1 9 3 9
August Commissioned with Reservists for attendance at the
Review of the Reserve Fleet by HM King
George VI at Weymouth.
9th Attended
the Review and deployed as escort for HM Royal Yacht VICTORIA and ALBERT
a visit to Dartmouth,
Remained in commission on dispersal
of Fleet units following the Review and took passage to
Gibraltar to take up war station as Leader of the 13th
Destroyer Flotilla.
September Deployed at Gibraltar with Flotilla for convoy defence and enforcement of Blockade to
prevent
transit of
goods to Germany by sea.
October Convoy defence duties in
continuation.
24th Carried out unsuccessful attack on submarine during convoy
escort west of Gibraltar.
November Gibraltar deployment in continuation.
(Note: Regular
convoys were established between Gibraltar and UK with escorts by
French warships as well as those from
Gibraltar and UK..)
December
24th Deployed
as escort with two French destroyers for Convoy HG 12 on departure from Gibraltar
for passage
to UK and detached later to return to Gibraltar
1 9 4 0
January
8th Escorted
Homeward convoy HG14F with HM Sloop Enchantress on departure from Gibraltar
13th Joined
Homeward Convoy HG15F with HMS ENCHANTRESS, HM Destroyers AMAZON,
BROKE, WALKER and
WALPOLE as escort during passage to UK.
17th Detached
from HG15F and took return passage to Gibraltar.
(Note: HMS AMAZON and HMS ENCHANTRESS
remained with convoy.)
Involved in collision with French
Cruiser JAGUAR and sustained serious structural damage.
Escorted to Lisbon by French destroyer LA RAILEUSE for
repair.
20th On
completion of temporary repair took passage from Lisbon to Gibraltar.
25th Under repair by HM Dockyard, Gibraltar.
February On completion of repair resumed
Flotilla duties at Gibraltar for convoy escort and patrol.
March Flotilla duties at Gibraltar in continuation.
to May
June Nominated for evacuation of British civilian
personnel from southern France after French
capitulation
20th Passage from Gibraltar to Gulf of Lions.
22nd Embarked British civilians, Czech and Polish troops at Port Vendres and Seta.
23rd Took
passage to Gibraltar with embarked personnel
July 1st Deployed
as escort for HM Battlecruiser HOOD, HM Battleships VALIANT, RESOLUTION,
HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL, HM Cruisers ARETHUSA and ENTERPRISE with HM
Destroyers FAULKNOR, FOXHOUND,
FEARLESS, FORESTER, FORESIGHT, ESCORT,
ACTIVCE, WRESTLER, VIDETTE and
VORTIGERN during passage to Oran to
ensure
French warships at Mers-el-Kebir were not taken over by Germany for future use.
(Operation CATAPULT – For details see Naval Staff History, RELUCTANT ENEMIES by
W Tute and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett.)
2nd Took
part in CATAPULT operation.
6th Returned
to Gibraltar with ships of Force H not remaining off Mers-el-Kebir for further
attack on
French battleship DUNKERQUE.
8th Sailed
from Gibraltar with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FOXHOUNMD, FEARLESS,
` FORESTER, ESCORT, DOUGLAS, ACTIVE, VELOX, VORTIGERN and WRESTLER
as screen
for HMS HOOD, HMS VALIANT, HMS RESOLUTION, HMS ARK ROYAL,
HM Cruisers ARETHUSA, DEHLI and ENTERPRISE to carry out air attacks on Cagliari,
Sardinia.
(Operation MA5)
(Note: This
was in support of concurrent operations by the Mediterranean Fleet in the
eastern Mediterranean. See above references, MALTA CONVOYS by R. Woodman
and THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D MacIntyre.)
Under attacks by
Italian Savoia Marchetti
aircraft.
9th Under
further air attacks and operation abandoned in view of possible further damage
to HMS
ARK ROYAL during likely continuation.
Returned to Gibraltar with Force H screen.
11th Under attack by Italian submarine MARCONI which torpedoed HMS
ESCORT.
(Note:
Towing attempt failed and ship sank later. See references and THE NAVAL WAR IN
THE MEDITERRANEAN by J Greene and A Massignani.).
On return to Gibraltar deployed with HMS FOXHOUND and HMS FORESIGHT to carry
out search
for Italian submarine and came under air attacks without damage.
12th Returned to Gibraltar after unsuccessful search.
13th Nominated
for return to UK and took passage to Portsmouth.
18th Arrived
at Portsmouth and prepared for Home Fleet service.
26th Took
passage from Portsmouth to Scapa
Flow for Home Fleet duties
in 12th Destroyer
Flotilla.
(Note: One
source records that she was to replace a HUNT Class Escort Destroyer.
