twice during the action,

                                WARSPITE changed course to allow the slower MALAYA to catch up. At 1554 hours MALAYA

                                opened fire, but her shots were 2700 yards short and she ceased fire at 1558 hours. The enemy ships

                                withdrew at speed after the brief exchange of fire.

                                (Note: Enemy ships could not be closed owing lack of speed.)

                                (For details of operations during 1940-43 see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE

                                CLOSELY by C. Barnett, THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D. MacIntyre

                                THE NAVAL WAR IN THE MEDITERRANEAN by J Greene and A Massignani and the

                                Naval Staff History (HMSO-2001)

                                (In his after-battle report the CinC Mediterranean Fleet Admiral Cunningham; wrote that having seen

                                the deficiencies of MALAYA and ROYAL SOVEREIGN both in terms of speed and main armament

                                range he did not believe that he could accomplish his strategic objective of dealing decisively with

                                the Italian  Fleet without reinforcement by modernised battleships)

                10th        At 0830 hours, EAGLE flew off a strike force against shipping in Augusta Roads.

                                At 2030 hours off Malta, ROYAL SOVEREIGN and attendant destroyers detached to refuel at

                                Malta. MALAYA, EAGLE and attendant destroyers proceeded to the south of Malta to await

                                ROYAL SOVERIGN.

                11th        At 1000 hours, ROYAL SOVEREIGN and attendant destroyers rejoined, following which the             

                                combined Force consisting of MALAYA, ROYAL SOVEREIGN, EAGLE, GLOUCESTER, DAINTY,

                                DEFENDER, HASTY, HEREWARD, HERO, HOSTILE, HYPERION and ILEX set course for Alexandria

                                covering convoy MS1 (MS1 had sailed from Malta early on 10/7/40)

                15th        At 0900 hours, arrived at Alexandria.

                19th        At 1230 hours, sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleship RAMILLIES with EAGLE and

                                escorting destroyers. Their mission was to sweep westward along the coast searching for the damaged

                                Italian Cruiser GIOVANNI DELLE BANDE NERE (Damaged earlier in the day in an engagement with

                                HMAS SYDNEY off Cape Spada) and believed to be making for Tobruk.                

                20th        Off Tobruk, EAGLE launched an air strike which failed to locate the cruiser but which sank two Italian

                                destroyers.

                21st         Arrived back at Alexandria.

                27th        0300 hours sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleships WARSPITE and RAMILLIES, HM

                                Aircraft Carrier EAGLE escorted by HM Destroyers DECOY, HEREWARD, HERO, HYPERION, ILEX,

                                IMPERIAL, JERVIS, JUNO, NUBIAN and MOHAWK to cover the passage of convoy AS2/1. South of

                                Crete the fleet was joined by HM Cruisers NEPTUNE and HMAS SYDNEY.

                28th        The fleet divided. South of the Kithera Strait convoy AS2/1 escorted by HM Cruisers CAPETOWN

                                and LIVERPOOL and HM Destroyers DAINTY, DEFENDER, DIAMOND and HMAS STUART were

                                met by  the covering Force of MALAYA, RAMILLIES, EAGLE, HEREWARD, HERO, JERVIS, JUNO,

                                MOHAWK and NUBIAN

                30th        Arrived back at Alexandria.

                31st         1420 hours sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleship RAMILLIES, HM Aircraft Carrier

                                EAGLE escorted by Destroyers HASTY, HEREWARD, HERO, HOSTILE, ILEX, IMPERIAL, JERVIS

                                and HMAS VENDETTA to carry out gunnery practice. Following this, they were designated Force B

                                for Operation HURRY and were to sail west towards Gavdo Island. However when MALAYA

                                developed problems with salt water in her condensers the whole of Force B returned to Alexandria.

 

August

                2nd         Arrived back at Alexandria.

                16th        1030 hours sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleships WARSPITE and RAMILLIES, HM

                                Cruiser KENT, escorted by Destroyers DIAMOND, HEREWARD, HOSTILE, MOWARK, NUBIAN

                                and HMAS STUART, VENDETTA and WATERHEN and proceeded westwards on Operation MB2.

                                After sailing the fleet was organised into two forces. Force B comprised MALAYA, RAMILLIES,

                                HEREWARD, HERO, JUNO, STUART, VENDETTA and WATERHEN.

                17th        Between 0658 and 0720 hours the fleet bombarded Bardia and Fort Capuzzo (Operation MB2).

                                (Note: 62 rounds of 15in and 104 rounds of 6in were fired.)

                18th        Under ineffective air attacks by Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79’s, 12 of which the fleet shot down, during

                                return passage to Alexandria.

                30th        At 0445 hours, sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleship WARSPITE, HM Aircraft Carrier

                                EAGLE, HM Cruisers ORION and HMAS SYDNEY escorted by HM Destroyers DECOY, DEFENDER,

                                HEREWARD, IMPERIAL, HMAS STUART, VAMPIRE, VENDETTA and VOYAGER and Polish ORP

                                GARLAND on Operation HATS/MB3. The Fleet sailed towards the Gulf of Taranto. (The objective of

                                Operation HATS was to cover the passage of reinforcements for the Mediterranean Fleet and convoy

                                MF2 for Malta. Convoy MF2 was weakly escorted by 4 destroyers to act as bait to invite an attack by

                                the  Italian Fleet).

                31st         Early in the morning the Fleet was joined by HM Cruisers KENT, GLOUCESTER, LIVERPOOL and

                                HM Destroyers HASTY, HYPERION and ILEX, returning from a sweep of the southern Aegean. On

                                reaching a point approximately 100 miles west of Cape Matapan the Fleet turned south.

