1 9 1 6

 

August                  Contractors Trials

 

September

                20th        Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials

                                (Note: During speed trials achieved 32.69 knots.)

October                  On completion carried out work-up with ships of Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow

 

November              Grand Fleet deployment in continuation

to                            (Note: A large Fleet was maintained at Scapa Flow to deal with any attempt by major German

December              warships to break-out into the North Sea.

 

1 9 1 7

 

                                Deployment at Scapa Flow in continuation

                                (Note: During this period a Fleet operation to attack German minesweeping operations off

                                Heligoland was covered by battlecruisers of the Grand Fleet in order to tempt a

                                German force into action. This was unsuccessful although a brief engagement with

                                a German cruiser was inconclusive.)

 

1 9 1 8

 

January                  Grand Fleet duties at Scapa Flow in continuation.

to                            A raid by major warships in the Kattegat was carried out but no German major ships

October                  sailed to force an engagement

                                Flying Off Platforms for launch of aircraft from “B” and “Y” 15” Turrets.

                                (Note: Trials were carried out.)

 

November              Took part in escort of surrendered German Warships during passage to Scapa Flow for

                                formal ceremony.

                                (Note: Some of these ships sank in Scapa Flow after being scuttled by their crews.)

 

December              Joined Atlantic Fleet.

                                Nominated for refit.

 

1 9 1 9

 

                                Under refit at Portsmouth during which Anti-torpedo Bulges were extended to improve

                                protection.

                                Armour protection was improved by installation of 9” belt taken from Brazilian ship being

                                converted for RN use as an Aircraft Carrier.

                                Nominated for further special duties.

                                (Note: Flying Off Platforms were removed and a triple 4” mounting to provide

                                accommodation for Royal party.

                                On relief resumed Grand Fleet service in Home waters.

 

1 9 2 0

 

                                Embarked Prince of Wales for Royal Tour in Australia and New Zealand.

 

1 9 2 1

 

                                Embarked Prince of Wales for Royal visits to India, China and Japan.

 

1 9 2 2

 

                                On return from Royal Tour resumed service in Home waters with Atlantic Fleet.

 

1 9 2 3    t o    1 9 2 6

 

                                Under refit by HM Dockyard, Portsmouth. from May 1923 to August 1926

                                Work undertaken included

                                Extension of Anti-Torpedo Bulges to improve protection

                                Addition of belt of 9” armour to improve Hull protection.

                                Nominated for detached service for Royal visit.

 

1 9 2 7

 

                                Detached for further Royal Tour duties.

                                Embarked HRH The Duke of York for Royal visit to Canada.

 

1 9 2 8    t o    1 9 3 1

 

                                Resumed Atlantic Fleet duties and later transferred to Mediterranean Fleet.

                                Took part in Fleet Exercises and visits programmes during this period.

                                Nominated for major refit and modernisation including significant improvement

                                to anti-aircraft defence.

 

1 9 3 1

 

                                Under refit at Portsmouth during which a new High Angle Fire Control Director was

                                fitted and AA armament improved by installation of multi-barrelled Pom-Pom guns.

 

1 9 3 2

 

                                Resumed Fleet service in June.

 

1 9 3 3

 

                                During refit aircraft catapult was fitted for use by single aircraft

                                Resumed Fleet service on completion.

 

1 9 3 4    t o    1 9 3 5

 

                                Fleet service in continuation

                                Nominated for major refit and modernisation

 

1 9 3 6

 

January                  Fleet service in continuation

to                            Destored and Paid –off into Dockyard Control at Portsmouth

August

 

September             Taken in hand for modernisation by HM Dockyard, Portsmouth

 

October                  Under refit,

to December

 

1 9 3 7    t o    1 9 3 8

 

                                Refit work included

                                15” Turrets replaced by later design.

                                Bridge structure redesigned

                                Entire secondary armament replaced by eight twin 4” HA mountings for air defence.

                                Siting of close range Pom-Pom weapons improved for effective defence

                                Two Quadruple Deck mounted torpedo tubes fitted in place of the two submerged tubes.

                                Limited improvement of armour protection.

                                Main Propulsion machinery including Boilers replaced.

