H .  M .  S .   N A P I E R   ( G 9 7 )

 

“N” Class destroyer ordered from Fairfield at Govan on 15th April 1939 with another of the same Class and laid down on 26th July that year. The ship was launched on 22nd May 1940 as the 2nd RN ship to carry the name, that of Admiral Sir Charles Napier who commanded the British Fleet at the capture of the island of Bomarsund in the Baltic during the Crimean War. This name had been introduced in 1915 for a destroyer sold in 1921. She was commissioned for service in the Royal Australian Navy on 28th November 1940 and build was completed on 11th December 1940. In May 1942 the ship was adopted by the civil community of Dumbartonshire, Scotland after a successful “WARSHIP WEEK”  National Savings campaign.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

CRETE 1941 - LIBYA 1941 - BURMA 1944-45 - OKINAWA 1945

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

 

Badge: On a Field White a fess wavy Blue. a saltire engrailed

Red surmounted by a crescent White, within the horns

a rose Red.

 

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

 

1 9 4 0

 

November            Contractors trials.

        28th               Commissioned as HMAS NAPIER for service in the 7th Destroyer Flotilla.

December

        11th               Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials based at Greenock..

        20th               On completion took passage to Scapa Flow to commence work-up for

                              operational service.

                              Carried out Full Power Trial on passage.

 

                                                                                          1 9 4 1

 

January                 Deployed at Scapa Flow for work-up

          4th               Escorted two Armed Merchant Cruiser to Iceland with HM Destroyers KELLY

                              and Polish ORP PIORUN.

         11th              Resumed work-up at Scapa Flow on return from Iceland.

         15th              Embarked Prime Minister, US Diplomat Harry Hopkins, Lord and Lady Halifax

                              at Thurso for passage to join HM Battleship KING GEORGE V at Scapa Flow.

                              (Note : Lord Halifax, British Ambassador designate to USA was being taken

                                         to Indianapolis by HMS KING GEORGE V to take up his appointment.

                                         Winston Churchill and Harry Hopkins were accompanying him but were

                                         not taking passage.)

 

February               Deployed at Scapa Flow with 7th Destroyer Flotilla on completion of Work-up

                              at Scapa Flow with ships of Home Fleet.

          2nd              Deployed as escort for HMS KING GEORGE V during return passage in NW

                              Approaches.

          6th               Arrived at Scapa Flow with HMS KING GEORGE V.

         20th              Deployed as part of escort for HM Battleship QUEEN ELIZABETH and HM

                              Cruiser DIDO during passage from Rosyth to Scapa Flow.

 

March                    Nominated for service in Mediterranean.

          4th               Taken in hand by Builder at Govan for repair of defects arising since ship

                              commissioned.

        20th               On completion took passage to join military convoy at Greenock.

        21st               Sailed from Greenock as part of escort for convoy during passage to Gibraltar.

        29th               Detached from convoy on arrival at Gibraltar

        31st               Sailed from Gibraltar as escort for ss HIGHLAND MONARCH during passage

                              to Capetown.

 

April

        17th               Arrived at Simonstown

                               Took passage from Simonstown to join Fleet at Alexandria.

 

May                        Passage in Red Sea.

         4th                 Arrived at Alexandria for Mediterranean Fleet service.

         6th                  Took part in Mediterranean Fleet operations in Eastern Mediterranean including

                                defence of military convoy during passage from Malta (Operation TIGER)

                                (Note : This ship was not part of screen for major warships providing cover for

                                           convoy MW7 from Alexandria to Malta and the passage of the TIGER

                                           convoy and it is assumed that she was part of TIGER convoy escort

                                           from 9th May.

        10th                 Under air attacks but unscathed.

        12th                 Arrived at Alexandria with TIGER convoy.

        20th                 Part of screen for HM Battleships BARHAM and QUEEN ELIZABETH, HM Aircraft

                                Carrier FORMIDABLE for bombardment of Scarpanto and air attacks on airfield at

                                Pogadia Bay with HM Destroyers JERVIS, NIZAM, JERVIS and other Fleet

                                destroyers.

