WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET

 

MAY 1943

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

1. HMS DUKE OF YORK (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.)
	1st-31st	Scapa
	31st	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Hvalfiord
2. HMS ANSON (Flag of Vice Admiral, Second in Command, Home Fleet)
	1st-15th	Hvalfiord
	15th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of three destroyers for Scapa
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of three destroyers for Rosyth for docking and to give leave
	28th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	28th-31st	Rosyth for docking
3. HMS KING GEORGE V
	1st	Arrived Scapa from Rosyth, escorted by three destroyers, sailing p.m. with TROUBRIDGE, TUSCAN, and METEOR for Gibraltar for temporary duty with Force H.
	6th	Arrived Gibraltar
	6th-31st	Detached with Force H
4. HMS HOWE
	1st-6th	Scapa
	6th	Left Scapa with screen of three destroyers for Rosyth for minor repairs and to give leave
	7th	Arrived Rosyth and taken in hand, screen returned to Scapa
	19th	Left Rosyth on completion, for Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. with escort of three destroyers for Gibraltar for temporary duty with Force H
	25th	Arrived Gibraltar
	25th-31st	Detached with Force H
5. HMS MALAYA
	1st-24th	Scapa
	24th	Left Scapa for the Clyde, escorted by three destroyers
	25th	Arrived Clyde for minor repairs and to give leave
	25th-31st	Clyde for repairs
Battleships attached for temporary with the Home Fleet
6. HMS NELSON
	26th	Left Gibraltar with screen of three destroyers for Plymouth, en route to Scapa
	30th	Arrived Plymouth
7. HMS RODNEY
	7th	Left Gibraltar for Plymouth for short refit
	13th	Arrived Plymouth, taken in hand
	13th-31st	Plymouth, refitting
8. HMS WARSPITE
	9th	Arrived Clyde, escorted by four destroyers, from Eastern Fleet. Taken in hand for short refit
	9th-31st	Clyde, refitting
9. HMS VALIANT
	5th	Left Plymouth on completion of refit for Scapa to work up, screened by three destroyers
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	7th-31st	Scapa, working up
10. USS SOUTH DAKOTA (Flag of Commander Task Group 92.4)
	19th	Arrived Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	31st	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Hvalfiord
11. USS ALABAMA
	19th	Arrived Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	31st	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Hvalfiord
Battlecruiser
12. HMS RENOWN
	1st-31st	Rosyth refitting
Aircraft Carriers
13. HMS INDOMITABLE
	1st-5th	Clyde
	5th	Sailed, escorted by MATCHLESS, MAHRATTA, and ECLIPSE for escort T A 41 B
	8th	Returned to Clyde with ECLIPSE and MATCHLESS and MAHRATTA detached to Scapa
	25th	Left Clyde with screen of three destroyers for Scapa
	26th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of two destroyers for Clyde
	28th	Arrived Clyde
	28th-31st	Clyde
14. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS
	1st-31st	Liverpool, refitting
15. HMS FURIOUS
	1st-4th	Scapa
	4th	Left Scapa for the Clyde with screen of three destroyers
	5th	Arrived Clyde
	31st	Left Clyde with three cruisers and three destroyers for Akureyri
First Cruiser Squadron
16. HMS KENT (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-2nd	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa for Clyde for repairs and to give leave
	3rd	Arrived Clyde
	13th	Left Clyde for Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa
	19th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	21st	Arrived Hvalfiord
	28th	Left Hvalfiord with JAMAICA and ECLIPSE for Akureyri
	29th	Arrived Akureyri
	31st	Left Akureyri with JAMAICA and ECLIPSE for Hvalfiord
17. HMS NORFOLK
	1st-31st	Portsmouth, refitting
	28th	Commander J.S. Litchfield-Spier assumed command temporarily vice Bellairs (sick)
18. HMS LONDON
	1st-24th	Tyne, refitting
	24th	Left Tyne for Rosyth on completion, arriving p.m. for trials
	26th	Left Rosyth for Scapa to work up, arriving p.m.
	26th-31st	Scapa, working up
19. HMS BERWICK
	1st-31st	Scapa
	31st	Left Scapa with the Battlefleet for Hvalfiord
20. HMS CUMBERLAND
	1st-12th	Tyne for repairs
	12th	Left Tyne on completion, for Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Clyde with BERMUDA and two destroyers for Clyde to load for Operation F H
	28th	Arrived Clyde
	31st	Left Clyde with FURIOUS, two cruisers, and three destroyers for Akureyri
Tenth Cruiser Squadron
21. HMS BELFAST (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-11th	Hvalfiord
	11th	Left Hvalfiord with JAMAICA for Patrol White and break out exercises
	13th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	21st	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa
	23rd	Arrived Scapa
	25th	Left Scapa to join The Rear Admiral (Minelayers) and First Minelaying Squadron for additional escort during Operation S N 111 B
	27th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	27th-31st	Scapa
22. HMS BERMUDA
	1st	Arrived Scapa from Operation REGULATION
	2nd	Left Scapa to rendezvous with The Rear Admiral (Minelayers) and First Minelaying Squadron and cover Operation S N 111 A
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with CUMBERLAND and two destroyers for the Clyde to load for Operation F H
	28th	Arrived Clyde
	31st	Left Clyde with FURIOUS, two cruisers and three destroyers for Akureyri
23. HMS SHEFFIELD
	1st-31st	Clyde for repairs and refit
24. HMS GLASGOW
	1st-5th	Scapa
	5th	Left Scapa to join Convoy T A 41 B from the Clyde for escort
	10th	Returned to Scapa
	21st	Left Scapa for Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	23rd	Arrived Plymouth
	25th	Left Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	31st	Returned to Scapa on completion
25. HMS JAMAICA
	1st	Hvalfiord
	4th	Left Hvalfiord for Patrol WHITE
	6th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	11th	Left Hvalfiord for Patrol WHITE and break out exercises with BELFAST
	13th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	28th	Left Hvalfiord with KENT and ECLIPSE for Akureyri
	29th	Arrived Akureyri
	31st	Left Akureyri with KENT and ECLIPSE for Hvalfiord
26. HMS SCYLLA
	1st-4th	Scapa
	4th	Left Scapa for escort of T A 41 B from the Clyde
	8th	Returned to Plymouth on completion
	9th	Left Plymouth for Operation REGULATION (Convoy O S 47)
	15th	Returned to Plymouth
	18th	Left Plymouth to rendezvous with Task Force 61 and escort them to Scapa
	19th	Joined Task Force 61, arrived Scapa p.m.
	30th	Left Scapa with ATHABASKAN for Clyde and for Operation F H
	31st	Arrived Clyde, sailing p.m. in company with FURIOUS, 2 cruisers, and three destroyers for Akureyri
27. HMS CHARYBDIS
	1st-31st	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operation REGULATION
Cruisers attached to the Home Fleet for working up
28. HMS SUFFOLK
	1st-16th	Scapa, working up
	16th	Left Scapa on completion for the Clyde for escort of W S 30 and for the Eastern Fleet
	17th	Arrived Clyde
29. HMS EMERALD
	5th	Left Portsmouth for Scapa to work up
	7th	Arrived Scapa
	7th-31st	Scapa, working up
Destroyers
Third Destroyer Flotilla
30. HMS MILNE (Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla
	1st	Hvalfiord
	2nd	Left Hvalfiord to run a line of soundings from 66-54N, 22-40W for Rear Admiral (M)
	4th	Returned to Hvalfiord on completion
	10th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	19th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	20th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	26th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	27th	Arrived Scapa
	31st	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri
31. HMS MARNE
	1st-31st	Tyne for refit and action damage repairs (Care and Maintenance)
32. HMS METEOR
	1st	Left Scapa with screen of KING GEORGE V for Gibraltar
	6th	Arrived Gibraltar
	7th	Left Gibraltar with screen of RODNEY for Plymouth
	13th	Arrived Plymouth, taken in hand for minor repairs
	13th-31st	Plymouth for repairs
33. HMS MATCHLESS
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa with ECLIPSE and MAHRATTA for Clyde for escort of INDOMITABLE
	4th	Arrived Clyde
	5th	Left Clyde with screen of INDOMITABLE for escort of T A 41 B
	8th	Detached to Scapa
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with GLEANER and one oiler for Hvalfiord and for Operation F H. returning p.m. to Scapa with defects
	27th-31st	Scapa for repairs
34. HMS MUSKETEER
	1st	Tyne for refit
	18th	Left Tyne on completion for Rosyth, arriving p.m.
	19th	Left Rosyth with screen of HOWE for Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa with HOWE
	24th	Left Scapa with screen of MALAYA for the Clyde
	25th	Arrived Clyde with MALAYA, sailing p.m. with screen of INDOMITABLE for Scapa
	26th	Arrived Scapa with INDOMITABLE
	26th-31st	Scapa
35. HMS MAHRATTA
	1st	Arrived Scapa from Rosyth a.m. with screen of KING GEORGE V
	3rd	Left Scapa with ECLIPSE and MATCHLESS for Clyde for escort of INDOMITABLE
	4th	Arrived Clyde
	5th	Left Clyde with screen of INDOMITABLE for escort of T A 41 B
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	9th-31st	Scapa
36. HMCS IROQUOIS
	1st-31st	Plymouth for repairs
37. HMCS ATHABASKAN
	1st-19th	Tyne for repairs
	19th	Left Tyne on completion for Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa
	30th	Left Scapa with SCYLLA for Clyde and for Operation F H