                                At 1554 hours KENT, GLOUCESTER and LIVERPOOL detached from the Fleet to join convoy MF2.

                                At 1700 hours when the Mediterranean Fleet was around 150 miles west of Crete, the Italian Fleet

                                (4 battleships, 14 cruisers and 39 destroyers that had sailed from Taranto at 0600/31/8/40) was

                                only 120 miles north west of their position making a Fleet action very likely. However at that point the

                                Italian high command, who knew of the convoy but not the presence of the Mediterranean Fleet,

                                ordered the Italian Fleet to return to base.

                                At 1815 hours the Fleet turned west heading for towards Malta and DECOY was detached to join 

                                MF2.

 

September

                1st           At 0900 hours west of Malta the Mediterranean Fleet R/Ved with Force F from Gibraltar, and turned

                                with Force F towards Malta.

                                At 1657 hours east of Malta the Fleet divided for Operation MB3 (an operation to attack Italian

                                installations in the southern Dodecanese). Force E comprised MALAYA, EAGLE, COVENTRY,

                                DAINTY,  DIAMOND, JANUS, JUNO, VAMPIRE and VENDETTA.

                3rd          West of Crete the Fleet again divided and MALAYA, EAGLE, DAINTY, DIAMOND,                         

                                VAMPIRE, VENDETTA and WRYNECK proceeded direct to Alexandria.

                4th          At 2100 hours arrived at Alexandria.

 

October

                8th          Sailed from Alexandria in company with HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS EAGLE, HMS RAMILLIES, HMS

                                VALIANT, HMS WARSPITE, HM Cruisers AJAX, GLOUCESTER, ORION, YORK, HMAS SYDNEY

                                screened by HM Destroyers HASTY, HAVOCK, HEREWARD, HERO, HYPERION, ILEX, IMPERIAL,

                                JANUS, JERVIS, JUNO and NUBIAN to provide distant cover for passage of Malta convoy MF3 from

                                Egypt and convoy ME4 from Malta, and convoy AS4 from Greece and an air attack on Leros

                                (Operation MB6).

                9th          At 0254 hours the fleet was joined at sea by HM Cruiser LIVERPOOL and HM Destroyer DIAMOND.

                10th        At 1715 hours RAMILLIES, HASTY, HEREWARD, HERO, HYPERION, ILEX and NUBIAN detached

                                from the Fleet to refuel at Malta. At intervals through the day and during the 11th, various units of the

                                Fleet detached to refuel in Malta.

                11th        At 1105 hours IMPERIAL was mined and badly damaged. She was towed into Malta by DECOY.

                                At 1600 hours convoy MF3 arrived at Malta in company with ORION, STUART and VENDETTA. At

                                this time the main body of the Mediterranean Fleet was 100 miles south east of Malta, where it was

                                sighted and reported by an Italian civil airliner.

                                At 2245 hours convoy ME4, which included HM River Gunboat APHIS, sailed from Malta escorted by

                                HM Cruisers CALCUTTA and COVENTRY and HM Destroyers WRYNECK and HMAS WATERHEN.

                                Late in the evening following the return of all the refuelled units, the Fleet turned for Alexandria.

                                (North east of Malta, and positioned in anticipation that a convoy would be sailing from Malta were 4

                                Italian destroyers, 3 torpedo boats and 4 MAS boats)

                12th        During return passage to Alexandria, at 0200 hours, the fleet was 125 miles west of Malta, and about

                               70 miles north of the convoy. The three Italian torpedo boats launched torpedoes against AJAX, the

                                northern most unit of the Fleet, , all of which missed. AJAX, after initial confusion, opened fire at 4000

                                yards, sinking ARIEL and ARIONE. In return AJAX received 3 hits from AIRONE. (AJAX was

                               equipped with type 279 radar which was a long range air search set and of little use in a surface

                                engagement). Immediately the 4 Italian destroyers came to the aid of the torpedo boats and at 0230

                                hours ARTIGLIERE launched a torpedo attack which AJAX avoided. AJAX managed to damage

                                AVIERE and severely damage ARTIGLIERE. In return ARTIGLIERE hit AJAX 4 times, putting her

                                radar out of action and damaging a twin 4in mount. At the time of the second engagement the moon

                                had set and the lack of flashless powder caused problems for AJAX’s gunners. At 0235 hours when

                                the Italian destroyers withdrew behind a smoke screen AJAX broke off the action since Capt.

                                McCarthy believed  that he had been in action against 4 destroyers and 2 cruisers.

                                (This action is known by the Italians as the Battle of Cape Passero)

                                The gunfire drew other cruisers of the Mediterranean Fleet to the scene, but they arrived too late to

                                see action.

                13th        At dawn ,the damaged ARTIGLIERE under tow by the destroyer CAMICIA NERE, was sighted 107

                                miles west of Malta by a Sunderland. The sighting report resulted in an air strike by Swordfish

                                from ILLUSTRIOUS, without result. YORK, AJAX and 4 destroyers were despatched from the fleet

                                and arrived at the position at 0900 hours. CAMICIA NERE slipped the tow and made off, and YORK

                                finished off ARTIGLIERE.               

                                At 1100 hours south east of Gavdos Island convoy ME4 was joined by convoy AS4 that had

                                sailed from Piraeus.

                                In the evening the Fleet divided and ILLUSTRIOUS, GLOUCESTER, LIVERPOOL, HAVOCK,

                                HEREWARD, HERO and NUBIAN headed into the Aegean.

                14th        Early in the morning Swordfish from ILLUSTRIOUS carried out an air strike on the airfield on the Island

                                of Leros.

                                At 0840 hours the ILLUSTRIOUS Force rejoined the main body of the Fleet and the combined Fleet

                                set course for Alexandria.