This Class of ship was unsuitable for
Fleet duties because of Fuel capacity and
it may be
assumed that planned deployment at Scapa Flow for a
HUNT Class
was not
implemented.)
August After arrival at Scapa Flow nominated for transfer to Western Approaches Command and
took passage
to Greenock.
7th Arrived
at Greenock for deployment in NW Approaches for
convoy defence.
September Atlantic convoy escort in
continuation
(Note:
Until 1941 outward bound convoys were escorted to a pre-determined dispersal
point
between 12 W
and 15W from which the ships proceeded either to Canada or Gibraltar
as
independents. Inward bound ships were provided with escort or cover from an Armed
Merchant Cruiser or other warship as
defence against surface attacks, but required
anti-submarine
protection during their passage in NW Approaches. Escorts for this
period were
provided by Western Approaches Command which usually had been
deployed for
escort of an outward convoy from UK.. See THE ALLIED CONVOY
SYSTEM 1939-45 by A
Hague.)
October Atlantic deployment in
continuation.
16th Rescued
survivors from ss TREVISA which had been torpedoed by
U124 whilst proceeding
independently.
See HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)
Transferred for service with Home
Fleet and took passage to Scapa
Flow.
November Deployed for Home Fleet screening
and patrol duties
10th Despatched
from Faeroes with HM Destroyer BEAGLE to join screen of Home Fleet major
warships
carrying out search in North
Atlantic for German armoured
cruiser ADMIRAL
SCHEER after
sinking of HM Armed Merchant Cruiser JERVIS BAY.
Returned to Scapa Flow after unsuccessful search.
26th Deployed
as escort with HM Destroyer ST ALBANS for ships of 1st Minelaying Squadron
during
minelay in Northern Barrage covered by HMS HOOD and screen of Home Fleet
destroyers.
(Operation SN11 – For details see Naval Staff History
(Mining))
December Home Fleet deployment in
continuation.
8th Deployed
with HM Destroyers BATH, ST
ALBANS and DOUGLAS as escort for ships of
1st Minelaying Squadron during
minelay south east of Iceland in Northern Barrage covered
by HM
Battlecruiser REPULSE, HM Cruiser ARETHUSA and screen of Home Fleet
destroyers
(Operation SN 10A – See above reference.)
1 9 4 1
January Home Fleet deployment in
continuation.
3rd Deployed
with HM Destroyers BEAGLE, DOUGLAS and Free French destroyer
COURAGON as escort for ships of 1st
Minelaying Squadron during minelays in
Northern Barrage, north and south of
Faeroes (Operations SN6 and SN65 – See
above
reference.)
26th Deployed
as part of screen for HM Battleship NELSON during search by ships of
Home Fleet in Atlantic for German battlecruisers SCHARHORST and
GNEISENAU
reported on
passage to attack convoys.
Returned to Scapa Flow with Home Fleet ships after
unsuccessful operation.
February Transferred to Western
Approaches Command for service with 12th Escort Group based
at Londonderry.
(Note: This
was a Canadian Escort Group.)
Deployed for
Atlantic Convoy escort in NW Approaches.
March NW Approaches Convoy defence
with Group in continuation.)
to April
May
11th Rescued
survivors from ss SOMERSET which had been sunk after bombing attack
in position 54.54N
16.20W.
June Atlantic convoy escort duties with Group in
continuation.
July
1st Rescued
survivors from Norwegian freighter VIGRID which had been sunk on 26th June
by U371.
(Note: This
ship had been a straggler from Convoy HX133.)
August Transferred to 1st British Escort Group also based
at Londonderry
(Note:
Other ships in this Group were:
HM Destroyers
ROCKINGHAM, SABRE, VENOMOUS, LINCOLN, SHIKARI.
HM Corvettes
ALISMA, KINGCUP, SUNFLOWER, DIANELLA.
September Deployed as Leader of Group for
Atlantic convoy defence with Group.
October
25th Joined
outward convoy ON28 on departure from Liverpool as escort
28th Arrived at Liverpool as escort for inward convoy SC50.
November Atlantic escort duties in
continuation.
11th Involved
in collision with HMS VENOMOUS and sustained serious structural damage
with
flooding in some compartments.
Detached from escort and returned to Greenock.
12th Arrived at Greenock for survey of damage.
Took passage to Bristol Channel for repair in commercial shipyard
at Newport.
Taken in hand for repair
December Under repair including fit of
HEDGEHOG anti-submarine mortar equipment and HF D/F
radio
receiver outfit for detection of wireless transmissions.
For details of HEDGEHOG and use of HF
D/F see SEEK and STRIKE by W Hackmann.