	31st	Arrived Clyde, sailing p.m. with screen of FURIOUS for Akureyri
38. ORP ORKAN
	1st-5th	Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	5th	Left Plymouth with screen of VALIANT for Scapa
	7th	Returned to Plymouth on relief by destroyer from Scapa
	7th-31st	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operation REGULATION
39. ORP PIORUN
	1st-5th	Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	5th	Left Plymouth with screen of VALIANT for Scapa
	7th	Returned to Plymouth on relief by destroyers from Scapa
	13th	Taken in hand at Plymouth for repairs
	13th-31st	Plymouth for repairs
Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
40. HMS FAULKNOR (Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-26th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	26th	Arrived Clyde for boiler cleaning and to rejoin Home Fleet
	26th-31st	Clyde, boiler cleaning
41. HMS FURY
	1st	Scapa, sailing p.m. with ST MARY'S for Port ZA for S N 111 A
	2nd	Arrived Port Z A, sailing p.m. for Operation S N 111 A with screen of First Minelaying Flotilla
	6th	Returned to Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa for Humber for refit
	12th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	12th-31st	Humber, refitting
42. HMS FORESTER
	1st-29th	Rosyth to refit
	29th	Transferred to Western Approaches Command
43. HMS ECLIPSE
	1st-3rd	Scapa
	3rd	Left Scapa with MATCHLESS and MAHRATTA for Clyde for escort of INDOMITABLE
	4th	Arrived Clyde
	5th	Left Clyde with screen of INDOMITABLE for escort of T A 41 B
	8th	Returned to Clyde, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	18th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	20th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	28th	Left Hvalfiord with KENT and JAMAICA for Akureyri
	29th	Arrived Akureyri
	31st	Left Akureyri with KENT and JAMAICA for Hvalfiord
44. HMS ECHO
	1st-4th	Hvalfiord
	4th	Left Hvalfiord for Patrol WHITE, returning p.m.
	15th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of ANSON for Scapa
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	24th	Left Scapa with screen of MALAYA for the Clyde
	25th	Arrived Clyde with MALAYA, sailing p.m. with screen of INDOMITABLE for Scapa
	26th	Arrived Scapa with screen of INDOMITABLE
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of INDOMITABLE to the Clyde
	28th	Arrived Clyde with INDOMITABLE
	31st	Left Clyde with screen of FURIOUS for Akureyri
45. HMS INTREPID
	1st-15th	Hvalfiord
	15th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of ANSON for Scapa
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	24th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for boiler cleaning and repairs
	25th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	25th-31st	Rosyth for boiler cleaning and repairs
46. HMS INGLEFIELD
	1st	Detached to temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	16th	Left Clyde for Scapa to rejoin the Home Fleet
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	19th	Left Scapa with BRISSENDEN for Rosyth, arriving a.m. and sailing with screen of HOWE for Scapa p.m.
	20th	Arrived Scapa with HOWE, sailing p.m. with screen of HOWE for Gibraltar
	25th	Arrived Gibraltar with HOWE
	26th	Left Gibraltar with screen of NELSON for Plymouth
	30th	Arrived Plymouth with NELSON
47. HMS ICARUS
	1st-29th	Humber for refit
	29th	Transferred to Western Approaches Command
48. HMS IMPULSIVE
	1st-26th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	26th	Detached from Western Approaches Command to Scapa to rejoin the Home Fleet
	27th	Arrived Scapa with defects
	30th	Left Scapa for Humber for repairs
	31st	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla
49. HMS OFFA (Captain (D) Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-29th	Detached for Temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	29th	Returned to Scapa for rejoin the Home Fleet
	29th-31st	Scapa
50. HMS ONSLOW
	1st-20th	Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with screen of HOWE for Gibraltar
	25th	Arrived Gibraltar with HOWE
	26th	Left Gibraltar with screen of NELSON for Plymouth
	30th	Arrived Plymouth with NELSON
51. HMS ORIBI
	1st-8th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	8th	Arrived St John's Newfoundland for action damage repairs after ramming a U boat
	8th-31st	St John's Newfound, for repairs
52. HMS ONSLAUGHT
	1st-26th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	26th	Returned to Scapa on completion of duty in the Western Approaches Command
	26th-31st	Scapa
53. HMS OPPORTUNE
	1st	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	26th	Returned to Scapa on completion of duty in the Western Approaches Command
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON for Rosyth
	28th	Arrived Rosyth with ANSON, returning immediately to Scapa, arriving p.m.
	31st	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Hvalfiord
54. HMS OBDURATE
	1st-30th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	30th	Returned to Scapa to rejoin Home Fleet
	31st	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Hvalfiord
55. HMS ORWELL
	1st-11th	Humber for refit
	11th	Left Humber for Scapa on completion
	12th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa with screen of HOWE to Gibraltar
	25th	Arrived Gibraltar with HOWE
	26th	Left Gibraltar with screen of NELSON for Plymouth
	29th	Arrived Plymouth with NELSON
	31st	Left Plymouth to join screen of WARSPITE from the Clyde for escort to Scapa
56. HMS OBEDIENT
	1st	Humber for refit
	17th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	18th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON for Rosyth
	28th	Arrived Rosyth with ANSON, returning immediately to Scapa, arriving p.m.
	31st	Left Scapa with screen of the Battlefleet for Hvalfiord
Twenty Third Destroyer Flotilla
57. HMS SCORPION
	18th	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up and join the Home Fleet
	19th	Arrived Scapa
	19th-31st	Scapa, working up
	31st	Left Scapa for the Clyde for screen of WARSPITE to Scapa
Twenty Fourth Destroyer Flotilla
58. HMS TROUBRIDGE (Senior Officer, 24th Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st	Left Scapa p.m. with screen of KING GEORGE V for Gibraltar
	6th	Arrived Gibraltar
	7th	Left Gibraltar with screen of RODNEY for Plymouth
	13th	Arrived Plymouth, transferred to Levant Command
59. HMS TUSCAN
	1st	Left Scapa p.m. with screen of KING GEORGE V for Gibraltar
	6th	Arrived Gibraltar
	7th	Left Gibraltar with screen of RODNEY for Plymouth
	13th	Mined off Hartland Point, taken in tow by ORKAN from Plymouth and arrived Plymouth p.m. for repairs
Transferred to Levant Command
60. HMS TUMULT
	1st-4th	Scapa, working up
	4th	Left Scapa for Clyde for screen of FURIOUS
	5th	Arrived Clyde
	6th	Left Clyde with BRECON and BLANKNEY and joined VALIANT from Plymouth for escort to Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa, with VALIANT
	22nd	Left Scapa with TYRIAN for Rosyth for boiler cleaning and alterations
	23rd	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	23rd-31st	Rosyth for alterations
61. HMS TYRIAN
	1st-6th	Scapa, working up
	6th	Left Scapa for Rosyth with screen of HOWE
	7th	Arrived Rosyth with HOWE and returned to Scapa arriving p.m.
	22nd	Left Scapa with TUMULT for Rosyth for boiler cleaning and alterations
	23rd	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	23rd-31st	Rosyth for alterations
Hunt Class Destroyers
62. HMS MIDDLETON
	1st	Scapa, sailing p.m. for Rosyth for boiler cleaning
	2nd	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	8th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	10th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord (northabout)
	13th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	15th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa with screen of ANSON
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of INDOMITABLE for the Clyde
	28th	Arrived Clyde with INDOMITABLE
	31st	Left Clyde with screen of FURIOUS for Akureyri
63. HMS BLANKNEY
	1st-4th	Scapa
	4th	Left Scapa with screen of FURIOUS for Clyde
	5th	Arrived Clyde
	6th	Left Clyde with BRECON and TUMULT and joined VALIANT from Plymouth for escort to Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa with VALIANT
	8th	Left Scapa for Humber for refit
	9th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	9th-31st	Humber refitting
64. HMS BRECON
	1st-4th	Scapa
	4th	Left Scapa with screen of FURIOUS for Clyde
	5th	Arrived Clyde
	6th	Left Clyde with BLANKNEY and TUMULT and joined VALIANT from Plymouth for escort to Scapa
	7th	Arrived Scapa with VALIANT
	13th	Left Scapa with BRISSENDEN to cover D.S. O 10 in tow of HALCYON
	14th	Arrived in position and took O 10 in tow until relieved by HALCYON
	16th	Returned to Scapa on completion of the operation
	21st	Left Scapa with BRISSENDEN for Tyne for alterations
	22nd	Arrived Tyne, taken in hand
	22nd-31st	Tyne for alterations
65. HMS BRISSENDEN
	1st-7th	Temporary detached to Western Approaches Command for special escort duty
	7th	Returned to Scapa on completion
	13th	Left Scapa with BRECON to cover D/S o 10 in tow of HALCYON
	16th	Returned to Scapa on completion of operation
	19th	Left Scapa with INGLEFIELD for Rosyth arriving a.m. and sailing with escort of HOWE for Scapa
	20th	Arrived Scapa with HOWE.
	21st	Left Scapa with BRECON for Tyne for alterations