                                Aircraft catapult replaced with Hangar for stowage and maintenance.

 

1 9 3 9

 

January                  Refit work completed and carried out Harbour trials

to                            Re-commissioned for Trials

June

 

July                         Carried Sea Trials

                                Full complement joined ship and Commissioned for Home Fleet service

                                War Station allocated.

September

                2nd         Joined Home Fleet on completion of Sea Trials

                4th          Deployed on interception patrol against commerce raiders and blockade runners

                                in NW Approaches.

                26th        Deployed with Home Fleet ships to cover return of the damaged submarine H M S

                                SPEARFISH in North Sea.

 

October                  Detached to Join Hunting Group "K" in Atlantic off Pernambuco.

 

November              Searched for German battleship GRAF SPEE with Group "K" including HM Aircraft

                                Carrier ARK ROYAL, HM Destroyers HARDY, HASTY, HOTSPUR and HEREWARD)

 

December

                2nd         Intercepted and sank by gunfire German liner WATUSSI.

                16th        Diverted to joined HM Cruisers EXETER, ACHILLES and AJAX off Montevideo.

                                (For full details of search for GRAF SPEE and subsequent sinking see ENGAGE THE

                                ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett and Naval Staff History.).

 

1 9 4 0

 

January                  Escorted damaged HMS EXETER with HMS ARK ROYAL for part of passage to UK

 

February.               Deployed on convoy defence and interception duties in the Atlantic with HMS ARK ROYAL

                                and HM Cruiser GALATEA.

 

March

                3rd          Resumed duty with Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.

 

April

                5th          Covered minelaying operations off Norway by ships of 20th Destroyer Flotilla

                                off Vest Fjord with HM Destroyers GREYHOUND, GLOWWORM, HYPERION and

                                HERO. (Operation WILFRED).

                8th          Diverted to assist HM Destroyer GLOWWORM after sighting report of the German

                                cruiser HIPPER was received.

                9th          In action with German battleships SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU eighty miles west

                                of Lofotens. Hits on GNEISENAU disabled the fire control equipment and " A" turret but

                                return fire caused damage to mast cabling and to some structure.

                                Further engagement was prevented by heavy weather that was damaging forward

                                armament (For details see Naval Staff History).

                                Patrolled off Vest Fjord after enemy ships had left area but missed entry of German

                                destroyers into Narvik.

                                (See NARVIK by B. Schoefield and Naval Staff History).

                17th        Escorted damaged cruiser HMS SUFFOLK to Scapa Flow with sister Battlecruiser HMS

                                REPULSE (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and above reference)

 

May                        Under repair at Rosyth to action and weather damage.

 

June                        On completion resumed Home Fleet service.

                5th          Carried out search in NW Approaches with HM Cruisers NEWCASTLE and SUSSEX for

                                two unknown vessels possibly commerce raiders on passage 200 miles NE of Faeroes

                8th          Detached on Admiralty orders and returned to Scope Flow.

                9th          Following loss of HM Aircraft Carrier GLORIOUS sailed from Scapa Flow with HM

                                Battleship RODNEY to provide additional cover for passage of evacuation convoys

                                from Norway.

                10th        Despatched to carry out search for two unknown vessels possibly commerce raiders reported

                                on passage 200 miles NE of Faeroes

                                (Note: HMS REPULSE, HM Cruisers NEWCASTLE and SUSSEX, HM Destroyers ZULU,

                                KELVIN. FORESTER and FOXHOUND were also deployed for this search.)

 

July                         Carried out unsuccessful search with Home Fleet ships for SCHARNHORST which had

                                been reported leaving Trondheim.

 

August                  Transferred to Force "H" at Gibraltar as Flagship and covered convoy passage of military

                                convoy.

                12th        Detached from convoy and took passage to Iceland area for cover of interception

                                operations.

                                Joined Force "H" on completion to relieve HM Battlecruiser HOOD.

                                (For details of naval operations in the Mediterranean between 1940 and 1942 see

                                ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, THE BATTLE FOR THE

                                MEDITERRANEAN by D MacIntyre, EAST OF SUEZ, WEST OF MALTA (HMSO)

                                and Naval Staff History).