        25th                 Deployed for transport of stores and ammunition to Crete garrison.

        28th                 Sailed from Alexandria as part of Force “C” for evacuation of allied troops at

                                Sphakia with HMAS NIZAM., HM Destroyers KELVIN and KANDAHAR.

        29th                 Returned to Alexandria with 244 troops from Sphakia.

        30th                 Took passage from Alexandria to resume evacuation duties at Sphakia with ships

                                of Force “C”

                                (Note : During passage HMS KANDAHAR returned to  Alexandria with machinery

                                           defects and HMS KELVIN was damaged during air attack and also had to

                                           return to harbour.

        31st                 Embarked troops at Sphakia with HMS NIZAM and sustained slight damage when

                                near missed during air attacks..

 

June

          1st                 Returned to Alexandria with 709 men. Ship withdrawn from service for repairs.

        12th                 Taken in hand by HM Depot Ship WOOLWICH

        27th                 Further repair required and ship remained non-operational.

 

July

          9th                 Passage in tow to Port Said for repair to propulsion machinery.

 

August                     Under repair at Port Said.

                                On completion transferred to support of Tobruk garrison

        18th                 Deployed with HM Australian Cruiser HOBART and HMAS NIZAM for Tobruk support.

                                (Note : Troops were embarked in warships for passage.)

        26th                 Deployed for support of garrison at Tobruk. Embarked troops and stores for Tobruk

                                garrison

 

September

         11th                Deployed for support of Tobruk garrison

         15th                Deployed for further Tobruk trip.

         18th                Deployed for further Tobruk trip.

         24th                Deployed for further Tobruk trip,

                                (Note : HM Cruisers LATONA and ABDIEL as well as HM Australian Cruiser HOBART

                                           and HMAS NIZAM. carried 6,500 ANZAC troops which were replaced by British

                                           and Polish units.)

         25th                Part of screen for Fleet units during diversionary cruise in eastern Mediterranean.

                                (Operation MD6).

         27th                Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units.

                                (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett, Naval Staff History and

                                        THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY IN WW2.)

                                (Note : Ship was Fitted with 20mm Oerlikon weapons to improve close range AA defence.)

 

October

          19th               Final Tobruk support trip.

                                On release from Tobruk garrison support deployed for transport of British 50th

                                Division troops from Cyprus.

 

November               Transport duties in continuation.

           2nd               Deployed for transport of 5th Indian Division troops from Haifa to reinforce garrison in Cyprus.

           8th                On release from transport of troops deployed at Alexandria for Fleet screening and

                                interception of enemy supply convoys.

        24th                 Part of screen for HM Battleships QUEEN ELIZABETH, BARHAM and VALIANT with

                                HM Destroyers NIZAM (RAN), JACKAL, KIPLING, JERVIS and HOTSPUR to provide

                                cover for cruisers carrying out search for enemy supply convoys.

                                Took part in rescue of crew of ss GLENROY torpedoed near Alexandria.

                                (Note : This ship was being used as a Store Carrier and was later converted for

                                            use as a Landing Ship.)

        25th                 Took part in rescue of survivors from HMS BARHAM after she had been sunk by

                                U331 off Sollum. See Naval Staff History.

 

December                Under repair at Alexandria.

                                (Note : Did not take part in Operation MF1 to escort HM Supply Ship BRECONSHIRE

                                            during passage to Malta.)

                                Nominated for transfer to the Eastern Fleet for service in the Indian Ocean.

                                (Note : This followed the request of the Australian Government that their armed

                                            forces be made available for the defence of Australia following the fall of

                                            Malaya and Singapore.

        31st                 Carried out bombardment of Bardia with HMAS NIZAM.

                                (Note : 7th Destroyer Flotilla then also included HM Destroyers JACKAL, KIPLING,

                                           NESTOR and NIZAM.)

 

                                                                                       1 9 4 2

 

January

         3rd                  Took passage from Alexandria with HMAS NESTOR and HMAS NIZAM to join

                                Eastern Fleet.

                                Deployed in Red Sea.