	22nd	Arrived Tyne, taken in hand
	22nd-31st	Tyne for alterations
Destroyers attached for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
66. HMS ST MARYS
	1st	Arrived Scapa a.m. with escort of KING GEORGE V from Rosyth, sailing p.m. for Port Z A for S N 111 A
	2nd	Arrived Port Z A, sailing p.m. for Operation S N 111 A with screen of 1st Minelaying Flotilla
	6th	Returned to Port Z A on completion of temporary duty with the Home Fleet
67. HMS PENN
	1st-29th	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
	29th	Returned to Scapa to rejoin the Home Fleet
	29th-31st	Scapa
68. HMS PANTHER
	1st-31st	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
69. HMS PATHFINDER
	1st-31st	Detached for temporary duty in the Western Approaches Command
70. HMS QUILLIAM (Captain (D) Fourth Destroyer Flotilla
	10th	Arrived Clyde with WARSPITE from Eastern Fleet, taken in hand for minor repairs
	20th	Left Clyde for Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-31st	Scapa
71. HMS QUEENBOROUGH
	10th	Arrived Clyde with WARSPITE from Eastern Fleet, taken in hand for minor repairs
	20th	Left Clyde for Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-31st	Scapa
72. HMS QUAIL
	10th	Arrived Clyde with WARSPITE from Eastern Fleet, taken in hand for minor repairs
	20th	Left Clyde for Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	24th	Left Scapa with screen of MALAYA for the Clyde
	25th	Arrived Clyde with MALAYA, sailing p.m. with screen of INDOMITABLE for Scapa
	26th	Arrived Scapa with INDOMITABLE
	28th	Left Scapa for air sea rescue duties in 60N, 1E, returning to Scapa p.m.
	28th-31st	Scapa
73. HMS QUALITY
	10th	Arrived Clyde with WARSPITE from Eastern Fleet, taken in hand for minor repairs
	20th	Left Clyde for Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with screen of ANSON for Rosyth
	28th	Arrived Rosyth with screen of ANSON, returning immediately to Scapa, arriving p.m.
	28th-31st	Scapa
74. USS ELLYSON (ComDesRon 10)
	19th	Arrived Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	31st	Left Scapa with the screen of the Battlefleet for Hvalfiord
75. USS MACOMB
	19th	Arrived Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	31st	Left Scapa with the screen of the Battlefleet for Hvalfiord
76. USS RODMAN
	19th	Arrived Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	31st	Left Scapa with the screen of the Battlefleet for Hvalfiord
77. USS EMMONS
	19th	Arrived Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	31st	Left Scapa with the screen of the Battlefleet for Hvalfiord
78. USS FITCH
	19th	Arrived Scapa for temporary duty with the Home Fleet
	31st	Left Scapa with the screen of the Battlefleet for Hvalfiord
Destroyers Attached to the Home Fleet for working up
79. HMS ARROW
	1st-31st	London for repairs
80. HMS ACTIVE
	1st-6th	Scapa, working up
	6th	Left Scapa, with screen of HOWE for Rosyth
	7th	Arrived Rosyth with HOWE and returned to Scapa, arriving p.m. to continue working up
	10th	Left Scapa for Clyde on completion for boiler cleaning and foreign service
	11th	Arrived Clyde
81. HMS STEVENSTONE
	1st	Scapa, working up
	2nd	Left Scapa on completion for Portsmouth to join Portsmouth Command
	5th	Arrived Portsmouth
82. ORP SLAZAK
	1st-6th	Scapa, working up
	6th	Left Scapa with screen of HOWE for Rosyth
	7th	Arrived Rosyth with HOWE and returned to Scapa, arriving p.m.
	17th	Left Scapa on completion of working up with CLEVELAND for the Clyde and for escort of W S 30 and foreign service
	18th	Arrived Clyde
83. HMS CLEVELAND
	1st	Left Dundee for Scapa to work up
	2nd	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa on completion of working up with ORP SLAZAK for the Clyde and for escort of W S 30 and foreign service
	18th	Arrived Clyde
84. HMS TALYBONT
	23rd	Left Portsmouth for Scapa to work up
	26th	Arrived Scapa
	26th-31st	Scapa, working up
85. HMS LEDBURY
	27th	Left Humber on completion of refit for Scapa
	28th	Arrived Scapa
	28th-31st	Scapa, working up
First Minesweeping Flotilla
86. HMS HARRIER (Senior Officer, First Minesweeping Flotilla
	1st-8th	Hvalfiord
	8th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa with the First Minesweeping Flotilla
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	31st	Left Scapa for Londonderry for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
87. HMS SEAGULL
	1st-8th	Hvalfiord
	8th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa with the First Minesweeping Flotilla
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa to join escort of oiler proceeding to Hvalfiord with GLEANER
	28th	Joined escort of oiler
	30th	Arrived Hvalfiord with oiler
	31st	Left Hvalfiord for Londonderry for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
88. HMS BRITOMART
	1st-31st	North Russia
89. HMS HAZARD
	1st-19th	Clyde for foreign service
	19th	Left Clyde with K M F 15 for Mediterranean Fleet
90. HMS SHARPSHOOTER
	1st-19th	Clyde for foreign service
	19th	Left Clyde with K M F 15 for Mediterranean Fleet
91. HMS GLEANER
	1st-8th	Hvalfiord
	8th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa with First Minesweeping Flotilla
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa with MATCHLESS and one oiler for Hvalfiord
	30th	Arrived Hvalfiord
96. HMS HALCYON
	1st	Left Milford Haven for Scapa to rejoin the Home Fleet
	2nd	Arrived Scapa
	13th	Left Scapa to take submarine O 10 in tow (broken down in 63-26N, 00-33W)
	14th	Arrived in position and took O 10 in tow from BRECON
	15th	Arrived Lerwick with O 10 in tow, sailing immediately for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Londonderry for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
93. HMS SALAMANDER
	1st-13th	Milford Haven for repairs
	13th	Left Milford Haven on completion for Scapa
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	31st	Left Scapa for Londonderry for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
94. HMS JASON
	1st-31st	North Russia
Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla
95. HMS FRASERBURGH (Senior Officer, Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla)
	1st-31st	Aberdeen, refitting
96. HMS BEAUMARIS
	1st-4th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
	4th	Left Oban with 15th Minesweeping Flotilla for Hvalfiord
	8th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	30th	Left Hvalfiord for Akureyri with escort of two tankers
	31st	Arrived Akureyri
97. HMS BOOTLE
	1st-31st	Aberdeen, refitting
98. HMS LLANDUDNO
	1st-4th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
	4th	Left Oban with 15th Minesweeping Flotilla for Hvalfiord
	8th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	30th	Left Hvalfiord for Akureyri with escort of two tankers
	31st	Arrived Akureyri
99. HMS PETERHEAD
	1st-10th	Oban (boiler cleaning)
	10th	Left Oban for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	12th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	15th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	30th	Left Hvalfiord for Akureyri with escort of two tankers
	31st	Arrived Akureyri
100. HMS FLY
	1st-8th	Hvalfiord
	8th	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	13th	Left Scapa with HOUND for Harwich to join 18th Minesweeping Flotilla
	14th	Arrived Harwich
101. HMS ARDROSSAN
	1st-4th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
	4th	Left Oban with 15th Minesweeping Flotilla for Hvalfiord
	8th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	30th	Left Hvalfiord for Akureyri with escort of two tankers, detached p.m. to assist merchant ship reported torpedoed from H X convoy
	31st	Resumed passage to Akureyri
102. HMS DUNBAR
	1st-4th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
	4th	Left Oban with 15th Minesweeping Flotilla for Hvalfiord
	8th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	8th-31st	Hvalfiord
103. HMS LYME REGIS
	1st-4th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
	4th	Left Oban with 15th Minesweeping Flotilla for Hvalfiord
	8th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	8th-31st	Hvalfiord
104. HMS HOUND
	1st-8th	Hvalfiord
	8th	Left Hvalfiord to Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	15th	Left Scapa with FLY to join 18th Minesweeping Flotilla
	14th	Arrived Harwich
105. HMS WORTHING
	1st-4th	Oban (Clearing Q Z X 910)
	4th	Left Oban with 15th Minesweeping Flotilla for Hvalfiord
	8th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	23rd	Left Hvalfiord for Scapa and for weather damage repairs
	28th	Arrived Scapa, sailing p.m. for Aberdeen
	29th	Arrived Aberdeen, taken in hand
	29th-31st	Aberdeen for repairs
Sloops temporarily attached for working up
106. HMS CRANE
	28th	Arrived Scapa from Tobermory to work up
	28th-31st	Scapa, working up
107. HMS CHANTICLEER
	18th	Arrived Scapa from Tobermory to work up
	23rd	Left Scapa for Londonderry on completion
	24th	Arrived Londonderry
108. HMIS NARBADA
	28th	Left Campbeltown for Scapa to work up
	29th	Arrived Scapa
	29th-31st	Scapa, working up
109. DS FLORES
	14th	Arrived Scapa from Tobermory to work up
	29th	Left Scapa on completion for Clyde and for foreign service
	30th	Arrived Clyde
Corvettes temporarily attached for duty with the Home Fleet
110. HMS BLUEBELL
	1st-31st	North Russia
111. HMS CAMELLIA
	1st-31st	North Russia
Trawler temporarily attached for duty with the Home Fleet
112. HMS LORD AUSTIN
	1st-31st	North Russia