                30th        Deployed with HMS ARK ROYAL and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD with screen of 16 Fleet

                                destroyers to cover transit of H M Battleship VALIANT, H M Aircraft Carrier

                                ILLUSTRIOUS, HM Cruisers CALCUTTA and COVENTRY (Force "F") to join

                                Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria (Operation HATS).

                                On arrival west of Sicilian Narrows detached from cover and returned to Gibraltar.

 

September

                11th        Searched for Vichy French cruisers on passage to Dakar or Casablanca.

                14th        Returned to Gibraltar having had no success. (See RELUCTANT ENEMIES by W Tute).

                                Took passage to Dakar to reinforce RN presence after planned landing of Free French

                                troops had been abandoned.

                                For details see above references and Naval Staff History.).

                23rd        Deployed at Dakar after Landings cancelled (Operation MENACE).

 

October                  On release from MENACE returned to Gibraltar to rejoin Force H.

                                Deployed with Force "H"

                1st           Carried out searched off the Azores to intercept German ships reported on passage to

                                Land forces in Azores.

                31st         Deployed with HM Battleship BARHAM in search for Vichy French ships. attempting to

                                pass through Straits of Gibraltar.

                                interception of the German battleship ADMIRAL SCHEER after loss of H M Armed

                                Merchant Cruiser JERVIS BAY in defence of Atlantic convoy.

 

November

                7th          Deployed in Bay of Biscay with HMS HOOD and HM Battlecruiser REPULSE for the

                15th        Covered Malta aircraft delivery by HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS with HM Aircraft

                                Carrier ARK ROYAL, HM Cruisers SHEFFIELD and DESPATCH screened by Force

                                "H" destroyers (Operation WHITE).

                25th        Deployed with HMS ARK ROYAL, HMS SHEFFIELD and HMS DESPATCH to cover

                                passage of Malta supply convoy and the transit of HM Cruisers MANCHESTER and

                                SOUTHAMPTON and Fleet destroyers to join Fleet at Alexandria as far as Sicilian

                                Narrows. (Operation COLLAR – For details of all Mediterranean Activities see Naval

                                Staff Histories HMSO 2001)

                27th        In brief action with ships of Force "H" and HM Cruiser BERWICK against major

                                Italian warships attempting to intercept return convoy from Malta.

                                Retreating enemy ships were not pursued in order to ensure safe passage of convoy.

                                (Battle of Spartivento - This tactical decision was criticised by the Prime Minister but

                                later Admiral Somerville's decision was fully supported after a Board of Admiralty

                                enquiry.

 

December              Under repair at Gibraltar.

                20th        Covered passage of HM Battleship MALAYA from Sicilian Narrows to join Force H

.                               and transit of convoy (Operation HIDE).

 

1 9 4 1

 

January

                7th          Covered passage of convoys to Malta and Piraeus with HMS ARK ROYAL,

                                HMS MALAYA and HMS SHEFFIELD screened by 7 Force "H" destroyers

                                to Sicilian Narrows. Close Escort for transit to Malta included HM Cruiser

                                BONAVENTURE and four Fleet destroyers joining Mediterranean Fleet.

                                (Operation EXCESS).

                9th          Under air attack.

                12th        Covered air operations to carry out attack by HMS ARK ROYAL on Tirso Dam,

                                Sardinia with HM Battleship MALAYA, HMS SHEFFIELD and 5 Force "H" destroyers.

                                (Operation PICKET).

 

February

                6th          Deployed with HMS MALAYA, HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS SHEFFIELD screened by

                                ten Fleet Destroyers for bombardment of Genoa and air attacks on Genoa and La Spezia

.                               (Operation GROG)

                12th        Despatched from Gibraltar with HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS SHEFFIELD to support

                                defence of Convoy SL65 an earlier convoy had been attacked by German cruiser HIPPER

                                See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY.)

                17th        Joined military Convoy WS6A with HMS ARK ROYAL to provide cover during Atlantic

                                passage.)

                                Detached after brief stay.

 

March

                8th          Carried out search for German battleships SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU with

                                HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS SHEFFIELD and HM Cruiser ARETHUSA in Atlantic

                                without success.

                                Intercepted ss BIANCA and ss CASIMIRO previously captured and taken in as Prize by

                                SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU.