        23rd                 Escorted HM Aircraft Carrier INDOMITABLE with HMAS NESTOR and HMAS NIZAM

                                during passage from Port Sudan to Indian Ocean (Operation OPPONENT).

                                (Note: HMS INDOMITABLE was carrying HURRICANE aircraft for delivery to

                                          Singapore. See WAR WITH JAPAN Volume II (HMSO).)

        27th                 Aircraft launched near Cocos islands after call at Addu Atoll and passage as

                                part of escort.

        28th                 Further launch of aircraft. See WAR WITH JAPAN for details.)

 

February                  Escort for HMS INDOMITABLE in continuation in Indian Ocean.

          2nd                Joined Eastern Fleet.

        24th                 Arrived at Port Sudan as escort for HMS INDOMITABLE for further aircraft delivery

                                to Singapore.

                                Passage from Port Sudan as escort for HMS INDOMITABLE with same ships.

 

March

          3rd                 Delivery operation cancelled and HMS INDOMITABLE diverted to Colombo.

          5th                 Arrived at Colombo and deployed for Fleet duties based at Colombo.

        28th                 Sailed as part of screen  for Force A from Colombo Force A to intercept Japanese

                                force reported on passage in Indian Ocean to carry out air attacks on Ceylon.

                                (Note :Force “A” also included HM Battleship WARSPITE, HM Aircraft INDOMITABLE

                                           and FORMIDABLE, HM Cruisers ENTERPRISE, EMERALD, DORSETSHIRE

                                           and CORNWALL screened by HM Destroyers FOXHOUND, NESTOR (RAN)

                                           PALADIN and HOTSPUR.

 

April                          Indian Ocean search deployment in continuation. covered by Force “B” ships.

                                 (Note : This comprised HM Aircraft Carrier HERMES and older battleships with

                                            destroyer screen.)

          3rd                  HMS CORNWALL and HMS DORSETSHIRE detached from Force “A”.

          4th                  Search unsuccessful and took passage with Force “A” to refuel at Add Atoll.

                                 At Addu Atoll with Force “A” (Port “T”). (See WAR WITH JAPAN Volume II)

                                 (Note : HMS CORNWALL and HMS DORSETSHIRE were sunk in air attacks on

                                            5th April)

          5th                  Colombo was attacked from Japanese carriers on 5th April.)

          8th                  Returned to Addu Atoll after failing to intercept returning Japanese force.

          9th                  Deployed with screen Force  “A” and took passage to Bombay

         12th                 Detached from screen with HMAS NIZAM during deployment in Arabian Sea to

                                 deter Japanese attacks on shipping between Aden and ports in India.

         13th                 Under routine docking at Bombay and for installation of additional 20mm Oerlikon

                                 guns to improve close range AA defence.

 

May                          On completion too passage to rejoin Eastern Fleet for convoy defence in Indian

                                 Ocean

                                 (Note : CinC Eastern Fleet decided that Bombay was too vulnerable to future

                                             attacks and that Fleet should be based in East Africa instead.)

                                 Nominated for transfer to Mediterranean for support of planned Malta relief

                                 operation

          27th                Took passage to Mediterranean for detached service with HM Cruiser

                                 NEWCASTLE, HM Destroyers NESTOR, INCONSTANT, PALADIN, HOTSPUR and

                                 GRIFFIN.

  

June                         Resumed Mediterranean Fleet service.

          13th                Sailed from Alexandria with Mediterranean Fleet and deployed with HM Destroyers

                                 HASTY, HERO, INCONSTANT, JAVELIN, JERVIS, KELVIN, NESTOR, NIZAM, NORMAN,

                                 PAKENHAM, PALADIN, SIKH and ZULU as screen for H M Cruisers ARETHUSA,

                                 BIRMINGHAM CLEOPATRA, DIDO, EURYALUS, HERMIONE and NEWCASTLE to

                                 provide escort for Malta Convoy MW11 during passage in eastern Mediterranean.

                                 (Operation VIGOROUS).

                                 (Note : This operation was co-incident with a similar relief convoy from Gibraltar

                                             which came under heavy submarine and surface warship attacks although

                                             two mercantiles arrived in Malta (Operation HARPOON).