 

 

113. Operation REGULATION

 

The following Home Fleet ships were detached to the Plymouth Command during May 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. No Blockade runners were intercepted in this area during May.

Cruisers
GLASGOW	23rd-31st
SCYLLA	8th-18th
CHARYBDIS	1st-31st
Destroyers
ORKAN (ORP)	1st-31st
PIORUN (ORP)	1st-31st

 

114. 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 May, for duty in support groups with Atlantic convoys:

3rd Destroyer Flotilla		17th Destroyer Flotilla		Others
FAULKNOR	1st-26th	OFFA	1st-29th	PENN	1st-29th
INGLEFIELD	1st-17th	ORIBI	1st-31st	PANTHER	1st-31st
IMPULSIVE	1st-27th	ONSLAUGHT	1st-26th	PATHFINDER	1st-31st
OPPORTUNE	1st-26th	BRISSENDEN	1st-7th
OBDURATE	1st-30th

 

115. Patrol White

 

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

JAMAICA	left Hvalfiord 4th	Returned to Hvalfiord 6th
BELFAST	left Hvalfiord 11th	Returned to Hvalfiord 13th
JAMAICA	left Hvalfiord 11th	Returned to Hvalfiord 13th
BELFAST and JAMAICA were in addition for break out exercise with MIDDLETON

 

116. Patrol Black

 

There were no Home Fleet ships on patrol BLACK (between Iceland and the Faroes) during May

 

 

117. Changes of Flag

 

The following changes of Flag have taken place during May

5th	Flag of Flag Officer Carrier Training and Administration transferred from INDOMITABLE to UNICORN
7th	Flag of Vice Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, KBE, CB, as Vice Admiral Second in Command, Home Fleet was struck in DUNLUCE CASTLE
8th	Flag of Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, KBE, CB, hoisted in BERWICK and transferred p.m. to DUKE OF YORK as Commander in Chief, Home Fleet.
8th	Flag of Admiral Sir John Tovey, GCB, KBE, DSO transferred from DUKE OF YORK to ONSLOW and struck p.m. as Commander in Chief, Home Fleet
9th	Flag of Flag Officer Carrier Training and Administration transferred from UNICORN to INDOMITABLE
20th	Flag of Flag Officer Carrier Training and Administration transferred from INDOMITABLE to ARGUS
21st	Flag of Rear Admiral C. Moody as Rear Admiral Aircraft Carriers, Home Fleet hoisted in DUNLUCE CASTLE
22nd	Flag or Rear Admiral Aircraft Carriers, Home Fleet transferred from DUNLUCE CASTLE to INDOMITABLE

 

118. Operation F H

 

Preliminary movements for operation F H (relief of the garrison at Spitzbergen and return of BLUEBELL and CAMELLIA from Kola Inlet for the United Kingdom) took place towards the end of May. Details of the movements are contained in the foregoing paragraphs. A summary of the Operation will be included in the Commander in Chief, Home Fleet's War Diary for June 1943

 

 

119. Task Group 92.4

 

United Stated Task Group 92.4 (Battleships SOUTH DAKOTA (Commander Task Group 92.4), ALABAMA and destroyers ELLYSON (Commander, Destroyer Squadron 10), RODMAN, EMMONS, MACOMB, and FITCH ) arrived Scapa, escorted by SCYLLA, on the 19th May for temporary duty with the Home Fleet.

 

 

---

 

 

WAR DIARY OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, HOME FLEET

 

JUNE 1943

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

 

 