(Note: This
newly developed anti-submarine weapon was found to have
several
inherent defects during initial stages of use. See reference.
It is not believed that Radar Type
286M was fitted. See entry for 11th April 1942.)
1 9 4 2
January Completion of repair and refit
resumed service with 1st Escort Group, later
re-identified
as EG B1
(Note: Ship
may have carried out work-up at Tobermory before operational use.)
Other ships in Group included:
HM Destroyers ST ALBANS, SHIKARI
HM Corvettes
ANCHUSA, DAHLUIA, WALLFLOWER, MEADOWSWEET.
February
3rd Deployed
with Group as escort for outward Convoy ON61 during passage in NW
Approaches
9th Joined
military convoy WS6A in Clyde with HM Escort Destroyers ATHERSTONE
and
COTTESMORE as Local Escort during passage in Western Approaches.
12th Detached
from WS6A with Local Escort and returned to Clyde.
16th Deployed
as escort for inward Convoy HX174
March
18th Carried
out anti-submarine operations against submarine whose radio transmissions had
been
detected.
HEDGEHOG mortar misfired and one
missile landed on forward structure.
(Note:
During the second operational firing and exemplifies the type of problem
encountered
with the
weapon during its first use. Modifications were carried out as a
result of
operational experience. See reference.
This date may be incorrect and source
reference could be to escort of WS17 see
later record
unless this is a separate incident.. To be further investigated.)
23rd Joined
military convoy WS17 with HM Destroyers BADSWORTH, BEVERELY,
LEAMINGTON and VOLUNTEER as Local Escort during passage in Western
Approaches.
25th Convoy being shadowed by U-Boats.
26th Carried
out attacks on U587 whose radio transmissions had been intercepted and
position
determined. See reference.
27th Anti-submarine
operations continued. See entry for 18th March.)
(Note: U587
was attacked by other destroyers of Ocean and Local Escort and assessed
as “probably
damaged”. However later post war analysis revealed her loss.
Ship did not take part in final
series of depth charge attacks. See U-BOATS
DESTROYED by P
Kemp.)
Detached from WS17 with Local Escort
and took passage to return to Clyde.
April Atlantic convoy escort deployment with Group
in continuation.
11th Sustained
structural damage in extreme weather.
(Note: As
Top mast including radar was carried away it is likely that earlier modified
RAF air-surface (ASR) Naval Type 286 was fitted. Later Type 271 was not
fitted to
mast structure. See earlier entry for December 1941 and RADAR
AT SEA by D Howse for details of development and
use of radar in RN in May)
May On completion of repair resumed Atlantic
convoy defence duties with Group.
(Note: Type
271 radar may have been fitted during this period. See reference.)
10th Joined
military convoy WS19 in Clyde with HM Destroyers LEAMINGTION and
VOLUNTEER as Local Escort during
passage in Western Approaches.
13th Detached
from WS19 with Local Escort and returned to Clyde.
23rd Deployed
with HM Cruiser CAIRO, HM Destroyers BEAGLE, DOUGLAS and
SARDONYX as Local Escort during
passage of rms QUEEN MARY during passage
in Western
Approaches to Middle East as Convoy WS19W
24th Detached
from WS19W with Local Escort and returned to Clyde.
June
1st Joined
military convoy WS19P with HM Destroyers LEAMINGTON and
WELLS as Local
Escort for passage in Western Approaches.
4th Detached
from WS19P with Local Escort and returned to Clyde.
23rd Deployed
with HM Cruiser DELHI, HM Destroyers BOADICEA, ST ALBANS,
LEAMINGTON and SALISBURY as Local Escort for rms
QUEEN ELIZABETH
during
initial part of passage to Middle
East in Western Approaches.
Identified as
military convoy WS19Y.
24th Detached
from WS19Y and returned to Clyde with ships of Local Escort.
25th Passage
to Iceland for duty as Senior Officer of Ocean Escort for
Russian Convoy
PQ17 during Arctic
passage from Reykjavik to North Russia.
30th Joined
PQ17 with HM Destroyers FURY, LEAMINGTON, LEDBURY, OFFA
and WILTON, HM Corvettes DIANELLA, LOTUS, POPPY and Free French
LA MALOUINE
(Note:
Ocean Escort also included HM Minesweepers HALCYON, BRITOMART,
SALAMANDER, HM Trawlers AYRSHIRE,
LORD AUSTIN, NORTHERN
GEM, LORD MIDDLETON, HM Auxiliary AA Ships POZARICA and
PALOMARES.)
July
1st Close
cover provided by HM Cruisers LONDON, NORFOLK, US cruisers USS
WITCHITA and USS TUSCALOOSA with
screen of US destroyers USS ROWAN
and USS
WAINWRIGHT.