                                             HM Battleship CENTURION, disarmed before outbreak of WW2 was also

                                             deployed with MW11 and disguised to resemble a KGV Class battleship.

                                             Twelve other destroyers were also deployed as Close escorts for MW11

                                             for period, prior to arrival of Mediterranean Fleet units.)

                                             For details see THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D Macintyre,

                                             ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett, HITLERS U-BOAT

                                             WAR by C Blair and the Naval Staff History.)

          14th                Joined MW11 with Fleet units. Under heavy and sustained air attacks.

                                 Submarine attack by U77 driven off by HMS PACKENHAM.

                                 Convoy under threat of attack by Italian fleet units.

         15th                 Convoy ordered by CinC ashore in Alexandria to reverse course.

                                 Under night attack by German E-Boats during which HMS HASTY was torpedoed

                                 and had to be sunk by HMS HOTSPUR.

                                 HMS NEWCASTLE was also hit by a torpedo and withdrawn from escort to return

                                 to Alexandria.

                                 Air attacks resumed after daylight but convoy ordered to resume westward

                                 passage although this was later rescinded.

                                 During the air attacks HMS ARETHUSA, HMS BIRMINGHAM and HMS CENTURION

                                 were all damaged. HMS AIREDALE and HMS NESTOR had to be sunk.

                                 Owing to the heavy expenditure of AA ammunition by escorts which would have

                                 left insufficient stocks to ensure safe passage to Malta the operation was

                                 abandoned.

         16th                 Returned to Alexandria with Fleet units.

                                 On release from detached service at Alexandria took passage to resume Eastern

                                 Fleet duties in Indian Ocean.

 

July                          Deployed for convoy defence in Indian Ocean.

                                 Nominated for duty with Eastern Fleet units for deception operation

                                 Detached from convoy escort and took passage to join ships of Eastern Fleet during

                                 their passage to Colombo from Kilindini.

         23rd                 Joined HM Destroyers NORMAN, INCONSTANT and Dutch destroyer VAN GALEN for

                                 screening of HM Battleship WARSPITE, HM Aircraft Carriers ILLUSTRIOUS and

                                 FORMIDABLE, HM Cruisers MAURITIUS and BIRMINGHAM during passage in Indian

                                 Ocean as Force “A” to simulate a possible attack on Andaman Islands.

                                 (Operation STAB)..

         28th                 At Colombo with Force “A” units including Dutch cruiser HEEMSKERK and prepared

                                 for STAB.

         30th                 Sailed from Colombo with Force “A”.

 

August

           1st                 Deception convoys sailed for STAB.

                                 Force “A” sighted by Japanese aircraft and information broadcast by enemy.

           2nd                Enemy flying boat shot down by MARTLET aircraft from HMS FORMIDABLE.

                                 Operation terminated as Eastern Fleet ships required for planned operation in

                                 Madagascar. Returned to Trincomalee with Eastern Fleet units

                                 (For details of Operation STAB See WAR WITH JAPAN, Volume III (HMSO).

 

September                Prepared for operations to complete occupation of Madagascar/

                                 Took passage to Kilindini with HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS BIRMINGHAM and

                                 Dutch cruiser HEEMSKERK to join Force “M” for Madagascar operations.

           8th                 Met troopship EMPIRE PRIDE and embarked troop of N0 5 Commando.

         10th                 Deployed with Dutch cruiser HEEMSKERK, Dutch destroyers VAN GALEN,

                                 TJERK HIDDES (Both sister ships) to land Commando unit at Morondava on

                                 west coast of Madagascar (Operation TAMPER).

                                 (Note : This attack on a radio station and airfield was a diversion for the main

                                             landings at Majunga (Operation STREAM)

         14th                 Took part of landings at Tamatave on east coast of Madagascar with ships of

                                 Force “M” (Operation JANE).

         29th                 Deployed with HMS INCONSTANT and Dutch VAN GALEN to cover landings of

                                 South African troops and Royal Marines from HMS BIRMINGHAM at Tulear on

                                 SE coast of Madagascar (Operation ROSE).