1. HMS DUKE OF YORK (Flag of Commander in Chief Home Fleet.
	1st	At sea with the Battlefleet on passage to Hvalfiord
	2nd	Arrived Hvalfiord with the Battlefleet
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	13th	Returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	13th-31st	Scapa
2. HMS ANSON (Flag of Vice Admiral, Second in Command, Home Fleet)
	1st-18th	Rosyth for docking and leave
	18th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa, arriving p.m., escorted by three destroyers
	28th	Broad Pendant of Commodore, Second Battle Squadron struck
	29th	Flag of Admiral Sir Henry Moore, KCB, CVO, DSC, as Vice Admiral Second in Command, Home Fleet transferred from RENOWN
	18th-30th	Scapa
3. HMS KING GEORGE V (Flag of Rear Admiral, Force H
	1st-30th	Detached with Force H
4. HMS HOWE
	1st-30th	Detached with Force H
5. HMS MALAYA
	1st-18th	Clyde for minor repairs and leave
	18th	Completed minor repairs
	18th-30th	Clyde
Attached Battleships
6. HMS NELSON (Flag of Flag Officer, Force H)
	1st-7th	Plymouth
	7th	Left Plymouth escorted by three destroyers for Scapa to work up
	9th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa with Force H for the Mediterranean
7. HMS RODNEY
	1st	Left Clyde with screen of three destroyers for Scapa to work up
	3rd	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa with Force H for the Mediterranean
8. HMS WARSPITE
	1st	Left Clyde with screen of three destroyers for Scapa to work up
	2nd	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa with Force H for Mediterranean
9. HMS VALIANT
	1st-17th	Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa with Force H for the Mediterranean
10. USS SOUTH DAKOTA (Flag of Commander Task Group 92.4)
	1st	At sea with the Battlefleet on passage to Hvalfiord
	2nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	12th	Detached with T G 92.4 to Hvalfiord
	14th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord with TG 92.4 for Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-30th	Scapa
11. USS ALABAMA
	1st	At sea with the Battlefleet on passage to Hvalfiord
	2nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	12th	Detached with T G 92.4 to Hvalfiord
	14th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord with TG 92.4 for Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-30th	Scapa
Battleship attached for working up
12. HMS RAMILLIES
	20th	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-30th	Scapa
Battlecruiser
13. HMS RENOWN
	1st-20th	Rosyth, refitting
	20th	Left Rosyth on completion for Scapa to work up
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	28th	Flag of Vice Admiral Sir H.R. Moore, KCB, CVO, DSO, as Vice Admiral Second in Command, Home Fleet hoisted.
	29th	Flag of Vice Admiral Second in Command, Home Fleet, transferred to ANSON
	21st-30th	Scapa
Aircraft Carriers
14. HMS INDOMITABLE
	1st	Clyde
	2nd	Left Clyde for Belfast, arriving p.m.
	3rd	Left Belfast for Clyde, arriving p.m.
	11th	Left Clyde for Scapa to work up
	12th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa with Force H for the Mediterranean
15. HMS ILLUSTRIOUS
	1st-7th	Liverpool, refitting
	7th	Left Liverpool for Clyde, on completion, to work up
	10th	Arrived Clyde to work up
	10th-30th	Clyde, working up
16. HMS FURIOUS
	1st	At sea on passage to Akureyri for Operation F H
	2nd	Diverted to Hvalfiord
	3rd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with the Battlefleet for operation F H
	13th	Returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	13th-30th	Scapa
17. HMS UNICORN
	5th	At Clyde, transferred to Home Fleet from Flag Officer Carrier Training's administration
	21st	Sailed from Clyde for Belfast, arriving p.m.
	23rd	Sailed from Belfast to Greenock to collect stores for repairs, arriving p.m.
	25th	Sailed for Belfast, arriving p.m. Taken in hand for repairs
First Cruiser Squadron
18. HMS KENT (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron)
	1st	Arrived Hvalfiord with JAMAICA and ECLIPSE from Akureyri
	15th	Left Hvalfiord with JAMAICA and MIDDLETON for Scapa
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	30th	Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron, transferred to LONDON
	17th-30th	Scapa
19. HMS LONDON
	1st-30th	Scapa, working up
	30th	Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from KENT
20. HMS NORFOLK
	1st-4th	Portsmouth, refitting
	4th	Left Portsmouth for Scapa to work up
	6th	Arrived Scapa
	6th-30th	Scapa, working up
21. HMS BERWICK
	1st	At sea with the Battlefleet on passage to Hvalfiord
	2nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	12th	Detached with T G 92.4 to Hvalfiord
	14th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord for Patrol WHITE
	22nd	Returned to Hvalfiord
	22nd-30th	Hvalfiord
22. HMS CUMBERLAND
	1st	At sea on passage to Akureyri for Operation F H
	3rd	Arrived Akureyri
	7th	Left Akureyri for Spitzbergen for Operation F H with Force R to relieve the garrison
	10th	Arrived Spitzbergen, unloaded and sailed for Scapa with Force R
	14th	Arrived Scapa with Force R
	19th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	20th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	20th-30th	Hvalfiord
Tenth Cruiser Squadron
23. HMS BELFAST (Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
	1st-9th	Scapa
	9th	Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred to GLASGOW
		Left Scapa to join escort of First Minelaying Squadron for Operation SN 111 C
	12th	Returned to Scapa on completion of SN 111 C
		Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred from GLASGOW
	17th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for docking and to give leave
	18th	Arrived Rosyth, taken in hand
	30th	Left Rosyth for Scapa on completion
24. HMS BERMUDA
	1st	At sea on passage to Akureyri for Operation F H
	3rd	Arrived Akureyri
	7th	Left Akureyri for Spitzbergen for Operation F H with Force R to relieve the garrison
	10th	Arrived Spitzbergen, unloaded and sailed with Force R for Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa with Force R
	15th	Left Scapa for the Clyde
	16th	Arrived Clyde
	17th	Left Clyde for Gibraltar with personnel for the Mediterranean
	20th	Arrived Gibraltar
	22nd	Left Gibraltar for Plymouth
	25th	Arrived Plymouth
	25th-30th	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operation REGULATION
25. HMS SHEFFIELD
	1st	Clyde for repairs and refit
	11th	Left Clyde on completion for Scapa to work up
	12th	Arrived Scapa
	12th-30th	Scapa, working up
26. HMS GLASGOW
	1st	Scapa
	9th	Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred from BELFAST
	12th	Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron transferred to BELFAST
	28th	Left Scapa TO join Rear Admiral (Minelaying) and First Minelaying Squadron for cover during Operation S N 222 A
	28th-30th	At sea covering Operation S N 222 A
27. HMS JAMAICA
	1st	Arrived Hvalfiord with KENT and ECLIPSE from Akureyri
	15th	Left Hvalfiord with MIDDLETON for Scapa
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	17th-30th	Scapa
28. HMS SCYLLA
	1st	At sea on passage to Akureyri for Operation F H
	2nd	Diverted to Hvalfiord with FURIOUS
	3rd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	13th	Returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	15th	Left Scapa for Plymouth for Operation REGULATION
	17th	Arrived Plymouth
	17th-30th	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operation REGULATION
29. HMS CHARYBDIS
	1st-30th	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operation REGULATION
Cruisers attached to the Home Fleet for working up
30. HMS EMERALD
	1st-28th	Scapa, working up
	28th	Left Scapa for Clyde on completion and for foreign service
	29th	Arrived Clyde
31. HMS DIDO
	14th	Left Liverpool for Scapa to work up
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	20th	Left Scapa for Liverpool for alterations and for the Mediterranean
	21st	Arrived Liverpool
32. HMS COLOMBO
	4th	Left Plymouth for Scapa to work up
	6th	Arrived Scapa
	26th	Left Scapa for Clyde on completion of working up
	27th	Arrived Clyde for foreign service
33. HMS DIOMEDE
	15th	Arrived Scapa from Rosyth, on completion of refit to work up
	15th-30th	Scapa, working up
Destroyers
Third Destroyer Flotilla
34. HMS MILNE (Captain (D) Third Destroyer Flotilla
	1st	At sea with Battlefleet on passage to Hvalfiord
	2nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	13th	Returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	19th	Left Scapa with MUSKETEER and MAHRATTA for the Clyde
	20th	Arrived Clyde and joined escort of RAMILLIES for escort to Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa with RAMILLIES
	21st-30th	Scapa
35. HMS MARNE
	1st-30th	Tyne for refit and action damage repairs (Care and Maintenance)
36. HMS METEOR
	1st-7th	Plymouth for repairs
	7th	Left Plymouth for Scapa with screen on NELSON, on completion of repairs
	9th	Arrived Scapa with NELSON
	10th	Left Scapa with PIORUN and OFFA for the Clyde for escort of INDOMITABLE to Scapa
	11th	Joined INDOMITABLE off the Clyde
	12th	Arrived Scapa with INDOMITABLE
	21st	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	23rd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	23rd-30th	Hvalfiord
37. HMS MATCHLESS
	1st-5th	Scapa
	5th	Left Scapa for Plymouth for screen of NELSON to Scapa
	7th	Arrived Plymouth and joined screen of NELSON
	9th	Arrived Scapa with NELSON, sailing p.m. for Humber for refit
	10th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	10th-30th	Humber, refitting
38. HMS MUSKETEER
	1st	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with MAHRATTA and ONSLAUGHT for Seidisfiord and for Operation F H, returning p.m. to Scapa
	3rd	Sailed again for Seidisfiord
	4th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	8th	Left Seidisfiord for Kola Inlet and Operation F H
	12th	Arrived Kola Inlet, sailing p.m. for Seidisfiord
	15th	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	19th	Left Scapa with MILNE and MAHRATTA for Clyde for escort of RAMILLIES to Scapa