                                Both ships scuttled on approach.

 

May

                6th          Covered passage of convoy taking tanks to Middle East with HMS ARK ROYAL, HMS

                                SHEFFIELD and five destroyers to Sicilian Narrows.

                                (Operation TIGER – See above references.)

                6th          On completion of WINCH deployed with HMS ARK ROYAL, HMS SHEFFIELD and

                                HMS FIJI in search for German commerce raiders GNEISENAU and SCHARNHORST.

                                (Note: Close escort provided by HM Battleship QUEEN ELIZABETH,

                                HM Cruisers NAIAD and FIJI of Mediterranean Fleet from

                                Alexandria and six destroyers being transferred to eastern

                                Mediterranean (Operation SALIENT).

                9th          Missed by torpedo during air attacks.

                19th        Covered Malta aircraft delivery by HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS FURIOUS screened by

                                six Force "H" destroyers (Operation SPLICE).

                24th        Diverted with HMS ARK ROYAL, HMS SHEFFIELD and Force H destroyers to join Home

                                Fleet ships in search for BISMARCK in Atlantic.

                26th        Attack by U556 could not be carried out because submarine had no torpedoes.

                                (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair)

 

June

                3rd          Aircraft located German supplies ship GOZZENHEIM that later scuttled.

                                (Note: HM Cruiser NEPTUNE and HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS were also

                                Deployed. See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY).

                5th          Covered Malta aircraft delivery by HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS FURIOUS screened by

                                six Force "H" destroyers (Operation ROCKET).

                13th        Covered Malta aircraft delivery by HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS VICTORIOUS screened

                                by Force "H" destroyers (Operation TRACER).

                16th        Escorted HMS VICTORIOUS for part of return passage to UK following TRACER.

                19th        Detached from HMS VICTORIOUS and returned to Gibraltar.

                26th        Covered Malta aircraft deliveries by HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS FURIOUS with HM

                                Cruiser HERMIONE screened by five Force "H" destroyers.

                                (Operations RAILWAY I on 27th and RAILWAY II on 30th)

                                (Note: Between RAILWAY I and RAILWAY II General Lord Gort visited ship to meet

                                personnel who had taken part in search and sinking of TIRPITZ, including

                                those from HMS ARK ROYAL)

July

                21st         Covered passage of convoy to Malta with HMS ARK ROYAL, HM Battleship NELSON

                                and HMS HERMIONE as far as Sicilian Narrows with screen of 6 destroyers.

                                (Operation SUBSTANCE).

                                (Note: Close escort (Force X) to Malta included HM Cruisers EDINBURGH,

                                MANCHESTER, ARETHUSA, MANXMAN and eleven destroyers.

                25th        Covered passage of Supply ship HMS BRECONSHIRE to Gibraltar with Force "H".

                29th        Covered passage of Malta personnel convoy with HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS NELSON

                                screened by five Force "H" destroyers to Sicilian Narrows (Operation STYLE).

                                (Note: Close escort (Force X) to Malta included HMS HERMIONE, HM Cruiser

                                MANXMAN and ARETHUSA).

 

August                  Withdrawn from Force H for refit.

to            10th        Passage to UK.

September             (Statistical Note: 185,000 miles steamed since 9.39 and 381 days at sea.)

                18th        Under refit By HM Dockyard, Rosyth.

                                (Note: Radar Outfits fitted:-

                                Type 284 (Main armament)

                                Type 282 (Close range AA)

                                Type 285 (HA armament).

                                Type 271 Surface Warning fitted in 1941 was replaced by Type 273-

                                Type 281 for Aircraft warning fitted.

                                Close Range Oerlikon AA guns fitted for AA defence.

 

October                  Harbour trials

                31st         Completed refit.

 

 

November              Post refit sea trials and Shakedown.

                                Passage to Scapa Flow to work-up for operational service

 

December              Resumed Home Fleet duties on completion of work-up, weapon trials and calibrations.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Home Fleet deployment in continuation.

to                            (Note: Deployed for interception duties and Atlantic convoy defence).