                                In the evening the Fleet came under air attack and at 1845 hours 70 miles SE of Crete, LIVERPOOL

                                sustained an aerial torpedo hit in the starboard bow, delivered by an Italian torpedo aircraft. At 1920

                                hours the petrol storage compartment exploded, blowing the roof off A turret the port gun fell into

                                the sea and a fire was started. DECOY and HEREWARD stood by.

                                At 2230 hours ORION took her in tow backwards at 9.5 knots towards Alexandria escorted by

                                DAINTY, DECOY, DIAMOND and VAMPIRE.

                15th        At 0100 hours the Mediterranean Fleet arrived back at Alexandria.

                25th        Sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE, HM Cruiser COVENTRY, escorted

                                by HM Destroyers JANUS, MOHAWK, WRYNECK and HMAS VAMPIRE and VOYAGER on

                                Operation MAQ2  (covering a Port Said to Piraeus convoy AN5 and carry out an

                                air attack on Rhodes in the Dodecanese)

                26th        The Fleet sailed to the southern end of the Kasos Strait.

                27th        Swordfish from EAGLE carried out an air strike on the airfield at Maritza on the Island of Rhodes.

                28th        Arrived back at Alexandria.

                29th        At 0130 hours sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleships WARSPITE, VALIANT and

                                RAMILLIES, HM Aircraft Carriers ILLUSTRIOUS and EAGLE escorted by destroyers DAINTY,

                                DECOY, DEFENDER, DIAMOND, HASTY, HAVOCK, HEREWARD, HERO, HYPERION, ILEX,

                                JANUS, JERVIS, JUNO, MOHAWK and NUBIAN. The Fleet sailed for the west of Crete on Operation

                                CHURCH. (Following Italy’s attack on Greece on 28/10/40 the Greek Government invited Britain to set

                                up a base at Suda Bay on the north coast of Crete. Operation CHURCH was the operation

                                covering the military convoys carrying personnel and stores to Suda Bay)

                                Late in the evening south of Crete HM Cruisers YORK, GLOUCESTER, ORION and HMAS SYDNEY

                                joined the Fleet.

                30th        The Fleet continued to sail north west and at 2000 hours, was 126 miles west of Cape Matapan.

                31st         At 1630 hours 75 miles west south west of Cape Matapan WARSPITE, ILLUSTRIOUS, YORK,

                                GLOUCESTER, HASTY, HEREWARD, HERO, ILEX and JERVIS detached from the Fleet and

                                proceeded  towards Alexandria. The rest of the Fleet remained cruising to the west of Crete.

 

November

                2nd         Arrived back at Alexandria.

                6th          Sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleships WARSPITE ,VALIANT and RAMILLIES,

                                HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HM Cruisers YORK and GLOUCESTER, destroyers DECOY, DEFENDER,

                                HASTY, HAVOCK, HEREWARD, HERO, HYPERION, ILEX, JANUS, JERVIS, JUNO and MOHAWK

                                on Operation MB8 and Operation COAT. Later joined by HM Cruisers AJAX and HMAS SYDNEY

                                from Suda Bay.

                                (Operation MB8 was to provide cover for the passage of Convoy MW3 [sailed from Alexandria on

                                5/11/40] to Malta and Convoy AN6 [from Port Said on 4/11/40] to the Aegean. Operation Coat was

                                the passage of reinforcements for the Mediterranean Fleet).

                7th          Covered the passage of convoy AN6 and MW3. The two convoys proceeded together from

                                off Alexandria towards west Crete. (Operation MB8).

                9th          In the evening RAMILLIES, HAVOCK, HYPERION and ILEX detached for Malta to refuel.

                10th        The Mediterranean Fleet cruised to the south east of Malta.

                                At 1015 hours Force F, comprising HM Battleship BARHAM, HM Cruisers BERWICK and GLASGOW

                                and HM Destroyers GALLANT, GREYHOUND and GRIFFIN, and preceeded by HM Destroyers

                                FAULKNOR, FORTUNE and FURY acting as minesweepers, R/Ved with the Mediterranean Fleet.

                                Force F (The reinforcements for the Mediterranean Fleet, Operation COAT) entered Valletta harbour to

                                disembark their troops and supplies and the 3 F-class destroyers to refuel.

                                At 1330 hours convoy ME3, which included HM Monitor TERROR, sailed from Malta, escorted by

                                RAMILLIES, COVENTRY, DECOY, DEFENDER and HMAS VENDETTA.

                                After disembarking their troops and supplies BARHAM, BERWICK, GLASGOW, GALLANT,

                                GREYHOUND and GRIFFIN sailed from Malta and joined the Mediterranean Fleet sailing east.

                11th        Covered passage of convoy ME3 from Malta to Alexandria.

                                At 1310 hours AJAX, ORION, HMAS SYDNEY, MOHAWK and NUBIAN detached from the Fleet to

                                carry out a raid on Italian military convoys in the southern Adriatic.

                                At 1800 hours ILLUSTRIOUS, YORK, BERWICK, GLASGOW, GLOUCESTER, HASTY, HAVOCK,

                                HYPERION and ILEX detached from the Fleet to carry out Operation JUDGEMENT.

                                (Note: The successful air attack on Taranto (Operation JUDGEMENT) by aircraft from HMS

                                ILLUSTRIOUS during the night of 11/12th November was also covered as part of Operation COAT).

                12th        At dawn ILLUSTRIOUS, YORK, BERWICK, GLASGOW, GLOUCESTER, HASTY, HAVOCK,

                                HYPERION and ILEX rejoined the Fleet.                              

                13th        The Fleet and convoy ME3 arrived at Alexandria.