	20th	Arrived Clyde, joined escort of RAMILLIES
	21st	Arrived Scapa with RAMILLIES
	23rd	Left Scapa to intercept blockade runner
	25th	Returned to Scapa
	25th-30th	Scapa
39. HMS MAHRATTA
	1st	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with ONSLAUGHT and MUSKETEER for Seidisfiord and for Operation F H, returning p.m. to Scapa
	3rd	Sailed again for Seidisfiord
	4th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	8th	Left Seidisfiord for Kola Inlet and Operation F H
	12th	Arrived Kola Inlet, sailing p.m. for Seidisfiord
	15th	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. for Scapa
	16th	Arrived Scapa
	19th	Left Scapa with MILNE and MUSKETEER for Clyde for escort of RAMILLIES to Scapa
	20th	Arrived Clyde, joined escort of RAMILLIES
	21st	Arrived Scapa with RAMILLIES
	23rd	Left Scapa to intercept blockade runner
	25th	Returned to Scapa
	25th-30th	Scapa
40. HMS SCORPION
	1st	On passage from Scapa, joined WARSPITE off the Clyde for escort to Scapa
	2nd	Arrived Scapa with WARSPITE
	2nd-30th	Scapa, working up
41. HMS SAVAGE
	13th	Left Rosyth for Scapa to work up and join Home Fleet, arriving p.m.
	13th-30th	Scapa, working up
42. HMCS IROQUOIS
	1st-30th	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operation REGULATION
43. HMCS ATHABASKAN
	1st	On passage with screen of FURIOUS to Akureyri
	2nd	Diverted to Hvalfiord with FURIOUS
	3rd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	4th	Left Hvalfiord with ECLIPSE for Akureyri
	5th	Arrived Akureyri
	7th	Left Akureyri for Spitzbergen and for Operation F H with Force R
	10th	Arrived Spitzbergen, unloaded and sailed with Force R for Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa with Force R
	22nd	Left Scapa for Devonport for collision damage repairs
	24th	Arrived Devonport, taken in hand
	24th-30th	Devonport for repairs
44. ORP ORKAN
	1st-30th	Detached to Plymouth Command for Operation REGULATION
37. ORP PIORUN
	1st	Left Plymouth with screen of RODNEY for Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa with RODNEY
	10th	Left Scapa with OFFA and METEOR for Clyde for escort of INDOMITABLE to Scapa
	11th	Joined INDOMITABLE off the Clyde
	12th	Arrived Scapa with INDOMITABLE
	17th	Left Scapa with Force H for the Mediterranean
	17th-30th	Detached with Force H
Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
46. HMS FAULKNOR (Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
	1st	Clyde, boiler cleaning
	2nd	Left Clyde on completion for Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa with Force H for the Mediterranean
	17th-30th	Detached with Force H
47. HMS FURY
	1st-12th	Humber, refitting
	12th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa with Force H for the Mediterranean
	17th-30th	Detached with Force H
48. HMS ECLIPSE
	1st	Arrived Hvalfiord with KENT and JAMAICA from Akureyri
	4th	Left Hvalfiord with ATHABASKAN for Akureyri
	5th	Arrived Akureyri
	7th	Left Akureyri for Spitzbergen and for Operation F H with Force R
	10th	Arrived Spitzbergen, unloaded and sailed with Force R for Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa with Force R
	20th	Left Scapa for Gibraltar via Plymouth to join Force H
	20th-30th	Detached with Force H
49. HMS ECHO
	1st	At sea with screen of FURIOUS on passage to Akureyri
	2nd	Diverted to Hvalfiord with FURIOUS
	3rd	Arrived Hvalfiord, sailing p.m. to search for crew of crashed aircraft
	5th	Returned to Hvalfiord
	6th	Sailed from Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa with Force H for the Mediterranean
	17th-30th	Detached with Force H
50. HMS INTREPID
	1st	Left Rosyth, on completion of boiler cleaning and repairs for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	5th	Left Scapa for Lerwick, arriving p.m. for ÒWings for VictoryÓ campaign
	7th	Left Lerwick for Scapa, arriving p.m.
	17th	Left Scapa with Force H for the Mediterranean
	17th-30th	Detached with Force H
51. HMS INGLEFIELD
	1st	Left Plymouth with screen of RODNEY for Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa with RODNEY
	17th	Left Scapa with Force H for the Mediterranean
	17th-30th	Detached with Force H
52. HMS IMPULSIVE
	1st-30th	Humber for repairs
Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla
53. HMS OFFA (Captain (D) Seventeenth Destroyer Flotilla)
	1st-10th	Scapa
	3rd	Captain (D) 17th Destroyer Flotilla, transferred to ONSLOW
	10th	Left Scapa with PIORUN and METEOR for the Clyde for screen of INDOMITABLE to Scapa
	11th	Joined INDOMITABLE off the Clyde
	12th	Arrived Scapa with INDOMITABLE
	17th	Left Scapa with Force H for the Mediterranean
	17th-30th	Detached with Force H
54. HMS ONSLOW
	1st	Left Plymouth with screen of RODNEY for Scapa
	3rd	Arrived Scapa with RODNEY
		Captain (D) 17th Destroyer Flotilla transferred from OFFA
	18th	Left Scapa with OPPORTUNE and OBDURATE for Rosyth, arriving a.m. and returned as escort for ANSON, arriving Scapa p.m.
	18th-30th	Scapa
55. HMS ORIBI
	1st-30th	St John's, Newfoundland for action damage repairs
	30th	Left St John's, Newfoundland on completion to join the screen of QUEEN ELIZABETH for Plymouth
56. HMS ONSLAUGHT
	1st	Scapa
	2nd	Left Scapa with MUSKETEER and MAHRATTA for Seidisfiord and for Operation F H, returning p.m. to Scapa
	3rd	Sailed again for Seidisfiord
	4th	Arrived Seidisfiord
	8th	Left Seidisfiord for Operation F H to rendezvous with corvettes from North Russia
	13th	Returned to Seidisfiord without meeting corvettes
	14th	Left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	15th	Arrived Scapa
	15th-30th	Scapa
57. HMS OPPORTUNE
	1st	At sea with screen of Battlefleet on passage to Hvalfiord
	2nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	13th	Returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	18th	Left Scapa with ONSLOW and OBDURATE for Rosyth, arriving a.m. and returning p.m. to Scapa with ANSON
	18th-30th	Scapa
58. HMS OBDURATE
	1st	At sea with screen of Battlefleet on passage to Hvalfiord
	2nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	13th	Returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	18th	Left Scapa with ONSLOW and OPPORTUNE for Rosyth, arriving a.m. and returning p.m. to Scapa with ANSON
	18th-30th	Scapa
56. HMS ORWELL
	1st	At sea on passage from Plymouth, joined screen of WARSPITE off the Clyde for escort to Scapa
	2nd	Arrived Scapa with WARSPITE
	4th	Left Scapa for Akureyri and for Operation F H
	6th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	13th	Returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	16th	Left Scapa and joined HUNTER off Dundee for escort to the Clyde
	18th	Returned to Scapa
	18th-30th	Scapa
60. HMS OBEDIENT
	1st	At sea with screen of the Battlefleet on passage to Hvalfiord
	2nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with screen of the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	13th	Returned to Scapa with the Battlefleet
	13th-30th	Scapa
Hunt Class Destroyers
61. HMS MIDDLETON
	1st	On passage to Akureyri with screen of FURIOUS
	2nd	Diverted to Hvalfiord
	3rd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	13th	Left Akureyri for Hvalfiord
	14th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	15th	Left Hvalfiord with JAMAICA for Scapa
	17th	Arrived Scapa
	26th	Left Scapa and joined STALKER from Sheerness off Dundee for escort to Clyde
	28th	Arrived Clyde
	29th	Arrived Scapa
	29th-30th	Scapa
62. HMS BLANKNEY
	1st-12th	Humber, refitting
	12th	Left Humber on completion for Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa for Londonderry with the 21st Destroyer Flotilla
	17th	Arrived Londonderry for special escort duty and for escort duty in the Mediterranean
	17th-30th	Detached to Commander in Chief, Mediterranean under Flag Officer Force H
63. HMS BRECON
	1st-12th	Tyne for alterations
	12th	Left Tyne on completion for Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa for Londonderry with the 21st Destroyer Flotilla
	17th	Arrived Londonderry for special escort duty and for escort duty in the Mediterranean
	17th-30th	Detached to Commander in Chief, Mediterranean under Flag Officer Force H
64. HMS BRISSENDEN
	1st-9th	Tyne for alterations
	9th	Left Tyne on completion for Scapa
	10th	Arrived Scapa
	16th	Left Scapa for Londonderry with the 21st Destroyer Flotilla
	17th	Arrived Londonderry for special escort duty and for escort duty in the Mediterranean
	17th-30th	Detached to Commander in Chief, Mediterranean under Flag Officer Force H
Destroyers temporarily attached for duty with the Home Fleet
65. HMS PENN
	1st-11th	Scapa
	11th	Left Scapa for Londonderry for boiler cleaning
	12th	Arrived Londonderry, taken in hand
	18th	Left Londonderry on completion and joined escort of Force H from Scapa for the Mediterranean
66. HMS PANTHER
	1st	Clyde for boiler cleaning
	6th	Left Clyde for Plymouth for screen of NELSON to Scapa
	7th	Arrived Plymouth and joined screen of NELSON
	9th	Arrived Scapa with NELSON
	17th	Left Scapa with escort of Force H (on completion of duty with the Home Fleet) for the Mediterranean
67. HMS PATHFINDER
	1st-12th	Clyde for repairs
	12th	Left Clyde on completion for Scapa
	13th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa with escort of Force H (on completion of duty with the Home Fleet) for the Mediterranean
68. HMS QUILLIAM (Captain (D) Fourth Destroyer Flotilla
	1st-17th	Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa with escort of Force H (on completion of duty with the Home Fleet) for the Mediterranean
69. HMS QUEENBOROUGH
	1st-17th	Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa with escort of Force H (on completion of duty with the Home Fleet) for the Mediterranean
70. HMS QUALITY
	1st-14th	Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for repairs to collision damage, arriving p.m.
	14th-30th	Rosyth for repairs and refit
71. HMS QUAIL
	1st	On passage to Scapa, joined screen of WARSPITE off the Clyde fro passage to Scapa
