WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET

 

MARCH 1943

(n.b. Summary of Operations at end of month)

 

1. HMS KING GEORGE V (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.
	1st	Akureyri
	2nd	Left Akureyri with HOWE, GLASGOW, and six destroyers to cover R A 53.
	6th	returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	6th-31st	Scapa
2. HMS DUKE OF YORK
	1st-14th	Rosyth, refitting
	14th	Left Rosyth for Scapa on completion, escorted by FORESTER, BLANKNEY, and ECHO.
	15th	Arrived Scapa to work up
	15th-31st	Scapa, working up
3. HMS ANSON (Flag of Vice Admiral, Second in Command, Home Fleet)
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with BERMUDA, screened by MATCHLESS, PIORUN, and ICARUS for Hvalfiord
	10th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	20th	Left Hvalfiord with KENT, BERMUDA and three destroyers for exercises and for Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa
	22nd-31st	Scapa
4. HMS HOWE
	1st	Akureyri
	2nd	Left Akureyri with KING GEORGE V, GLASGOW, and six destroyers to cover R A 53
	6th	returned to Scapa with Battlefleet
	10th	Left Scapa escorted by MUSKETEER, METEOR, and MIDDLETON to Clyde for repairs and leave
	11th	Arrived Clyde
	17th	Left Clyde with INDOMITABLE and screen of five destroyers for Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with BELFAST, GLASGOW, and screen of three destroyers for Hvalfiord
	22nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	22nd-31st	Hvalfiord
5. HMS MALAYA
	1st-17th	Detached on passage to Gibraltar as ocean escort for W S 27
	17th	Arrived Gibraltar to join Force H temporarily
	17th-31st	Force H
Battlecruiser
6. HMS RENOWN
	1st-31st	Rosyth refitting
Aircraft Carriers
7. HMS INDOMITABLE (Flag of Vice Admiral, Aircraft Carriers
	1st-17th	Clyde, working up
	17th	Left Clyde with HOWE and screen of five destroyers for Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with ARCHER for the Clyde to continue working up
	21st	Arrived Clyde
	21st-31st	Clyde
8. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS
	1st-31st	Liverpool, refitting
9. HMS FURIOUS
	1st-5th	Scapa
	5th	Left Scapa, escorted by RAPID and MATCHLESS for the Clyde
	6th	Arrived Clyde
	6th-31st	Clyde
10. HMS DASHER
	1st	Arrived Dundee from Scapa escorted by NEWARK and WELLS
		Taken in hand for weather damage repairs
	12th	Captain L.A.K. Boswell, DSO, Royal Navy assumed command vice Captain C.N. Lentaigne, DSO, Royal Navy
	20th	Left Dundee escorted by INGLEFIELD and ORWELL from Rosyth, for Scapa on completion of repairs
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	22nd	Left Scapa escorted by BLANKNEY for the Clyde to join the Western Approaches Command temporarily
	23rd	Arrived Clyde
	27th	sank after internal explosion while exercising off the Clyde
Aircraft Carrier temporarily attached to the Home Fleet
11. HMS ARCHER
	17th	Left Clyde escorted by MIDDLETON for Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with INDOMITABLE and screen of three destroyers for the Clyde to join Western Approaches Command
	21st	Arrived Clyde
	21st-31st	Western Approaches Command
First Cruiser Squadron
12. HMS KENT (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-20th	Hvalfiord
	20th	Left Hvalfiord with ANSON, BERMUDA, and three destroyers for exercises and Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa
	22nd-31st	Scapa
13. HMS LONDON
	1st-31st	Tyne, refitting
14. HMS NORFOLK
	1st	Kola Inlet
	2nd	Left Kola Inlet with Force R to cover R A 53
	7th	Arrived Seidisfiord to fuel
	8th	Left Seidisfiord to continue covering R A 53
	11th	Arrived Scapa on completion, sailing p.m. for the Clyde
	12th	Arrived Clyde
	13th	Left Clyde for Portsmouth for refit
	14th	Arrived Portsmouth, taken in hand
	14th-31st	Portsmouth, refitting
15. HMS SUFFOLK
	1st-31st	London, refitting
16. HMS BERWICK
	1st-7th	Hvalfiord
	7th	Left Hvalfiord for Patrol WHITE
	9th	Left Patrol WHITE for Hvalfiord
	10th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord for exercises and for Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa
	22nd-31st	Scapa
17. HMS CUMBERLAND
	1st	Kola Inlet
	2nd	Left Kola Inlet with Force R to cover R A 53
	7th	Arrived Seidisfiord to fuel
	8th	Left Seidisfiord to continue covering R A 53
	11th	Arrived Scapa on completion, sailing p.m. for the Clyde
	31st	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
Tenth Cruiser Squadron
18. HMS BELFAST (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
	1st	Kola Inlet
	2nd	Left Kola Inlet with Force R to cover R A 53
	7th	Arrived Seidisfiord to fuel
	8th	Left Seidisfiord to continue covering R A 53
	11th	Arrived Scapa on completion
	20th	Left Scapa with HOWE, GLASGOW, and screen of three destroyers from Hvalfiord
	21st	Arrived Hvalfiord
	29th	Left Hvalfiord with INTREPID for Patrol WHITE
	29th-31st	Patrol WHITE
19. HMS BERMUDA
	1st-7th	Scapa
	7th	Left Scapa with ANSON screened by MATCHLESS, PIORUN, and ICARUS for Hvalfiord
	10th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	20th	Left Hvalfiord with ANSON, KENT, and three destroyers for exercises and Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa with ATHABASKAN for Patrol BLACK
	29th-31st	Patrol BLACK
20. HMS SHEFFIELD
	1st-31st	Clyde for weather damage repairs and refit
21. HMS GLASGOW
	1st	Akureyri
	2nd	Left Akureyri with KING GEORGE V, HOWE, and six destroyers to cover R A 53
	5th	Detached to Faroes with FORESTER to fuel FORESTER
	6th	Arrived Faroes, fuelled FORESTER, and sailed p.m. for Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with HOWE, BELFAST, and screen of three destroyers for Hvalfiord
	22nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	25th	Left Hvalfiord with ECHO for Patrol WHITE
	30th	intercepted German blockade runner in position 66-41N, 25-31W. Enemy ship scuttled herself
	31st	Patrol WHITE
22. HMS KENYA
	1st-6th	Scapa, working up
	6th	Left Scapa for Plymouth for Operation REGULATION and to join the Eastern Fleet
	8th	Arrived Plymouth
	12th	Left Plymouth with MUSKETEER and METEOR for Operation REGULATION
	15th	Detached to Freetown and for the Eastern Fleet
23. HMS JAMAICA
	1st-4th	Scapa
	4th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for repairs and to give leave
	5th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	16th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	31st	Left Scapa for Barrow for main armament
24. HMS SCYLLA
	1st	Left Kola with R A 53 and escort
	10th	Detached from convoy with MILNE, ORKAN, and ORWELL to Akureyri to fuel, arriving p.m.
	11th	Left Akureyri for Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa with His Majesty the King onboard for Scrabster, returning p.m. to Scapa
	21st-31st	Scapa
25. HMS CHARYBDIS
	1st-6th	Liverpool, refitting
	6th	Left Liverpool for Scapa on completion
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	19th	Left Scapa and joined Rear Admiral (Minelaying) and First Minelaying Squadron as escort during S N 90 A
	23rd	returned to Scapa on completion of the operation
	28th	Left Scapa for sweeping Patrol BLACK area and for Milford Haven for Operation REGULATION
	30th	Arrived Milford Haven, sailing p.m. with MILNE for Operation REGULATION
Cruisers attached to the Home Fleet for working up
26. HMS UGANDA
	1st-4th	Scapa, working up
	4th	Left Scapa for Plymouth
	6th	Arrived Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	11th	Left Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	14th	returned to Plymouth
	15th	Left Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	18th	Detached to Freetown for West Africa Station
	24th	Arrived Freetown
27. HMS NEWFOUNDLAND
	1st-10th	Scapa, working up
	10th	Left Scapa on completion for Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	12th	Arrived Plymouth
	17th	Left Plymouth with METEOR and MUSKETEER for Operation REGULATION
	21st	returned to Plymouth, sailing p.m. with METEOR for Operation REGULATION
	29th	returned to Plymouth
	29th-31st	Plymouth
28. HMS NEWCASTLE
	17th	Left Plymouth for Scapa to work up
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	19th-31st	Scapa, working up
29. HMS CARLISLE
	1st-9th	Scapa, working up
	9th	Left Scapa for the Clyde on completion of working up
	10th	Arrived Clyde
	11th	Left Clyde for Gibraltar and for Eastern Mediterranean Fleet
Destroyers
Third Destroyer Flotilla
30. HMS MILNE (Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	10th	Detached from convoy with SCYLLA, ORWELL, and ORKAN to Akureyri to fuel, arriving p.m.
	11th	Left Akureyri with ORWELL and ORKAN to search for stragglers from R A 53
	12th	Proceeded to Seidisfiord to fuel
	13th	Arrived Seidisfiord, fuelled and sailed p.m. for Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa
	18th	Left Scapa a.m. for Scrabster, returning p.m. to Scapa with His Majesty the King
	24th	Left Scapa for Liverpool for temporary duty with Western Approaches command
	25th	Arrived Liverpool
	26th	Left Liverpool for Moville arriving p.m.
	29th	Left Moville for Milford Haven for Operation REGULATION, arriving p.m.
	30th	Left Milford Haven with CHARYBDIS for Operation REGULATION
31. HMS MARNE
	1st-30th	Tyne for refit and action damage repairs, reduced to care and maintenance
32. HMS METEOR
	1st	Left Akureyri for Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with screen of HOWE to the Clyde
	11th	Detached from screen of HOWE to Plymouth with MUSKETEER
	12th	Arrived Plymouth, sailing p.m. with KENYA and MUSKETEER for Operation REGULATION
	14th	Returned to Plymouth
	17th	Left Plymouth with NEWFOUNDLAND and MUSKETEER for Operation REGULATION
	21st	Returned to Plymouth, sailing p.m. with NEWFOUNDLAND for Operation REGULATION
	26th	Returned to Plymouth
	26th-31st	Plymouth
33. HMS MATCHLESS
	1st-3rd	Rosyth for boiler cleaning and weather damage repairs
	3rd	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	5th	Left Scapa with RAPID for screen of FURIOUS to the Clyde
	6th	Arrived Clyde with FURIOUS, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa, sailing a.m. with screen of ANSON and BERMUDA to Hvalfiord
	10th	Arrived Hvalfiord with ANSON and BERMUDA
	20th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of ANSON for exercises and Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa with ANSON
	25th	Left Scapa for Londonderry for temporary duty with Western Approaches Command
	26th	Arrived Londonderry
	29th	Left Londonderry for Milford Haven for Operation REGULATION, arriving p. m.
	30th	Left Milford Haven to rendezvous with ORKAN for Operation REGULATION
34. HMS MUSKETEER
	1st	Akureyri
	2nd	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet covering R A 53
	6th	Returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	10th	Left Scapa with screen of HOWE to the Clyde
	11th	Detached from screen of HOWE to Plymouth with METEOR
	12th	Arrived Plymouth, sailing p.m. with KENYA and METEOR for Operation REGULATION
	14th	Returned to Plymouth
	17th	Left Plymouth with NEWFOUND and METEOR for Operation REGULATION
	21st	Returned to Plymouth
	22nd	Left Plymouth for Tyne for refit
	25th	Arrived Tyne, taken in hand
	25th-31st	Tyne, refitting
36. ORP ORKAN
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	10th	Detached from convoy with SCYLLA, MILNE, and ORWELL to Akureyri to fuel, arriving p.m.
	11th	Left Akureyri with MILNE and ORWELL to search for stragglers
	13th	Proceeded to Scapa
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	18th	Escort for MILNE with His Majesty the King on board from Scrabster for Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa for Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	22nd	Arrived Plymouth
	24th	Left Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	28th	Returned to Plymouth
	30th	Left Plymouth and joined MATCHLESS from Milford Haven for Operation REGULATION.
37. ORP PIORUN
	1st	Akureyri
	2nd	Left Akureyri with screen of Battlefleet covering R A 53
	6th	Returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	7th	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON and BERMUDA to Hvalfiord
	10th	Arrived Hvalfiord with ANSON and BERMUDA
	20th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of ANSON for exercises and Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa with ANSON
	23rd	Left Scapa for Clyde for boiler cleaning