(Note:
Distant Cover was provided by HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK, US
battleship
USS WASHINGTON, HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS,
HM Cruisers CUMBERLAND and NIGERIA with screen of ten Home
Fleet destroyers
and two US destroyers.
Home Fleet capital ships were
restricted by deployment to west of Bear Island
because of
threat of air attacks.
3rd PQ17
under observation from enemy aircraft but not sighted previously by submarines
due to fog.
4th Under
air attacks during which three ships were sunk with three aircraft destroyed.
Detached from PQ17 after convoy had
been ordered by Admiralty to scatter because
of perceived
threat from German battleship TIRPITZ, armoured ships ADMIRAL
SCHEER, LUTZOW and
cruiser ADMIRAL HIPPER.
Joined Close Cover screen until
ordered to return to Atlantic convoy defence
deployment
with Group.
(Note: For
details of the disastrous result of the Admiralty decision see THE CONVOY
IS TO SCATTER by J Broome (Commanding
Officer of this ship), ENGAGE
THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett,
CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by
RA Ruegg, CONVOY ! by P Kemp and THE RUSSIAN
CONVOYS by
D MacIntyre.)
Passage to Londonderry to resume Atlantic convoy escort.
29th Joined
military convoy WS21 in Clyde with HM Destroyers BICESTER and
SALISBURY as Local Escort during initial
passage in NW Approaches.
August
4th Detached
from WS21 with Local Escort.
(Note: This
was on passage to Middle East and NOT WS21S that had sailed
from Clyde
on 2nd August for passage to Malta (Operation PEDESTAL)
Passage to Gibraltar
11th Deployed
with HM Destroyers VENOMOUS, WOLVERINE and WRESTLER
to provide
cover for HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS during return passage to
Gibraltar after launch of replenishment aircraft for delivery
to Malta.
(Operation BELLOWS.)
12th Returned to Gibraltar on release from bellows.
16th Deployed
as part of screen for HMS FURIOUS and HM Cruiser CHARYBDIS
with HM
Destroyers LAFOREY, LOOKOUT, LIGHTNING, ANTELOPE,
WISHART, MALCOLM, BICESTER, ESKIMO,
SOMALI, VENOMOUS
and DERWENT
during Malta aircraft delivery (Operation BARITONE)
18th Returned to Gibraltar with HMS FURIOUS and screen.
Took passage to Londonderry to resume convoy defence with
Group.
29th Joined
military convoy WS22 with HM Destroyers BICESTER, BULLDOG
and ZETLAND
as Local Escort in Western Approaches.
September Nominated for service as part of
screen Home Fleet ships providing cover for
passage of
Russian Convoys.
(Note: For
details of all Russian Convoys see above references.)
1st Detached
from WS22 and returned to Clyde with Local Escort.
Passage to join Home Fleet ships
providing cover for Convoy PQ18 to Archangel,
return
Convoy QP14 and an operation to establish a fuelling base at Spitzbergen.
8th Arrived
at Akureri. Iceland for Home Fleet screening duties.
10th Deployed
with HM Destroyers BRAMHAM, MACKAY and MONTROSE as screen
for HM
Battleships ANSON, DUKE of YORK and HM Cruiser JAMAICA.
25th Resumed
convoy defence duties with Group
October Deployed with Group for
Atlantic convoy escort.
Nominated for refit and took passage
to Thames.
November Under refit at commercial shipyard
in London.
to December
1 9 4 3
January Under refit
to March Nominated
for service with 3rd Escort Group on completion.
Carried out harbour
trials.
(Note: By
completion this ship had been fully converted for use as a Short Range
Escort. The
work involved may have started in earlier refit periods.
Equipment fit on completion of
conversion included 2 x 4.7” as main
armament, 1
x 3”, 2 x 20mm Oerlikon for close range AA defence,
two rails,
and four throwers for depth charges, HEDGEHOG Mortar
and radar
Types 271 and 286M. HF D/F and MF D/F. No torpedoes.
April Passage to Greenock to join EGB3 as Leader/
Other ships in Group included:
HM Destroyer ESCAPADE and Polish
Destroyer ORP BURZA
HM Frigate TOWY
HM Corvettes ORCHIS, NARCISSUS,
LOBELIA, Free French ROSELYS,
Free French ACONIT
and Free French LOBELIA.
4th Arrived
at Greenock and took passage for work-up.
(Note: It
is assumed that in view of extensive time under refit the ship will
have gone to
Tobermory to work-up for operational service. To be confirmed.)
May On completion of work-up commenced
service at Green as Leader of FG B3.)
18th Joined
inward Convoy HX239 as escort with ships of Group.