 

October                    Resumed convoy defence duties on release from ROSE based at Killindini.

 

November                Convoy defence in Indian Ocean in continuation.

         28th                 Sustained damage after grounding at Kilindini.

 

December

           8th                 Taken in hand for repair and refit at Durban.

                                 (Note : 7th Destroyer Flotilla the also included HM Destroyers NEPAL, NIZAM,

                                             NORMAN, Dutch destroyers VAN GALEN and TJERK HIDDES)

 

                                                                                       1 9 4 3

 

January                    Under refit

to February

 

March                       On completion of post refit trials resumed convoy defence duties.

         29th                 Joined military Convoy WS27 with HM Cruiser FROBISHER, HM Destroyers

                                 CATTERICK, FOXHOUND and ROTHERHAM at Durban as escort during passage

                                 in Indian Ocean to Aden.

 

April

           1st                 Detached from WS27 with destroyers for escort during passage.

         18th                 Joined military Convoy WS28 at Durban with HM Destroyer RAIDER as part of

                                 escort during initial part of passage to Aden.

                                 (Note : HM Cruiser KENYA, HM Destroyers REDOUBT and RELENTLESS already

                                            the escort from Cape remained with convoy on departure from Durban..

          20th                Detached from WS28 with destroyers during passage in Indian Ocean.

 

May                          Passage to Simonstown for support of anti-submarine operations

                                 (Note  A significant increase in U-Boat activity had required reinforcement of

                                           escorts for convoy defence and A/S patrols in area around Cape of Good

                                           Hope. See HITLERS U-BOAT WAR by C Blair and U-BOAT WAR IN THE

                                           ATLANTIC (HMSO))

 

June                         Resumed convoy defence duties based at Durban

to September            (Note : Use of Fleet destroyers for trade defence including convoy escort and

                                             patrol for interception of commerce raiders and blockade runners made

                                             their deployment for screening of Eastern Fleet major units an

                                             unacceptable option. Both German and Italian submarines were carrying

                                             out attacks on shipping and several blockade runners were attempting

                                             passage to and from the Far East. Ship was retained at Kilindini for

                                             these duties.)

 

October                    Deployed for convoy escort between Aden and Bombay.

to December             (Note : Significant military reinforcements and additional supplied were being

                                             sent to SEAC in this period and required effective defence.)

 

 1 9 4 4

 

January                    Convoy escort in continuation

                                 Nominated for Fleet screening duties.

 

February                  Convoy duties when not deployed to take part in preparatory exercises in

                                 anticipation of planned Fleet operations.

 

March

         21st                 Joined HM Destroyers  QUIBERON QUILLIAM, QUALITY, QUEENBOROUGH,

                                 PATHFINDER, NEPAL, NORMAN, Dutch destroyers VAN GALEN and TJERK

                                 HIDDES as screen for HM Battleships QUEEN ELIZABETH and VALIANT,

                                 HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE, HM Cruisers LONDON,

                                 GAMBIA (RNZN), CEYLON and CUMBERLAND on departure of Fleet from Trincomalee

                                 to meet US aircraft Carrier USS SARATOGA on passage for loan service with British

                                 Eastern Fleet. Commodore (Destroyers) Eastern Fleet was embarked.

       24th                   Refuelled with Fleet units.

       27th                   Met USS SARATOGA and screening USN destroyers CUMMINGS, DUNLAP and FANNING

.                                in position 13.10S  85.05E and took joint passage to Ceylon.

 

April

         2nd          Returned to Ceylon with Fleet and USN ships.

       16th           Joined HM Destroyers ROTHERHAM, RACEHORSE, PENN, PETARD, QUIBERON, NEPAL and

                         NAPIER as screen for HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, HMS VALIANT, French battleship RICHELIEU,

                         HM Cruisers NEWCASTLE, NIGERIA  and CEYLON on departure from Trincomalee as Force 69

                         to provide cover for air operations against targets at Sabang, Sumatra by HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and

                         USS SARATOGA designated Force 70  (Operation COCKPIT).