	24th	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
	30th	Left Clyde for Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	31st	Arrived Plymouth
Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
38. HMS FAULKNOR (Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	6th	Detached with IMPULSIVE, ECLIPSE, and OPPORTUNE to Seidisfiord to fuel
	8th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	9th	Left Seidisfiord with same three destroyers and rejoined R A 53 p.m.
	12th	Detached from R A 53 with ECLIPSE and FURY to Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa for Humber for refit
	17th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	17th-31st	Humber, refitting
39. HMS FURY
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	11th	Detached from R A 53 to fuel at Seidisfiord, arriving p.m.
		Sailed later same day and rejoined R A 53
	12th	Detached from R A 53 with FAULKNOR and ECLIPSE to Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	18th	escort for MILNE, with His Majesty the King on board, from Scrabster to Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa with 5 other destroyers for Moville for temporary duty with Western Approaches Command
	26th	Arrived Moville
	29th	Left Moville with 4th Escort Group to act as support group
	29th-31st	At sea with 4th Escort Group
40. HMS FORESTER
	1st	Akureyri
	2nd	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet covering R A 53
	5th	Detached from the Battlefleet with GLASGOW to the Faroes to fuel from GLASGOW
	6th	Arrived Faroes, fuelled and sailed p.m. for Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa with screen for DUKE OF YORK, arriving Rosyth p.m. and joining DUKE OF YORK for escort to Scapa
	15th	Arrived Scapa with DUKE OF YORK
	20th	Left Scapa for Leith for repairs
	21st	Arrived Leith, taken in hand
	21st-31st	Leith, refitting
41. HMS ECLIPSE
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	6th	Detached from convoy with FAULKNOR, IMPULSIVE, and OPPORTUNE to Seidisfiord to fuel
	8th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	9th	Left Seidisfiord with same three destroyers and rejoined R A 53 p.m.
	12th	Detached from R A 53 with FAULKNOR and FURY to Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Rosyth for boiler cleaning and defects
	14th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	23rd	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	24th	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa with 5 other destroyers for Moville for temporary duty with Western Approaches Command
	26th	Arrived Moville
	29th	Left Moville with 4th Escort Group to act as support group
	29th-31st	At sea with 4th Escort Group
42. HMS ECHO
	1st-10th	Humber, refitting
	10th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa with screen of DUKE OF YORK, arriving Rosyth p.m. and joining DUKE OF YORK for escort to Scapa
	15th	Arrived Scapa with DUKE OF YORK
	20th	Left Scapa with screen of HOWE, BELFAST, and GLASGOW for Hvalfiord
	22nd	Arrived Hvalfiord with HOWE
	25th	Left Hvalfiord with GLASGOW for Patrol WHITE
	30th	returned to Hvalfiord
	31st	Hvalfiord
43. HMS INTREPID
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	7th	Detached from convoy with OBEDIENT, OBDURATE, and BOADICEA to Seidisfiord to fuel
	9th	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. with OBEDIENT and OBDURATE to Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	18th	Escort for MILNE with His Majesty the King onboard, from Scrabster to Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with escort of HOWE, BELFAST, and GLASGOW for Hvalfiord
	22nd	Arrived Hvalfiord with HOWE
	29th	Left Hvalfiord with BELFAST for Patrol WHITE
	29th-31st	Patrol WHITE
44. HMS INGLEFIELD
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	10th	Detached to Seidisfiord to fuel, arriving p.m. with defects
	12th	Left Seidisfiord on completion of defects and rejoined R A 53 a.m., detached to Scapa p.m.
	13th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	14th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	20th	Left Rosyth with ORWELL on completion and joined DASHER off Dundee for escort to Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa with DUNDEE
	25th	Left Scapa with five other destroyers for Clyde for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	26th	Arrived Clyde, sailing p.m. with ICARUS for Londonderry
	27th	Arrived Londonderry
	29th	Left Londonderry with 4th Escort Group to act as support group
	29th-31st	At sea with 4th Escort Group
45. HMS ICARUS
	1st	Akureyri
	2nd	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet covering R A 53
	6th	returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	7th	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON and BERMUDA for Hvalfiord
	10th	Arrived Hvalfiord with ANSON and BERMUDA
	20th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of ANSON for exercises and for Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa with ANSON
	25th	Left Scapa with five other destroyers for Clyde for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	26th	Arrived Clyde, sailing p.m. with INGLEFIELD for Londonderry
	27th	Arrived Londonderry
	29th	Left Londonderry with 4th Escort Group to act as support group
	29th-31st	At sea with 4th Escort Group
46. HMS IMPULSIVE
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	6th	Detached from convoy with FAULKNOR, ECLIPSE, and OPPORTUNE to Seidisfiord to fuel
	8th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	9th	Left Seidisfiord with same three destroyers and rejoined R A 53 p.m.
	10th	Detached from R A 53 to stand by sinking merchant ship from the convoy
	13th	proceeded to Seidisfiord to fuel, arriving p.m. and sailing later the same day for Scapa
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	22nd	Left Scapa with ORIBI for Moville for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
	23rd	Arrived Moville
	24th	Left Moville with 5 other destroyers to act as support group for ocean convoy
	24th-31st	At sea with Support Group
Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla
47. HMS ONSLOW
	1st-31st	Humber for action damage repair and refit
48. HMS OFFA (Captain (D) Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st	Akureyri
	2nd	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet covering R A 53
	6th	returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	16th	Left Scapa with four other destroyers for Clyde
	17th	joined INDOMITABLE and HOWE for escort to Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa with HOWE and INDOMITABLE
	19th	Left Scapa for Liverpool, for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	20th	Arrived Liverpool
	22nd	Left Liverpool for Moville, arriving p.m.
	24th	Left Moville with 5 other destroyers to act as support group for ocean convoy
	24th-31st	At sea with support group
49. HMS ORIBI
	1st-19th	Humber, refitting
	19th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa
	22nd	Left Scapa with IMPULSIVE for Moville for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command.
	23rd	Arrived Moville
	24th	Left Moville with five other destroyers to act as support group for ocean convoy
	24th-31st	At sea with support group
50. HMS ONSLAUGHT
	1st	Akureyri
	2nd	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet covering R A 53
	6th	returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	16th	Left Scapa with four other destroyers for the Clyde
	17th	Arrived Clyde, joined INDOMITABLE and HOWE for escort to Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa with HOWE and INDOMITABLE
	21st	Left Scapa with OBEDIENT and ORWELL for Londonderry for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	22nd	Arrived Londonderry
	24th	Left Moville with five other destroyers to act as support group for ocean convoy
	24th-31st	At sea with Support Group
51. HMS OPPORTUNE
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	6th	Detached with FAULKNOR, ECLIPSE, and IMPULSIVE to Seidisfiord to fuel
	8th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	9th	Left Seidisfiord with same 3 destroyers and rejoined R A 53 p.m.
	11th	took damaged merchant ship from R A 53 in tow for Seidisfiord, arriving p.m.
	12th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa with four other destroyers for the Clyde
	17th	Arrived Clyde, joined HOWE and INDOMITABLE for escort to Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa with HOWE and INDOMITABLE
	21st	Escort for SCYLLA, with H.M. The King onboard, from Scapa to Scrabster and back
	25th	Left Scapa for Moville with five other destroyers for temporary duty with Western Approaches Command
	26th	Arrived Moville
	26th-31st	Moville
52. HMS OBDURATE
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	7th	Detached from convoy with INTREPID, OBEDIENT, and BOADICEA to Seidisfiord to fuel
	9th	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. with INTREPID and OBEDIENT to Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	21st	Escort for SCYLLA, with H.M. The King onboard, from Scapa to Scrabster and back
	25th	Left Scapa for Moville with five other destroyers for temporary duty with Western Approaches Command
	26th	Arrived Moville
	26th-31st	Moville
53. HMS ORWELL
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	10th	Detached from convoy with SCYLLA, MILNE, and ORKAN to Akureyri to fuel, arriving p.m.
	11th	Left Akureyri with MILNE and ORKAN to search for stragglers
	12th	rejoined R A 53, detached p.m. for Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	14th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	20th	Left Rosyth with INGLEFIELD on completion and joined DASHER off Dundee for escort to Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa with DASHER, sailing p.m. for Londonderry with ONSLAUGHT and OBEDIENT for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
	22nd	Arrived Londonderry
	24th	Left Moville with five other destroyers to act as support group for ocean convoy
	24th-31st	At sea with Support Group
54. HMS OBEDIENT
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	7th	Detached from convoy with INTREPID, OBDURATE, and BOADICEA to Seidisfiord to fuel
	9th	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. with INTREPID and OBDURATE to Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa with four other destroyers for the Clyde
	17th	Arrived Clyde, joined HOWE and INDOMITABLE for escort to Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa with HOWE and INDOMITABLE
	21st	Escort for SCYLLA, with His Majesty the King on board from Scapa to Scrabster and back; sailed p.m. with ONSLAUGHT and ORWELL for Londonderry for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	22nd	Arrived Londonderry
	24th	Left Moville with five other destroyers to act as support group for ocean convoy
	24th-31st	At sea with Support Group
Hunt Class Destroyers
55. HMS MIDDLETON
	1st-10th	Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with screen of HOWE to the Clyde
	11th	Arrived Clyde with HOWE
	17th	Left Clyde with ARCHER for escort to Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa with ARCHER
	20th	Left Scapa with escort of INDOMITABLE and ARCHER for the Clyde
	21st	Arrived Clyde, returning p.m. to Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa
	22nd-31st	Scapa
56. HMS LEDBURY
	1st	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa for Akureyri with PYTCHLEY and MEYNELL for local escort of R A 53
	4th	Arrived Akureyri
	6th	Left Akureyri to join R A 53
	9th	joined R A 53
	10th	Arrived Seidisfiord to fuel with one merchant ship from R A 53
	12th	Left Seidisfiord to rejoin R A 53, joining p.m.
	13th	Detached from R A 53 to Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa for Sheerness for refit
	23rd	Arrived Sheerness, taken in hand
	23rd-31st	Sheerness, refitting
57. HMS WHEATLAND
	1st-31st	Detached with Inshore Squadron, Western Mediterranean
58. HMS LAMERTON
	1st-31st	Detached with Inshore Squadron, Western Mediterranean
59. HMS BLANKNEY
	1st-14th	Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa with screen for DUKE OF YORK, arriving Rosyth, p.m. and joining DUKE OF YORK for escort to Scapa
	15th	Arrived Scapa with DUKE OF YORK
	16th	Left Scapa with four other destroyers for the Clyde