	2nd	Arrived Scapa with WARSPITE
	17th	Left Scapa with escort of Force H (on completion of duty with the Home Fleet) for the Mediterranean
72. HMS TUMULT
	1st	Rosyth for alterations
	3rd	Left Rosyth for Clyde on completion
	5th	Arrived Clyde
	6th	Left Clyde with escort of BATTLER for Gibraltar and for Levant Command
73. HMS TYRIAN
	1st	Rosyth for alterations
	3rd	Left Rosyth for Clyde on completion
	5th	Arrived Clyde
	6th	Left Clyde with escort of BATTLER for Gibraltar and for Levant Command
74. USS ELLYSON (ComDesRon 10)
	1st	On passage to Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet
	2nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with the screen of the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	12th	Detached with Task Group 92.4 to Hvalfiord
	14th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord with Task Group 92.4 for Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-30th	Scapa
75. USS MACOMB
	1st	On passage to Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet
	2nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with the screen of the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	12th	Detached with Task Group 92.4 to Hvalfiord
	14th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord with Task Group 92.4 for Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-30th	Scapa
76. USS RODMAN
	1st	On passage to Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet
	2nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with the screen of the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	12th	Detached with Task Group 92.4 to Hvalfiord
	14th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord with Task Group 92.4 for Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-30th	Scapa
77. USS EMMONS
	1st	On passage to Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet
	2nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with the screen of the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	12th	Detached with Task Group 92.4 to Hvalfiord
	14th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord with Task Group 92.4 for Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	22nd	Left Scapa for Invergordon, arriving p.m.
	23rd	Left Invergordon for Scapa with First Sea Lord of the Admiralty and Admiral Stark, arriving p.m.
	23rd-30th	Scapa
78. USS FITCH
	1st	On passage to Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet
	2nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	6th	Left Hvalfiord with screen of the Battlefleet for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	9th	Left Akureyri with the screen of the Battlefleet for Operation F H
	12th	Detached with Task Group 92.4 to Hvalfiord
	14th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	19th	Left Hvalfiord with Task Group 92.4 for Scapa
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-30th	Scapa
Destroyers Temporarily Attached to the Home Fleet for working up
79. HMS ARROW
	1st	London for repairs, sailing p.m. for Scapa to work up
	3rd	Arrived London
	16th	Left Scapa for Londonderry with the 21st Destroyer Flotilla on completion of working up
	17th	Arrived Londonderry for special escort duty and for escort duty in the Mediterranean under Flag Officer Force H
80. HMS GRENVILLE
	1st	Arrived Scapa from Tyne to work up
	27th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for minor repairs
	28th	Arrived Rosyth
	29th	Left Rosyth for Scapa, arriving p.m. to continue working up
	29th-30th	Scapa
81. HMS ROEBUCK
	13th	Arrived Scapa from Clyde to work up
	13th-30th	Scapa, working up
82. HMS BEAGLE
	18th	Left Portsmouth for Scapa to work up
	21st	Arrived Scapa
	21st-30th	Scapa, working up
83. HMS BRILLIANT
	28th	Left Portsmouth on completion of refit for Scapa to work up
	30th	Arrived Scapa
84. HMS RIPLEY
	24th	Left Greenock for Scapa to work up
	25th	Arrived Scapa
	27th	Left Scapa escorting R.F.A. BLACK RANGER to Skaalefiord
	28th	Arrived Skaalefiord sailing p.m. for Scapa
	29th	Arrived Scapa
	30th	Left Scapa for Aberdeen for temporary duty as F.A.A. target ship
85. HMS LEDBURY
	1st-14th	Scapa, working up
	14th	Left Scapa for Rosyth for alterations, arriving p.m.
	17th	Left Rosyth on completion for Londonderry.
	18th	Arrived Londonderry for special escort duty and for escort duty in the Mediterranean under Flag Officer Force H
86. HMS TALYBONT
	1st-30th	Scapa, working up
87. HMS MENDIP (Captain (D), Twentyfirst Destroyer Flotilla)
	13th	Arrived Scapa from Sheerness to work up
	16th	Left Scapa with 21st Destroyer Flotilla on completion of working up for Londonderry
	17th	Arrived Londonderry for special escort duty and for escort duty in the Mediterranean under Flag Officer Force H
88. HMS HAMBLEDON
	13th	Arrived Scapa from Sheerness to work up
	16th	Left Scapa with 21st Destroyer Flotilla on completion of working up for Londonderry
	17th	Arrived Londonderry for special escort duty and for escort duty in the Mediterranean under Flag Officer Force H
89. HMS BLENCATHRA
	13th	Arrived Scapa from Sheerness to work up
	16th	Left Scapa with 21st Destroyer Flotilla on completion of working up for Londonderry
	17th	Arrived Londonderry for special escort duty and for escort duty in the Mediterranean under Flag Officer Force H
90. HMS WOOLSTON
	7th	Arrived Scapa from Rosyth to work up.
	16th	Left Scapa with 21st Destroyer Flotilla on completion of working up for Londonderry
	17th	Arrived Londonderry for special escort duty and for escort duty in the Mediterranean under Flag Officer Force H
91. HMS WALLACE
	7th	Arrived Scapa from Rosyth to work up.
	16th	Left Scapa with 21st Destroyer Flotilla on completion of working up for Londonderry
	17th	Arrived Londonderry for special escort duty and for escort duty in the Mediterranean under Flag Officer Force H
92. HMS VICEROY
	7th	Arrived Scapa from Rosyth to work up.
	16th	Left Scapa with 21st Destroyer Flotilla on completion of working up for Londonderry
	17th	Arrived Londonderry for special escort duty and for escort duty in the Mediterranean under Flag Officer Force H
First Minesweeping Flotilla
93. HMS HARRIER (Senior Officer, First Minesweeping Flotilla
	1st	Arrived Londonderry for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
	1st-30th	Detached for duty in Western Approaches
94. HMS SEAGULL
	1st	On passage from Hvalfiord to Londonderry
	2nd	Arrived Londonderry for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
	2nd-30th	Detached for duty in Western Approaches
95. HMS BRITOMART
	1st-30th	North Russia
96. HMS GLEANER
	1st-5th	Hvalfiord
	5th	Left Hvalfiord with LYME REGIS and DUNBAR for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri, sailing p.m. for Hvalfiord
	8th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	9th	Left Hvalfiord with convoy R U 77 for Scapa
	14th	Arrived Scapa
	17th	Left Scapa for Humber for repairs
	18th	Arrived Humber, taken in hand
	18th-30th	Humber for repairs and refit
97. HMS HALCYON
	1st	Arrived Londonderry for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
	1st-30th	Detached for duty in Western Approaches
98. HMS SALAMANDER
	1st	Arrived Londonderry for temporary duty in Western Approaches Command
	1st-30th	Detached for duty in Western Approaches
99. HMS JASON
	1st-30th	North Russia
Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla
100. HMS FRASERBURGH (Senior Officer, Fifteenth Minesweeping Flotilla)
	1st-27th	Aberdeen, refitting
	27th	Sailed from Aberdeen for Scapa
	28th	Arrived Scapa to work up
	28th	Scapa, working up
101. HMS BEAUMARIS
	1st-15th	Akureyri
	15th	Left Akureyri for Hvalfiord
	16th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	16th-30th	Hvalfiord
102. HMS BOOTLE
	1st-13th	Aberdeen, refitting
	13th	Left Aberdeen on completion for Scapa to work up
	14th	Arrived Scapa
	19th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	22nd	Arrived Hvalfiord
	22nd-30th	Hvalfiord
103. HMS LLANDUDNO
	1st-15th	Akureyri
	15th	Left Akureyri for Hvalfiord
	16th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	16th-30th	Hvalfiord
104. HMS PETERHEAD
	1st-8th	Akureyri
	8th	Left Akureyri for Hvalfiord
	9th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	9th-30th	Hvalfiord
105. HMS ARDROSSAN
	1st-8th	Arrived Akureyri from Hvalfiord
	8th	Left Akureyri for Hvalfiord
	9th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	22nd	Sailed for Aberdeen to refit
	24th	Arrived Aberdeen, taken in hand
	24th-30th	Aberdeen, refitting
106. HMS DUNBAR
	1st-5th	Hvalfiord
	5th	Left Hvalfiord with GLEANER and LYME REGIS for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	15th	Left Akureyri with LYME REGIS and one oiler for Seidisfiord
	16th	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. for Hvalfiord
	18th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	18th-30th	Hvalfiord
107. HMS LYME REGIS
	1st-5th	Hvalfiord
	5th	Left Hvalfiord with GLEANER and DUNBAR for Akureyri
	7th	Arrived Akureyri
	15th	Left Akureyri with DUNBAR and one oiler for Seidisfiord
	16th	Arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. for Hvalfiord
	18th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	18th-30th	Hvalfiord
108. HMS WORTHING
	1st-10th	Aberdeen for repairs
	10th	Left Aberdeen on completion for Scapa
	11th	Arrived Scapa
	14th	Left Scapa for Hvalfiord
	17th	Arrived Hvalfiord
	17th-30th	Hvalfiord
Sloop temporarily attached for working up
109. HMIS NARBADA
	1st-30th	Scapa, working up
Corvettes temporarily attached for duty with the Home Fleet
110. HMS BLUEBELL
	1st-9th	North Russia
	9th	Left Kola Inlet with CAMELLIA for Liverpool
	15th	Arrived Liverpool on completion of temporary duty with the Home Fleet
111. HMS CAMELLIA
	1st-9th	North Russia
	9th	Left Kola Inlet with BLUEBELL for Aultbea
	14th	Arrived Aultbea on completion of temporary duty with the Home Fleet
Trawler attached for temporarily duty with the Home Fleet
112. HMS LORD AUSTIN (n.b. text reads LORD MIDDLETON, but LORD AUSTIN in other months)
	1st-30th	North Russia