19th Under
threat of attacks by MOSEL U-Boat Group and diverted
from planned track.
22nd Escort
reinforced by ships of 4th Support Group and aircraft from HM Escort
Aircraft Carrier ARCHER because of
threats of attacks by DONAU U-Boat Group.
23rd Sent
to assist aircraft from HMS ARCHER which had attacked U572 by rockets
and
inflicted sufficient damage to prevent it from submerging. U572 scuttled on
approach in
position 51.48N 29.32W. Only 13 of the crew survived
(Note: This
was the first sinking of a submarine by naval aircraft using rockets..
28th Detached from HX239 on arrival at Liverpool.
June Nominated with Group for escort of convoy to Freetown.
4th Joined
outward joint Convoy OS49 and KMS 116 as escort for passage in Atlantic.
with ORP
BURZA and six corvettes of Group.
9th Additional
cover against surface attack provided by HM Cruiser GAMBIA and
air cover by
HM Escort Aircraft Carrier ARCHER screened by HM Destroyers
TYRIAN and TUMULT.
8th Refuelled
from ss OLIGARCH.
13th Ships
of KMS16 detached and ship remained as escort to Freetown for OS49
with ORP
BURZA
19th Refuelled
at Dakar and returned to escort of OS49.
23rd Detached from OS49 on arrival at Freetown.
28th Sailed from Freetown as escort for inward Convoy SL132
to Liverpool.
Carried out
anti-submarine operations against detected target on departure.
July
6th Detached
from SL132 to carry out search for submarine reported by aircraft.
Rejoined escort without any contact.
9th Detached
from SL132 to refuel at Casablanca
as RFA Tanker FORTOL unable to
replenish
satisfactorily.
11th Rejoined
convoy and HM Destroyer HURRICANE with four corvettes of
Escort Group B1 joined to reinforce
escort.
Ships of inward Convoy MKS16 from Gibraltar to UK merged with SL132..
14th HM
Destroyer IROQUOIS (RCN) joined to supplement escort during passage
in Bay of Biscay.
15th HMS
IROQUOIS, HMS HURRICANE and four corvettes of B1 Group detached.
21st Detached from joint convoy on arrival at Liverpool.
August Resumed escort duties for convoys to and from Newfoundland
6th Joined
outward Convoy ONS16 with HMS TOWY, HMS NARCISSUS,
HMS ORCHIS, French
FS RENONCULE, ACONIT and LOBELIA.
of Group as
escort for Atlantic passage to Newfoundland.
18th Detached
from ONS15 on arrival and took passage to US Base at Argentia,
Newfoundland.
22nd Passage to St Johns to resume convoy escort.
24th Sailed
from St John with ships of Group except ACONIT which was to
refit in USA and took passage to join return Convoy HX253 as
escort
during Atlantic
passage to Clyde.
September
4th Detached
from HX253 on arrival at Liverpool without loss.
12th Deployed
with HM Destroyer ESCAPADE, HMS TOWY, HMS NARCISSUS,
HMS ORCHIS, Free French corvettes
ROSELYS, LOBELIA and RENONCULE
as escort
for outward Convoy ONS18 during Atlantic passage from Liverpool.
19th Under threat of attack by LEUTHEN Group of U-Boats.
(Note:
These were armed with acoustic (T5) torpedoes and fitted with search
radio
receiver for detection of radar signals. See HITLERS U-BOAT
WAR and SEEK AAND STRIKE.)
20th Under
attacks by LEUTHEN Group U-Boats and carried out anti-submarine
operations
(Note: HM
Frigate LAGAN was damaged beyond repair by T5 from U270 and
HM Corvette POLYANTHUS by T5 from
U952. Both ships of ON202
escort. HM Destroyer ST CROIX of 9th Canadian Escort Group is also
sunk by T5
from U305 in defence of LEUTHEN attacks..
21st Convoy
merged with outward ON202 which was escorted by 2nd Canadian
Escort Group.
Carried out attack on U286 with FS ROSELYS
and submarine had to withdraw.
22nd Intercepted
radio signals from U229 which was located and sunk by ramming
in position
54.36N 36.25W with no survivors. See U-BOATS DESTROYED.
(Note: HM
Frigate ITCHEN was sunk by T5 from U666 during this unrelenting
series of
attacks.)
See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp and
HITLER’S U –BOAT WAR
by C Blair
for details.)
26th Detached with escorts on arrival in Newfoundland.
October
4th Joined
escort for inward convoy HX259 with ships of Group.
(Note:
Senior Officer B3 Group transferred to HMS TOWY which suggests
ships
efficiency had been affected by damage due to ramming.)