	17th	Arrived Clyde and joined HOWE and INDOMITABLE for escort to Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa with HOWE and INDOMITABLE
	22nd	Left Scapa as escort for DASHER to the Clyde
	23rd	arrive Clyde with DASHER, returning p.m. to Scapa
	24th	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa with PENN to carry out an A/S in Patrol BLACK and for Hvalfiord
	29th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	29th-31st	Hvalfiord
60. HMS WILTON
	1st-31st	Detached with Inshore Squadron, Western Mediterranean
61. HMS BRECON
	1st-8th	Southampton for repairs and trials
	12th	Left Southampton for Scapa
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with screen for HOWE, BELFAST, and GLASGOW for Hvalfiord
	22nd	Arrived Hvalfiord with HOWE
	29th	Left Hvalfiord for patrol BLACK area
	29th-31st	Patrol BLACK
62. HMS BRISSENDEN
	1st-31st	Scapa
Destroyers lent from other Commands for duty with the Home Fleet
63. HMS VIVACIOUS
	1st	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	3rd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	4th	Left Hvalfiord for Akureyri for local escort of R A 53
	5th	Arrived Akureyri
	6th	Left Akureyri to join R A 53
	9th	joined R A 53
	10th	Detached to Seidisfiord to fuel arriving p.m.
	11th	Left Seidisfiord with PYTCHLEY and MEYNELL and rejoined R A 53 p.m.
	13th	Detached from R A 53 to Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa with MEYNELL and PYTCHLEY for Sheerness on completion of temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	16th	Arrived Sheerness
64. HMS BOADICEA
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	7th	Detached from convoy to Seidisfiord with INTREPID, OBDURATE, and OBEDIENT to fuel
	9th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	11th	Left Seidisfiord escorting one merchant vessel, rejoined R A 53 p.m.
	14th	Detached from R A 53 to Clyde
	15th	Arrived Clyde on completion of temporary duty with the Home Fleet
65. HMS PANTHER
	14th	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with screen of INDOMITABLE and ARCHER for the Clyde
	21st	Arrived Clyde, returning p.m. to Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa to continue working up
	22nd-31st	Scapa, working up
66. HMS PENN
	14th	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with screen of INDOMITABLE and ARCHER for the Clyde
	21st	Arrived Clyde, returning p.m. to Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa to continue working up
	25th	Left Scapa with BLANKNEY for A/S sweep in Patrol BLACK area
	30th	Returned to Scapa
	31st	Scapa
67. HMS PATHFINDER
	11th	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with screen of INDOMITABLE and ARCHER for the Clyde
	21st	Arrived Clyde, returning p.m. to Scapa
	22nd	Arrived Scapa to continue working up
	25th	Left Scapa with BLANKNEY for A/S sweep in Patrol BLACK area
	30th	Returned to Scapa
	31st	Scapa
68. HMS PYTCHLEY
	1st	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with MEYNELL and LEDBURY for Akureyri for local escort of R A 53
	4th	Arrived Akureyri
	6th	Left Akureyri to join R A 53
	9th	joined R A 53
	10th	Detached to Seidisfiord to fuel, arriving p.m.
	11th	Left Seidisfiord and rejoined R A 53 a.m. with VIVACIOUS and MEYNELL
	13th	Detached from R A 53 to Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa with MEYNELL and VIVACIOUS for Sheerness on completion of temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	16th	Arrived Sheerness
69. HMS MEYNELL
	1st	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with PYTCHLEY and LEDBURY for Akureyri for local escort of R A 53
	4th	Arrived Akureyri
	6th	Left Akureyri to join R A 53
	9th	joined R A 53
	10th	Detached to Seidisfiord to fuel, arriving p.m.
	11th	Left Seidisfiord and rejoined R A 53 a.m. with VIVACIOUS and PYTCHLEY
	13th	Detached from R A 53 to Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa with VIVACIOUS and VIVACIOUS for Sheerness on completion of temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	16th	Arrived Sheerness
Destroyers Temporarily Attached for working up
70. HMCS ASSINIBOINE
	1st-11th	Scapa, working up
	11th	Left Scapa for Clyde for repairs to hull
	12th	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
	20th	Left Clyde on completion for Scapa to continue working up
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa with BERMUDA for Patrol BLACK
	29th-31st	PATROL BLACK
71. HMS RAPID
	1st-5th	Scapa, working up
	5th	Left Scapa with screen of FURIOUS for the Clyde
	6th	Arrived Clyde with FURIOUS, returning p.m. to Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa to continue working up
	7th-31st	Scapa, working up
72. HMS TROUBRIDGE
	19th	Left Clyde on completion for Scapa to work up and join the Home Fleet
	20th	Arrived Scapa
	20th-31st	Scapa, working up
73. HMS TUSCAN
	29th	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up
	30th	Arrived Scapa
	30th-31st	Scapa, working up
74. HMS ARROW
	26th	Left Tyne for Scapa to work up
	27th	Arrived Scapa
	27th-31st	Scapa, working up
75. HMS ANTHONY
	19th	Left Harwich for Scapa to work up
	20th	Arrived Rosyth with defects
	21st	Left Rosyth for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	21st-31st	Scapa, working up
76. HMS LEWES
	16th	Left Humber for Scapa to work up, returning to Humber p.m. with defects
	20th	Left Humber again for Scapa to work up.
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-31st	Scapa, working up
77. HMS NEWARK
	1st	Detached from escort of DASHER to Dundee and joined MENESTHEUS from Sheerness for escort to Scapa.
	3rd	Arrived Scapa with MENESTHEUS, proceeding to Port Z.A., arriving p.m.
78. HMS WELLS
	1st	Detached from escort of DASHER to Dundee and on arrival joined MENESTHEUS from Sheerness for escort to Scapa.
	3rd	Arrived Scapa with MENESTHEUS.
	6th	Left Scapa with MENESTHEUS for Port ZA.
	7th	Arrived Port ZA
79. F.S. LA COMBATTANTE
	1st-24th	Scapa, working up
	24th	Left Scapa on completion for Portsmouth to join Portsmouth Command
	26th	Arrived Portsmouth
80. HMS EGGESFORD
	1st-3rd	Scapa, working up
	3rd	Left Scapa for Clyde for foreign service on completion of working up.
	4th	Arrived Clyde
81. HMS STEVENSTONE
	25th	Left Campbeltown for Scapa to work up.
	26th	Arrived Scapa
	26th-31st	Scapa, working up
Minelayer Temporarily attached for working up
82. HMS MENESTHEUS
	1st	At sea on passage from Sheerness and Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa escorted by NEWARK and WELLS to work up
	6th	Left Scapa, screened by WELLS for Port ZA
	7th	Arrived Port ZA
First Minesweeping Flotilla
83. HMS HARRIER (Senior Officer, First Minesweeping Flotilla
	1st-31st	Leith, refitting
84. HMS SEAGULL
	1st-27th	Leith, refitting
	27th	Left Leith on completion for Scapa
	28th	Arrived Scapa
	28th-31st	Scapa
85. HMS BRITOMART
	1st-31st	Murmansk
86. HMS HAZARD
	1st-31st	Hvalfiord
87. HMS GLEANER
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	9th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	9th-31st	Hvalfiord
88. HMS SHARPSHOOTER
	1st-31st	Hvalfiord
89. HMS SALAMANDER
	1st	Aberdeen, refitting. Left Aberdeen for Scapa on completion arriving p.m.
	26th	Left Scapa with HALCYON for Plymouth, for temporary duty with Western Approaches Command
	29th	Arrived Plymouth
	29th-31st	Plymouth
90. HMS HALCYON
	1st-5th	Scapa, working up
	5th	Left Scapa for Aberdeen, arriving p.m. for repairs
	17th	Left Aberdeen on completion for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	26th	Left Scapa with SALAMANDER for Plymouth, for temporary duty with Western Approaches Command
	29th	Arrived Plymouth
	29th-31st	Plymouth
91. HMS JASON
	1st-31st	Kola Inlet
Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla
92. HMS FRASERBURGH (Senior Officer, Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla)
	1st-13th	Hvalfiord
	13th	Left Hvalfiord with five other minesweepers for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa with five other minesweepers to clear Q Z X 910
	29th-31st	At sea clearing Q Z X 910
93. HMS BOOTLE
	1st-13th	Hvalfiord
	13th	Left Hvalfiord with five other minesweepers for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa with five other minesweepers to clear Q Z X 910
	29th-31st	At sea clearing Q Z X 910
94. HMS BEAUMARIS
	1st-8th	Clyde, refitting
	8th	Left Clyde on completion for Aultbea
	10th	Arrived Aultbea, sailing p.m. for Kirkwall
	11th	Arrived Kirkwall
	29th	Left Scapa with five other minesweepers to clear Q Z X 910
	29th-31st	At sea clearing Q Z X 910
95. HMS LLANDUDNO
	1st-31st	Aberdeen, refitting
96. HMS HOUND
	1st-2nd	Rosyth
	2nd	Left Rosyth for Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa
	4th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	7th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	7th-31st	Hvalfiord
97. HMS FLY
	1st-17th	Aberdeen for collision damage repairs and refit
	17th	Left Aberdeen on completion for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	19th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	21st	Arrived Hvalfiord
	21st-31st	Hvalfiord
88. HMS PETERHEAD
	1st-30th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
89. HMS DUNBAR
	1st-13th	Hvalfiord
	13th	Left Hvalfiord with five other minesweepers for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	18th	Left Scapa with PETERHEAD for Aberdeen for boiler cleaning
	19th	Arrived Aberdeen, taken in hand
	27th	Left Aberdeen on completion with PETERHEAD for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	29th	Left Scapa with five other minesweepers to clear Q Z X 910
	29th-31st	At sea clearing Q Z X 910
100. HMS ARDROSSAN
	1st-13th	Hvalfiord
	13th	Left Hvalfiord with five other minesweepers for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	26th	Left Scapa for Aberdeen for boiler cleaning, arriving p.m.
	26th-31st	Aberdeen, boiler cleaning
101. HMS WORTHING
	1st-6th	Humber, refitting
	6th	Left Humber for Scapa on completion
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	29th	Left Scapa with five other minesweepers to clear Q Z X 910
	29th-31st	At sea clearing Q Z X 910
102. HMS LYME REGIS
	1st-13th	Hvalfiord
	13th	Left Hvalfiord with five other minesweepers for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	26th	Left Scapa for Aberdeen for boiler cleaning, arriving p.m.
	26th-31st	Aberdeen, boiler cleaning
Corvettes lent for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
103. HMS LOTUS
	1st-11th	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	11th	Detached from convoy to Seidisfiord to fuel, arriving p.m. and sailing later the same day to rejoin R A 53.
	12th	rejoined R A 53
	14th	Detached from R A 53 to Londonderry
	15th	Arrived Londonderry
104. HMS STARWORT
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	11th	Detached from convoy to Seidisfiord to fuel, arriving p.m. and sailing later the same day to rejoin R A 53.
	12th	rejoined R A 53
	14th	Detached from R A 53 to Londonderry
	15th	Arrived Londonderry
105. HMS BLUEBELL
	1st-31st	Kola Inlet
106. HMS CAMELLIA
	1st-31st	Kola inlet
107. HMS POPPY
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	11th	Detached from convoy to Seidisfiord to fuel, arriving p.m.
	14th	Left Seidisfiord with oiler and two trawlers for Loch Ewe
	16th	Arrived Loch Ewe, proceeding p.m. to Londonderry
	17th	Arrived Londonderry
108. HMS BERGAMOT
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	11th	Detached from convoy to Seidisfiord to fuel, arriving p.m. and sailing later the same day to rejoin R A 53.
	12th	rejoined R A 53
	14th	Detached from R A 53 to Liverpool
	15th	Arrived Liverpool
Trawlers lent for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
109. HMS NORTHERN PRIDE
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	10th	Detached from convoy to Seidisfiord to fuel, arriving p.m.
	14th	Left Seidisfiord with oiler OLIGARCH, POPPY, and ST ELSTAN for Loch Ewe
	16th	Arrived Loch Ewe, proceeding p.m. to Belfast
	17th	Arrived Belfast
110. HMS LORD AUSTIN
	1st-31st	Kola Inlet
111. HMS ST ELSTAN
	1st	Left Kola Inlet with R A 53 and escort
	10th	Detached from convoy to Seidisfiord to fuel, arriving p.m.
	14th	Left Seidisfiord with oiler OLIGARCH, POPPY, and NORTHERN PRIDE for Loch Ewe
	16th	Arrived Loch Ewe, proceeding p.m. to Belfast
	17th	Arrived Belfast