 

 

113. Operation REGULATION

 

The following Home Fleet ships were detached to the Plymouth Command during the periods shown in June for Operation REGULATION (protection of Allied convoys in the Bay of Biscay area and interception of inward and outward blockade runners). No Blockade runners were intercepted in this area during June

Cruisers
BERMUDA	20th-30th
SCYLLA	17th-30th
CHARYBDIS	1st-30th
Destroyers
ORKAN (ORP)	1st-30th
IROQUOIS (RCN)	1st-30th

 

114. Ships lent to Force H

 

The following ships were detached for temporary duty with Force H during June

Battleships:	KING GEORGE V	1st-30th
	HOWE	1st-30th
Aircraft Carrier	INDOMITABLE	17th-30th
Destroyers:	ORP PIORUN	17th-30th
	FAULKNOR (D 8)	17th-30th
	FURY	17th-30th
	ECHO	17th-30th
	ECLIPSE	20th-30th
	INTREPID	17th-30th
	INGLEFIELD	17th-30th
	OFFA	17th-30th
	BLANKNEY	17th-30th (Force V)
	BRISSENDEN	17th-30th (Force V)
	BRECON	17th-30th (Force V)

 

115. Patrol White

 

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

BERWICK

left Hvalfiord 19th

Returned to Hvalfiord 22nd

 

116. Patrol Black

 

There were no Home Fleet ships on patrol BLACK (between Iceland and the Faroes) during June

 

 

117. Changes of Flag

1st	Rear Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSC, OBE, appointed Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron in continuation and as Rear Admiral, Second in Command Home Fleet
5th	Flag of Vice Admiral A.V. Willis, CB, DSO, as Flag Officer Commanding Force H, hoisted in RODNEY
9th	Flag of Flag Officer, Force H transferred to NELSON from RODNEY
	Flag or Rear Admiral Second in Command, Home Fleet transferred from BELFAST to GLASGOW
12th	Flag of Rear Admiral Second in Command, Home Fleet transferred from GLASGOW to BELFAST
28th	Rear Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, appointed Rear Admiral Commanding, Tenth Cruiser Squadron in continuation
	Broad pendant of Commodore H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, as Commodore, Second Battle Squadron struck in ANSON
	Flag of Vice Admiral Sir Henry Moore, KCB, CVO, DSO, as Vice Admiral Commanding, Second Battle Squadron and Vice Admiral Second in Command, Home Fleet, hoisted in RENOWN
29th	Flag of Vice Admiral, Second in Command, Home Fleet transferred from RENOWN to ANSON
30th	Flag of Rear Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron transferred from KENT to LONDON

 

118. Visit of Admiral Stark and the First Lord of the Admiralty

 

Admiral Stark, Commanding U.S. Naval Forces in the European Theatre, accompanied by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Winant, the American Ambassador to Great Britain, Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Blake, KCB, DSO, and members of their staffs arrived at Scapa in the U.S. destroyer EMMONS on 23rd June from Invergordon for a brief visit to the Home Fleet to inspect Task Group 92.4

 

The following day all members of the party went to sea in the U.S.S. SOUTH DAKOTA to witness exercises by Task Group 92.4.

 

On 25th, Admiral Stark inspected the ships of Task Group 92.4, the remainder of the party, except Vice Admiral Blake, proceeded to Scrabster by destroyer and thence by train to London.

 

On 26th, Admiral Stark and Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Blake, KCB, DSO, left Scapa by destroyer for Invergordon arriving a.m.

 

 

119. Operation F H (including GEARBOX III)

 

Operation F H consisting of :

(a) carrying relief personnel and stores to the Norwegian garrison in Spitzbergen

 

(b) bring back two corvettes from North Russia

 

(c) carrying mail and stores to H.M. ships and establishments in North Russia

 

Was successfully carried out during the first half of June

2. The ships taking part in the Operation were covered by a large force comprising the Battlefleet in a covering area approximately 200 miles south west of Bear Island. No interference from the enemy was experienced throughout the operation. The operation was slightly delayed owing to adverse ice reports from Spitzbergen

 

3. The detailed movements of the forces taking part in the operation were as follows:

27th May	CUMBERLAND and BERMUDA left Scapa for the Clyde to load for GEARBOX III
28th	CUMBERLAND and BERMUDA arrived Clyde
30th	ATHABASKAN left Scapa with SCYLLA for the Clyde
31st	ATHABASKAN arrived Clyde
	CUMBERLAND, BERMUDA, and ATHABASKAN left Clyde with FURIOUS and screen for Akureyri
2nd June	ATHABASKAN diverted to Hvalfiord with screen of FURIOUS
3rd	CUMBERLAND and BERMUDA arrived Akureyri
	ATHABASKAN arrived Hvalfiord
4th	ATHABASKAN and ECLIPSE left Hvalfiord for Akureyri
5th	ATHABASKAN and ECLIPSE arrived Akureyri
7th	CUMBERLAND, BERMUDA, ATHABASKAN, and ECLIPSE (Force R) left Akureyri for Spitzbergen (GEARBOX III) after being delayed by adverse ice reports from Spitzbergen
10th	Force R arrived Spitzbergen. Cruisers commenced unloading while the destroyers carried out an A/S patrol at the entrance to the Fiord.
11th	Force R left Spitzbergen for Scapa
14th	Force R arrived Scapa

(b). Destroyers to North Russia and corvettes to United Kingdom

 

3rd June	ONSLAUGHT, MAHRATTA, and MUSKETEER, the last two with stores and passengers for North Russia, left Scapa for Seidisfiord
4th	ONSLAUGHT, MAHRATTA, and MUSKETEER arrived Seidisfiord
8th	Destroyers left Seidisfiord, MUSKETEER and MAHRATTA for Kola Inlet, ONSLAUGHT to meet corvettes from North Russia
9th	BLUEBELL and CAMELLIA left Kola Inlet for United Kingdom
12th	MAHRATTA and MUSKETEER arrived Kola Inlet, unloaded and sailed p.m. for Seidisfiord
13th	ONSLAUGHT Returned to Seidisfiord after failing to meet the corvettes which proceeded south of Bear Island
14th	ONSLAUGHT left Seidisfiord for Scapa
	CAMELLIA arrived Aultbea
15th	ONSLAUGHT arrived Scapa
	BLUEBELL arrived Liverpool
	MAHRATTA and MUSKETEER arrived Seidisfiord, sailing p.m. for Scapa
16th	MAHRATTA and MUSKETEER arrived Scapa

(c) The Battlefleet

 

27th May	ECHO and MIDDLETON left Scapa for Clyde for screen of FURIOUS
28th	ECHO and MIDDLETON arrived Clyde
30th	SCYLLA left Scapa for the Clyde
31st	SCYLLA arrived Clyde
	FURIOUS, SCYLLA, ECHO, and MIDDLETON left Clyde with Force R (less ECLIPSE) for Akureyri
	DUKE OF YORK, SOUTH DAKOTA, ALABAMA, BERWICK, ELLYSON, RODMEN, EMMONS, MACOMB, FITCH, MILNE, OPPORTUNE, OBDURATE, and OBEDIENT left Scapa for Hvalfiord
2nd June	FURIOUS, SCYLLA, ECHO and MIDDLETON diverted with ATHABASKAN to Hvalfiord
	DUKE OF YORK, SOUTH DAKOTA, ALABAMA, BERWICK, and nine destroyers arrived Hvalfiord
3rd	FURIOUS, SCYLLA, ECHO, and MIDDLETON arrived Hvalfiord
4th	ORWELL left Scapa for Akureyri
6th	ORWELL arrived Akureyri.
	The Battlefleet (DUKE OF YORK, SOUTH DAKOTA, ALABAMA, FURIOUS, BERWICK, SCYLLA, ELLYSON, RODMAN, EMMONS, MACOMB, FITCH, MILNE, ECHO, MIDDLETON, OPPORTUNE, OBDURATE, and OBEDIENT) left Hvalfiord for Akureyri
7th	The Battlefleet arrived Akureyri
9th	The Battlefleet left Akureyri for covering area 200 miles south west of Bear Island. ORWELL replaced ECHO and MIDDLETON in the Battlefleet screen ECHO left Akureyri for Scapa
11th	ECHO arrived Akureyri
	Battlefleet arrived in the covering area.
12th	SOUTH DAKOTA, ALABAMA, BERWICK, ELLYSON, RODMAN, EMMONS, MACOMB, and FITCH detached to Hvalfiord
13th	MIDDLETON left Akureyri for Hvalfiord
	DUKE OF YORK, FURIOUS, SCYLLA, MILNE, OPPORTUNE, OBDURATE, ORWELL, and OBEDIENT arrived Scapa
14th	Task Group 92.4 and BERWICK arrived Hvalfiord
	MIDDLETON arrived Hvalfiord

 

(d) Oilers

27th May	GLEANER and SEAGULL left Scapa with one RANGER class oiler for Hvalfiord
30th	GLEANER and SEAGULL with RANGER class oiler arrived Hvalfiord
	RAPIDOL escorted by LLANDUDNO, BEAUMARIS, ARDROSSAN, and PETERHEAD left Hvalfiord for Akureyri
31st	RAPIDOL and escort arrived Akureyri

 

120. Operation CORNCRAKE

 

While operating against an enemy meteorological station in Signehavn (79-16N, 22-32E), a party of one officer and 14 men from the garrison at Spitzbergen were attacked by a U boat which destroyed their motor boat and left them stranded and unable to return to Barentsburg.

 

2. Owing to the probability of the U Boat's remaining in the vicinity the garrison at Spitzbergen were unwilling to send their only remaining motor boat to the rescue and the submarine SEA DOG was accordingly sailed from Lerwick on 26th June, called at Barentsburg early on 2nd July to embark a pilot, and rescued the party at Signehavn p.m. the same day, bringing them back to Barentsburg. SEA DOG then proceeded to Lerwick