                                (Following the success of Operation JUDGEMENT it was decided RAMILLIES and MALAYA could

                                be released from the Mediterranean Fleet)

                23rd        Sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Battleship RAMILLIES, HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE, HM

                                Cruisers AJAX, ORION and HMAS SYDNEY escorted by HM Destroyers DAINTY, DIAMOND,

                                HASTY, HAVOCK, HYPERION and ILEX, designated as Force C for Operation MB9 and Operation

                                COLLAR.

                                (Operation MB9 was an operation to provide Fleet cover for Malta convoy MW4. Operation COLLAR

                                covered the passage of RAMILLIES, BERWICK and NEWCASTLE through the Mediterranean to

                                Gibraltar)

                24th        At 0800 hours Force C arrived at Suda Bay to refuel.

                                After refuelling, Force C sailed from Suda Bay. Off Suda Bay HM Cruiser BERWICK joined Force C,

                                which then sailed westward towards Malta.

                26th        At 0813 hours convoy MW4 arrived at Malta accompanied by MALAYA and RAMILLIES to refuel.

                                At 1200 hours MALAYA sailed from Malta to rejoin Force C.

                30th        Returned to Alexandria with HMS WARSPITE and HMS VALIANT covering passage

                                of newly joined cruisers HMS MANCHESTER, HMS SOUTHAMPTON and HM

                                Corvettes PEONY, SALVIA, GLOXINIA and HYACINTH.

                               

December

                16th        Sailed from Alexandria in company with HM Destroyers DEFENDER and DIAMOND escorting Malta

                                supply convoy MW5A (Operation MC2).

                20th        At 0400 hours arrived at Malta in company with destroyers DEFENDER, DIAMOND, NUBIAN and

                                WRYNECK with mercantiles of MW5A.

                21st         At 1250 hours sailed from Malta screened by HM Destroyers HEREWARD, HYPERION and ILEX and

                                escorting convoy MG1 formed of SS CLAN FORBES and SS CLAN FRASER. They were joined by

                                HASTY and HERO. The force headed for the Sicilian Narrows, to R/V with Force H. The transfer of

                                MALAYA to Force H formed part of Operation HIDE.

                22nd       At 0156 hours 24 miles west of Cape Bon, HYPERION was torpedoed and seriously damaged by

                                Italian submarine SERPENTE. HMS ILEX was detached to assist HYPERION.

                                At 0940 hours joined ships of Force H (HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL, HM Battlecruiser RENOWN,

                                HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD) for passage to Gibraltar with mercantiles of convoy MG1.             

                24th        At 1000 hours arrived at Gibraltar for loan service in Force H.

 

1 9 4 1

 

January

                7th          At 0800 hours sailed from Gibraltar in company with HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier

                                ARK ROYAL and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD screened by HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FIREDRAKE,

                                FORESTER, FORTUNE, FOXHOUND, FURY and JAGUAR as Force H to cover the passage of

                                convoys to Malta and Piraeus, and transit of HM Cruiser BONAVENTURE with four Fleet destroyers,

                                DUNCAN, HASTY, HEREWARD and HERO, reinforcements for the Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria

                                (Operation EXCESS).

                9th          At 0930 hours HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER and SOUTHAMPTON and HM Destroyer ILEX joined from

                                the east to augment the convoy’s close escort through the Skerki Channel and on to Malta.

                                At 1320 hours the Force came under high level attack by 10 Italian SM 79 aircraft, 8 aircraft attacked

                                MALAYA, all their bombs falling just ahead and causing no damage. Two of the attackers were shot

                                down by FAA Fulmars from ARK ROYAL.

                                At 2200 hours Force H reversed course and set course for Gibraltar.

                11th        At 1930 hours Force H arrived back at Gibraltar.

                14th        Dry-docked in No. 1 dock.

                31st         At 1300 hours Force H sailed from Gibraltar on Operations PICKET (air attack on Lake Omodeo Dam,

                                central Sardinia) and RESULT (the bombardment of Genoa). The Force was divided into 4 groups:

                                Group 1: HM Battleship MALAYA, HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL

                                and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD.

                                Group 2: HM Destroyers FEARLESS, FIREDRAKE, FORESIGHT, FOXHOUND, FURY and JERSEY.

                                Group 3: HM Destroyers DUNCAN, ENCOUNTER, ISIS and JUPITER.

                                Group 4: RFA ORANGELEAF escorted by HM Trawlers ARTIC RANGER and HAARLEM.

                               

February

                2nd         At 0530 hours, 8 torpedo armed Swordfish took off from HMS ARK ROYAL to carry out an air strike

                                against the Santa Chiara d’Ula dam on Lake Omodeo, central Sardinia (Operation PICKET). Due to the

                                bad weather only 4 aircraft reached the dam where they met an intense barrage. One aircraft was

                                lost for no result.

                                (Note: Intended bombardment of Genoa (Operation RESULT) was cancelled due to bad weather.)

                4th          En route to Gibraltar all ships carried out a practice shoot. At 1800 hours Force H arrived back at

                                Gibraltar.

                6th          At 1615 hours Force H sailed from Gibraltar on Operation RESULT (The bombardment of Genoa). The

                                Force was divided into three groups:

                                Group 1: HM Battleship MALAYA, HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL

                                and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD.

                                Group 2: HM Destroyers FEARLESS, FIREDRAKE, FORESIGHT, FOXHOUND, FURY and JERSEY.

                                Group 3: HM Destroyers DUNCAN, ENCOUNTER, ISIS and JUPITER.

                9th          At 0400 hours Ark Royal and 4 destroyers detached to carry out an air strike against the Azienda oil

                                refinery at Leghorn.