 

 

112. Convoy R A 53

 

The large westbound convoy of 30 ships left North Russia on 1st March and, after being continually delayed and scattered by bed weather, 23 ships arrived in British and three in Icelandic ports fourteen days later. Three of the four ships sunk in this convoy were torpedoed, the other was lost as a result of weather damage.

 

The SCYLLA and the same 13 destroyers that had escorted J W 53 to North Russia formed the close escort together with four corvettes and two A/S trawlers. Covering forces were provided by the Battlefleet (KING GEORGE V, HOWE, GLASGOW, and six destroyers) operating from Akureyri and Force R (BELFAST, CUMBERLAND, and NORFOLK) which left Kola Inlet the day after the convoy sailed.

 

The details of the passage of R A 54 from North Russia are as follows:

(i) Convoy and close escort

1st Mar	Convoy (30 ships) escorted by SCYLLA, MILNE, OPPORTUNE, OBEDIENT, OBDURATE, ORWELL, FAULKNOR, FURY, ECLIPSE, INGLEFIELD, INTREPID, IMPULSIVE, BOADICEA, POPPY, BERGAMOT, LOTUS, STARWORT, ORKAN, ST ELSAN, and NORTHERN PRIDE left Kola Inlet
	VIVACIOUS left Scapa for Hvalfiord and for Akureyri for local escort of R A 53.
2nd	PYTCHLEY, MEYNELL, and LEDBURY left Scapa for Akureyri for local escort of R A 53
3rd	VIVACIOUS arrived Hvalfiord
4th	PYTCHLEY, MEYNELL, and LEDBURY arrived Akureyri
	VIVACIOUS left Hvalfiord for Akureyri
5th	VIVACIOUS arrived Akureyri
	Convoy reported by enemy aircraft
	One merchant ship sunk and one torpedoed and damaged by circling torpedoes. Damaged ship remaining in convoy.
	Convoy attacked by 12 J U 88 medium level bombers. No damage to casualties to the convoy.
6th	Local escort of VIVACIOUS, LEDBURY, MEYNELL, and PYTCHLEY left Akureyri to rendezvous with the convoy
	FAULKNOR, IMPULSIVE, ECLIPSE, and OPPORTUNE detached from the convoy to Seidisfiord to fuel
7th	Local escort delayed by broken up pack ice. VIVACIOUS' asdic dome crashed
	INTREPID, OBDURATE, OBEDIENT, and BOADICEA detached from convoy to Seidisfiord to fuel
8th	FAULKNOR, IMPULSIVE, ECLIPSE, and OPPORTUNE arrived Seidisfiord
9th	Local escort joined R A 53 from Akureyri
	INTREPID, OBDURATE, OBEDIENT, and BOADICEA arrived Seidisfiord
	One merchant ship from R A 53 broke up and sank in heavy weather. Crew rescued by ST ELSTAN
	FAULKNOR, IMPULSIVE, ECLIPSE, and OPPORTUNE left Seidisfiord and rejoined R A 53 P.M.
	INTREPID, OBEDIENT, and OBDURATE left Seidisfiord for Scapa
10th	SCYLLA, MILNE, ORWELL, and ORKAN detached from convoy to Akureyri to fuel, arriving p.m.
	INGLEFIELD detached from convoy to Seidisfiord to fuel, arriving p.m. with defects
	NORTHERN PRIDE detached from convoy to Seidisfiord arriving p.m.
	One Merchant ship with defective steering gear detached from convoy to nearest to nearest Icelandic port
	One merchant ship torpedoed and sunk
	LEDBURY and one merchant ship detached from R A 53, arrived Seidisfiord a.m.
11th	MILNE, ORWELL, and ORKAN left Akureyri to search for stragglers from R A 53
	Merchant ship with defective steering gear taken in tow by OPPORTUNE, escorted by ST ELSTAN arrived Seidisfiord p.m.
	INTREPID, OBEDIENT, and OBDURATE arrived Scapa from Seidisfiord
	BOADICEA and one merchant ship left Seidisfiord and rejoined R A 53 p.m.
	Merchant ship damaged on 5th, and now straggling, again torpedoed , abandoned and later sunk
	MEYNELL, PYTCHLEY, and VIVACIOUS left Seidisfiord and rejoined convoy p.m.
	BERGAMOT, LOTUS, and STARWORT detached from convoy to Seidisfiord arriving a.m. and sailing p.m. after fuelling to join R A 53
	POPPY detached from R A 53 from Seidisfiord, arriving p.m.
	SCYLLA left Akureyri for Scapa
	FURY and oiler OLIGARCH detached from convoy to Seidisfiord, arriving a.m. FURY sailed p.m. After fuelling and rejoined R A 53
	IMPULSIVE detached to stand by sinking merchant ship
12th	INGLEFIELD and LEDBURY left Seidisfiord to rejoin R A 53, joining a.m.
	INGLEFIELD detached to Scapa
	BERGAMOT, LOTUS, and STARWORT rejoined convoy from Seidisfiord
	ORWELL, after searching for stragglers rejoined R A 53, being detached p.m. to Scapa
	OPPORTUNE left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	One merchant ship from R A 53 arrived Akureyri
	FAULKNOR, ECLIPSE, and FURY detached from convoy to Scapa
	MILNE, searching for stragglers, proceeded to Seidisfiord to fuel
13th	IMPULSIVE (standing by sinking merchant ship) proceeded to Seidisfiord for fuel, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	ORKAN searching for stragglers proceeded to Scapa
	SCYLLA arrived Scapa
	MILNE arrived Seidisfiord to fuel, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	FAULKNOR, ECLIPSE, FURY, ORWELL, INGLEFIELD, and OPPORTUNE arrived Scapa
	LEDBURY, MEYNELL, PYTCHLEY, and VIVACIOUS detached from convoy to Scapa
	Two ships of R A 53 arrived Loch Ewe
14th	BOADICEA detached from R A 53 to Clyde
	STARWORT and LOTUS detached from R A 53 to Londonderry
	BERGAMOT detached from R A 53 to Liverpool with Clyde section of R A 53 (5 ships)
	R.F.A. OLIGARCH escorted by POPPY, ST ELSTAN, and NORTHERN PRIDE left Seidisfiord for Loch Ewe
	MILNE, VIVACIOUS, LEDBURY, MEYNELL, and PYTCHLEY arrived Scapa
	R A 53 (Loch Ewe section 16 ships) arrived Loch Ewe
15th	ORKAN and IMPULSIVE arrived Scapa
	R A 53 (Clyde section 5 ships) arrived Clyde
	BERGAMOT arrived Liverpool
	BOADICEA arrived Clyde
	STARWORT and LOTUS arrived Londonderry
16th	R.F.A. OLIGARCH, escorted by POPPY, ST ELSTAN, and NORTHERN PRIDE arrived Loch Ewe. POPPY proceeding to Londonderry, NORTHERN PRIDE and ST ELSTAN to Belfast
17th	NORTHERN PRIDE and ST ELSTAN arrived Belfast
	POPPY arrived Londonderry

 

(ii) The Battlefleet

2nd	The Battlefleet (KING GEORGE V (Flag of Commander in Chief, Home Fleet), HOWE and GLASGOW) screened by ONSLAUGHT, OFFA, ICARUS, MUSKETEER, PIORUN, FORESTER left Akureyri to cover R A 53
4th	Arrived in covering positions north of convoy route
5th	Left covering position for Scapa
6th	GLASGOW and FORESTER arrived Skaalefiord and FORESTER fuelled from GLASGOW, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	The Battlefleet (KING GEORGE V, HOWE, ONSLAUGHT, OFFA, ICARUS, MUSKETEER, and PIORUN) arrived Scapa
7th	GLASGOW and FORESTER arrived Scapa

 

(iii) Force R

2nd	Force R (BELFAST (Senior Officer), CUMBERLAND and NORFOLK) left Kola Inlet to cover R A 53.
7th	Force R arrived Seidisfiord to fuel
8th	Force R left Seidisfiord on completion of fuelling and continued to cover R A 53
9th	Force R proceeded to Scapa
11th	BELFAST, CUMBERLAND, and NORFOLK arrived Scapa

(iv). Submarines

 

Four submarines (TRUCULENT, SIMOON, SPORTSMAN, and SEANYMPH) were on patrol off the north coast of Norway during the passage of R A 53 in zones R 6, R 7, R 8, and R 9

 

113. Visit of His Majesty the King

 

His Majesty the King visited the Home Fleet at Scapa from 18th to 21st March, staying with the Commander in Chief in HMS KING GEORGE V

 

The following is a brief summary of his visit:

18th March	His Majesty arrived Scapa in MILNE from Scrabster, escorted by INTREPID, FURY, and ORKAN
	Visited SCYLLA
19th March	Visited CUMBERLAND, GLASGOW, INDOMITABLE (Vice Admiral Aircraft Carriers), HOWE, JAMAICA, and BELFAST (Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron
20th March	Visited DUKE OF YORK, ARCHER, and TYNE (Rear Admiral (D) and representatives of the destroyer command)
	Proceeded to ONSLAUGHT in Scapa Bay
	Visited the R.N. Air Station, Hatston
	Returned to KING GEORGE V in ONSLAUGHT
	Attended E.N.S.A. show at R.N. Cinema, Flotta
21st March	Inspected the Fleet Flagship and attended Divine Service
	Left Scapa in SCYLLA escorted by OPPORTUNE, OBDURATE, and ORIBI for Scrabster on completion of the visit

 

114. Operation REGULATION

 

The following Home Fleet ships were temporarily detached to the Plymouth Command during March for Operation REGULATION (interception of inward and outward blockade runners and protection of Allied convoys in the Bay of Biscay area). The detailed movements of these ships are shown in the foregoing paragraphs. No enemy blockade runners were intercepted in this area during March.