February

 

March

                2nd         Provided Distant Cover for passage of Russian Convoy PQ12 and returning QP6 with HM

                                Battleships KING GEORGE V and DUKE OF YORK HMS VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers

                                BERWICK and KENYA screened by Home Fleet destroyers.

                                (For details of all Russian Convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by A Ruegg

                                CONVOY! by P. Kemp), THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield and ARCTIC

                                CONVOYS by R Woodman.)

                10th        Resumed Fleet duties at Scapa Flow.

                21st         Provided Distant Cover for passage of Russian Convoy PQ13 and returning QP13 with the

                                same ships as for PQ12.

                30th        Resumed Fleet duties at Scapa Flow.

 

April                       Home Fleet deployment in continuation.

                13th        Escorted US Aircraft Carrier USS WASP to Gibraltar with HM Cruiser CAIRO.

                19th        Covered Malta aircraft delivery by USS WASP with H M S CAIRO and H M Cruiser

                                CHARYBDIS screened by 11 destroyers including 2 from USN as Force "W.

                                (Operation CALENDAR).

 

May

                4th          Escorted USS WASP to Gibraltar.

                19th        Covered Malta aircraft delivery to Malta by USS WASP with HMS CHARYBDIS and

                                Force "H" destroyers (Operation BOWERY).

                                Rejoined Home Fleet on completion.

 

June                        Home Fleet duties in continuation.

to

September

 

October                  Detached with HMS DUKE OF YORK, HM Battleships RODNEY and NELSON for

                                support of landings in North Africa.

                                Passage to Gibraltar.

                                (Operation TORCH - See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and RELUCTANT

                                ENEMIES).

 

November              Deployed in western Mediterranean to prevent any Interference by Vichy French

                                warships to landing operations.

 

December              Returned to UK and rejoined Home Fleet.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                  Deployed with Home Fleet in NW Approaches for Interception patrol and convoy defence

 

February                Nominated for refit and took passage to Rosyth.

                22nd       Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Rosyth.

 

March                    Under refit.

to                            (Note: Aircraft facilities removed and AA armament increased by adding

May                        Radar Type 283 equipment fitted to provide Anti-aircraft Barrage Control for Main

                                and Secondary armament. Nine more Oerlikon guns fitted for Close Range defence.

 

June                        Post refit Harbour trials.

                9th          On completion of sea trials took passage to rejoin Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.

 

July                         Home Fleet duties in continuation.

 

August

                28th        Passage to Halifax, MS to collect Prime Minister after QUADRANT conference with US

                                President at Quebec

 

September             Returned to UK with Prime Minister escorted by IM Cruiser KENT, HM Destroyer

                                OBDURATE and HM Destroyer OPPORTUNE.

                19th        Arrived in Clyde to disembark Mr Churchill. Rejoined Home Fleet.

                                (Note: One source records that the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Dudley Pound who had

                                a major stroke during passage,)

 

October                  Deployed with Home Fleet.

 

 November             Home Fleet duty in continuation.

                12th        Detached and embarked Prime Minister at Plymouth for passage to Alexandria to attend

                                conference in Cairo with other Allied leaders.

                21st         Prime minister disembarked on arrival at Alexandria.

                                Passage to UK. Nominated for service with Eastern Fleet.

 

December

                2nd         Under refit at Rosyth prior to service in 1st Battle Squadron, Eastern Fleet.

                                (Note: 19 more Oerlikon guns fitted.

                18th        On completion returned to Scapa Flow to prepare for foreign service

                30th        Sailed for Colombo to join Eastern Fleet

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Passage with calls at Gibraltar and Malta with HM Battleships QUEEN ELIZABETH

                                and VALIANT, HM Aircraft Carriers ILLUSTRIOUS and UNICORN

                23rd        Arrived at Colombo to Join Squadron

 

February                Prepared for service in Eastern Fleet

                                For details of Eastern Fleet operations in 1944 see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE

                                CLOSELY, OPERATION PACIFIC by E. Gray and WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO.)

 

March                    Deployed with Eastern Fleet.

                21st         Carried out offensive sweep in Indian Ocean with HM Battleships VALIANT and

                                QUEEN ELIZABETH, HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, HM Cruisers GAMBIA

                                (RNZN), LONDON, CEYLON, CUMBERLAND and screen of 10 fleet destroyers.