                                Between 0715 and 0745 hours, 10 miles off the Italian coast, carried out bombardment of Genoa with

                                RENOWN and SHEFFIELD. The two Walrus aircraft from SHEFFIELD carried out fall of shot

                                observations. The three ships fired 273 rounds of 15in, 782 rounds of 6in and 400 rounds of 4.5in. The

                                result was 28 civil vessels sunk or damaged and harbour installations destroyed and damaged.

                                At 0845 hours the ARK ROYAL Force rejoined and Force H made at best speed, which at one point

                                was only 17 knots, the best MALAYA could make, for Gibraltar.

                11th        At 1430 hours Force H arrived back at Gibraltar.

                                On return to Gibraltar nominated for deployment in Atlantic to cover UK - Gibraltar convoys.

                17th        Sailed from Gibraltar to R/V with convoy WS6A.

                19th        Off the Azores joined military convoy WS6A as Ocean Escort, following which Force H detached and

                                returned to Gibraltar.

                28th        At 0800 hours convoy WS6A was joined by HM Destroyers FAULKNOR and FORESTER.

                                At 1815 hours in company with FAULKNOR and FORESTER detached from WS6A, proceeded ahead

                                of convoy to Freetown.

 

March

                1st           At 1600 hours, in company with FAULKNOR and FORESTER, arrived at Freetown. They immediately

                                refuelled.

                                At 1705 hours, in company with FAULKNOR and FORESTER, sailed from Freetown to catch up 

                                convoy SL67.

                3rd          At 1500 hours, in company with FAULKNOR and FORESTER, joined AMC CILICIA, HM Corvette

                                ASPHODEL and HM Trawlers KELT, SPANIARD and TURCOMAN escorting convoy SL67.

                4th          KELT, SPANIARD and TURCOMAN detached from SL67.

                7th          German battlecruisers SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU found convoy SL67, but on finding                  

                                MALAYA was part of the escort, they hauled off and made a R/V with U.124.                      

                                (Note: none of the escorts of SL67 observed the German ships)

                                At the meeting between the battlecruisers and U.124 a plan was drawn up for U.124 and U.105 to

                                attack SL67 and try to sink or damage MALAYA.

                                During the afternoon MALAYA refuelled FAULKNOR, FORESTER and ASPHODEL.

                8th          Between 0251 and 0256 hours, 5 merchants in the convoy were torpedoed and sunk by U.105 and

                               U.124.

                                At 1330 hours 130 miles off Cape Blanco FORESTER, which was well to the west of the convoy, briefly

                                sighted SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU steaming towards the convoy. The German ships were also

                                sighted at the same time by MALAYA’S patrolling Swordfish. Following the sightings MALAYA and

                                FAULKNOR hauled out of the convoy to join FORESTER, and to put themselves between the convoy

                                and the enemy.

                                At 1645 hours MALAYA and SCHARNHORST sighted each other.

                                At 1648 hours SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU turned away and after a brief pursuit MALAYA (At

                                least 10 knots slower than the German ships) and her consorts returned to the convoy.

                                At 1900 hours they rejoined the convoy

                10th        At 1500 hours HM Battlecruiser REPULSE, HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS and Destroyers DUNCAN

                                and FOXHOUND took over the escort of the SL67, and MALAYA, FAULKNOR and FORESTER

                                detached for Gibraltar.

                12th        Arrived at Gibraltar.

                13th        Sailed from Gibraltar escorted by HM Destroyer WISHART.

                15th        In company with WISHART joined AMC CANTON and HM Corvettes CALENDULA, CROCUS and

                                MARGUERITE escorting convoy SL68.

                20th        At 2323 hours 250 miles NNW of Cape Verde Islands, SL68 came under submarine attack. MALAYA

                                was hit by a torpedo from U.106. The hit the port side caused damage in the boiler room and the ship

                                had a 7° list. There were no casualties. MALAYA detached from SL68, escorted by CROCUS,                 

                                set course for Port of Spain, Trinidad.

                23rd        CROCUS detached and returned to Freetown.

                29th        Arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad.where temporary repairs were carried out.

                                (For details see HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)

                                On completion took passage to New York for repair.

 

April

                6th          Arrived at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and taken in hand for repair. She was the first RN vessel to

                                be repaired/refitted in the USA in World War 2,

                                Preparation for installation of fire-control and air warning radar carried out.

                                Some of ship's company transferred to Ex US Coastguard Cutters being lent to the Royal Navy.

                                (First 4 Coastguard Cutters, BANFF, CULVER, FISHGUARD and HARTLAND were handed over on

                                30/4/41 and Captain A.F.E. Pallister DSO RN the CO of MALAYA accepted the cutters on behalf of the

                                RN)

 

May to July            Under repair and refit in New York.

 

 

August                  Passage to UK.

                                A and A work completed including fit of air warning Radar Type 281, Fire control radars Types 282 for

                                Close range armament, Type 284 for Main armament and Type 285 for HA armament.

.                               Eleven single 20mm Oerlikon guns were fitted for close range AA defence.

                                (For details of development and use of radar by RN see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse.)

                                (Note: One source records fitting of Radar Type 291 to provide warning of the approach of surface

                                ships, aircraft and land. This equipment was a Naval designed outfit intended to replace earlier RAF

                                equipment modified for shipboard use, Type 286. This was never satisfactory and replaced in 1943

                                by centimetric radar, Type 273. See below.)

 

September             On completion prepared for operational service.

                                Four additional 20mm Oerlikon guns fitted.

 

October

                                Nominated for transfer to Force H

                20th        At 1030 hours sailed from Scapa Flow for the Clyde escorted by HM Destroyers BEDOUIN and

                                PUNJABI.