Cruisers

KENYA (on passage to join Eastern Fleet)

CHARYBDIS

UGANDA (on passage to West Africa Station)

NEWFOUNDLAND (afterwards proceeding to join the Mediterranean Fleet

 

Destroyers

MILNE (Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla) 29th-31st

METEOR 12th-31st

MATCHLESS 29th-31st

MUSKETEER 12th- 22nd

ORKAN (O.R.P.) 22nd-31st

PIORUN (O.R.P.) 31st

 

115. Destroyers Lent to the Western Approaches Command for Atlantic Convoy duties

 

The following Home Fleet destroyers were lent to the Western Approaches Command, during the periods shown, in March, for duty in support groups with Atlantic convoys. The detailed movements of these ships are shown in the foregoing paragraphs

 

MILNE	25th-29th	MATCHLESS	25th-29th	FURY	25th-31st
ECLIPSE	25th-31st	INGLEFIELD	25th-31st	ICARUS	25th-31st
IMPULSIVE	22nd-31st	OFFA	19th-31st	ORIBI	22nd-31st
ONSLAUGHT	21st-31st	OPPORTUNE	25th-31st	OBDURATE	25th-31st
ORWELL	21st-31st	OBEDIENT	21st-31st

 

 

116. Patrol Black

 

The following Home Fleet Ship carried out patrol BLACK during March against German warships or blockade runners breaking in or out through the Faroes Iceland Passage.

PENN	Left Scapa 25th, returned to Scapa 30th
BLANKNEY	Left Scapa 25th, arrived Hvalfiord 29th
BERMUDA	Left Scapa 29th, on patrol 29th-31st
ATHABASKAN	Left Scapa 29th, on patrol 29th-31st
BRECON	Left Hvalfiord 29th, on patrol 29th-31st
BRECON	proceeded to Scapa with weather damaged p.m. 30th

 

117. Patrol White

 

The following Home Fleet Ship carried out patrol WHITE during March against German warships or blockade runners breaking in or out through the Denmark Straits.

BERWICK	Left Hvalfiord 7th, returned to Hvalfiord 10th
GLASGOW	Left Hvalfiord 25th, on patrol 25th-31st (see para. 118)
ECHO	Left Hvalfiord 25th, returned to Hvalfiord 30th
BELFAST	Left Hvalfiord 29th, on patrol 29th-31st
INTREPID	Left Hvalfiord 29th, on patrol 29th-31st

 

118. Sinking of Blockade runner

 

On 30th the GLASGOW on patrol WHITE intercepted the German blockade runner REGENSBURG, bound from Rangoon to Germany, in position 66-41N, 25-31W at 0625Z. The immediately scuttled herself and sank in that position. One officer and five other survivors were picked up and landed in Iceland.

 

 

---

 

 

 

WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET

 

APRIL 1943

(n.b. Summary of Operations at end of month)

 