                27th        Joined by US Aircraft Carrier USS SARATOGA and three USN destroyers on loan to

                                Eastern Fleet for air strikes against targets in Sumatra.

                                (Operation DIPLOMAT).

 

April

                2nd         Returned to Colombo with USN ships

                16th        Escorted HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and USS SARATOGA with HMS LONDON and

                                RN/USN screen of destroyers as Task Force 70 for air attacks on Sabang.

                                (Note: Task Force 69 comprised HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, French Battleship

                                RICHELIEU with cruisers and Fleet Destroyers to provide cover.

                                (Operation COCKPIT).

                19th        Under attack by 3 torpedo aircraft which were destroyed by Combat Air Patrol from USS

                                SARATOGA.

 

May

                6th          Escorted HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and USS SARATOGA with HMS CEYLON, HMS

                                GAMBIA and a screen of six destroyers (Including three USN) for air attacks on harbour

                                and oil refineries at Soerabaya, Sumatra. Cover was provided by IMS QUEEN

                                ELIZABETH, VALIANT, HM Cruisers NEWCASTLE, NIGERIA and TROMP (Neth.)

                                with screen of destroyers (Operation TRANSOM)

 

                15th        Refuelled in Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia.

                17th        Provided protection during air strikes and returned to Ceylon with ships of Eastern Fleet

 

June

                10th        Deployed with Eastern Fleet to cover HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and HM Escort Carrier

                                ATHELING for diversionary raid on Sabang during US attacks on Marianas.

                                (Operation FORAGER).

                19th        Covered air attacks on Port Blair in Andamans by HMS ILLUSTRIOUS with French

                                Battleship RICHELIEU and escorts (Operation PEDAL).

 

July

                22nd       Deployed with Eastern Fleet for Joint air and bombardment of Sabang.

                                (Operation CRIMSON).

                25th        Bombarded enemy Installations at Sabang with HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, HMS

                                VALIANT, FS RICHELIEU, HM Cruisers CUMBERLAND, NIGERIA, CEYLON and

                                GAMBIA (RNZN) screened by five destroyers which also shelled shore targets.

 

 August                 Joined Eastern Fleet for air sea rescue duty during US air attacks on targets in NW Sumatra

                                (Operation BOOMERANG)

 

September.            Deployed with Eastern Fleet in Indian Ocean.

 

October

                15th        Joined Task Unit 63.1, escorted by HM Destroyers QUILLIAM, QUEENBOROUGH

                                and QUIBERON (RAN) for Joint air operations and bombardments on Nicobar Islands

                                by Task Units 63.2 and 63.3 as a diversion during US landings on Leyte.

                                (Operation MILLET).

                17th        Covered air operations by HM Aircraft Carriers VICTORIOUS and INDOMITABLE

                                in Task Unit 63.3 on Nicobars.

                18th        Bombarded enemy positions with HM Cruiser SUFFOLK, H M Destroyers

                                QUILLLAM, QUEENBOROUGH and RAIDER.

                                Continuation of cover during carrier attacks.

                22nd       Remained with Eastern Fleet on formation of BPF.

 

December              Withdrawn for refit and took passage to Durban.

                21st         Taken in hand for refit

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Under refit.

                                (Note: Main armament Fire Control Radar Type 284 replaced by new design Type 275.)

 

February                Carried out harbour trials.

                21st         Took passage to Ceylon on completion of sea trials

 

March

                3rd          Rejoined Eastern Fleet

                30th        Withdrawn from Eastern Fleet service and took passage to UK.

 

April                       Future refit to reduce displacement and improve stability under review.

                15th        Arrived at Rosyth and sailed to rejoin Home Fleet escorted by HM Destroyer

                                SCOURGE and Polish destroyer ORP GARLAND.

 

May

                8th          Embarked German Naval Delegation at Rosyth to determine the arrangements for

                                allied warships to make entry into German ports following surrender.

 

June                        Deployed in SW Approaches

to                            (Note: Some refit work was carried out.).

July

 

August                  HM King George VI embarked for meeting with the US President (Mr Truman) who

                                was returning to USA from the Potsdam Conference in US Cruiser AUGUSTA.