                                At 1530 hours off Tiumpan Head HM Destroyers LAFOREY and LIGHTNING joined, and BEDOUIN

                               and PUNJABI detached and returned to Scapa Flow.

                                Off Stornoway LAFOREY detached and landed a sick crew member at Stornoway.

                                At 1700 hours LAFOREY sailed and rejoined MALAYA.

                21st         Arrived in the Clyde.

                22nd       Sailed from the Clyde escorted by LIGHTNING. En route HM Destroyers HAVELOCK and

                                HARVESTER joined.

                24th        575 miles west of Ushant HM Destroyers SIKH and ZULU joined and HAVELOCK and HARVESTER

                                detached.

                27th        Arrived at Gibraltar with LIGHTNING, SIKH and ZULU. On entering Harbour she was in collision with

                                merchant ships MV HOEGH HOOD, 9356 tons and MV CLAN MACDONALD, 9656 tons, sustaining

                                slight damage to her forecastle.

 

November              At Gibraltar, MALAYA became the Flagship of Force H.

                                (The CinC Force H, Admiral Sir James Somerville was most unhappy with MALAYA as his Flagship

                                which he believed to be most unsuitable)

                10th        At 0235 hours sailed from Gibraltar in company with HM Cruiser HERMIONE to cover the delivery of

                                Hurricane aircraft by HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS ARGUS to Malta, screened by HM Destroyers

                                LAFOREY, LIGHTNING, SIKH, LEGION, ZULU, GURKHA and Dutch destroyer ISAAC SWEERS.

                                (Operation PERPETUAL).

                12th        By 1100 hours, 37 Hurricanes had been flown off from ARK ROYAL and ARGUS, following

                                which the Force turned west and headed back to Gibraltar.

                13th        At 1541 hours, 30 miles from Gibraltar during the return passage under attack by U.81 which fired four

                                torpedoes. One hit HMS ARK ROYAL which sank on 14th when under tow to Gibraltar.

                                (See HITLERS U-BOAT WAR by C Blair and Naval Staff History.)

                                Escorted to Gibraltar by HM Destroyers SIKH, ZULU and ISAAC SWEERS, after HMS ARK ROYAL

                                was hit.

                                At 1622 hours ZULU was detached to return to assist ARK ROYAL.

                                At 1830 hours arrived back at Gibraltar.

                                (On arrival at Gibraltar the CinC immediately transferred to SIKH and returned at high speed to the

                                scene of the attack)

 

December              Deployed with Force H at Gibraltar for Atlantic trade defence

                                (Note: This ship was the only operational battleship in the Mediterranean as HMS QUEEN

                                ELIZABETH and HMS VALIANT had been disabled at Alexandria on 19/12/41 by frogmen.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January

                                Force H deployment in continuation.

                14th        The new CinC Force H, Rear Admiral E.N. Syfret raised his flag in MALAYA.

 

February                Deployed in Atlantic for convoy defence.

                8th          Sailed from Gibraltar for the Clyde in company with HM Cruiser HERMIONE, HM Destroyers ACTIVE,

                                ANTHONY, BLANKNEY, CROOME, EXMOOR, LAFOREY and LIGHTNING.

                                (Force H were ordered to the UK because the Admiralty were aware that the German Battlecruisers

                                SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU, then at Brest, were preparing to sail and about to breakout into the

                                Atlantic. With troop convoy WS16, with over 45000 troops embarked, about to sail, Force H was to

                                provide escort in the North Atlantic)

                13th        Arrived in the Clyde.

                17th        At 0030 hours sailed from the Clyde in company with HM Aircraft Carriers EAGLE and FORMIDABLE

                                (Flying the Flag of the new CinC Eastern Fleet, Admiral Sir James Somerville), HM Cruiser HERMIONE,

                                HM Destroyers DUNCAN, LAFOREY and LIGHTNING.

                                At 0900 hours north west of Inishtrahull the three sections, Bristol Channel, Liverpool and Clyde,

                                of  military convoy WS 16 formed up, escorted by HM Destroyers ACTIVE, ANTHONY, BLANKNEY,

                                CROOME, FIREDRAKE, PANTHER, VERITY, WALKER AND WITHERINGTON. WS16 was then

                                joined by the MALAYA ocean escort Force.

                20th        During the morning ANTHONY detached with condenser problems.

                                At 1800 hours 480 miles north of Sao Miguel in the Azores, PANTHER detached to refuel at Ponta

                                Delgada.

                21st         During the morning CROOME detached for Gibraltar.

                                At 1330 hours the delayed SS STRATHAIRD escorted by HM Cruiser NEWCASTLE and  PALADIN

                                joined WS16.

                                At 1430 hours, detached from WS16 for Gibraltar in company with ACTIVE, BLANKNEY, DUNCAN,

                                LAFOREY and LIGHTNING.

                23rd        Arrived back at Gibraltar and resumed duties with Force H.

                27th        At 0320 hours sailed from Gibraltar as part of Force H with HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE and five

                                destroyers and sailed east towards Malta on Operation SPOTTER. At sea they were joined by HM

                                Cruiser HERMIONE, HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS and their screen of 4 destroyers; this section of Force

                                H had sailed from Gibraltar at 1830/26/2/42 and initially sailed west into the Atlantic. The destroyers

                                screening the Force were ACTIVE, ANTHONY, BLANKNEY, CROOME, LAFOREY, LIGHTNING, 

                                WHITEHALL and WISHART. (Operation SPOTTER was the delivery of Spitfire aircraft to Malta)

                28th        Operation cancelled due to problems with aircrafts long range fuel tanks and returned to Gibraltar.