                         (Note : Force 70 also included HMS RENOWN and HM Cruiser LONDON with HMS QUILLIAM,

                                     HMS QUADRANT, HMS QUEENBOROUGH, USS CUMMINGS, USS DUNLAP and

                                     USS FANNING as screen.).

       18th           HMS GAMBIA and HMS CEYLON joined Force 70.

       19th           Deployed with screen during air operations.

                         On completion took passage with Fleet screen for return to Ceylon.

       23rd           Deployed at Ceylon with Eastern Fleet.

 

May

         6th            Joined HM Destroyers ROTHERHAM, RACEHORSE, PENN, NEPAL, QUIBERON, QUICKMATCH

                         and Dutch destroyer VAN GALEN as screen for HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, HMS VALIANT, the

                         French battleship RICHELIEU, HMS NIGERIA, HMS NEWCASTLE and Dutch cruiser TROMP

                         on departure from Trincomalee as Force 65 to provide cover during air attacks on Soerabaya by HMS

                         ILLUSTRIOUS and USS SARATOGA, designated Force 66. (Operation TRANSOM)

                         (Note :Force 66 also included HMS RENOWN, HMS CEYLON, HMS GAMBIA and HM Destroyers

                                    QUILLIAM, QUADRANT, QUEENBOROUGH, USS CUMMINGS, USS DUNLAP and

                                    USS FANNING as screen.

                                     Commodore (Destroyers), Eastern Fleet was embarked for this Operation.)

       15th           Replenished with Fleet units in Exmouth Bay, Northern Australia.

       17th           Deployed with screen for Forces 65 and 66 during air operations.

                         On completion took passage to Ceylon with combined Forces.

       18th           US Navy ships on loan service detached for return passage to Pacific.

       27th           Arrived in Ceylon with Eastern Fleet units.

 

June                  Deployed for convoy defence in Indian Ocean.

to July               (Note : Operation CRIMSON an attack on Sabang by Eastern Fleet took place in July but ship is not

                                      recorded with screens for major ships of the Eastern Fleet. See THE FORGOTTEN FLEET

                                      by J Winton and WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO) for details.

                                     The build-up of the 14th Army and other requirements for the invasion of Burma and Malaya

                                     involved an increase in convoys in the Indian Ocean where the shortage of escorts was critical.)

 

August              Passage from Addu Atoll to Williamstown Dockyard, Melbourne for refit

 

September         Under refit

 

October

       15th            On completion of Post refit trials took passage to resume Eastern Fleet duties.

 

November         Eastern Fleet deployment as convoy escort in continuation.

         8th           Rescued survivors from ss MARION MOLLER adrift in two lifeboats off east coast of India.

                          (Note : This merchant ship of 3,827 grt had been torpedoed and sunk on 5th November.)

     22nd             British Pacific Fleet formed in Colombo from units of Eastern Fleet and new arrivals from

                          (Note : The RAN destroyers were allocated to the British Pacific Fleet was formed but were retained

                                       in the Eastern Fleet for support of planned operations.

 

December          Nominated for service in Force 64 for support of military operations in Burma.

        6th             Passage to Chittagong for support of military operations on Arakan coast  with HMAS NEPAL.

      13th             Deployed with HM Australian Destroyer NEPAL and HM Harbour Defence Motor Launches 1275

                          and 1303 as a Bombardment Group based at Chittagong.

      24th             Bombardment duties in support of military operations in Mayu peninsula completed .

                          (Operation ROMULUS)

                          (Note : A total of 13 Bombardments was carried out by the Group. See Naval Staff History.))

                                       7th Destroyer Flotilla also included HM Destroyers NEPAL, NIZAM and NORMAN (all RAN).

 

1 9 4 5

 

January             Force 64 deployment in continuation. for support of landings at Akyab (Operation LIGHTNING).

        3rd             Embarked 3rd Commando Brigade units at Teknaf with HMAS NEPAL and HM Sloop

                                    SHOREHAM.

                          Took passage with landing craft as Convoy “C” to landing position without gunfire support needed.