1. HMS KING GEORGE V
	1st	Scapa
	14th	Flag of Commander in Chief transferred to DUKE OF YORK
		Left Scapa escorted by three destroyers for Rosyth for docking
	15th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	30th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa, escorted by three destroyers
2. HMS ANSON (Flag of Vice Admiral, Second in Command, Home Fleet)
	1st	Scapa
	12th	Flag of Vice Admiral, Second in Command transferred to DUNLUCE CASTLE
		Broad pendant of Commodore 2nd Battle Squadron hoisted
	27th	Left Scapa with FURIOUS, SCYLLA, JAMAICA, and six destroyers for exercise X C J and Hvalfiord
	30th	Arrived Hvalfiord
3. HMS DUKE OF YORK (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.)
	1st	Scapa
	14th	Flag of Commander in Chief transferred from KING GEORGE V
	14th-30th	Scapa
4. HMS HOWE
	1st-27th	Hvalfiord
	28th	Left Hvalfiord with GLASGOW and 3 destroyers for Exercise X C J and Scapa
	30th	Arrived Scapa
5. HMS MALAYA
	20th	Left Gibraltar escorted by three destroyers for Scapa to rejoin Home Fleet
	26th	Arrived Scapa
	26th-30th	Scapa
Battlecruiser
6. HMS RENOWN
	1st-30th	Rosyth refitting
Aircraft Carriers
7. HMS INDOMITABLE (Flag of Vice Admiral, Aircraft Carriers)
	1st-30th	Clyde
8. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS
	1st-30th	Liverpool, refitting
9. HMS FURIOUS
	1st-6th	Clyde
	6th	Left Clyde for Scapa with screen of three destroyers
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with ANSON, JAMAICA, SCYLLA, and six destroyers for Exercise X C J
	30th	Returned to Scapa
First Cruiser Squadron
10. HMS KENT (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-30th	Scapa
11. HMS LONDON
	1st-30th	Tyne, refitting
12. HMS BERWICK
	1st-30th	Scapa
13. HMS NORFOLK
	1st-30th	Portsmouth, refitting
14. HMS CUMBERLAND
	1st	At sea on passage to Hvalfiord
	2nd	Diverted to Patrol WHITE
	8th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	12th	Left Hvalfiord for Patrol WHITE
	17th	Returned to Hvalfiord with grounding damage, sailing p.m. for Scapa for repairs
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa for Tyne for repairs, arriving p.m. and taken in hand
	21st-30th	Tyne for repairs
Tenth Cruiser Squadron
15. HMS BELFAST (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
	1st	At sea on Patrol WHITE
	2nd	Returned to Hvalfiord
	7th	Left Hvalfiord for Patrol WHITE
	13th	Left patrol for Hvalfiord, arriving p.m.
	13th-30th	Hvalfiord
16. HMS SHEFFIELD
	1st-30th	Clyde for weather damage repairs and refit
17. HMS BERMUDA
	1st	At sea on Patrol BLACK
	2nd	Returned to Scapa
	9th	Left Scapa for Operation REGULATION and to cover U C 2
	12th	Arrived Plymouth on completion for repairs and leave
	26th	Left Plymouth on completion with ORKAN for Operation REGULATION
	26th-30th	Operation REGULATION
18. HMS JAMAICA
	1st-7th	At sea on passage to Barrow for replacement of part of main armament guns, arriving a.m.
	8th	Left Barrow on completion for Scapa
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with ANSON, FURIOUS, SCYLLA, and six destroyers for Exercise X C J and for Hvalfiord
	30th	Arrived Hvalfiord
19. HMS GLASGOW
	1st	At sea on patrol WHITE
	2nd	Returned to Hvalfiord
	11th	Left Hvalfiord for Patrol WHITE
	16th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	28th	Left Hvalfiord with HOWE and three destroyers for Exercise X C J and Scapa
	30th	Arrived Scapa
20. HMS SCYLLA
	1st-27th	Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with ANSON, FURIOUS, JAMAICA, and six destroyers for Exercise X C J
	30th	Returned to Scapa
21. HMS CHARYBDIS
	1st-4th	At sea on Operation REGULATION
	4th	Returned to Plymouth
	6th	Left Plymouth with METEOR for Operation REGULATION
	12th	Returned to Plymouth
	17th	Left Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	21st	Arrived Gibraltar
	22nd	Left Gibraltar for Operation REGULATION
	27th	Returned to Plymouth
	27th-30th	Plymouth
Cruisers attached to the Home Fleet for working up
22. HMS NEWCASTLE
	1st-6th	Scapa, working up
	6th	Left Scapa on completion for Clyde for repairs and for foreign service
	7th	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
	16th	Left Clyde for escort of W S 29 and K M F 13
23. HMS SUFFOLK
	14th	Left Chatham on completion of refit for Scapa to work up
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	15th-30th	Scapa, working up
24. HMS DELHI
	13th	Left Rosyth for Scapa to work up, arriving p.m.
	26th	Left Scapa on completion for Plymouth
	28th	Arrived Plymouth
Destroyers
Third Destroyer Flotilla
25. HMS MILNE (Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-4th	At sea on Operation REGULATION
	4th	Returned to Milford Haven, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	5th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON for Exercise X C J and for Hvalfiord
	30th	Arrived Hvalfiord
26. HMS MARNE
	1st-30th	Tyne for refit and action damage repairs (Care and Maintenance)
27. HMS MATCHLESS
	1st-4th	At sea on Operation REGULATION
	4th	Returned to Plymouth
	12th	Left Plymouth as escort for COLOMBO for Clyde. Detached p.m. to return to Plymouth
	13th	Arrived Plymouth
	20th	Left Plymouth with METEOR and PIORUN to join MALAYA from Gibraltar for escort in W.A. Command
	22nd	Joined MALAYA, relieving Gibraltar escort force destroyers
	24th	Detached from MALAYA to Londonderry to fuel
	25th	Arrived Londonderry
	29th	Left Londonderry for Scapa
	30th	Arrived Scapa
28. HMS METEOR
	1st-6th	Plymouth, boiler cleaning
	6th	Left Plymouth with CHARYBDIS for Operation REGULATION
	11th	Returned to Plymouth
	20th	Left Plymouth with MATCHLESS and PIORUN to join MALAYA from Gibraltar for escort in W.A. Command
	22nd	Joined MALAYA, relieving Gibraltar escort force destroyers
	24th	Detached from MALAYA to Londonderry to fuel
	25th	Arrived Londonderry
	29th	Left Londonderry for Scapa
	30th	Arrived Scapa
29. HMS MUSKETEER
	1st-30th	Tyne, refitting
30. HMS MAHRATTA
	10th	Left Clyde on completion for Scapa to work and join the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	30th	Left Scapa with STEVENSTONE and ST MARYS for Rosyth, arriving p.m. and joining KING GEORGE V for escort to Scapa
31. HMCS IROQUOIS
	1st-14th	Scapa
	15th	Arrived Rosyth with KING GEORGE V, returning a.m. to Scapa, arriving p.m.
	23rd	Left Scapa with ST MARYS and STEVENSTONE to relieve escort of MALAYA and escort her to Scapa
	24th	Joined MALAYA
	26th	Arrived Scapa with MALAYA, (with defects)
	27th	Left Scapa for Devonport for repairs
	29th	Arrived Devonport, taken in hand
32. HMCS ATHABASKAN
	1st	At sea with BERMUDA on Patrol BLACK
	2nd	Returned to Scapa with weather damage
	8th	Left Scapa for Tyne for repairs
	9th	Arrived Tyne, taken in hand
	9th-30th	Tyne for repairs
33. ORP PIORUN
	1st	Plymouth
	4th	Left Plymouth with NEWFOUNDLAND and ORKAN for Operation REGULATION
	8th	Returned to Plymouth
	20th	Left Plymouth with METEOR and MATCHLESS to join MALAYA from Gibraltar for escort in Western Approaches Command
	22nd	Joined MALAYA, relieving Gibraltar escort force destroyers
	24th	Detached from MALAYA to Londonderry for fuel
	25th	Arrived Londonderry, sailing p.m. for Plymouth
	26th	Arrived Plymouth
	26th-30th	Plymouth
34. ORP ORKAN
	1st	Plymouth
	4th	Left Plymouth with NEWFOUNDLAND and PIORUN for Operation REGULATION
	8th	Returned to Plymouth
	16th	Left Plymouth with UGANDA Operation REGULATION
	20th	Returned to Plymouth
	26th	Left Plymouth with BERMUDA for Operation REGULATION
	30th	Returned to Plymouth
Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
35. HMS FAULKNOR (Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-16th	Humber, refitting
	16th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	19th	Left Scapa for Liverpool for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	20th	Arrived Liverpool
	20th-30th	Detached for duty in Western Approaches Command
36. HMS FURY
	1st-16th	Detached for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
	16th	Left Clyde for Scapa on completion to rejoin the Home Fleet
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of FURIOUS for Exercise X C J
	30th	Arrived Scapa
37. HMS FORESTER
	1st-30th	Rosyth, refitting
38. HMS ECLIPSE
	1st-30th	Detached for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
	30th	Detached from 4th Escort Group to Scapa to rejoin the Home Fleet, arriving p.m.
39. HMS ECHO
	1st-5th	Hvalfiord
	5th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa with escort of KING GEORGE V to Rosyth
	15th	Arrived Rosyth with KING GEORGE V, returned to Scapa with escort, arriving p.m.
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON for Exercise X C J and Hvalfiord
	30th	Arrived Hvalfiord
40. HMS INTREPID
	1st	At sea on Patrol WHITE, returned to Hvalfiord p.m.
	13th	Left Hvalfiord for Patrol WHITE
	17th	Returned to Hvalfiord, sailing p.m. with CUMBERLAND for Scapa
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON for Exercise X C J and Hvalfiord
	30th	Arrived Hvalfiord
41. HMS INGLEFIELD
	1st-30th	Detached to temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
42. HMS ICARUS
	1st-14th	Detached to temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	14th	Left Londonderry for Scapa on completion to rejoin the Home Fleet
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Humber for refit
	18th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	18th-30th	Humber, refitting
43. HMS IMPULSIVE
	1st-30th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla
44. HMS OFFA (Captain (D) Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-30th	Detached for Temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
45. HMS ONSLOW
	1st-25th	Humber, refitting
	25th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	26th	Arrived Scapa
	26th-30th	Scapa
46. HMS ORIBI
	1st-30th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
47. HMS ONSLAUGHT
	1st-30th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
48. HMS OPPORTUNE
	1st-30th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
49. HMS OBDURATE