 

March

                6th          Covered for repeat Malta aircraft delivery by HMS ARGUS and HMS EAGLE with same ships

                                (Operation SPOTTER II). This operation delivered 15 Spitfires to Malta; the first Spitfires to reach

                                 there.

                21st         Covered aircraft delivery by HMS ARGUS and HMS EAGLE with HMS HERMIONE and Fleet

                                destroyers of Force H (Operation PICKET I). Operation cancelled due to problems with aircrafts long

                                range fuel tanks and returned to Gibraltar.

                27th        Repeated aircraft delivery with same ships (Operation PICKET II). 16 Spitfires delivered.

                30th        Returned to Gibraltar.

                                Nominated for detached service in support of planned landings in Madagascar

                                (Operation IRONCLAD).

 

April

                1st           Sailed from Gibraltar with HMS Cruiser HERMIONE, screened by HM Destroyers ACTIVE,

                                ANTHONY,  LAFOREY, LIGHTNING and DUNCAN.

                6th          Arrived at Freetown a few hours behind convoy WS17.

                9th          Sailed from Freetown in company with HMS HERMIONE, and HM Destroyers ACTIVE, ANTHONY,

                                INCONSTANT, JAVELIN, LAFOREY, LOOKOUT, LIGHTNING, PACKENHAM as Ocean Escort for

                                military Convoy WS17A during passage to Capetown. At Freetown, convoy WS 17 had split into two,

                                WS17A and WS17B, which sailed on 11/4/42).

                18th        Off Capetown detached from WS17A and put into Capetown. She was ordered to return to Freetown.

                                Then took return passage to rejoin Force H at Gibraltar

 

May

                                Passage to Gibraltar and rejoined Force H on arrival.

 

June

                                Deployed at Gibraltar with Force H

                11th        Sailed from Gibraltar as part of Force W for escort of Malta relief convoy GM4 as far as Skerki Channel

                                in company with HMS EAGLE, HMS ARGUS, HM Cruisers KENYA, LIVERPOOL and CHARYBDIS,

                                screened by HM Destroyers ANTELOPE, ICARUS, ONSLOW, ESCAPADE, VIDETTE, WESTCOTT,

                                WISHART and WRESTLER.

                                (This was Operation HARPOON - For details see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli

                                Barnett, THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D. MacIntyre and Naval Staff History.)

                                (Note: This convoy had been designated WS19Z during passage to Gibraltar from UK.)

                12th        At 0800 hours to the east of Force W took up their covering position for the passage of convoy

                                GM4. The close escort of the convoy was provided by Force X.

                14th        At 1030 hours, south of Sardinia the convoy came under air attack from Italian CR42 fighter bombers,

                                which concentrated on ARGUS, and later by a combination of SM79 torpedo bombers and Z1007 high

                                level bombers. In this attack LIVERPOOL was torpedoed and taken under tow by ANTELOPE escorted

                                by WESTCOTT.

                                At 1820 hours the convoy came under attack from JU88’s. In this attack ARGUS was near missed by a

                                bomb exploding near her bow.

                                At 2000 hours, the convoy came under a combined attack from German and Italian aircraft.

                                At 2130 hours, Force W detached from GM4 at entrance to Sicilian Narrows and returned westwards to

                                await return of the close escort, after the arrival of the convoy in Malta.

                16th        Detached from Force W with HMS ARGUS, HM Destroyers ESCAPADE, VIDETTE, WISHART and

                                WRESTLER.

                                (Note: This was due to late departure from Malta of the close escort).

                17th        Arrived at Gibraltar with detached ships of Force W.

                24th        Sailed from Gibraltar screened by HM Destroyers ANTELOPE, VIDETTE and WISHART to R/V with

                                military convoy WS20, and provide cover during Atlantic passage from Clyde to Freetown.

                26th        At 0800 hours 120 miles east of Sao Miguel with ANTELOPE, VIDETTE and WISHART, joined HM

                                Destroyers BEAGLE, ST ALBANS , VIDETTE and WOLVERINE escorting convoy WS20, to provide

                                Ocean Escort.

                                Shortly after joining, ANTELOPE, BEAGLE, VIDETTE, WISHART and WOLVERINE detached,

                                escorting troopship SS NARKUNDA for Gibraltar.

                                Later ST ALBANS detached to join convoy SL 113.

                                In the evening HM Destroyers BLACKMORE and BRILLIANT from Freetown, joined convoy WS20.

                27th        At 1215 hours 240 miles west of Madeira, a lookout on the Commodore’s ship, SS STRATHEDEN,

                                sighted two vessels at extreme visibility. MALAYA launched her two Walrus aircraft and

                                BRILLIANT detached to investigate, but nothing was found.

                28th        At 0600 hours 180 miles west of the Canaries, Destroyer VIMY from Freetown joined convoy WS20.

                               

July

                1st           At 0800 hours south of the Cape Verde Islands, HM Destroyers BOREAS, VELOX and WIVERN from

                                Freetown joined convoy WS20.

                2nd         At 1200 hours convoy WS20 and escort arrived at Freetown.

                6th          At 1100 hours convoy WS20 commenced to depart from Freetown escorted by HM Destroyers

                                BLACKMORE, BOREAS, BRILLIANT, VELOX and WIVERN. MALAYA sailed as Ocean Escort.

                7th          AT 1200 hours, BLACKMORE escorting the SS BATORY, detached from WS20 for Takoradi.

                                Later BLACKMORE re-joined, and BOREAS and VELOX detached for Freetown.

                17th        At 0800 hours 95 miles north west of Cape Columbine, HM Cruiser SHROPSHIRE joined WS 20 from

                                Simonstown and MALAYA escorted by BLACKMORE detached from WS20 with 11 mercantiles from

                                the convoy destined for Capetown into harbour.