13th Detached from HX259 with ships of Group on arrival at Liverpool without loss.
Passage to Thames for refit and taken in hand by London commercial shipyard.
November Under refit
to December Nominated
for service with 8th Escort Group based at Greenock on completion of refit.
1 9 4 4
January On completion of post refit
trials took passage to Tobermory to work-up.
February Joined Group for service in
defence of Russian convoys.
Other ships in Group included:
HM Destroyers BEAGLE, WESTCOTT, WHITEHALL,WRESTLER,
BOADICEA.
HM Frigate LOTUS
20th Joined
Close Escort for Russian Convoy JW57 with HM Destroyers BEAGLE,
BOADICEA and WALKER
HM Corvettes BLUEBELL, CAMELLIA,
LOTUS and RHODODENDRON
22nd HM
Cruiser BLACK PRINCE with Home Fleet destroyer screen and HM Escort
Aircraft Carrier CHASER escorted by
two Home Fleet destroyers and two frigates
joined
convoy as fighting escort.
23rd Under
threat by submarines of MOSEL and WEREWOLF Groups which were
attacked by
aircraft from HMS CHASER.
24th Carried out attacks on U-Boats which were repelled.
Sank U713 in position 69.27N 04.34E
without survivors.
For details see
above references for details.)
25th HM
Destroyer MAHRATTA sunk by U990./
(Note:
There were only two survivors from ship’s company.)
28th Detached from JW57 on arrival at Kola Inlet.
For details of all warships and mercantiles involved in Russian convoys see
CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by RA Ruegg, THE RUSSIAN
CONVOYS by
B Schoefield,
CONVOY ! by P Kemp and ARCTIC
CONVOYS by R Woodman..
March
2nd Part
of Close Escort for return Convoy RA57 from Kola Inlet to UK with same ships and
HM Minesweepers GLEANER and SEAGULL
which were returning from service
4th Under
U-Boats during which U472 was sunk by HMS ONSLAUGHT for loss of
ss
EMPIRE TOURIST.
(Note: 27
survivors were rescued.)
5th U366
was sunk by aircraft. See reference above.
6th U973
sunk by aircraft,
(Note: The
only two survivors were rescued by HMS BOADICEA.)
10th Detached from RA57 on arrival at Loch Ewe.
28th Deployed with 2nd Escort Group for defence of Russian Convoy
JW58.
(Note:
Other ships deployed were:
HM Sloops STARLING (SO), MAGPIE, WILD
GOOSE, WREN,
and WHIMBREL
of 1st Escort Group, commanded by the renowned
Captain FJ Walker, RN
HM Destroyers
BEAGLE, BOADICEA and WALKER of 8th Escort Group.
(Note: The
passage of JW58 was concurrent with Operation TUNGSTEN by
Home Fleet which was to carry out air
attacks by Fleet Air Arm on the German
battleship
TIRPITZ in Altenfjord, Norway.
29th Provide
support for transit of JW58 with cover against surface attack from
Home Fleet ships
carrying out TUNGSTEN.
U961 was sunk by HMS STARLING. See
reference.
(Note: Home
Fleet ships including HM Cruiser DIADEM, HM Escort Aircraft
Carriers ACTIVITY and TRACKER with
screen of 13 Home Fleet
destroyers
joined JW58.)
April
1st Under
attacks by submarines of THOR, BLITZ and HAMMER U-Boat Groups
U335 which had been damaged by air
attacks from HM Escort Aircraft Carrier
TRACKER
2nd Sank
U360 in defence of JW58 after sonar contact . There
were no survivors
See above references
4th Detached
from JW58 on arrival at Kola Inlet.
7th Joined
Close Escort for return Convoy RA58 with HM Destroyers BEAGLE,
BOADICEA,
INCONSTANT. VENUS, WALKER,
WESTCOTT, WHITEHALL,
and WRESTLER
(Note: Home
Fleet destroyers from JW58 escort provided additional Ocean Escort.
with HMS
DIADEM, HMS ACTIVITY and HMS TRACKER.
See references.)
9th Interception
attempt by U-Boats of DONNER and KEIL Groups using
acoustic
torpedoes failed. See HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair..
14th Detached from RA58 on arrival at Loch Ewe.
21st Deployed
with HM Destroyers WALKER, WESTCOTT, WHITEHALL and WRESTLER
of Group as
well as Home Fleet destroyers and took passage to Kola Inlet to provide
escort for
return of ships held in North
Russia and to embark Soviet
naval personnel
for manning
warships being provided on Lease Lend. See above references.)