        8th             Nominated for support of assault landing at Myebon by 3rd Commando Brigade (Operation PUNGENT)

       12th            Deployed with HM Indian Sloops NARBADA and JUMNA with landing craft for support duties.

                          (Note : Senior officer for Support was embarked.

                                      HM Cruiser PHOEBE provided aircraft control for air strikes.)

                          During air attacks one OSCAR aircraft was shot down by ship.

       21st             Took part in bombardment of Ramree Island prior to landings (Operation MATADOR)

                           (Note : Joint Force Commander had been embarked and ship was nominated as “Stand

-                                      By” HQ ship for use if needed. See THE FORGOTTEN FLEET by J Winton and

                                       WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO) ).

                                        Other ships in Force were HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, HM Cruiser PHOEBE, HM

                                        Destroyer  RAPID, HM Sloops FLAMINGO and KISTNA (RIN).)

       22nd            Escorted HM Battleship QUEEN ELIZABETH from Ramree to Trincomalee.

       24th             Detached from escort on arrival and took passage to Colombo for routine docking.

 

February

       22nd            Released from Eastern Fleet duties and nominated for service with BPF..

       23rd             Took passage as escort for HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE with HM Destroyer

                           URCHIN to Sydney with call at Fremantle.

 

March

         3rd             At Fremantle.

         7th             Sustained weather damage during passage to Sydney in Bass Strait and lost two

                           men overboard.

        14th            Under repair to weather damage at Williamstown Dockyard, Melbourne.

        29th            Resumed operational service on completion of repair.

 

April                    Nominated for duty in Fleet Train Task Force 112.

         1st             Took passage from Sydney to join Fleet Train at Manus.

                           On arrival deployed for escort of Fleet Train during passage to Leyte for support of

                           Task Force 57.

                           (Note : British warships allocated for service with US 5th Fleet were designated Task

                                       Force 57 and had begun operations in Sakishima Gunto Group on 17th March.

                                       (Operation ICEBERG I)

       18th             Deployed as part of escort for Refuelling Group in Area MOSQUITO ONE during

                           replenishment of TF57 ships.

       19th             Detached from TG113 with HM Destroyers NORMAN and NEPAL for escort of ships of

                           TF57. See THE FORGOTTEN FLEET.

       21st             Passage to Leyte as escort with TF57.

       23rd             Resumed TF113 service on arrival at Leyte.

 

May

        1st               Sailed with Fleet Train for support of British ships in Task Force 57 during renewed

                            joint attacks with US Navy Task Group on Sakishama Gunto islands.

                            (Operation ICEBERG II).

                            (For details of make-up of Fleet Train see THE FORGOTTEN FLEET by J Winton,)

        3rd               Deployed with HMAS NEPAL, HMAS NORMAN, HMAS NIZAM, HM Sloops CRANE,

                            WHIMBREL, PHEASANT, WOODCOCK, HM Frigates AVON, PARRET, FINDHORN,

                            HM Australian Corvettes WHYALLA, BALLARAT and BENDIGO as screen for HM Escort

                            Carriers RULER, STRIKER, CHASER and SPEAKER during Replenishment of Task

                            Force 57.

        9th               Detached from Fleet Train escort duty with HMAS NEPAL and joined HM Destroyers

                            TROUBRIDGE, TENACIOUS and TERMAGANT to relieve  destroyers deployed as

                            screen for aircraft carriers of Task Force 57 during air operations against Sakishima

                            Gunto. For details see THE FORGOTTEN FLEET, WAR WITH JAPAN, TASK FORCE 57,

                            by P Smith and the Naval Staff History.)

      15th               Detached as escort for HM Escort Aircraft Carrier STRIKER during passage to Leyte

                            after aircraft delivery to TF57 aircraft carriers during replenishment period

      20th               Deployed with TF113 as escort.

      22nd              Deployed with Fleet Train escort in Area COOTIE during Replenishment of Task

                            Force 57

      25th               Took return passage with Fleet Train to Australia when ICEBERG II operations ceased.

 

June                    Deployed in Australia during R&R period for Task Force 57 Ships.