                                Took passage to Gibraltar to rejoin Force H

 

August                  Deployed at Gibraltar with Force H.

                                Nominated for return to UK for refit.

 

September             Passage to UK escorted by HM Destroyer LOOKOUT.

                                Prepared for refit.

 

October to December                

                                Under refit at HM Dockyard Rosyth.

                                Aircraft facilities removed and additional two 4in mountings fitted abreast

                                the catapult position (P & S). Surface warning radar Type 273 fitted.

                                (See above reference).

                                (Note: Close range AA armament increased by addition of two multiple

                                pom pom guns on sponsons aft and two more 20mm Oerlikon guns.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                  Worked up for service with Home Fleet. Two more 20mm Oerlikon guns fitted.

                                (At the end of January Admiral Donitz was appointed CinC of the German Navy. The change of CinC led

                                the Admiralty to prepare against the possibility of a more active policy by German surface ships to back

                                up the U-boat campaign. Therefore it was decided that MALAYA should be retained in the Atlantic

                                instead of being deployed to join the Eastern Fleet.)

 

February                Deployed with Home Fleet for convoy defence in NW Approaches.

                25th        At 0300 hours sailed from the Clyde escorted by HM Destroyers QUEENBOROUGH and QUAIL to join

                                joint military convoy WS27/KMF10A as ocean escort. (WS27 was destined for the Middle East and

                                Convoy KMF10A for North Africa).

                                At 1000 hours the Clyde and Liverpool (escorted by HM Destroyer RAIDER) sections of the convoy

                                formed up 6 miles west of Orsay. There the convoy was joined by the ocean escort and the 44th EG of

                                EGRET, ERNE, FISHGUARD, CLARE and WOLVERINE from Londonderry.

                               

 

March

                1st           At 1100 hours 70 miles SW of Cape St Vincent, QUEENBROUGH and WOLVERINE detached for

                                Casablanca to refuel.

                                At 1800 hours QUADRANT joined the escort.

                2nd         At 1100 hours 200 miles SW of Cape St Vincent, the convoy split. KMF10A detached for passage

                                into the Mediterranean. Remained with WS27 in company with QUADRANT, QUAIL and RAIDER.

                3rd          At 0800 hours 80 miles west of Cape Ghir, QUEENBROUGH and WOLVERINE rejoined.

                5th          At 1800 hours off Dakar, QUAIL, escorting SS ALMANZORA, detached for Dakar.

                6th          QUAIL, after escorting SS ALMANZORA rejoined WS27.

                8th          At 0930 hours MALAYA, as ocean escort, led WS27 into Freetown.

                                Passage from Freetown to rejoin Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.

 

April

                26th        Arrived at Scapa Flow and resumed Home Fleet service.

 

May to June          Deployment at Scapa Flow in continuation.

 

 

July

                7th          Deployed with HM Battleship ANSON, US Navy battleships USS ALABAMA and USS SOUTH

                                DAKOTA, HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS and seven cruisers screened by eight RN and five USN

                                destroyers for diversionary operation off Norwegian coast.

                                (Operation CAMERA – Convoy of miscellaneous ships was deployed to represent a possible assault

                                force on passage to Norway during the planned landings in Sicily.)

                9th          On completion of simulated approaches to coast. took passage to return to Scapa Flow.

                27th        Deployed with HMS ANSON, HM Aircraft Carriers ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN during air

                                operations as part of further diversionary operation off Norway.

                                (Operation GOVERNOR).

                29th        Return passage to Scapa Flow.

                                (Note: Neither diversionary operation met concentrated air attacks since German aircraft based in

                                Norway had been used to reinforce defence against allied operations in the Mediterranean.)

 

August                  Paid off into Reserve at Faslane because of machinery state which limited

                                capability for Fleet operations.

 

September             Reducing to Reserve status

 

October to December                

                                Under refit, with 6in armament removed and 20 additional 20mm Oerlikons fitted.

                                Held in Reserve at Faslane on completion.

             

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Remained in Reserve at Faslane.

 

February                Nominated for bombardment duty in support of operations in NW Europe.

                                Damaged whilst in use as target for 'bouncing bomb' trial in Loch Long.

                                (Exercise HIGH BALL)

 

March to May                    

                                Under refit. Radar Type 281 replaced by single aerial variant Type 281B.

                                Radar Type 273 replaced by modern Type 277, AA armament again increased by eight 20mm Oerlikon

                               guns to a total of 45. Radio Jamming equipment fitted as protection from attack by glider bombs which

                                had wireless guidance control.

 

June

                22nd       Re-commissioned for bombardment duty.

                                Took passage to Portsmouth

 

July                         Held in Reserve at Portsmouth for replacement of bombardment ship.

 

August                  Remained at Portsmouth.

 

September

                1st           Bombarded positions on Ile de Cezembre, off St. Malo.

                                Returned to Portsmouth on release from bombardment duties.

 

October                  Paid off into Reserve at Faslane.

 

November to December            

                                In Reserve at Faslane.

 

 

1 9 4 5

 

January to April   Remained in Reserve at Faslane.

 

 

May                        Nominated for duty as an accommodation and training ship.

                15th        Commissioned as HMS VERNON II at Portsmouth for Torpedo School duties.

                                (Note: Main armament and secondary armament with close range weapons

                                had been removed prior to this duty.)

 

June to August     Duty as HMS VERNON II

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS MALAYA was placed on the Disposal List in 1947 and sold to BISCO on 20th February 1948. The ship arrived at Faslane  in tow on 12th April that year to be broken up by Metal Industries. 

 

---

 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS MALAYA

by Don Kindell

 

These convoy lists have not been cross-checked with the text above

 

 

(Note on Convoys)