23rd Arrived
at Kola Inlet for escort of convoy RA59
28th Joined
return convoy with HM Destroyer BEAGLE, INCONSTANT, WESTCOTT and
WRESTLER, HM Corvette LOTUS, Canadian
Frigates HMCS CAPE BRETON,
HMCS GROU, HMCS OUTREMONT and
WASKESIU in Kola Inlet as escort
during
passage to UK.
(Note:
Other groups including HMS DIADEM, HM Escort Aircraft Carrier s FENCER
and ACTIVITY
also sailed with Home Fleet destroyers.)
29th Under
attacks by DONNER and KIEL U-Boat Groups using
acoustic torpedoes.
(Attacks using acoustic torpedoes
concentrated on escorts. See HITLER’S U-BOAT
WAR.)
May
1st U277
sunk in attack by aircraft from HMS FENCER
2nd U674
and U959 sunk by aircraft from HMS FENCER. See U-BOATS DESTROYED.
7th Detached
from RA59 on arrival at Loch Ewe after experiencing atrocious weather and
took passage
to rejoin 8th Escort Group for Atlantic convoy defence.
Nominated for detaches service in
support of planned allied landings in Normandy
(Operation NEPTUNE.)
25th Passage to Portland to join ships of Eastern Task
Force.
Deployed for escort
of Convoy WP528 on passage from Milford Haven to Solent.
27th Carried out anti-submarine operations off Start Point in
defence of WP528. without
success.
29th Nominated
for service at Milford Haven with Escort Group 136 for escort of convoys
to Normandy.
Took passage to
Milford Haven.
June Deployed at Milford Haven and joined French
Corvette ROSELYS, HM Trawler
GRIMSBY TOWN and CAMBRIDGESHIRE to form EG136
3rd Provided
escort with Group and HM Trawlers GRASSHOLM and NEAVE for
Convoy EBC1 from Milford Haven to Solent.
(Note: EBC1
comprised 23 coasters and an Ammunition Supply Ship.)
4th NEPTUNE delayed by 24 hours.
5th Arrived
in Solent with EBC1.
6th Sailed
from Solent as escort for Convoy EWC1A and took passage through
swept
channel to Western Task Force Area.
7th Detached
from EWC1A on arrival and took passage to Milford Haven.
Deployed as escort
with Group for convoys to beachhead from Milford Haven.
24th NEPTUNE terminated and on release from service at Milford Haven took passage
to resume
service with 8th Escort Group in Western Approaches Command.
July Passage from Milford Haven to Clyde.
Taken in hand for
repair in Clyde shipyard.
On completion rejoined 8th Escort
Group at Greenock.
August Nominated for detached service with HMS WHITEHALL
and took passage to join
Home Fleet at Scapa Flow for escort for Russian Convoy.
15th Joined
HM Sloops KITE, MERMAID and PEACOCK with HMS WHITEHALL
to provide
anti-submarine defence ahead of Convoy JW59 during passage
from Loch
Ewe.
(Note: This
convoy included Soviet manned Ex RN warships being loaned to
USSR under Lend/Lease.)
17th Home
Fleet ships including HM Cruiser JAMAICA, HM Escort Aircraft Carriers
STRIKER and VINDEX with five
destroyers as screen joined JW59 escort.
20th Convoy under attacks by submarines of TRUTZ Group using
acoustic torpedoes.
21st HMS
KITE hit by torpedo from U344 and sank almost immediately with only nine
survivors.
22nd U344
sunk in attack by SWORDFISH aircraft from HMS VINDEX with no
survivors.
See reference.
24th Took
part in sinking of U354 with HMS LOCH DUNVEGAN, HMS PEACOCK
HMS MERMAID in
position 72.49N 30.41E north of Murmansk with no survivors.
(Note: This
submarine was searching for Home Fleet ships carrying out air
strikes on
TIRPITZ and had sunk HM Frigate BICKERTON and damaged
HM Escort Aircraft Carrier NABOB when
sighted by aircraft from HMS
NABOB. For
details see references.)
Detached on arrival
of convoy in Kola Inlet.
28th Sailed
from Kola Inlet as escort for return Convoy RA59A with same ships during
passage to
Loch Ewe
(Note:
During period at Kola Inlet RN ships companies took part in a Regatta and
were
entertained by a Soviet Navy concert party.
September
2nd Detached
from escort of RA59A to carry out anti-submarine operations against
U394 with HMS WHITEHALL, HMS MERMAID
and HMS PEACOCK after
submarine
had been sighted by aircraft from carriers and dive position marked.
Took part in sinking of U394 west of Lofoten Islands in position 69.47N 04.41E.
For details see references.
4th Detached
from RA59A with Home Fleet ships before arrival in Loch Ewe.
Remained on detached
service with Home Fleet for escort of planned Russian convoys.