                            (Note : British Pacific Fleet transferred to US Third Fleet and redesignated Task

                                        Force 37.

     28th                Fleet Train escort duties resumed for support of operations off Japanese mainland

                            during joint attacks operations by British and American Task Groups.

                            (Note : British ships had been transferred to US 3rd Fleet and redesignated TF37).

 

July                     Passage to operational area with call at Manus, the forward base for BPF.

     20th                Deployed with HMAS NIZAM, HM Sloops PHEASANT, WHIMBREL, REDPOLE, HM

                            Frigate FINDHORN and HMAS GAWLER as escort for Fleet Train tankers AMBROSIO

                            WAVE MONARCH, SAN ADOLPHO, HM Supply Ship GLEN ARTNEY, HM Escort

                            Carriers RULER, ARBITER and STRIKER during replenishment of BPF ships during

                            attacks on Japan.

     26th                Deployed with HMAS NIZAM, HMAS NEPAL, HM Ships PHEASANT, CRANE, REDPOLE,

                            PARRET, PLY, HM Australia Corvettes WHYALLA, PIRIE and LAUNCESTON as escort

                            for tankers and supply ships of Fleet Train during operations off Japan.

                            Transferred to Task Force 37 for escort of major units.

                            (Note :Ship is not recorded as part of Fleet Train escort during replenishment of BPF.)

     15th                Deployed as escort for TF38.5 ships during final air strikes on air fields in Tokyo

                            plain.

                            (Note : Operations ceased on instructions from Admiral Nimitz after the strikes

                                        which were launched at 0400)

     17th                Joined US 3rd Fleet ships with TF38.5 escort.

     30th                Passage to Tokyo Bay with HM Destroyer QUALITY, HMAS NIZAM and Hospital

                            Ship TJITJALENGLA as escort for HMS KING GEORGE V.

     31st                HM Australian Cruisers HOBART and SHROPSHIRE, HM Australian Destroyers

                            BATAAN and WARRAMUNGA, HM Australian Minesweepers IPSWICH, BALLARAT

                            and CESSNOCK joined Token Force.

                            (Note: 7th Destroyer Flotilla comprised HMAS NAPIER, HMAS NEPAL, HMAS

                                       NIZAM and HMAS NORMAN).

 

August                Deployed with screen of BPF.

       7th                Fuel shortage reported due to lack of correct fuel in tankers.

      12th               Transferred to British Token Force in US Navy Task Force 38 and designated Task Group

                             38.5)

                             (Note :The other BPF ships deployed off Japan retained in Task Group 38.5 were

                                        HM Battleship KING GEORGE V, HM Aircraft Carrier INDEFATIGABLE,

                                        HM New Zealand Cruiser GAMBIA, HM

                                        Cruiser NEWFOUNDLAND, HM Destroyers TROUBRIDGE, TERMAGANT,

                                        TENACIOUS, TEAZER, BARFLEUR, HM Australian Destroyer NIZAM.)

                                         For details of the background to the decision  to withdraw other ships from the area

                                         due to lack fuel from tankers of the British Fleet Train see above references.)

 

September

       2nd               Present at formal surrender of Japan signed on board US battleship USS

                            MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay.

                            Deployed for support of repatriation of PoW and allied nationals.

 

P o s t  W a r  N o t e s

 

HMAS NAPIER returned to Australia on release from duties in Japan and was deployed as part of the Royal Australian Navy until being Paid-off on 24th October 1945..She was replaced in the RAN by HM Destroyer QUALITY and was recommissioned as HMS NAPIER the next day. The ship took passage to UK from Fremantle, manned by personnel from HMS QUALITY on 5th November and Paid–off at Devonport on 12th December 1945.  She was de-stored and reduced to Reserve status there on 7th March 1946. The ship laid-up at Portsmouth in August 1950 and in May 1952 returned to the Reserve Fleet at Devonport. Towed to Penarth in January 1953  she remained there until placed on the Disposal List in 1955. and sold to BISCO for demolition by T W Ward. She arrived at the Breakers Yard in Briton Ferry on 17th January 1956 to be broken-up.