	1st-30th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
50. HMS ORWELL
	1st	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command, sailing on completion with OBEDIENT for Scapa to rejoin the Home Fleet.
	2nd	Arrived Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa for Humber for refit
	7th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
51. HMS OBEDIENT
	1st	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command, sailing on completion with ORWELL for Scapa to rejoin the Home Fleet.
	2nd	Arrived Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Humber for refit
	15th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
Twenty Fourth Destroyer Flotilla
52. HMS TROUBRIDGE (Senior Officer, 24th Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-27th	Scapa, working up
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of FURIOUS for Exercise X C J
	30th	Returned to Scapa
53. HMS TUSCAN
	1st-30th	Scapa, working up
54. HMS TUMULT
	18th	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up and join the Home Fleet
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	19th-30th	Scapa, working up
55. HMS TYRIAN
	20th	Left Rosyth for Scapa to work up the join the Home Fleet, arriving p.m.
	20th-30th	Scapa, working up
Hunt Class Destroyers
56. HMS MIDDLETON
	1st-5th	Scapa
	5th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord for screen of HOWE
	8th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	16th	Left Hvalfiord for Patrol WHITE
	18th	Returned to Hvalfiord with BLANKNEY
	28th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of HOWE for Exercise X C J and Scapa
	30th	Arrived Scapa
57. HMS BLANKNEY
	1st	Hvalfiord
	16th	Left Hvalfiord for Patrol WHITE
	18th	Returned to Hvalfiord with MIDDLETON
	28th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of HOWE for Exercise X C J and Scapa
	30th	Arrived Scapa
58. HMS LEDBURY
	1st-30th	Sheerness, refitting
59. HMS BRECON
	1st	At sea on passage to Scapa
	2nd	Arrived Scapa with weather damage
	18th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	20th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	28th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of HOWE for Exercise X C J and Scapa
	30th	Arrived Scapa
60. HMS BRISSENDEN
	1st-5th	Scapa
	5th	Left Scapa with PATHFINDER and PENN for Clyde for escort of FURIOUS
	6th	Joined FURIOUS off the Clyde for escort to Scapa
	7th	Arrived Clyde
	14th	Left Scapa for Rosyth with screen of KING GEORGE V
	15th	Arrived Rosyth with KING GEORGE V, returning a.m. to Scapa, arriving p.m.
	18th	Left Scapa for Milford Haven for special escort duty in Western Approaches Command
	20th	Arrived Milford Haven, sailing p.m. with LEWES for escort of convoy to Casablanca
	20th-30th	Detached for special escort duty in the Western Approaches Command
Destroyers temporarily attached for duty with the Home Fleet
61. HMS PENN
	1st-5th	Scapa
	5th	Left Scapa with PATHFINDER and BRISSENDEN for Clyde for escort of FURIOUS to Scapa
	6th	Joined FURIOUS off the Clyde for escort to Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with PATHFINDER for Londonderry for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
	11th	Arrived Londonderry
	11th-30th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
62. HMS PANTHER
	1st-5th	Scapa
	5th	Left Scapa for Port H H X for trials arriving p.m.
	13th	Left Port H H X on completion for Londonderry for temporary duty with Western Approaches Command, arriving p.m.
	13th-30th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
63. HMS PATHFINDER
	1st-5th	Scapa
	5th	Left Scapa with PENN and BRISSENDEN for Clyde for escort of FURIOUS to Scapa
	6th	Joined FURIOUS off the Clyde for escort to Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa with PENN for Londonderry for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
	11th	Arrived Londonderry
	11th-30th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
64. HMS ST MARYS
	18th	Left Port Z A for Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet, arriving p.m.
	23rd	Left Scapa with IROQUOIS and STEVENSTONE to relieve escort of MALAYA and escort her to Scapa
	24th	Joined MALAYA
	26th	Arrived Scapa with MALAYA
	30th	Left Scapa with MAHRATTA and STEVENSTONE for Rosyth arriving p.m. and joining KING GEORGE V for escort to Scapa
65. HMS CASTLETON
	17th	Left Port Z A for Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet, arriving p.m.
	22nd	Left Scapa with MENESTHEUS for Port Z A, arriving p.m. on completion of duty with Home Fleet. Destroyers Temporarily Attached to the Home Fleet for working up
66. HMS RAPID
	1st-3rd	Scapa, working up
	3rd	Left Scapa on completion for boiler cleaning and repairs at Tyne, arriving p.m. and for foreign service
67. HMS ACTIVE
	8th	Left Tyne on completion of refit for Scapa to work up
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of FURIOUS for exercise X C J
	30th	Returned to Scapa
68. HMS ARROW
	1st-10th	Scapa, working up
	10th	Left Scapa with weather damage for London and repairs
	13th	Arrived London, taken in hand
	13th-30th	London for repairs
69. HMS LEWES
	1st-6th	Scapa, working up
	6th	Left Scapa on completion for the Clyde for boiler cleaning and for foreign service
	7th	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
70. HMS ANTHONY
	1st	Scapa, working up
	12th	Left Scapa for the Clyde on completion of working up, for boiler cleaning and for foreign service
	13th	Arrived Clyde, taken in hand
71. HMS STEVENSTONE
	1st-23rd	Scapa, working up
	23rd	Left Scapa with ST MARYS, IROQUOIS to relieve escort of MALAYA and escort to her to Scapa
	24th	Joined MALAYA
	26th	Arrived Scapa with MALAYA
	30th	Left Scapa with MAHRATTA and ST MARYS for Rosyth, arriving p.m. and joining KING GEORGE V for escort to Scapa
72. HMS LAUDERDALE
	2nd	Left Humber for Scapa to work up
	3rd	Arrived Scapa
	12th	Left Scapa for Clyde on completion and for foreign service
	13th	Arrived Clyde
73. ORP SLAZAK
	29th	Left Liverpool for Scapa to work up
	30th	Arrived Scapa
74. HMS MENESTHEUS
	12th	Left Port Z A, escorted by NEWARK, for Scapa to work up, arriving p.m. NEWARK returned to Port Z A
	22nd	Left Scapa, escorted by CASTLETON, for Port Z A, arriving p.m. on completion of working up
First Minesweeping Flotilla
75. HMS HARRIER (Senior Officer, First Minesweeping Flotilla
	1st	Leith, refitting
	14th	Left Leith on completion for Scapa
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	19th	Left Scapa with SEAGULL for Hvalfiord
	22nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	22nd-30th	Hvalfiord
76. HMS SEAGULL
	1st	Scapa
	19th	Left Scapa with HARRIER for Hvalfiord
	22nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	22nd-30th	Hvalfiord
77. HMS BRITOMART
	1st	Murmansk
	15th	Left Murmansk with JASON for Iokanka
	16th	Arrived Iokanka for sweeping operations
	23rd	Returned to Murmansk on completion
	26th	Left Murmansk with escort of six merchant ships for Molotavsk
	30th	Returned to Murmansk
78. HMS HAZARD
	1st-22nd	Hvalfiord
	22nd	Left Hvalfiord with SHARPSHOOTER for Scapa
	25th	Arrived Scapa
	26th	Left Scapa for Clyde with SHARPSHOOTER
	27th	Arrived Clyde for boiler cleaning and for Mediterranean Station
	27th-30th	Clyde
79. HMS SHARPSHOOTER
	1st-22nd	Hvalfiord
	22nd	Left Hvalfiord with HAZARD for Scapa
	25th	Arrived Scapa
	26th	Left Scapa for Clyde with HAZARD
	27th	Arrived Clyde for boiler cleaning and for Mediterranean Station
	27th-30th	Clyde
80. HMS GLEANER
	1st-30th	Hvalfiord
81. HMS HALCYON
	1st-30th	Detached for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
82. HMS SALAMANDER
	1st-30th	Detached for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
83. HMS JASON
	1st	Murmansk
	15th	Left Murmansk with BRITOMART for Iokanka
	16th	Arrived Iokanka for sweeping operations
	23rd	Returned to Murmansk on completion
	26th	Left Murmansk with escort of six merchant ships for Molotavsk
	30th	Returned to Murmansk
Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla
84. HMS FRASERBURGH (Senior Officer, Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla)
	1st-15th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
	16th	Left Oban for Aberdeen for refit
	18th	Arrived Aberdeen, taken in hand
	18th-30th	Aberdeen, refitting
85. HMS BEAUMARIS
	1st-30th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
86. HMS BOOTLE
	1st-7th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
	7th	Sailed for Aberdeen for refit
	9th	Arrived Aberdeen, taken in hand
	9th-30th	Aberdeen, refitting
87. HMS LLANDUDNO
	1st-8th	Aberdeen, refitting
	8th	Left Aberdeen for Oban, on completion, arriving p.m. to rejoin the 15th Minesweeping Flotilla (Clearing Q Z X 910)
	8th-30th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
88. HMS PETERHEAD
	1st-30th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
89. HMS FLY
	1st-30th	Hvalfiord
90. HMS ARDROSSAN
	1st-4th	Aberdeen, boiler cleaning
	4th	Left Aberdeen on completion for Oban
	5th	Arrived Oban to rejoin the 15th Minesweeping Flotilla for clearing of Q Z X 910
	5th-30th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
91. HMS DUNBAR
	1st-30th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
103. HMS LYME REGIS
	1st	Aberdeen for boiler cleaning and repairs
	11th	Left Aberdeen on completion for Oban to rejoin the 15th Minesweeping Flotilla
	12th	Arrived Oban
	12th-30th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
93. HMS WORTHING
	1st-30th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
94. HMS HOUND
	1st-30th	Hvalfiord
Corvettes lent from other Commands for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
95. HMS CAMELLIA
	1st-26th	Kola Inlet
	26th	Left Kola with escort of 6 merchant ships to Molotavsk
	30th	Returned to Kola
96. HMS BLUEBELL
	1st-26th	Kola Inlet
	26th	Left Kola with escort of 6 merchant ships to Molotavsk
	30th	Returned to Kola
Trawler lent from Other Command for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
97. HMS LORD AUSTIN
	1st-30th	Kola Inlet