15th Deployed
with HM Sloop CYGNET, HM Destroyers BULLDOG and KEPPEL,
HM Corvettes ALLINGTON CASTLE and BAMBOROUGH CASTLE as Close
Escort for Russian Convoy JW60 during
passage from LOCH Ewe to Kola Inlet.
17th Home
Fleet ships including HM Battleship RODNEY, HM Cruiser DIADEM, HM
Escort Aircraft Carriers CAMPANIA and
STRIKER joined escort with screen of
12
destroyers
23rd Detached from JW60 with escort on arrival unscathed at Kola
Inlet.
(Note:
GRIMM U-Boat Group failed to make contact with JW60)
28th Sailed
with same escorts to join RA60 as part of Close Escort during passage from
Kola Inlet to Loch Ewe.
29th Convoy under attack by U310 which sank one mercantile.
October
3rd Home
Fleet ships detached.
5th Detached
from RA60 with Close Escort on arrival at Loch Ewe
Resumed service for Atlantic convoy
defence and joined 20th Escort Group.
(Note:
Other ships in Group included HM Destroyers BEAGLE, BULLDOG,
WESTCOTT, HM Sloops
CYGNET, LAPWING and LARK.)
November Atlantic convoy defence with Group
in continuation.
December Deployed with Home Fleet for
Russian Convoy escort.
1st Joined
escort for Russian Convoy JW62 with HMS BEAGLE, BULLDOG and
WESTCOTT with ten Home Fleet as
screen for HM Cruiser BELLONA, HM Escort
Aircraft Carriers
CAMPANIA and NAIRANA during passage from Loch Ewe.
(Note:
Other ships had joined JW62 as escort on departure from Loch Ewe.)
Despite the removal of any threat by
TIRPITZ a strong escort was provided
because of
the known reinforcement of German air strength and the
continued
extensive U-Boat deployments off Norway.)
5th Attacks
by submarines of STOCK Group failed.
7th Detached
from JW62 with escort on arrival at Kola Inlet without loss.
10th Sailed
from Kola Inlet with other ships of escort from JW62 supported by four
Soviet destroyers to carry out anti
-submarine operations against known assembly
of U-Boats
awaiting departure of return convoy RA62.
(Note:
During the offensive sweep U387 was sunk by HMS BAMBOROUGH
CASTLE although also claimed by
Soviet destroyer. See U-BOATS
DESTROYED.)
On completion of offensive operations
joined RA62 as escort for return passage
to Loch
Ewe.
11th Convoy
under submarine attacks during which HM Destroyer CASSANDRA was
hit by a
torpedo from U365 and badly damaged. See references.
12th Convoy
under unsuccessful torpedo attacks by aircraft.
13th U365
sunk by aircraft from HMS VINDEX.
(Note:
Norwegian corvette TUNSBERG CASTLE one of the escort sank after
detonating a
mine in a separate incident.)
19th Detached
from RA62 with escort
30th Deployed
with HMS WALKER, HMS WESTCOTT, HMS CYGNET, HMS LARK,
HMS LAPWING, HM Corvettes ALLINGTON,
CASTLE, ALNWICK CASTLE
and HMS BAMBOROUGH
CASTLE as escort for Russian Convoy JW63 during
passage to
Kola Inlet from Loch Ewe.
1 9 4 5
January
1st Home
Fleet ships including HMS DIADEM and HMS VINDEX with screen of nine
destroyers
joined convoy as additional escort.
8th Detached
from JW62 on arrival at Kola Inlet without detection.
11th Sailed from Kola Inlet as escort for return Convoy RA63 with
same warships.
21st Remained
with convoy after arrival at Loch Ewe having had a stormy passage
forcing it
to shelter in Faeroes.
22nd Deployed
with HMS WALKER and HMS WESTCOTT as escort for ships of
RA63 destined for Clyde.
23rd Detached
from convoy on arrival in Clyde and took passage to commercial shipyard
for repairs.
February Under repair in Glasgow.
to March Nominated
for service in Greenock Local Escort Force on completion.
April On completion of harbour and sea trials in Clyde
carried out work-up for
operational
service at Tobermory.
May
15th Joined
Greenock Local Escort Force
Deployed at Greenock
(Note: Operation
DEADLIGHT the assembly of U-Boats which had surrendered
at sea or in
Norwegian ports was in progress and participation may be
reasonably
assumed. Western Approaches escorts were deployed for the
escort of
submarines to Lisahally and Stranraer
prior to destruction or
transfer to
allied navies.)
June Greenock deployment in continuation.
Nominated for reduction to Reserve
status and took passage to Barrow.
24th Paid-off
and de-stored prior to reduction procedures.