 

 

98. Operation REGULATION

 

The following Home Fleet ships were temporarily detached to the Plymouth Command during April for Operation REGULATION (interception of inward and outward blockade runners and protection of Allied convoys in the Bay of Biscay area and). The detailed movements of these ships are shown in the foregoing paragraphs.

 

Home Fleet ships did not intercept any Blockade runners in this area during April

Cruisers
BERMUDA	9th-30th
CHARYBDIS	1st-30th
Destroyers
MATCHLESS	1st-20th
METEOR	1st-20th
PIORUN (ORP)	1st-30th
ORKAN (ORP)	1st-30th

 

99. Destroyers Lent to the Western Approaches Command for Atlantic Convoy duties

 

The following Home Fleet destroyers were lent to the Western Approaches Command, during the period show, in April, for duty as support groups with Atlantic convoys

3rd Destroyer Flotilla		17th Destroyer Flotilla		Others
FAULKNOR	20th-30th	OFFA (D 17)	1st-30th	PENN	11th-30th
FURY	1st-16th	ORIBI	1st-30th	PANTHER	13th-30th
ECLIPSE	1st-30th	ONSLAUGHT	1st-30th	PATHFINDER	11th-30th
INGLEFIELD	1st-30th	OPPORTUNE	1st-30th	BRISSENDEN	20th-30th
ICARUS	1st-14th	OBDURATE	1st-30th	(BRISSENDEN for special escort duty to Casablanca)
IMPULSIVE	1st-30th

 

100. Patrol Black

 

The following Home Fleet Ship carried out patrol BLACK during April against German warships or blockade runners breaking in or out through the Faroes Iceland Passage.

BERMUDA	on patrol	Returned to Scapa 2nd
ATHABASKAN	on patrol	Returned to Scapa 2nd
BRECON	on patrol	Returned Scapa 2nd

 

101. Patrol White

 

The following Home Fleet Ship carried out patrol WHITE during April against German warships or blockade runners breaking in or out through the Denmark Straits.

GLASGOW	on patrol	Returned to Hvalfiord 2nd
BELFAST	on patrol	Returned to Hvalfiord 2nd
INTREPID	on patrol	Returned to Hvalfiord 2nd
CUMBERLAND	on passage to Hvalfiord, diverted	Returned to Hvalfiord 8th
BELFAST	left Hvalfiord 7th	Returned to Hvalfiord 13th
GLASGOW	left Hvalfiord 11th	Returned to Hvalfiord 16th
CUMBERLAND	left Hvalfiord 12th	Returned Hvalfiord 17th
INTREPID	left Hvalfiord 13th	Returned to Hvalfiord 17th
MIDDLETON	left Hvalfiord 16th	Returned to Hvalfiord 18th
BLANKNEY	left Hvalfiord 16th	Returned to Hvalfiord 18th

 

102. Changes of Flag

 

The following changes of Flag have taken place in the Home Fleet since 1st January 1943

(i) Flag of Rear Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, OBE from SHEFFIELD as Flag Officer, Force R to TYNE as R.A.D. on 6th January

 

(ii) Broad Pendant of Commodore C.T.M. Pizey, CB, DSO as Commodore (D) struck in TYNE on 6th January

 

(iii) Flag of Rear Admiral I.G. Glennie hoisted in ECLIPSE a.m. on 12th January and transferred to Tyne as R.A.D. p.m.

 

(iv) Flag of Rear Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, OBE, transferred from TYNE as R.A.D. to BELFAST as C.S. 10 on 12th January

 

(v) Flag of Vice Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, KBE, CB, as Vice Admiral, Second in Command, Home Fleet transferred from ANSON to DUNLUCE CASTLE on 12th April

 

(vi) Broad Pendant of Commodore H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, as Commodore, Second Battle Squadron hoisted in ANSON on 12th April

 

(vii) Flag of the Commander in Chief, Home Fleet, transferred from KING GEORGE V to DUKE OF YORK on 14th April

 

(viii) Flag of Vice Admiral A.L. St. G. Lyster, CB, CSO, CBE, DSO, as Vice Admiral Commanding Aircraft Carriers struck in INDOMITABLE and rehoisted as Flag Officer Aircraft Carriers Training and Administration on 27th April.

 

103. Visits to the Home Fleet during April

 

The following officers visited the home Fleet during April staying on board the Fleet Flagship

4th-7th	Air Marshall J.G. Slessor, CB, DSO, MC, Air Officer Commanding Coastal Command
9th-10th	Colonel Reitz, High Commissioner for South Africa in the United Kingdom
30th-4th May	The Venerable Archdeacon T. Crick, CBE, MVO, MA, Chaplain of the Fleet